spellbinders | [WORLD ONE] SPEED DATING EXTRAVAGANZA

[WORLD ONE] SPEED DATING EXTRAVAGANZA

Who: Participating coven members
Where: The Palai marketplace
When: Day 49
Open/Closed: OTA

[ Any and all who are in the marketplace will find that there is suddenly a mysterious barrier around the marketplace (that may be eerily familiar to some) -- specifically one large portion of the marketplace with a large number of tables and chairs, perhaps purposefully set out for nefarious reasons.

A few Palai are ushering coven members to chairs, and everything seems about normal. As normal as the Palai can be when they're putting on a show anyway. It's not until a sizable portion of the coven members are seated (and also supplied with breadsticks and small shrimp), that things get a bit more bizarre.

Thanks to the power of the Eltos, a small band of energy keeps coven members stuck to the chair (magic can interfere, of course), but that's not the end of it. On each table, next to those delicious smelling breadsticks and shrimp, is a bowl of scraps of papers. Every five minutes, a strip of paper will pop out from the bowl.

If you ask the Palai, they'll be inclined to explain speed dating to you. Asking questions, getting to know a person, then being shimmied off to the next potential mate -- this is made possible by Elto magic yet again, through flying chairs that transport their holder to a new table at standard intervals.

The Palai are extremely invested in this exercise? Will you let them down? ]

[ OOC: In the spirit of speed dating, each character will have a top level. All who want to respond to this top level can with questions from this post, but the threads have to end at 10 comments from each character. After this last tag, the characters can be assumed to have been whisked to a different potential match. You're free to have characters make up their own questions, interact with Palai serving food, etc. ]

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[Uncomfortable and annoyed should be the standard feeling everyone in the area could agree in unison over, but Nike's feelings were a lot more complicated -- she was starving and feeling heartbroken over being tricked by a group that reminded her of a lizard version of her family.]

...I got them to promise to bring me a bowl of my favorite soup. It should be here soon.

[Since she was just recently switched, and yet her gaze was on the hands over her lap. That is until his question caught her interest.]

Tech? What's that?

Technology. Y'know, uh, machines, airships. ...Mecha?

[That last one sounded almost hopeful. But he might have to start at the beginning here; wouldn't be the first time.]

Let's say you've got an oven that heats up without having to light a fire and a little clock that lets you know when you've baked bread for exactly half of an hour. Any of that familiar so far?

[The mentioned words were entirely unknown to her. Airships? That one may have caught her attention enough to turn her attention to the man across from her. Or was it dog? A talking humanoid dog???]

....somewhat....???

[Sorry, Mr. Tech, she was too surprise to really form words. Okay, maybe sge could form some.]

I recognize oven and bread....if that helps...

[That sudden attentive stare had his ear twitch. Well, probably for the best that she gets the gawking out of her system early.]

Ooookay. How about this: Imagine a big, metal boat. Big enough to live in. Now give it wings-- huge, metal wings. And it can fly high above the clouds.

[What are any of these amazing descriptions!? And they are coming from man’s best friend, no less. Nike was beyond amazed by it all as she can’t really believe it.]

I…we don’t have metal ships yet. The oar and sails ship style of travel was just invented and only powerful countries possess them…

[But, even so, she was trying her best to imagine a metal ship with giant bat wings zooming off. The idea of having such a cool invention capable of reaching the sky was enough to make her smile.]

I want to see it. An airship. It’d be fun to be able to touch the sky, reach for the clouds, and look at the world below. [A pause.] Have you ridden one before, Mr. Tech?

...Oh.

[...He wasn't even sure what to say to that. The heck kinda stone age was she from? Maybe he'd have to keep things just a little simpler. But at least she seemed to have the right idea of what he was describing.]

You kiddin'? I lived on one before I came here. ...Though the clouds did kinda cover up the world below. I only actually saw the ground- the original ground- these past couple years. And s'just 'Red', by the way.

[...But he'd be lying if he said he could imagine a time where oar-and-sails was a new thing]

How 'bout you? What was your home like?

[The description and experience over living on a airship will leave her stunned as she couldn’t imagine it. There was a world not only filled with possible dog people, but they lived or travelled (or both) on flying ships with wings. She can just imagine the wonderful adventures he must have experience. Then again, there was a detail that he does mention which will catch her attention.]

The original ground? What does that mean?

[Did he not live the same way as she did? On the world’s ground? Whatever may be the case, her interest on the world he was from is now slowly overtaking her initial surprise on his appearance. Along with his next question. That will leave her feeling thoughtful.]

My world is pretty ordinary. Most of the travel is done by ship, horse carriages, or just riding on animals for trips your feet can’t take you to. I was born and raised in an island nation known as the Rain Principality or Kingdom for those, like me, live there refer to it as. We all follow a principle known as “peaceful living by living a carefree life”. Which means we all work together in unity to help our country prosper and live off the land by making sure all our basic necessities are taken care of. It’s very peaceful compare to the country I had to move to. Then again, it’s my world’s capital, so there’s more people from different ways of life. It can’t be helped if everyone over there is usually cold and distant.

[Could there be some homesickness over her country and bitterness over the other one? Nike isn’t hiding it one bit.]

That... sounds nice, I guess. [If more than a little bit boring all the same. Good friends and a nice community are one thing, but... where's excitement? Where's the adventure? Where was all the interesting stuff if they didn't even have metal ships yet?

But then there was the matter of her question.]

Well, I also lived on an island, but above the clouds. And pretty much above everythin' else down below. It's kinda hard to--

wait. Hang on...

[Oookay. He'd only done this once before, but... that talisman at his collarbone could be used to transmit more than just his words, right? Nike might feel a bit of a sputter in his own mind as he tries to make a connection with her, but even moreso she can see the strain in his eyes as he thought to try and focus with a bit more clarity than usual. ...Or maybe that was just the headache he was giving himself.

Regardless, after a few seconds of awkward concentration, Nike could see it in her own mind's eye; a bustling, populous city, high above a sea of clouds. Airships flying alongside the overhead... The sort of thing he had the pleasure of seeing whenever he docked at Airedale.

It wasn't the sort of thing he could keep up for more than a few seconds before it puffed away and he slumped back in the chair, rubbing his temple.]

Ugaaaah... that hurts.

[She did notice the change in his demeanor and expression. It was difficult to explain the look on his face to be other than he was trying her hardest to do something or he wasn’t feeling well. For a single moment, she almost rejoice at the possibility of it being the latter, believing it could be their possible ticket to escape, but she mentally scolded herself for even wishing for it. Even if it could become the possibility behind the return of her freedom, she should never rejoice or use people in that way.

With concern and slight guilt etched on her face, Nike will raise her hand a bit.]

H-Hey, are you…?

[Before the final word could escape her lips, Nike will notice a new pull connecting onto her mind. A different one compare to the already many sensations she can sense. There was something there, taking some space in her mind, which will leave her curious to figure it out. Fortunately, a very clear image will appear in front of her, a bright world with clear blue skies filled with clouds, birds, odd looking items, and floating pieces of ground too.

Nike’s expression will change to one of pure delight and amazement by the clear visual she was viewing. It was the first time she has been able such a clear image of a memory. Normally, the memories her rain partner’s share with her are a little blurry. It was sometimes difficult to notice significant details like other people’s faces, but this was different.]

Amazing! Simply amazing! This world is so beautiful! [Pointing up to the sky, in which there may be nothing except the Palai’s sky (and barrier) above them.] Are those airships? They don’t look much like ships, but they’re so cool!

[If only she could feel and hear his world’s voice, but alas she couldn’t be selfish. Her attention will quickly turn from the sky to below her to find a city. Not just that, but there was movement too from the natives of his world. They were all animals too. But what amaze Nike the most was:]

Not everyone in that city are dogs! There are other species too!

[It was an interesting and delightful scene too. She couldn’t help have so many questions about it; however she knew it could wait -- there was something, or rather, someone, she should feel both concern and gratitude to.]

Red, are you okay? Do you need water? I can serve you some, if you like!

Feels like there's a nail in my head and my brain is tryin' to push it back out... [Or was it in his mind? either way, it was a a heck of a feeling- and it took a little while for that vivid recollection to settle back into his OWN head afterwards. He's not used to working his brain quite so hard.

And particularly with this telepathic mumbo-jumbo.]

Drink'd be nice though.

[A palm smacked against the side of his head a couple times as if to beat that headache back from whence it came. A squint and a wince, and he was at least able to be coherent again.]

...But yeah. Those're airships. Just think- if we had one'a those here, that's half'a our problems in this place gone already. We could just cut right to that island up above us.

'specially if it had cannons.

T-That's a pretty vivid way to describe it...

[It was always interesting to overhear other people's remarks concerning the telepathy powers everyone was given. She couldn't help remember her own first experience with it when her grandmother tried to connect her mind and heart with her older sister as part of her training as a rain summoner. She can only smile at the nostalgic feeling....which wasn't the best time to.]

Hold on, I'll get you something. [She'll take the flask of water that was on left side of the center of their table to pour water to his glass.] Here. Drink this. It may help with your headache.

[She didn't have any pills or dust to offer him to help him further. Hopefully the Palai will decide to help out because otherwise her hands were full on this one. All she can do was listen to his idea on getting an airship to hover to the island above them. It made her wonder.]

The salt water won't get in the way of the airship?

[Rain water, or rather any type of moisture found in the atmosphere, was different compare to the salt water of the sea; even thought the ocean water can be used for water vapor. Even so, she was curious at the thought of an airship going through the sea to reach their destination.]

Why would you need cannons for? [She'll look a little worried.] You aren't planning on attacking the Uvi, are you?

You think it sounds bad? I'm the one feelin' it. [But he was quick to take the water and gulp it hurriedly-- that's supposed to be a good way to get rid of a headache, right? He slammed the empty glass back onto the table with a relieved sigh.]

Thanks.

[...But that relief quickly vanished with Nike's questions. Right; that whole 'water' thing he only just recently had to actually start considering.]

...Right. That whole 'ocean' thing. Maybe not.

But I ain't some kinda warlord. Just figure the Uvi might think twice about tryin' to attack us if they saw we had a bigger way of fightin' back, right?

[She'll shake her head to show that he had no reason to show his gratitude. It was the least she can do for him after showing her such a beautiful image of his world. An image she'll do her utmost to not forget. Just in case they find themselves in a world similar to his.]

It won't work? The whole airship going into the ocean idea? [It was a little disappointing to hear it wouldn't be able to go through the sea. She can't help wonder if there was a way to go through water and be able to fly all at the same time. An invention that can multi-task, maybe?] Um, but you did mention having metal ships in your world, right? Do they look like airships or continue to hold the same style as the ships used to sail in my world? Does the ocean still exist in your world?

[Since she didn't see any signs of it. All she saw was floating islands in the sky alongside the city filled with people and airships. Nike can't help wonder about that and other details, but she'll leave those out for now.]

I-I guess? I wouldn't really know. The Uvi may seem wild, but they could have their own way of communicating. I mean, if I saw someone sorta threatening me like that, I would want to show them a lesson in never underestimating me and my country.

[......in which has happen. In the past. In way of destroying three different countries in a single night without that relative leaving their island home.]

Probably not. I can't imagine somethin' that's built to go through air would hold up well in water. I couldn't even pilot my mecha through water when I still had it. Besides, the ocean... uh. Hang on.

[The emptied glass was set back between them once more, but this time a couple of the breadsticks were placed across the top of it.]

Okay, so we all live above a sea of clouds, right? The thing is, that sea of clouds is one big, deadly storm layer, and it makes it so we can't just fly down below it in an airship. [One of the small cocktail shrimp was delicately pressed down atop the breadsticks for emphasis.]

So all that old land and ocean is down there, we just can't really... get down there to it, or even look past the clouds to see it. Just like the water in the glass.

[...well, like it would be if he didn't drink it all, anyway. After letting it sink in for a beat he quickly disassembled his bizarre diorama.]

Guess you're right about the cannons, though. We'd be flying into their backyard with it, and that's a bit different.

Y'almost sound like you've seen your share of that kinda thing, too.

[The presentation using bread-sticks, shrimp, and glass was very helpful in explaining his situation back home. She couldn't help watch with interest about it. A world separated by a dangerous storm that is forcing those living within it to take refuge in the sky above it. She can imagine there was an interesting story behind it. Depending if he was already born in a system like it, living in the sky rather than having once lived on the "old" ground.]

A deadly storm layer, huh? That's interesting. So you're saying your entire world is surrounded by it?

[Her tone of voice will be more matter-of-fact as she can't help feel a sense of responsibility over it. Not that she is response for his world to have become this way, but his description of it -- a dead and active storm layer -- will remind her of her responsibility as a Rain Summoner. Learning to control the weather was her responsibility as the direct descendant of her family.

With a nod of her head, all she can admit was.]

None of us know what they have in their territory too. Who knows what we may find up there. Just having us there, checking them out, would be intimidating enough, I think.

[As for his next question, she'll look down, some silence before admitting.]

...you can say that. I come from an island nation back home. Our borders are closed off to everyone that isn't a natural born citizen. There has been a good portion of people who've tried to find our location. We're kinda a legend back home, you see. [Almost everyone knew their country's name, and yet do not believe of their existence due to extraordinary story tied to it.]

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[WORLD ONE] SPEED DATING EXTRAVAGANZA

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