[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

[songbird_slayer]

That should be just fine. I've heard of places with spring water so clean and tasty that it can make a man weep, actually! This Tonio sounds like someone I really ought to meet.

Ah, I think I'll do the same. A sandwich and a frothy cappuccino sounds absolutely perfect.

[Refined! Refined. Not the distasteful things she'd been called in Ul'dah. How often had she been called whore? Or worse, only because of her cabaret career? Her expression warmed further as she canted her head and smiled at him.]

...And you're a gentleman. I think your company has made this the nicest place to sit and dine in by far.

[billionboy]

I wonder if when they send us back that you can come visit just for a short while? It'd be a shame for anyone not to be able to taste Tonio's food. He's also real friendly guy and probably ask million questions on what food you know so he can make his food even better.

Maybe ya'd even get it all for free!

[ His hand slaps the back of his neck as he ducks his head. A gentleman? Him? A street punk like him? A real nice refined lady thinks that about him? He rubs and messes up the back of his hair. ]

Ah, I don't know what to do with a compliment like that! Thank you! Ya, a nice lady'd like you be able to get lots of free food. [ These are the compliments. ]

[songbird_slayer]

[You're a treasure, Okuyasu.]

Sometimes I do! But to make such a fine meal is the livelihood for some people. I couldn't possibly go without offering something in exchange. I may sing a song to lift their spirits, or perhaps see if I can soothe a few pains.

Speaking of which, you took a nasty spill not too long ago if I recall. How are you feeling?

[billionboy]

Ah, that's right. It wouldn't be right to not give anyhin'.

[ He crosses his arms and nods, leaning back in his chair. ]

Oh! I'm doin' all right. I actually got looked after when I went back to camp. A few sprains and all that. [ Okuyasu leans forward as the chair comes back forward with him. ] I'm really sorry for worryin' ya. [ A pause. ] And for like yellin' "fuck" in your head as I was rollin' down a hill.

[ Longer pause. ] And I guess for sayin' again now, too.

[songbird_slayer]

[He seemed well. Lot of very sturdy people in the coven, and that was a relief. That might mean she may not have to... well...

She blinked in her surprise with that f-bomb.]

Hah, ah... it's alright, sweetheart. I've been around plenty of people that treat oaths like commas in a sentence, but it's appreciated.

Now, hmm. I'm feeling like a club sandwich. How about you?

[billionboy]

[ He nods like he understands and squints hard when she says something about oaths. His eyes trail off and he pauses as he notices "horns?" Yes, it has taken this long since she has taken off her hat for him to notice them, because he was looking at her face and listening hard to what she was saying. ]

You have horns! [ Very articulate. ] That's neat! [ Oh, right. Sandwiches. ] Uh... grilled cheese.

[songbird_slayer]

[She put in the order. But she looked back at him, surprised again. Ah, she supposed when she wore her hat they were obscured a tad-]

Oh, yes. I hear with them and everything! I was once asked if my people had horn fights for superiority or territory, ramming heads like goats...

Knowing the men and what they're like... [She sighed helplessly.] I wouldn't be surprised.

[billionboy]

You can? So they're like ears, too.

[ That's real cool. He holds his chin as he looks them over. Blinking, he he leans forward as he makes a surprised sound. ] I thought what was on your face was some real elaborate jewelry. I thought I should ask but that feels rude to ask a lady about her jewelry. If it looks nice on you, it looks nice, right?

[ But that's part of her horns, maybe? Her make-up? ] Well, the same applies, right? If it looks nice, it looks nice. Why do people gotta ask ya rude questions? Refined ladies don't ram their heads against others like goats.

[ And he beats his hand down. ] Also if a man is rude to ya, ya just tell me!

[songbird_slayer]

I believe in the idea that they're curious, rather than that they're feeling an innate desire to poke at what's strange.

[It didn't look like make-up. The black scales against her face seemed smooth, maybe a little shiny like a snake's. She nodded.]

Exactly! I wouldn't change a single thing about how I look, and neither should you.

[Oh my. The conviction! Well, now that she's certain he knows she doesn't go goat on anybody, and to boot that she can call on a friend when someone is being rude or elsewise.]

I think I will. You know, it makes me feel a whole lot better about this whole coven thing knowing I've got someone like you looking out for me. Then you knock his block off and we go get Italian food.

[billionboy]

Well, I suppose that ya'd see it that way. And if you do, then I will, too.

[ He gives a small nod, agreeing with himself. If she doesn't take offense, then he shouldn't take it for her. Wouldn't that be embarrassing for her? Maybe. ]

Huh? Really? Ya don't think that my face is a little scary?

[ Pointing at the aforementioned face, he is actually surprised. ]

Yes! That's exactly what I would do! After any sort of event like that, good food is needed! It helps to make your insides feel better when they're all shook up, right?

[songbird_slayer]

[She shook her head.]

Your look is very intriguing, but I don't feel frightened of it. Especially not when I've gotten to know a bit about you. In my years of adventuring, I've come to learn to see what beats behind the ribs of a man.

You're passionate. You like good food. You try your best. It's enough to make a lady weak in the knees. Which does make me curious...

[She linked her fingers and coyly nestled her chin atop them, lips curled.]

Have you perhaps stolen any hearts back home?

[billionboy]

[ So many nice compliments about him. He really can't stop himself from tearing up that such a nice lady would say so much about him! Okuyasu doesn't really think that he deserves it that much, but it's the last bit that has him half collapse onto the table. ]

No! Not even once did I have a girl confess to me! [ A loud sniffle. ] I didn't even ever get any obligatory chocolates on Valentine's Day. They all avoid me! Even if I were to pick up their book if it dropped, they'd run away! Don't they know that a man's heart is fragile?!

[songbird_slayer]

[The smile faltered. She hadn't expected such a response. The energy, certainly, but... really, now? While assuming that Valentine's sounded suspiciously close to Valentionne's, a day of love and seeking one's other half, she had to wonder what he meant about 'obligatory' chocolate.]

Is that right? Oh, I'm so sorry for asking, dear... I didn't know!

[Her hands lowered and she sat upright. He was sniffling, and she reached into her blouse's inner pocket for a handkerchief, offered it to him.]

You poor thing. But if it's any consolation, all that means is that they're not your heart's missing half. I believe that everyone has one, and some find them early. Others find them later on, perhaps on accident, or just when they think they may never find it.

[billionboy]

It's all right. Yer a real nice lady so ya wouldn't know.

[ It is one of the things that bothered him. Not one girl has ever confessed to liking him. With those cute letters and all that shit. He looks up at the handkerchief and takes it with a nod to wipe his eyes. ]

Really? Ya think that there's someone that'll actually call me out to say that they like me, but like not in a scary way where they'll kidnap me?

[songbird_slayer]

Of- ... [She appeared briefly bewildered. That sounded awfully specific. What sort of women do you deal with back home!?]

Of course. Don't you fret! I've a knack for such things, you know; my nameday is on Valentione's Day! A full-blooded lovechild, so to- ... err... no, wait, that sounded better in my head... My parents are married, for starters.

[billionboy]

[ He blows his nose again before speaking. ]

Nah, I get ya. Ya are the kind of lady that probably has a lot of guys that think that she's great. So I'm sure that you know a lot about love and relationships. [ A sniffle, before he pauses. ]

Wait... is that a compliment? I think so... but um... being born on Valentine's Day is also good, like that helps... I'm sure.

[songbird_slayer]

I'm no member of the Valentione family, but I make do.

[But she paused, which was the perfect opportunity for their food and drink to arrive, and she helped herself to the olive that came atop her sandwich.

Lots of guys think she's great, huh? Madhuri couldn't recall. Certainly, people back home worshiped the ground she walked on because of her status as Warrior of Light. But she couldn't recall a single blessed person who saw deeper than that. It was enough that the palai pushing her to find people struck a little nerve with her, but... Okuyasu was counting on her! Smiles, everyone! It's easier that way.

She smiled. This poor gentleman... what would he think if he found out she was a hypocrite and a fool?]

Goodness, your sandwich looks positively sinful. I wonder what kinds of cheeses the palai make.