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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
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.]
no subject
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,]
no subject
In any case, Matsui seems to be considering this - both the first question, and the second. Would a coat be better?? Probably... They're warmer, too. Hm. His gaze drifts over toward some of the jackets on display, which he also has absolutely no money to afford! YEEHAW.
As for the second question - his gaze drifts back to her.]
I never anticipate it. [Sometimes it just happens... Dirt? Blood?? Both?? Who knows!] If it's dirt or mud or sap or anything like that, I would like to avoid it in the future, if possible.
no subject
nice nice, this guy passes sanity check this time. Very Normal. She also sees him looking, but chooses to politely keep quiet so he can Look in peace.]
Waking up beneath the tree is a fairly unique experience, yes, but you can also think of it as an initiation of sort to this world. So theoretically, it shouldn't happen again. [Theoretically.] Did you come here to find new clothes right away, mister?
[He doesn't look too bad, yet doesn't seem to really care either. Sir, your priorities...?]
no subject
[THEY ALWAYS END UP BEING WRONG. WEIRD SHIT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. It's always best to just be ready for things to go pear shaped at any moment!! This isn't paranoid thinking. ANYWAY:]
--Not right away, no. [Very close to it, though. He does not seem to think this is extremely strange, though he at least acknowledges that to others, it might be.] It may not look it, but I'm particular about my appearance.
[Literally the only thing that "doesn't look it" is the fact that he's still a bit dirty and sappy.]
no subject
Appearance is important. [Nods!
Very useful for selling liesSelf-expression is key, naturally.] Were you thinking of looking for a place to shower or bathe next, then?[aka "is it a general tidiness thing or something more Specific"...]
no subject
[Not by much, but he doesn't have anything more to say on that matter considering he's immediately like !! at the mention of a place to shower or bathe. YEAH. HELL YEAH!! He knows there are places for people to stay and all, or so he's heard, but where are some good ol' fashioned showers and a hot springs when you need them?]
There wouldn't happen to be any bathhouses in the area, would there? If you know of any, that is... You sound more familiar with this place than I am.
no subject
the game just openedthey just got here and know nothing, so might as well stick with what you CAN for now! Which getting clean is very much part of.]I haven't been here very long either, but I know the basics. There are public bathhouses in the Psychagogia district of entertainment, yes! We're in Emporio right now, the commercial district, so there will be some travelling. Would you like to walk or teleport, mister?
[Rough choice, amirite,]
no subject
Also this apparently is a rough choice, actually. Matsui squints for a moment, not in suspicion but more in a "wha???" kind of way. Teleportation is, hilariously, not something he's unfamiliar with. All the same...]
...Is it a very long distance? If it isn't too terribly far, I wouldn't mind walking. Buzen says that it helps him to clear his mind - running, that is, but walking is surely similar enough.
[So maybe it'll help Matsui too??]
no subject
[not that it's relevant to this guy since he's penniless but details, haha,
anyway what's the verdict,]
no subject
[A JOCK... ALSO ATHLETIC... Matsui chooses not to speak more on the matter though, considering he's still stuck in a weird mental place where his brain simply refuses to process the idea that everyone he knew is obliterated. As things happen to go, y'know.
EITHER WAY, he'll just nod - half an hour is nothing to him.]
Then we may walk. I would prefer that. [Metaphorically pouring one out for Buzen.] ...Though I'm not certain what to do without currency.
[Is this only just now occurring to him despite the clothing debacle.]
no subject
A Lot
huh... but yeah talking about your bromodachis at the ends of all worlds unprompted doesn't sound fantastic or smart, so she lets it go
for now.With a nod, she'll begin leading the way! There's A Lot to see, don't mind all the odds and ends shops selling more or less weird things as they start moseying towards the Entertainment District on their bathhouse quest.]
I can cover that for you, it's okay! You should probably check in Heliopolis or at Yima's manor in Highstorm after though, the administrative heart of the two factions would be able to better make their pitch to you. They offer lodging quarters and a stipend for Shard-Bearers who join them, so those are the best places to formally get yourself started in Kenos.
[because like it or not, you're stuck here
with us hehehefor the foreseeable future, so--!]no subject
But away they go... Matsui's a little distracted as they walk through the street, peering at a few shops here and there without actually stopping at any. Mostly because he's now apparently aware of the fact that he can't afford anything, but also because he's a Mission Oriented kind of guy and the current mission is getting from Point A to Point B.]
Thank you. [A little nod in response to her offer to cover for him! He will remember this. Though his expression doesn't seem to change outwardly by much, there's something in it that seems a little pensive at the mention of Heliopolis and Highstorm.]
...It's a strange thing to consider. These two factions, that is. [He was just summoned on one side of a war, man, he isn't here to have choices?? Thanks he hates it. Rather than ponder it for too long, he'll turn his gaze back toward her and set off on an entirely different line of conversation!]
What name do you go by?
no subject
It's okay, no need to mention it. It's the least that we 'Bearers' can do for each other.
[She does hum in acquiescence to his comment, half-keeping an eye on him but mostly keeping herself focused on the road. Not that this is any dangerous place to be, but you never know how someone may get lost when going through areas dense with people.]
Yes. The two sides don't seem to have trouble coexisting, and I don't feel like their ideologies are entirely incompatible. But the people living on both islands seem to feel strongly about it, and we are new...
[She trails off, and blinks back at him at the question. Oh, right. Can't avoid it forever, hm.]
Just 'Ciel' is okay. What about you, mister?
[Still, is it just her, or was that an odd way to ask for someone's name...?]
no subject
As for the state of coexistence between the two sides:]
I am certain that it won't last long. [DIRE. But like, he's seen hundreds and hundreds of years of bloodshed and humans being humans and wars, so he feels pretty sure about this, at least. He doesn't sound particularly distressed about it, though. He is a weapon of battle, after all.
Since they're walking, she doesn't get his usual flourish of a self-introductory gesture; he nods as she introduces herself, first.]
It's a pleasure, Ciel. I am called Matsui Gou.
[Maybe Ciel will be the First Person He's Talked To who recognizes the name.]
no subject
...]
Maybe not. But for now, things are peaceful, and that's not a bad thing.
[Dire, but true! So she can only calmly agree rather than react in any other more extreme fashion. Well, he did mention blood super casually earlier too, so maybe it'd be MORE surprising if this Totally Normal Guy didn't have experience with violence in any way...?]
It's nice to meet you too, Gou-san. [The honorific kinda just slipped out, though... Does that name sound familiar? Had she heard of it before (in History class while pretending to be a Japanese highschooler)?
...
Nope. She makes a show of looking Pensive, but she can't remember (she probably wasn't paying attention). It sounds old and unusual for a Japanese name, that's about as much as she could guess from the name he's given her.] Is it okay to call you that?
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Matsui doesn't address that first statement - at least not in words. He does cast her a sidelong glance that's a bit uncertain, but it's not like he disagrees, either. Peace is nice. Peacetimes are good, usually.
As for the rest, damn, it's a good thing he's not a prideful sword or he'd probably be a little ruffled by the fact that no one knows his name here. As things are, it's more useful to him than anything, and he doesn't mind it in the least.]
You may call me Matsui. [Because it gets confusing with so many Gou school swords running around... Even if there are none of the others here now, a tiny hopeful-but-still-depressed part of him hopes that that won't always be the case.] Or Matsui Gou, if that is what you prefer.
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TO HER EXCUSE SHE'S FRENCH (unforgivable crime)!! And most of the other Japanese teenagers here are from the modern era who probably didn't pay attention to history either, so triple F. Then again, this IS a hub between all worlds. Just goes to show how vast the multiverse is, h-haha...?
Oh, no honorifics? O-okay. She nods, don't mind her looking vaguely uncertain.]
Matsui. [See, she can do it!] I do apologize for what may sound like an obvious question, but are you from Japan, by any chance? [That always sounds kinda wack when you say it out loud, huh.] People across all periods of time and all sorts of worlds end up here, so...
[Japanese names are just really distinctive, okay...!!]
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It's fine though, he'll excuse her unforgivable French crimes and also the crimes of every student for not paying attention in history and/or being from one of the ten trillion universes where he was never forged. It happens, he knows. He's a time traveler, after all.]
Is it an unpleasant thing for you? [THE MILD UNCERTAINTY... He says it with a little bit of amusement, though; he knows some people are sticklers for honorifics.] --But yes, that's where I came from. In the world I was familiar with- [Or the timeline, rather...] -it was much farther ahead than these places in terms of basic technology.
[Sometimes you're transported to a place that simultaneously has the magic tech needed to fish people out of the void but also, like, they're just discovering steam power.]
Where is it that you come from?
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WHAT A UNDERSTANDING SWORD MAN (the space is very important)]
Hm? Oh, not at all! I just thought it was interesting that despite us Bearers being from all sorts of different worlds and times, there's always a remarkable amount of Japanese people for some reason. The ratio is really disproportionate if you compare it to Japan's actual population against that of the rest of the world, you know? So it's strange and neat, that's all!
[actually it's just fiction i mean blorbo i mean media bias, maybe, probably,]
This place really is more fantasy than sci-fi though, that's true. I've spent some time living in Japan myself, but I grew up in Europe. [Don't worry about why she made this sound vague for basically no reason!] May I ask what year you're from, Matsui?
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Ah... Is that so? I have yet to meet anyone else from Japan here.
[Hilariously almost everyone he's met has been from some weird Fantasy Land and/or Korea. The one single "person" from Japan was a robot without a deadass giveaway name.
But!! That explanation makes about as much sense as anything else, and the vagueness isn't enough to particularly stand out to him. He just hums, nodding once.]
I haven't been to Europe- [Says the man who dresses like a European vampire, as one does.] -but I have heard there are more people like that in Japan. [Were, rather.
As for the question, he hesitates to answer. Tragically it's an even longer period of hesitation than Sebastian got, since Sebastian was at least clearly Not A Human from nearly the start of their chat, and he's much more forthcoming with non-humans due to Mission Reasons. But, like. Well. They are at the end of all known worlds and such.]
...For me, the year was 2205.
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She blinks back at him.]
I know three, and they're all teenagers too. [She says this while looking like one herself, don't mind the fact that she acts like she's older, for some reason.] That feels like more than coincidence, you know?
[She nods along and keeps any vampiric observations to herself, bc 1. she's a normie atm 2. kinda lost her old job the moment she got ???'d into a different world and 3. Matsui is a Little Odd but not That odd, tbqh! Chalk it up to intuition or experience or something, she IS better placed than most to tell.
And then he drops his era. Pause or not, he did end up answering, so--]
--Oh, my! That's just over two centuries into the future for me, I'm from 2000.
[She's Surprised and it's very much on her face, but her steps don't slow and she's still leading the way without missing a beat.
...
And she says nothing else, because she's one of those weirdoes who have Nothing to ask of someone from the future even if they were to meet. Like neat, but okay? Wow, 200 years... 🤯]
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Matsui apparently has nothing to say one way or another about three Japanese teenagers being coincidental, only humming lightly. As for the rest:]
I am used to the year that I hail from being much farther ahead than most.
[Y'know, considering [redacted] happened in his world and all. Also the whole time traveling schtick - you're always years and years ahead of everyone you talk to, then!]
Still, things aren't so different then, I think... At least where I live. I would go so far as to say that many of your time might consider our way of living quite rustic.
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I do know someone who came from a world with technology advanced enough to enable space travel, but we never talked about what year he was from. I wonder what we could potentially find out from a proper census of the Shard Bearers, but it would probably be difficult to have everyone answer. There's no telling if the data would be any useful, either.
[She's happy to motor right along as if this was any other ordinary topic, and nods at his commentary.]
Really? I like rustic myself, haha. But whether there's magic or technology, in the distant past or future... Living is living, and this place is a good example of it. Have you ever seen a city as busy and lively as this? We must've passed by several dozen shops by now, but the bathhouse is coming up! The style of the buildings are shifting too, it's looking more Eastern in this area, right?
[The section they were in before with the clothing shop looked more Western, now the walls and roofs are looking decidedly more Chinese. She's staying vague because she's frankly not that cultured herself, but this much is probably safe and polite to say? Yeah... Yeah!!]
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If not useful, it would at least be interesting, I would think.
[But he's not the type to organize things like that, so he just lets curiosity lie where it wants and carries right along, too. LIVING IS LIVING... Well. It's not like she's wrong.
At the mention of the change in scenery, he blinks, glancing around.]
--Ah. It certainly does have a more familiar feeling here. [Compared to Roman things, at least, even if it's not exactly what he's used to. At one or two points, he'll slow down a bit, like he wants to stop and look at something more closely - but he never does. Once he spots the bathhouse ahead:]
Is that it?
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