[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

[potentite]

[E]
[The problem was that Jake couldn't really think of a way to show them his ability. How do you explain it? Well, it probably was easier than he was making it out to be but he totally blanked when they started making demands of him, growing shy and unsure.

So, he started a game.

That game has gotten popular enough that a small gathering is around him. It's claustrophobic and makes him anxious but he's trying not to show it. They're welcoming all of them into their city, so it only feels right.]

Now, ready? One, two, three—

[They all throw their hands out for rock-paper-scissors. If you watch a few games, sometimes Jake does lose. But, more often than not, somehow, all of the Palai pick the one weaker to his choice. Some of them don't seem to think it's magic but most of them are entertained at least.

But they keep demanding another round and Jake is looking pretty exhausted. Save him?]


[F]
[So Jake learned firsthand that working off your debt is apparently a normal option. Maybe he could have used his magic to get out of it but he didn't think of that. So now he's standing outside of a cafe with a tray of dozens of small sample squares of pastries.]

Um, um— E—Excuse me, would you like to try our new dessert? It's berry tasty!

[Look they told him to say that.]


[G]
[By now Jake is exasperated. He's arguing with a Palai.]

Please, I just— Really, my friend just left, I'm waiting for them to come back, but, um—

[He's not very convincing and the Palai seems to feel sorry for him but still refuses to sell him lunch until he proves this 'friend' exists.]


[H]
[The dancing actually looks pretty fun but Jake is standing off to the side, practically hiding in fact, lest some poor person tries to ask him to join when they notice he's watching. He's just playing idly with a slice of cake.]

They seem happy despite everything, don't they?

[He can't help thinking about those mysterious terrible people that apparently keep appearing from above and attacking them.]


[I]
[Aside from constantly getting bullied by lizard folk, Jake is enjoying himself here: a) checking out the movie posters outside the theater with great interest, b) trading comic books with some kids and c) hugging a laptop that he just bought because he's so happy. You're free to make up anything else, too!]

f

[soulcomet]

[you don't have to ask her twice, Jake. in fact, the pun probably sold her on it even more than it would have otherwise.]

Yes! I'd love to.

[potentite]

[Since it's Madoka, he relaxes a little. She has the honour of being one of the few people that doesn't make him nervous. He smiles at her and holds the tray out.]

Take your pick! They're all cute as a button, so they should be perfect for you.

[soulcomet]

[she'd be, well, honored, if she knew that. but she does turn about the color of her hair; that was a really sweet thing to say, Jake.]

They all look so good ... [Madoka takes a square, and moves to stand next to him while she gives it a try.]

Are you working in exchange for something, Jake-san?

g

[mapsio]

[Never fear! Haru is here! She's going to see that Jake is having some trouble with the Palai and approach him.]

I'm sorry, he was waiting on me. I had to step away for a moment.

[JUST ROLL WITH IT, JAKE.]

[potentite]

[Oh thank god. Jake visibly relaxes, shoulders slumping in relief. As stupid as it is, he was about to give up and just go hungry rather than bother anyone.]

Yes! Yes, see. Oh sakes alive, Haru. [The Palai seems surprised but happy to accept it. It would have been a sad shame if they were alone after all. Since he's obtained something to barter with, he's eager to pay her back immediately.] Do you still want lunch?

[mapsio]

[And Haru wasn't about to let that happen to her dear friend.]

Sorry, sorry. I got caught up on my way here. [And the Palai seem to take that excuse, and they can both walk away now.] I'm actually not hungry right now, but thank you.

i.a

[splinten]

[It mesmerizes Dirk too, naturally. For a kid who grew up obsessed with films and his Bro's cinematographic legacy, Dirk has never actually been to a movie theatre. He is also there curious and interested, staring at posters. He hasn't failed to notice Jake, exactly, but his interests are at conflict.

Seeing a movie with your friends is normal. But are they even friends? And is it normal when that maybe-not-friend is your ex?

Life is really hard, and Dirk still isn't ready to handle this head-on. He still doesn't know how to without both of them running spooked.

He glances at Jake awkwardly at a side angle from his shades. Will Jake talk, or is Dirk forced to be* the unawkward one?


*try, and probably not succeed]

[potentite]

[Since Dirk doesn't speak up, Jake doesn't know it's him. In fact, for a long moment, he isn't even aware that anyone else is there. He inspects them one at a time, moving on when he's done, coming closer to the point where he has to notice that someone else is there, looking at them, too. He turns to look and freezes.

He's not unhappy to see him, despite the way he tenses. That's not it at all. His muscles stop but his heart jumps. All the anxiety and fear and worry and knowing he shouldn't bother him and still he's always happy to see him when they bump into each other here. Jake glances down, unsure what to say. Asking him to see one with him seems wrong.

He shifts a little.]

So, um... [He nods at the poster in front of Dirk.] Is that the one catching your eye?

[splinten]

[He watches the shift. It is hard to figure out what to do. He wants, though—

He breathes in.]

To be honest, any of them would be interesting. Without giving over to your total lack of discrimination, it would be my first movie theatre film.

[Jake knows that. It will, Dirk guesses, be Jake's too, unless he's gone ahead on it.]

[potentite]

[Oh. Is Dirk asking to see a movie with him? He isn't sure. He doesn't want to assume.]

Um, mine too. I hadn't... picked one yet, and, um, I was... a mite nervous going in by myself. [Anxiety is one thing but it's another when the people here demand he not be alone.]

[splinten]

[This is going to kill them both. Dirk can see the path out and yet he does not know if he can actually take the damn thing.]

Yeah they're, uh. Big on doing things in groups.

[HMGMGMSGLDKJG]

I don't have anyone to go with myself.

[potentite]

[Then he is asking him. Okay. Okay, cool, fine. He can do this. It's not like he doesn't want to. God, seeing a movie with him would be such a good date, too, but—]

I don't mind. [No. Wait. Passive. He's being passive again.] I'd like that.

[splinten]

You want to? [God the hopeful lift there is SO PATHETIC. He wants to die. Kill Him.] I would want to too. [fuck]

[potentite]

[Maybe it is but hearing it makes his heart jump a beat and he breathes in slowly.]

Yeah, um... [But he isn't sure where he's going with that, except that he wants to say too many things that aren't fair. So he looks at the posters.] Which one, though? I bet I'll like any of them.

[splinten]

And I'll find something to critique in any choice.

[Dirk points at a random one. It has a lizard in a hat.]

Let's go with that.

[potentite]

That one looks dandy. [Pause.] You need a ticket, right? I have, um... [He retrieves a bag of berries from when they landed out of his sylladex.] I think that would be enough for two for one showing?

[splinten]

You'd know better than me. [..Or well.] I guess neither of us would. We can always work shit off if we have to.

[potentite]

I hope so! Movies can't be that expensive. Um, so... [He gestures towards the entrance? If Dirk wants to still?]

[splinten]

Yeah, let's—

[Be STUPIDLY AWKWARD as he goes in. And asks for movie tickets? On being asked for payment, he looks to Jake for the Cash. Berrycash.]

[potentite]

[Oh, yes, money. Jake slides the bag of mixed berries across the counter. When the Palai working seems unsure, he digs a comic book out of his sylladex and adds that in, which seems to be enough to satisfy what weird inherent bartering notion they have, so they're granted tickets.]

[splinten]

[Dirk frowns and talks quietly,]

Are you sure about the comic book? You're basically paying for my movie ticket here.

[potentite]

[He smiles at Dirk.] Are you joshing me? It's totally worth it to see a movie with— [Oh. Wait, no, that would be too much, wouldn't it? But there's no other way to end that sentence and he flushes. Fuck. But he knows that's too much to push on him but...] —I mean, you know, watching movies and chewing them over was always our thing. So... I'm glad.

[He's just going to hurry forward to look at the concessions stand now.]

[splinten]

[SMOOTH, KIDS. Dirk flusters like an idiot]

Yeah. Me too.

[HE JUST. GRABS POPCORN? HE KNOWS IT'S POPCORN AND POP YOU TAKE SO HE'S DOING THAT]

[potentite]

[Jake will pay for that for him, too. Which mentally he can't help thinking makes him the gentleman on this date, which it is not a date, and he really needs to not think of it that way, but it's still tempting. Anyway he gets popcorn, too.]

Is there anything else you want? [Since Jake is paying, he doesn't mind offering, especially now that they've established he's fine with trading items for this.]