kenoslogs | [ota] maybe we'll find better days

ALICE'S RESTING ROOM & AROUND SKYSONG;

[Alice's awakening in her Resting Room in The Seat of the Tribune is one of confusion. She's well-rested for sure but she's also surrounded by blades of all times. Daggers, long swords, short swords, you name it. They've cluttered the bed around her, mixed into the length of her hair and when she tries to get out of said bed someone in the Tribune must hear the startled sound she makes when she inevitably trips over her own hair. It is everywhere, laying across either side of the bed and just an absolute mess.

Anyone who even thinks of peeping in will find Alice looking more astounded than ever, wide-eyed at just the sheer amount of hair surrounding her. It's coming from her of course but good god, why is there so much of it?

And why the armor? Why any of this?

She won't get answers by standing around. If no one peeps in after all the noise she's made she's bound to surprise someone when she just walks out of her own Resting Room, a mass of hair tangled in blades left behind her. That's how it is for much of the time she wanders around the various districts of Skysong, taking in the changed landscape with a massively confused expression. Those who know her can recognize her of course, even with that near ankle-length hair of hers and the lack of bangs.

The dirigibles are something else for sure! Alice inevitably ends up near some viewing edge or other, watching the world below with wide eyes.]

PSYCHAGOGIA DISTRICT, XANAN;

[Alice is not that used to bathhouses. Before going to sleep and whatever happened to the world however long she was asleep she'd only come to Xanan a time or two. It was both a comfortable and uncomfortable experience being so nude around so many people but at the moment she mostly wants to clean up, be warm and think for a good long while.

... And scrub her hair. She huffs in annoyance as she sits in the room full of sudsy bubbles, vigorously scrubbing at her head like it owes her money.]

I feel like I'm caked with dust.

[Which isn't far from the truth. Not that she knows how ignored she had been for quite a while in that Resting Room but ... yeah, lots of dust.]

THE LAST DANCE;

[Soon enough Alice finds her way down to what she hears others call 'Uptown' and 'Old Springstar' interchangeably, though the former is far more common than the latter. What exactly happened to Springstar as a whole? She wants to ask but doesn't want to harass any of the people just going about their daily lives at the moment.

In many ways Old Springstar with it's excavated underground entrances and teenagers seemingly everywhere makes her think of District Zero and it's horde of orphans. That and the lack of military presence -- was this just as lawless of an area as District Zero? That sparks a little irritation inside of her considering the people here still as unguarded as the days when those from deeper Kowloon roamed the streets.

Eventually Alice ends up in The Last Dance. She can be found milling around there for quite a while, stopping by taverns less for a drink and more to chat with the locals there. They likely regard the petite woman with her long braid and bland clothing as little more than an amusement. She's willing to lend and ear though and seems very intent on asking more about Skysong, Old Springstar and all that ancient history.

She does end up getting caught by one or two old timers more than happy to ramble about the days of their great-grandfathers when Springstar was still whole which ... hoo boy, does she need to work to disguise her surprise there.]

THE ORPHANAGE;

[At some point over the course of the month as Alice starts to try to piece together what her new life here might look like aside from worrying over the mark Amos and Gavial left her with she finds out just where a lot of the kids and teenagers here in Old Springstar come from. It's a place she learns that Jade is already helping with and likely had been before the whole sleep began.

So Alice finds her bearings here where she thinks her hands and her efforts can do the most good. The memory of those jinba children is still fresh in her mind and so when she arrives with a confident smile offering to help she's more than welcomed to do what she can. The more hands the better, right? As the month wears on it's not surprising to find a still long-haired Alice with freshly trimmed up bangs playing with children. That seems to be her main job frankly speaking though she is keen to fumble her way through dishes, learning to cook, laundry and all that.

She might even bump into people in Old Springstar carting around more than a few bags and packs of food and other such things as she admits with a laugh:]

I'm trying to build my strength back up. It just happens I get to do that and be of service.

[ Not everyone has fond stories of the past. This tavern looks and feels like any other Alice has encountered so far, but it's hard to miss the way the warmth goes out of the room as soon as she starts asking questions about Skysong. It's a mixed bag when it comes to opinions about Downtown Kowloon, but everyone speaks of the city in the sky like a despised personal nemesis.

No one rushes to share their personal history, but there are plenty of grievances to air without needing to. A few mention things in passing, though — one was banished, others are children of people who had been banished decades back and had their lives ruined. Another's family has always lived in Old Springstar, but they hate the sky dwellers for deciding they weren't worthy and leaving them to die.

Ryouma had been doing his best not to be noticed as he drank alone in the corner, but this was the first time he'd seen another bearer since he woke up. He can tell she's a bearer because she's asking the same I've Been Asleep for a Century and Don't Know What's Happening questions that he's been asking.

He has (thankfully) found a shirt since he'd woken up, but the gaudy pirate aesthetic persists. Someone has lovingly braided his now calf-length hair and woven little trinkets into it that sometimes make noise, so he feels a bit like a cat with a bell on. It was longer before, so this was the compromise for mobility. Having to conform to someone else's ideal image grates on him terribly, but Ryouma is forced to play along, at least until he gets his bearings in this changed world. It's complicated.

Ryouma sits there smoking his cigarette and nursing his liquor for a while longer before getting up and sliding into an unoccupied seat beside Alice. This seems to convince everyone else drinking in their immediate vicinity to leave or find another seat further away. ]

... Of course.

[ He sighs and drops his glass onto the bar, which summons the bartender with great haste to refill it. ]

And please get the lady whatever she likes, alright?

[ It's free! That's normal. Otherwise, he doesn't say anything else until the bartender finishes up and goes off to do another task. ]

So! Where'd you end up?

[Alice isn't fond of ruining the atmosphere but she's definitely thankful for those who start talking without hesitation. The general attitude to Skysong fits what she thought it might, a reminder of the attitudes of near everyone in District Zero when discussing the military or government as a whole. No one spoke of any of them with warmth and more personal history than not. It's just the same here, everyone with a tale that leaves her feeling heavy hearted.

Eventually she settles in her seat just in time for Ryouma to come scooting over. She supposes her own dull outfit, the linen tunic that had been under the gambeson and armor belted at her waist alongside the brown breeches and boots, doesn't draw near as much intrigue as this man's clothing. Yet besides his words his get up tells her all she needs to know. Had whoever was looking after both of them decided on some mental image and ran with it?

Alice glances to the bartender, assuring them just water was fine before she looks back to Ryouma in momentary surprise. Then she laughs a little even if it sounds tired.]

In the Seat of the Tribune. It was where new Shard-Bearers were staying back then.

[Having to add 'back then' is so strange.]

[ Dimitri has been adjusting to the changes. Waking up in Old Springstar has left him a bit dizzy - and finding out more about the floating islands high above and all the troubles that come with it are equally dizzying. Fortunately, the people in his neighborhood are willing to fill him in. Equally willing are some off-duty legionaries who have sneaked down for a visit and found him actually awake. It's a lot to grapple with - but he tries to carry on. There are things he should be doing and could be doing and he's not about to stop just yet.

Exploring Old Springstar is on his list, of course.

It's a growing place and it appeals to him. More than the floating city overhead, if he's honest. There's some disquieting information he's picking up - but. He can't do anything about that, can he? So he's in a very contemplative mood when he runs into Alice, her hands full of bags and packs. ]

Oh, Alice-!

[ He offers a small smile. ]

You don't need help with any of that, do you?

[Forgive her if she lights up a touch at seeing him. Beyond a familiar friendly face it's good to see Dimitri up and awake with the rest of the Shard-Bearers. There is complete sincerity to her tone as she pauses near him.]

It's good to see you.

[She considers what she's packing around at the moment and then looks back up his way.]

If you're not busy and have the strength for it.

[She seems to realize how that must sound as she offers up one of the bags she's carrying. It's chiefly packed full of produce. She seems quick to correct herself just a bit.]

I didn't exactly wake up completely physically weak but it's taking some time to work back up to what I once was.

[ To be fair, he's also happy to see a familiar face. Waking up in a strange new world is disorienting enough as it is. ]

Oh, it's no trouble at all.

[ He takes the bag without much apparent effort. Perks of having a Crest, probably. ]

...well. A century of sleep is something that one has to overcome, isn't it? Strange to think about. And yet... everything is changed. Different.

I suppose so. It's certainly not something I ever thought I would find out the direct effects of anyhow.

[That was more for ... oh what was it. Sleeping Beauty? Yes. Directing her gaze back to Old Springstar at large -- or at least where the pair of them stand at the moment -- she laughs a little.]

Thoroughly different but still much the same. The areas and people might have changed but some of the problems of the old days still exist.

[Her expression dims a bit with those last words.]

Old Springstar is much like an area I knew at home, District Zero. Ungoverned but by themselves, ignored by the military with a distinct hatred for the government up above them -- none of those are good of course. They're very familiar to me though.

[Not that she spent a great deal of time in District Zero but the familiarity is still comforting. It shouldn't be but it is.]

Yes. There's still the poor... the downtrodden. People struggling to build a better life for themselves. All of those people still need our help. Maybe even more now that so many have decided to simply leave them behind and go... elsewhere.

[ The idea of just upping stakes and floating off into the sky instead of actually trying to solve the problem makes his blood run hot. It's a complete abrogation of responsibility, as far as he's concerned. ]

But we may as well try to do what we can. Which is what I imagine you're in the middle of doing?

[At his mention of those who decided to simply go elsewhere Alice's look turns somewhat tired briefly. It would make her blood run more hot if it wasn't the same as District Zero and if she didn't remember half so well the heartbreak of realizing that the military wasn't doing what it should, that in the face of so much misery her war relief efforts felt so worthless.

His questions shakes her out of her moment of remembrance though. This isn't District Zero, she wasn't eighteen and fresh out of military school bursting to be a hero to the people anymore. The Imperial Army was worlds and now a century away, that whole identity of hers wrapped up with them just as far away too.

A faint smile curves her lips again.]

That's right.

[She pauses to pat the weighed down pack on her back now.]

I've been selling off the offerings left in my Resting Room and helping out the orphanage down here. I was sent out with a supplies list today.

Oh? People were leaving offerings for you as well...

[ He laughs softly. ]

It's strange to be regarded as some kind of intercessor - although it's not that different from being a king, I suppose.

[ He hoists his bag and looks a little distant as he considers. ]

How are they doing? The orphanage that is. I'm still saddened at how much this city has changed in some ways...

[Her face turns exaggeratedly tired now.]

I never imagined there could be anything as too many blades but my room was covered in them. They were even in my hair.

[She picks up the ankle-length braid that lays over her shoulder at the moment, swaying with her steps.]

When I asked around it seems like most of them took to calling me the 'Swordmaiden'. They even dressed me up in armor!

[That bit of fuming done with Alice gives out a sigh before a slight smile picks back up on her face.]

I can imagine they've been better but they're doing the best they can. The children are all well cared for and you can see the efforts they've made to provide them not just safe housing but affection as well.

[Her expression goes just a little fond, warm in a way it rarely was at home.]

They all accepted me with little fuss really. It's been ... very nice.

The Swordmaiden... I didn't hear of a specific name for myself, but...

[ He seems a little amused before he moves on. ]

Well, I'm glad that these particular orphans are at least doing well. But whatever we can do to help them - help this place - I think will be for the best.

[ He hums softly. ]

The people here are still the same as they've ever been. Even if the lower part of Kowloon still seems to exert some undue influence.

Ah, well, I believe most people forgot who I was over time.

[That doesn't seem to bother her apparently. She plugs right along with talking.]

I think whatever we can do for the whole of Old Springstar will be for the best. Even with Kowloon influencing them we can do a great deal of good for the people we help. Change is a slow process after all.

[She seems so sure of that. And so future-thinking for a Meridian who is supposedly chasing their own world's revival. Her tone turns a touch harsher as she adds:]

I won't even go into the actions of the military in Skysong though.

[Alright maybe her blood can run a little hot over it after all.]

SKYSONG;

OLD SPRINGSTAR;

THE LAST DANCE;

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the last dance

i just gotta say, you've really inspired me with these two old guys, haha <3

<3 i love the image of snowy scales ...

what a terrific idea, agreed

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