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

matsui gou | touken ranbu | savant

[sanguinary]

i - springstar
[Boy catch his ass in this city for all of two seconds before he gets tired of the glitz and shine... Which is to say! The boutiques of Emporio are where he can be found for the sparse amount of time he's here, poking and prodding through some textiles laid out on a table. Though he looks somewhat cleaned up, it's clear he's part of the "recently busted up outta the dirt and goo" crew, and he is not happy about it. He's holding up two different shirts on either side of himself and turns toward anyone near.]

Which one do you think is better suited for the occasion?

[WHAT OCCASION. HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE MONEY.]

ii - tomes
[Well. This dude sure as hell looks perfectly at home here, at least! His general wilting Victorian goth vibes truly fit right in as he browses through books in one of the Tomes libraries. Find him puzzling over a romance novella du jour, or leaning against a dramatically-backlit-by-the-moon window, holding a book titled Phlebotomy Essentials For The Aspiring Home Surgeon. He will helpfully turn the book out toward anyone who happens to glance his way for longer than two seconds, revealing a lot of wildass text and a helpful picture of 19th century blood-letting.]

What do you think about this technique here? At a glance, it looks like a lot of it goes to waste, don't you think...? The blood, that is.

[His tone sure indicates he thinks this is a normal thing to ask.]

iii - cafe
[Or catch him at the cafe afterward! He's sat at a corner table and making a strange face at his cup, which isn't even empty at this point, so it's not like he's perplexed over some funky fortune. Eventually, he reaches up with one hand and clutches at his chest before rapidly patting at it.

While he's busy trying to apparently jumpstart his dying heart, he'll turn toward anyone who looks receptive to a question and asks:]

Excuse me. This "feeling"... A pressure from within, like the stuff inside is being squeezed to bursting - do you know what it's called?

[A HEART ATTACK??]

wildcard
[hit me up with whatever you'd like! wao]

iii.

[joyfully]

[.....

....

Morgan peers at him curiously from where she's seated at a table not quite next to his, but only a few over. And then, apparently deciding that he's talking to her, she bounces right up out of her chair and comes over.]

Maybe it's a curse?

[#helpful]

[sanguinary]

[GIRL HELP. He will pull his drink a little closer to his side though, clearing the space across the table from him so she can join him as he ponders his potentially cursed fate.]

A curse? I can't say that I've ever been cursed before, so I suppose I can't say whether or not it isn't one. It feels a little late to be cursed, even so...

[joyfully]

[And join him she does; it's really up in the air if she would've even needed that polite invitation, to be honest...]

"A little late"...? What do you mean? Do curses have to follow a set time table?

i

[expiera]

[oh ain't an aki char if they don't exude high victorian snob vibes... that is

this poor young man can use a shower! a lick of manners and common sense may not hurt either, but we all make do, nods sagely.]

Well... Which one do you think looks more comfortable?

[a beat.]

I would suggest you try them in the changing room to make the best call, but the store may take issue if you dirty their wares. That would be bad, wouldn't it?

[may or may not be a tentative "can u rub two braincells together" check with that innocuous and rhetorical question, but you never know, hm!]

[sanguinary]

[STOP I TOOK SUCH A LONG BREAK FROM THE HIGH VICTORIAN SNOB VIBES but now... now i am back.

Anyway yes he could do with all of those things, but some are harder to come across than others, perhaps... PERHAPS. Anyway, he is just giving her a look like he has no idea what she's talking about when she says changing room. For the rest, though:]

I don't intend to do such a thing. [Trying them on or dirtying the wares??] Blood is the only appropriate thing to spill on one's shirt, not dirt and sap. I'm not Kuwana.

[Thanks sir for being Normal In Public.]

[expiera]

[well I TOOK A BREAK TOO so it was like i look away from aki thriving in high victorian snobbery, then i look back (checks notes) 8 years later and aki is thriving in high victorian snobbery, so, but also WELCOME BACK 🥰

Oh, he just casually talks about blood. Okay then.]

Then maybe a coat would suit you better than a shirt? [Blink.] Do you anticipate getting dirty again anytime soon, mister?

[is this the same as asking "do you anticipate being rained on by blood anytime soon"? it is going by what he's just said, huh. But leeeeet's pretend that's not the case and act normal, yeah that sounds good,]

i

[hauntedking]

[ Springstar is interesting. A little brighter than he's used to. But it has its own attractions. He glances one way and then another and then-

Oh.

Someone is asking his opinion. He frowns and glances between them. He is not really an aficionado of fashion. ]

Ah. Um. The left?

[sanguinary]

[What a distinct-lookin' fellow... Matsui smiles after he makes his selection, though the expression sits a little strangely, like he's not quite used to making it. He lifts the one on the left up a little, glancing toward it appraisingly before nodding.]

Thank you. [A beat, and then:] Would you happen to know how to pay for things here? To tell the truth, I've never bought anything for myself before.

[MAYBE HE SHOULD HAVE FIGURED THIS OUT FIRST but it's fine, it's fine.]

[hauntedking]

...I believe they have a form of currency. Not quite like anything I've used before, in truth.

[ He was royalty, he didn't really pay for a lot of stuff himself. Give him a break. ]

...although I have not earned much of it since my arrival, so I am unsure if I can assist you with it.

ii

[cutlery]

[ me reading all of these prompts like oh this sure is an aki character huh (fond) ]

[ ANYWAYS!! Just as comfortable and well suited to this location is Sebastian. It’s where he’s spending most of his time as of late, since by his measure, he has much to learn. Even for a demon that doesn’t sleep, he feels that he doesn’t have enough hours in the day to play catchup for a new world and new wonders, but… He’s certainly doing his best.

He’s passing by to settle into a reading spot of his own, and truth be told, he’s just glancing Matsui’s way because. Well. Damn that’s aesthetic? Game appreciate game, etc. But as he’s actually spoken to, he’s a bit surprised, but dutifully comes closer to inspect. He tucks his own book underneath his arm as he adjusts his glasses to read, but immediately makes an ah of recognition. ]

It does indeed. It is rapidly becoming a rather old-fashioned technique, or at least from whence I came. The problem is really knowing when to stop with the blood-letting.

[ yeah it’s normal ]

[sanguinary]

[DON'T LOOK AT ME DON'T BEHOLD.

Anyway this is already just a terrible duo, but the Library Goth Nerd vibes are off the charts between the two of them. Matsui seems content to have his weird blood opinions validated, in any case! Good thing they are both so normal and having such a normal conversation.]

I see... I'm glad to know that my guess wasn't that far off. I believe similar treatments existed in the past that I have a passing familiarity with, but it was much the same - it came at a great waste of blood, and sometimes the loss of the patient.

[Which he does sound genuinely remorseful about, but in like, a bizarrely peaceful way? There are clashing vibes going on here, it's fine.]

[cutlery]

[ Absolutely, totally normal! Granted, if the character of Highstorm were a bit different, he would probably approach the conversation slightly differently and be a bit more coy about the subject, but. Luckily this is the Library Goth Nerd capitol, so. ]

So indeed. I have not seen the results in person myself, but I have read a bit about it while doing some research back home... [ about like, zombies, but, ] I had also heard recently of cutting edge attempts to actually transfuse blood into those needing it, so that seems the future to me. Ah, well. From the time period I came from, at least. Who knows about here in Kenos, really.

[ He shrugs, but having given all of that, he does ask with a curious warmth: ]

Are you interested in medicine? A doctor, perhaps?

[ me, not having kept up with new touken ranbu characters, cannot wait to hear what the fuck the answer to this will be??? ]

i

[comelately]

[ he's simply in the middle of his obligatory explore-the-city adventure - after all, he's never been here, either. Slow Dancer is tethered outside, and so Johnny is wheelchair-bound once more, slowly wheeling through and checking out the clothes. It feels stupid to be window-shopping when his entire life has, once again, been turned upside down; on the flipside, he literally has nothing else to do right now. The goal - getting home - is vague, distant, and currently unreachable, and gathering information is about the most productive thing he can do with his time.

Telling this guy which outfit looks better is probably not productive, but that's what he's doing now, apparently. He looks at one, then the other, then at Matsui, who shares the name of my favorite mangaka so typing that is going to feel weird every time. ]

What's the occasion? Getting kidnapped?

[sanguinary]

[HELP THIS IS SO FUNNY im actually rping the mangaka

Anyway, Matsui will just cant his head to the side in a bird-like way, and this man's sick joke just seems to fly right over his head. He answers in full honesty!]

The occasion is a funeral.

[Full, morbid honesty, as one does. He already looks like he's in a perpetual state of Victorian Mourning™, so picking a new blouse is probably not going to make much of a difference one way or another. Still, he'll helpfully(???) turn another out toward Johnny.]

Would you like me to pick out something for you, too?

[comelately]

[ Johnny stares at Matsui blankly for a solid few seconds. Then, completely straight-faced, he admits: ]

OK, that was pretty funny, actually.

[ he'll give you that one, stranger... was it intended as a joke?? It had to be, right? ]

I'm good. I can pick out my own clothes... not that I'm in the mood to go shopping right now.

iii thwaps

[pyojeol]

[well, sooyoung WAS staring at a piece of paper while sitting in this cafe like someone desperately parked at a ye olde starbucks to do a lofi studying sesion, but she looks up fairly quickly at being addressed.

then squints as she takes in the question and this fashionably dressed individual who is asking her what something is called? this is..... writer to writer communication?]

Squeezed? Kinda dramatic, but okay.

[she says to matsui gou, the most dramatic gou. she leans back in her chair to do some Thinking,]

A feeling like it... Uh... loathing? Maybe love? Both are pretty painful. Dunno about the squeezing though.

[a swing and a miss]

PRETZELS YOU

[sanguinary]

[HONESTLY HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT THEIR LOFI AND VICTORIAN PLAYLISTS?? How are they going to get their novels published and move from aspiring writer to successful New York Times bestsellers like this...

Anyway this isn't even an 18th of how dramatic his ass can get, so he just takes the comment placidly.]

I don't think that it's very dramatic. It's just the way that it feels. Like something has reached inside and is grabbing hold tightly...

[IS THIS NOT DRAMATIC. Apparently not. He pats his chest again, frowning in consideration. Love or loathing, huh?]

Why are love and loathing both painful things to feel?

[Why is it philosophy hour in this cafe??]

IM A KNOT

[pyojeol]

[SLDMFSDF YEAH WHAT ABOUT THEIR ISEKAI WEBNOVELS THAT ARE OVER A THOUSAND CHAPTERS LONG HOW ARE THEY GONNA UPLOAD THEM WITHOUT WIFI

Sooyoung squints as Matsui feels up his chest.]

The more powerful the emotion, the more of an effect it has on you. Like the squeezing... [squints harder?]

...Is this literal squeezing? You're not dying, are you?

iii

[lockedon]

[ why is no one normal in this bar cafe

Sometimes you're just out getting a drink (it's a cute puppy latte because sometimes you have a problem and that problem is Dogs) and trying to have a nice peaceful afternoon when some guy at the table next to you inconsiderately starts grabbing at his chest and apparently dying?

The fuck.

Which is to say: Eustace looks extremely concerned over this guy just casually contemplating the end of his existence on this planet, and immediately stands up to take a step closer. ]

Are you in a lot of pain? Is your vision blurry?

[ More importantly: is there a doctor nearby???? What the fuck, he's not qualified for this. ]

[sanguinary]

[NOOO I LOVE THAT LATTE i want it now...

Matsui would probably also appreciate its aesthetic if he wasn't so busy considering whether or not he's in pain. Is he?? Hm. This is a tough one for him to answer, apparently, despite the fact that it should really not be a tough one for anyone to answer.]

...There is pain, yes. [He pats his chest again for emphasis.] But I would say that it isn't as painful as having a limb chopped away. [HELP.] My vision is fine, though - does that sort of thing normally happen?

[Anyway, since this guy's taken a step closer, Matsui will helpfully clear a spot for him across the table if he wants to sit! Y'know, just sit and casually chat about his heart attack.]

ii - uwu who's this

[regression]

[ Joonghyuk is here to read up on anything that may be helpful in this new realm after he has been in another realm... So much is happening. So Much Is Happening and he doesn't like it, but he's distracted when the question comes and he stares at this guy like he's insane.

Bloodletting... In his 2018-2022 era? ]

Only useful if you suffer from higher blood cell count. [ ... ] What do you intend to do with the excess blood?

[ ??? ]

pretzels you on sight

[sanguinary]

[The look just flies right over his head... Perhaps because he's so used to people giving him similar looks! Or maybe he's just oblivious. He does turn his attention back to the book after Joonghyuk mentions higher blood cell counts, after all, like maybe the pages hold Secret Knowledge he has yet to uncover.]

I see... To think that having an abundance of healthy blood would be a problem... [Humans!! They do be so fragile. He'll look back up at the question, though, his head canting a little to the side like a curious little owl.]

What do "I" intend to do? I haven't drawn blood medically before, so I wouldn't know what to do with the excess blood. Surely it could be given to those with weaker blood to help strengthen it?

[gravings]

[ Gray is nearby having a sandwich when a man suddenly addresses her from the next table over. It startles her, but she is trying to work on her confidence, so she gamely responds (even if she is shrinking and making a small retreat under her hood). ]

That's... um, it sounds like anxiety to me.

[ Having never had a heart attack, she can't begin to guess the truth... ]

Is there something you're worried about?

[sanguinary]

[If he notices that she seems a little discomforted with being spoken to, he doesn't make mention of it. Probably because he's too busy gently thwapping his chest still, and now puzzling over this suggestion.]

Anxiety... [A small frown.] I do know of it - and I am worried about things. But can the feeling of "anxiety" truly manifest in such a way? Is the mind and body tied so closely that a mere thought can make one's chest ache?

[This poor girl just out here trying to enjoy her sandwich and getting dragged into some weird heart attack victim's philosophical rambling.]