kenoslogs | The Seeds of Unrest, Phase Two 🌱

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The Seeds of Unrest, Phase Two 🌱

UPROOTED

Time has not been kind thus far, and the future will be no kinder.

The slow passage of days to weeks has seen both cities increasingly ravaged by the untamed growth of the enlarging roots. Their size is enough to uproot buildings by their foundations, if not bisect them entirely where they push through unfettered. In the worst-hit areas, entire blocks are left abandoned - if even standing at all, displacing families and leaving businesses in ruins.

Cetina and Kathova have been in near constant contact with Bearers via Communion, feeding them information about which areas to focus their lifesaving efforts. Yima’s Manor and the Seat of the Tribune - despite their closeness to the Trees - have been fortified by your leaders and act as a base of operations for each respective faction. You will be able to return to either to find sanctuary from the chaos beyond, but the innumerable civilians are not so lucky.

Bearers are tasked with rescue and recovery efforts and requested to assist hands on the ground with taking refugees to temporary shelters. Survivors must be dug out of the debris. Those who are capable of healing will be enlisted to assist at hospitals and triage centers. Supplies must be gathered and harvested from areas that are collapsed and too dangerous for civilians to navigate. If you are feeling generous, you can go on search and rescue missions, as many people are considered missing in both Highstorm and Springstar. Some areas are completely cut off to regular foot traffic by the massive, winding roots bearing countless Blight-blooms. Citizens are succumbing to the Blight flower’s effects persistent from phase one with more and more frequency.

While both cities slowly succumb to a deepening catastrophe, the situation worsens.

STIRRING STORMS

As the days pass, inexplicable and unnatural weather occurrences will randomly plague both cities. They can last as long as a full day or as little as an hour before dissolving entirely.

Flurries: this snow is tainted by the Blight, making the snowfall look like ash. Any organic matter it touches will be affected by reopening wounds, re-infection of illnesses, or re-experiencing injuries that may have healed over years ago.
Thunderstorms: these storms carry a frigid rainfall and heavy cloud cover, making already difficult-to-navigate disaster zones harder to clear. As each thunder bellow crashes overhead, you might swear you hear a familiar voice reaching out to you in the fading rumble… one that sends a message - either from the future or past.
Fog: dense clouds of thick, freezing fog will roll in randomly, making visibility even more precarious. In your search for survivors - or your companions, you may find yourself coming face to face with someone else, instead: a version of yourself (or a companion) from another timeline. You may also hear your own voice calling out to you from within the fog, attempting to beckon you further into the mist.
General Note: Exposure to any of the above weather patterns will increase your Blight infection.

THE BLIGHT COMES FOR ALL

As if it were not enough to see the cities that have become your salvation at the end of the Timestream falling to collapse and ruin, the Bearers will slowly begin to realize their previous immunity to the Blight is eroding. They will begin to show symptoms of infection that increase into May’s event. ( For more information on the effects of the Blight and purification methods, please see the OOC Summary. )

Now that their last bastion - the Bearers - are just as much in harm’s way as everyone else, the populous’s efforts to formulate a temporary stop-gap solution are being rushed to completion. Time is not on anyone’s side. They will continue to work with those who have been kind enough to volunteer their resources and brilliant minds - collecting materials and attempting to figure out a way to avert their otherwise inevitable destiny.

ORDERS

Orders from your leaders will come as soon as infections among the Bearers have been confirmed.

🌙 YIMA will stress for all Zenite Bearers to prioritize their well-being and to avoid unnecessary exposure, to manage their symptoms as much as possible. They must fight for their own survival to bring in the birth of a new universe - and their lives are too precious to risk. Beyond that, she asks them to save what they can of their people and their most critical structures with the understanding that hard choices may be necessary.

🌞 CYRUS will implore all Meridian Bearers to prioritize the general population's lives and turn their efforts to save as much of Springstar as they can. He will note that Bearers have ways to help keep one another from suffering too much contagion and to coordinate their usages appropriately, to keep one another safe, and watch their backs.

ANOTHER EN-TREE-TY

The Tree of Life continues to sicken, yet - thankfully - the progression of the Blight is slow. Still, Bearers will find themselves occasionally compelled to take a moment to sit beneath its boughs and vibrant leaves, even as some begin to show signs of discoloration and rot. Any characters who sit with the Tree with the purple leaf they found on their person after phase one will find it warming to the touch, its veins laced with gold. This effect will be even more effective if taken into the cavernous roots beneath the Tree! While this may fill you with a temporary sense of calm, it doesn't seem to have any other effects... yet still, you are compelled, if not curious.

The Tree has offered you this gift for a reason. Perhaps you will find its use before long.

...As long as you - and Kenos - survive long enough to discover it.

CODING

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[ For all the comfort that logging a single successful rescue has given Link, he's finding himself equally comforted by this stranger's unexpected optimism. There's very few reasons to be optimistic about anything going on here today, Link can attest to that himself by now, but... well. He couldn't describe it if asked. Is this what people mean when they talk about "vibes"? The vibes are good with this man, almost infectiously so. He likes that. ]

Alright. You drive a hard bargain, but you've convinced me.

[ Still smiling, Link ponders for a moment before pointing towards one of the military tents. ]

There's fresh water and rations over there. Do you want to join me, ah... [ He pauses. Link still has no idea who this person is. Clearing his throat, he gives him a respectful little half-bow. ] I'm sorry. My name is Link. Thank you again for your help.

[ yeah Link, they're Vibing!! they're Vibing on copium, probably, but listen. that isn't important. the important part of this exchange is that they are indeed Vibing.

that Link concedes to his request earns him an even brighter smile than the last; that's a relief, and he's glad for it as he jovially slings an arm around his new buddy's shoulder as if he's an old friend. BECAUSE HE IS, NOW, they have been friends approximately five minutes and now they are ride or die. them's the rules. ]

Hey, what's with the formal stuff? [ he is ALLERGIC to the procession of formalities. gives him hives, ] Yeah, let's get somewhere we can warm up some. You look half-way to ice pop right now, friend.

[ Link lets out a soft 'whoa!' as Vash throws his arm around him — he has literally an entire foot of height over the compact Hylian, and even though he seems to actually be quite mindful of that fact, it causes Link to stumble in surprise anyway. Not just the movement, but... the warmth, too. Vash will find that it's not just Link's shoulder that's icy cold and stiff, but basically all of him. But is it the weather, or the Blight?

As they quickly discover, that's a question the other rescue workers are not keen on finding out. A well-armed Meri soldier steps in between the tent and the two Shard-Bearers. As his eyes sweep up and down over Link, he respectfully but sternly tells them not to come inside. They don't want the supplies to spoil, you see.

It's obvious who they're talking about. Link's paces slow to a stop. He blinks owlishly at the man, and then looks to Vash. Although he says nothing, his slightly raised eyebrows do the talking. The man... has a point. ]

Maybe I can... rinse off.

[ when their path is barred and the way ahead is obstructed, Vash makes something of a face - but he can't argue with the guy. it'd be really foolish of them to step on inside and infect any of their precious resources with the contagion, wouldn't it?

he waves his hand to the soldier and they exchange a few words to one side; the soldier gives a grudging nod before disappearing into the tent. when he comes back, he's retrieved a blanket and a thermos of something warm he holds out for Mr. Stampede's taking. Vash offers his thanks before meandering away with Link in tow. ]

How 'bout you get cleaned up and meet me back here in a few? I've got an idea.

[ As they meander away from the tent, Link gives the blanket and thermos a curious look. Maybe Vash is cold too, he muses to himself...? Well, either way, Vash is right, and the solider was right too. He's got to get cleaned up. He gives the tall man a polite little nod before jogging off, hopping over rubble in the street as he moves with a sense of purpose. It doesn't take long for that purpose to become clear, with his destination being just down the street, well within view of the area where he left Vash: a fire hydrant.

Five minutes later, Link returns. He's clean now! From head to toe, there isn't a single smudge of mud left on him, quite a difference from before. But... he's standing there in nothing but his sopping wet trousers, too, his scarred body exposed to the air from the waist up, and his bare feet walking gingerly over the debris-littered street. The rest of his equally soaked clothing folded haphazardly in his arms and his boots dangle from two fingers below the stack of clothes, stained dark from the water. ]

H-Hi. I'm b-back.

[ Cold. SO COLD. He has regrets. ]

[ LINK......................................... ]

[ --HELP, someone help this little guy, he's just a little guy and he's freezing to death, where is his mommy,

Vash is tossing the blanket around Link's shoulders, taking his wet clothing and just. TOSSING THEM carelessly aside wow, ]

Geez, are you nuts? C'mere--

[ he's giving Link's arms a rub before he thinks of a more effective tactic, beginning to shrug out of his coat. it might be some generic ass black longcoat well-worn and dirtied from the past few days' work, but it carries Vash's body heat and it's as good as another blanket as he plonks it right over Link's head to drape around him. ]

Sit down and drink this. Where's your Shard by the way? You're really going to be an ice pop if you keep this up.

[ Somehow, the sudden flurry of concern catches Link by surprise. He stands in place, motionless, as the blanket is thrown over his shoulders, and then... Vash is touching him, and then... he's throwing his own coat on top of the blanket. To say this is unexpected is an understatement. He doesn't remember anyone ever fretting over him like this, and it's... does he like it? He likes his? He does. ]

Oh, um...

[ Blinking, he sits as instructed and lifts up his left arm, the blanket and coat draping from his outstretched limb like a Wizrobe's sleeve. On the back of his hand is his Shard: a small, triangular gemstone shining a brilliant golden color, even in the overcast light.

Although the Shard appears whole and normal, the same can't be said for Link's hand. The skin around the Shard looks loose and wrinkled, almost like an old man's. And the tips of his fingers carry the greyish-blue signs of early hypothermia and frostbite.

In his other hand, he grips the thermos but does not drink from it. He's watching Vash, a little mystified. He's not about to do what he thinks he's going to do, is he? ]

[ Vash does a good job of pretending not to notice this (unexpectedly cute) deer-in-headlights reaction to some very basic TLC; he instead keeps up his poker face of clinical examination that is just a tad too exaggerated to be believable. he takes Link's offered hand within his own to give the Shard - and the skin around it - a cursory glance, nodding in a decidedly Wise manner. ]

Like I thought.

[ ...

.......

he releases Link's hand, and gives him a light - if admonishing - BONK on the head. ]

What're you trying to do, idiot?? You're one light breeze away from keeling over! Man...

[ but Vash is already fishing beneath his shirt toward his chest where his own Shard sits, gently removing the bulb that houses a crystalized red geranium. ]

C'mon. That kid's never gonna forgive you if you croak after all this.

[ Oof. The bonk makes Link wince, more from the admonition than any physical impact that it has, and he peeks an eye open just in time to watch Vash remove his (actually very beautiful) Shard. Immediately, Link withdraws his outstretched hand, hiding it behind the thermos as he looks up at Vash with an uneasy frown.

Quietly, he murmurs, ]

I don't even know your name.

[ But it's clear from his expression alone that his resistance is rooted in more than that. No, Link does not feel he can accept this kind of help from pretty much anybody, and especially someone who does not (outwardly) appear to have any Blight infection at all yet. This, from what Link understands of how it works, would change that. He exposed himself to the Blight voluntarily, knowing what would happen and choosing to take those side effects onto himself.

Shouldn't he bear that burden for himself? This man, this mysteriously kind stranger... he's so strong. Thinking more tactically, it would be better for him to keep his vitality, and for Link to keep his Blight to himself. Wouldn't it? ]

You didn't know that kid's name when you just about jumped in that hole, did you?

[ Vash's math doesn't seem to be built on the same equations as Link's; the formulas bring them to different conclusions, even if they're both of the well-meaning variety. but he's smiling again, at least, clearly not genuinely put out as much as giving Link a hard time. affectionately. ]

You don't have to know someone to get them out of a bind. You're the kind of guy the city needs right about now, y'know? So quit making faces and let me see your Shard; don't make me wrestle you for it.

[ ................Hm. okay good point. Link really can't deny that. And as he's gazing at the stranger — whose name he still does not know! — it's hard to turn him and his unflinching smile down. ]

...alright.

[ Hesitantly, Link puts the thermos down. As he does, the edges of the blanket thrown over his shoulders parts, revealing the bare skin of his chest again. Aside from the small scars peppering his body (and the one very large scar that covers his stomach and the side of his ribs), his skin is marred by little patches of blight all over his chest, too. It's not nearly as sever as the Blight infecting the area around his Shard, but it's impossible not to notice when viewed up close. The truth is that Link has been suffering Blight for a few days now, and had simply kept it to himself.

Not wanting to draw any further attention to his situation, he uncurls his wrinkled hand, removes his Shard using the other, and holds it out to Vash. The flat triangle that was once embedded in his flesh is revealed to have been only one face of a larger, three-sided pyramid shape; each of its hidden sides sparkles the same brilliant gold color as the one that was exposed to the air. ]

I haven't done this yet. [ might as well fess up to it. ] It involves... blood, doesn't it.

[ having already admonished Link once, Vash doesn't further harp on the obvious fact that the kid has gone and let himself 'go' a bit too far; instead, he examines the uniqueness of Link's Shard with some interest. these are windows into a person's soul - literally, after all - and he can't help but be curious about what this represents to his buddy, here.

still, he's mindful of the task at hand, and that's the reason he isn't wasting any more time with additional frivolities. reaching into his coat pocket, Vash produces a switchblade and gives his fellow Meridian a lightly sympathetic smile. ]

Don't tell me you're squeamish...

[ it's only half-teasing?? that's a pretty gnarly scar on his chest; it would be kind of concerning if he was considering????

Vash uses his teeth to tug the glove off of his right hand, making a little cut on the tip of a finger before holding out the blade so Link can do the same. ]

It's kinda gross, yeah, but listen - it's only a drop or two, so don't overthink it.

[ Link huffs a sigh out of his nose. He just doesn't like everything that Vash is going out of his way to do for him — and having to cut oneself just makes it that much worse. But, just as Vash had already admonished him once, Link has already protested once. And Vash was right to rebuke him the first time. He doesn't like to admit it to himself, but this is necessary.

If there was any lingering suspicion on Vash's part that blood makes Link squeamish, it is quickly snuffed out. The Hylian accepts the offered knife and, without much hesitation, cuts a thin line along the side of one finger on the hand holding his Shard. A bead of blood begins to form, albeit much slower than normal. ]

Have you noticed this? The strange consistency of your blood? Or... is it from the Blight? [ he asks as he hands him back the knife. ] It's like... hm. Syrup?

[ he dangles his finger over Link's Shard, forcing a few droplets of blood to patter forth - which are definitely a thicker consistency than normal. once they touch the Meridian's Shard, he would feel their warmth, the faint but notable sensation of energy - raw, rather than that of vitality - that comes with the contact in so intimate a place as one's soul. ]

It could be... I'm gonna be real honest with you, though - I don't know the first thing about magic, and most of this stuff goes over my head. Someone tells me 'shiny blue flowers bad' and I go with it.

[ well, you know, discerningly, but it isn't too far from the truth. Vash is willing to admit when something isn't in his wheelhouse rather candidly. ]

[ The droplet of blood, as small of a thing as it is, is like a flashlight turning on in the blackest, darkest room. A soft warmth flashes through Link's body, gentle and healing but sudden. The relief is instantaneous. And, finally, the sensation impresses upon Link just how badly he'd let his Blight get before taking care of it.

Link hears him speaking, but Vash wouldn't be wrong to wonder if he's listening. His eyes are focused on the tiny crystals forming within the center of his Shard. Its surface is normally so shiny and polished that it's hard to see into its center, but the glittering flecks are dark enough that they are impossible to miss.

Carefully, he transfers his Shard into his other hand so he can hold out his cut finger above Vash's. Squeezing his thumb against the side of the cut, he forces the bead of sticky blood to drip slowly, like crimson honey, onto his Shard. He is watching very carefully now, as if trying to figure out the mechanics of a magic trick (hah) the second time around. ]

[ ...hm. Vash can see the kid spacing out a bit; suppose it is a rather novel experience, isn't it? the slow dissolution of the Blight - even if not in its entirety - surely throws how badly Link had neglected his well-being into harsh relief. at least he is cognizant of it, now.......

but Vash watches Link's expression in a combination of curiosity, amusement, and a little concern. ]

Hey, you still with me buddy?

[ he waves his hand a bit in front of his partner's face, um-- ]

You okay?

[ Link really doesn't know what to expect. As he's mentioned, he has not done this yet, and whatever is supposed to happen is something he can't even begin to guess at, like so many things in Kenos. But as he watches the blood crystals appear within Vash's Shard, there's a... strange feeling. Can it even be called a feeling? No, it's like an... impression? Curiosity, amusement, and a little concern. Not his own, but that of the kind stranger.

As Vash calls out to him, the strange feeling intensifies, and the hand waved in his face makes him blink — and, for a moment, it's like he's the one waving his hand in his own face, like a memory being sent to him through Communion. ]

Yeah... yeah, I'm fine. [ He pauses, staring up at him. ] How do you feel?

[ He asks, anxiously. If there's some communion shenanigans associated with this ritual, then he's a little worried. He feels better, yes, but on the whole he still feels bad. Exhausted, hungry, chilly down to his bones, stressed out about the state of the city he's trying to start a new life in. ]

[ the little seeds of blood join the petals of the geranium in Vash's Shard, and he truly doesn't seem any different than he had been before - but their newfound link (pun intended) might not permit them to get off with one another so lightly henceforth. Vash's concern is definitely growing now that Link's state is becoming more apparent to him, and his own exhaustion is starting to catch up with him after taking the Blight. it's been a long few days, hasn't it?

...it really, really has.

but Vash isn't dwelling on any of that; he is instead resting a hand on Link's head and patting him like he's a much younger kid (half-earnestly, half-teasingly), smile reaffixed in place. ]

Hungry, and you're freezing and it's making me colder just looking at you, geez. Come on, open the thermos and drink something warm before your pipes freeze up. We can get something to eat in a few, maybe even something warm! You see that cutie behind the table in there with the soup ladle?

[ H......headpats. He's getting headpats.......... ]

...

[ He can't tell if he's embarrassed or a little angry at him for treating him this way. Just because he's short doesn't make him a kid, you know!! He's actually pretty close to you in age compared to most of the other Shard-Bearers, Vash!

With a nervous cough, Link starts unscrewing the top from the thermos before Vash is even done talking. He takes a very long sip from it before glance in the direction of the cutie in question. He'd have thought that he couldn't possibly be thinking about cute girls at a time like this, in the poor state and mood that he's in, but... well. Maybe it's the tethering effect of swapping blood, but he's finding himself looking with actual interest.

...she is cute. ]

Um. What about her?

[ age is just a number..... Link is spiritually A Child, just as Vash is spiritually A Child - sometimes a man can just sense these things, don't worry about it and enjoy the headpats,,,

h-heh. and cute girls.

Vash leans a little further down to elbow Link's upper arm lightly. ]

She was looking at you earlier, didn't you see? No way you missed it, she was smiling and everything!

[ Turns out he did miss it. Assuming that even happened and Vash isn't just trying to lift him up.

Blinking, he sheepishly looks away from her to stare down into his thermos. ]

Ah, well... Now isn't the time to be distracted by stuff like that. [ sip.

But in his head, and in Vash's too by extension, Link is thinking of Zelda. Her sweet smile, her big green eyes, her long golden hair. He hasn't seen her in... over a hundred years, he thinks to himself, but she always comes to mind whenever he finds himself admiring another woman. ]

Now's just the right time for stuff like that.

[ Vash holds a finger up admonishingly as if he's about to let loose some kind of lecture - but instead, he's giving Link a smile that manages to be encouraging, even if it's also a little tired. ]

Things are hard. People are hurting; no one knows what's gonna happen tomorrow. But hey, you made her smile. It's good to let yourself smile back.

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The Seeds of Unrest, Phase Two 🌱

STIRRING STORMS

ORDERS

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1/2

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