festivals and mur--ahem, investigations 🎊🔍

[beleos]

COMMUNION WITH YIMA

After given some time for recovery and for Yima to hear reports of what transpired at the Tree of Life last month, a Communion message gently flows through the minds of each Shard-Bearer. They will have to choose to accept this message, and once they do, they will be greeted by Yima’s voice resonating pleasantly in their heads. She first apologizes for their harrowing experience with the Dryad, and that she hadn’t anticipated such a violent reaction from the Tree; she believes that their experiences point to an imbalance within the Tree itself, most likely brought about by the soon-to-come arrival of the Oracles.

She has spoken with Cyrus, and they have jointly decided that an investigation into the matter - and potentially the destruction of the Dryad - may be required to purge its influence from the Tree. Yima requests that any who would willingly seek out the Dryad volunteer to do so and will be outfitted with a ward against any tampering to prevent them from falling into the creature’s clutches a second time. It will take her a bit to fashion enough of these wards - but she anticipates being ready toward the end of the month.

She concludes her message with another heartfelt apology for your suffering, that she would not have sent any into such a situation she believed were truly dangerous. That being said, she takes responsibility for your ordeal and asks that if there is anything she can do in recompense, you have but to ask.

Yima will be available for Communion chatter here!

FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE - HIGHSTORM

Takiltu is a month cycle the natives of Kenos regard with some amount of reverence and a hearty helping of excitement: the first part of the month (November) is spent reflecting on and celebrating the differing cultures and worlds each Kenosian represents. The second part of the month (December) is spent celebrating unity and togetherness, to come together with friends and family, to be kind to others and share in one’s wealth - whether that comes in the form of knowledge, monetary gains, or the exchange of gifts and one’s time.

Each city celebrates differently, the flavor of their festivals a reflection of their people.

In Highstorm, the first thirty days of Takiltu are spent in Remembrance. The city is decorated with string lights, paper lanterns, candles, and torches to illuminate the streets in beautiful colors and shimmering magical illusory shapes. The focal point of the festival takes place in The Court, where the reflecting pool has been especially decorated with arrangements of flowers and lights. Festival stands erected around the Courtyard peddle paper lanterns as well as refreshments, fanciful decorative items, and enchanted jewelry that is said to make one’s recollections of the past temporarily clearer.

The pool itself is the main attraction, here; citizens who approach its waters and gaze into its depths will find its normal abilities to reflect memories enhanced. The images are surreal for their clarity, vivid - and normally, one is requested to look into the eyes of those most precious to them whose souls remain lost, to pay homage to their memory and sacrifices, and to wish them rebirth in the new world to come. A purchased lantern is then lit and sent skyward where it floats into the moonlight, joining the others hovering above.

But this year, there is an addition to the usual fanfare. Emet-Selch has been asked to assist with the festival; as long as he is given permission, he can recreate the memory displayed in the reflecting pool. Yima has granted him a temporary blessing which enhances his natural creation abilities - a gift for their people she is grateful for. Your character can choose what it is they see in the water - whether it’s a place, a person, or the feelings of a certain point and time, he will temporarily recreate it around you. Everyone will be able to see this conjuring and interact with it while it is functional. It will last between 15 to 30 minutes before dissolving into beads of light that slowly trickle skyward before disappearing. You’ll be told to light a lantern, send it adrift, and that this will give peace to the part of you and your Shard that surely aches. But does it…?

Elsewhere in Highstorm, the High Theater has been painstakingly decorated and aglow with magical floating motes of light; the interior has been transformed into something of an Art Gallery. The pieces within are dedications to parts of worlds long gone, as well as the people in them; some are beautifully painted landscapes of exquisite, far-away places beyond the imagination. Some are more mundane and familiar snapshots of life in a home world not too different from your own. There are portraits of families, loved ones, and those the Zenites long for most. This is their time to mourn, to grieve, and to appreciate their pasts - the pasts that will lead them to a brighter future, one day. They must move on into the future, but treasuring that which came before is equally important to them.

Should you touch any of the motes of light that are around the art pieces decorating the Gallery, you will find yourself able to feel, hear, see, and taste a piece of the world the piece represents. Some of these are warm gatherings over a dinner table with family; others are heart-wrenching expressions of loss and bitterness and pain. Be cautious which you choose. Oh, and do be careful not to stand too closely with someone else when you touch one, or one accidentally touches you - the experience is absolutely contagious through Communion.

CELEBRATION OF CHERISHMENT - SPRINGSTAR

While Highstorm’s Festival of Remembrance is a more demure and reflective time, Springstar takes a much different approach to the season. In true Meri nature, the Celebration of Cherishment encapsulates celebrating life in all forms - and that means parties! The Psychagogía is the main hub of excitement considering, but festivities can be found in almost every single district of Springstar. Wherever you go, something is happening and someone is trying to rope you into having a good time.

The city has been decorated with bright and colorful multi-purpose magical ivy-like vines that sprouts buds that bloom over the course of the month into gorgeous flowers. These flowers are considered sacred, and their blooming is a momentous time of joy and good fortune. Each flower is left intact; disturbing one is tantamount to a war crime by the natives, so don’t get observed if you try to pluck one!

The Psychagogía is incredibly lively, teeming with people and events; almost every venue is peddling some kind of ‘Cherishment’ celebratory sale or discount. The first portion of the month includes what the locals call “the meri-ment” (and seem quite chuffed about that pun), in which Kenosians are encouraged to go bar hopping and taste the wide variety of specialty ales and liquor unkegged only around this time of year. Participants are highly encouraged to share stories of their worlds and cultures, to tell those they mingle with tales of the worlds they will one day return to and why they’re special, unique - to celebrate their one-day return.

Alongside this comes a great deal of outdoor grilling, fresh meats and vegetables sending tantalizing scents everywhere you go once the evening hours arrive. Some of these food and drinks can cause… interesting… effects if you consume them in excess, especially at the Emotional Damage - so try to show restraint. It would be a bit embarrassing to find yourself strangely infatuated with the first person you lay eyes on after your fifth night out on the town, or feeling compelled to express warm feelings aloud you wouldn’t normally commit to another. Luckily, it only lasts a short period of time - but beware the wicked hangover afterward. Strangely enough, if you’re suffering, you feel oddly compelled to seek out a little TLC from someone else - someone with whom you might have some unresolved feelings toward, positive or negative. Is it longing? Anger? Jealousy? Unspoken affections? Love? Whatever it is, you're more likely to seek them out for some care.

At the Coliseum, nightly brawls between Meris take place and the usual assortment of monsters are temporarily taken out of offer. This part of the festivities is one where each Kenosian is encouraged to settle any differences or misgivings with others and to get it out of their system, cleansing them of bad mojo - “leave it in the ring,” as it were. Despite beating each other bloody at times, most combatants willingly stop before it gets too serious and fighting to the death is not permitted. You must embrace your adversary before you leave, and your ‘bad blood’ will be considered purged and settled so you can start anew.

The Empório district is celebrating consumerism, because of course it is! All the usual goods are on a considerable discount, and for a brief time, gardening tools and supplies are free! The reason for this is that Springstar’s citizens are encouraged to plant one seedling in the gardens in Katoikitikós once the flowers lining the city have gone into full bloom. It is said this honors gods across cultures and time as well as invites good fortune. You are encouraged to plant a seedling in a group or pairing, as space is limited - and there are superstitions regarding this togetherness resulting in more favorable results. Should you plant a seedling with someone else, you might indeed find that something is beginning to blossom between you… Based on your Aspects, you might find yourselves feeling closer and more connected - or repulsed depending on your compatibility. This effect will last through the month after planting. Should you check on the seedling later, its health will be reflected in the state of your relationship. Friends will find the little plant thriving; enemies will find it is sickly and dying.

For those Shard-Bearers who have already harmonized with the Meridian or who have quarters in Heliopolis, you will find the communal meals much more lavish and indulgent than usual. There may even be a taste of home waiting for you among the spreads on offer, or some comfort food you haven’t had in a while. It is encouraged to share anything to your taste - or even to share why it is meaningful to you via Communion. Or you can just eat. You do you, man.

Once the flowers have bloomed and the festivities reach their peak, one might find the city loud and boisterous and sleep a little more difficult to come by. Springstar is absolutely thriving and alive - and you, too, feel more invigorated and energetic despite any lack of zzz’s. Should you leave the city, however, this effect will vanish and you might find yourself unnaturally fatigued and in need of more rest than is customary. Returning to Springstar will slowly build up your stamina again. This effect lasts until the end of the month.

THE MYSTERY OF ALENROUX

Once celebrations are in full-swing in the cities, some characters (i.e., any characters that choose to participate in this prompt) will be contacted by Cyrus or Yima, depending on their faction or whichever they feel a stronger inclination towards if they are currently Unharmonized. Both will explain that there’s something that they’d like you to investigate, but also to prepare and be careful, since this request doesn’t come without danger… A Shard has been lost in Alenroux, and they both hope you’ll be able to retrieve it.

MERIDIAN

“I’ve gotten word that a Zenith Shard-Bearer was sent to Alenroux a little bit before you arrived, and they haven’t come back yet. Normally, none of our business, but based on what some of the farmers have been saying, I think they’ve gotten hit by Discord. If it gets high enough, well… You don’t really have your mind anymore. We can help them through Purification. Even if it’s just for long enough to calm them down, it’s better than them being trapped in madness. It might be easier to dissipate them first, though, then Purify their Shard. They were last seen heading to the Northern forests. Let me know what I can give you to help, and make sure to help each other. Good luck.”

ZENITH

"Please heed my request, though I do not ask this of you lightly... One of the Zenith's children has been lost among the fields of Alenroux come nightfall and I fear the worst has befallen them. There are dangerous elements attracted to the presence of a soul, and the likelihood our brethren has been lost... it is great. Seek out the Shard - and if you are able to retrieve it, please do so. If it has suffered corruption too great to be saved or would place you in too great a danger to take back, then... I trust you to make the merciful choice. I place this in your hands and will give you whatever you require to see it through. Look out for your fellow Zenith and work together, as I do not want to lose more of you. Be well."

Both factions will offer their recruits access to standard weaponry and armor/protective clothing. If a character asks for more, they’ll be given a weapon or a piece of armor with minor magical properties which would normally cost 1 AC token to purchase. Magical weapons are on loan however. If your character takes these and/or chooses to keep it, please note this in your Committed Actions! If they choose to keep standard weaponry, Cyrus/Yima will just be disappointed in your dishonesty. :(

When you arrive during the day cycle, you’ll also find horses and magic hoverboards to use (they go the same speed tbh), because heading North to the forests is a bit of a trek, and you might not make it there in time on foot! As the sun starts to set, you’ll see the people in Alenroux start to leave, going clearly your opposite direction. Once night falls (Nov. 9th OOC), it doesn’t take long for things to change.

There’s just a sliver of a crescent moon in the sky, which makes the rolling hills and forests much more ominous than they were during the day. And as the stories say, it only takes an hour or two before you start to run into strange creatures. Closer to the Cornerstone, there are indeed strange creatures, and while they may not all look scary, they might present different kinds of dangers such as…

• A light in the dark looks like a fairy, but stare at it too long and you’ll find yourself hypnotized by a ghastly fish will lead you to a body of water to drown you.
• An innocuous puddle may form up into a mass of corrosive goo, complete with the bones and items of the last person it came across. When you slice it, it simply creates a copy of itself, so hopefully you realize this before you’re surrounded.
• A strange straw poppet (sans pins, of course) that possesses you once you touch it and will use your body to try and fight anyone else while your consciousness is trapped inside the doll. To be freed, you only have to destroy the doll, but you’ll feel the pain of how its destroyed even if you don’t bear any injuries from it.

However, as you get closer to the Northern forests, they become significantly more fearsome…

• With a roar, a massive, multiheaded beast descends, and each of its mouths is perfectly capable of taking a bite out of you. Watch out for the snake’s head in particular, since its venom will cause you to hallucinate your worst fears.
• As you come face to face with an odd creature, bioluminescence lights up on its skin, and the spins on its back quiver with a sound like a rattlesnake’s. As the spines quiver, you find it exceptionally difficult to take your eyes off them and move as it stalks closer slowly. You can fight blind, right?
• Diving in and out of larger shadows like its water is a slimy beast that’s incredibly fast. Its teeth may be small, but its tail is a razor-sharp whip that could remove a limb if you’re not careful.

These are just examples, however. There are many creatures lurking the wilds of Alenroux, so feel free to create your own monsters with unique effects.

It's a difficult trek North, and you may be tired from hours of running, fighting, or both… But eventually, a few people do find what they were looking for. They might have even missed it, if not for how their Shards suddenly felt like they were burning. From the shadows, a twisted creature of roots and lights which what looks like many crystals in a glowing mass appears and one of its eyes locks on you. It looks like now is your chance.

NOTES

Weather summary for the first 30 days of Takiltu (NOV & DEC):

Highstorm is in late fall, early winter season. Some flurries may occasionally fall and it is getting considerably cold out there! Bundle up!

Springstar is in the throes of early summer; the weather is climate and pleasantly warm for outdoor celebrations (but not sweltering). There are occasional afternoon showers, but they don’t last very long.

Notable city changes:

If you wander the Markets in Highstorm, you might notice some of the peddlers seem a bit wary of you. Hm, guess something happened around here! Probably totally unrelated, but Silco and Vander (or anyone with them) will be treated with nervous suspicion.

Similarly, if you're traveling with Set (or you're Set) in Springstar, you might occasionally find yourself getting strange looks. Ask Set why.

Faction updates:

There are no explicit changes in faction behavior at this time. This will be a staple in all future event write-ups to catalogue the fluidity of the conflict as it progresses, though, so we're including it here for posterity!

Event Notes:

The Reflecting Pool in the Courts of Highstorm can be observed normally with no addtional effects or can bring your memory to vivid life thanks to the help of Emet-Selch (and Yima). If you grant him permission (which can be handwaved), he will breathe life into whichever memory you have chosen to view! If this includes any NPC’s or interactive elements, you will be responsible for playing them out in any tags until they disappear. Please see Emet’s toplevel for any interactions you’d like to thread out with him as a part of this.

For the Gallery in Highstorm, the art depicted in and scenes experienced through the pieces are up to you to create! Feel free to go wild with any associated NPC's in the scene and worldbuild as you see fit. Highstorm holds a variety of citizens from across the multiverse, so you could feasibly go fantastical places, or experience something distinctly profound and beyond your imagination...

The drinks and refreshments in Springstar can be enchanted in just about any way you’d like, including bringing upon minor physical changes of the cute, fun, and flirty variety! Feel free to get creative (as long as you get permission from your thread partner), the Meris would also merrily insist growing extra fluffy, scaly, etc bits during the celebration will only help you party harder! 🥳

As reminders for Alenroux, once night falls, a character is not able to leave until sunrise, which is 24 hours later. If your character is dissipated, you can have a PC retrieve their Shard or the respective Faction they're allied with will send out a search party to find it. Remember to report character deaths!

CODING

Comments

amos burton | zenith | exalt

[baltimores]

[ closed starters to follow! plotting comment, arii#6412, cadiai for plotting. ]

kaeya —

[baltimores]

[ He doesn't want to be here.

Well, no — he does. Amos does want to be in Springstar, and he does want to find Kaeya, but he has other things he wants to do, and his discord is tugging at him, pissing him off, making him want to go back to Highstorm. Now, actually, considering how long he's been at this.

But he can't. Every time it feels like he's going to find Kaeya, finally get the chance to talk to him, Kaeya isn't there. Every time, his frustration mounts, and he's about ready to call this a wasted day, just go back to Highstorm, fine, if Kaeya wants to avoid him then see if he fucking cares—

He still cares.

And it's as he's dodging some of the festivities — though his blackened sclera and irritable, no-bullshit body language are probably helping keep revellers away from him, too — that he spots something in an alleyway.

Or more like someone, some of the light — the fucking light, this is hell, why would anyone willingly be here — highlighting that blue hair.

Amos doesn't bother to hide the fact that he's coming over; Kaeya's not getting away from him this time. He's about ready to give him a piece of his mind when he finds that stepping into the alley's shadows is like a soothing sort of balm; when he realizes that being in the same space as him floods him with relief more than anything else.

Not that he still isn't annoyed. ]

There you are. [ He removes the hood from his head, crosses his arms over his chest. ] The fuck, Blue? What're you doing?

[ This isn't like before, when Kaeya would have every reason to avoid Amos, so — despite the irritation in his voice — it's a genuine question. Just stay and talk to him this time, maybe? ]

[subsist]

[ It feels like Amos is always just missing Kaeya because Kaeya is deliberately avoiding the other man. After what went down at the Tree of Life, where he knows he was the main reason why things escalated to the point they reached, he doesn't feel like he deserves to be around any of them or else he might make a mess of things once more.

This will take time, he knows, he's been through this once already, but once things fall into place, it will all become routine. Suddenly, it'll be much easier to stay away from others because he knows that it's for the best. It doesn't matter if it's going to be unbearably lonely— he'll weather through it just like he always has.

Sensing Amos' anger and irritation through this sudden but tenuous connection of theirs is what Kaeya uses to avoid him precisely. Whenever it felt like Amos is closing in on him, he moves elsewhere, finding a different place to take shelter from the worse effects of Discord. Not that he can keep doing this forever, of course, because sooner or later, it becomes too much to handle.

It doesn't help that he's stayed at Springstar for far longer than he should have. His exhaustion and discomfort are bone-deep at this point, leaving him defenseless while he takes shelter in an alleyway that is covered by shadows.

This turns out to be his first mistake. ]

... Amos.

[ The flood of relief that comes from the other man just makes him feel ten times worse. His guilt, his regrets, they all come straight to the surface, making themselves known amongst the noise.

Despite it all, Kaeya smiles like he always does, feigning innocence. ]

Whatever do you mean?

[baltimores]

[ Amos has learned something, just now.

He can't trust Kaeya.

From the moment they first met, he'd had some sense of what the other was feeling. He'd put on a light and airy show — fair enough, who doesn't want to be like that sometimes — but he could always feel what was under the surface. It made it easier to understand, to accept, to continue on like nothing was really the matter, which is probably what Kaeya wanted from the beginning.

But then they'd lost that bond, and Kaeya had still been acting that way, and Amos had figured, well, that's just who he is.

And now they've regained that bond, and Kaeya is still acting that way, and Amos can tell it's an act. If this bond goes away again, then Kaeya will lie to him again, and he will be none the wiser.

... He actually doesn't know how he feels about that. Doesn't have time to decide in this moment, anyway. It's unimportant; that's a problem for later. For now, all he knows is that Kaeya feels like shit, even though he's trying to act like he doesn't, and Amos has been out here long enough and is irritable enough that he's not going to put up with it.

He stands over Kaeya, arms folded, voice blunt. ]

Cut the shit. You're avoiding me. [ Not that he wouldn't be this blunt normally, but maybe it's a bit harsher than he would've been if discord wasn't thumping around in his mind. ] Fuck if I can figure out why, but for as long as I'm gonna have you in my head — this, whatever the fuck this is, [ because he doesn't feel guilt, he doesn't regret things; he can't put a name to what Kaeya is feeling, all he knows is he doesn't like it, ] we're resolving it. I figure it's got something to do with me, so we're fixing it.

[ Because he wants it to stop. Fuck this taking time nonsense — that's for people like Kaeya to do when someone who had proclaimed to be their friend tries to kill them. That shit takes time; Amos gets over other things pretty easily.

And also because, unmistakeable through the surface-level agitation, there remains a consistent affection unflinchingly thrumming along. He could probably actually express it if they were in Highstorm, but they're not, so... there it is, in the background and dictating everything Amos actually does, any harshness or bluntness actually secondary to it.

Otherwise he would've walked away hours ago, but here he is; here they are, now. Can't get rid of an Exalt that easily. ]

[subsist]

[ Amos can be so imposing without him even needing to try.

There's a brief flashback to an image of Amos with fangs and claws, but it's there and gone within the next split-second. Kaeya stays rooted in place because of the sudden spike of anxiety that he forgot is getting broadcasted right now, thanks to their renewed bond, so he does his best to smother it into dust.

He wonders how he can talk his way out of this one.

It's not the anger that hurts him more, not really. Anger is something he can deal with. Anger is familiar, an emotion he's learned how to navigate around thanks to coming face-to-face with it in the shape of a claymore covered in flames. What completely disarms him is the thrum of affection simmering underneath. Amos has always been too good of a man, and his kindness is wasted on Kaeya.

(He thinks this, and yet there's a sliver of sadness and longing filtering through. He wants this so badly, but he won't allow himself to have it. For their sake, he'll stay away.) ]

There's nothing to fix. I wouldn't worry about it.

[ It's funny. He spent so much time waiting for someone else to take the first step, and yet now that it's happening, he's the one running away from it. ]

The dryad did something, and I suppose we're all feeling the effects of it. I'm just trying to weather through the worst of it, that's all.

[ He speaks with a practiced ease that it would almost be convincing if the damned connection between him and Amos didn't exist. It's the only defense he has, however, because he wouldn't know what to say if Amos tries to reach out to him again.

Please just go, he thinks helplessly. It's no good to stay around someone like him. ]

[baltimores]

[ What the fuck was that.

That spike of anxiety cuts through like a lightning strike, rooting Amos in place for a second. Last time he felt anything remotely like that, he'd been restrained against a wall made of roots, at the mercy of a tree—

He's not there now; it doesn't matter now. As Kaeya works to dispel his anxiety, Amos stamps his out. Denies a fire its oxygen in one swift and smooth blow. He's not doing this — but at least they found something they can agree on. So there. That's progress already.

Although Kaeya's lack of fight thrusts a sort of pause, an uncertainty on Amos. In hindsight he realizes he'd been ready to pick up Kaeya by the scruff of his neck when he found him, haul him back to... where? Do what? He's the dog who caught the car; the sense of being at a loss is mutual.

So Amos stands there dumbly before dropping his head, sighing, and turning around so he can lean against the wall — right next to Kaeya.

(He doesn't understand that faint emotion he's picking up from him. It's too light, too buried, too foreign in general. Just... there's something there, and now all of the fight has gone out of him.) ]

Yeah. [ Amos' voice is quiet as he stares out at the wall ahead of him. ] I'm finding I get pissy a lot easier as of late. And I can't be out here too long, and I already spent half the day—

[ Doing nothing. (Looking for you.) There's a flareup of agitation he stamps back down; it's easier to do that once he's aware of it.

He looks back down at Kaeya, expression open and honest. ]

Whatever the tree did don't exactly change the fact that you're avoiding me, though.

[ Sorry bud, he's not dropping this one. ]

[subsist]

[ With Amos making it more certain that he's here to stay, Kaeya decides to slip into even more familiar territory. The smile that sits on his face is not as bright and casual as the ones he likes to wear, but he can only hope that Amos will attribute it to whatever it is that the dryad had done to them both. It looks as though the other man is experiencing the effects too so he's sure he'll understand.

(Fingers crossed.) ]

I did notice it was a bit less troublesome if I was in Highstorm. [ Maybe it's because Highstorm felt more like home? Who knows. He's just making random assumptions here, acting like nothing is wrong. ] As for that...

[ He tries not to focus on the sudden flare-up of frustration, smiling through it all like a champ. ]

What makes you think I was avoiding you? I did have errands to run here, you know. I haven't been able to stay in one spot for too long considering the run-around I've been dealing with.

[ Nevermind he's the one giving Amos the run-around this time, but hey. This method is what comes naturally to him. ]

[baltimores]

[ He has no idea what to make of Kaeya's smiles now. Amos himself is too frustrated and uncomfortable to really look into it, so he's just going to assume it's something similar for Kaeya. Just a defence mechanism, and he'll leave it at that.

He brings a hand up to massage at his temples like it'll help stave off a headache, eyes shut. The sun's not so bad here, but damn, he's starting to push it. ]

You got errands in alleys? [ His voice is skeptical, just a little biting. ] I haven't seen you since the tree. Sure as fuck could feel you again, though. None of it felt right, and then today it feels like every time I might run into you you've run off somewhere else. Occam's razor says you're avoiding me.

[ He sighs, resting his head against the wall. He drops his hand back down to his side, and for a long moment, his eyes stay shut. Exhaustion coupled with the sensation of his skin crawling is starting to hit him, and normally he could power through it, but after everything today...

Amos opens his eyes again, turns his head to look back down at Kaeya. ]

Come back to Highstorm with me. Right now.

[ It's something between pleading and demanding. Just... this'll be a lot easier to do in Highstorm, and if they both prefer it there, then fuck it, that's where they should be. ]

[subsist]

I told you. I'm trying to weather through the worst of whatever the Dryad did to me.

[ Kaeya's answer is delivered softly, but there's a hidden bite to it too, an underlying layer of bitter cold energy mixing in with his words. It's not like him to have a sudden flare of irritation so he's going to blame it on the Dryad too. He sighs, closing his eye shut while he tries to will the annoyance to go away.

Amos doesn't deserve to be snapped at when Kaeya is the one in the wrong here. ]

You should go on ahead without me. I still have things to do here that I intend to wrap up.

[ Maybe Amos does need to grab him by the scruff, but he is pretty stubborn, especially when it comes to telling the truth. He'll dance around it for as long as he's allowed to. ]

dextera —

[baltimores]

[ The reflecting pool is of no use to Amos.

It really isn't. If asked, he would say he doesn't see the point in it. In the reflecting pool, in the ceremonies and celebrations dedicated to remembering what's gone — all of it. Sure, everything's dressed up very pretty, and he supposes this means a lot to some people — a lot of people, given how many come by here each day — but all he has to offer is a blank smile and non-committal answers if asked if he's going to partake in any of the festivities. No, he's not; he just lives here.

Needs to be here, thanks to hitting two tiers of discord, as his eyes with their blackened sclera indicate. There's comfort in being in the darkness, in keeping himself to Highstorm — much as he may have business elsewhere, he does actually need to be here. It's soothing. (It helps keep him in line.)

But all that doesn't mean he doesn't end up spending time by the reflecting pool, seeing all manners of people and not-people interested in using it — including a certain someone he shares an empathic bond with, through both their aspects and a little bit of dubiously consensual murder.

Dextera is here, very much still alive, so it's fine, right? Amos is over it. (The only thing he ever had to get over was being briefly singled out, but that had resolved itself... pretty quickly, and with surprisingly little effort on his part.)

Still, it'd make him kind of a dick to not check in, right? Right. So he makes his way over to where Dextera is, near the reflecting pool. He doesn't hide the fact that he's coming; he's not trying to sneak up on the guy. (Even Amos has enough self-awareness to not do that.) But he still approaches him casually, without a care in the world, and, perfectly conversational, if a little empty, ] You look alright. Everything worked out okay, didn't it?

[ It's... mostly rheotical; of course everything worked out okay. How couldn't it have?

He tilts his head towards the pool. ]

Here to use it?

[ Because as far as he knows, Dextera never harmonized to Zenith. Why else would he be here? ]

[passio]

[ dextera wants to use it. he wants so badly to see what he’s missing and finally put all the pieces together in his mind; in fact, that’s part of what has motivated him to harmonize with meridian instead. as much as he wants his brother back, his brother won’t bring with him the life they lived together and all the years dextera lived after him. he needs it all, and the reflecting pool seemed at first to be one way to get it.

now that he’s here, he’s learned that it isn’t that easy, and the only thing he can use is his own face reflected back at him to try to imagine what his brother would look like now. ]

…!

[ he jolts when amos approaches, but his first instinct is to defend himself rather than to lash out. even when he sees who it is, although his expression briefly darkens, it’s largely more a reaction to being interrupted than to it being amos. that doesn’t mean dextera will let him get away with just striking up a casual conversation, but death has…

cooled him off. confused him. things are not the same here as they were in horos, but that lack of memory means it’s hard for him to let go of truths he’s formed for himself. ]

I can’t.

[baltimores]

[ For Amos' part, things are totally normal. As long as Dextera doesn't get aggressive or anything, he's fine with just chatting for a bit. That's all this is to him — any discomfort or disquiet makes sense (he did just kill the guy), but for once his murder victim has come back to life, so no harm, no foul.

His hands hang limp at his sides, nothing more than a mild curiosity crossing his face. Almost like a doll; a shell of a person who is well aware of this and totally fine with it. ]

Why not? I didn't think there were any restrictions on it.

[ Not only Zenites have been using the pool, he's pretty sure... ]

[passio]

[ dextera could use the pool to see people he knew in horos who have not followed them to kenos, sure. he just thinks that would serve no purpose but to upset and further confuse him, particularly when one of the former horosians is the one conjuring those memories. what he sees from the people around him is what he wants for himself—fond memories of loved ones, unique experiences lost to the greater world. he has nothing that he feels only he has a claim to. ]

I can’t remember anything.

[ not for lack of trying. ]

There’s nothing there to show me.

[baltimores]

[ ... Hadn't been expecting that one.

The answer catches Amos off guard, and initially, all he can do is blink. He wonders if this is some kind of joke, but he doesn't know if Dextera is the joking type. (Doesn't really know anything about him, actually, if he thinks about it.) Doesn't seem like it, though.

So he isn't entirely sure what to do with this information. All he can really do is try to assuage him, which he tends to be bad at, but... eh. He can try. ]

Is that a bad thing?

[ Sure, Amos has memories of his own — but he's felt no need to try to revisit them. Doesn't really care either way, but he can see a way in which not having any memories is actually a good thing. Sometimes the good isn't exactly worth the bad — though he doesn't know what that would look like, to be without the bad at all.

But it could be a good thing, so it's an honest question. ]

[passio]

[ dextera has wondered the same thing himself. he’d tried to make the decision, even, to proceed into a new world without memories and to leave it all behind, but god wouldn’t allow it. if he’s going to keep himself sane, he needs those memories back. he needs to ground himself. ]

Yes.

[ his answer is curt, but there’s a wary hesitation behind it that makes it obvious he hasn’t quite finished his thought. ]

…don’t you think so?

[baltimores]

I dunno.

[ Amos shrugs; that's why he asked. He's not sure where this hesitation is coming from, since Dextera seemed pretty certain a second ago. He cocks his head at him, eyes narrowed slightly, like that'll help him see something he isn't already privy to. ]

There are some things I could do without remembering. Lot of things, actually. I don't think I really need them.

[ He turns to look at the pool. The reflection is normal; Dextera can't call any memories to its surface, and Amos isn't trying. Doesn't see the need. Doesn't particularly want to.

His voice turning bitter is a surprise even to him. ]

Probably be a better person without them, actually.

[passio]

[ it’s the conviction with which he says it that rubs dextera the wrong way. how can he be so sure? amos always sounds confident in a way dextera can’t begin to understand. a more sympathetic gaze might connect the dots between amos’ memories and his callous disregard, but dextera does lack when it comes to amos in particular. feathers ruffled, he too stares down at the pool.

his own face staring back at him is not an unfamiliar sight. he just wishes he could reach beyond the fog in his mind and make it move. ]

Then give them to me.

[ an impossible ask, except under the present circumstances. ]

Show me… show me what you’re so ungrateful for.

caitlyn —

[baltimores]

[ He has other business in Springstar, most of the time — but also, turns out that a man's gotta eat.

And eating he is. For once, the scents of food everywhere became far too irresistible, and Amos had found himself sidetracked. Is he on a clock, thanks to his discord, thanks to the creeping feeling it'll bring up that he needs to return to Highstorm? Yes, but he's got time. Is he sensitive to sunlight now, meaning Springstar is its own special kind of hell? Yes, but he's found a table under a rather large patio-style umbrella, and he's got the hood of his cloak pulled up, so he's making do.

It's worth it, as he tears into his drumstick; the small pile of bones sitting to his right indicating this is actually not his first. The beer by them is still mostly full — but considering, it's probably fair to assume it's also not his first. One needs to wash all of this down with something, don't they...

All this to say, Amos is very happily eating and drinking his fill — and his table is just him and him alone. He hasn't even really noticed that nobody has come to join him, even though the area's a bit busy. Is it the lack of care he shows for any other part of the festivities? His black sclera thanks to discord?? Who knows; he doesn't care.

Though maybe if someone is looking for somewhere to sit, and he makes eye contact with them with his slightly abnormal gaze, offers a friendly tilt to his head... why not, right? He's living with all of this food and drink, and he's got more than enough space to share. Go ahead, join him. ]

[superbshot]

[It's the latter that draws Caitlyn. The sight of someone vaguely familiar, seen in Communions back on Horos, isn't that unusual anymore...but the nod of welcome when their eyes meet is. That piques her curiosity, so she makes her way over with her own plate of food. This one is piled high with rice, chicken, several different unusual vegetables. She's all for trying new things. A cup of wine held in her other hand, she settles it delicately on the table before sitting.]

Good evening.

[She smiles warmly, no trace of hostility or wariness present.]

Quite the festival, isn't it?

[baltimores]

[ Oh, but that smells good.

There's the vaguest sense of recognition on Amos' part, but that seems to be par for the course here sometimes. It's common enough by now that what Caitlyn is carrying is more interesting than that faint sense of familiarity. He looks up at her, nods at her greeting as he takes the time to chew, swallow. He's still got some manners, after all.

And when that's done with, Amos beams at her — more out of sense for how good a time he's having than Caitlyn specifically having joined him, but hey, everything's pretty good here right now, right? ]

Yeah. I can't really get enough of this stuff. [ ... The food. The drink. He could do without the rest of it, but this is some kind of heaven. ] Can't believe they wouldn't want it like this all the time. Shit, I didn't know anywhere could be like this. Where'd you get that?

[ All in one breath, but at least at the last sentence he indicates her plate with a nod of his head. Surely at some point he'll have eaten his fill, but considering the quality of food he'd had in space, the whole kid in a candy store mentality hasn't left him — not even after half a year on Horos or anything. ]

[superbshot]

It's pretty incredible for a feast-day, certainly.

[Caitlyn laughs, gentle and amused. She can imagine a place and time like this, but if every day was Progress Day, then it wouldn't be as special would it? A truism imparted by parents to children on every holiday in every world without fail, she believes. But Springstar's eternal daylight makes this feel even more unique.]

I got it from one of the vendors a block or so up.

[She fluffs it all with her fork, mixing some of the vegetables among the rice and chicken.]

He called the pickled cabbage kimchi, I think. I don't know what any of the other vegetables are, but they all smelled so good I couldn't say no.

[Taking a bite, she closes her eyes and savors the spice, the texture, and the slight crunch. Her shoulders sag with delight as she chews, already scooping up a second bite.]

...I can absolutely recommend it...

[baltimores]

[ Who cares about special?? Let life be this awesome all the time (is a hell of a thing for someone who's pledged himself to the Zenith to think, but he contains multitudes. Or could simply eat multitudes. Whichever).

There's still plenty of meat on his current bone, so Amos isn't in a rush to go anywhere just yet, but his eyes are drawn to Caitlyn's dish. Back to her expression as she takes a bite, and... okay, yeah, that's gonna have to be next on his list. ]

I've had kimchi before, but never anything that looked [ or smelled ] as good as that. Hell, you spend a couple of decades in space and pretty much everything that came out of the actual ground looks like the best thing ever. I'm gonna have to get one of my own.

[ ... When he's done with this. Amos tears another chunk of meat off the bone with his teeth; he's having a great time. Has the decency to chew, swallow, and, ] Got any other recommendations?

[ Is he going to try one of literally everything this month? Maybe?? ]

[superbshot]

I had something called collard greens that was cooked in pork-fat earlier. It was quite good, and certainly a little unique. Very flavorful, if a touch greasier than I'd usually like.

[Caitlyn doesn't mind the grease, exactly, but oily foods aren't something she goes out of her way for. She's from a time and a place where meat isn't always the most common thing, and she's been raised in a society that values cleanliness and order. Shockingly, greasy food isn't common.

Still, something he's said draws her attention.]

Space? You've actually been there?

[baltimores]

[ He inhales — practically sighs — at her next description. Never heard of anything like that before, and hell, it sounds great. Anything with lots of flavour is usually a win in his books, anyway. ]

Can't say I'd mind grease. [ If there's anything he'd actually mind, he certainly hasn't found it yet.

But still, Amos has to take a second to come back to himself and stop daydreaming about all these new foods to try. He'll get them eventually; for now, he's got something, and he's got good company to share it with. ]

Yup. Lived there for the better part of two decades. It was good for me, but man, that was somewhere you couldn't get a good bite to eat unless you were loaded. It was practically all soy and tofu substitutes. Got real old after a while, even if you loaded things up with spice just to get some actual flavour on it.

[ He considers his drumstick, turning it over to a meatier part of it. ] Don't think I'll ever stop appreciating the food here. [ And tears off another healthy strip with his teeth — the enthusiasm is just not gonna go away. ]

[superbshot]

It's...so far outside the reach of anything my people can do. Traveling in space, I mean. Fascinating.

[Admittedly she's from a Steampunk society that's only just becoming aware of space, but she's used to being from the most technically advanced place in the room. That even seemed to be the case on Horos, among the people she talked to. It wasn't, but she'd never known.]

Regardless, I agree with you. Food and the culture surrounding it is unique everywhere you go, and this stuff begs to be appreciated.

[She takes another bite, and then another, chowing down on her food.]

I should've asked your name. Mine's Caitlyn.