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

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

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.

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 )

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[Immediately, Guzma's face brightens at the mention of the Drifter, and he actually grins - the first true smile he's shown off to a person here. He has indeed met them, and is rather fond of the little thing - kind of hard not to be when you save their life and, well...it just seems they've lived a bit of a lonely life. A little bit like Guzma himself, actually.]

Yeah, I know Lil Blue! Didn't know they were making a map, but it makes sense - they's a smart thing, for sure. [But that's actually a very useful bit of information, that a map is being made. Guzma's just concerned the poor thing may bite off a bit more than he can chew - he's still sick, apparently, and tends to be a bit of a loner. Nothing wrong with that, but--]

Dang, Muffy, you really are a lady. Y'all sure you wanna tread 'round with a thug like me? I don't make good company other'n maybe knocking out anyone what looks at you funny. [And he expects that to happen, uh...quite a bit, all things considered.]

[Oh good, she's not the only who's gotten nicknamed. It's good that someone else has a soft spot for the Drifter, she gets the feeling they could use a little friendliness in their life.]

Oh, being a lady hardly precludes handling the occasional disagreement- it's not as though I've never had to teach someone some manners. Besides, now certainly isn't the time for me to stand on ceremony.

[Not that she's going to let her standards slip too far, but she can be a bit more flexible under the circumstances.]

Do let me know if you'd ever like some proper tea, though. I expect I'll figure out a way to brew some up eventually.

[Guzma has become very fond of the Drifter, deeming to give him a nickname in turn. It's usually when he does that it's indicative that he likes someone. Or perhaps nicknaming is just an ingrained trait from his home, though, uh...he's never once nicknamed his pokemon. Odd, that.]

Hey, I never said nothing 'bout y'all not being able to bring the smack down!! Girl, I know a femme fatal myself - ain't no one got out from under Plumeria's boot if'n she wanted to crush someone. Half the reason she my right hand man--uh, girl. Or, uh...she was. A-Anyway, s'just not as expected from someone like yourself, s'all. [He shrugs, lazily.]

And I ain't really a tea-drinker m'self...though I can stomach it a little. Gimme a Tapu Cocoa any day, though. [Scalding hot and with a tiny pinch of salt to ease that rich, creamy smoothness. Oh hell yes. ♥]

[Plumeria, hmm? She gets the feeling there's something more to that story, but she politely doesn't press him on the subject.]

Ahh, one can do such lovely things with chocolate- come to think of it, I do believe that is a plant that tends to grow in these sorts of climates. Now that would certainly be a happy discovery.

[Guzma, despite his gruff and violent exterior (and interior, sometimes) is an avid lover of chocolate, from the richness of dark to the sweet, decadent smoothness of milk and white. His stomach growls painfully at the mention of one of his favorite snacks, and there's a definite whine in his voice as he puts a hand over his aching stomach.]

Oh man, if we got lucky 'uff to find a cacao tree... [He sighs, almost dreamily. What he wouldn't give for something sweet right now. Guzma is a monster for sweets, and his sweet tooth is more like a set of fangs at this point.]

One can dream...

[She pauses at hearing his stomach growl.]

Although, speaking of more immediate concerns, have you eaten lunch yet?

Uh...

[Oh dear, did she hear that? Guzma certainly is a big guy, and his appetite is just the same, but he always seem to find something to snack on before he gets too agitated or peckish. Here, though...it's going to be a lot harder to find a malasada shop, or a cafe, to get a bite to eat after a fi--er, a battle. He rubs the back of his neck as some color flares up on his cheeks.]

...Maybe?

Maybe.

[Her tone is pointedly flat. You're not fooling anybody, mister.]

How about we see what I can manage for a meal before we keep looking around here? Exploring is difficult work, it's best to keep one's strength up.

[Is he being scolded by a giant spider lady? Honestly, this isn't the first time, but Ariados only glare at him, never actually reprimands him with words - a pinch or a (non-lethal!!!) nip gets his attention plenty. Guzma pouts like an enormous child, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his hoodie as he adjusts the pack on his shoulder.]

You really don't gotta...I can manage fine by m'self, Muffy. [I'M AN ADULT.]

[If you're an adult, then act like it, dammit.]

I'm well aware I don't have to- I've decided to anyway. Besides, I could use something to eat too, and I can cook for two people just as well as one.

[How 'but you FIGHT ME.

Guzma blinks, huffing slightly then looking sideways at Muffet with a bit of a squint. Is she telling him off now? Lord, only maybe one person is capable of berating him without question or getting their face slammed into a wall.]

...Dang, you and Plumeria would get on great. Y'all's bossy as heck. But fine, won't pass up free grub - what we gonna do for ingredients, yeah?

I'll take that as a compliment.

[Muffet smiles, and rummages briefly through her pack.]

Hm... I'm a bit limited unless you have something to start a fire with, but I could manage something with seaweed and shellfish, or... Oh, this is interesting, I haven't tried these yet.

[She pulls out a small plastic-wrapped white circle, with the packaging declaring it to be some kind of instant food and eyes it thoughtfully.]

I wonder what they're like?

Tch... Well, finding tinder and fuel ain't the hard part - there's plenty'a that 'round here - it's getting a good stone to get the spark to light it.

[They need a good flint-stone, and he can knock it with his knife to get a spark. Of course, there's always the other way of rubbing sticks together, but that's a bit trickier. As Guzma prattles off how to start the fire, he eyes the package of food Muffet has, then motions with his hand for him to take a look at, curious.]

Mm. Regrettably my supplies did not include flint, and I've got no talent at all for fire magic.

[She hands him one of the little individually-wrapped circles so he can read the packaging. The writing on the plastic proclaims it to be a No-Bake, capable expanding to become a nutritious roll of vitamin-enriched bread with the addition of a drop of water.]

Well, we can find one - they isn't too hard to find...or if'n you don't wanna, there's always rubbing sticks together. Don't like doing that much, though, since I ain't no pro... Or actually--hm. I got an idea for later.

[He mumbles, reading the packaging with a raised brow. Okay, that's pretty dang useful, if it's the read deal. I mean, sounds a lot like some crazy astronaut food, but if it can sustain someone with just a few drops of water, then hell to the yes. There's plenty of water around an island, after all.]

...Huh, this is useful. Y'all keep this, though. We can go fishing, or if y'all can handle a bit of dirty work...digging for clams.

I don't think I've ever seen that trick with rubbing sticks together done outside of television shows, does it actually work?

[She looks genuinely curious.]

Seafood, I can work with- and I don't mind a bit of work to get to it, either. Working up an appetite makes the food taste better, after all.

It does, yeah, if y'all do it right. But it ain't easy to do...s'why I got 'nother idea, but it ain't easy neither. [Easier than rubbing sticks, but it might take longer, depending on the placement of the sun. His sunglasses are, essentially, very large lenses - and you bet your butt this idiot has indeed tried setting things on fire with them. In a town with no power, when it's not perpetually raining, you do stupid shit.]

Ain't that the truth, though I do prefer a meal put down in front'a me, t'be real honest... Now, we can grab a few branches to go spear fishing...or digging for clams - s'up to you, Muffy. Dunno how well y'all is to getting your feet wet, but Ariados don't like it none too much. Golisopod'll be good to corral 'em over to shore, though.

[...Of course he has.]

I've always had a fondness for things I've made myself, but I certainly don't object to people who'd rather eat someone else's cooking- after all, that's how I make a living.

I don't have any particular objections to water. I can swim well enough, although it wasn't one of my hobbies.

[The lakes below the mountain were dark and deep. Most monsters learned to swim just as a matter of safety, even if they didn't live in Waterfall, just in case they were passing through and happened to fall in. Generally, the ones who didn't bother were the ones who didn't need to breathe in the first place.]

I think at this point it's just a question of which would be closer, really.

[She pauses, curious.]

Ariados, I've met, but I don't think Golisopod and I have been introduced.

[Wow, listening to Muffet talk more and more, it seems almost like she was totally human and not some terrifying, humanoid spiderbeast that could eat a small dog or something. She bakes, and it seems like she might even have her own little shop of sorts to boot. Guzma is astounded, but it makes conversation far easier in any regard - more to relate to, less to peg her into that truly 'monstrous' category, which Guzma would really like to avoid.

Ah, and she can swim! Very good. Ariados can't, so that's one less person he has to worry about drowning on this stupid island. I'tll make fishing a whole lot easier, too.]

Well, fish're more filling, yeah, and we can cook 'em easier - just need a good stick and a fire. Catching 'em is the hard part, but I'm sure we can get something if we patient 'nuff and--huh? [Guzma blinks, looking up suddenly from his train of thought. Did he really never show off Golisopod?] Oh, Goli? Yeah, he's here with me now, gimme a sec... C'mere, homie, say hi.

[Tossing out the Ultra ball, out pops Golisopod with a bit of a thud onto the sand. He rumbles tiredly, using one of his thinner arms to clean his face and antennae, then looks at Muffet curiously, shifting closer to his trainer.] Golisopod, she's fine - this is Muffy; be nice to 'er, yeah?

[She'd had to do much the same when they first came to the Surface, monsters slowly getting humans to accept them. It'd been difficult, but she would say it was worth the effort in the end.]

Fishing it is, then.

[She looks curiously at the Pokeball, intrigued by the unfamiliar technology. When an unfamiliar insectoid monster pops out, she smiles warmly and gives him a brief, polite curtsy.]

A pleasure to meet you, dearie.

[While Muffet and Golisopod get acquainted, Guzma begins to remove some of his excess layers of clothing. His hoodie, shoes, and socks are tossed far up on shore (his socks tucked away safely into the depth of his sneakers), and he begins to roll up his baggy sweats, flicking down his sunglasses over his eyes. They're going out into the shallows, so he won't have to totally change, but...this ought to do. He can just hang his clothes out to dry later.

On the other end, Golisopod inspects Muffet quietly, tilting his head at her as she says hello. She's not a pokemon - none that he's seen or smelled before - but his trainer says she's alright, and...he doesn't feel threatened. With a low rumble, Golisopod lowers his head slightly in greeting. Hello there, strange one.]

Yo, Golisopod, if y'all's done saying hello, mind corralling them fishies up to shore? Get some big ones if you can, homeboy. Your boy is hungry, and we got a lady to feed too, yeah.

[Muffet appreciates and acknowledges his greeting. She has to wonder about the kind of world where monsters will travel around with humans and follow their orders, but they all seem to be happy working with each other, so she's not concerned.]

I'm happy to feed him too, if we have enough. Do you see any sticks that would work well for spears, or do you want me to try using my threads for netting?

What, Goli? [Guzma waves his hand with a chuckles.] Nah, he can chomp up a few for himself. Big guy can hold his breath way longer'n you and me, so pretty sure he'll go fishing himself once we done, yeah?

[Wading out to the water, Golisopod goes first, diving in once the sandbar dips into deeper water and swimming around to sort of stretch out a bit first and get himself acclimated to the current and temperature of the water.]

Oh, hey, yeah! If y'all can weave a net, that'd be sick. I can get Ariados to help if y'all need it.

I should be able to manage, but feel free to let her help if you think she'd have fun.

[Muffet smiles at him and turns to walk to the edge of the shore, hands weaving out a net as she goes.]

[She casts it out again and again. And while she's still got questions, still got more than enough to worry about... for just a little while, there's only working together, making sure everyone gets properly fed.]

[And just for now, it's enough.]

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

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Wrapped.