kenoslogs | [catch-all] my body is a cage;

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[catch-all] my body is a cage;

WHO: Jade and You.
WHAT: Catch-all log for April.
WHEN: Month of April, namely after the Shard-Bearers have awakened in their respective Resting Rooms.
WHERE: Various, but mostly Old Springstar (and Skysong).
WARNINGS: Psychosis due to the Arcane Fever stuff. I'll mark in the subject headers for anything heavy.

Prompts will be added in the comments. If there's anything specific you'd like me to whip up for you, feel free to hit me up in a PM, discord, or plurk (

whippoorwill). This will be especially helpful as Jade's Arcane Fever will result in her struggle to discern what's real and what isn't, potentially causing her to hallucinate alternate versions of characters! Fun times.

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Hm.

[She's quiet a moment, thinking before she adds:]

I... didn't really have much of a home for a long time -- or places that I could consider safe. So, uh, I appreciate it. The way things are in Skysong, I don't think I could stand staying in Heliopolis anymore.

...I understand what you mean. There was always a sense of security, of soldiers... but now it feels quite different altogether. I'm not sure I enjoy it.

[ No, he's very sure. He's just trying to be... what? Polite? ]

It's not enjoyable to wake up and find so much suddenly changed.

[Well, Jade gets it. Kind of. Though she so rarely knew what that security actually felt like, she has an idea; has maybe felt it on a few occasions in her miserable life.]

Pff, I can imagine? I mean, I was only around for like a month before everything changed, but I guess it must be jarring as fuck for folks like you who made a home outta this world.

[Which isn't to say the adjustment period has been difficult for her as well, but she feels somewhat fortunate to have woken up to find herself in almost a similar conundrum as the one she was already acclimating to.]

Incredibly jarring. It's not as if we weren't aware there was change in the wind, but to miss a whole century - well. It makes you feel more than a little out of sorts.

[ He smiles wryly. ]

I'm sure you know the feeling, though. It's nothing you haven't experienced. Just... well, we had more investment here. There are people I used to recognize or know... just gone. A whole group of soldiers I led and trained with and they're retired or dead as well for the most part. It's... difficult.

[She snorts.] Yeah. There's "change" and there's... whatever the heck this is supposed to be.

[Jade motions at their general surroundings, just indicating the whole situation they're in and how utterly bizarre it is.]

I mean, there were a few orphans, sure, but no one I had any real connection to -- I'm used to people not staying in my life for very long, anyways. [Ouch.] I can't fathom what that must be like for you.

Difficult is the best way of putting it. But all I can do at this point is try to move forward and focus on ensuring that I end up getting what's been lost back. Even if I have to leave some new friends behind, sadly.

[ He purses his lips. ]

At least if it were battle or something I else I might feel as if I had a chance. But to just miss everything - that's somehow worse, I think.

It sucks, feeling like the world has moved on without you.

[Well, it isn't a feeling so much as that's literally what happened. They were asleep, and time marched on regardless, to hell with whatever anyone else actually wanted.

[Jade sighs, closing her eyes the moment she feels the air warp around her like a heatwave. The room feels hot, but cold at the same time. Wasn't it raining outside just a moment ago? No, wait. It's sunny; overcast. Snow.

[Fuck. She hates this. It's like she's losing her grip on what's real all over again.

[No, it's fine. It's fine. Everything is fine. Just smile and bear it. Nothing is wrong. No, wait, who smiles when they say shit like that? Stop it.]

Indeed...

[ He seems about to say more, but he also seems to realize that she's gone silent and closed her eyes. He leans over toward her with a frown, reaching out to gently try and touch her shoulder. ]

Are you still with me? Is it getting worse?

[At first Jade flinches when she feels Dimitri about to touch her, but she doesn't recoil from him completely. Maybe several months ago, the feral part of her would have clawed at him for the attempt at concern, but she's more amicable these days.]

Well, it sure as heck isn't getting any better.

[Her attempt at levity is hindered by a choked sound as she runs her hands down her face.]

I'll be fine. The air just feels very loud sometimes. [As if that makes any damn sense.]

...I see.

[ He thinks he gets it. Kind of. ]

Would you like to try and sleep, then? Or just rest?

[For such a simple offer, Jade seems conflicted. It was one thing when she had her own room in Heliopolis -- sure, she was always a restless sleeper, but at least she had her own space. Imposing on someone else's with the baggage she carries, it never sat well with her... even when Alice had offered that they find a place together eventually. But she'll cross that bridge when they get to it.

[Lips tightening into a thin line, Jade looks down at the sofa, mostly just avoiding looking at Dimitri, and the other details warped and changing in the room.]

I... Sure. That'd be good.

[He offered to go look for the Ambrosia ingredients, anyway. Perhaps she could take a short rest in the meanwhile and be okay.]

Please. This space is yours to use for the moment. I'll... see what I can find. You rest, try to settle yourself. This will pass, I'm sure of it.

[ Well, not that sure. ]

I'll be back as soon as I can be, alright?

i. Uptown (Old Springstar)

[Finally having managed her Arcane Fever to a somewhat more endurable level to the extent where she isn't at risk of dropping dead any second, Jade only slightly glows now, but not enough to where the effects of what ails her are actively making her trip all the balls. For better or for worse, she'll live.

[Which means it's high time for her to make good on her little promised romp into Skysong, a place of which its very existence represents everything she's always despised about the bourgeois on Vyn, and that just won't stand.

[Of course, her "journey" begins in Old Springstar, where she properly equips herself with the necessary gear -- spray paint, blunt weapons, whatever she can get her hands on that she can't just do herself.

[Once she's ready, she closes her eyes before shooting a mental communion to certain relevant parties:]

Interested in a little high-class chaos? Come to Uptown for a good time.

[Otherwise, she can be found in said Uptown, mentally preparing herself to ascend into Skysong proper whilst testing a metal bat (or bat-like club), experimenting with the feel of each swing. It's not something she's used to, but it'll do.]

ii. Skysong

[Alternatively, she might already be in Skysong proper, because of course it isn't just a one-off event. Jade's been making the most out of the cover of night, sneaking into homes, ransacking what valuables she could find, before leaving with a comically large bag to simply chuck over the edge of the floating island itself.

[Why? Because she can. Plus material wealth is bullshit. Really, they should be thanking her for relieving them of such frivolities. Just like how they should be thanking her for every window broken and every fancy statue/poster defiled with obscene graffiti to prove just how pointless their assumed peaceful existence here is.

[Most of all, every vehicle of which she telekinetically releases the brakes, only to send sailing down the steepest hills and towards their metal demise. Those things are dangerous! Send them back to the oceans!

[She's careful, of course. Or as careful as one whose sole purpose is to recklessly sow discord can possibly be. If nothing else, evading authorities is a cakewalk when you can zip away without being seen in a matter of seconds.

[Magic is great like that.]

Edited 2024-05-16 23:37 (UTC)

[Look, it takes very little to get Chloe raring for some delinquent shenanigans, so that call to arms is all she needs to get going. Springstar both old and new is still mostly unfamiliar territory for her, but that’s part of the appeal, right? A bag slung over one shoulder and her hair now back to her customary blue with a little magical help, Chloe makes her way through Old Springstar’s streets with a relaxed posture only betrayed by how long her gaze lingers on buildings and other landmarks. She’s gotta get her bearings around here somehow.

Luckily Jade isn’t too hard to spot—christ, she’d forgotten how freaking tall the woman is—and Chloe’s doubling back a little when the whiz of a bat cutting through the air draws her attention in the right direction.]

Damn girl, you really mean business, huh?

[The second she sees a familiar face, Jade stops mid-swing, realizing that- oh, someone actually did come. Isn't this nice?]

Damn right.

[She stuffs the bat in her bag, long enough to carry such a thing, then pauses when she realizes something.]

You people need some kinda bullshit badge to get up to the big pie in the sky, don't you? [Jade clicks her tongue as she says this. More reasons why she hates places like that.]

[Being told that a space is "hers", even temporarily so, is a borderline foreign concept to Jade. She blinks at Dimitri at first, his face twisting and expression transforming from something bloody and manic to his normal complexion.

[It takes every bit of willpower to force her mouth into a tight smile when she responds:]

Alright.

And... thanks. It beats sleeping on the streets again.

[How much sleep she'll actually end up getting is debatable. As the violet bones pulse on her skin like a lurid burn, Jade stiffly nods before starting to curl up on the sofa, clutching Dimitri's cloak around her like a blanket.]

Be well. I'll be back...

[ He gives her shoulder one little pat through the cloak and then heads for the door with his list of ingredients.

He will be back, whether he's successful or not. ]

Try to rest.

Oh, fuck yes.

[ Even with the gloomy, somewhat unsettling vibe of Tezcatlipoca’s mind, the message is not only received warmly, but it is received with enthusiasm. He’s delighted that she seems to have taken his suggestion to heart after all! It was very much something he’d suggested jokingly… But is happy for it to not end up being a joke. ]

I’ll be over there ASAP. Hangin’ in Kowloon at the moment, even. So, you want anything special? I can grab goodies on my way!

[ goodies meaning like. Weapons and/or drugs. But. ]

[Oh good! He responded.]

Just your sweet ass.

[Sorry, she's cringe. Did she say that out loud or just think it? Or both? Oh well. What is shame, anyway?]

Think I've got everything I need. But some extra shots would probably be good, if you can get any. I like those cute little bottles. Ooh, and maybe some petals, or whatever you people use to smoke. [She's still arguably sober, albeit a little tipsy.]

[ At a certain point in Jade's evening of noble lawlessness, she'll turn to sneak back out the window she came in through, only to find that the window is....... not there anymore. It's gone. Oh, did she get turned around and the window is on the other side of the room? Nope. This home she's broken into suddenly has no windows. ]

Where exactly do you think you're going with that, Miss Jade?

[ Just as inexplicably and instantaneously as the windows had disappeared, Howl is standing in the center of the room, dressed in a long smoking jacket and velvet pajama pants. Despite it being the middle of the sunlit night, he looks as dolled-up as he always does: hair perfect, skin perfect, eyes outlined. Did he go to bed looking like this? ]

Put it down. And, tell me how you managed to get in here.

[Fuck, right. She’d forgotten about that. Mostly it just sounds more annoying than anything else.]

Can’t have a damn dirty Zenith like me running around without everyone knowing.

[She rolls her eyes and shrugs, letting the sarcasm in her voice level out a little as she continues.]

Whatever, I’ll throw it in the trash when I get up there. As long as they’re not sticking cops on my ass it doesn’t matter, right?

[ Nothing he has either, at least, since he laughs easily in response. ]

Lil' bottles, somethin' good to smoke, and anything else fun I find on the way, got it.

[ His ass, clearly, goes without saying. ]

Yeah, gimme twenty and we're good and I'll meet ya. Which part are ya hangin' in? Ain't the most popular around your sides of town, considerin', but I still know my way around. There's plenty that Meridian's got goin' on that's more my vibe.

[At first, the window disappearance is just... odd. Had Jade not experienced a similar phenomenon during her experience with the Rhalâta, she might have reacted with a bit more shock. Instead, she has more of a dull "well, that was unexpected" flinch of the shoulders, brows lifting and eyes darting from the now-windowless wall to the comfortably dressed up inhabitant.]

Neat trick. Somebody's gonna have to show me how that works sometime...

[The illusions she creates can't do anything quite like that, at least.

[Rather than dismay or denial, Jade simply shrugs, before casually setting down the bag as instructed.]

Pardon me. I wasn't aware that this was your residency.

[There's a sort of forced politeness in her demeanor when she speaks, like she usually does when she's trying to tailor a situation to go her way.]

Hmm...

[Eyes narrowing into a contemplative expression, Jade studies Chloe for a moment. Though she knows very well that can make herself or her apparitions invisible, she's never made such an attempt on another living person before. But that doesn't mean it's impossible, does it?]

Y'know, I could attempt a Psionic veil to keep you from being seen. That way there's no physical "paper trail" linking you to any tomfoolery going on in their pretty little streets. Whether or not that'll work... Well, that's another story.

[But when in doubt, use the ~Jedi mind tricks~ you learned within the span of a few months.]

Twenty minutes... Peachy.

[As for where she's hanging around...]

Would outside of that Uptown Cache place be as good a meeting point as any? I was just perusing there earlier.

[In case she found any other knickknacks or supplies that she could use for her little adventure. Mostly, she was just curious, as she tends to be.]

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[catch-all] my body is a cage;

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Wrecking ball; OPEN

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