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

eustace | exalt | mysteryghost.png (unharmonized)

[lockedon]

[ three-game val is a mistake. some closed starters so i don't die (except i'm dying already). ]

johnny.

[lockedon]

[ He's not sure what to make of the letter when he first gets it, surprised not only that its managed to fall into his hands but also that he's been remembered in the first place. As with Horos, he isn't the only person around - and surely not the only Shardbearer around - with ears or another animalistic features, and he's pretty sure he'd kept to himself enough that he hadn't left much of an impression on anyone.

Apparently he'd been wrong on that front.

His naturally suspicious nature means he spends some time wondering if there's some secret catch to the letter, but in the end the promise of a nice new outfit appeals to his practical money-saving sensibilities (RIP his ample Kenoma funds....) and he makes his way to the store, flyer in hand. Turns out there's no catch, not immediately anyway, and the initial consultation goes well enough that he lingers in the store after it's done to do a little extra shopping. The prices are reasonable and the fabric of good quality (as far as he can tell). He'll need new outfits eventually anyway.

Because he's JOBLESS and POOR, he sifts through the discount rack, though the more he pulls out the more he begins to regret his choice. Half the shirts don't even fall to his waist? Why is this one covered in pink birds? What is even happening here?

Send help. ]

crawls over

[comelately]

[ how the tables have turned. Now Johnny's the one with a stipend and Eustace is the one digging for scraps... although Johnny's gotten used to penny-pinching in the past few years, himself, and having a steady income again for the first time in ages isn't enough to goad him into reckless spending.

Still. He could use more clothes. Living in Springstar means he's been absolutely bombarded with flyers and cryers alike, all announcing the holiday discounts. It's as good a time as any to fill out his closet a little bit. Deep down, too, he'd wanted to be a part of the festivities, as much of a sour loner as he can be. Slow Dancer is tethered outside, and Johnny's back in the chair on the inside. As usual, he stands out. Eustace, on the other hand, is blending in more than ever - which means Johnny doesn't notice him until he picks up that final outfit, seeing as Johnny was about to reach for it himself. ]

-- !! Eustace... You again?

[ this is always his reaction to seeing Eustace, apparently - mild confusion that they keep running into each other. ]

good night sib, tucks you in

[lockedon]

[ It's ✨ destiny ✨.

Or maybe just a particularly odd spate of luck. Eustace looks just as surprised to see Johnny, ears twitching violently as his hand jerks back half a centimeter. For a city as populated as Springstar, it really is bizarre for them to run into each other here. But better Johnny than someone he actively dislikes. ]

I'm not following you, if that's what you're worried about.

[ It's a joke, albeit delivered extremely poorly, with only the barest upward inflection. Maybe if he learned to crack a smile every now and then, these types of things would hit their mark better. Alas. After another cursory look at the outfit in his hand, he puts it back on the rack. Johnny can have it now. ]

Are you also here to shop?

crawls out of hiatus hole... totally understand if you want to drop this!!

[comelately]

[ not actively disliked by eustace!! score!!

The comment about being followed is met with a pinched brow and a dubious look. That was not something he'd been worried about, no, and Eustace doesn't have a sense of humor, as far as he knows, so clearly, he meant what he said. Maybe Eustace has a stalker problem, and he's just projecting... ]

I guess, [ answers Johnny unenthusiastically. He tosses a brief glance to the revealing shirt, but this encounter's thrown him off; for now, his hands stay on his wheels. ] That something I should be worried about?

i would never drop sib from my life....

[lockedon]

[ When you try so hard and you don't succeed........whomp whomp.

Well, it's not like societal niceties and preserving social comfort have ever mattered much to him, and Johnny's momentary confusion goes unremarked upon. ]

Shopping? Not that I'm aware.

[ The selection of clothes has been fine (for the most part) and the clerks polite and undemanding. If there's some sort of problem here, then he hasn't stumbled across it yet. Although....he looks back at the shirt in his hands. ]

Depending on your tastes, you might find better luck elsewhere.

[ Though given what he's seen Johnny wear up until now, maybe that won't be a problem.... ]

blushcat

[comelately]

[ a little exasperated noise. ]

Not shopping, Jesus...

[ but it's so not worth pursuing that Johnny simply lets it drop there. No one's following anybody. The store staff might argue they're being chased by these incredible holiday deals, but that's as bad as it's getting. The topic shift is welcomed, though he shakes his head. ]

Nah... These are kind of cool. I've been hot wearing hoodies and stuff, so...

[ now that he's been prompted, he reaches out for the shirt again, pulling it out slightly - but, seeing as it's the one Eustace was looking at, it's far too big for Johnny. He frowns. ]

... How're you supposed to shop like this? You bring it to the tailor afterwards or something?

[ a man of his time period (and background) generally got all of his clothes custom-made; he's not used to browsing like this. ]

i like how i said that and then vanished for a week....rip

[lockedon]

[ Clearly he's really out of touch with the Youths these days, if this is the sort of fashion that's popular. Not that he really has any room to judge other people's taste in fashion when his closet is a sad drab collection of black on black, but there's something about the print on this shirt that's just so.....colorful.

Well. He's not the one wearing it, so what does it really matter in the end? If Johnny wants to buy the shirt and join his colorful compatriots, then he can do so. ]

You can. [ He turns his head to peer at the back of the store, where one of the clerks is helping another customer. ] They also do custom orders, if you had something particular in mind.

[ The world is your oyster, be free. ]

it be like that sometimes...

[comelately]

[ i was talking about the really high-cut black one but maybe it's colorful. it could be covered in stars and/or hearts and johnny would still be into it. perhaps even more into it, actually. Johnny shakes his head, shrugging his shoulders. ]

I dunno. I'm not a fashion designer.

[ he has no ideas in his head whatsoever - he just knows what he likes. For the moment, he sets the shirt(?) down on his lap, looking over at Eustace. ]

... Are you living around here? In Springstar, I mean.

[ or is he in Highstorm? this is his vague way of questioning his alignment. ]

ciel.

[lockedon]

[ Despite the change in worlds and seasons, some things remain the same.

Which is to say, Eustace and Ciel are out at some restaurant like they used to, enjoying a meal (and also a drink) like they used to, discussing...........not work, like they—hey wait a minute. (They'll get to work soon enough.)

Ciel, thankfully, is looking much better than before, both color and expression returned to her face and her voice much more coherent than before. It's relieving to see, his own mood bolstered by this apparent return to normalcy. If he had a tail, it would be gently wagging right now but I simply cannot be bothered to try and remember an extra appendage a second time. Hopefully she never falls that low again.

He takes a bite of his sandwich - shockingly good, the bread nice and crusty and the sliced meats well-seasoned - making sure to chew and swallow before he asks: ]

Have you found a job yet?

[ Okay, they're talking about a work now, close enough. ]

[expiera]

[To be fair, prep work is also work? More importantly, running into Eustace during the festival had very easily slipped them back into a familiar and comforting routine, which Ciel is more than happy to embrace because she IS concerned about not worrying her friends and acquaintances after... Yeah. Waking up on Kenos and getting the Kenoma detox was awful, but she's better now, she swears! So no sense dwelling over the past and better to keep your eyes fixed towards the future, right? Mhmm!

Besides, good food, good drink, and good company during a time of worldwide celebration... Life is almost too nice and comfy rn, if anything?]

Yes, I have! So much is going on in Springstar at all times, there's always someone looking for an extra pair of hands. I've been able to find a place to stay, I work semi-regularly at a restaurant with a style of cooking I'm familiar with, and I take odd jobs and requests on the side. The days can get really hectic sometimes, but I've been doing okay on my own. What about you?

[Can't force this level of energy and enthusiasm, definitely not. She does take a sip of her drink after, it's fruit juice at her insistance. Her plate of spiced meat with potatoes and vegetables is already half-empty, he's thankfully more than used to her preference towards the eye-watering and unusually large appetite observed without commentary at this point. Besides, a good appetite is a healthy sign!]

[lockedon]

[ There it is, the Ciel they all know (?) and love, sticking her nose and hands everywhere to help out to the best of her ability. The whirlwind of work she seems to have involved herself in would normally exhaust anyone else, but it only seems to fuel her if the way her enthusiasm radiates off her is any indication. It doesn't quite latch onto him, because he's a tired old man at his core, but he does remain relaxed and unhurried in the face of her energy. ]

A restaurant, huh? I'll have to come visit sometime.

[ Or maybe he can just work there and mooch food out of the kitchen as payment? He trusts Ciel's taste in food and drink well enough that he's pretty sure he'd be amenable to eating whatever they served there.

Though now that he thinks about his own days in comparison to hers, he truly has been a bum in comparison. ]

I'm alright. Not as busy as you are, that's for certain. [ Said with a wry smile. ] Still looking for a job.

[ Is he picky or just not trying hard enough because I've been lazy, who can truly say? ]

[expiera]

[Yea, they're just Vibing! Some people can be energetic without draining you of your energy in their presence, and that is something Ciel strives for more or less consciously. Let's all take things at our own pace, shall we?

But geez, Eustace. One moment he says he'll come visit, the other he says he's still looking for a job. That as good as implies he's kinda just winging his days, doesn't it? Knowing him, she's sure he's managing, but a stable routine would probably still be better than whatever he's juggling?]

The style of cuisine is one I'm familiar with, so that's a bonus too. It would be nice to see you! [And as if she's going to make him pay? Pft. Time to chat with her boss and work out a deal so that if a stoic wolfman with super fluffy ears and no tail shows up, he just gets a bowl automatically on the house! Which no she's not going to tell him, because he may not be ok with freebies and she'd rather not argue with him about the topic rn. Sensible!]

Have you been looking more in Springstar or Highstorm? And what sort of work are you hoping to land ideally, if you don't mind me asking?

[Yeah, it's honestly surprising to hear he hasn't so far? She feels like he may not be trying, because Eustace is definitely the type who does his job seriously and properly if he is committed to something, nods. Being surprised about it would be rude tho, so what else to do but try to be helpful instead? Between bites of her food too ofc, an active normie deffo has to eat!]

[lockedon]

[ Look, sometimes you don't want to work in customer service because actually you hate people?? But unfortunately 90% of the openings he's seen all involve integrating with people in one form or another so he's going to have to lower his standards. Damn. He misses the days when he could just kill a man and get paid for it. Could he still do that now, probably, but it would also come with a nice side of emotional discomfort, which he has had enough of.

So! Lowering his standards it is. At least he has the decency to answer her questions truthfully when asked, even if he's frowning into the surface of his drink as he does so. ]

Highstorm. [ That part's easy enough to answer. ] But there's less employment available there compared to Springstar.

[ Given how much less populated it is. Beggars really can't be choosers. ]

Ideally it'd be something involving less interaction with the general public than more, but I suppose I can't aford to be picky.

[ Maybe he can be a dishwasher somewhere, hidden in a dark kitchen while his hands turn into raisins... ]

1/2

[expiera]

[honestly? that's TOTALLY valid. no one sane wants to be in customer service, Ciel is just crazy. Which checks out! That and she's actually got what it takes in being capable of being chatty and social and the whole extroverted package, just don't ask her whether it's genuine or really good acting bc heck if she knows. As long as it works, right?]

Oh... Geez, I'm sorry. [It's not her fault, but she sympathizes! Like, immediately, because if he's frowning into his drink, she's full out 😩ing.] Not only is there less, the hiring criteria are much stricter, too. I've tried a few cafés myself, and it felt like everyone was judging me just because the clothes I wore didn't look expensive. [Sigh!! Snooty bougies. 😒]

2/2

[expiera]

[but this ain't about her, so she's bounced back within the next beat--:]

Are you set on Highstorm? There's bound to be simple work that doesn't involve a lot of people in Springstar, too. Like, say... [She takes a sip from her juice while scrutinizing him with more attentiveness, because she's Thinking,

...]

Maybe a private combat instructor, or escort that also doubles as bodyguard?

[lockedon]

[ Bless Ciel for simply going along with his ludicrous demands rather than suggesting he try and be more reasonable like a normal person. This is why she's his favorite (ex-)coworker.

He leans back in his chair, contemplative. ]

Maybe. I can't imagine those positions are readily available though, especially to people without references.

[ He's so old-fashioned in his job hunting.....let him present a cover letter and resume and the requisite three references. ]

I can settle for something else for now.

[ Can't afford to be picky when there are children to feed.... ]

dextera.

[lockedon]

[ Springstar, as usual, ends up being too loud and noisy for him.

But there's a celebration going on and apparently it means discounts and sales of all sorts, and being the financially bankrupt man he now is Eustace is willing to tolerate the crowds if it means saving a little coin on food and drink. The latter he mostly eschews, preferring to keep a clear head especially in unfamiliar territory, but the former he scopes out with a discerning eye, noting prices and quantities (and smells and appearance) so that he can get the most bang for his (extremely limited) buck.

He's currently collecting a few meat pastries when he senses it. That familiar Scent™ of one scrungly boymilk producer. No just kidding, he sees Dextera not too far off, gazing at one of the tables laden full of food. Could Dextera just buy his own food, sure, but Eustace already has food and he likes Dextera, so why not share some of his own?

So he ambles over, holding out one of the pastries. ]

Want one?

[ Hi, how ya doin'? ]

[passio]

[ dextera knew, from arrival alone, that eustace was among them. he just hadn’t gotten the chance to speak with him in the rush of everything that’s come since, but eustace’s casual approach says more than a direct conversation might—he remembers dextera, and he’s doing well despite that. ]

…?

[ he lets the surprise stay for just a moment, but then he reaches out and takes the pastry with a grateful nod… and no time to spare in stuffing it into his mouth. since he’s never had to worry about using it to speak, his mouth might as well just be another hand.

it’s clear, though, that dextera has already enjoyed a few of his own samples based on the fact that his fingernails look more like claws, not just from letting them overgrow. ]

[lockedon]

[ thank you for the stink roll, i am soothed, now eustace will no longer be repelled and compelled to flee in the opposite direction

Despite the (relative) lack of stink, Dextera still looks a little more gnarly than usual as he stuffs his face, his newfound pointy nails eliciting a single raised brow. But his behavior appears otherwise the same, that familiar silence present and his zeal for food more anchors to grab onto in these otherwise turblent times.

Though those nails still look a little sketch...he'll ask about them later. ]

Are you enjoying yourself?

[ Surely he must be, with all this food around... ]

[passio]

[ ‘enjoying’ is a strong word. dextera has to pause to consider that, even though anyone looking at him would certainly assume that he’s at least not having a bad time.

the food is plentiful, the drinks are too, and dextera isn’t been hurt by anyone or anything… for his low standards, sure, he thinks he’s enjoying himself. so he nods. ]

…

[ it’s not overly enthusiastic, but he doesn’t seem withdrawn into himself either. piercing a meatball with one of his new claws, he offers it out to eustace. ]

1/2

[lockedon]

[ .............................





Dextera can you please use utensils like a normal person. ]

2/2

[lockedon]

[ Once upon a time, they may have shared a nice bone-ding experience back in the Suffer CavesTM but that was back when they had no other choice and Eustace was forced to have no standards. Unfortunately, Eustace now has standards and they are slightly higher than accepting food off dubiously clean claws.

Has he washed his hands recently? Has he showered? He isn't as smelly as usual but maybe he's finally discovered the wonders of deodorant. (Unlikely, but possible.)

Slowly, Eustace shakes his head. ]

No thanks. I have enough here to eat.

[ His current purchase will sustain him just fine. Speaking of which, he takes a bite of his own food, chewing and swallowing and taking another look out into the crowds before asking: ]

Are you settling in alright so far?

[ To their strange new circumstances. ]

I THOUGHT I REPLIED

[passio]

[ dextera has not washed his hands recently. even if he had, his hands have been all over in just an hour, touching things, exploring, tasting whatever he can get his fingers into. just because he’s remembered to take baths on a regular schedule doesn’t mean he can recall every aspect of hygiene. ]

Huh?

[ just a curious breath, as he processes eustace’s question.

he lowers his hands, examining the food still pierced on his claw. ]

…

[ he wishes he could heartily say yes, but the archangel’s presence has complicated him worse than he realized. his support system has crumbled under the new world they’ve found themselves in, and… thus, the only thing he can do is shake his head. ]

it's ok, i've barely been tagging anyway

[lockedon]

[ No?

Even if he hadn't expected any sort of enthusiastic answer from Dextera, the outright denial has him canting his head to one side in concern. Maybe it shouldn't be so surprising. Dextera has always seemed more timid than most, and adjusting to a brand new world with different systems and different expectations is always difficult no matter who you are.

He hopes that's the worst of it, anyway. It's not as though Dextera is particularly chatty even at the best of times.

Carefully, he considers his options, weighing one over the other, before asking a follow-up question. ]

Is there anything I can help with?

[ It's kind of a laughable offer, really, when he has so little to his name right now. No home, no stable source of income, no mighty leader on his side to shower him with boons and gifts to be used at his disposal. But that doesn't mean he doesn't want to help to the best of his ability anyway. ]