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Entry tags:
- !event,
- *npc: cyrus,
- arcane: silco,
- arcane: vander,
- black butler: sebastian michaelis,
- ennead: set,
- expanse (the): amos burton,
- final fantasy xiv: cid garlond,
- final fantasy xiv: emet-selch,
- final fantasy xiv: hythlodaeus,
- genshin impact: kaeya alberich,
- granblue fantasy: eustace,
- mortal kombat 11: shang tsung,
- oc: liem talbott,
- orv: sooyoung han,
- persona 5 strikers: sophia,
- tiger & bunny: barnaby brooks jr.,
- until death do us part: mamoru hijikata
TDM + GAME OPENING 🎉
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
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!
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! 🌈
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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. ♥
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
no subject
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.
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He looks down at his cup, contemplative. "Have you spoken with him yourself? He showed me something when we spoke, a vision- no, a glimpse into my world, whole and as if nothing had ever happened. Yet despite knowing in my heart that it was real, I'm also torn. I saw my home destroyed long before I saw it devoured by the darkness, and I have since accepted that I will never have that world back."
He sighs, then shakes his head. "But you are not here for that- my apologies." Smiling her way, he taps his fingers against his mug. "What in particular would you know of him? I have only just arrived here, you see. I only know a little."
no subject
Rather, his account confirms her own of Cyrus. A man who smiled too much and tried to fill her head with empty promises.
"I did. I had my own doubts about taking anything he said at face value."
It's simply not in her nature to do so. Good things never come for free, especially salvation.
"He said we'd feel an enduring connection to our world, a tether, but it could have been illusory magic. I wanted to know more about his own abilities –if he's a mage or something else entirely."
The beads were curious things in themselves, condensed with a type of magic she'd never experienced before.
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He eyes Rosaria with more interest. "And what of you, if you don't mind my getting off-topic for a moment? Did you have powers before coming here? Do you still have them, if so?"
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Probably because her world is gone, and with it, her vision... Without that connection, she's nothing more than a regular fighter here, but she'll make do. She came into her former world powerless, and she's still pretty lethal with a weapon in hand.
"What about you?" Her eyes skim up and down the stranger's form a few times, thinking he has a similar build to Kaeya. Somewhat slender but far from frail. She's not sure if she'd put him on the level of a knight, but he could probably absorb a good punch or two. "What did you use to do before you woke up here?"
no subject
"Hmm. A loaded question." Because before he woke up here, he was very much dead. "My people were blessed with creation magicks. We could create anything we could imagine, so long as we had a clear concept in mind! Of course, those creations had to be assessed before they were sent out to populate the wider world, and that is where I came in."
no subject
"They save never meet your makers if you want to avoid disappointment. I can see why. I'd have thought a god would be a little bit bigger."
Or at least wearing some holy vestments. Why did she get stuck with her uniform when gods are walking around in shoddier clothing?
"If you were to regain your abilities, would you be able to reform the world you lost?"
no subject
"No, not at all. What is lost is likely lost for good, and that ship had sailed long before I ever arrived here besides."
He's had some time in the lifestream to accept that his world is gone. Watching it swallowed by that all-seeing darkness was unpleasant, but if you've seen a world end once, well, it isn't any more special the second time around.
no subject
Not that she thinks many ever actually have come face-to-face with a god. The chances are slim –even less so now that so many worlds were destroyed, and everyone had been stripped of their powers.
Either way, she hadn't gotten her hopes up that this man could reconstruct anything, considering he's spending his time moping around in a tea shop instead of carrying out any mighty feats.
"Do you know anyone here who has regained their powers?"
no subject
"Hm, no, I don't know anyone who can claim such a thing. Admittedly, I have yet to meet a great many of the Shard-Bearers here though. Mayhap another will have the answers you seek, but for now, I am woefully new to this world and powerless besides." He sighs a little, even as he smiles. He doesn't like feeling like he's being useless here, but it is what it is.
"My apologies. All I can do is answer your questions truthfully, even if the answer isn't what you wish for."
no subject
"An unusual mage then. It would be easier if I knew your name, otherwise I'm going to start having to call you pink-haired Kaeya."
Just so she can catalog him under people to keep a close eye on in case his powers do come back, not that it matters much anymore. With Mondstadt gone, what is there to protect? She's having enough trouble deciding whether she cares if this world goes under, too. It's not that she's eager to die... but if there are more of her allies underground, waiting to resurrect, she should at least stick around to help them.
no subject
"I am Hythlodaeus. And who might you be?"
Similarly, he wants to know who she is so that he can file her under people who are new to this world. He thinks it's a good idea to stick together.
no subject
Granted, she's more keen to trust Kaeya than the unknown mage for obvious reasons, but aside from Hythlodaeus' disconcerting friendliness, she doesn't find him that unpleasant to be around.
"Rosaria. Kaeya is someone from my world." She gestures vaguely, unsure how to really describe someone who is as elusive as he is. The word friend feels a little too disturbingly warm and fuzzy to ascribe to their relationship. "An ally and citizen of the same region. He also wears his hair over one shoulder and strikes up a conversation whenever I'm in his general radius. Can't say whether or not he died with the others yet, but you two would definitely get along."
For better or for worse (for her mostly).
no subject
Being alone is all fine and well, but he prefers company. "Heh... as you have likely surmised."
He sips at his drink once more. "Are you particularly hoping to find him here? There is someone I am hoping to find too, but with my powers gone I can't find him as easily as I would like."
And his reasoning for thinking Emet-Selch might be here is... shaky at best. Just because they were both together at the time Hythlodaeus was 'reborn' doesn't mean Emet-Selch was dragged with him.
no subject
Instead, the question is met with a casual shrug. "If we cross paths, then we cross paths, but with all the worlds out there beyond this one, the chances are low that anyone else from Mondstadt made their way here."
Not that it's stopped her from keeping her eyes peeled and sharp as she travels through Highstorm.
"Who are you hoping to find? I won't go out of my way to search, but if I happen to run into them, I'll know who to send them to."
Knowing her, she'd probably still wind up keeping an eye out for them anyway. Might as well since she doesn't have a whole lot of other responsibilities at the moment.
no subject
"His name is Emet-Selch. Slightly taller than myself, with white hair and golden eyes. He may be wearing a similar robe, but his mask will be red."
Of course, he's describing Emet-Selch from a time long gone. He doesn't know that he's taken on a different appearance now.
no subject
"Do the robes and mask mean anything? Or is it religious attire for you, too?"
She can't imagine that's comfortable to endure all day, especially if he were to settle his way into Springstar and its eternally blazing suns.
no subject
So not religious, exactly, but a cultural staple nonetheless. He touches the mask hanging at his front as he speaks.
"Even removal of one's mask doesn't happen in public often, at least in the city. But here... well, nobody wears one, and therefore I only stand out further by wearing mine."
no subject
"What's wrong with carving out your own path? Or even wearing something more comfortable and easier to move around? Do wars not exist in your world?"
It would be the only world that wasn't plagued with constant conflict if that were the case. Everyone else she's spoken to has had to learn to fight to survive long before they'd woken up underneath an alien tree's roots.
no subject
"It simply wasn't our way to express individuality- at least, for most of us. There were, of course, some who chose not to follow custom... but those were special cases."
Like Azem... and Venat. But people respected them regardless- and even those two understood that robes and mask were essential.
no subject
A lot of good that peace did them if their world wound up destroyed in the end. No one yet has found the key to preventing total annihilation, so they're all simply waiting for the inevitable to happen in this world, too. The quiet around Highstorm is also bound to deplete, considering the less than warm welcome that demonic tree gave her earlier.
"The people and creatures here already seem disinclined towards complete unity, so you better be prepared to cut leg slits into that robe of yours."
Maybe even just turn it into a short skirt altogether, whatever he needs to make it easier to run in.
no subject
Or, perhaps: "Were people quite so hostile where you come from?" That would explain why she's warning him. Maybe she was used to war and strife, but he sure isn't!
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Teyvat was a dangerous place for anyone willing to explore the areas outside of cities –not that the cities were all that safe either. She can't imagine living somewhere so egalitarian.
"Cling to the cities that nourish you, and maybe you have a chance of dying old age, if you even can."
If not, then he's stuck waiting for the end of this world, she supposes.
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"I do appreciate your concern. As soon as my powers return to me, I will at least be able to defend myself if need be." He smiles then, soft and thankful. Being warned about the potential dangers of this world is useful, even if it's sad to think about.
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The rest of her tea is polished off with one long gulp before she stands. "Just don't let your guard down, even around people in uniform. I'll let you know if I run into Elm-Silk or whatever his name was."
Will she run into him? Will she actually properly learn his name? Spoiler alert: yes, to these both.
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