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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:16:56 GMT -6
Maintentance Tunnels should definitely be read before this one, and this thread is also a good idea to give a once-over and I prob should've pointed it out beforehand oops! There's been a lot of content leading up to this though so I guess it doesn't really matter too much, it mostly just matters that you have an idea of what happened - or, rather, who showed up - in maint tunnels. Ideally the actual reveal itself should be fairly self-explanatory.
[Roz] It all began with an invitation. Perhaps you had seen it posted in the streets, fastened to your door, floating in the wind; a notice so ethereal, ephemeral, that you cannot recall precisely what had been written on it. But you could feel it. You had been called, chosen, and consciously or not, you would follow. Whether you possessed the power to physically tear your way into the unknown, or simply drifted into slumber and allowed the feeling to guide your heart towards your destination, your mind and soul would find their way to a gathering of dreamers. You found yourself strolling along a starlit path, surrounded by glassy, crystalline foliage that reflected the soft glow of the heavens above. You were beckoned forth by a force unknown, drawn to the myriad lights at the end. As you approached the end, a gentle, calming breeze caressed your face, welcoming you to the Dreamer’s Carnival. Like a village drifting through the aether, the pristine stone-paved streets built into the forest clearing house a number of small buildings. Shops and games, open for business, but they do not want your money. All they require is your presence and your attention. Your fellow patrons drift along through the streets, compelled by their shared dream to seek out the wonders of this place. People of all shapes and sizes, races and ages. Mortals, angels, devils, and monsters, forgetting any malice they had held towards each other before arriving, their bodies shimmering with the same ephemeral light as the invitation that drew you here. They smile upon you, and each other, but freely pass through each other and yourself as though they are not even there. But you’re not like the others, are you? You are not ethereal, and you feel no such compulsion to drift along. You are lucid, you are in control of your own fate. Several of these attractions stand out among the rest. What, may I ask, would you like to see while you are here? A beautiful circus tent, woven like a tapestry, the colors gently shifting as you move your gaze across the folds of the fabric before you. Laughter, cheers, and a distinct mechanical grinding echo from within... Perhaps there is a show to be seen? A quaint cafe, standing out among the rest. One of many in this world and beyond, but an air of mystery surrounds this one. The scent of baked goods and warm drinks (and perhaps a bit of... blood?) wafts through the doorway. Certainly a place to explore if you feel like indulging in some (questionable) refreshments. A dark alley, off on the sidelines. An unsightly place compared to the rest of the carnival grounds, but the dreamers still find themselves drawn to it, a soft, golden glow occasionally signalling from within that this unlikely, unsightly place is part of the experience. A gilded gate, currently closed to visitors. An unnatural structure, piercing the flesh of this land, carved into the earth. Something is preparing an attraction of its own. A makeshift tent is set up not far away, uncharacteristically drab compared to the vibrant colors of the rest of the grounds. The drifting souls seem to avoid this nightmarish place. Wherever you choose to go, remember: You are welcome here. You are safe here. Do try to enjoy yourself. --- after what seemed like over a literal year of procrastinating on plot threads, Solana arrived on the scene with Venith in tow, unconcerned with the whimsy and beauty of the carnival grounds. She had come to investigate a disturbance, after all, and disturbed she was as she set her eyes on the unsettling gate. She had expected a minor issue, maybe a lead to track down the ex-God Queen of her recently liberated nation. A step towards making her pay for her crimes. But it felt like something more. “ When Celethia mentioned a disturbance, I didn’t expect to feel... this.” Glancing around the grounds, she grimaced as all of the happy spirit-folk frolicked around, blissfully unaware of the potential danger looming over them. “ I feel like I always did in the presence of Noctalle, but worse. She had an oppressive aura about her for sure, but...” She trailed off and shuddered, before perking up a bit. “ Well, we’re in this beautiful place, and nothing seems to be happening yet. We could go and, um, gather some information from the locals, maybe...” Solana hardly knew where to start. She and Celethia only knew there was something up with this place from an anonymous tip, anyway. She looked to Venith expectantly, hoping that maybe she’d take the lead for a moment while she pondered their next move... It was kind of like being on a date, after all. Kind of.
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:17:54 GMT -6
[Papes]
Absolutely mesmerizing. She felt like she was far too old to be feeling so giddy over a place like this, but the woman couldn't help it. Things like this never existed when she was still alive. Just for a few moments, she felt like a kid again. Then her heart sank. It was very doubtful she'd be able to pick up any physical object, especially in her current state.
'Did you forget why you left the Underworld?'
Of course. It's very doubtful she'd find what she was looking for here though. May as well have fun. Or... at least as much fun as you can when you phase through virtually everything. Mila damned herself for not having given herself a slightly more solid form before leaving- wait a second though, this isn't the world of the living.
'Don't think on it too hard.'
Mila decided she wanted to see what kind of games there were. The colorful tents were certainly tempting to drift towards, but games were the first priority.
Meanwhile, another redhead found herself in this place as well. There were so many things Mayda wanted to check out, especially the cafe because honestly? The smell of baked goods made her hungry. Maybe it would be a good idea to head over there after a few games. This is the first time she's ever seen a place like this. Could it be because Viesse lacked carnivals?
-----
Incredibly enough, the eye patch was still in her pocket when she checked for it. Sofi wasted no time putting it over her right eye as she walked through the crowd of ethereal beings; everything about the carnival was so warm and inviting, yet she couldn't bring herself to do anything in particular aside from grabbing some cotton candy from a nearby stand and eat some of it as she walked through the crowd.
"Kinda reminds me of Nimbasa city. Too bad I don't see any rollercoasters so far," she thought aloud to herself. Soon enough, she'd find herself getting away from the crowds. Was it out of distraction (aka Zoning Out) or was it her goddamn depression again? It's hard to tell the difference anymore. At least the cotton candy made things slightly better.
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:18:22 GMT -6
[Iso] Venith couldn't help but take in the sights. Everything about this place was so delicate, so ethereal... she felt as though she was walking through some pleasant dream. Ah, but wasn't she? Solana was right here at her side, after all. ...Well, perhaps that was going a bit too far. Solana didn't seem nearly so comfortable or awestruck, and Venith couldn't blame her. This matter was deeply personal for her, and as she spoke up it became apparent that this mission wouldn't be quite so lighthearted after all. Venith didn't allow her concern to show, however, instead offering Solana a tender smile and a tightened grip around her hand. "Don't you worry, Solana. No matter what lies in wait here, you have no need to fear. Not so long as we're together," Venith reassured her. She lit up as Solana did, refreshed by the charm of her demureness. "Yes, that seems like a wise move," she agreed. "I would like to get to know this place better, and I'm certain any inhabitants of such a wonderland ought to hold interesting information, if not the very details we need to proceed."Venith scanned the area, looking for places of interest. She, too, got an ominous vibe from the imposing gate, but for the time being it seemed there was no way past it. The alley was intriguing, but, well... was an alley all that romantic? Yes, this was an important mission and all, but that didn't mean she had to sacrifice taste! The cafe seemed pleasant, and she knew how Solana loved to be spoiled with treats nearly as sweet as she was, but they had just come from a cafe! No, sacrificing creativity wouldn't do, either. With how unnerved her girlfriend was, Venith knew she had to offer only her very best. "Then, what do you say we visit the circus? There's certain to be quite the crowd there... and it wouldn't hurt to get in a little entertainment while we're here, now would it?" she said, her suggestion punctuated by a mischievous glint in her eyes and a step forward. Noctalle herself could show up and it wouldn't matter; Venith was determined to ensure that Solana ended the day with a smile on her face. Not too far off, another visitor arrived. Unlike Venith, however, he couldn't find himself entranced by the path here nor the breathtaking imagery and atmosphere. Instead he found it sickening, reminding him of places long lost and what he wished he'd never found. But that was why he was here, wasn't it? This was the final formal stop on his list before he started synthesizing what he'd learned and decided what to do next. It was almost funny, really. His self in this Entirety would lose himself in the crowd, wandering with starry eyes, unaware of the connections that lied here. But 2cro knew better. The state of this place would be a good judge of the state of this Entirety, and that was the information he sought. Touching his mask as various patrons passed by - he was unused to wearing one, and the nature of it as a magical mask made him constantly doubt its presence - 2cro scanned the crowd. Where to go first? He eyed the gate. The aura that lied beyond it was unmistakably grotesque. But the gate was closed and he felt it rude to use his powers to just barge in. Something else funny, he supposed, finding rudeness such a concern. Maybe he was just making excuses, putting off what was unpleasant until he'd numbed his mind enough to confront it. That wasn't anything unus- ... 2cro stopped in his tracks, noticing Solana and Venith close by. His heart stopped for a second, soul dangerously close to leaving his body. Unfortunately, no such event occurred, and his brain was forced to go through the motions to comprehend what it was seeing. And what it was was... a strange sight. Effectively, he was looking at two strangers. He noticed their hands, fingers interlaced. What? What was this? Was his identification right? Confusion taking the wheel, 2cro walked closer, trying to get a better look, wondering if he was really seeing- "Ah!"2cro was broken out of his trance by embarrassingly colliding with a face in the crowd. Luckily it was just a harmless bump, not a complete collapse or something equally devastating to his fragile state of mind. He backed up quickly, hoping he hadn't scrambled their very existence with his contact. "I'm so sorry," he apologized, "Are you o-"For fuck's sake. Cel had happened upon an invitation and was delighted to accept its trail. Ending up in all corners of the multiverse was ordinary stuff to her, and yet this incident... for once, it felt pleasant. She didn't feel paranoid at all about some horrid monster jumping out to attack her or some foe of hers stepping out of the background to harm her. She just felt happy, curious, stunned by the dreamy environment and excited to see where it would take her. Of course, that mood was dampened a little now that she'd suffered the embarrassing faux-pas of being bumped into by a total stranger, causing both of them undue humiliation. "N-No, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have just stopped in the middle of..."They mutually trailed off, staring at each other for reasons that were as similar as they were different. For 2cro he was looking at a ghost, and for Cel she was looking at a specter of worse times. She tried not to judge too harshly, I mean, there were probably a lot of white-haired guys out there who wore lots of black and purple and seemed kind of ominous! Didn't mean this was one of Ignis' lackeys here to set her on fire! She tried to read his expression to determine whether or not she was on the right track, but the spooky mask wasn't doing her any favors. 2cro, meanwhile, was dissociating again. This place wasn't supposed to hold this many connections. Certainly not this one. "U-Um... sorry again! I'll just be going now..." she said with a nervous laugh, backing up a bit before walking off, constantly looking over her shoulder at the stunned figure. 2cro couldn't bring himself to respond, only regaining control of his limbs once Cel was already a good bit toward the cafe. Seeking to drown her sorrows in strawberry desserts, presumably. 2cro was feeling fortunate for his mask now more than ever, between the familiar faces and his own shifting between red and white at a startling pace. Having lost track of Solana and Venith by now - and deciding that staring would only lead to further minor disasters - he decided to hide his shame by investigating the alley. It seemed out of the way and as such less-traveled; it suited him far better than the cheerful hustle and bustle of the central locale.
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:18:58 GMT -6
[Picc]
Lusai stared wide-eyed at the landscape before him, as he drank in the colours and lights of the booths and attractions. The white-scaled lizardman was completely taken in by the carnival he had found himself in. The enchanting sights were a delight on the eyes, and the sounds of the other patrons' cheers and laughter were infectious to the point he couldn't help but smile himself.
'This kind of reminds me of the faires they would hold back home. Although this is a lot more... resplendent than those were." It was clear that he was eager to see what this dreamlike space had to offer.
"It really is something else, I'll give you that." Hetzl chimed in, sounding notably less engrossed in his surroundings than his travelling companion. While he certainly also found the carnival quite beautiful, he couldn't help but be rather skeptical about the nature of the place they were in. Small oddities such as the faint stench of blood raised warning flags in his mind, and he couldn't help but have his thoughts drift to the possibility that this dreamy carnival could really end up being a nightmare in the end. His eyes flickered around as he kept pace with his friend, searching for any signs of danger.
But still, some small part of Hetzl couldn't help but enjoy being in a place like this with Lusai again. It had been such a long time since they had done anything like this together.
As the pair strolled down the paths, they passed by many attractions that were tempting to stop by. However, Lusai's curiosity about the vibrant circus tent couldn't be quashed, and he found himself drawn towards it. Surely whatever was within such an alluring tent would be worth the experience as the first attraction of their visit right? And with that, the two headed to whatever show awaited them within.
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:19:25 GMT -6
[Gwen] An orange-haired fox girl and a black-haired wolf boy walk into a carnival..."Mmm, just look at this place, Rakel! Reminds you of the Old City, doesn't it?" The girl spoke first, nudging an unflinching Rakel, winking at him. He didn't react to that either. "You are mistaken, Estera. The city was not nearly as vibrant as this. But..." Rakel cracked a small smile. "It is nice, I'll admit."The pair walked together, not too close, not too far apart, feeling wary but at ease in this strange place. There was others that looked like them, so they didn't feel quite as awkward as they usually did when walking amongst mortals. They didn't even have their weapons summoned forth, which they so often had to. The mortals here seemed... more welcoming. It was a nice change. They looked about the busy streets, before realizing that all the people that passed them by were shimmering, as if they were mere spectres, strolling past them without worry or care. Estera sighed. She knew it was too good to be true. But perhaps, it was they who were the spectres in this strange, magical place... "Hmm...? Those two over there..." Rakel's ear twitched. Estera's did too. They looked upon a pair of furries who did not shimmer like the others. Who even spoke, though their words were still a little too quiet for either of them to make out what they were saying. But they were unmistakably solid. Estera and Rakel looked at each other, and nodded silently, before starting to make their way over to them. As they walked, they picked up on more footsteps from others like them, and more conversation. They weren't so alone as they first thought, it seemed. "Excuse me." Rakel spoke up from behind Venith and Solana, prompting Estera to shake her head. "No, no, nooo! That's not how you make an introduction, silly!~ Ahem! Estera took a step in front of her companion, who made the strongest (¬_¬) face he could muster. "Hi there! My name's Estera, and this is Rakel, we were wondering... Um. Wait, what were we wondering? Hmm. I've forgotten."Rakel continued to aggressively (¬_¬) at Estera, his palm attaching itself to his face. "We are lost. But Estera is certainly more lost than me..." Rakel spoke, a little under his breath, but loud enough to be heard by everyone nonetheless. Estera punched him in the arm, hissing. Again, he did not flinch. "I suppose you got invitations here as well, yes? And I hope we are not bothering you. Estera does not tend to think before speaking.""Hey!" Estera made a (¬_¬) face back at Rakel, crossing her arms and pouting.
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:19:50 GMT -6
[Exuro]
A long, black traveling cloak with accompanying hood and an almost unnaturally unassuming air; that was the modus operandi of one Black Yoshi these days. Considering the otherwordly nature of the location to which he followed the metaphysical blinking neon sign, it was likely out of an overabundance of caution more than anything else. That he had never heard of such an apparently popular inter-reality destination was enough reason to at least give it a once-over to make sure it wasn't a threat.
Having taken stock of his options, the gate was by far the most intriguing, but something about the vibes it gave off made it feel like a stop for the end of his little sojourn. Instead, he made his way towards the alleyway, carefully weaving around Cel in an attempt to remain unseen. She certainly had a habit for ending up where he was going, didn't she? Even with his vibes suppressed, she would stand a chance of picking him out by appearance on that fact alone, and he didn't really feel like picking up and traveling companions at the moment. He was so caught up in his attempt at spycraft that he failed to notice the kindred traveler - both in appearance and lack of outstanding vibes - entering the crowd heading for the alleyway.
Meanwhile, outside of the Alleyway of Robeplaying, a casually-attired Altuun emerged from the entranceway, eyes alight with wonder at her auspicious surroundings. After snapping a couple of images on her handheld tomestone to show to Suzume and the others later, the Auri arcanist decided on taking in whatever the circus had to offer, ultimately ending up jostling through the crowd to end up near the already-gathered collection of assorted furries.
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:21:41 GMT -6
[Roz]
The Alley
Another masked figure, solid and lucid like the guests, took note of the motley crew heading into the alley. She had business elsewhere, but something about these visitors in particular concerned her. She followed after the last one, fading into the shadows as she approached. Attracting undue attention was hardly part of the plan, after all.
---
Some have said that one’s trash someone else’s treasure, but such expressions are not often meant literally. However, the golden light of this hallowed place appeared to be quite literally be reflecting off of an immense heap of golden garbage bags stretching down both sides of the alleyway, which was far larger than it had any right to be. The bags themselves were not stacked haphazardly like the refuse one might find in an ordinary back alley, however; they were fashioned into a great wall, like a temple of trash, twisting and winding down a path leading deeper into the heart of the mysterious realm.
As they progressed onward, the assortment of mysteriously-garbed guests would quickly notice that they were not alone. It was not each other that they would notice. In fact, they would not once cross paths as they travelled. It was something more subtle – the faint sensation of a powerful presence, a rustling from within the wall of gilded garbage, the continued golden glinting from the path ahead...
Eventually, the great wall of trash would give way to a large chamber seemingly built from the very same golden bags. At the center stood a massive garbage can, made from yet more gold and encrusted with a variety of assorted jewels and treasures. A naive soul may have thought they had stumbled upon a great vault of riches once they had lain eyes upon the building-sized bin, but the presence within could tell that these guests were a cut above the common rabble. So while it may have elected to toy with its visitors in any other case, it instead cut to the chase as soon as Dicro made it into the room.
“FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLS!!!!!”
Cued by the boisterous cry of the being within, the lid of the trash can floated upwards, shifting and slinking behind the massive receptacle as a flood of golden light erupted from the lid, a small shadow gently floating from within its depths.
... It seemed that the entity had been expecting visitors, to the point of practicing its entrance.
In spite of the lavishly decorated garbage, the master of the domain was rather plain. The body of a middle-aged man draped in what appeared to be a stained bedsheet fashioned into a toga, and the head of a rat adorned with a golden laurel crown – which upon further inspection would appear to be made of the same golden material as the garbage bags. He would hardly stand taller than Dicro, were he not floating in the air cross-legged, his hands planted firmly on his hips.
“You stand in the presence of Garbanzio the Trashlord! Bippity, boppity, how the hell are ya?”
Satisfied with his introduction, Garbanzio sized up the visitor before him. He raised an eyebrow, and sniffed the air deeply. His face writhed in disgust.
“Whew, kid, you smell like a disaster and a half. The hell have you been through?”
By now, the others may have found their way into the room as well, but Garbanzio seemed rather fixated on the first of his guests.
The Circus Tent
“Very well then...!” Solana smiled. Venith’s presence and words were enough to comfort her, even with her reservations still present at the back of her mind. So long as they were together, no trouble would be too much.
No trouble other than a bit of basic social interaction, that is. Solana found herself startled when her tender moment was interrupted by the energetic.
“Um, hello there...”
Despite her adventuring experience, she was still somewhat nervous around people from other worlds. It was difficult to know what to expect with them, after all, but it was clear that these two were drawn to her and Venith due to some... similarities in their appearances. She looked up at Venith expectantly, hoping that she might take the lead with the conversation while she composed herself.
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the tent, two others stood at either side, although it was difficult to make their forms out from behind the massive crowd of spirits surrounding each. Perhaps they were the performers...? If one were so curious as to approach, it would not be difficult to push past a group of incorporeal dreamers. They probably wouldn’t even notice the intrusion.
The Cafe[/i][/u]
While the rest of the grounds were full of the jovial spirits enjoying their sweet dreams, the area around the cafe had noticeably fewer of them. In fact, they seemed to be avoiding the place altogether. Not an unreasonable reaction, given that the smell of sweets seem to give way even more to the stench of blood as one got closer.
As soon as one of the lucid guests approached the door, it swung open, as if they had been expecting visitors – or perhaps just hopeful that someone would wander nearby.
Not a single light was on inside. In fact, anything not immediately in front of the entrance was pitch black, save for the unmistakable glow of unnatural eyes, accompanied by the scraping sound of a knife being sharpened.
“What can I get for you.”
The entity within did not sound terribly pleased to be there.
“I said: What can I get for you.”
Whoever this was, it was clear that they were not the greatest provider of customer service.
The Plaza
Those who had chosen not to wander far from the entrance would find a mass of businesses along the line, each and every one seeming to be staffed by an individual in clownish attire. They did not speak, as they had no need for words; the dreamers’ shades naturally flocked to them, partaking of their goods and services without question or care.
Two seemed to stand out. One, a food stall of sorts, perhaps the true source of the sweet aroma wafting through the air; the other, a carnival classic: A game of knock down the obviously-rigged targets with rubber balls. The clowns at the desks seemed to silently call out to the guests, pulling their minds directly towards their respective stalls, gnawing at their inhibitions, grasping at their souls... but gently. They did not want to offend, after all.
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:22:17 GMT -6
[Papes] The PlazaMayda and Mila pretty much Immediately gravitated towards the rigged game. They got there around the same time, and only noticed the other when they tried to pick up a rubber ball. "Ah, I'm sorry! You can go first," Mila quickly apologized. "N-no, it's fine! I didn't even see you," Mayda felt herself drift away from her response. This woman... there was something vaguely familiar about her. She had no clue who this lady was, but it felt like she had a resemblance to.. is it possible she was connected to uncle Nik somehow? Mayda soon noticed the nearby food stand. "Are you quite sure?" Mila was slightly concerned now. "Positive! It's really no big deal," Mayda reassured the strange lady before making her way to the food stand to grab a cotton candy that caught her attention. "A-alright then......" Mila picked up a rubber ball, looking at the totally-not-rigged-at-all targets before throwing the ball at one of them. outside the crowds I Guess?Bunch of weirdos. Was this some kinda cult-related shit Sofi was witnessing around where the weird alley is? Well, it's none of her business. By now, she almost didn't want to go back into the crowd of people, so..... crowdwatching it is??? She tore off another piece of cotton candy and ate it. "I'll be fine. I think. Being alone once in a while isn't so bad,"
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:22:39 GMT -6
[Iso] The Alley 2cro proceeded down the alley, almost stopping once or twice to think on his uncertainly, on his paranoia, on the lingering feeling he was less alone as he thought. Each time he shook off the urge, walking faster as though to escape such impulses. It was only once the trash piled beyond one's suspension of disbelief and became drenched in gold that he started to slow again. Yes, there was no mistaking this place. Because it was absurd. Look at him, Garbanzio the Trashlord. The juxtaposition of 2cro against him was completely bizarre, like someone had dropped a cartoon character into the middle of a bloody battlefield. Or, perhaps more accurately, a ruined warlord stumbling into a carefree Saturday morning's delight. There was clearly no reason for these two to ever cross paths, much less for 2cro to do anything but grimace and walk away. Yes, that was what an outsider would think. After taking a moment to try and comprehend Garbanzio's presence without smiling and/or finally giving in to the mental breakdown screaming in the back of his mind, 2cro stepped forward. "If you don't know already, then that tells me all I need to know about your boss," he said coldly. After a few seconds of pause, 2cro removed his mask, arm dropping limply to his side. The bags under his eyes were utterly humorless despite his surroundings, despite the figure he was looking at. "Do you have any idea who I am?"The Circus Tent Venith responded with a smile as she pulled Solana closer, just in the nick of time as they were interceded by some fellow furries. She noted Solana's intimidation, finding it both endearing and saddening. Her expression was certainly cute, and how she loved to protect her, but the act of being so wary of kind strangers was not a behavior born overnight. Each time Solana shied away from someone Venith saw a bit of herself there: the vulnerable and fearful girl she used to be. Venith rubbed her thumb against Solana's, a quiet reassurance that she was her to protect her, no matter how mundane the danger. "Well, greetings to the both of you! I am Venith, and this is my girlfriend, Solana," she introduced, shooting a quick glance at the girlfriend in question. How could she ever miss the chance to brag? "Yes, we did, and do not worry yourselves. This is a carnival after all, is it not? Interaction is simply expected!" she continued, radiating warmth. "I'm afraid I can't help much with directions, but we were just on our way to the circus tent. Perhaps someone there might know more than we do. Would you care to join us?" she proposed, eyeing the figures at the entrance out of the corner of her eye. The Cafe Just as she was beginning to calm down again, Cel was suddenly instilled with anxiety. Again, again. She openly whimpered as she arrived in the cafe, shivering as she tried to make anything out in the dark. Shing.OH GOD WHAT WAS THAT Shing.OH NOOOOOOOO "DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING WITH STRAWBERRIES," she screamed, trying her very hardest not to cry.
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:23:09 GMT -6
[Roz] Chamber of the Trashlord“Heh, not one for comedy, are ya?” Garbanzio stared down into the visitor’s unmasked eyes. He seemed so very weary... “Yeah, kid, I’ve got an idea of who ya are. I’ve been told to expect ya sooner or later. And since ya’ve been so courteous as to drop yer little act for me...” Garbanzio gently floated to the ground and stood tall. Confident. Almost with an air of nobility, were he not the same rat-man as before. “I guess I can offer you the same. After all, if you know about the boss, you must know that your presence here has not gone unnoticed. It’s not as if you were invited, after all.” He shrugged and shook his head, before letting out a deep sigh. “You’re here, and that really cannot be helped at this point, but as a God of Cycles I cannot help but notice that you have a rather... calamitous aura about you. What is your aim, I wonder? What is it that you want out of this world?” The Lord of Trash took to the air once more, his casual demeanour returning, but his piercing gaze continued to hang over the sad, purple Dicro like a sword on a string. “But hey, kid, I ain’t here to judge. Old Garbanzio has his demons, too. Just curious as to what ya think you’re accomplishing is all.” The CafeThe scraping came to a stop. The figure within the shop slammed the knife into the counter and stood up from their chair. “Strawberries. Strawberries, you say. You come all this way, on a metaphysical journey through the world of dreams, and the only desire you can muster is something so mundane?” The tension in the air thickened. A wave of murderous intent burst forth from within. “Very well. If you desire strawberries, I shall grant you this desire. But the price will be dire, for I require payment in return. Payment of YOUR VERY SOUL, FOR MERE BLOOD WILL NOT SUFFICE FOR THE SUFFERING I HAVE ENDURED AT THE HANDS OF THAT INFERNAL PROPRIETRESS--” Flick. The lights within the establishment quickly sprung to life, revealing a rather quaint little place decorated in pastel colors. Manning the light switch was what could only be described as a massive viking wearing a name tag labelled “Bjorn”, a horned helm upon his head covering his eyes, and a meticulously braided orange beard framing his face. “My lady, forgive my interruption, but that is hardly the way to treat a customer!” No longer cloaked by shadow, the person behind the counter – a woman in a puffy dress -- quieted herself and slunk back down into the chair, dejected and defeated. A second, similarly-dressed blonde viking man elsewhere in the room – his nametag reading “Halvar” - worked diligently to clean an impressive layer of dust up from one of the tables. The two vikings were dressed in similarly puffy garments to the woman who appeared to be their boss. The orange-haired viking spoke up once again, bowing his head apologetically to Cel. “We’re terribly sorry for our lady’s rudeness! We would be happy to serve you! Please, take a seat at the table right over there and we’ll be along to take your order in just a moment. And we will demand no such payment, I assure you!!” He motioned to the table that the blond viking – now sheepishly leaned up against the counter and clutching a menu to his chest -- had just finished cleaning. The tension in the air had all but evaporated, so why not sit down and relax? Please?? Please?
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:23:28 GMT -6
[Iso] The Alley Act. Hah. What to make of this man, he wondered. "...So she does know."Of course she knew, how could she not? It was just... why do nothing, then? There were few people who knew enough and had enough power to be so much as a blip on his radar, and she was one of them. Was watching all she could do, even when she could easily change the course of fate itself? ...As though he was one to talk. Still, there was a bitterness in the pit of his stomach, an anger that smouldered in his chest, an envy he knew was petty and useless because it was his fault, she wasn't obligated to clean up his mess. But being left be like this, to drag this corpse around pretending he deserved to live... it was an insult. Smite him. Punish him. Do something, anything, end him, somehow. If anyone could- Through the haze, 2cro narrowed his eyes. The malice in his expression was weighed down by exhaustion, malaise, a tiredness of thinking, a tiredness of being. He couldn't truly be angry, couldn't truly be upset, couldn't truly be anything, really. And he could express that, if he so chose. Seek asylum. Ask for forgiveness. Beg for oblivion. Rest his head, melt away. "...It isn't about what I want."No, it wasn't. It never was. Forget the thoughts flitting about like something beautiful. All he could be was the flame, the ash. "There is nothing to 'accomplish.' I am here to deliver a warning, because this Entirety is deserving of it, and not deserving of what is to come. Of what ruin I will bring."He closed his eyes, contemplating something. The weight that lifted from the confirmation of his choice, the words that made bile rise in his throat. "If there's anything I want, it's for you and her and the rest of your inner circle to know this Entirety's days are numbered, and that if Asena doesn't put up a fight this time then it will never end. You should know that better than anyone.""And tell her that I'm sorry," he thought. But what would it mean to her, or Garbanzio, or to anyone? They were hollow words, however deeply he meant them. The Cafe Cel cowered as the voice berated her, covering her head with her hands and shrinking away. All she wanted were some strawberries! Once the caps started she immediately started screaming, not stopping until she finally registered that the lights were on and people were talking. Her voice slowly lowered, gradually turning into a whimper that continued as she was addressed. "Hhh," she squeaked in response, trembling her way over to a table and seating herself, staring down at the table. "Hhhhh?"
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:23:56 GMT -6
[Gwen] The Circus Tent "Aww, that's so adorable!!" Estera replied as Venith bragged about her girlfriend, clasping her hands together and giggling as Venith continued. "Hmm.. a circus, huh? I don't believe we've ever been to one of those! Maybe we sh-""Sounds noisy. I think I'll pass." Rakel interrupted, shrugging and smirking as he started walking away. At least, he tried. Because unfortunately for him, Estera had reacted to her partner's disrespect in the way he disliked most of all: she grabbed ahold of one of his ears, pulling him back with relative ease. He yelped and let out a howl as she pulled him back, holding on as she smiled at Venith and Solana. "Ow, ow, ow!!! Stop that!!! Desist at once!!! Grrrrr...... Oh, I hate when you do that..." Rakel protested, flailing about as he tried to get away from Estera's firm grip on his ear. But alas, she was just a little too strong. He didn't wish to hurt her, so there was no other way he could away from her. But fortunately, she did let go, eventually, giggling as he grumbled insults under his breath. She patted him mockingly on the head, which made him growl at her again. Which made her laugh more at him. After they had both settled down, they both once again returned their attention to the pair of girlfriends. "Alright. Fine. We will join you. Though even if I wished to go elsewhere, I believe my partner here would never allow me to...""That's correct, yes! Now let us all go and enjoy ourselves, heehee!~"
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:24:20 GMT -6
[Roz] ((alley only this time srry will do the others tomorrow <3)) "A warning, huh? Sounds more like a threat to me, bud. And if you're what we've... theorized that you are, you should know that she's not gonna do anything. It'd go against everything she stands for as Entirety's watcher in the shadows. If ya expected any different, I dunno what to say. Ya could kill me and everyone else in this Reality right now and she wouldn't lift a finger. Not for you, so long as you're here, even as you are." Garbanzio sighed and twirled his hand around in the air nonchalantly, as if he'd already mentally prepared for this to come to pass. "Not that she wouldn't want to, of course. But ya know how it is. There's just some lines ya don't cross. Honestly, when we realized what had happened, we were hopin' ya'd be a little more open to conversation, but it seems that won't be the case." And so his gaze fell once again. The string had snapped, and so the proverbial sword began to plummet down. "But... it isn't our ol' Asena you'd have to worry about, anyway. There are others who won't stand for this--" Before he could finish his thought, he stopped. Another presence was making itself known. Reality itself rippled and contorted as a masked eavesdropper stepped out of the shadows. " That's enough, Garbanzio." Garbanizo turned his attention to her immediately, raising an eyebrow and stroking his chin. "... How long have ya been there?" " We have heard enough. There is no need to provoke him further." "Alright, alright. But didn't ya have something else ya had to take care of?" " Of course. But some things take priority. Our special guests are currently... occupied with something else, and so I am here." She, too, looked towards Dicro, with only sorrow painting what was visible of her face. " As for you... You've delivered your message, and it has been duly noted. But I suggest that you move on for now. I have been keeping others out of this chamber for now for the sake of your privacy, not that you'd care at this point if you are so bold as to declare the end of Entirety itself... but it is only a matter of time until they make it past my barriers." She lowered her voice, to something between a whisper and a growl. " ... And you are not going to appreciate what you see... who you see if you stay here. I promise you that."
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:24:45 GMT -6
[Exuro]
"A matter of time, yes. You've definitely stepped up your game since last we met. Concise barrier work and glamouring, though I fear your invitation may have attracted more Yoshis than you'd hoped for."
Almost as if on cue, an all-too-familiar celestial sword blade emerged from seemingly nowhere before sweeping in a wide arc across the entry threshold. The aforementioned barrier wavered for a moment before faltering completely, revealing the hooded traveler who had slipped into the alleyway moments after 2co. As if the void-shard greatsword wasn't enough indication, the stranger pulled down his hood, revealing none other than 2lack himself.
"Ah, but appraising your improvements is not why you called me here, is it?" 2lack proclaimed, sword idly draped across one shoulder in a return to typical form. He approached the center of the room, heavy armored footsteps now very much audible when compared to his efforts to stay unseen earlier, gaze sweeping between the three gathered in the room. His hand did not leave the hilt of his sword, unsurprisingly, though he didn't appear in a complete hurry to impale someone through the chest quite yet.
"I understand you're here to deliver a message. Convenient, since I just finished dropping off one my own not too long ago," 2lack idly continued, apparently now addressing the 'cro in the room, "I have a few more things on my to-do list, but first, why don't we catch up! It's been far too long, has it not? Sometime after incinerating the remnants of Capital Defense, but before you finished your conquest of Edeal, if I am not mistaken. So, how have you been? How's the family? Anyone you care about still kicking?"
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Post by Tayl on Aug 24, 2019 10:25:08 GMT -6
[Iso] Alley 2cro winced. Not for you, so long as you're here, even as you are.Each new word was like a knife jammed in his stomach. A little more open to conversation! The thought made him sick. Talking to someone, being forgiven, forgetting the past, discarding the future... what part of that did he deserve? What part had he earned? Why present him such a choice and act like it wasn't? Maybe Garbanzio and company knew him better than that. How could he not, right? Him being a spineless coward was a universal constant, right? It felt better to think like that. Others who won't stand for this, huh? Yeah, that definitely made him feel better. It made him feel natural. Back in his home element. He loved it, watching bridges burn. He loved watching the flames dance around, the graveness in one's voice, the feeling of the fire licking at his flesh, reminding him that he was alive, reminding him of the Hell he'd built so carefully for himself. It was great, the slow hammering in his chest, the way his blood ran cold, the way Garbanzio's voice seemed to echo out. The weight of finality, pressing down on his mind. The confirmation that he really was just an awful bastard. He almost smiled. And then - her. 2cro jumped as he whirled to face the new figure, every thought suddenly plastering themselves to the outer walls of his skull, looking for a place to hide. Chains waved around him like vines for only a split second, vanishing the moment they appeared like some unsavory thought. The steady pounding of his heartbeat evolved into a rapid cacophony. Who was this this? Who the hell was this? He didn't immediately recognize who he was looking at, and in a place like this that was more than a discomfort. His body language settled. He considered snapping the mask back on, but what good would that do now? He eyed her warily, looking her up and down, trying to figure out why he couldn't recognize her, searching his mind for some sort of comparison. This Entirety had people who never existed in his home Entirety, he was sure, but the problem is that wasn't the feeling he got from her. The shapes, the size, the colors, they were all wrong. But her voice, the way she carried herself - some distant memory dredged itself up, as if making some last-ditch effort to convince him that he had a chance to change himself. He narrowed his eyes at her, trying to puzzle things out, her warning discarded without the slightest acknowledgment. "...And who are you?" he asked, tone in an uncertain place between confusion and offense. "And who are you, to think you know anything about me?"Before the figure had a chance to reply, though, the next appeared, and 2cro's blood froze over entirely. While 2lack addressed the masked woman, 2cro stood there, stuck in place, as though he'd been run through by that blade already. Though his eyes - widening to their limit - were still focused on the woman, it was clear his gaze was elsewhere. He turned around slowly, giving 2lack the same once-over he'd given the other figure. He was almost grateful that 2lack made no effort to disguise his identity. Almost, because the sight alone was enough to send his mind spinning. He didn't even think on the mention of "two Yoshis," brain thoroughly occupied by 2lack's overpowering aura. There were two things wrong with his picture, two facts that were causing his vision to tunnel out: The first 2lack had all but stated himself: It's been far too long, has it not? Sometime after incinerating the remnants of Capital Defense, but before you finished your conquest of Edeal, if I am not mistaken. That was exactly when 2lack had completely vanished from existence. Burning with rage, it was only natural that his Ignis had made getting his hands on Black a priority. And yet, one day, it was as though he'd up and disappeared. Not just him, either, but all of Tyria itself, plucked from reality as though it had simply forgotten it existed. Nothing had ever made Ignis angrier. Perhaps Opine's decision that sealed his Entirety's fate, maybe, but it could not be expressed enough how Black's disappearance had defined the rest of 2cro's life. Even after they had conquered everything, they never stopped searching for him, never stopped investigating any potential trace he'd left behind. Over the years, the years and years and years, the decades, the centuries, the millennia, they had never found a thing. It drove Ignis mad, madder than he already was, madder than he'd already become. He had never given up his search, all of his victories hollow in the face of the one that mattered slipping completely from his grasp. The second was even more obvious. He couldn't be here. He couldn't be here. There was no way for him to be here. He couldn't. Fucking. Be here. 2cro was [ the only one] capable of crossing Entireties. There was something [ special] about him. There was something [ only he could do] that made him [ uniquely capable] of doing what he had done and what he had to give up was too much and how was he fucking here, how was he fucking here So, how have you been? How was he fucking here. How's the family? Haha! Funny joke! But they'd both earned that, right? Anyone you care about still kicking? Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you fuck you fuck you 2cro was completely still as 2lack spoke, allowing the transition of expression on his face to be clear. The shock, the questioning, the anger. He opened his mouth, ready to speak... Then stopped. He smiled. He laughed, a brief and pained thing. "I get it. I get it now. This is all a fucking joke, right?"2cro turned around again, looking at the masked woman and then back to Garbanzio. There was a darkness in his expression, a laziness in that smile that suggested a familiarity with the shade. So easy, so tired, so clearly on the verge. "You're just having a laugh here, huh? Bet she's watching right now, huh? This is her idea of rehabilitation, huh? That's what this place is about after all, right? How original! Let's pop up a bunch of specters from the past! Have 'em rustle me up a bit, dredge up a little trauma, have me face down my fears and regrets and whatever the fuck else, right?" he said with a viciously sarcastic cheeriness. "Wow! Never seen that done before! Gotta give props, though," he turned partially, gesturing to 2lack. "She clearly did her research! Updated design, accurate timeline, realistic snark, I was really convinced for a second!""What's next, huh? Exuro gonna drop out of the sky on a fancy space parachute? Maybe Opine'll crawl out of her grave and say hey? Why not have Memen come over and share some fuzzy memories? How about Noctalle pops in and lets Solana out of the box so we can all have a nice party?!" 2cro continued, face and voice alike becoming increasingly hysterical. "Oh, I know! Maybe you just gave her a little recolor, huh? Flexed those design muscles like with Black over here, huh? Knew that voice sounded familiar! Bet you were planning some emotional reveal where we could cry and hug and hold hands and live happily ever after, right?!" he went on, now turning his attention to the masked woman. "That'd be just great, wouldn't it?! Just bring the whole gang over to piss all over my plans and pretend it'll make any difference! What happened to not intervening, huh? Wasn't your dick supposed to be stuck in the past? Or maybe Trash Heap over here is pulling all the weight? Because, I gotta say, he's doing a great job of living up to his name and wasting my time!" he shouted, grin only growing wider as he looked up at the sky. "You want the act dropped, huh?" he said, voice lowering a bit as he gave Garbanzio one more glance, dropping his mask and crushing it under his heel, "Then here you fucking go. No more games. No more fucking around. And whatever game you're playing here - consider it over. It was a good effort, though, I'll give you that much."He paused briefly, one more thought staring out at that burning bridge. Then, with enough anger mixing into his expression to be obvious, he motioned at the masked woman as though reaching to tear off her disguise. Sure enough, despite the distance, she would find her mask violently ripped from her face and thrown on the ground, revealing whatever lied beneath.
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