lifeaftr | September Intro: Knowledge is Hot Water on Wool

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September Intro: Knowledge is Hot Water on Wool

INTRO LOG: SEPTEMBER

Who: Everyone!
What: The Storyteller makes use of their first offering, and new souls arrive to the archipelago of LifeAftr
When: September 2nd
Where: Ensō...and surrounding lands
Warnings: Mark as needed!

Part I: New Arrivals
You probably didn’t last fall asleep on the warm spit of white sand that you find yourself, but nonetheless, that is where you awaken. There’s the hush of waves lapping up against the edges of the beach and the soft chill of a coastal breeze stirring at your surroundings, but the place is, all things considered, quite peaceful. The sun is merciless as it reflects across the glittering spread of seawater that surrounds you on three sides.

Three sides.

You’re on an island, if a rather small one. It can’t be much more than a mile across at the height of its length, and what’s more, it’s dotted with small, straggling outcrops of stone buildings that look as though they may have once been used for shelter of some sort or another, now weather beaten and wind-blasted. If you peer into the distance, it will rapidly become clear that you are on one small islet of a grouping of five. Battered bridges of wood-and-rope swing precariously between each one, joining them in a rough circle.

What’s more is that you aren't alone. You'll find that you have one or two companions waking on the islet alongside you, and each will discover a knapsack with their name stitched to the front, containing a paltry number of items, along with any rewards you may have accrued. There's probably a way off these islets, and a means of accessing the shadowy lump of a mainland that rears up in the distance, maybe two miles across the stretch of sea...but what is it?

We do recommend treading carefully, and not simply embarking on a poorly-advised mission to swim all the way there. A school of tiger-sharks have begun to stir up the waters surrounding the islets, hungry for fresh meat. They are at least edible - if you can succeed in taking one down, that is. If you do not, don’t worry: at least you have shelter. Very dilapidated, ruined, half-crumbled shelter that will hardly serve as protection against wind and rain, but surely that's better than no shelter at all, right?

As a final note to those who participated in the Test Drive Meme, bear in mind that those threads, if all parties involved would like, can be game canon in the form of dream-like memories involving a place very much like this one, though the layout is considerably different.

Part II: Old Souls
A floral, faintly bitter tang rings about the air of the ruined temple this morning. As you rise, you may find a familiar scene: a rabbit with snow-white fur, crouched nearby a dilapidated pillar, thumping their foot impatiently. They look to you, or perhaps they are addressing the room as a whole when they say:

"Ah. Finally. First, I must thank you for fulfilling your end of our transaction - your stories have done their job. Thus, it is time for me to fulfill mine. I've arranged something for you all. I’m aware that in many worlds there is a poor association with following white rabbits, so perhaps you would find the flowered path more enticing." The Storyteller shifts their gray tome from one paw to the other, giving a great leap across the fallen pillar. "Now, what I am about to grant you…there are procedures, of course. You must follow the instructions to begin with. And then, well - you need a place to go. You needn’t even need a name, specifically. The power will know. Simply be sure to tell it."

The rabbit sniffs and flicks an ear. "Just remember what I ask: no bathing, please. For all's sake."

And then they bound off into the darkness, disappearing just before the shadows engulf them wholly.

Indeed, where the dust-trodden ground gives way to grass, a sparse growth of white flowers have blossomed, winding wildly through the growth and leading around the temple’s exterior.

Those who find fit to follow the Storyteller's suggestion will find, first, that the path of flowers leads them to an outcropping of stone that overlooks the great cove formed by Ensō’s landmass. In the distance, just short of the ocean’s horizon, a white scatter of islets sit in the blue-jade waters. Those certainly hadn’t been there before, had they? Intrepid explorers, be patient: the path of flowers doesn't end here. In fact, it veers off cleanly in the direction of the mana pool behind the Storyteller's ruins.

Upon arriving at the pool, characters will find that the narcissus flowers have bloomed in full and prolific splendor around its edges, filling the humid air with a thick scent of bitter hay and honey. Upon a great slab of stone rising from the edge of the pool, a strange limerick seems to have been engraved:

A flower once loved above all,
The hubris of his mirror-thrall.
Were he water-lily!
Yet fate wet and pithy,
Narcissus, what a fate to befall.
No other instructions appear to have been left other than this cryptic rhyme. Should characters solve this riddle, however, they will find themselves engulfed in a flash of blinding white light, given the briefest sensation of falling…

Followed by the familiar vision of Ensō looming in the distance. Quite far out, in fact. Their surroundings have dramatically shifted from a lush jungle to an almost barren island, surrounded on its sides by four nearly identical islets. It would appear that any characters who use the mana pool have been randomly transported to one of the five islets appeared overnight. Other than a nearly identical mana pool lapping at their feet, it would seem that - aside from weather-worn, dilapidated shacks and shelters - these islands don’t have much on them at all.

Except, perhaps, new faces.

Feeling a tad adrift? Make sure to check the Locations Page, which has details regarding the starting areas and a handy map for those who feel better with a bird's eye view!

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Him again. They're not even remotely impressed with his abrupt- and demanding- intrusion upon their own investigation-- and they're even less impressed upon seeing what, precisely, he's struggling to comprehend.

Some worlds just want to create the most basic bitches.]

A flower. Narcissus tazetta of the Narcissus genus, if I'm not mistaken.

[And you, sir, are an idiot.]

[A flower named 'Narcissus'. Or is it the other way around? Everything important had a name and it would make sense that this too had one.

It's an interesting thought, a bit of life he's never seen before, and a flash of what tentatively could be called curiosity flashes across his features before being smothered by that usual blank stare.

And if it should matter the Batter choose to ask Chara for help even after their last conversation, he doesn't comment on it.]

I see. It has to do with this puzzle.

[He has an idea of what it could be, but with no knowledge of what flowers were, found himself stumped. But at least he didn't have to deal with the Puppeteer walking him around until they solved it this time.]

[The Batter hasn't been through true hell until his player tries to beat Mettaton's puzzle within the time limit.]

Amazing. I can see that you hardly need further assistance, then.

[The more they speak, the dryer their voice becomes. Gesturing to his flower, Chara folds their arms- clearly not intent on going anywhere in the next five minutes.]

Why not attempt to solve it, then? I will wait.

[He knows that tone but it's not worth commenting on. So he merely moves back to the pool to re-read the inscription.

It only takes a few minutes. Chara was giving him too little credit and he has solved a puzzle like this once, or rather, his Puppeteer did. But he watched as they worked out the information given from a poem and directed him to say the code gleaned from it. All he had to do was recall and use it.

So he tosses in the flower with very little ceremony. If the transfer takes Chara along for the ride, so be it or if they choose to follow.

It makes little difference to the Batter.]

[Congratulations! Your prize, good sir, is a tiny series of islets, interconnected through the cunning use of half ruined bridges.

As he steps away from the mana pool, another, green flash of light indicates the arrival of his impromptu guide, for this ~~zone~~ stretch of the islands.]

Congratulations, on the cunning use of your brain.

[It's not as cutting as it could be. They have an eye for the new surroundings, gaze instantly alighting on the nearest building. Without another word, they make towards it- he's free to follow if he wishes, but anything they find is not getting shared.]

[The Batter turns to stare at Chara when they make that comment but doesn't say anything himself.

Ah, that was a familiar comment. But if there's anything in his expression that suggests he finds it that way, it's gone within a minute.

The child moves on and the Batter follows without comment either, taking in the sights himself. Evidently he doesn't mind the child taking the lead.

In fact, he seems used to it.]

[If they didn't want him about, he'd know- but for the moment, someone who's proven himself proficient in a fight is precisely the unwanted companion they require. The first cottage entered is done so cautiously; knife drawn and gripped tightly in their palm as they skirt around the doorway for a moment, before deciding it's safe enough to enter.

It's obvious, just in a brief sweep of the large room, that there's nothing of value to find, here. Not even wooden planks composing a floor.]

...This is what that rabbit considers a reward?

[It was almost like the living spaces made for the Elsens in Zone 2, although on a smaller scale. But now they were no longer in a state that one could live in...unless they were someone who did not care for comfort and the possibility of dealing with the elements.

The Batter remains by the doorway, having come to the same conclusion as Chara that there was nothing valuable here. If people were to live in these, then repairs needed to be made.]

It seems so.

[He supposes one should be disappointed by this reward - Chara certainly sounds that way - but he can't feel it. But the Batter does understand the intention behind it. A living space for those who arrived here.]

They will have to be fixed later.

If a god is capable of pulling together a series of islands in one night, they should be a little more equipped to provide shelter.

[Chara can almost imagine the stupid creature's response; building homes, building character. As if they hadn't already been given enough to worry about- the need to survive inspiring travel purely to locate enough to feed them all.

They kick a small rock into the wall. The resulting crack echos in the barren, sad space, before Chara approaches the doorway, regarding the Batter with a baleful stare that says, move.]

[The Batter makes a non-committal noise in response to Chara's statement. He had his own thoughts on the matter of the Storyteller but there was little reason or worth in sharing them. Gods and their like worked in strange ways, from a child who held crayons in his hands to a being that could hear and see everything but was fated to never change anything.
You count, even if you never finished what you started Bird.
Instead he merely observes the child before him with an unchanging expression. For what reason will be left known only to him. The rock cracks against the wall and the Batter's eyes are drawn to that for a moment before Chara approaches, asking without words for him to get out of the way.

The Batter obliges and steps outside. No reason to protest them leaving and they both established there was nothing inside the shelter to make it worth staying inside.]

It may be capable of more.

["More" naturally was subjective. This God was interested in their stories and giving it more would get more, he assumes. If that was always a good thing on the other hand remains to be seen.]

[Even though they'd already confirmed it, Chara has to be certain. There's a set amount of stubbornness, in the way they march to the next, run down building; a DETERMINATION in their strides that speaks of how unwilling they are to give up on this search, until they've seen the interior of every, single, building.
What can I say? There are some things that you can't just turn OFF.
They're still listening, however.]

It is absolutely capable of more. For all it may be providing due to our stories- consider that these may very well be the dregs of it's power.

[It is unlikely to be putting it's utmost into assisting them. Doubtless, the more they gain, the more it's keeping for itself.]

[The child goes about this almost like checking items off a to-do list. The Batter does not have any reasons to go against this manner of search - in fact, it's fairly close to his own way of doing things.

So he simply follows.]

You believe it is not helping us to its full capabilities.

[It's a reasonable conclusion to reach based on their statement. The Storyteller had been able to create all of this and enter the mind of someone who did not dream. The Batter had only gotten the basics of what the God had to offer so he was lacking the details of why the Storyteller needed what it needed.

Perhaps that was the downside of being someone who did not dive too deeply into the 'hows' and 'whys' of others. But it's best to not get into that subject at all either.]

Would you?

[It's only logic, isn't it? No one does anything without something to gain out of it for themself. At the least, they know for certain that in it's place, they would be doing precisely what the Storyteller seems to be.

Passing off shoddy rewards as a show of power, and revealing nothing of it's true intents.]

From personal experience, it is not the nature of gods to care much for mortals. No; it may truly be insulted that we have come here in such a manner, but we are hardly it's priority.

[Again, the Batter's response to Chara's question is a non-committal noise. That was a particular subject he didn't feel like getting into a debate with a child.

His answer would have been 'yes'. If he was in the Storyteller's position and it was required of him, the Batter would help. No matter what...and whatever that may entail.]

God is God. [But that is his own personal experiences talking, and neither agreeing or disagreeing with Chara.] But it is useful.

[So, not an optimistic "Things will totally work out!" but general pragmatism. But that's just him.]

[They take the noise as reluctant agreement- an inability to deny their words, but a lack of personal conviction to own them. So be it.

Their opinion of them is already too low for such a thing to affect it, much. Really, it's just to be expected. They shrug, ducking quickly into the next building- and coming right back out seconds later, making a path to the third.]

For now, certainly. But I wouldn't count on it lasting.

[They can take it however they like. The Batter was not one to care. Instead he just watches the child go in and out of the building.]

Until the moment they let go, then.

[He says it like the undeniable inevitably it is. God will let go once they have finished their job.

He can still feel the severed strings around his limbs, physically, mentally and metaphorically. The Puppeteer was no longer here but both of them could not forget. Escaping from your purpose is impossible.]

We will have to supply the rest.

Oh? And here I thought your "higher purpose" would place such a thing below you.

[If they weren't currently preoccupied by more important things, there would certainly be far more barb in their voice. As it stands, it's simply commentary. Said as flippantly as one might talk about the weather.]

Survival is necessary here.

[A more jokey person may put a 'no duh' here, but Chara would be a fool to expect it. So it's just a blunt statement. And if the child also expects him to be annoyed by their flippant commentary they'll also be disappointed.

He's already been judged for it and won. It doesn't matter anymore.]

[Congratulations- you've proven capable of using your brain. Again, their ire is directed towards the empty buildings they've been gifted with.

They've practically scoured the entire first island, slowly coming to a halt by one of the bridges, Chara doesn't make a move to cross. They look... almost as bad as the half-crumbed shacks about them, and they don't particularly feel like taking a dunk just because they chanced being the first to test their structural integrity.

Aside from that, they don't hold much confidence in finding anything different.]

This is it, then. Our first reward.

[Yes, it's pretty obvious the bridges have seen better days. And if a child is hesitant to cross then something adult-shaped would likely have trouble as well. So the Batter notes it down mentally as a risk.]

It appears so.

[Again, one could be disappointed with the results. Stranded on an unknown island with barely any shelter and knowledge of the surrounding areas regarding food would be extremely worrisome to those would could feel it. Then being told they would receive help in exchange for stories, only to get broken shelters in return.

Yes. That would be disappointing. The Batter pauses for a minute before shaking his head. Seems something was up. Or just missing.]

The pool would be useful, if it applied to the whole island.

[It reminded him of the Save Blocks and the Nothingness.]

It would, but it appears exercise is going to be involved.

[Unless there were more instructions yet to be advised, they doubt the pools will be depositing them at their doorsteps anytime soon. Or anywhere useful at all, though the fact that they could is something to keep an eye on.

Disappointment is certainly one word for what they're feeling. A lack of surprise accompanies it, alongside plenty of frustration. They had hoped that they would be provided some manner of safety- something with which to protect their Partner, just a little more.

As always, it appears they'll have to make do.]

...I do believe there are people, on that island. Do any of them seem familiar, to you?

No.

[It would be very, very easy to tell if the Batter knew someone and equally as easy to pick them out from a crowd. The Guardian's from their unique appearances, the Elsen and their fearful personality, the merchant's bizarre mannerisms...

The Judge, the Queen and Hugo.

...he's done with that line of thought.]

Do you?

[Is someone feeling their sins crawl, Batter?

Enjoy freedom from that for the next ten days, buddy pal chum. Every kingdom has it's ruler.]

No. [They eye them off, slowly making a tally of the figures. More than just two or three- they can see another, on the island to the left. Another still.]

The islands second batch of adventurers.

[He's unfeeling, remember?

What happens when that happens is his own personal business.]

Yes. The Storyteller said it is not the one who brought us here.

[Which is an interesting point to make. Naturally it could be lying and, given it needed their stories, seemed a logical conclusion to make. But they didn't know everything about the island or those who lived in it, Gods or otherwise.

So it was something worth looking into as well.]

[Jokes on you Batter even the most asshole of LV 20s feel shit whether they want to or not.]

It did. So if it is not lying, on that front, then whomever decided to bring us here is still active.

[And that is certainly a point of interest.]

September Intro: Knowledge is Hot Water on Wool

The Pool

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