lifeaftr | October Intro: Louder than Sirens, Louder than Bells

Entry tags:

October Intro: Louder than Sirens, Louder than Bells

INTRO LOG: OCTOBER

Who: Everyone!
What: New souls arrive to the archipelago of LifeAftr
When: October 3rd
Where: Ensō
Warnings: Mark as needed!

The Beach: For All the Rest
The shores of Ensō are far from the tranquil, almost idyllic tropical backdrop that they should be. And so it is that while you fish, or perhaps as you go about your daily business on the islets, the first thing you will note is the persistent sound hammering at the back of your skull.

A drumming.

And it's growing louder.

The source of the drumming will, like it or not, soon become apparent. At the fringes of the trees, wielding slings and hollow, wooden pistols, is a group of large and very displeased simians who have every intent of claiming this spot of beach - yes, traveler, this spot of beach you're standing on right now! - for their own, and by any means necessary.

And they certainly don't look interested in diplomacy.

If you came armed, you might be in luck, because this conflict will require your steady hand in its resolution. If you did not...well, you may be better suited to run, or risk capture at the hands of warriors skilled, cunning, and incredibly vicious. Laugh at their monkey business all you like; they are ingenious fighters and, what's more, they're just as good at killing as they are at capture.

For the uninitiated, this particular brand of chaos doesn't usually sweep across the entire island the way it has. But those who have been here for some time will recognize the monkeys in question, and might even recognize this for what it is: revenge.

Group I: The Squeakquel
Looks like your monkeying around last month has landed you and everyone else in a spot of trouble. The monkeys in question certainly weren't happy to be confronted with others on their lands, nor are they willing to share their territory. While you may have triumphed last time you confronted them, the apes have been planning their revenge in the meantime.

Some of you were unlucky enough to become targets. Overnight, a great deal of them silently invaded the islets. Their blow-dart guns are equipped with a fairly powerful sedative that is more than capable of knocking most living creatures out - and those that were immune were simply snatched up, gagged, and bundled away.

However, it seems that some of their prisoners didn't suit their purposes, for one way or another, and thus weren't retrieved with the intention of long-term capture. Which is why a number of you will awaken in regions of the island that you've already explored.

...the really, really dangerous ones.

Whether it's a Center of Gravity, a parade of centipuppies, a contingent of Lungblossoms, a Fustercluck, or something else entirely, one thing is certain: the monkeys wanted you out of their way.

So get ready to fight for your life.

Group II: Ape Escape
If you're not one of the slightly luckier newcomers that materializes on the shore, then you're one of the unlucky ones that's managed to materialize square in the middle of the jungle. Or rather, in the middle of one of the denser, more populated parts of the jungle. The abodes woven into the canopy are crude, built of mud and sticks, but they're nonetheless sturdy.

And, as an important note - they are also swarming with monkeys. Snarling, baying, armed monkeys. Perhaps they'd be more hostile toward an interloper...if you weren't already in a cage, along with several others.

Fortunately for the newbies, they've all got something the monkeys didn't anticipate, aside from the element of surprise. Most prisoners don't arrive with knapsacks full of newly-acquired gear, and it's a good thing, too - you may very well need it, and the help of the new arrivals, to escape this place. You could always wait for the cavalry to come, but are you really willing to take that risk?

Group III: Pot Luck
As for you, you terribly fortunate third group?

You'll find yourselves suspended in wooden cages as well, though this time, to the hot curtain of whitish steam clouding your vision. It smells an awful lot like smoke down there. An awful lot like something...burning? Unlike your fellows over in the second group, these cages aren't simply a means of containing you, no. These cages are currently hanging over what might be the largest cast iron cauldron you've ever seen. All of this is, of course, for one simple reason:

Some species of monkeys are carnivores.

The acrid scent of smoke is already hot and rancid in your nostrils; the pyre beneath you has been lit, and the hungry flames are beginning to boil the water below quite eagerly. We'd suggest you hurry up in freeing yourself and your fellows - being boiled alive is not a particularly pleasant way to go. At least the monkeys weren't expecting quite so many main courses so soon, which allows you the element of surprise.

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.

All new arrivals will awake with knapsacks with their names stitched to the front. The contents of said knapsacks can be found below!

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

I.

[Lunafreya will not, in fact, find out very much about her knapsack at all as yet, because suddenly materializing on an unknown shore to the beat of drums and the threat of attack is rather a bit distracting.]

What...?

[She has misty, dreamy recollections of another island--of Sir Scientia and her dear Noctis and a girl whose name she never asked. Of something rather like she imagined Carbuncle to look, from Noctis's description. But it all vanishes completely out of her mind when confronted with the reality of sun, of sand, and sound.

For now, she's completely out of her depth. Lunafreya turns and bolts for the cover of the rising stone pillars and the cliff caves beyond them as darts begin to pepper the sand behind her.]

Someone--Noctis!

[It's the only name she can think to call.]

II.

[After retreating to cover, Luna's been able to get a handle on the situation.

Armed with her trident, staying low to the ground, divested of her absolutely useless heels, she creeps in the shadows, looking for anyone who might need her help.

She has water. She has ~~a toothbrush~~ strips of fabric torn from her already-ruined dress to use as bandages. And what's more, she has healing powers she fully intends to use on anyone injured in this battle.

When she finds someone, she hurries over, speaking softly and urgently.]

Are you hurt?

[Nyx had been trying to fish on the beach when he had first heard the drums. The second he heard the first beat he'd run back to the beach, out of the shallows to scoop up his otherwise discarded jacket and knapsack pulling both on. Then he was rushing, throwing his kukris as far as he could and warping just as the first few rocks were flung at him.

He kept running, keeping his eyes and ears peeled for anyone else caught off-guard. When he heard Lunafreya's shout he didn't immediately register the familiarity of it. All he really heard was 'Noctis' and that was enough to have him hurrying and warping as fast as he could.

And he arrives, boots skidding slightly as he rose his hand, a few more darts bouncing almost harmlessly off a clear barrier. When he finally glanced over his shoulder - the cracks from the Ring's use already creeping up his neck - to see who had been shouting his eyes widen, surprised.

... Okay but that surprise could wait. Instead, he just has to laugh in disbelief, letting the barrier drop so he could catch up to her.]

Are we really doing this again, your highness?

[Her own eyes grow wide, but only for a moment. In the brief half a second he needs to draw even with her, Lunafreya takes advantage of their pursuers' split attention to yank off her shoes. They're worse than useless in this sand, and the two of them need to run.]

Let us save the pleasantries, shall we, Sir Ulric?

[She's glad her bloody dress is already ruined. The ripped side makes it much easier to move, even if the sand slows her immensely. She's a religious figurehead and a former princess. She's not used to running.

As soon as she reaches a pillar she ducks behind it, taking a moment to catch her breath.]

What are they? Why are they attacking this shore?

[When they reach the pillar he ducks behind after her, peeking around with a small frown.]

Would you believe me if I told you they looked like monkeys? Really angry monkeys?

[Nyx really wasn't too interested in what they were, he was more concerned with where they'd come from.]

If I had to take a guess they want the beach... That or to drive us into a trap.

[And immediately he was scanning the area around them, drawing his kukris from where he had it sheathed.]

We should keep moving. If we can find a mana pool we can get over to one of the Islets or at least find the others.

[Lunafreya nods and tightens her grip on her trident, though she understands very little of what he's saying. Nyx has earned her trust a thousandfold and he says they should move. That's more than enough for her, under these incomprehensible circumstasnces.]

Their numbers are too great for the two of us alone to combat.

[Never mind that Lunafreya's a barefoot civilian, more or less. At least she's armed this time.]

I trust you've a direction in mind. [Not a question. She has faith.] Can we travel undetected?

[Please, Nyx has seen what she could pull off unarmed. Having a trident just gives them more of an edge if it came time to fight.

Not that he wanted one, not with the odds so uneven.]

Hopefully, we've just got to stay on guard. [He takes a cautious step forward, taking in their surroundings before nodding.] At least nothing's tracking us this time.

That should make things easier. And these are beasts of day, not daemons.

[She follows, watching their backs as best she can, untrained. For now, it looks like their attackers are too far away to do much.]

The others. Have you any way to contact them?

[Whoever they are.]

[A voice from someone standing just ahead, safely at the edge of the treeline, calls out to her:]

This way, dearie!

[Welp, this is... definitely not Noctis.]

[On the other hand, she just used a line of purple light to lash away a dart aimed for Lunafreya, and then whipped it around to give one of the apes a good smack across the face, so now might not be the time to get picky about that. Sure, she doesn't look particularly human, but beggars can't be choosers, right?]

[That's a daemon. Right? Lunafreya is no expert on daemonology, but she's pretty sure there are daemons just like that in some of Eos's creepier caves.

On the other hand, daemons don't usually fight the local wildlife on one's behalf, and Luna's in no position to look a gift chocobo in the mouth. At least heading towards the trees will mean she tried.

Against all reason, she runs towards the daemon, panting and holding tightly to her trident. Once she's behind the treeline, she presses her back against the other side of a tree, hoping it's protection enough for at least a moment.]

My--my thanks.

[She's royalty, why does so much of her life involve running?]

[Muffet smiles at her, an expression that manages to be surprisingly warm and friendly, despite how sharp her fangs are.]

Ah, it was my pleasure. Those horrible creatures have been going after everyone they can reach today, it seems.

[She pauses thoughtfully. There are a fairly large number of castaways, her not recognizing this woman from anywhere doesn't necessarily mean anything, but...]

I don't believe we've met before. Are you a new arrival to this place, if you don't mind my asking?

[Daemons certainly don't speak so politely. Luna hesitates for a moment, then nods.]

Yes, I... I believe I must be. [She looks back once more to see whether or not she's being pursued, then shakes her head, trying to regain some semblance of grace.] Quite suddenly, I... appeared on the shore, just there.

[She gestures towards the beach and finally leaves the support of the tree, balancing with her trident instead.]

I am Lunafreya Nox Fleuret. And what might I call you, kind stranger?

[She gives her a sympathetic look.]

The rest of us arrived in similar ways, about three months ago. We haven't discovered how we were brought here or a way to get everyone home, thus far, but we've made some strides in securing ourselves food, shelter, and other necessities. Normally I'd offer to help you get settled, but I'm afraid you've come in at a more chaotic time than usual.

[She responds to the introduction with a brief, polite curtsey.]

My name is Muffet. It's a pleasure to meet you, circumstances aside.

[Lunafreya smiles and offers a trained curtsy of her own.]

The pleasure and honor are mine, Lady Muffet. Circumstances aside.

[Becoming serious again, she peers out at the apes and monkeys overrunning the beach.]

What are those creatures, pray tell? What are they after?

Oh, it's just Miss Muffet, dearie- although I am flattered.

[She looks grimly out at the beach, scanning the area cautiously for any simians that might be getting too close to their shelter.]

Exactly what they are, beyond some sort of heavily armed and very aggressive ape, I'm not entirely certain. We've been exploring the island since our arrive, trying to discover more resources and information, and we found their camp a little over a week ago.

They attacked us on sight, ignored all attempts we made to peacefully negotiate, and cut off our attempt to retreat. Our expedition group fought back-no deaths on either side, as far as I'm aware, I was certainly sticking to nonlethal attacks- and eventually forced them to run. At which point we took whatever weapons they'd left behind and returned to our camp.

Which they attacked this morning.

An act of retaliation, then. Thank you; I understand.

[Even with Miss Muffet's reassurances that they'd done all they could to avoid violence--the negotiations, the retreat--it's hard not to feel for the creatures. Of course they'd attack, if they felt they were being invaded.

(It's a little hard not to understand, looking at Miss Muffet's limbs and fangs.)

Still, it's not the time to wonder about that, not when she's been dropped literally into the middle of battle. She looks up again.]

Are there very many of you? If you fought them off before, I'd expect greater numbers than this.

[And if they're not here, they might be injured, or worse.]

[Honestly, Muffet can't entirely blame them, herself- monsters never were very good at holding grudges. It's part of why, even now, she's stuck to binding them up or tossing them away instead of shooting to kill.]

[A kindness they have very much not returned.]

Yes, there are quite a few castaways by now- I don't know the exact amount, but I suspect it's at least three or four dozen of us. As I said, they attacked our main camp, and I suspected they were looking for prisoners- one of them tried to carry me off.

[She's speaking calmly, but her expression is tense, worried. These are people who've been trying to help each other survive for the past couple months, and while she knows they're all very capable, she can't help but be concerned about everyone who's missing right now.]

Then others are likely captive, and some may be injured.

[Okay, here we go. If people need help, then Lunafreya knows what she must do.]

Would they have taken them back to their camp, do you think?

[Muffet nods.]

It seems the most likely option, to me. I've been trying to figure out the quickest route there, from what I remember of the last time we saw it. It's mostly an issue of figuring out how to get past here without drawing more attention than I can easily deal with...

[Hmm.]

My bloodline is that of healers and god-speakers, and I've little skill in combat or concealment. But should it come to battle, I can at least protect myself, and I have some defensive magic to my name.

[She appreciates the willingness to help, but one part of that description in particular catches her attention.]

God-speakers, you say? Would that happen to involve any negotiating with deities personally?

[She explains:]

There's an entity here called the Storyteller, the god of this island. They've been helpful in various ways, although our priorities are sometimes rather different. Their temple is nearby, a little further into the woods along the route I was planning to take...

[Does she negotiate with deities personally? onedirectionhahaha.mp3]

Yes. One of my functions is to forge covenants between the Astral gods and the King of Lucis.

[Whether they like it or not.]

I believe this island's Storyteller spoke with me briefly before my arrival. If you believe petitioning them for their help would yield fruit, I would be more than glad to try.

[Excellent. Muffet smiles, a plan beginning to take shape.]

It certainly couldn't hurt. I'd be surprised if they weren't aware of what was happening, by now, but any more help or information we can get from them would be good- and I suspect it might be a good way to keep you out of the thick of the fighting, since they're unlikely to appreciate the apes trying to attack someone in the middle of their temple.

[At least, she certainly hopes so. Having somewhere safe to put any noncombatants could be invaluable all by itself.]

If you're willing to follow me there, I should be able to guard you from them long enough to get you into the temple, then I can lead any of them still after us off deeper into the woods.

(no subject)

shedgrace - 2017-10-06 06:01 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

prettypurpleparlor - 2017-10-07 01:56 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

shedgrace - 2017-10-07 08:15 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

prettypurpleparlor - 2017-10-08 18:44 (UTC) - Expand

[It's easy to see why she would have her concerns- they've been in the midst of the fighting since it began, and their clothes have paid the price for it. Aside from a wide rip in their shirt's shoulder, Chara is practically caked in blood; shirt stained, face splattered.

But the initial response she gains is a child practically leaping a foot into the air, whirling round with a knife pointed her way, eyes sharp and smile- wide. Empty. Practically painted on in how false it is.

A moment, for them to register her as human.

A moment longer, before they're capable of forcing themself to lower the knife.]

I'm fine, ma'am. Are you similarly well?

[She has a weapon, at least. And the majority of the mess on her clothes appears to simply be dirt.]

[Nani the fuck.

This is a child. A child, not like the bright-eyed boy she still sees in Noctis but one who can't be older than she was when the Empire dropped flame and bullets into her home. A child whose smile is as frightening and deadly as the knife they wield.

Lunafreya stills, awed by all she has to unpack in the five seconds of information presented to her, then nods carefully. The urge to put down her trident and kneel to prove she means no harm is strong, but anyone who says, "I'm fine, ma'am," while soaked in blood is not someone she ought to patronize.]

Yes, I've taken no injury.

[None but to her sense of justice. What happened to make someone so young so... Luna has no reason to make this comparison, but she can't help but think of Ravus, twisted by pain and grief.

She must see what she can do for this child. Must get them to stay with her, at least for a moment.]

My name is Lunafreya. I am a healer-- [That's the most important information for them to know.] --so I am offering what help I am able. But I confess, I have only the barest understanding of the circumstances behind this bloodshed. [There, a weakness. She shakes her head.] Have you time to take some water before returning to the fray?

[Hush baka, it's not like they want to stab you or anything.

At least, not without reason. She makes no untoward motion- blessedly refraining from dropping to her knees as they listen to her explanation, smile solidly in place. Unshifting, regardless of how unsettling it may be.

They hardly have time to care about whether people can handle their scary face]

Greetings, Lunafreya- I am Kidwun. You have arrived at a rather unfortunate juncture, I must say, [One could easily call it a bad time, haha.] though your talents are welcome.

[There's a short pause- a moment of hesitation, before they add to their words.]

If you have some, I would be remiss to decline, ma'am.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

October Intro: Louder than Sirens, Louder than Bells

no subject

I

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

I

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

ii!

no subject

no subject