August Intro: You Think...You Wink...You Do A Double Blink...

[lifeaftr_mods]

INTRO LOG: AUGUST

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

Part I: Get Wrekt
You rouse to a splash of sea salt drying on your skin. A haze of glass-white sand glitters in your vision, dappled by lush palms and thick, curling foliage that disappears into a jungle of deep jade. From behind, crackling wood and sawing rope groan from a mangled life raft ran ashore. A petering wash of tide over pebbled sand fills your ears as you struggle to gain your bearings in a vast portrait of tropical color…

No...no, no, that’s not precisely how this story starts.

Why don't we start over?

You rouse to a splash of sea salt, spraying across yourself and the wooden floor beneath you as it breaks across the edge of the platform. The light as it dances across the sea is blinding, dappling white spots across your vision as you slowly come back to consciousness and realize that - this is not where you last remember being.

The middle of the ocean is likely not a place most recall being at all. As you struggle to fully comprehend the new scenario in which you have found yourself, three things become quickly apparent. The raft you find yourself upon barely constitutes as something that should float, never mind a boat. In the distance, perhaps a few hours away at most, a large island beckons to you, a wide strip of beach surrounded by cliffs making it very clear where the most fortuitous of directions shall be.

Lastly, of course, you’re not alone. Hopefully your new companion(s) are just as keen to get ashore before nightfall as you, or voyaging together will not be the most positive experience. At your side you will find a knapsack, one to every member of your raft party, and upon inspecting its contents, you will discover any rewards you may have accrued - as well as a few other items to give you a fighting chance.

A note to those who participated in the Test Drive Meme: 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: Choose Your Own Adventure

By fortune (or misfortune, as it were), you eventually find your feet meeting sand, blessed shore to stagger upon as you shake off your newly found sea-legs. There are those that may find this place familiar, as though it appeared in a dream, though the expanse of shore certainly seems larger. The beach stretches off into the distance on both sides, curving around sharp ridges and cliffs, mist obscuring the view the farther along it goes.

So here you are. You’ve found land. Company. Supplies. The sun is now beginning to trek rather low upon the horizon…spending the night outside in such an unfamiliar land is unappealing at best and outright dangerous at the worst.

There is one silver lining in the midst of this mess. Directly ahead, the beach curves up a gentle slope until it meets forest, some manner of building visible through the trees. Further exploration of this area will reveal a dilapidated building of sorts; the architecture is indiscernible to even the most skilled eye. Despite looking as if it has seen better days, there are areas that offer some form of shelter...and who knows what else. Just because it appears uninhabited doesn’t mean you won’t wind up pleasantly, or unpleasantly, surprised.



So what shall you do from here, traveller? There is land to be explored, strangers to meet, friends to reunite with. Supplies to inspect and plenty of questions in need of being said aloud. Choose your path, make haste, and above all else: survive. And whatever you will, take heart.

Your story is about to begin anew.

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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!

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LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

[souris_keteer]

... If you say so, pal. But the offer will always be open, if'n you change your mind.

[So he'll put it back in the knapsack but still keep an eye on Giggles McGee over here. But 'whatever sick runs this place' ... is the situation they're in the reason for the laugh of the ages? It makes sense. Maybe he can reassure whoever this is.]

I know this is real confusin', and pretty scary, but I'm sure if we all work together, we can figure this out and go home! We all got each other, so if I can count on you, you can count on me!

[Friendship solves everything, right??? He'll even offer his hand for a handshake.]

My name's Mickey Mouse. What's yours?

[ohnehalfte]

[...honestly, if that sort of speech had come from pretty much anyone else, Newt might've been able to take it seriously. In fact, he may've even taken it to heart and found it somewhat comforting.

But it's just

there's that dang Disney Protagonist optimism and the guy just...says his name like it's just nothing and the absurdity of the moment just comes swinging back to proverbially punch Newt in the gut and startle another laugh out of him, a high barking sound, cracking, and Newt has to bury his face in his hands for a moment and laugh again for another half a minute, wheezing as he tries to get himself under control]

Oh my god, wow, shit--[and he's scrubbing hands hands under his glasses again, giggling hysterically]--it's not you, I mean, I'm--[yep there are some more snickers there]--on board with that, dude, yeah, totally, just--[gasping for breath a bit, as this second bought of laughter starts to die down]--yeah. Anyway, call me Newt. [he'll take that hand if it's still offered, actually grinning at this point because seriously though what the fuck is this entire exchange even????]

[souris_keteer]

[Oookay? Is this progress? A part of Mickey wonders if Newt - which is not a weird name at all, considering his own last name is Mouse - is laughing at him. Captain Pete has mocked Mickey's size before, and, shoot, it doesn't feel nice.

But this is no time for hurt feelings!!! Gotta stick together!!! He clears his throat, and shakes Newt's hand. No surprise, it's a warm, soft hold.]

Well, it's nice to meet you Newt...sorta.

[Once the handshake breaks-]

I'm guessin' you got the same deal as the folks on my boat - no memory of how we got here, and a bunch of stuff in a knapsack. And so far, I haven't seen any of my pals either. So how's about this - I'll keep an eye out for anyone you might know, and you do the same for me. The more people we have, the sooner we can figure a way out of this mess.

[ohnehalfte]

[the corner of Newt's mouth quirks, upward, amused, because clearly Mickey's a newbie at this.] Yep, that's pretty much what happened to me. But that sounds like a good plan. [he's resting his chin on his hand while resting his elbow on his knee, looking almost indulgently down at him]

You wanna tell me about your friends, so I'll know 'em when I see 'em?

[souris_keteer]

[Oh, right! Mickey begins couting on her fingers.]

Well, last thing I remember before I woke up on that boat, I was with my pals, and the princess, and her lady-in-waiting... Pluto was left home.

There's Donald Duck, he's a lil' taller than I am, all white, bit of a temper, but super brave. Then you got Goofy, probably same height you are, he's a black dog, big buck teeth, and really smart. Then you got miss Daisy Duck, that's the lady-in-waiting, she's all white too, but she's got this big blonde hair and always angry eyes.

Then there's the princess, and she...

[Momentary pause in thought because Mickey is still new to this whole BEING IN LOVE deal, so he needs to blink himself out of that stupor. Pardon the stammering.]

Uh, well, she uh, y'know, I think, ah, you'd just know her when you see her.

[ohnehalfte]

[Mickey starts babbling on about his friends, and Newt's grin only widens just hearing all those names--though his eyebrows do go up when Mickey says something about Goofy being "smart." He opens his mouth to ask about it, even as Mickey barrels on through--and then starts stammering when he gets to the princess and yep Newt's grin widens to it's fullest extent because awwwww. Mickey's as opaque as a sheet of cling-wrap.]

Yeah? I've only met a couple princesses in my day, so I dunno, dude. Maybe you should describe her a little better?

[souris_keteer]

[Newt is making absolute 100% sense, Mickey needs to go into descriptions if they wanna be accurate. Then WHY IS THIS SO HARD???? How do you describe FURRY APHRODITE???]

R-right! Um, w-well, she's... Princess Minnie, a'course, she's... Really... She's small, and kinda delicate, and she's got this cheeks like peaches, and this nice round ears, and her eyes are all sparkly and wide and pretty, and she's got this really cute giggle, and...

[Wait a second. Something else Newt says pops up, and Mickey looks up, distracted.]

You met a couple of princesses? Oh wow, you must be someone really important!

[ohnehalfte]

[OMG Mickey Mouse going on about how cute Minnie Mouse is might just be the most adorable thing that Newt's ever encountered in a really long time. As bizarre as that statement is. But he's getting used to the absurdity of this entire situation, so that helps. He blinks, though, barking out another laugh, this time more easy and far less hysterical-sounding when Mickey says he must be someone important]

Well, I am the foremost kaiju expert in my world and one of the most brilliant scientists the PPDC has ever hired. [he huffs a bit, the smile still there] But most of the princesses I met through the whole world-hopping thing. Everyone's kinda on equal footing at that point, so the whole 'royalty' thing doesn't mean that much.

[souris_keteer]

[... Head... tilt? So many words in there he absolutely didn't understand. Also royalty is, like, ROYALTY, how does that not mean anything??? But let's stick to one of the things that Mickey did understand, and that is the word "brilliant".]

So you must be really, super, amazingly smart! Aw gee, that's really gunna help us out here! Boy oh boy, I'm glad we have someone like you around!

So, mister smart guy, who should I be on the look out for?

1/3ish?

[ohnehalfte]

[That’s um...honestly, Newt isn't really expecting such a positive response. It's not really something he gets a lot of. He knows he's smart; he's got the doctorates to prove it. But even with those, his thoughts and ideas are often questioned to their fullest extent and, more often than not, rejected. He's certainly more than used to it; it's part of being a scientist. But to have his statement not only completely accepted at face value but lauded, it's....Newt's not quite sure how to react to that, honestly? Weirdly, he feels almost a little embarrassed, even as he does, admittedly, feel pretty flattered. Either way, his cheeks are pink, and he rubs the back of his neck a bit sheepishly, scratching a little at the tattoos on his shoulder]

I...thanks.

[ohnehalfte]

[at the question, though, his smile dims, and he looks away, down the beach towards the water, even as he pulls his knees up to his chest. Who should Mickey be on the lookout for?

The first name that comes to his mind causes a painful jolt in his chest, and Newt has to take a deep breath, the exhale a little shaky. He starts with someone else, instead.]

Um...well, there's Travis Touchdown. [That's an older hurt, but one that still lingers] He's my best friend. He's pretty tall, has dark hair and a red leather jacket. He can be a jerk sometimes, and really impulsive, but he's a good guy once you get to know him. [it feels like his whole chest is tightening but Newt can't help but continue, and though his gaze is on the ocean, his thoughts seem quite a bit farther away than that] And Wade. Wade Wilson. Dresses in this red and black jumpsuit and has these two katanas that he carries everywhere. He’s…he’s like the older brother I never had. And Yuuki. She looks like a teenager--brown hair and eyes, really nice, really sweet disposition, thousands of years old vampire. I haven't seen her in a while. [Newt's smiling, a little, but it's not a happy smile, tugging at the corners of his mouth, wry at best. He takes another shuddering breath. ] And Kon-el. Mostly goes by Kon. Or Superboy. He can fly and stuff. Really good kid. And Rosie. She’s blond, tall-ish, funny. And Sans is a talking skeleton so he’s hard to miss. He likes puns a lot. [he swallows, hard, voice gone all wobbly and raspy—] There’s Sakamoto and Wally and Chris and Bruce Banner and Minako and Zero and Shatterstar and—[his eyes sting and Newt has to stop, swallowing hard, shoving his hands under his glasses and pressing the heels of his palms to his eyes, as if that could stop any of the wetness he can already feel seeping out. There’s a vice around his lungs and he can feel his chest throb painfully, and he tries, he tries to contain it. It just hurts and well, Newt’s never done anything by half and unfortunately that also involves not actually dealing with how terrible it is to lose all your friends one after the other, again and again. But, there’s one more, and this one Newt needs to say, just in case, just in case—]

3/3

[ohnehalfte]

Hermann.

[it feels pulled out of him, as painful as any confession]

Hermann Gottlieb.

[his voice wobbles again, breaks, and Newt sucks in another breath, trying to hold steady, because if Mickey’s going to be looking for people that Newt knows, this one’s the most important, even though—]

He’s not here right now. [he knows this with absolute certainty. It’s impossible for him not to. His voice is small when he says it, like he doesn’t want to admit it; like he doesn’t want to acknowledge the yawning void at the back of his mind, the way he feels cut in half, like an entire piece of him is missing—] Maybe…[Newt’s voice breaks, cracks, and he has to swallow before he can continue, heels of his palms still pressed into his eyes, showing him only red]…maybe he’ll show up later. So if you—if you see him before m-me—[he can feel something crawling up his esophagus again, and it’s not laughter this time—] —just…just t-tell him I’m h-here. [it's nearly choking him now, this feeling, and he's this close to breaking, his grasp tenuous at best and he can’t—he can’t—] I—I n-need to go. [and he’s jerking his hands out from under his glasses, shoving to his feet, stumbling away and towards the jungle treeline, where he can maybe find a tree to hide behind because he’s going to lose it in a minute, he can feel it, right at the back of his mouth now, battering at his tongue, his gums, his teeth. He just manages to stagger behind something—what it is, he’s not entirely paying attention—just as it claws its way out of his mouth, that first ugly sob, and Newt’s slumping back against whatever he’s ducked behind and shoving his hand over his mouth to muffle the ones that follow, knees drawn up to his chest as the grief that he’s been steadfastly ignoring before even arriving at this new place finally makes itself known.]

[souris_keteer]

[Mickey's naive, not stupid. There was a big difference between how he talked of his friends, with a casual air and knowing seeing them was just a matter of time - and the way Newt speaks of his companions. There is time, there is loss, there is pain, there is agony. Mickey had began to reach over and put a hand of sympathy on Newt's arm - but then Newt bolts.]

N-Newt! Hey, Newt!

[There's a temptation to go after him, to ask more questions, but... this is day one, hour one, of whatever situation they're in, and even all-loving-Mickey knows there are lines you can't cross with someone you just met. It agonizes him that he can't help - as he's always believed he could help anyone - but he stays where he is. He swallows, and takes off his hat for a moment, calling out.]

Newt... Well. I-I'm gunna go look for our friends, yours and mine, okay? I'll come back later, see if you need anythin'... But... if you do need somethin', anythin' at all, you come find me, okay? Cause I'll come runnin'!

[Did Newt hear him? He's not sure. But he'll keep his word - he'll come back, see if Newt is still there. Mickey thumbs his hat, looking at the signatures - what would his heroes do? With a big sigh, he puts it back on.]

I'll... see you later, Newt! That's a promise. And I always keep my promises.

[If they're going to get off this beach, and reunite Newt with those he cares about, then he needs to get moving. So he walks away, although every now and then he can't help but take glances back. Just in case.]