[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

[tropism]

[ i see your berserk refs, purse proprietors. ]

Sure, I'm alright with it.

[ but he orders a choco pudding on the side anyway, because it's giorno's favourite and one dessert isn't really enough for two growing boys. ]

How do you like the place so far? [ giorno glances at the lizard crowd that's finally settled down after the earlier attack; the critters he'd thrown to the crowd earlier had finally returned to their original forms. ] They're a cheerful crowd. Excitable, but that's better than anything else.

[actus]

[ love you too. ]

It beats the crabs from the bathhouse.

[ he leans his cheek into the palm of his hand, gaze shifting from the palai to the rest of the small cafe. it's quaint. it's nice. it almost feels like a vacation, in some sense. ]

It must be fate how we keep meeting. [ he says it cooly, in deadpan, finally looking back. ]

[tropism]

That's how these things usually start. A series of happy coincidences that lead to something more serious.

If we were in an anime, we'd be .... in season 1 arc 1. [ whoa giorno careful with the fourth walling. ] As one of the main characters, I think I'm supposed to warn you about how I come pre-packaged with issues.

[ as soon as the cappucino comes, giorno lets his fingers cradle its warmth, smiling easily. ]

[actus]

Ah. And in true anime fashion, is this the part where I inform you that I'm not perfect myself and that I have experience in helping people though their problems?

[ he greedily takes his own drink, taking a sip. a delighted look crosses his face. ]

It's not bad. I could probably make better, though.

[ easy with the modesty there, buddy. ]

[tropism]

Wait. I think we're supposed to fight first, or something - to prove that you and I are worthy of being friends. We're looking at at least six seasons and a movie, I don't do things in halves.

As with all things, we also need a theme song. I'm from 2001. S Club 7 is a chart topper.

[ giorno raises an eyebrow at him. ] You realize I need a demonstration now! One does not simply go around claiming they can make better coffee in front of an Italian like that.

[actus]

Ah. I'm from 2017. We'd be having a long-distance relationship, so to speak.

[ time paradoxes are weird. then again, so is everything else about this situation. ]

Do you think they'd mind? I'd probably get kicked out if people start swooning over my smooth blend over theirs....

[tropism]

.... I'm older than you! [ ah that means he's also the guy that this kid's parents warned him about, maybe. giorno has awkward flashbacks about ill-timed ads about catfishing and it's the most hilarious thing to him right now, but laughing would be awkward in front of akira so he doesn't do that. ] Well, technically.

[ in all seriousness: ] I'm the worst person to ask, because my immediate response would be to Follow your dreams. But put on a little show .... and you can probably get away with it.

[actus]

I'll do my best. Just for you.

[ he pushes up his glasses, a grin tugging onto his face as he rises up from the table and heads over to the counter. god knows what he says to the palai in order to let him go behind the counter and start looking at the blends, but it happens. he's finding something that's not too strong or bitter, but still strong. a few seconds later, he's slowly pouring heated water over small collection of beans, watching as they blossom delicately in the cup below. it's a true art form.

he comes back over in a few minutes with a cup of coffee, complete with a side of cream and sugar if giorno wants. he isn't exactly sure how he takes it, so he didn't want to presume!! ]

A Leblanc. [ gesturing to it as he sits back down. ]

> be me googling leblanc: "what is a ... league of legends??? what u tryna tell me"

[tropism]

Thank you.

[ now. now.

the first time giorno ever got introduced to his gang, he was made to drink somebody's pee. this now feels like a century ago, but even if he and akira so far had been on good terms, excuse him if he turns his teeth into jellyfish right now until further notice. it's just a precaution. you never know when someone will spring an unfortunate prank on you when here you were, minding your business and hoping that you'll become a gangstar just like the cool kids.

in any case akira did not seem to hate him. they seem to be getting along well. the coffee seems legit enough. and he had seen him prepare it, even if he wasn't entirely in his line of sight. it's small things like these which can afford him comfort, plus the fact that he has his stand again. he will never be subject to that kind of treachery ever again.

giorno inhales the coffee smell, and puts in two dollops of cream and sugar, and tastes it - ]

Oh, very good. You should be prouder of your Leblanc. [ and he means it, too. more than anything else he appreciates someone's effort to make coffee for him even if he's not actually a connoisseur or anything. the jellyfish tea is removed and he actually takes a good drink instead of the cursory sip. ] I bet it'll go well with the desserts.

i laughed so hard i'm so sorry friend

[actus]

[ you're a cool kid.

listen, akira is a prankster but he isn't gross. he respects the art of coffee and would never try and trick you like that. for shame.

still, a tiny smile creeps up on akira's face. he nods, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. it almost feels like he's being complimented by his guardian on a job well done. awesome. for some reason being able to successfully brew a delicious cup of coffee is one of those things he takes the most pride in. probably because he's an impatient person and coffee requires patience. ]

My guardian back home owns a cafe. He's famous for his coffee and curry. [ famous is a subjective word, okay. ]

im never trusting u again

[tropism]

[ giorno smiles. their desserts come a minute later, and just as he predicted, it goes well enough with the chocolate pudding. the cafe subsides after a while, although they still get cursory glances here and there, if only because of their infamy earlier. it used to bother giorno when they first arrived, but by now he's gotten used to it. being a celebrity and the target of gossip - it'll do him well to get used to such things for the future. ]

Do you work there part-time? When you're not being a gentleman thief, that is.

i have earned this shame yes

[actus]

Yeah. I also help out at a beef bowl place and a flower-shop.

[ akira, the king of part-time jobs.

he tries the desserts, grinning when the sweet taste greets his tongue. yes, good, this was exactly what he was missing on that island. while roasting your own boar had its perks, nothing truly beat a great dessert. bless this world. ]

I never asked ... what's your power?

[tropism]

Aren't you a hard worker.

[ as for his power, well - ] I can turn your coffee into wasps. Or your brownie into a snake. Or your bones into vines.

I suppose the best way of describing it is .... I'm a fairy godmother. [ he smiles at him. ] So you should be very nice to me. Or you'll be rolling in pumpkins and mice soon enough.

[actus]

[ .... ]

You really like pests, don't you? [ he says it entirely in deadpan, completely nonjudgemental. he goes to take another sip of his coffee, grinning over the brim of it. ]

That explains the - ah - unexpected guests today. And don't worry, I don't have any intention of treating you poorly.

[ and here he thought his power was weird. ]

[tropism]

I've a fascination for animals and plants with complicated anatomies and parts. [ he doesn't sound defensive, not at all. ] When you have a power like mine, it's hard not to be. And people are mostly terrified of pests, so it's very convenient. A dog can be feral, but most people would associate dogs as a pet first. There's something ... hmm. There's something biblical about frogs and snakes coming from the dark. Or a plague. Or scorpions crawling down the walls.

[ giorno finishes his chocolate pudding. ] Power takes many forms. Where I come from, if you don't know how that affects people, you're done for. To protect or to serve, to fight or to kill - we are all complicated anatomies and parts fitting together to achieve a dream or a goal.

[ and he glances at him, smiling. some date this is turning out to be. ] I'm always curious about how people are moved. Even gentleman thieves have their place in the scheme of things, though I'm never just interested in thieves. I'm one myself.

But. That's all just poetics. [ he taps on the menu again. ] Would you like more sweets?

i am still laughing how this is happening over chocolate pudding

[actus]

[ this isn't the weirdest conversation he's ever had by miles. perhaps the fact they're eating dessert while discussing scorpions and snakes is a bit odd... but akira is used to odd. ]

It sounds like more than just poetics. [ just a casual observation!!! not an attack or anything. ]

I don't really like bugs or scorpions or anything. They're fine. Just not my thing. I guess I like cats. [ YOU GUESS? he loves cats, don't let him fool you. ]

I wouldn't say that's where I get my power from. ... Though I guess one of them is a cat, so. [ he completely ignores the more sweets question. ]

we can always do it over abbacchio's pee instead (long may he live)

[tropism]

A lot of things seem more than what they are. [ not an attack or anything. ]

Where do you get your power from? And what is it?

[ it's so normal to talk about powers now. can giorno say the same for criminals like them, no matter the crime? perhaps. but then again, giorno isn't just anyone, and he's fairly sure that akira's the same.

maybe if he'd had more time to be .... more of himself, to believe that that possibility exists, he'd know how not to conduct these things over chocolate pudding. but that's not the kind of person giorno giovanna is, and anyway, who's to tell him he's doing everything wrong? most of his friends are dead. ]