October Intro: Louder than Sirens, Louder than Bells

[lifeaftr_mods]

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 )

Comments

Ouse | OTA | idk sometime after cage escape

[immortalflower]

[At some point, having been able to escape and end her undignified need to be carried outta there, Ouse has ended up alone. Perhaps in the confusion she'd gotten separated from the men and now found herself staring out at the relative carnage following the prisoners escaping and the monkeys going into a frenzy.

Despite a few dirt smudges, Ouse manages to stick out by still being in a more-or-less pristine white wedding kimono, her knapsack clutched tightly to her as she tries to avoid the main conflicts, knowing she'd be useless without access to a steadier water source. But her knife is clutched in her hand still anyhow, just in case.

It's hard to be inconspicuous in all-white, however, and it isn't long before a monkey catches up to her. She can only move with rather slow, deliberate steps so it's not too surprising either, but as she turns to face the monkey she lifts her hood just a little...

For a moment, her appearance wavers and changes; this particular monkey seems at least smart enough to not want to fuck with whatever that is and quickly hightails it out of there in search of less pants-shittingly terrifying prey. The entire effect lasts only a second or two, a blink of an eye, before she's back to her more human appearance and she heaves a deep sigh, lifting her head to survey the area again.

Despite the violence, she seems hardly moved by it. Honestly, she's seen a lot worse and a lot gorier things and she's rather emotionally exhausted from how weird this whole sequence of events has been.

Ouse turns and begins to walk away again, but winces as her bare feet tread on broken pieces of wood and debris, forcing her to pause again and look down in dismay]

...Perhaps I will need to be carried a little further... [Dammit.]

Re: Ouse | OTA | idk sometime after cage escape

[ajackandanace]

[Jack is no fighter and he's smart enough not to rush into the fray on a wave of testosterone and dreams of heroism. But he keeps himself afoot, searching for people who might be injured or in need of whatever small help he can give.

He hates how feeble and useless this island makes him feel, something that, even at the age of 68, he never fell victim to back home. But instead of wallowing in fear and self-pity, Jack is choosing to be proactive. Doing something will inevitably be better than doing nothing.

So when he catches a glimpse of a figure in white in the distance, he changes course and heads their way. When he is close enough to make out the features of a young woman, he calls out]

Are you hurt?

[immortalflower]

[She starts in surprise and turns a little, moving her hood a little bit away from her face to see him better. A Westerner? Although, she supposes here it doesn't make a difference.

And he was definitely talking to her, wasn't he? She lowers her gaze a moment, taking stock of herself, before she shakes her head]

I... Don't have any shoes. [It sounds rather pathetic when said out loud, and she gestures a little towards the debris-strewn ground.] And my clothing makes it difficult to move quickly, I'm afraid. But I am uninjured... So far. [Somehow.]

I'm sorry for making you worry, but really it might be best to leave me behind, so as not to slow everyone else down.

[ajackandanace]

[Her insistence to leave her behind strikes a chord with Jack and he shakes his head with a gentle hum in his throat]

Usually I'm the one slowing everyone else down, but people here have locked out for me so I'm not about to just leave you here.

[He offers a friendly smile before taking stock of the situation.]

I'm afraid I don't have any extra shoes, but if you aren't opposed to the idea I would gladly lend you mind until we can get you someplace safe. They're much too big for you, but they should still do the trick...

[immortalflower]

[She stares at him in a mild bafflement. Why are there so many people here that seem against self-sacrifice for the greater good??

She sighs after a moment and eyes his shoes.] But then you would be without shoes as well. What would you do?

[ajackandanace]

[Jack chuckles softly, an instinctive response]

Don't you worry about me, I've got thick socks which is a good sight more than what you've got right now.

[Sure, socks are not ideal, but it would do until they've gotten her out of this area to someplace she could get a decent replacement for her shoes]

[immortalflower]

But... [She trails off uncertainly, but after a moment she heaves a sigh of something akin to resignation and defeat. Alright you win.]

I suppose that is true enough. Thank you, sir, I will be sure to return them as soon as I am able. [A pause and she bows low out of respect.] I am Kurosawa Ouse. Please take care of me.

[unpurify]

[Someone clad in pure white sticks out like a sore thumb in a place like this, even without the mayhem going on. For the briefest of seconds the Batter thinks her someone else, someone he once knew a long time ago.

But it's not. It never will be. So the Batter focuses on the obvious: the woman is unarmed, defenseless and in clothing that appeared cumbersome at best. The second point is dealt a blow somewhat by whatever it is she does to scare off the creature, but what exactly it is the Batter doesn't catch.

Faces, due to his own nature and someone else's, meant very little to the man. And if it was the woman's way of defending herself, then that was fine. The Batter approaches with a spear in hand, having grabbed one off one of the dead creatures.]

You need to leave.

[It likely would not end well if she stayed.]

[immortalflower]

What a friendly greeting. [She's a little startled for obvious reasons, when a strange man suddenly walks up to her with a weapon and a comment like that.

She eyes him warily] I wasn't planning on staying here longer than necessary. I simply... [Ouse hesitates and looks away, around the compound with a concerned frown.] I do not know where to go. Or where I really am, to be honest.

[She gets the gist of it, from what the Storyteller person...thing said, but...]

[unpurify]

[The day the Batter gives a friendly greeting is the day the heat death of the universe happens. Sorry Ouse. He can see how it would be startling...but he simply does not care.

Instead he focuses on the words that mark her as new to this place. That explains why Ouse has not left. This arrival was far more different and dangerous compared to the arrival of the groups on the rafts like he was. Logical.]

I don't know the name. [Mostly because the Batter hasn't asked.] I will find an exit.

[To this place, anyways. It's probably for the best to get out of the center of the general chaos then stick around if you're unarmed.]

Follow, if you want.

[If Ouse doesn't then she doesn't. He won't force her.]

[immortalflower]

Will you... [He says that like it's such a sure thing; Ouse finds herself amused rather than comforted. But hey! If he's confident in himself, who is she to argue?

She bows her head in acceptance and carefully follows after him.] May I have the name of my rescuer, at least?

[unpurify]

[Perhaps it is the confidence of a being created to fulfill a purpose and succeed at it. The task of escorting someone somewhere safe was different then the Batter's original function, but it was a purpose nonetheless.

Even if he is walking a little fast.]

I am the Batter. [A title more than anything, but there was nothing else to call him.] You?

[immortalflower]

[She doesn't have time to pause and bow properly, but she gathers her kimono up as she can to try and free her feet a little more and does her best to keep up.[

Ou-- Kurosawa Ouse. [Sometimes it's hard to remember she has a family name now.]

I have just arrived, though that might seem obvious, I suppose. I take it you have been here for far longer?

[prettypurpleparlor]

Oh dear, perhaps I may be of some help?

[If one were judging by only their current appearances, Muffet would look far more menacing than Ouse at the moment- although who knows what that one unfortunate ape would say...]

[But either way, for all her inhuman looks, her voice is gentle and warm, sounding genuinely concerned as she pauses a short but respectful distance away from the woman in white.]

[immortalflower]

[It's really a good thing Ouse's capable of keeping a calm expression no matter what, because a spider-lady is definitely far outside the realm of normal here, even among the weird monkeys and meeting some troll-guy and everything else.

Her body stiffens in alarm and her eyes widen, but she keeps her mouth firmly closed to process the scene. Muffet's voice is comforting, yes, but Ouse herself knows how deceptive such a thing can be.

...Still, she shouldn't be so quick to distrust. Not in circumstances like this when she should rely on who she can.]

I... would appreciate the help. I am sorry, but in my current state I really am no help, Miss...? [She trails off, hoping to prompt for a name]

[prettypurpleparlor]

[She curtsies politely, giving Ouse a friendly smile.]

Miss Muffet. It's a pleasure to meet you, circumstance aside.

May I ask what the problem is, specifically? I have some healing ability, if you're injured.

[immortalflower]

[Ouse bows at the curtsy, not knowing the gesture but recognizing it as sharing the same purpose as her bow.] Pleased to meet you as well. I am Kurosawa Ouse.

[She hesitates, just slightly, and glances down at herself.] ...I have no shoes, currently, and my bridal kimono makes movement difficult. It was made for slow, careful movements, not running from... monkeys.

[Or running in general, really.]

I stepped on something sharp just a moment ago, I'm afraid... [So her foot is bleeding some. A pause and she asks, curious:] Healing ability...?

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Muffet sees her injured foot and winces sympathetically.]

Were we in less chaotic circumstances, I'd offer to weave you some slippers to wear, but I'm afraid we haven't the time at the moment. Still, I could at least heal your injury and carry you further away from the fighting, where you'll be less at risk.

Green magic, where I come from, is the magic of shielding and healing. I'm not as skilled as some, but I can certainly manage smaller wounds.

[immortalflower]

[She's a bit skeptical on how this girl...spider-- Spider-girl?-- could carry her, but then again: Spider-girl. What did Ouse know about her strength?] I would appreciate that very much, if it's not too much trouble.

[She tilts her head curiously] Are there other kinds of color magic?

[achievementhunter]

[A first, she captures their attention due to the limping. Another woman in white; another person who seems completely overwhelmed by the battle raging on around them- a sitting duck, in a sense. If she dies before they reach her...well. That's her problem, isn't it? But they weave their way towards her nonetheless, waylaid momentarily by a primate intent on spearing them through the head.

They miss her change entirely, calmly disposing of their foe when it appears- distracted, by something. By the time they reach her, the only apparent issue is...her feet.

Could the Storyteller not have at least supplied her with some shoes?]

Excuse me, ma'am. If I may, I would like to be of some assistance.

[They smile up at her. It would probably be cuter if their face wasn't spattered with blood.]

[immortalflower]

[Just a blood-splattered child, nothing to see here.

She might honestly have been more startled if it wasn't uncommon to see bloodied children or worse around the mountain. Shiragiku at least usually managed to keep her face clean though.

Ouse gazes at Chara with a quiet passiveness, studying them, and after a moment there's a hint of an amused smile back.]

You seem at home here.

[That is that, for a child, they don't seem particularly perturbed by this level of carnage and all] Do these sorts of fights happen often? [in the middle of it all probably isn't the best place to hold a casual Q&A, but Ouse's curious.]

[achievementhunter]

[Keeping blood out of their eyes may be a primary concern, but they're hardly about to waste their time with cleanliness now. Unlike some, she doesn't seem too perturbed- all the less reason to give their state more than a moment's thought.]

I have seen similar instances, yes. [The agree with a slight nod. Partaken in them, as well.] Though this is the first I have been a part of on this island.

More importantly, ma'am; would you be averse to me cutting the hem of your dress, as to provide some cover for your feet?

[immortalflower]

On this island. [She echoes them thoughtfully. That seems an important distinction.] Did you fight at home?

[There's no judgement, because who the fuck is she to judge any of that. She also supposes Chara means there's been fights on this island before, they just hadn't joined in until now, but that's a less interesting line of questioning right now.

Chara's suggestion makes her hesitate and look a tad--Sheepish? Her hand smooths against the kimono.] ...It will sound foolish of me to refuse, but this kimono... A wedding kimono like this is a woman's pride. It was very expensive to make and the only one I will likely ever own. [Not that it matters much she's never getting married at this rate.]

It is foolish, I know, but is there perhaps and alternative?

[achievementhunter]

When the situation called for it, ma'am.

[And when it didn't. Whenever it suited them. Because they could.

And because they could, they had to. Chara purses their lips at her response, thinking it over. This would have been easier if they still had the bandages they'd requested last month- but both rolls had already been used...

...Which didn't mean they didn't have bandages on them, of course.]

There may be. Would you do me a favor and turn around, however? I would prefer no one were privy to this.

[Don't worry, Ouse. They aren't about to wrap your feet with undergarments.

But the bandages they do have on them are still in use.]

[immortalflower]

[Sweet kid. She thinks Shiragiku would like them quite a bit and for all the right/wrong reasons.

She blinks, eyebrows raising in a sort of amusement. Probably she shouldn't be turning her back on anyone here, but she'd died and felt hundreds of deaths before-- What would one more be if it turned into that?

So Ouse bows her head lightly and turns around, hands folded neatly in front of her]

Should I assume it magic? [Pulling something from thin air? It'd be probably the least crazy explanation and thing she'd seen since coming here]