[WORLD ONE] AIMINTAS (INTRODUCTION)

[spellbindmods]

Who: The coven & Palai people
Where: In and around the city land of Aimintas
When: Days 13 & 14
Open/Closed: Open to All

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!

Just like how you arrived, the process of leaving the hub and reappearing somewhere else is quite quick and uneventful. Brie and Genette gather as many people as possible so that everyone can explore the new world together in a group, which is where they all land once Qri has worked her magic. If you weren't in the vicinity, or thought that not being social meant you'd get to stay on the island, you come along as well, though you didn't exactly show up with the group. A ▢ Everyone starts their journey a reasonable distance from the outer city walls of Aimintas. It's about a four hour trek to the rocks on foot, which Genette tells everyone to move towards -- though you're free to do as you please. You may discover that traveling on your own too far away results in something quite unpleasant. The initial terrain is quite interesting -- it's at least different from the hub island, though you may not be particularly impressed. There's sticky kelp to step in, water in the sky to look at and sand to get stuck in every orifice of your body. How do you like the new digs thus far? B ▢ Genette explains that the gang must enter the city of Aimintas to survive, but it's easier said than done. Maybe as something of an incentive, Genette climbs into Qri's caravan and it floats away, over the rock face. There go all the supplies you brought! The rest of you losers will have to climb through the craggy rock walls, hundreds of feet tall with very few crevices and cracks that are navigable. Hope you can climb...or maybe you can find a way to get through using someone's magic? The sun sets while the coven is busy trying to get through the craggy infrastructure (at least, that's the fate of those who don't find a quicker way to get into the city). Brie locates a large cave in one of the rocks, and that's where everyone sets up camp for the night. If you want to carry on, that's your choice...but who knows if anything that goes bump in the night is out there bumping in the night time? C ▢ What will your character be doing tonight? Sleeping on a hard rock? Stuck awake? Even if they do manage to fall asleep, they may be haunted by the occasional high pitched screech that comes through the night, though the location of the noise is unknown as of right now.

It takes about a day to travel to Aimintas, climb through the rocks and come into the city. Thankfully the city hub is close to the side of the city the coven managed to climb through, so civilization is awaiting. That civilization is decently modern, lizard-like and very, very nosy. D ▢ Upon entering civilization, the Palai are immediately curious and in awe of their taller, bipedal visitors. They've only seen people like those in the coven in pictures, and if they learn that your character has magic? It'll be as if an A-list celebrity just wandered into town. Because they're so enamored, the Palai will readily give coven members gifts as a token of their appreciation. What exactly do they appreciate? Don't be afraid to ask a few simple questions. They'll be more than happy to give out answers. E ▢ Some Palai, though, will want to see some of that magic before they offer up any gifts. Some may be a little demanding, just because their curiosity is so overwhelming. A harsh no will result in an apology and a gift anyways, but maybe just show them some magic anyway...? Even outside of interacting with the Palai, there's quite a bit around here to look at. Genette can be found in the middle of one of the parks, handing out the stored supplies to their owners. (Don't worry, she'll tell you where she is with a little telepathic poke. Your supplies will give you access to shopping and bartering...your status as a magical humanoid thing will only get you so far. F ▢ The Palai marketplace is rather large and home to a variety of businesses, shops and services. Want a good night's sleep? Want to eat a delicious shrimp wrap? Need your hub technology charged? You can do that here. What strange items will you fine? Is their technology level something you're familiar with? G ▢ Finally, the Palai are a people of culture. That culture can be quite unforgiving to those who choose to wander around alone. Some Palai people, after the initial wonder has worn off, will deny services to people who are on their own. It just doesn't compute! Your character is better off with a group of three, but a friend is fine. Travel in groups or couples and your character will find that they get fewer strange looks and questions.

It can be easy to get overwhelmed within the Palai marketplace, so no one will blame a coven-member for escaping the city for a bit. On the outside of the marketplace is a very large house with dozens of Palai congregating -- and my dozens, we mean at least 200. A Palai mate triangle just committed to each other, and this is certainly worth celebrating. H ▢ The guests feel blessed by the presence of a coven-member, and they readily invite any that happen by to the festivities. There's cake, alcohol, drinks, dancing. The Palai people certainly know how to get down. I ▢ Wildcard! How will your character interact with this new and unusual world?

Comments

[soulcomet]

[the fact that he's even offering to stay at all is enough to convince her. that's not something that someone who isn't nice would do — and someone who isn't nice would have stood by and watched her unknowingly destroy her Soul Gem.]

[the fact that he cared enough about her, a total stranger, to say something, is enough to convince her.]

[but Madoka doesn't have it in her to argue, sitting there on the ground. she'll tell Dirk what she thinks, though, one day. she just nods, and the pink dress dissipates, leaving her back in her regular clothes.]

[she'll stand up soon, just give her a minute.]

[oneandmikleonly]

[are those excited sparkles in his eyes]

Did you just say time travel?

[soulcomet]

Well, there isn't really a right way to do it! You just listen to the beat of the music, and you move along with it however feels best.

[Madoka's dance moves are probably very similar to the pop idols she's seen on TV, to be honest.]

Give it a try!

[oneandmikleonly]

Sort of . . .

[he's just glad Jay isn't asking if he's an angel again honestly that's really embarrassing]

Seraphs are . . . elementals, protector spirits for places, things like that.

[oneandmikleonly]

I . . . suppose they don't.

[Mikleo looks out over the streets and shops again, raising his eyebrows; it's true that there are no loners to be seen among the Palai. and sure enough, the shopkeeper relaxes and starts to pay more attention to Mikleo's gestures the moment Waver joins him]

Oh. I think you're right, they're all in groups . . . there's such a throng I didn't pick it up at once.

[oneandmikleonly]

Completely without--? Oh, wow, Rose would not know how to deal with you. How do things function with no market?

[in answer to the other question, though, he demonstrates easily enough: there's a faint blue glow around his hand, and he pulls a sturdy-looking staff from the air a moment later]

Not since we arrived here, but yes. I couldn't reach this on the island. It was a real pain once the boars started getting aggressive.

[teratias]

I mean, if you're going over there anyway.

[So yes. Might as well just take the entire platter for good measure.]

[teratias]

...Seriously? How small is average then?

[Waver groans, and once he thinks he's got it all figured out, he tries to fill in the little rectangles. The whole thing says much more about his process, in truth: it is easiest to break things down into simple shapes and then embellish them once the rough outline is there.

But there is a metric ton of rectangles, and Waver's fingers can only move so fast.]

[teratias]

I just can't believe that a stupid guess I made was right.

[It is nice having vindication though, and Waver just lingers slightly behind Mikleo.]

Do what you need to do.

[splinten]

[He doesn't mind taking as long as she needs. He stays there, and he keeps himself steady and calm. He wants to offer her that grounding point. Everything has been disrupted for her, and there are heavy decisions before her. So he stays without complaint, present and solid.]

[puddingemote]

C: Starlight, Star Bright

[Tamaki is about as thrilled with the idea of sleeping outside as one could possibly expect, which is to say, not particularly thrilled at all. In fact, he is currently sitting near the entrance, his tall body folded up on itself as much as possible while he hugs his knees and stares out at the night, like something might appear from the gloom any moment.

The random screams aren't helping.

If someone walks close, he startles for a moment, before looking up at them with wide eyes.]

You think there are monsters here?

F: Shopping Sprees in Paris

[The food had smelled delicious, and that was what led to Tamaki going around the food stalls, trading the trinkets Genette had given him here and there for tastes of the local cuisine. It's all so good! He could stay here and eat forever!

...Unfortunately, he runs out of things to barter with fairly quickly. He just wants one piece of cake, but with empty pockets, he's left to the mercy of the contemplative baker.

After a moment, a proposal: Say, kid, a human like you will definitely draw in customers! Why don't you stand outside my shop and advertise for two hours, and I'll give you your cake.

So that was what led to Tamaki standing outside the bakery, holding a sign advertising wares while calling out:]

Fresh bread! Toasted Sandwiches! We cater!

[It's a living...?]

H: We're Looking For Something Dumb To Do

[Tamaki's never really been to a wedding before, so this is an especially exciting experience! There's so many people around, dancing, drinking, and celebrating. He'd like to join in, but not knowing anyone makes the crowd seem impenetrable.

So he stands near the edges of the dance floor, swaying a bit with the beat and eating cake. The dances they're doing look so fun... he tries to memorize them.]

h

[puddingemote]

[Tamaki's been hanging out at the fringes of the party, not sure what to do with himself; he loves dancing, but he doesn't know how to insert himself into this unfamiliar mass of lizard-people.

He's still grappling with this dilemma when suddenly his eyes meet Chiaki's - they haven't really met, but he's seen him around once or twice.

And then suddenly Chiaki is bounding over, and Tamaki's eyes widen, but he can't say no to an invitation like that, so...]

Yeah!

[He takes the offered hands.]

G

[puddingemote]

[Tamaki had been with his friends, but separated from them, he'd been running into a lot of people who looked at him strangely or wouldn't sell him things. It makes it a bit frustrating to try and do anything... he should really just meet back up with them.

That's what he's thinking, anyway, when he's suddenly approached by some guy. He frowns at the question]

So we really have to do everything in pairs here?

[puddingemote]

"Ah-"

Tamaki trips a bit to the side to avoid a sudden collision with Ryoji, frowning. He can understand the fascination with the ocean-sky (it is pretty unbelievable), but as the trek has worn on, Tamaki has felt less and less enchanted and more and more tired.

"Watch out," he says, without much bite to his words. "You could trip."

E

[puddingemote]

[Tamaki just happened to be passing by when suddenly someone starts swinging a scythe and teleporting.

It's such a surprising thing that all he can really think to do is drop down to the ground and scramble behind the shelter of a small bench, hoping that whoever this is isn't about to start attacking.

And when he doesn't, Tamaki pops back out from behind the bench, pointing at Qrow in accusation.]

Hey! Don't scare people like that!

[Which is maybe not the right reaction to someone who just called himself the grim reaper.]

[splinten]

They kinda don't, but that's okay, because everyone else is dead.

[His attention moves to the staff after this RIDICULOUS statement because that's way cooler.]

Dude, it sucks that it got stuck there. All of my sylladex junk just popped out.

[He demonstrates his own sylladx abilities by drawing his sword from nowhere.]

[girasole]

[Putting it that way sounds like they all went through magic puberty stop it.]

And you can do it...anywhere? Anytime? Like...say, right now?

[He's got so many questions.]

[genice]

( they did go through magic puberty okay he was awake for all that??? )

Yes. Though I'd prefer to strip first. I happen to like this outfit.

( it's essentially sweatpants and an exercise v-neck in black. what is there to like or not like. the world may never know. )

[mapsio]

[She is sorry for the real horror you're about to feel. She goes back to the bag of things that she sat down. Producing an ax, a good mid-sized one. Good for someone who may or may not be going into battle.

She was confident enough in her ability that she would be able to keep the barrier from even cracking!]

Now, my assistant will stand in this barrier as I hit it, okay? On the third hit, the barrier will shatter into sparkles.

[The palai seem interested.]

Now, please count along.

Stand at the very back, they won't notice. You're safe with me.

[Haru seems to know what she's doing, and she raises her axe. When her hits come they come hard. One hit, two hits....and finally three. On the third the barrier shatters into somewhat of a dazzling glitter. A glitter fitting enough for Victor, even.]

[mapsio]

... I could tell you about my friends.

[She nods.]

They're all very different. All of us are different, but all of us have similar stories. It's funny to say it like this, but, we're like a band of misfits. [How to go about this, she wonders:] We're all working for a similar goal, so we're a team.

I miss Morgana a lot, he's our cat and a very valuable asset to the team.

[Don't let Morgana hear her call him a cat though, HAH.]

[genice]

( he does as she asks, smile bright and 100% PR approved as he waves at the gathered Palai, shifting toward the back of the barrier. his heart isn't ready for the hits of the axe. he can feel those reverberations through his bones, or so he fancies; he's still ready when the barrier breaks.

through the cascade of glitter, Victor goes into a bow with a flourish, coming up to applaud enthusiastically, alongside the Palai. )

Wow! Amazing!

( slipping around toward the side of his erstwhile saviour, he holds out a hand for shaking. )

Wonderful performance. Can't say I'd want to volunteer to be your second on stage all that often, but I don't think I did too bad managing on the fly.

( he winks. )

Victor Nikiforov. Thank you.

[mapsio]

That's right. Our identities as Phantom Thieves has everything to do with the change of heart. We have to take on these identities when we invade places so no one knows who we really are. It sounds very much like a movie, and quite frankly it feels that way too.

[Her lips tug into a small grin.]

I could show you part two?

[mapsio]

Oh, well. I can use something called a "persona".

[It's probably easier to see, right?]

Would you like to see?

[probablynoteren]

I don't really...

[He doesn't have a lot of experience with music itself, either, but that's a little harder to explain when he's trying to make sense of the dance floor. So he gives up. Actions speak louder, and all. Madoka's instructions are vague enough that he ends up just sort of shuffle-dancing, unsure if he should follow her lead -- her moves seem a lot more bouncy than any dancing he's seen, here or elsewhere.

He gives it a few tries, though?! So now there's a bumbling teenager and a smaller teenager trying out idol dance moves in the middle of a lizard... wedding... maybe he should try copying the lizards too. This dance attempt is already going off the rails.]

... I feel like people are watching us.

[girasole]

Most of the people I kn- knew were taller than me, actually. You have no idea how it feels to finally be tall.

[Tallish, at least. Anyway, they are checking out a restaura- wait, no. He was going to suggest a random restaurant, because adventure. He was going to mention that it smelled good and it looked crowded, but not in a bad way. It showed all the signs of being a decent place to eat, and, sure, they might get stared at, but all he'd have to do is be a sunlamp and they should be fine. He was even going to hold a door open with a flourish should she agree because he's that kind of guy.

But no. He was five seconds away from saying, "How about that place? There seems to be a menu over there." And then he hesitated because...

...wait for it...

It was named The Edgewater Gill. (It's a grill. There's grilled food inside. It's a terrible pun.) The second Caesar realizes this he just stares at it.] Of course it's a pun.

[Of course. And it's probably edgewater because there's water above them and they're on the edge of it and- how very dare you, whoever opened this business. How very dare you.] Let's just find somewhere else.