TDM + GAME OPENING 🎉

[beleos]

Who: Shard-Bearers, new and old
What: Seeds take root
Where: The Tree of Life, Highstorm, Springstar
When: October 14th and onwards
Warnings: Potential for (mild) body horror, death, dismemberment

I. BEARING FRUIT (new characters only)

It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.

And then, it goes wrong.

The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.

So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—

You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.

I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.

You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.

The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.

From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.

And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.

II. MORAL HAZARD

There are new Shard-Bearers at the Tree of Life, and Yima has asked that the earlier arrivals go to greet them and help them. These aren’t people from Horos, after all, so they’ll have many, many questions. As Yima explains, the roots of the tree rise up to create caverns underneath, and it’s there you’ll find the new Shard-Bearers. And indeed, with careful steps to not slip on the mossy roots, down you go. Perhaps Communion will help you find the new Shard-Bearers, but it might be a confusing process for them.

The roots all start to look the same, to the point that you’re sure that you’ve already been through this passage. You turn around, and most of the people you had come here with are gone, if not all of them. It’s confusing and unsettling, and strangest of all.. You’re starting to feel ill, even if that wasn’t something normally possible for you. But continuing forward, you do eventually find an unfamiliar face of a new Shard-Bearer. They look no better than you feel.

Before introductions, however, roots around you shift suddenly until you’re enclosed in a room together. From the roots, a face forms in the wall. It speaks in a creaking, uneven tone, as if it weren’t used to speaking at all.

Give to take. A sacrifice. To live.

---

LET'S PLAY A GAME...

As the Dryad will explain, characters are now trapped in a room and have been poisoned by the spores that the lichens underfoot release. An antidote lays beyond the roots the dryad has curled around you, but to access it, you must make a sacrifice.

Characters can pick one of the following options, but the decision must be made unanimously. If one character takes a drastic action (such as murdering another), it’s counted as a failure for the group.

• Each of you must offer up a personal/treasured memory. The memory will be shared in Communion with all characters assembled, and then will be destroyed. No character will retain the memory or memory of its Communion.
• Each of you must offer up something physical. A finger, a toe, an ear, it’s your choice. The dryad will offer a knife if this is chosen that will sever the body part of choice cleanly and immediately stop any bleeding.
• Offer up another. Kill one person in the room.
• Refusing is also a valid option. Characters will get more ill as they debate until they start to find it difficult to breathe, and they’ll die quickly after.

The following is OOC knowledge that will not be known IC: The consequences of this game are about intent, and thus are not real. When characters are freed from the tree’s thrall, they’ll have their memories/body parts/life intact.

This can be done in groups of 2 to 4 players, and Loremasters recommend three if you can swing it! It’s more fun when you get in philosophical debates, right? Regardless, when your group comes to a decision, please record it here. These don’t have to be fully threaded out to be recorded, so the conclusion can be discussed OOC if you prefer. Actions can be submitted until October 21st, after which groups will be informed of what comes of their choice…

When a group receives the antidote, they'll be released from the tree's thrall... But will have a hard time waking up. It feels like something has grabbed onto their spine.

III. DREAMING OF HOME

You may wake with a start from your deliberations (or arguments) with a jolt of pain from the base of your spine as something is pulled away rapidly. A dark-haired man who looks to be in his thirties or so holds you carefully, but as soon as you start to regain your senses, he sets you back and holds up his hands.

Woah— Woah there, it’s fine! The tree was, uh, trying to take you back is all. You’re fine now.

As long as you’re not going to attack him, he offers a friendly smile and a hand to shake.

Name’s Cyrus. Sorry about the rude awakening. Let’s get your friend here unhooked too.

And indeed, glancing over, you can see the person you met in that room laying nearby, and it looks like a vine has snaked underneath them to exactly where something had just been pulled from you… Best not to think about it, maybe. Or if you've been unlucky enough to be one of the last people rescued, you might find vines and roots starting to grow into your skin. It's fine!

---

CYRUS, THE TRIBUNE

Cyrus is the NPC heading up the Meridian Faction, and is available to thread with under this header. Cyrus has come to the Tree of Life to help rescue the Shard-Bearer’s from the Tree, so he’s not going to be inclined to explain too much right away, since he’s on a mission, but he’ll stick around once everyone is successfully freed from Prompt 2 to speak with anyone that wants to. The following is just an OOC summary of information in case you do not need to thread with Cyrus:

Cyrus will gladly introduce himself to everyone, and will further explain his position in Meridian and Springstar (see the NPC Page) and the goals of Meridian itself (see the Faction Page, save for the italicized section). But most importantly, he’ll explain that he knows it sounds like something overly optimistic. It’s fair to be skeptical. He’ll produce a small glass bead from a bag he’s carrying. It looks like the necklace he wears, though not lit up. He’ll explain that the force of Meridian is a gift and can be a tether to your home, if you let it. As his fingertips light up, the energy is infused into the bead, which he’ll hand to you.

Taking the bead into your hands, you’ll take a bird’s eye view of your home world as if your consciousness is split, since you’ll still perceive standing in front of Cyrus at the tree. Rather than a vision, the view of your world is absolutely real, you’re certain. It’s a glimpse at the world that you thought destroyed, and if you focus on a particular place or a particular person, you’ll find the view shifting rapidly to it. No one you watch is aware of your presence, but simply continues about their daily life, whatever that is. But after about a minute, the view will fade as the light in the bead also fades.

That’s an iliachtida, a sunbeam, and when infused with Meridian’s light, allows someone Harmonized to it to check in on their world, he explains. It also acts as an anchor that tethers their soul to their world in the Timestream. With it, their world can’t entirely disappear, so eventually, they can go home. It’s a gift he’ll allow anyone that wants it to keep it, but indeed, they’ll be unable to use it again without first Harmonizing to Meridian.

To help manage threadload for the Loremasters playing Cyrus, we ask that you only tag him with the character you are most likely to app. Similarly, new tag-ins will not be accepted after Monday, October 17th.

III. SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

After your ordeals at the Tree of Life, perhaps you’re drawn to Springstar, the city of eternal sun and the seat of Meridian.

It’s currently (and fittingly) Spring in Springstar, and the bustling city is coming back to life after finishing up winter. It’s not as if the winters are especially harsh here, but you’ll quickly get the sense that the people of Springstar are vivacious and happy to celebrate. You’ll find the Entertainment District to be the liveliest, whether it’s at a rowdy bar or a brothel, but no matter what, you’re welcome with open arms and without question.

Of course, if you’d just like to use the chance to explore the city alongside your fellow Shard-Bearers, that’s fine too. It’s easy to get lost in the crowds of Springstar and see all the city has to offer.

IV. HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

Or maybe Highstorm, the city of twin moons and the seat of Zenith is more to your liking. It’s certainly the quieter of the two cities and is a relaxing, meditative place if that’s what you prefer. The chill in the air is constant, since it’s Autumn in Highstorm and the eternal night doesn’t help keep things warm, exactly. Snow isn’t out of the question at this time of the year, but it’s beautiful in the moonlight.

Because of the cooler weather than Highstorm is prone to, you’ll find many of its delights inside rather than outside. Libraries and museums are popular in the more introspective city, though it’s easy enough to find something that might please you. For example, the indoor hot baths are popular at this time of the year too. You’ll find the people are kind, if cool-tempered, though if you mention the fact that you’re a Shard-Bearer or allied with Zenith, they’re more likely to warm up.

Though much like Springstar, it may just be more interesting to explore the city with a fellow Shard-Bearer. And as a resident may warn you, it’s best to stay in the city. Wandering out into the marshes and forests isn’t advised. Of course, if you do, just contact a Loremaster to find out why. ♥

NOTES

Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all players are required to fill out an application, which are now open. This does include characters/players from Aion Teleos, so please don’t forget to fill one out! Any character/player that does not submit an application will be swept from the communities and the Discord after applications close.

Activity Check is optional this month, but is highly recommend so Christy can check her fancy program so that you can earn Activity Reward Tokens! Activity will be able to be submitted shortly after applications close. You can find more about how we do AC here.

This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this happens sometimes, since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They’re fine and may even return to Kenos one day, but for now weren’t able to make the full journey.

As a reminder, your character has a Shard somewhere on their body that encompasses their soul, so keep note of where you're sticking it on their person for reference! Additionally, they have a tattoo of their Aspect somewhere on their body. Please be mindful this Aspect will be assigned to you upon approval and whatever you choose for the TDM may be temporary (for new characters)!

For the Highstorm and Springstar prompts, both cities will be fully open and accessible to all characters once they are saved from their rather harrowing ordeal at the Tree of Life. For prompt ideas and any general information about the cities and what you can find there, please see the Navigation page and check out the locations!

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

New players are welcome to join our Discord Server if you haven't already!

When they emerge from their cocoon/the ground, characters may be wearing their normal clothes, or they might be nude. Up to you!

At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post, since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision in which Faction they'd be drawn to.

New characters will not have access to any canon abilities on the TDM.

Your character will be offered temporary housing either at the Heliopolis district or Yima's manor for the first few weeks after their arrival. They will also be given a stipend for basic supplies like clothing and personal effects, and food is served in the cantina (Heliopolis) and at regular meal times in the Dining Room (Yima's manor). Once they Harmonize, they will get personal permanent chambers and a fancy retainer in their Faction's city. Wow! 🌈

FOR OLD PLAYERS:

Characters may be Harmonized to their Faction (if that makes sense for the character, of course!) by the time of this log. This is more for IC reference, and just wait until application acceptance to do the OOC paperwork!

General reminder that your character won't have access to their powers until they have Harmonized.

CODING

Comments

Hythlodaeus // Final Fantasy XIV // Advocate

[ktizo]

i. Bearing Fruit

The sap from the seed coats Hythlodaeus as he drags himself up through the dirt, his robes soaking as he coughs. He's still shaken from his vision of Amaurot being swallowed by so much darkness, and for a moment after freeing himself he does little but sit there, with the dirt and sap clinging to his hair and skin. Trying to at least clean it away from his eyes, he notices a hand reach from the dirt nearby, and he puts a pause on his own discomfort to help yank whoever it happens to be out of the ground.

"Are you well...?" Hythlodaeus peers at the fellow newcomer, though of course if they happen to be undressed he soon looks away again politely. "Or is that a silly question?"

ii. Highstorm: Café

After everything, a warm drink of tea is just what Hythlodaeus needs. He's sitting at a table alone, looking around almost hopefully- but with his ability to see souls non-existent, he can't look for the person he's truly hoping is here. Well, there are two people, but... he has no reason to think, after everything, that Azem would have been reborn with him. Alas, there are no familiar faces so far, and he sighs into his cup and rubs at the scattered pieces of rock embedded into his neck.

His shard had been jagged, and so while it's whole, its appearance is a little strange when only part of it can be seen. Circling one of the larger chunks of shard is the symbol for the Advocate, a symbol which means little and less to him right now but perhaps soon he'll find out what it means.

He wouldn't be averse to somebody coming to keep him company... indeed, his eyes may meet yours by chance as he continues to look through the bustling café. And he'll smile, because it's just what he does.

iii. Wildcard

Hythlodaeus can be found in Highstorm, in cafés and libraries and the market where he's just whiling away the time. By the time he gets here he's had his dream, so he knows about Cyrus, Yima and the factions!

3ish......... 🌧

[lachtara]

The shard had disappeared early that day. Disappeared. Not lost. The soul of his dear friend is not something he could ever misplace.

During the day it was tucked within his breast pocket so that it may accompany him where he ventured, and by night he had procured a small pillow for it to rest on as he slept. The shard was his constant companion who was treated just as well as any friend. Perhaps that is why Yima had sought him out the night prior to provide him some cryptic indication of the shard's fate - a mere suggestion that he might be reborn and that they could see each other once again.

After so long and so many disappointments, the ever-resilient part of him that he despises dares to feel a flicker of hope. The day wears on. And like so many times before, hope proves futile.

Emet-Selch resigns himself to work. Somewhere that he could try and bury the crushing disappointment that he'd tried to hide with typical irritation. He still needed to learn more about this world and its inner workings regardless, so the library is the logical place to go.

He snaps up a book from the shelf and opens it without concentrating on the words or content. Each page is noisily flipped even if he does not grasp the meaning behind any of their words. All he can think to do is clench his jaw and try to look busy as the flicker of hope within him begins to sputter out yet again.

Those he loves are always just out of reach.

i'm going to body slam him with love /clenches fist

[ktizo]

It's been... well, a long day. Hythlodaeus is tired, physically and mentally. So when he glances over the book he's reading- a fanciful story about nothing in particular, just to take his mind off the fact that he's here alone- he almost drops it in surprise.

Yes, he looks different. And no, Hythlodaeus can't see his soul. But he knows Emet-Selch, had seen his face every day for thousands of years and never forgot what it looked like even during 12000 years of slumber. Even if the eyes are dull and tired, the shoulders hunched... oh, that look of irritation. How fond he's always been of it.

"Emet-Selch?" He carefully places the book aside and walks closer carefully, as if he's not sure what he's seeing is real. He was told all about Emet-Selch's exploits during the years they were kept apart but he never saw him, so the hair does admittedly throw him off a little. And the fact that, once he gets close enough, he realises Emet-Selch is shorter than him. Incredulously, he giggles. He can't help it. It's funny. Is it funny? Maybe a little. Or maybe he just doesn't know how else to react.

"Is it truly you?"

😳

[lachtara]

Emet-Selch freezes in the middle of flipping to the next page. He turns to look at the person who says his name in that familiar voice, and all it takes is one glance for the look of irritation to melt away.

In its place is a gaze of obvious reverence for someone who he has not seen in an age. Hythlodaeus - his dearest friend - Who looks as though not a day has passed since they had reveled together in the nighttime hours of Amaurot. The same could not be said for himself of course, as the posture and world-eary eyes could attest to.

"Who else would I be." Slowly, the corner of his mouth tugs back into the smallest smile. "Do I look that unrecognizable to you?" Emet-Selch glances back at his book and finishes his turn of page. Though he can feel nothing but elation, he has always been one more measured reaction.

ii.

[cryomance]

While making the rounds exploring the streets of Highstorm, Rosaria finds herself in the neighborhood, poking her head into the cafe because the fragrance had been oddly...nostalgic. Not much of a tea drinker herself, the other sisters made more of a habit to fill the church pews with its rich, earthy scent day in, day out.

She'll blame the rare, ill-conceived bout of sentimentality for actually luring her into the bustling cafe. However, the moment is instantly ruined when she catches a stranger smiling in her direction. The nun vestments do seem to invite a lot of unwanted friendliness and attention from others, something she'd hoped wouldn't be the case here.

"If you're hoping to confess your sins and be absolved, find me during daylight hours. I'm off the clock."

Someone already informed her this city sees no light, so good luck to him with that.

[ktizo]

"My sins? Goodness me." He can't help the laugh that escapes him- he doesn't know what her garb represents, he was simply smiling at a stranger.

"Not to worry, I have no intention of recounting my sins." He doesn't know if he even has that many... unless you count all the times he's menaced someone, in which case that could take all week.

"But I wouldn't be adverse to some company, if you'd like to join me. I promise I won't regale you with my various misdemeanours."

[cryomance]

She's definitely the wrong person to provide a suitable metric for what qualifies as a sin, but thankfully, that's not where his interest lies. Companionship though... friendly companionship. It's not her favorite pastime in the universe, nope, but her senses are too embroiled in the nostalgia-born memories created by the tea to want to leave just yet.

Reluctantly, she shifts closer, staring at the stranger suspiciously, unable to intuit any level of malice or ulterior motives from him. Her gut is usually right about these things, so she eventually relents after an uncomfortable amount of staring.

"Only for one cup. You can tell me what you know about Cyrus of the Meridian while I drink."

Her brush with him hadn't been yet forgotten, and he's the only noteworthy figure she's encountered thus far outside of the Dryad.

ii 🍵

[expiera]

A blue-haired woman steps out of the back of the shop, though she's empty handed, dressed normally, and seems quite set to head straight for the door before their eyes meet. Hard to miss his Shard and the Aspect's mark, so just as he smiles, she smiles back. Her shirt covers both for her, a simple blouse buttoned properly all the way paired with a skirt that reaches her knees, she doesn't really stand out from anyone else in the shop.

"Good day, mister. Are you looking for someone?"

She dips her head into small nod of greeting once she's sauntered over to his table, but doesn't take a seat just yet. It's somewhat of a bold opening, Ciel definitely can't claim much familiarity with Springstar just yet. But since the man with soft features more or less invited her first to stop by, might as well chat a while and see if she could help him in any way?

[ktizo]

"Mm, perhaps. But it may be foolish of me to be doing so." He gestures to an empty seat, inviting her to sit with him.

He's sure he's been reborn in some manner, though perhaps not in a way he's familiar with- and since Emet-Selch was with him when he last recalls being in the lifestream, he wonders if he wasn't reborn here, too.

"Come, sit. I would have some company ere I venture out into the cold again, if you don't mind."

[expiera]

"That sounds a little harsh of you. Isn't everyone looking for something, when all's said and done?" She replies lightly, half joking and half whimsy, but maybe he could pick up the faintest tinge of wistful sorrow from a connection he may not fully understand just yet: the bond that links all Advocates, which she also happens to be a member of.

"Thank you." Before he can dwell, she'll be accepting the seat offered without fuss. It's not like she was in a rush or in the middle of something important, so might as well take a break while she's at it too.

"Taking your time getting used to things around here, mister?"

ii

[cutlery]

The cafés and the sort technically don’t hold anything of interest for Sebastian. He doesn’t need food or drink (at least, not this sort), so in a purely practical sense, they could simply be skipped. However, they were a place that people gathered, and that ended up being enough for him. He enjoyed people-watching, since his view of it was so distant and objective. For a demon as old as he, it simply was interesting to watch mortals go about their idle, daily lives, in a sense. He was usually so busy that it was not something he ever had time to do.

Now, with almost an excess of time, he’s come from a small trip to the Tomes. He could go straight back to the manor and get to work reading the books he had been interested enough to check out, but his whims brought him to the café instead. There’s no rush to return, so he may as well take some time for a different idle fancy on his way.

It’s as he’s coming back from the counter with a (black) coffee in hand that Hythlodaeus catches his eyes. Or, more accurately, his Shard does. He gets caught as a result staring just a bit longer than may be polite by his own standards, so he bows his head lightly in apology, but it’s with an easy, warm smile.

“Ah, my apologies,” he starts, “I was just surprised to run into another Shard-Bearer. We do not seem to be overly common.”

[ktizo]

"You have one too, then?" He perks up to find that Sebastian has a Shard too- he hasn't thought to hide his own yet, but perhaps he'll invest in a scarf soon.

"No apologies needed, my friend. Please, sit?" He gestures to an empty seat at his table hopefully. "I am certainly wanting for company right now."

Just because Sebastian is a stranger- well, that means nothing! Friends always start out as strangers first, after all. Who knows what a conversation will strike up, especially with another Shard-Bearer.

"Have you been here long?" He wonders if his new acquaintance also woke up in the seeds at the base of that tree...

[cutlery]

He’s a little surprised to be offered a seat, but his smile increases a bit more as he bows his head lightly in gracious acceptance. Sebastian sets his coffee down first, then the basic bag carrying the few books he had collected on the ground next to the chair.

“Why, thank you very much for the invitation,” he says smoothly as he sets his things down, “It is kind of you to offer, especially when I was so rude as to be caught staring a bit.”

Sebastian laughs gently as he takes a seat. From his words to his posture, it’s clear that he’s exceptionally polite, and perhaps a little overly formal, but it’s a habit he’s found difficult to break. He may not serve as a butler any longer, but the manners had their uses, he finds. It’s even fitting to that how he brings a hand to his chest as if he were to dip into a formal bow, but it’s a gesture to answer the rest, as his hand rests over his own Shard.

“I am indeed a Shard-Bearer as well, though one not here long, I shall say. A week, roughly?” He doesn’t sound completely certain, but it’s at least easily explained. “I am still growing used to the cycle of the moons, lovely as they are, so it is somewhat difficult to tell when one day passes to the other.”

wildcard

[galdorleod]

[ It has been a few days since more new Shard-Bearers arrived beneath the Tree of Life, and for most of that time, Howl has been busy with his own reunions. Howl was sitting in the dining room of the manor on the morning of the third day, staring across the table at the empty seat across from him, that he realizes he has not seen or heard from Emet-Selch for over a week. They aren't the type of friends to go out of their way to communicate every day, so such gaps have not been uncommon in the three months since Emet-Selch's appearance in Kenos, but... well. The number of refugees from Horos did increase dramatically in the past week. In such a situation, it does seem rather odd that they haven't had any reason to talk to each other, nevermind crossed paths in the meantime, isn't it?

Howl finishes his breakfast, thanks the manor servants as he gets up, and heads towards the dormitories down the hall. He can see Emet-Selch's door from far back in the hallway as he approaches, pondering what the old mage must've been up to since they last spoke.

Hopefully it's late enough in the morning that he won't be waking him? Once there, he knocks sharply... and for a little bit too long. If he is still sleeping, he's awake now. ]

heheheh

[ktizo]

[There are muffled voices behind the door- and the unmistakable sound of someone coming closer as they speak, simply stating "no, I'll get it." When the door opens Hythlodaeus is in a long black dressing gown, hair down and damp from a shower, and he smiles expectantly at Howl.]

Ah, a friend of Emet-Selch's, are we? And how can we help you today?

[He clearly doesn't mind the visit, but whether Emet-Selch minds is another matter entirely.]

[lachtara]

[ Emet-Selch, for his part, does not say anything. He had protested having Hythlodaeus answer the door given his current state of dress, but there is little hope of convincing him otherwise when he stands and makes his way to it.

Emet-Selch closes his eyes and sighs to himself. Perhaps it was just the manor help looking to see if there is anything they could assist with.

But as he hears Hythlodaeus refer to the person at the door as his 'friend', he slowly lifts a palm and puts it to his face. At least they would not be invited inside so they could see his similar state of unkempt dress - with being in his nightgown in the middle of the day and having yet to brush his messy hair. ]

iii - for hyth and emet

[youngprodigy]

With Nero busy exploring the world of Kenos, Cid had decided to return to Highstorm, for the simple reason that in the time he's been here, it has become a home of sorts. The twin moons had taken time to grow used to, but by now the perpetual twilight is more home to him than Greentruth had been, though he supposes that could be because he as trouble remembering the place.

The cafe he stops by is a familiar one, a place he's come to have coffee a couple of times since he's been well enough to leave Yima's manor.

What is surprising is that he isn't the only shard-bearer in the cafe today. Emet-Selch is there, talking to a man Cid has never seen before. And not only that, he's smiling, something that Cid has never seen before. Though, as Solus zos Galvus, he hadn't exactly had a reason, had he?

So he approaches, with a little smile on his lips that isn't present for conversations with the man, as scarce and infrequent as they are. "Found a familiar face at the tree, have we?" he asks with the confidence that wouldn't be present were they not on the same side.

[lachtara]

While engaged in conversation with Hythlodaeus, his expression is noticeably brighter. Anyone can observe it. It would be impossible not to notice the difference from his typical demeanor.

Which makes it all the more noticeable how his expression returns to guarded neutrality when he is approached and questioned. He slips back into his aloof mannerisms as easily as someone slips into a costume on stage.

"Indeed. What of it?" He asks, resolving to take a sip of the drink he had all but forgotten he had ordered. It's gotten regrettably cold.

[ktizo]

"Oh, Emet-Selch, don't be so hostile." Hythlodaeus is looking up at Cid with a bright smile, and there's obvious curiosity in his eyes. The way he speaks with Emet-Selch is playful and fond, and he shoots him a brief smirk before turning his attention back to Cid.

"Is this another friend of yours? My, you have so many!" He leans forward, gesturing to the seat beside him. "Come, sit! To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?"

II

[superbshot]

A stranger with a shard is cause for interest, and Caitlyn has happened to come into the exact same café. Tea in hand, she smiles back as their eyes meet briefly, and she takes the opportunity to come over and introduce herself. It's right and proper, and also a good way to gather information. Better to do so now, before the shoe she can feel overhead drops.

"Hello there. Mind company?"

[ktizo]

"Not at all, my dear. Please, sit." He gestures to a chair, still smiling. He has a friendly air to him, and he eyes Caitlyn with interest.

"Here for a pleasant chat, or could I perhaps assist you in some way?" He doesn't mind which, the company is still appreciated. It gets lonely sitting here all by himself.

[superbshot]

"Just out for tea, but I noticed another Shard-Bearer and thought it prudent to say hello. I don't recognize you from Horos, so I'd assume you're one of the more recent arrivals."

She sits down across from him, setting her cup down and gently touching her side.

"My name is Caitlyn Kiramman. May I ask your name, sir?"

ii

[zauneyete]

[ The coffee in these cafés was not... what Silco would consider good. Mind, his standard for coffee was the sort of black sludge that stood in for coffee in the undercity, a place so harsh that the air and water was poisoned -- the kind of thing that a vile, nasty little man would find pleasurable, or at least as a pick me up. Which was why he was currently making a face at the cup, between two books he'd picked up in the tomes, a third for notes, a small leatherbound thing he was notating something in.

Unfortunately, he happened to look up with a note of disgust to the man at the table next to him. Whereas Hythlodaeus has a certain... aura of calm about him, Silco is all sharp edges, violent. When he's smiled at, Silco only lifts an eyebrow, a note of sarcasm in his voice, when he says: ]

What, did I catch you staring?

[ Says the man, who very clearly could win a staring contest without trying. ]

[ktizo]

Staring? Nay, I simply happened to catch your eye.

[And what an eye it is, he thinks, as he studies Silco's face. After a moment of thinking, he gets up and joins the other man at the table, his smile wider. Well, he never did put much stock in appearances anyway- even if everything about Silco screams "get away from me."]

What are you studying?

[zauneyete]

[ Silco had one drawn in eyebrow, that remained static. The other lifted, at the audacity of this man, to pack up and come and sit with him. Did his general... everything not do enough to tell someone that they weren't welcome?

Silco smiled, a twist of his lips, as if he'd wanted the man to come, instead of saying anything prickly. The veneer up, but it's as cheap looking as brass over iron. ]

Ah, some of the power players in town, their connections, and where they're from. Apparently the individuals in Highstorm are particularly long-lived. I think the connections between them will be... rather deep.

[ If Hyth took a look, he'd notice the books were... lists of records. Names, marriages, births, deaths, census records, coupled with a book of local events in he past century or so.

Well, he didn't have a mastermind class in a video game for nothing, eh? ]