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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
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[ That generates a genuine chuckle out of Howl, like he might not realize that Amos wasn't joking — or, maybe he does, who knows? The moment is gone as soon as it happens, as Howl studies a sign in the hall for a moment, and then turns on his heels with a motion for Amos to keep following as the conversation continues. ]
Yes... it's been a long road, but in a certain sense, I think I've managed to find something like happiness. Yima — you met her yourself, I presume, when you awoke? — she is a truly incredible woman. I've never known anyone like her before, not in my home or in Horos.
[ That she's nothing like the Regent should go without saying, assuming that Amos did in fact meet her already. The Kenoma and the Regent are a shadow that has hung over their time together so far, ever since Howl ran into Amos earlier, and this is the first time he's brought them up. But he goes on. ]
Whatever happiness we're like to find in this place, it's thanks to her. The happiness I've found, because of her.
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The moment truly is gone just like that, though, and Amos dutifully follows Howl, focus more on him than anything around them — focus that becomes all the more sharper at Yima's name before his expression softens, a certain fondness taking it over.
The casual drawl he usually speaks with lessens into something quieter, more affectionate. More purposeful, actually. ]
Yeah, I met her. She reminds me of someone I knew from my past... back when I was a kid. [ He swallows slightly; lets that moment pass quickly, too. ] Yima helped me a lot after I woke up. I figure she's the type to say I don't owe her anything, but I kinda do, you know?
[ Do you owe her, too?
A beat, Amos' voice picking up again. He's fine; this is just the rare thing that maybe affects him deeper than most, though maybe he and Howl really, truly are on the same page here. ]
It feels like home, being with her.
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...Because it is home. [ A flicker of his confident smile comes back. ] It's not a coincidence, Amos. That boy you once were, wishing to live among the stars — she knows him as well as she knows the you who exists now. And she's going to help us all live among the stars, in our own ways. She keeps her word.
[ The way Howl says that last part, it's like he already knows beyond all doubt that it's true. But then, suddenly, Howl stops and gazes down a long row of library books. A small placard at the end of the row indicates that this section is devoted to astronomy. ]
Ah, here we are.
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He is an Exalt, and comes as advertised on the tin, devoted to a fault — and even deeper than that, for reasons he would be hesitant to explain, even if asked.
But Howl's not asking; Howl's listening, and agreeing, and Amos smooths back out into himself — though once something's out of the box, it's hard to stuff it back in.
It's not going back in, not entirely. For as even-keeled as Amos will remain in just about every situation, there will likely be something always deeper with Yima. Something that Howl is now privy to in some part, has seen firsthand, has agreed with, and so Amos senses that much more of a companionship from him. ]
Yeah... Yeah, I think I got that from her. It was like she knew every part of me. [ She knew him as a boy, somehow. She knew, and that means there's more she knows, and he hopes that one day— ] I trust her.
[ Just three simple words, delivered softly and yet with gravity. This is the end of the road — this is who he's pledging the rest of his life to.
It feels right.
But then they're where they need to be. Amos looks to see where Howl's taken him, and upon seeing the placard, cracks a small smile. He steps into the row of shelves, hand idly tracing along books' spines until he pulls one out, looking back at Howl as he does so. ]
How often have you come down here?
[ If he's learned the stars' secrets now, as he'd said... ]
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Howl juggles the competing thoughts as he gazes at Amos. They both trust Yima. Maybe that's enough... but, he can't shake that curiosity over what she said to him, what she promised him. How might it be different from what Yima told Howl? ]
To this section?
[ As Howl was pondering the situation, Amos' question hung in the air for a few extra seconds, but now he steps forward himself. His eyes trail the spines until he comes to a shelf above and to the right of where Amos pulled a book. ]
A few times. When you're used to the night sky looking a certain way, it's hard to resist the allure of an entire new sky to admire.
[ Howl takes a book bound in red leather from the shelf and holds it cover side up in both hands. The front reads Moons of Kenos. ]
Not to mention two moons... Never had I imagined such a possibility. I could write a treatise on the implications for spellcrafting alone.
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Though a mutual respect for privacy — that's a great basis for continued friendship in his books, too.
He's watching Howl, an expectant look on his face as he awaits an answer, but not sensing anything off. Howl's a Stargazer, right? Maybe he was just daydreaming or something. Basking in the nice little moment they've carved out for themselves. Anything, really.
He slides the book he'd had a hand on back in place, looking up at the one Howl's taken out. ]
I was on a planet with thirteen moons once. Pretty sure they were all artificial, but still. [ The information is offered up with a shrug. ] Spent some time on Ganymede, too. I mean, Jupiter had a shitton of moons, but Ganymede was the best for actually being on. Had a friend who lived there.
[ A beat, a tilt of his head in question. ]
Do more moons make for stronger magic or something?
[ He really has no idea — sorry for the total rookie move here, buddy, though he'll take the book if it's being offered. ]
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[ And they were artificial? And... Jupiter?! Howl looks at him with a pure, childish wonder. It all sounds incredible to him. Of course, the fairytale version of these outer space locales that his imagination constructs in his brain are not even close to reality, but when you're from a world with WWI-era technology, that's just gonna be how that goes.
Still grinning over these revelations of moons and Jupiter and Ganymede, Howl nods and flips through the book in his hands. ]
Ah, yes — well, no, not exactly, I ought to say. Not making them stronger, necessarily, but having an increased influence. The single moon from my home, with its gentle white light and ever-changing shape, had the potential to effect magic in all sorts of ways. Of the celestial bodies, it was the most associated with the seas, the feminine, the passage of time, darkness and mischief...
[ The page Howl finally stops at is a sketched map of the face of Kenos' red moon. The inscription at the top reads Kallatu. ]
But, look... even considering just one of the two moons here for a moment... it's so different. The color alone, incredible. Ah, but you've probably seen moons just like this countless times, haven't you?
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He listens as Howl goes on about his moon. It sounds a lot like Luna, but in ways he hasn't really heard described before. It's... nice, actually. Gives him a different picture of it, something more spiritual than that place where I did my apprenticeship — especially since the spiritual matters a whole lot more here.
Amos glances down at the page, and yeah, that's a whole lot more different. He looks back up at Howl, still attentive, thoughtful, enjoying himself. ]
Yes and no. I mean, they're mostly just hunks of rock, and some of 'em people figured out how to live on. But I've never heard anyone talk about moons the way you do. It's nice; I like it.
[ Please, if Howl wants to continue. Amos doesn't have his gift for romantic language of any sort at all, but it's still fun to listen to. ]
Guess that means Kallatu would influence your magic differently then? I dunno how much you'd associate that with the seas or whatever else.
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I've never heard anyone speak about the night sky the way you do, either. [ He passes the open book in his hands to Amos and begins to scan the shelves for something else. ] And, yes... but, that's only one of the many ways I've had to adapt my magic. So many factors are different in this world. Back in Horos, I noticed it less, having lost so much of my capability there... but here, it's far more noticeable.
[ Howl pulls another book out, this one being half the thickness of the book on Highstorm's moons. The spine reads The Twin Suns. ] Thankfully, with no oceans here, I haven't had any need to figure out my old maritime spells, to use your example. Tell me, have you had a chance to go to Springstar yet?
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But, it's not a whole thing. He looks up at the sound of Howl pulling another book out, using a thumb to hold open the page he was on — something about the geology of Kallutu, maybe there's something that can be mined from it — noting its title, still as engaged as ever. ]
Yeah, couple of times now. It kinda reminds me of where I grew up. Crowded, but they've got some good shit there. [ The bars, the brothels— okay no he hasn't really been anywhere other than the entertainment district. ] Two moons are a hell of a lot easier to live under than two suns, though. Feel like I'd go insane with that much light all the time.
[ Maybe he would, or maybe that's his Zenith harmonization talking, who knows really... ]
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[ Howl chuckles as he flips through this new book. Not only is it much shorter than the book on the moons, but the print is larger. His fingers stop when he finds a page with a small, modestly detailed diagram of the two suns. Aside from the more scientific notes framing the drawing, the main takeaway are the suns' sizes relative to each other, with one being noticeably smaller. ]
Still, if you're curious, there has been some study of the Meridians' suns as well. I wonder how one studies a sun in the first place, when looking directly into its light naturally leads to blindness... but, someone somewhere found a way to do it, I suppose.
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[ ... Actually, has anyone set foot on Highstorm's moons? That'll be something for Amos to ponder over; travel works differently here, but he doesn't think they have an atmosphere. Or a way for anybody to get on them... hm.
He looks up at the page Howl has open, his eyes going right to the scientific notes, though they're a bit too small to properly read from where he's at. ]
I think they got telescopes here, right? All you need is the right filter and you can use them to look into a sun. I dunno how anyone studies them in a world like this, though. Where I'm from we had tech to help us. Or we just knew it all already, because someone from some other era already did some of the work. This is like starting from... maybe not square one. Square two? I couldn't even tell you what square I was on, but it was way further down the line. [ He huffs, almost like it's exhausting to think about. ] I dunno if it's even possible to bridge that gap.
[ A beat, though, as he meets Howl's eyes again. Almost smiles, a warmth to his gaze. ]
Doesn't really matter though, does it? I started figuring it out last time; I can figure it out here, too.
[ Though he does have that independent streak to him, not like he'd turn down help if anyone was gonna offer some... This is definitely more Howl's scene than his own, but he can still play catchup — especially with a little bit of help. ]