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

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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

See, you do have good taste after all.

[He said that lightly, throwing a quick Fire spell off to the side; shame that poor monkey's spear was made of wood, wasn't it?]

But I would think by now all of you would know better than to think I had any good points.

[When Ardyn tosses the fire spell, Ignis' head tilts slightly in the direction of the throw, while his clouded right eye tracks the flame as well as it can by sound and feel alone. It will take more than a couple of months for him to break the habits of 22 years after all.

As soon as the Chancellor speaks again, though, Ignis turns his attention fully back to him, ignoring the now wailing monkey in the background.]

Oh, I don't know. A funny thing happened near the end of our talk around the Storyteller's campfire. I do believe I noticed a very small amount of worth buried in all the muck. It would be a shame to let it slip away after it's fought to remain for so long.

...Then I severely overestimated your perception,if you're seeing things that aren't there. [The usual smile was fixed firmly in place, voice just as casual and infuriating as ever.] That, or you're as terrible a judge of character as the other three.

Come now, you know better than anyone, I can't see anything.

[A chuckle follows that statement, spoken as if he were merely reciting a fact from some boring old history book.]

It's strange though. I never imagined you as the kind of person who would be so thrilled with his own cowardice. Perhaps, I have judged you wrong after all.

How astute, you've found my cleverly phrased joke.

[oh my gods, ardyn, stop.]

I've no idea what cowardice you mean, however.

There's nothing clever about stating the facts, Chancellor, but I'm feeling generous, so if you would like to try again, by all means do so.

[Do try not to disappoint him this time.]

Scientia vincere tenebras.

If you didn't wish me to hear it, perhaps you shouldn't have spoken it.

I'm not even allowed to mock you now? [Ardyn rolled his eyes, planting the Blade of the Mystic in the ground and leaning on its hilt. If anything else was stupid enough to approach, he'd just set it aflame or take out his dagger at this point.]

There's only so much entertainment I can derive from a place like this. If I can't at least provoke all of you, I'm liable to get very bored.

[A satisfied smirk curls the corner of Ignis' mouth as his left hand suddenly lashes out, dagger flying free to bury itself in the throat of a monkey who makes the mistake of approaching a little too loudly off to his side. A eye blink later and the dagger reappears in Ignis' hand in a burst of crystalline light.]

Oh well, now if you were trying to provoke me, never fear. You most certainly have. I just suspect it's not in the manner you were hoping for.

I'm utterly terrified. How, then, have I so carelessly prodded a nest of terrifying Ravatoghan Soldier Wasps this time?

Why, you offered me a challenge, Chancellor, and I accepted it. I hardly wish to get bored here either.

[Ignis shrugs, the satisfied smirk still curling his mouth.]

Or, as the youth of the day like to say, 'You have made your bed; now lie in it.'

Edited 2017-10-09 07:15 (UTC)

I don't know what you're talking about. Exactly what challenge would you take out of me simply mocking you because I thought it was funny?

Hide behind the jokes if you must. That doesn't mean I won't thoroughly enjoy proving that even the Darkness has things it fears.

[A knowing look flits across his face.]

Or, perhaps, saying 'things it feels besides rage and hate' would be a more accurate statement.

[Ardyn didn't answer at first; either he was surprised or staring at Ignis like he was trying to gauge if that was a joke. When it appeared the latter was not in fact the case...he broke out laughing, in a sharp and almost painful way that sounded like he didn't quite understand what humans sounded like when they were amused.]

You're--you can't be serious? Oh, and I thought you were the smart one-!

[Ignis draws in a breath, exhaling with a soft hum. Despite Ardyn's mocking and insults, the advisor's voice remains calm and level.]

You have no idea how painful that sounded, do you? The harder you try to hide it, the more you show the world.

Oh, stop, this is really quite too much for me. You should have pursued a career in comedy long before considering the Lucian court. [The sudden laugh turned to a low chuckle, humorless and empty. But his tone was back to being light and cheerfully condescending, business as usual despite how unfitting it was for what he said next:]

It's far too late for anyone to even pretend to think something human still stands before you. Two thousand years too late, I'm afraid. Why, if anyone else dared to be stupid enough to think they can show me sympathy I think I might just kill them on the spot.

You do enjoy proving my point for me, don't you? Hiding behind good humor is just so much easier than looking at what's really there.

[Oh, but this is really too much fun. In the back of his mind, Ignis realizes he's shouldn't be enjoying it so much, but he can't help it. If Ardyn feels even a fraction of the pain he's caused over the years, a sliver of the the guilt he should, then maybe...maybe...

Right. Ignis hasn't planned passed that yet. Not with that previous step being such a difficult one, but there is a goal he's working toward. He's not just playing with fire for the thrill. He's not.]

But, I'm not just anyone else. Such a shame, isn't it? Killing me will have consequences you don't want to mess with. You're just going to have to deal with me continuing to peel away at that mask of yours instead.

I do so hate to be the one to tell you this, but the true face behind it is not something anyone wishes to see.

[That part wasn't even a lie.]

Do I really strike you as someone who cares about consequences? As appealing as I find the idea to provoke Noct into killing me repeatedly until something sticks, he's useless to me as he is right now. It's simply more of an annoyance than you're worth.

However, I'd not have gotten this far if I had to resort solely to physical violence to accomplish things--I'm not Glauca, for goodness' sake.

[He smiled at that, an unseen expression that was more like someone had the idea of a smile described to them and tried to mimic it.]

You of all people should know what happens when you draw too close to something burning, and as my name may suggest I am no exception. You should blame no one but yourself when this backfires on you.

Oh well, we just so happen to be in luck since I can't see.

~~[Will you two just STOP already?]~~

I'm hardly childish enough to believe that truth must be beautiful. In fact, it's quite the opposite most of the time. Beauty is just a convenient cover for the lies that live beneath.

[Ignis snorts, not even bothering to hide his disdain when Ardyn mentions Glauca. Drautos is far from the advisor's concern at the moment. As long as the traitor isn't on the island, his methods matter little. Should he arrive? Well, Ignis knows there will be a long line of people waiting to repay that violence in kind. Noctis and Nyx will only be the very beginning. He, as much as he owes his Uncle, will not hesitate to step back and let another take his spot.

He's much better at playing chess anyway.]

Funny. Your name also can be translated as 'passionate' or 'shining.' Ah, but I suppose faulting you for the meaning you prefer is rude.

We both know my name has far fewer meanings to choose from. Tell me, do you really think that fire fears its very purpose?

[When he'd first arrived newly blinded on the island, Ignis had feared. He feared helplessness; he feared being a burden. Now? Now, he finds those fears gone because even if he isn't helpless--even is he isn't a burden--Noctis is still going to die. What is the point of fear if he can't save his king? What is the point of anything if all the pain and sacrifice just leads Noctis to death?]

That's why I was kind enough to inform you in advance. Heavens forbid everyone should be aware of the true face of the Starscourge and leave you out of the loop.

[STOP THESE TWO IMMEDIATELY]

I doubt fire fears much of anything. But whether it experiences fear or even awareness, the fact remains that one single flame alone in a deep and unending dark is not enough. You can even take my word on that, I should think I know from experience.

Eventually, no matter how brightly--ardently, if you prefer-- that flame should burn, it will be extinguished. Fire is but a temporary relief, and darkness is far more persistent.

My, how considerate of you. There is just one little flaw in your plan. I never abandoned my charge. It was everyone else who abandoned you. Let them see the monster they created. It is a just punishment.

[Can't stop. Won't stop. No stoppin' this train!]

As if you need to tell someone in my condition about how eternal darkness is.

[Even if the idea of being snuffed out does stir a slight bit of fea-- No! He won't acknowledge it. Let it be snuffed out instead.]

I'm afraid I can't agree with you on that. Passionate flames never die as long they seek the next step to their goal no matter how large or small.

[Ignis raises his head. If he could see, he would be staring Ardyn straight in the eye.]

And they only have to burn alone if they chose to do so when another flame seeks them out.

...How blissfully optimistic of you--Bahamut himself looked at what he made of his once-beloved Chosen and cast him out like worthless garbage. Why should mortals think any differently? Do not speak to me of just punishment when you know no more than a secondhand account of what gods and humans alike have truly earned.

[The everpresent smile dropped off Ardyn's face, gold eyes narrowing. What was the goal here? He couldn't possibly be serious about there being something worthwhile, that was patently absurd. Ardyn Lucis Caelum was dead, buried, and forgotten. Ardyn knew damn well there was nothing left but what he called justified hatred, vengeance, and-]

[...and that strange, lingering satisfaction that even a token expression of resistance had made itself heard. But what did it matter? There was no other option; Ardyn had to die, and Noctis had to die along with him to eradicate the scourge as well as the Accursed's neverending madness. It was all exactly as the gods wanted, and no matter how anyone fought against it...none of it mattered.]

...it's far too late for that, as well. Some fires were only ever meant to burn alone until they mercfully flare up and disappear.

Oh spare me. We both know that neither of us gives a damn about Bahamut's divine opinion. I lost every shred of a damn I had when I heard the true sacrifice his bloody Prophecy requires. Why should mortals think any differently? I can't speak for all of us, but I damn well can speak for myself. I think differently because I will accept no other way. When I see wrong and when I see abuse, I fix it instead of allowing the cycle to continue. I protect and I burn.

[Ignis voice suddenly drops to a steel-laced growl.]

I don't care if it damns me to burn in Ifrit's hell for all eternity, I will find another way. This is all that I am and I'm not letting Bahamut or anyone else take that from me.

If you decide to allow him to win after all this time, then that, Ardyn Lucis Caelum, is your choice and your mistake.

Do not call me that. I will not warn you a second time.

['When the prophecy is fulfilled, all in thrall to darkness shall know peace.']

[All of it, two thousand years of waiting and planning and aligning every piece on a chessboard the size of a world, had been for a single conclusion. If the line of Lucis didn't end, the Crystal's light would never go out. The gods would never lose their last pawns in this near-eternal game, the plague would never vanish, and Ardyn himself would never be allowed to just stop once he finally burned the world down with him.]

[There wasn't another way. The whole thing had been preordained by the gods the moment Ifrit fell at the end of the war. It was always going to end in one Chosen against another, with more collateral damage than anyone could possibly imagine.]

[...What kind of person would defy logic, reason, and the gods themselves to even try? No one had done it before. Not all of Lucis, not Ardyn's own brother, not even Gilgamesh. So why...why, why why why--]

[Bitter jealousy flared up like a wildfire inthe back of Ardyn's mind, for nowhere near the first time. Ever favored by gods and mortals was Noctis Lucis Caelum, the perfect and exalted Chosen who only ever had friends and allies beside him. Gladiolus Amicitia would not have betrayed and abandoned the one he swore to protect. Prompto Argentum would never have turned on the man who was practically his brother. And here was the adviser, willing to fight even the gods when no one else would dare.]

[...Hadn't he been good enough for Lucis? Hadn't he done everything that had been asked of him and more? Why had Ardyn Lucis Caelum failed to be worth protection and salvation, while the helpless and hapless prince turned Chosen King was revered as everything the prophecy spoke of?]

You aren't going to have a choice. If you ever wish to be rid of me and what I am made vessel to, then Noctis will have to die for it. Nothing that you do will matter, whether you accept it or not.

You don't get to make that decision for me or anyone else!

[Ignis nearly spits the words in Ardyn's face.]

You are not a god, nor are you my chosen savior. You do not have the right! You lost any right when you decided to be nothing more than a vessel. You lost it when you gave in and decided to be no more than a pawn moved by the chess master's hand. I stand by my previous assessment. You are a coward. Despite claiming to only know hatred and a need for vengeance, you've given up on seeking vengeance on the one who truly deserves it because you fear it out of reach.

How does it feel to be Bahamut' good little doll? You may have resisted in the past, but now you do exactly what he wants you to. It's pathetic.

[The calmer part of Ignis' mind acknowledges that Ardyn's been fighting so much longer. He must be tired and ready for some kind of end, but for Noctis, for Gladio, for Prompto, for any of them, Ignis would fight for an eternity. He'd give every part of himself over and over again for them.

No, he will never give up. He will always have his friends' and his king's backs. No matter what it requires in the end.

Even if that means fighting the Astrals and the Crystal themselves...]

You think I decided to be this--?!

[Ardyn's hand was halfway curled into a fist before he thought better of what he was about to do. No, don't let these mortals get to you like Lunafreya had. Don't waste your breath on telling them how wrong they truly are.]

[The bitter venom drained out of his voice in favor of something else, a thin veil of silk hiding razor-sharp steel.] How pleasant it must be to see things in such a simple manner. I'm sure it's so much easier to believe I've given up, playing into the Draconian's hands. Why, you say that when you fail to understand that my vengeance has already been done. There is scarcely a planet left for the gods to rule over. The Crystal's light has surely gone out, your beloved king is no doubt dead by now, and I've simply no idea what's become of the rest of you.

[There was the sound of slow, deliberate motion as Ardyn stepped closer, his voice dropping to something as quiet and dangerous as the whispers of a Mindflayer.]

Non sum ignavum nominare. Make that mistake again and it will be your voice you lose next. A paltry matter of sight is nothing next to what I've lost, and now I've nothing left to lose whatsoever--so when Noctis takes issue with that, this whole island can just burn as a result for all I care.

October Intro: Louder than Sirens, Louder than Bells

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