Test Drive - 001

[ateratmods]

TEST DRIVE 001

Welcome to Aterat!

Here is our first ever Test Drive Meme! There are a lot of areas of the city to explore, so please have a look around! In case you need a little help getting started, I've included a few prompts below, or feel free to start your own! Exploration and player initiative are the names of the game here!

NOTE: While you do need an invite to apply to the game, you do NOT need one to tag or top level on the Test Drive!

Helpful Links to Get Started

Arrival & General Information | Locations & Bestiary | Residences & Housing Info | Rules & FAQ (ask questions here!)

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A. Welcome to the Jungle

The URBAN jungle, that is. You have just arrived and received a strange satchel from a tiny, strange little man and are left more or less to your own devices (more information on what to expect upon arrival can be found here)! Follow directions to the north and check out the housing, or maybe have a look around the Historium, see what you can waste your meager starter coin on in the Market District, or maybe just meet the neighbors.


B. We've Got Fun and Games

At least there's entertainment. In various parts of the city, there are street performers, slight of hand tricksters, and probably a game or two of poker in one tavern or another (there are several to be found, after all). Start up a game of darts, or just sit broodily in a corner and watch the others coming and going.


C. You can have anything you want but you better not take it for free

The Harbor District is a rough joint. There are pickpockets, swindlers, but also hardworking folk and more than a few buildings that seem to be locked. It sure would be a shame if someone were to go about performing some casual Breaking & Entering...you know, as long as you don't get caught. There are guards around, though not nearly as many here as in the other districts. It's almost as though they like to avoid the place. People talk about wererats in the shadows at night and it's not unheard of for the unaware to go missing when they're traveling around here after dark...


D. What's that smell?

As if being carted off to what looks like a city out of a video game weren't bad enough, there's an entire district to the northeast that seems to be walled off, warded, and in all ways inaccessible. According to the sign, it's the cemetery...and boy does it smell.


E. Speaking Crystal

You could always take a look at the instructions that came with your crystal and see who else is listening. Remember, though, these devices are Voice Only and cannot be filtered. If you speak, anyone with a crystal can and will hear you. Now, whether or not they choose to respond is another thing entirely.

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If you have any questions at all about setting or what is or isn't acceptable, please submit it on the FAQ!

If you would like to explore any aspect of the setting more indepth, please PM the mod account OR comment here! All comments are screened!

» N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

Jagger Crowe | Original Character

[asthecroweflies]

A. Welcome to the Jungle - Housing Square

He followed the strange little man in a sort of daze, wondering how this could have possibly happened, if he was having some sort of out of body experience, or if he'd finally gone fully mad. He was dressed in dark colors, slacks, a casual jacket, and thin leather gloves. He was the sort of thin that came from regularly forgetting to eat, and his dark hair was the oily that came from running your fingering through it often.

The edifice of the Historium dominated the square and he found himself staring up at it, blinking as he turned back toward his guide only to find the little man was nowhere to be seen.

"Speedy little wanker." It was muttered under his breath and not directed at anyone in particular, and he swallowed afterward. Scared? Maybe a little. It's not everyday you get teleported to another world, after all.


B. We've got fun and games

Jagger did make his way to the tavern...inn place, just off the market district. Sitting about in cafes was one of the best ways to hear local gossip, and if any of his various forays into fantasy literally had taught him anything, a tavern was just as good as a coffee shop when you wanted to know what was up.

He'd ordered an ale (really?) from the innkeeper (really?) and taken a seat at a table from which he could see the door. He wasn't sure what he was looking for but it was at least something more familiar than running around a stone and mortar city straight out of fiction. His head was still reeling from it all. There are other chairs at his table, though, and he doesn't seem the type to shrug people off, at least not with the way he's looking about curiously from time to time.


D. What's that smell?

The smell wafting from the wall and the sealed gate is enough to turn anyone's stomach, though it thankfully doesn't travel far from the cemetery itself. Still, his investigator's sense wouldn't let him simply turn a blind eye to something so strange (as though the rest of this place is completely ordinary) and so, against his better judgement, with every instinct screaming at him to run in the opposite direction from that place, Jagger approached the door. Unlike the entrances to the other districts, there didn't seem to be any guards around here.

"This is going up there on your list of stupid ideas, Jagger." He breathed a sigh and coughed at the smell before pulling off one of his gloves. "And now you're talking to yourself."

He was a psychometrist, he could know things from touching surfaces, read imprints, thoughts, emotions tied to it. It was just a gate, but it might have some sort of answer as to why the cemetery was sealed...and smelled like rotting meat.


E. Speaking Crystal

Is it even work- oh. [There's a clearing of his throat before he continues.] These bugger's are really sensitive when you touch them. [There's a self-deprecating sort of chuckle.] I know I'm not the only one who recently popped in to...what? Help rebuild a world? Nor pressure or anything. How much of this are we supposed to buy?

A. Welcome to the Jungle - Housing Square

[whereishe]

"Hey! Get back here!" Yuna ran through the square, only to stop a few yards from Jagger. She was breathless and gasping for air. If Jagger looked around, he'd notice that there wasn't anyone there or it didn't look like there was.

The girl frowns. "He got away again." She met Jagger's gaze with a pair of mismatched eyes; one blue, one green. "Oh. He must have guided you here too. You don't happen to have seen where he went? He vanished on me and I still had questions."

Yuna was stubborn and it was probably no surprise to Jagger that the gnome didn't want to be on the opposite end of her inquiries.

D. ooh that smell

[against_descent]

"You should have brought a plague mask. Stuffed it with herbs so you couldn't smell the funk." Unfortunately, the reek was something Cassandra had inured herself to long ago. She moved quietly, much like a stalking cat, looking up at the cemetery gates and narrowing her eyes.

"Don't let me interrupt you." Though it's very clear that this woman has absolutely no intention of moving off and letting him get down to business. The street may currently be empty, but with the way she acts, one might expect a monster to leap out at any moment.

She loosened her knives in their sheaths. Just in case.

E. Speaking Crystal

[forsakenprince]

[ There's a moment of silence as Jagger's words hang with no response, but he's eventually rewarded with a rather sardonic tone. ]

Based on the technology here, I imagine we're supposed to buy it all, though I'm less inclined to believe there are few expectations of us. [ There's a pause, then he continues a little bit more quietly. ] I also wonder what it is that we get out of all of this.

Syeira Harven | Original Character

[tapestryoftime]

0. Arrival
[ooc: you are welcome to assume that you see this, even if you don't interact with her until later. She just arrives, faints and wakes up crying because of reasons.]

It was sudden and jarring for the young seer. She should have seen, should have known, but it came without warning. There was a sharp pain in her chest, a tearing sensation against her soul and then everything began to shift and her body shattered. Her eyes opened to a strange room and she was crying.

"Father..." Her voice trembled as she stared up at the ceiling. At some point she had fallen. It wasn't entirely unusual but this was the first time that there was no one there to caught her. Her father was dead. Her brother was gone. And she hadn't seen it coming. It was all her fault. She was supposed to protect her clan.

Her palm pressed against the ground as she pushed herself up to stare at the fountain. It was beautiful and she felt a seed of hope blossom in her chest. She just had to keep going. As long as she was alive, she could do something.

Syeira stepped towards the fountain and reached for the multi-colored liquid when her attention was pulled away. The strange woman and tiny man only gave her more questions. Questions... that she may never learn the answer too.

She was given a bag and left in the city. For the first time in her life she was entirely alone. There was something daunting about the task. She had no one to ground her and her powers hadn't left her. She saw the shadow of the future overlay in front of her gaze. It wasn't so bad yet... there weren't too many people here. It wasn't like being in a city on Earth. This city was just beginning to grow. The tapestry was a simple design but she knew that it would quickly knot in its complexities.

Now she just had to find away to survive before the constant overlay drove her crazy.

A. Welcome to the Jungle

The odd thing about Syeira was that she rarely looked directly at the world or people around her. Her eyes were unfocused but she never had trouble perceiving things around her. In fact, she seemed to have a sense of what was going to happen a few seconds before it happened. She'd step out of the way before someone crashed into her and apologize. She'd stop to ask someone for directions but sometimes forgot to speak the question aloud, and yet she knew exactly where to go.

Anyone watching her movements would notice that they were odd. Even if they couldn't pinpoint the brief pause or delay. There was just something strange about her, as if she was slightly out of place.

But that could be normal. Everyone was out of place here.

She was dressed in a collection of bright fabric: red and orange skirt around her waist with a slit for her leg to peek through with each step, her stomach and lower abdomen were exposed with a light tan top circling her chest, her hair was bright and wavy, hanging around her slender shoulders along with a thin dark brown vest.

B. We've got fun and games

Syeira had been born and raised in the circus. The one thing she knew well, was how to entertain. Her job was that as a dancer, an assistant and a fire spinner. She had been given some money but she knew that it wouldn't last her forever. Bronze? It was a strange currency and a bit heavy.

Even so, it was enough to purchase what she needed for her performance.

She hoped that this crowd was amenable.

She found a safe corner and began to lay out some candles to mark a boundary. Each one was lit and carefully place. There was then a small cheap looking top hat placed just inside the boundary of the circle of candles. A sizzle ignited into the air, calling the attention of those nearby, as Syeira lit two metal balls that were attached to her palms by long sturdy straps. She then began to dance, swinging the flames with dangerous accuracy while drawing flickering flaming lines in the air around her.

It was beautiful and after the performance she slammed the flames to the ground, putting them out.

E. Speaking Crystal

It worked!

[The voice is bright, feminine and warm.]

Hello everyone or those who are here. This is a really beautiful crystal. I've never seen magic like this before but I like it. If there are any of the Septian clan here? Or perhaps a circus?

This is the first time that I am on my own. I am not sure what to do but I could use a hand.

[She hopes that it's safe to say so much but she's in an awkward situation. Syeira has never been on her own before. Her powers can protect her to a degree but she isn't a fighter.]

6. Wild Card

[ooc: come at me with anything! She will break and enter (the c option) but only when she realizes that her limited skills can't make enough money. On the plus side, she can see into the future and can probably get in and out without getting caught by a guard... maybe. so if you wanna play with that, I am 100% game. Also, she can tell the future so if you want her to answer a question before it's asked, please put it in the subtext. Otherwise I might have her randomly say things that make no sense and it can be assumed that it's a future that never happened.]

E. Speaking Crystal

[asthecroweflies]

[He jumps when the voice comes from his crystal, muffled until he opens the locket. There's a lot to pick apart in her address, so he's going to start from the beginning.]

You haven't seen magic like this before? But you have seen magic? [It's what was implied.]

Fun & games

[fatedsacrifice]

Having been in wherever this place was a little while, Noctis had wandered around a little bit. People seemed friendly enough so he moved at a normal pace among them. The king was on the lookout for certain friends of course, but so far nothing. And that's when he heard something sizzling to rouse him out of those thoughts.

Coming upon a group of people, Noctis moved in between them much as he'd done in Altissia to go see Luna. Curiously he stopped and watched the show in progress. Even as one who could wield the power of the element of Fire himself, the king was impressed. There was a deadly grace and beauty to the show and the king's blue eyes didn't miss a moment of it.

After the crowd thinned out quite a bit, luckily the lady was still there and he nodded. "That was some show."

E

[hellofishies]

I'd never been on my own before either. [ There's a lot of sympathy in Arkady's voice for someone else in a similar position. ] It's different at first, but it gets easier. [ That's a lie. It hasn't gotten easier for her the longer she's been away from the others. Arkady's always been great a lying about her own feelings though. ]

I could lend you a hand! What do you need help with?

Yuna | Final Fantasy X-2

[whereishe]

i. Welcome to the Jungle

"Everything is so tall..."

Yuna stood at the center of the city with her chin lifted towards the sky. She held a hand over her eyes to block out the sun and pinpoint the highest building amidst the collection of stone buildings. "I've never seen a city like this before..." She felt a wave of dizziness wash over her and she had to look away before she fell.

It would take some adjusting to living in a large city but that wasn't a bad thing. Yuna had always wanted to see a city like this though her real wish was to somehow make her way to Zanarkand. To his zanarkand, a world that didn't exist anymore.

The dream had to end.

Yuna shook herself from her thoughts but through all this, she'd been standing in the center of the street. Her clothes were odd with a long piece of fabric covering one hip, a pair of short-shorts, boots and a top that somehow has no sleeves but a hood.

She stood out a bit.

ii. What's that smell?

Yuna placed her palm over her nose as she approached the edge of the cemetery but it didn't stop the smell from filling her nostrils. "That can't be..." It was a smell she had known well... as a summoner. Even now she felt the weight of the dead against her senses. It was her power as a summoner and while the Aeon's were gone, her ability to send wasn't, but she suddenly felt as if that power might be useless here.

She placed her free hand against the wall and looked back and forth for a door to get inside.

"Are you lost? Is there no path to the Far Plane here?" She mumbled the question to herself though she wasn't expecting an answer. First she had to figure out how to get inside... maybe she could jump?

iii. Sending Crystals

Yuna here! [She smiles as she speaks into the crystal. It reminds her a lot of Shinra's comm sphere's though a little less sophisticated.] I wanted to introduce myself but also introduce to you~

"Your friendly neighborhood gullwings!" Here for any odd jobs you have and I think I'll start with exploring outside the city. It might be dangerous so make sure you have a way to protect yourself if you want to go out there with me.

Wild Card

[ooc. you know what to do.]

ii. What's that smell?

[chaosvessel]

Undead. It was a scent he knew all too well, having faced them before in some form or another. The dead didn't rest, or their sould didn't rejoin the lifestream, or even worse, they were reanimated using technology. This city wasn't going to be rebuilt with the restless dead at their back door. His crimson cape moved about his armor-clad boots as he approached, his feet barely making a sound to spite their armor.

"They can't answer."

[fatedsacrifice]

Noctis had been brought back and had no idea how or why. Both were pretty important because he'd been with Luna and now..he was somewhere he sure didn't recognize. He dusted his long dark shirt coat off (which somehow had been repaired along with the rest of his head to toe black clothing) and sighed. Dark blue eyes looked around and he stopped to kneel before one of the tombstones though it was a little hard to see with the fog that seemed to be everywhere.

As his fingers gently traced the nine pentacles that seemed to have been carved into the headstone, the king tried to make out the lettering that was above them. It was unfamiliar so he couldn't read it. But he found it ironic to be in a place like this.

He went to go stand and a huge black crow landed on top of the head stone letting out a very loud caw. The noise and presence startled him so much, it ended up knocking the king flat on his ass. He looked up bewilderingly at the bird with his hands flat on the cold earth beneath him. "Ow."

Noct sat up slowly and heard a woman asking if he was lost. Was he lost? And what was the Far Plane? Getting up slowly, his eyes rested on a lady with short brown hair and his dark head shook. Was she trying to go in that tomb?

"I..wouldn't go in there."

Cassandra Tyra | Original Character (Mage: the Ascension universe)

[against_descent]

A: Welcome to the Jungle

Cassandra lifted an arm to shield her eyes against the brightness as she stood from her crouch. So many colors--it was a little too much like a psychedelic drug trip for her liking. This was not her first experience in world jumping, though if she were asked, Cass would say she definitely preferred this type, despite the fact that it felt like she'd been scattered to the four winds before it was over.

She'd tried to follow after the gnome at a dedicated lope, but he'd managed to give her the slip despite it all--which was interesting, as these things went. Cass loitered in the Market District, briefly, but it didn't catch her interest.

She bought some sort of beverage--she wasn't sure what, other than it wasn't water--and leaned against a wall, watching the other people pass two and fro.


C: if I'm in your town, my needle's down on the groove

This--the harbor--was a bit more like home to the Euthanatos. The blonde mage opened her jacket a bit, so the hilts of her daggers could be seen, and adopted more of a swagger--the loose-limbed sort that said it was not the best idea in the world to mess with her. Cassandra knew the sort of place this was. She'd seen a dozen towns that could mirror it.

Though there was a certain building that caught her eye, and she sidled towards it, keeping an eye out for guards. Just because she was going to break in didn't mean she didn't have a damn good reason, but most guards didn't take a purported criminal's explanations for doing so as an excuse, even if it was "Officer, I swear I saw explosives in here. How did you do that? Well, I'm a seer, and..."

Yeah, that'd go over like a lead balloon. It was ridiculous, but it wasn't going to stop her, either.


E: Sending Crystals

The idea was a good one. An interesting one, but the fact that it was a wide-band broadcast was something that Cass felt she'd have to work on--but it would suffice, for now.

"So, how does everyone else feel about this little slice of post-apocalyptica we've found ourselves in?"

There's a definite hint of dry amusement in her voice.

wildcard

[ooc: roll the dice?]

C.

[tapestryoftime]

In contrast to Cassandra, Syeira wasn't accustomed to these sorts of places. She was a protected member of the clan and they wouldn't want her doing what she was about to do... alone... and unprotected but this was important.

At least, it felt important.

Orange and red skirts curled around her waist as she stepped into a shadow. It was easy to find the break in the guards. She just had to remain focused on the obvious paths; the daily paths. They were clear and steady with unlikely interruptions to blur her visions.

'It was this way...'

Syeira stopped when she noticed that she wasn't the only on here. She'd thought there might be another person but the path was unique. It wasn't the steady rhythm of the guard. Like Syeira, this other person probably wasn't supposed to be here.

Illyana Rasputina || Marvel 616

[soulsword]

A. Welcome to the Jungle

There's something oddly calm about Illyana's demeanor as she follows the gnome too the square. It's difficult to discern if it's truly calmness or just an overall lack of emotion. Perhaps it's a bit of both, or perhaps it's something else entirely. Regardless, she doesn't seem bothered by the situation in the slightest.

"Another day in the life," she says with a voice that holds a slight Russian accent. Unfortunately, the timing of her little abduction had been less than ideal and she's still not quite human. Everything from the torso up looks normal, aside from the fact that she's wearing full metallic body armor as if she's just come from some sort of large battle and she has curved ram horns atop her head. The torso down is a different story though with the oddities much more noticeable. Where legs should be there are instead goat like hooves covered in red fur and a long red tail covered in plating flicks around. The slightest hint of something that could be a smirk tugs at the edges of her mouth as she looks around at the people milling about around her.

"Well, these things never have good timing, do they?" Her expression doesn't change as she raises a hand and flicks her finger. Starting from the bottom up her appearance changes. Normal legs appear with blue jeans, the tail disappears, a red shirt replaces the armor, with a over-sized blue tank top appearing over the shirt. Finally the horns disappear and she puts her hands in the pockets of her jeans as though nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred.

B. We've got fun and games

Did someone say sit broodily in a corner? My, that happens to be something Illyana is quite good at. She's even got the outfit to match a brooding session: a long sleeve black shirt with white lace around the neck and cuffs and a skull and crossbones stitched into the center paired with a long black skirt tiered with panels of black lace. Her legs are crossed with large black combat boots tapping to the beat of the music playing in the background of the tavern.

"So, this is what we do for entertainment here?" she says with a bored expression as she sips on a drink the color of honey. Whether or not she's old enough to be drinking is probably debatable based on appearance alone. Age, and time itself, is something of a confusing factor for Illyana. It becomes a bit difficult to keep track of when one spends so much time traveling through time and pocket dimensions. On the bright side, her unique experiences mean she's not phased by being in this place. It's only a matter of time before she finds her way out, right? She's always found a way out in the past. For now all she can do is wait and see what she can find out about the others here. Perhaps she'll even find someone useful.

E. Speaking Crystal

[ The voice is that of a young woman with a slight Russian accent. There's something slightly off about the way she speaks that's difficult to pinpoint. Slightly sinister, perhaps? Or just slightly stiff? It's difficult to place, and yet it's there all the same. ]

Tell me about where you are from. [ There's a pause. ] I cannot help but be curious considering what information we have been given as to why we were brought here. There must be something special about each of you, right? Or about your worlds? [ Surely the people brought here must be unique in some way. Why else would a place want them specifically to help in their rebuilding efforts? And unique people might also equal useful allies. ] Or perhaps I am wrong and giving too much credit where no credit is due. [ She sounds vaguely amused now. ] I do hope I am wrong there.

E. Speaking Crystal

[forsakenprince]

You're asking a lot and giving... nothing. [ He sounds like he's bored, unimpressed. ]

I am from the Sol System, my home was a place called The Reef. It was located in an asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. [ His voice took a tone of condescension as he continued, it increasing as he listed his titles off. ] My sister was the Queen of the Reef, making me the Prince of the Reef, advisor to the queen, and master of intelligence.

[ There's a pause. He was sure he was special, but he couldn't speak for anyone else. ]

I am willing to share more after you share something about where you are from and yourself.

Nida | Final Fantasy 8 CRAU (Dualis/6i) | OTA

[skyward_eyes]

1. The Jungle - Historium and Markets

This... was not what he'd expected. Then again, it wasn't the first time he'd been led around like a chocobo on a lead when being kidnapped to yet another world. In fact, it was getting to be a bit of a headache. That being said, he had no intention of just following behind the person who gave him the satchel, or the 'gifts' within it. Instead he headed straight to find what information he could about what was going on. The last places hadn't been forthcoming.

So it was that Nida found himself in the wonder of the Historium, and damn, but his jaw was on the floor to see it.

"I've never seen this many books in one place in my life," he observed, perhaps a bit too loud for a library setting. And almost immediately he was moving to a bookshelf to look at spines.

Later on, once he was able to pull himself away from the wonder of so many books he found himself exploring the open-air markets. While spices and produce caught and held his fancy, there was something about the jeweler that froze him in his tracks. His eyes caught on a ring, and he couldn't help the tears that stung at his eyes.

"Who were you?" he asks quietly of the people around him, and considered the weight of the coins in his pouch. Could he... could he afford something?

2. Fun and Games - Square

Street performers were probably the coolest thing ever. Nida smiled as he stood back, watching the show one was putting on, entertaining people all around with beautiful slight of hand tricks. Of course, as someone trained in such things, he always caught what the trick was, but he still smiled to watch it, pouch kept close at hand to protect it from potential thieves.

"Do they do this every day?" he asks of the person next to him, assuming they have been here longer than he has. "Because I think I could watch this all the time."

IT was great to see people good at their craft after all.

3. Repowered - Noble District

After a bit of exploring Nida found himself wandering away from the populated and intact regions and into the an area a bit more rundown area of town. It reminded him almost immediately of the wealthier parts of Galbadia, and at last he moved into the yard of a clearly once high-end manor. Once there he sat down, cross-legged, and closed his eyes. He could feel it there, a presence that had been missing so long, so much a part of him that the lack of it had been... breaking. Magic. He had his magic back.

Nida held his hands out before him, meditating as he delved into his own mind and felt her slide right into place, a proud smile curving at his lips as with the spirit the spells came. And he rose a hand, thrusting it forward, and a light moved forward from his hand, two bright blue rings bursting forth from his hand and then curling back over him, settling close to his skin in a protective shield. Nida laughed and jumped to his feet then, putting his hand close to his chest and calling to the spirit inside of him. Orbs of light danced around him, centering on the hand at his chest before he thrust his hand above him and she came to his call. And Siren answers. The woman, beautiful, ethereal, towering over him with her feathered hips and sides and the wings sprouting from her head comes, harp in hand. But with no enemies to direct her to, the attack does not come with her, and after a half a moment and her blowing him a kiss, the Guardian Force fades away.

"Welcome home, Siren," Nida says, not aware that he may have been watched.

4. Memories - Housing Square

Evening approaches falls and Nida returns to the place he's been told is his home now. Once there he sits down in view of the door and... waits. Watches. The people there are strangers, and he frowns as they walk by. Frowns and turns his attention skyward, reaching up toward the stars.

"They're different," he observes pointlessly. Different from his world, different from the Iteration, different from the City. Lost, again. Lost somewhere in the multiverse, but this time, something's different.

Something's missing. He's missing.

"Hyne take this place," he curses angrily, fist moving down to hit the ground. "Giving me freedom and a chance, but did you have to take all the rest of it away?"

Because the longer that he'd been here, the more and more Nida realized something was missing. Memories were missing. Had Siren eaten them away already, making up for lost time? Or was something else wrong here, had something about his arrival gone wrong? What had this place stolen from him, what had it chosen to take and did that mean that the last places had stolen things as well?

"What is the point in stealing them from me? What does it even serve?"

1. Open Air Market

[chaosvessel]

Vincent hadn't expected to see other people he recognized here. It marked the third time he was pulled from his world and thrust into another, but the first in which he didn't awaken with something in his head transmitting his thoughts or restricting his abilities. He'd decided, ultimately, to take a walk around this new world, to clear his head and better understand the surroundings. The architecture was varied enough to get across the point the strange greeters put forth: that they were rebuilding a world from parts.

When he found himself in the open air market, he kept to himself, observing more than interacting, and taking stock of the types of things being sold. That was, until he rounded a corner and saw a face he recognized, not from home, but oddly from another world. This couldn't be coincidence. He stood a jeweler, distracted by rings, but there was a more important topic to be discussed.

Vincent was not usually one to approach first, and his lack of tact made that evident. The tattered crimson cape and metal-clad boots were likely a dead giveaway, if the man know his face.

"Do you have a moment?" His voice was rough, nearly hoarse, deep and though quiet, carried over the collected din of the crowd.

[faithfulsupport]

Jungle - The conversation with the gnome had been..interesting. But Ignis took a look at what he was wearing and shrugged. It could be a lot worse. So after securing housing, he was hungry and there was nothing to eat. And that meant that he had to go out to the market district and go look with his blue satchel hanging over his shoulder.

As he headed out, he marveled at how quaint the town looked. It was rather charming in its own sort of picturesque way and the advisor took out his phone. Of course there was no signal but he could take a few pictures, which he did and of course they weren't selfies. But after acquiring some ingredients to make a makeshift Fisherman's Favorite Paella collected in a brown paper bag, he happened to hear the most pitiful meow.

Green eyes then looked down at a kitten that looked like it was an orphan. So if anyone passes, he'll ask. "Is this your cat?"

If not, it was going home with him because Ignis was a nurturer and he needed to be needed and dote on somebody..or a furry little something like a kitten.

Harbour district - Apparently no one was around, and the guards seemed to be having about as much fun here as they did on the streets in Altissia. Ignis sighed and put his back to a marble wall, folding his arms across his chest. Mentally the strategist recalled the trip on the boat and how Noctis has been deep sea fishing. There was a slight smile as he recalled asking the king if he'd put on sunscreen and the resigned response at the advisor's nagging ways.

But out of the corner of his eye he caught something shiny and went over to inspect it. Upon further investigation Ignis smiled as he recognized something like scrap metal back home. Without even thinking about it, he picked it up and put it in his pocket. Master Cid might not be around but it was still nostalgic. And after picking it up Ignis recalled getting coeurl whiskers for his Drain Lance and how much fun that really wasn't in order to accomplish that.

But after awhile it was time to head back and he sighed at the setting sun. His ears then picked up the sound of something shuffling nearby and he turned in time to catch sight of a huge rat like creature with red eyes. The advisor scowled at it but made no move. And if anyone comes up, he'll hold an arm out protectively.

"It may be just as frightened of us."

Crystal - Taking out the instructions out of the blue satchel on how to use this, Ignis sat down on a wooden slatted park bench. The weather was nice enough and so he decided it was definitely a good day to be outdoors rather than inside. Green eyes read over the contents and his head tilted curiously since this is a guy who reads instructions carefully and thoroughly..

"There..it should be activated according to the instructions." A pause. "Can anyone else hear this?"

Harbor District

[chaosvessel]

In Vincent's experience, areas of town like the harbor district didn't offer anything in the neighborhood of valuable information before nightfall. It's why he was approaching the all as the sun was heading toward the horizon. Admittedly, he man in the tattered crimson opera cape with eyes glowing the same shade as this monstrous rat pulled a revolver from a hip holster but he didn't level the weapon at the creature at the blond's request.

Instead, he responded in a voice rough from either disuse or abuse. Possibly both. "Rats are pests."

Caelan | Original Character

[stickyflippers]

A. Welcome to the Jungle Historium

Maps. That’s what he needed, maps and maybe some blueprints. Preferably ones that covered the cities waterways and the sewer system. He wasn’t about to go exploring around those without an idea of where he was going, at least not if he didn’t have to. Rumours were that plenty of unpleasant things roamed around down there, and he’d rather have an idea of which way was an easy escape and which was a dead end.

Now, the question remained, where did he find a map in this mess? “Who organized these? Even Adelaide leaves things more organized than this, and that’s saying something.” He pulled one book from the shelf, bracelets jangling lightly as he leafed through it with a wry smile, and then shoved it back in place a moment later. Nope. No maps there.

It’s not that Caelan wasn’t impressed by the sheer volume of books the place housed, he was, it’s just that he had hoped for a little more... order. Chaos was great and all, he thrived on the stuff, but not when it came to gathering information.

The selkie considered approaching the clearly magical glowing orb on it’s stone dais and making use of it... But that just seemed to official, and he’d rather save it as a last resort. It wasn’t as though he were desperate yet.

He continued his hunt, half singing under his breath as he moved along rows and looked for something that screamed ‘City Record and Archives this way!’ His Inverness coat swishing lightly as he moved, seal pelt draped over his shoulders like a rich person’s stole. It wasn’t as though he had anywhere to put it yet, and it wasn’t as though he were going to leave it at his apparent new home without making sure it was properly secure.

B. We’ve Got Fun and Games Street Performers

Caelan was mingling, letting himself weave in an out of the various crowds in the streets and listening to idle chatter in hopes of picking up some interesting tidbit of information that he hadn’t gotten yet. Gossip or rumours that might give him a better idea of how this place really worked, any hint towards answering the many questions he had revolving around the locked doors or strange wards that kept a person from going just too far towards something.

He found himself coming to a halt though, ears pricking as a lively melody caught his attention and left him standing on the edges of a group of people while the rest of the crowd he’d been skirting around continued on without him.

Oh how his fingers itched as he watched buskers playing out a merry little tune on a variety of instruments for whatever coin passers-by had to spare. They were good, very good. The violinist reminded him lightly of Dietrich, fingers nimbly drawn the bow over strings in a flurry of sound that wove together with the voices and other instruments to form something cheerful.

If he were able, he’d have joined in. The selkie would have run back to his lighthouse and grabbed one of his own instruments to return and find a break in the melody to join in. He couldn’t, of course, that wasn’t possible now. Instead, he had to be satisfied with standing back and listening, humming along with the tune until the mood struck him to move on.

C. You can have anything you want but you better not take it for free

- Harbour -

“How dreary...” He muttered, staring out at the docks with mild disappointment. Caelan had hoped to at least find a ship or two (complete, floating, ready to embark on a voyage) that he might slip aboard when the time came for a change in scenery. No, he didn’t think he’d grow bored of this city any time soon. Not with all it’s locked doors and strange magics in place to keep people from going too far in some areas.

It was only that he liked spending time on the docks in his own world for a few very obvious reasons. News from other harbours circulated them daily as ships came in and sailors disembarked for a few days on shore, gossip and rumours buzzing all around. Then there were the interesting items that came with them almost as often that would either need stealing or purchasing depending on what it was and who had brought the items ashore.

Instead, the only ship was sitting half finished in the dry dock. What good was that? No good, that’s what.

Part of him wondered what would happen if he went down to the waters and tried to swim away. Would he get far? Was there another ward to keep them all from getting past a certain point? It would be like being stuck in a fishbowl, and he was not a fish. He would find out at some point, but not right now. The call of the water was faint at the moment, just a little static pull in the back of his mind that could be ignored in favour of something fun.

Maybe there would be something interesting left behind in that half finished ship...

- Warehouses/Harbor-master’s office -

Eventually he moved on from the docks in search of something a little more stimulating.

That meant one of two things, and in this case he was going with secret hunting. The warehouses were all locked up tight from what he could tell, no way to tell what was inside without getting through a locked door. No breaks in the walls that might let a curious person through or give them a glimpse of what lay beyond.

Maybe if Herman were there, he could send the little fellow under the door to at least get an idea of what to expect, but goodness knew where the little hermit crab had ended up. Probably still scuttling around in Enfys’ bag for all he knew, no use to him now. The temptation to pick the lock to the door of the nearest building was strong, but that seemed like a rookie mistake. You cased a place first, figured out what you were getting into, then you composed a plan, gathered the musicians you’d need to play, then you led the symphony.

“Get a move on, ye’ silly seal.” He mumbled, dragging himself away from one building and on toward the next, keeping to the shadows and watching for the few sparse guards that roamed about. The harbour-master’s office was probably near by, and that would be the better place to start. If he was lucky, there would be documents on what was originally kept in the warehouses, if he was especially lucky, there might be more than that...

E. Speaking Crystal

Ah-ha! So I was correct. [His voice is warm and bright, clearly pleased with his new accessory.] I’m not entirely sure who might be listening though, a minor inconvenience but a free enchantment is still a free enchantment I suppose.

[He hums a couple beats to a tune, melodic and thoughtful before he continued.]

Anyway... Afraid to say that I’m new around here— I know, I know, many of us are. But if anyone would be kind enough to help a fellow get his land legs under him that would be quite helpful.

[Caelan paused, frowning a little at the crystal thoughtfully. He supposed there was little point in expecting a random stranger to just chime in helpfully, especially when it seemed like a lot of people were in the same boat.

And he really didn’t like to feel like he owed a person.]

Tell you what! If you can add in a bit of juicy gossip that wasn’t included at the whole welcoming party, I’ll take what coin I’ve got and buy you a drink.

... Two drinks if I think it’s useful.

B. We’ve Got Fun and Games Street Performers

[brotherofagod]

Jacob was walking home from work when he spotted the crowd gathering around the players. He decided to stop and listen. He smiled though the expression was subdued as each note and cord reverberated through him. Music was a powerful force, far more powerful than any magic.

He snapped out of his thoughts long enough to notice the man standing next to him. His fingers moved in time with the beat and it made Jacob wonder.

"Do you play?"

esther moreau / original character

[57times]

B. We've Got Fun and Games

Whilst not a fan of crowds, in this case Esther’s happy for the din of the tavern. From her table, one tucked out of the way, she has the chance to take a breath and try to process whatever’s going on here. She knows she wasn’t sleeping before she got here, so this isn’t some weird dream (not that she’d mind if it was, it’s certainly a needed change from the usual). No, this is real. She’s actually here, wherever ‘here’ is. She just needs to figure out how to not be.

With her drink going mostly ignored, she’s reading over all the information she was given when she got here with a scowl of concentration, not that she’s gleaning much from the pamphlets.

Nothing she can use to get home, anyway.


E. Speaking Crystal

The idea of a magic fucking crystal that’ll let her speak to everyone in this place is not one Esther would usually buy into – granted, none of what is happening now is something she particularly wants to buy into. But, she needs information, and she’s hoping she’ll be able to get more from the people here than from the pamphlet that came with the satchel now slung over one shoulder.

“I need to know how to get home. If anyone has an idea of how I can do that, I’d appreciate it if you could let me know.”

What the fuck is she doing here….

B. We’ve Got Fun and Games

[gadaboutdetective]

The tavern was loud and bustling, and on most days that was fine. He liked to sit down and people watch over his drink, or to take advantage of the cover that a group of people all living their own individual lives could give someone who wanted to have a drink with their friend uninterrupted.

Today was not one of those days though. Today was one of those days that he just wanted a drink and a quiet corner to sit in, so he could try to process... everything... This was all a lot, magic and helping to ‘rebuild a world?’ He could barely make toast in the morning without burning it, there were far better options among his colleagues to kidnap and help out around here than himself.

There were no quiet corners, at least none that were unoccupied... Frowning, brow furrowed heavily, he took off his hat and looked around for a little longer while he waited for his drink. The tables were all taken by groups of various sizes, all except one. One table was currently occupied by one young woman who clearly was about as happy as he was to be here, if the look on her face were anything to go by.

Taking the drink offered and paying for it, he wandered over with his usual little slouching gate. Awkwardly coming to a halt next to the table, “Uh— Mm... Excuse me, do you mind if I join you?”

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad | Assassin's Creed

[eaglesonofnone]

A:

He could swear he still felt the pain of a dagger in his gut. That, coupled with the sting of betrayal from where Al Mualim had ordered him held, where he had leveled the accusation of breaking the Creed--

The bitterness coiled in his mouth and weighted his stomach. But even that couldn't keep his curiosity entirely at bay. It was a failing of his - if it could be considered a failing at all. For all he watched his surroundings with great suspicion, Altaïr still knew himself to be staring at it all. There was so much green here. What farmland Masyaf boasted was mere scrub compared to this.

His hand held unconsciously over what had been a wound. Or at least it had certainly felt like a wound. He'd thought he'd felt himself die. At the hands of his own mentor, at that - branded a failure, a traitor. And now, here, he couldn't even prove otherwise.

In the shadow of his hood, his lip curled. "Fools," Altaïr hissed, unheeding of anyone near him. His thoughts were too much in a whirl of their own.

At once, he made a decision. It only took a few jogging steps before he could jump up to the nearest roof and, from there, keep climbing. Upward and upward, he kept going up until he found the highest point he could reach and, from there, he looked over this new city. The vantage, if nothing else, gave him a small measure of peace - and gave him a goal. There was a higher roof yet. And he would make it there.

B:

He wasn't much for such entertainments. Not to participate, at least. He much preferred to be a watcher. He found a place at the fringes of a small crowd and, there, he watched. He watched the performers, the coins they gathered with their skills, and he watched the pickpockets move through the crowd. His own fingers dipped into one of their caches with all the skill that had been trained into him over a lifetime. Now, at least, he could bolster his own coinage, even if it was with the ill-gotten gains of others.

C:

Thieves. Thugs. A seedy harbor district. Some things look to remain the same no matter the locale. Altaïr kept to the rooftops, watching the passage of guards and miscreants alike, getting a feel for this area of the city as much as he had the others. This place, more than any other, seemed like the area where he may well find a shadowed corner and stay the night here on the rooftops. He'd done it before. He had no doubt he would do it again. Here, more than anywhere on the ground, felt like a place he actually knew.

A

[skyward_eyes]

Another goal, a higher roof, and sorry cranky-hood, there's already someone up there. Nida sits on the edge of the high roof, his legs kicking over the side as he looked out over his new home. When the other arrives the young man doesn't even flinch. He just keeps swinging his feet.

"Welcome. The view is nice."

Llewellyn Watts | Murdoch Mysteries

[gadaboutdetective]

A. Welcome to the Jungle Marketplace & Historium

- Marketplace -

Llewellyn Watts was out of his depth to say the least.

He’d been five minutes from Jack’s building, five minutes from a nice home cooked meal (Duck! Roasted vegetable!! Fresh dinner rolls!!), company and that soft warm smile that made him feel so wanted. And then he felt like he was being pulled into pieces, a weird rushing feeling like leaves caught in a windstorm, and then he was here.

Oof was he ever going to be late for dinner.

Welcome bag in hand, he had eventually found his way to the Market District, his slouching gate leading him to something that was at least a familiar comfort. He liked an open air market, there was always something interesting to see or food to try. Food was, of course, the goal here. If the universe had just up and decided to put a wrench in his dinner date plans, he was going to have to find something good to make up for it.

“O-oh! Uh— Excuse me, didn’t see you there.” The detective stuttered out a moment later as he walked right into someone who had crossed his path, unnoticed until it was too late for him to redirect his trajectory to a course not currently occupied with another person.

- Historium -

Well... Massive hit to his stress levels, missed dinner date, and general state of confusion aside...? This was really something.

“Crackerjack, this is... This is swell...!” He muttered, eyes wide as his usual shuffle turned into excited strides around the shelves of books. Crouching here, standing at full height (a rarity) there, all the while poking and prying at books.

The organization was lacking, sure, but when had Llewellyn ever been an organized individual himself? The occasional paper fell out of his pockets as he grasped at the notebook tucked away in his suit jacket while he walked, wanting to take notes if he came across anything useful. He doubted he’d find anything that would help him get home in this place, that would be too easy, but if he could learn a little more about the history of this place? It might just be a starting point.

Otherwise, it was a fascinating distraction from his initial alarm.

E. Speaking Crystal

[You don’t give a curious sort like Watts a magic crystal thing and not expect him to play with it. The man couldn’t even go a day without fussing with Murdoch’s inventions even after the man insisted that he not do so without permission.

He liked to know how something worked, and so after a quick read of the instructions he decided to give it a go.]

Uh... Hello there...?

[He cleared his throat, awkwardly trying to figure out how to proceed. In some ways this should be easier than walking up to a person on the street and striking up a conversation face to face, in other ways it was harder.]

Not sure if anyone is listening at the moment, if this even works at all... Mm... If anyone is listening, this is Detective Llewellyn Watts, I’m from Toronto, Ontario...? Don’t know if that means anything here though, but uh— I thought it might be worth a shot. Just in case anyone I know might have ended up here too...?

[Because that would be nice, but it would be just his luck if it had just been him.]

Otherwise... Can anyone recommend a good place to go for dinner?

[He doubts anyone is going to be able to tell him anything about how to get home, so why not move on to other priorities?]

A - Marketplace -

[brotherofagod]

A strong steady hand grabbed at the detectives forearm, steadying them both. "Whao." Jacob exhaled a huff and flashed an awkward grin before gently letting the stranger go. "No worries. Are you okay?"

He stepped back enough to put them at a comfortable distance. His face was a little red but he was quickly getting himself under control again. It had been an awkward collision. That's what Jacob was telling himself. There wasn't any other reason to get flustered. His sister ran into people all the time. This guy might just be like her... and not paying attention to where he's walking. He might have a lot on his mind.

"You look distracted. Maybe I can lend a hand." It was always easy for Jacob to focus on someone else's problems before his own.

Aragibal Kha | FFXIV Non-WOL

[arroganceandangst]

A. Welcome To The Jungle
Despite being 7'9" tall, despite being garbed in a full set of armor (sans helmet) with a sword longer than he was tall, despite the horns sprouting from his head and tail poking out of his armor, Aragibal moved very carefully around people with an intention that suggested he was very used to having to be aware of where his entire body was at all times. He had decided to start with the housing area to see what he was in for in terms of a living space. It hadn't taken long for him to pick his way through the crowd to the accomodations they were given. He smiled - very easily - and looked (probably down) to the person next to him, speaking with a jovial tone. "It seems they didn't take into consideration some of us might be a bit taller than others."

What you don't see, while he's in his room, is the fruitless attempts to reach any of his family and friends at home through his linkpearl. He is worried, yes, but he hasn't quite reached levels where he should be in an outright panic.

After he's checked out his housing accomodations, he would switch classes so that he was in an outfit that was a bit more comfortable. He would begin to wander about the city, taking in the sights and the feel of the place. He would be incredibly hard to miss: outside of being ridiculously tall, he was ridiculously muscular as well, had dusky purple skin, white blond hair that he kept tied back, dark blue scales all over his body, and a tail. For those who looked into his eyes he had black irises, with black sclera (though the severe angle of his eyes made this hard to see), and pale purple rings that caught light so they would always shone on the outside of his rises.

B. We've Got Fun and Games
One thing that Aragibal had always loved about Eorzea over Doma were the amount of street performers. It's not that they didn't exist in Doma, they were just generally more uncommon, and often took a different form. Those here in this new place reminded him of those in Eorzea. He knew that these were likely sleight of hands and tricks, but it was still very fun to watch them, and he would give a bronze piece or two for each of the performers he watched.

He was watching another performer and couldn't help commenting to someone nearby. "I've always enjoyed performers like this - it's such fun to watch them. I have a hard time not tipping them..."

C. Historium
He eventually wandered his way to the Historium. Aragibal himself was not particularly a man who studied hard or did research - that was entirely his sister's domain - but he always liked to keep an eye out for places and things that his sister may like. The architecture was plain and Aragibal caught himself wondering if this was worth going all the way out here but he was absolutely glad he did the moment he step foot inside. It was entirely overwhelming as the smell of books hit his nose and he laid eye at all that was here. He shook his head a little, laughing a bit.

"Oh, Monx, if only you were here. I think I found your heaven. I imagine not even the Sharlayans have a collection such as this."

D. The Open-Air Market
It did not take Aragibal very long to make it to the open-air market. One of the few things he loved above cooking was to shop for the things to cook with in a market such as this. The way he looked over produce, checked the fish, smelled the spices... This was a man who knew exactly what he was looking for and knew how to discern quality. He seemed to be more surveying the selection here than shopping at the moment, but one could tell that he was making mental note of what to pick up later. He didn't bother to look at the jeweler or the clothes merchant at this time - the clothes, one might presume, wouldn't fit him anyway.

He's in the process of purusing the spice merchant, smelling the different spices and just generally being enamored by the selection. "The market here is just wonderful! There are so many spices I can't wait to use!"

E. Speaking Crystal
Oh, is this like a linkpearl then? [ There's the sound of some fiddling with it. ] Well, I hope it's on and it works like a linkpearl. [ He clears his throat, then speaks again. ]

Hello! I am Aragibal Kha! I imagine you all know about as much as I do, so I won't ask any silly questions. It would be nice to know all of your names, though. Who do I have the pleasure of being here with?

F. Wildcard
(Catch him anywhere, just make up a prompt, no need to message me first.

He will be wearing his dark knight attire until he leaves his assigned living space, at which he will have swapped to the monk attire because it's a bit more comfortable.)

E. Speaking Crystal

[greenmagick]

[Terra nearly jumps when she hears her crystal speaking to her. She cups the glimmering jewel in her palm and stares at it as if she's trying to imagine who might be speaking to her on the other side.]

Hello?

[The voice is soft and a little timid.]

My name is Terra Branford.

[She pauses and just stares at the crystal to see if it speaks back to her. She's currently standing in the middle of the street, headless to those passing around her.]

Fionnuala || Original Character

[fionnuala]

A. Welcome to the Jungle: Housing Square

Did selkie's ever enjoy the urban nature of a city? No. Most that she knew had a true disdain for most human things. She was odd in that respect. She'd always found humans themselves interesting. Curious little beings with such short little lives. Yet even Nuala had begun to distance herself from them in modern times as they expanded their cities into monstrosities that felt suffocating to someone bound to the call of the sea. This place it seemed was no exception. The urban look to the residence buildings that Nuala had been given instructions to looked utterly dreadful. Everything about them made her human skin crawl and she found herself shivering as she looked up at the building. She wrapped her arms around herself and for the first time in a long time a distressed expression crossed her face. Usually she was all smiles and curiosity, but this, this was a disaster.

"We are to live here? In this...monstrosity?" she whispered to nobody in particular. What an utterly horrid day this was turning out to be.

C. You can have anything you want but you better not take it for free
The harbor called to her like an old friend. At first Nuala had found herself uneasy in this new and fractured place. So much about it was off. Wrong. Things that anyone with any sort of sense about them could pick up on. There was little in the city proper she found herself liking. In fact, there was little about this place at all she found herself liking. Truth be told she'd never been fond of cities, especially as they had expanded into modern times. Humans always had a strange way of ruining everything with their strange improvements. At least some things never changed, even if you were whisked away to some fixer upper world.

The harbor though, that had something she liked: salt water. She could practically feel it as she got closer and closer to the harbor district. The petite redhead looked out of place walking speedily towards the rougher neck of the woods. The guards and the general gloom of the place wasn't going to put a damper on her getting to the water though. Nothing was. Not even the people around her. It would be quite accurate to say that Nuala was walking through people like she didn't even notice them in order to reach her goal. Her bright expression twisted slightly as she walked through the thick haze of smoke.

"How terrible to have so close to the water," she muttered with a tiny cough. If she happened to bump into someone she stopped briefly, with a bright smile, and attempted her best apology. "I'm sorry! I suppose I'm a bit too focused on getting somewhere important. Please do excuse me." It was a sincere apology but also a blunt one from someone clearly more interested in just moving on than continuing a conversation.

Once she reached her ultimate destination her eyes lit up brightly at the sight of a half finished ship.

"A ship! Oh how lovely," she said aloud, still with little regard for if anyone was around or not.

D. What's that smell?

Curiosity killed the selkie. Or something like that. Once she'd found her footing curiosity had poured it's way back into Fionnuala's entire being. Heightened senses immediately pinged her to the disgusting smell coming from...somewhere? Where was it? A little voice in the back of her mind told her that perhaps she shouldn't follow the scent, especially alone, especially at night. Not once in her very long life had she listened to that voice though and so she followed. What she found was a place that smelled of death and decay. She touched the wall where the sign was and sniffed the air in an over-exaggerated manner.

"Death," she scrunched her tiny nose up and shook her head. "Why must they always bury their dead like this?" That aspect of human culture was one thing she'd still neglected to pick up on despite her investigations. Perhaps this would give her some answers or at least something interesting to explore.

E. Speaking Crystal

[ There's a long pause where Nuala doesn't say a single thing. She clears her throat first before she speaks. When her voice comes on it's got a strange quality to it. It's almost musical with just the slightest hint of an unidentifiable accent. It's an accent that time may have forgotten but that Nuala's held onto despite her attempts to blend in. She sounds excited and enthusiastic in everything she says. ]

Hello! Oh my, this is certainly a curious little thing! For anyone listening, I'm Fionnuala, it's a mouthful I know. I mostly tell people to just call me Nuala, so just do that! Easier right? Now, the more important thing: who are you all? I'd love to get to know you all!

[ Again, there's silence and the sounds of water can be heard in the background. ] Thank you all for your time! Perhaps if we all learn more about each other we can help this world more too. Then we'll be able to return to our places of origin faster. [ Is that too much optimism? Probably. ]

D

[against_descent]

"They do not always, you know. There are sky burials, where the dead are given to the carrion birds. That is only an example, one of the ways it was done where I come from. But this is more than death. Old death. Wrong death. The kind that doesn't stay dead."

It wasn't the type of zombies that Dysart had created, but it surely smelled similar, like the aftermath. Even Cassandra turned up her nose at that.

"The gates have been sealed--I hope you weren't going to let your curiosity have you try them!" Her tone wasn't particularly scolding, but there was a likely hint of gentle reprimand in the Euthanatos' tone.

Jester Lavorre | Critical Role

[jesttraveling]

AROUND THE CITY

Jester was an odd sight for those who weren't used to the world in which demon blood intermingled with that of human. Her skin was a lovely sapphire blue with dark blue hair and glowing purple eyes. Freckles spot her cheeks, there are horns on her head and a long tail curling out from the base of her spine. Despite her demon-like appearance, she was bubbly and happy. There was a weasel poking its head out of her hood and a dog sniffing out curiosities only to blink back to the girls side.

The city was very neat and Jester was exploring but also trying to send a message to her friends, which she was pronouncing loudly out to whoever happens to be walking past her.

"Hello Fjord. It's me Jester... just wondering where you are and where everyone else is. Sprinkles and nugget are with me but I can't find..." She paused and silently counted out the words on her fingers. "Darn it."

Jester sends message again. "Anyway, I was cut off before. I am in a strange city and I don't know where it is. A gnome said that I was..." Her message was cut off again.

Another message spell was sent. "Anyway! I was cut off again. They said I was brought here to rebuild something... like the city." She spots and counts out to eight fingers. "Where..." She put down a finger. "Are..." Another finger. "You..." Another finger. "Guys?"

Jester paused and looked at her last four fingers before quickly speaking. "Kay, thanks, I will find the pastry shop now!" But her voice is cut off before she can finish... "That worked, I am sure. He can reply. He will reply."

Except there was no reply.

CRYSTAL

Hell all. It's me, Jester.

[Her accent is thick and while it's difficult to place, it sounds eastern.]

I'm looking for my friends? Has anyone here heard of the Mighty Nein? It's Nein like the word but it also sounds like a number but there aren't nine of us so it's okay if it isn't nine people.

Okay, thank you.

Bye.

CRYSTAL

[asthecroweflies]

The "Mighty Nein"?

[His accent sounds to be from London's East End, but diluted from years in the States.]

I'm afraid not. Anyone in particular I should keep a look out for?

Holly Genovese / Original Character

[mobprincess]

A. Welcome to the Jungle - market district

"HEY- what..."

Aaaand the little dude was gone. Weird. A little creepy. Urgh.

At least she got a free satchel, even if it was kinda big on her shoulder, and free stuff was never something Holly said no to. So, with another look around, she started to wander, eventually finding herself surrounded by people going about their business.

She wanted to stop and look and maybe ask questions, but she was also curious about what exactly was in the bag the strange little man had given her. As she found some steps to plop herself down on, she realised too that she needed to figure out where to get something to eat, but that would need to happen later when she could use the dark to her advantage.

That'd be fun. It'd been a while since she'd had to actually hunt for her dinner.


B. We've Got Fun and Games

She probably should've been afraid. Or stressed, or something that vaguely indicated that she was a kid in a strange place without much of an explanation or without supervision, but Holly had never been one for panicking or crying.

She was twelve, after all. And any self-respecting twelve year old knew that standing around crying got you nothing whatsoever. As far as she was concerned, if she'd been kidnapped, this was better that being tied up in a trunk someplace.

Anyway, who'd wanna do that when there were street performers? As she wandered, Holly saw magicians, she saw a dude swallowing a sword (A FUCKIN' SWORD, WHAT), and a pair of barefoot acrobat-types clambering about and showing off by doing handstands on each other. It was nuts. As was the fact she was here at all - wherever 'here' was.

Sure as shit wasn't New York.

E. Speaking Crystal

[ Over the crystal comes a bright little voice, her New York accent thick and her tone surprisingly nonchalant, all things considered. ]

Hey, uh- anyone listenin'? This thing on?

[ Does she tap the crystal like a microphone? Perhaps. ]

Not to be rude or nothin', like y'got a great set-up here, but what's a girl gotta do around here to get a ride home? I got shit to do.

E

[asthecroweflies]

[The voice who responds is lightly accented, cockney, but diluted from years in the mid-west.]

We're all listening, pet, and we all have things to get back to. I don't think the Aspects care.

Nathan Petrelli | Heroes/Dresden Files AU l ota

[airvassal]

Welcome to the Jungle

Nathan is used to being handed weird things from strange creatures and people so when the little man hands him the satchel Nathan takes it calmly, thanks him and moves into the city proper to explore. He knows most likely he'll stand out, a six foot tall man with a carved wooden staff and a limp. But Nathan is used to that too. His life is weird and he's learned to take the rough with the smooth.

So he moves along the street ignoring the stares if there are any as he learns more about this new place.

Fun and Games

Nathan sits sipping a drink and watching the rowdy room having fun. He finds people watching fun and places like this are prime places to learn how they work and where they fit into the world. And this world has been very, very eye opening.

He spots a poker game starting at one table with a empty seat. Grinning to himself, Nathan stands up and limps over sitting in the empty chair like he's been expected. He glances at the group and in his raspy tone says. "Deal me in."

It's time for Nathan to have some fun too.

Fun and Games

[notthatblonde]

Felicity crossed her legs as she tapped her fingers on the table. She was unused to not having more pressing things to do with her time. This place, however, didn't need skills like hers, unless she could figure out a way to dismantle her crystal but she was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen any time soon.

She picked up her glass of wine, sipping it as she watched Nathan approach the table. "Well, this game just got more interesting..."