October Intro: Aftermath Mingle

[lifeaftr_mods]

Who: All!
What: Now that you've all committed monkey genocide, it's time to clean up and go home.
When: Evening of the intro log- and onwards!
Where: The Monkey Compound, Islets, etc.
Warnings: Mark as you go!


Congratulations on effectively reversing the tables, adventurers. As the hunted become the hunters, the remaining simians begin to retreat into the jungle, disappearing from sight as the drumming dies down, before extinguishing entirely.

It appears that you have won.

Now it's time to clean up.

Those still in the Monkey Compound may wish to begin scavenging what they can, from multiple coconut guns to rudimentary spears. There's a flock of Bludroc happy to be herded to a new home, several stashes of fresh fruit to be found... and a rather large iron pot, for the particularly bold.

Others may be more concerned with returning to the islets and securing the personal belongings that were left behind. There are new people to settle in, as well; and undoubtedly, a few injuries yet to be healed.

Reunite, rejoice, recover. And perhaps, should you see the Storyteller about- ask a few questions.

Comments

[story_teller]

[If it is possible for the stern, wrinkled face of an ape to soften, it may seem that the Storyteller's does so. They move the tome into their lap and fold their hands primly.]

I am rather aware of the story you hail from. A murder mystery. Endless, senseless bloodshed. Quite tasteless.

[A lengthy pause.]

It's true that you've encountered quite your share of death. Perhaps you would enjoy a different story to tell, when the time comes for Storytelling.

[thisisourfuture]

[The words 'a murder mystery' cause something to click quietly into place with evidence he'd been puzzling over. Things said that had confused him. Talk for another time.

He finally looks up, a little taken back by the subtle change in expression.]

...h-how much do you know about me?

[story_teller]

Enough to know that you have endured many trials. Of the most literal sense.

[Ha ha, they did a funny. Of course, the Storyteller does not seem in the slightest amused.]

As I must often remind others, I am not omniscient. I cannot see into your mind, or your memories. But I do make it a point to gain an understanding of the stories my beneficiaries must return to.

[thisisourfuture]

[He hadn't been wrong. Storyteller isn't able to see everything. Yet, has enough sight to see the gist of what someone has been through?

They got off track. Hinata takes a deep breath. Focus. He can think over that later.]

Yeah. I faced trials. When I go back I'll have to face more. [But compared to his classmates he's nothing. Just some regular guy. He forces all that out of his head.] Even if they hadn't been tripped off to our presence by a party going investigating. Was it inevitable we'd come into conflict with...these people?

[story_teller]

[At this, there is a brief lapse of silence. The Storyteller's berry-red eyes trail thoughtfully into the white sunshine slanting through the dense trees.]

I see that I must press this point to you, as well. Omnipotence is not my trade. I have no greater talent to predict sapient nature than you have to swallow the bitter outcomes that flourish in its wake.

For that, perhaps a history book would suit you better.

[thisisourfuture]

[His eyes widen as it finally sinks in what the Storyteller means. He'd thought maybe the god could see the turns of the story long before they reach them. No.]

...I think I get it now. [He looks back at the compound and turns back to the Storyteller.]

...if someone builds a place does that make the building of it unpredictable? The compound, for example, do you know how long it has been here?

[story_teller]

It isn't predictable for a people to wish for a territory to call their own, no. Even stories tend to follow certain patterns, alongside history.

[There is a note of strain in the Storyteller's voice as they say this; as if admitting something they rather wouldn't. Quickly, they move to answer his second inquiry.]

The compound predated you. The apes predated the compound. And I predate the apes. In turn, I have chosen you, while the apes rejected me long ago. Perhaps you can see why the question of whose right is to this island is a muddled and pointless one to endeavor upon.

[thisisourfuture]

You have that wrong. I'm not asking about rights at all. There's a timeline of events here. [He'd asked if the tragedy had been inevitable. But he decides not to say that. There's a more important question burning in his chest. Hinata spreads his hands.]

The compound is too built up to be a defense against us the newcomers. It takes a while to build those kinds of fortifications. If they weren't setting them up against you...what were they preparing to fight against? If you don't know that's alright.

I'll find out somehow. ...hopefully before we find out the hard way.

[story_teller]

[Now this is unexpected. One of the Storyteller's bushy, gray eyebrows rises in a very human sort of manner, followed by a contemplative tilt of their head. They appear to be giving this response some genuine consideration.]

[They're impressed. Rather than re-treading the same, tired moral ground, this one sees fit to apply his mind to more practical ideas. Perhaps they've become complacent. Well, they did just say themself that sapient nature wasn't entirely predictable.]

I don't. [know, that is.] Fear of the unknown is often plenty reason to fortify oneself against all others prematurely. A society built on violence may well expect nothing but from all others.

[A pause.]

But it's also possible that they weren't merely jumping at enemies of their own fabrication. As I said, I was not welcome. It stands to reason that anything like me would have been similarly spurned.

[thisisourfuture]

Is there anything that isn’t like you that you remember them rejecting or attacking?

[He mulls back over what had just been said. So far he has little evidence to piece it all together. But it’s more than he previous had. He rests his hands on his thighs and nods to the Storyteller.]

Even if they’re a violent society there has to be things that they respected or feared of the more mortal sense. Especially if they put up defenses that wouldn’t keep you out. ...or is their rejection of you strong enough to keep you away?

[He brings his hand up to his own face and his brows come down.] I know you may not know but I think together we can built at least some idea of a lead. We just have to follow the evidence.

[story_teller]

Sapience is a trait rather unique, my boy. Before you arrived, I -- and to an extent, they -- were the only ones within my knowledge.

[The Storyteller's hands fold neatly into their lap.]

The apes had no interest in sharing stories. That is where our relationship began and ended. I could have wiped them from my island entirely if I desired to; I simply had no desire to.

It's possible the apes never fully believed this. Or perhaps you are correct, and they merely projected their mortal fabrications onto you.

I believe you may need to go searching for more evidence before a conclusion can be drawn.

[thisisourfuture]

[He listens intently, the spark that had faded in his eyes returning as each word fuels the fire of his determination. The missing people. The temple. Each location and mystery add to his case. What the end of that road is he has no idea. Not yet.

They’re at the start of the investigation. He studies the Storyteller’s face. This is a god that could possibly wipe them all out. But, he doesn’t think they will. Unless they all become a threat to the island and this world.

Finally, he says.] I wouldn’t draw any conclusions this early. This is just the start.

[He breathes even and deep. Now he has a path to move forward.] Before I go keep investigating...is there anything I can do for you? Besides story telling later on.

[story_teller]

[With their role in this story, they find one thing unchanging- and yet delightful no matter how it has been reached. It conveys itself within different people in different ways- given terms that hold their own, personal significance.

Motivation holds this young man's head high. A drive that has inspired many others before, and will no doubt do so again.

A precious thing, no matter the narrative.]

So it is. Let us both hope that the conclusion is closer than we assume.

[It isn't quite possible for them to smile as they are, but both posture and tone remain kind at his query, even whilst the Storyteller shakes their head.] I ask nothing more than what you have already done. That is enough.

Until we meet again, Hajime Hinata.

[thisisourfuture]

[He climbs to his feet and nods. Despite how this conversation started, his heart feels lighter. He can feel the start of a connection and that makes for more than just a start. He smiles back.]

Until we meet again. Thank you for listening to me, Storyteller.

[He turns and walks back for the compound. Time to start digging into whatever clues he can find.]