November Intro: Red Sun Rises Like an Early Warning

[lifeaftr_mods]

INTRO LOG: NOVEMBER

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

The New Arrivals: Hold My Hand
When you wake, it will be to the lapping of waves, frothed with foam...pulling at your hair, your skin, your clothing. The sand is soft and wet beneath you, but it's several inches submerged. And the longer you stay here, the more obvious it will be that the water level of the ocean ringing this strip of island has begun to to rise, and not merely because the tide has started to come in.

And what's more? You can tell that something else about this entire situation is horribly, horribly wrong.

Perhaps you've lost some special power. Perhaps some piece of your memory is freshly and disconcertingly blank. Perhaps you've just discovered that one of your senses is missing, or that you've been rendered unable to speak, or you've been struck by a debilitating fatigue. Not only are you stranded in some unfamiliar place, stuck on a rapidly flooding beach, but you aren't even doing it in full possession of all your faculties.
For those who agreed to put themselves at a disadvantage for a stranger, these are your consequences. If you're unclear as to the handicap your character has been assigned, if any, please check your initial acceptance notice!

All new arrivals will additionally awake with knapsacks, their names stitched to the front. The contents of said knapsacks can also be found in your acceptance notices!

For All: It's a Long Way Down
The water isn't a problem for the newest arrivals, either. It seems that the waters all over Ensō have started to rise, slowly at first, and then with a steadily increasing rate. At first, you might be forgiven for assuming the tide must simply be unusually high, or maybe that the island's begun to sink. But the longer it endures, the more obvious it becomes that neither is the case.

The water has begun to rise. Something is wrong with the island itself, or the being living on it, and now there is nothing preventing the water's inexorable approach as it steadily washes over and over the mainland. In fact, if you listen closely, you might even be able to hear a peculiar sound tearing over the cold rush of the coastal wind; something akin to a desolate wailing.

Either get to high ground - and quickly - or find out what's causing this. But either way, we suggest you hurry...because there are a great deal of newly arrived, very disoriented folk on the beach that could really, really use your help.

---

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.

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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

[yallstupid]

[The glint of steel is all it takes for Golisopod to bellow and fling himself at Jaune in a full on charge. He's since become wary of the sword the young man carries, so he ducks down a bit to cover his underside and instead try to ram him with that hard, steely shell instead. Hope the poor guy's footing is good in calf-deep water and mud, though Golisopod isn't necessarily going for the kill, just trying to disarm and overpower him. You don't point that thing at his trainer again while he's still kicking.

No order came from Guzma at all though, Golisopod merely reacted of its own will, though this time...Guzma doesn't do much to stop the bug. Not like he could at this point anyway, Golisopod's already covered the distance between them, but...serves the fool right, if he gets skewered. Guzma didn't do anything for once - no provocation at all. He's not here for you or your dumb broad. He has other people he needs to find and provide for.

Looking over his shoulder, Guzma snickers softly and shakes his head at the failed attempt at being threatening.]

Dang, man, you're a worse thug than I am, coming at me when I didn't do nothing...and from behind, too! [He whistles.] Not only a thug, but a coward. Can't face me, big man? Too scared of Big Bad Guzma? Or maybe it's 'cuz someone got ahead'a me to beating on you...

[He nods to the scar, his face twisting into a smirk. Shame he wasn't there to see that. He would have given whoever did it a pat on the back. But still, he's not here to play around with an idiot like this, not when the island is, indeed, sunk. He calls to his pokemon to return to his side, smile gone.]

I got no bones to pick with you today, homeboy, I have better things to do than waste my time and dirty Golisopod's claws on your sorry behind. There's people way more important than you and your Barbie doll I gotta find right now. [He sneers, then moves to slosh past Jaune and continue on his way.]

[aurabble]

Ah--!

[He didn't account for the stupid, two-toned scumbag's muscle. Golisopod was overprotective, especially to someone who didn't deserve it, but he was also the only one brave enough to face Jaune head-on.

Not that the fact makes it any less dignified as his feet slip in the mud, throwing him in the water and ruining his armor and hoodie. Pretty much everything. He glares at the man, cold and wet and probably...not that intimidating all things considered, but that didn't stop him from trying. Guzma had attacked him and his friends more than enough times to earn an unprovoked attack.]

I was warning you. [Don't compare himself to you. Standing up, his own glare drops into something more resentful, face burning in shame. If only Guzma knew. But he didn't, so there was that. Don't call him homeboy you living waste of breath. Jaune could stick his foot out and try to trip Guzma, or even just attack him and his pet and see what happens...but he doesn't.]

Have you seen her?

[yallstupid]

[To be fair, all of Guzma's pokemon are overprotective, and were all five here in full fighting form...Jaune wouldn't have a leg to stand on, quite literally. The man cares for his partners like any one would their closest friends and family, because to him...they are. And the feeling shared amongst the insects - a Trainer's bond with their pokemon is unique and undefined. A good, capable, loving trainer can incur miraculous things in the beasts, and unlock powers and skills they could never hope to achieve in the wild.

Golisopod growls at Jaune, following after his trainer closely and keeping an eye on the blonde in case he does decide to pull anything else. Not only that, but Jaune hasn't met Ariados, and she's a whole lot faster than the bulky Golisopod...but no less deadly. Thankfully, she's still tucked away inside her pokeball. But Guzma really isn't here to pick a fight, and he accentuates this by grabbing one of the curved points of Golisopod's shell and tugging his away. Come on, man, the little Grubbin isn't worth it. They can't go wasting energy here.

However, Guzma does stop at the question, tilting his head to one side. Her?]

...If'n you mean your broad, then no - but follow that shrill sound what's going 'round the island, yeah? Maybe you'll find 'er at the other end. [He chuckles darkly and continues on his way.] Might wanna hustle though, I hear witches don't do so great in water.

[aurabble]

She's not my...!

[He wants to hurt him so badly. Maybe even kill him. Who would miss him? Guzma is always boasting about protecting others, being more important than him and Weiss, but he knows that he's full of shit. A person like Guzma doesn't know how to protect anyone, only tear them down and harm them. Whatever he wants to tell himself to feel better. If Jaune is lucky, maybe he'll sink with the rest of the island. But as much as he despises Guzma, and as much as he wants him to suffer the way he made Weiss suffer, he has a point. They're running low on time. He's already checked the way behind him, so he stalks ahead, ignoring Golisopod and Guzma.]

[yallstupid]

[Shockingly, Guzma does have at least one person who...might miss him. The little girl he houses with - who was once his hated enemy and heated rival. She still is the latter, but the events in the crystal caverns have shed light on how he feels about the child, and that she's a longer younger and fragile than he first gave her credit for. If there's one soul here he'd leap into fire for, it'd probably be little Luna. Just don't tell her that.

Still, there are other children he's fond of just the same, and while Guzma grimaces when he's cut off by the salty blond - lord, can't you take any other route - he gives pause a moment and poses an inquiry himself. The idiot got one, and he actually answered!! Though, uh...in a very offhand, boorish manner, but still.]

...Hey. You seen a kid or two what with brown hair and a striped sweater? I'm looking for a pair.

[aurabble]

[He doesn't want to speak to him. Why can't Guzma stop talking? Jaune's convinced by now he loves hearing the sound of his voice, and he almost keeps going-- But that description has him freezing in his tracks.

His memories of what happened were delirious and unreliable, fading in and out from people he knew to a stranger. A kid. But that description is too specific. He hugs his right arm, unconscious that he's doing so.]

Was one of 'em wearing a green one?

[yallstupid]

[Bullseye. Guzma's eyes narrow somewhat as he watches Jaune's body language very closely. Something happened, and Guzma may have questions, but they're not for Jaune. For all he cares, this idiot could drop dead right here and now and he'd dance on his corpse and kick it into the rising waters with a parting middle finger. No, he'll inquire to the one he's looking for, the one he likes, respects, and is actually concerned for.]

They sure are. [Heck, the sweater practically defines them, considerig no one else wears one in tropical, island weather like this. But he has a few ideas why that is. Anyway--] Point me to 'em if you seen 'em.

[Make yourself not a waste of space and his time.]

[aurabble]

[That demand earns a roll of Jaune's eyes. Guzma couldn'tbe serious; like hell Jaune would voluntarily give him that kind of information. He doesn't know Guzma cares, truly cares about the kids. What he does know is he used them to justify his violence on an innocent person. There's a word for that.

Besides, if they're who he's thinking it is, they need help. Not someone who's already deeply ducked up like him. His voice takes on a dangerous edge.]

You're not going anywhere near them.

[yallstupid]

[Says the one protecting a selfish witch who used those same kids as an excuse to make a whole group of people deeply uncomfortable and forced to listen to her own personal rant about her bodily functions, but...nah. He's the bad guy. He's totally the bad guy for speaking up and challenging her. For not allowing himself to believe the guise of care (AGAIN) as a means for self benefit. Oh, and striking her when she went too far.

Tut tut. Bad Guzma.

Also, excuse you? This isn't about him? It's about a kid that may need help. He doesn't have time to climb over walls to get to point B. No, Guzma usually tears his obstacles down. His eyes narrow and he's tempted to have Golisopod pin this asshole to a tree by his trachea, fingers twitching as the huge insect growls behind him. Just one order, one flicker of movement, and he'd be on Jaune like a lioness on a lame zebra.

Instead, he breathes - a hiss of air through his teeth.]

They can't swim, you idiot! And they know me...both of 'em. Longer y'all keep me here, longer y'all is risking their hides, not mine. I can swim just fine, and I got him even if I didn't. [He jabs a thumb over his shoulder to Golisopod, who bellows loudly at Jaune, a sound similar to a furious alligator.] Now, if you wanna find your dame, I don't give two Rattata's tails - y'all can swallow seawater hand in hand for all I care.

But I got people I need to find, and them kids are first on my list. Now tell me where they are or get the heck out my way so I can find 'em myself.

[aurabble]

[There's no surprise that Guzma only thinks about himself. That his problems are clearly more important than everyone else's. Jaune may have had a fairly decent, loving upbringing, but he recognized people like Guzma when he saw them. He keeps his face impassive, not so much as blinking when Golisopod roars. He's seen, and heard so much worse. He doesn't care about his threats.]

I haven't seen them since the caves, and I was so out of it I didn't know they were real until you said that. ...Is there anywhere specifically on this island they might go?

[yallstupid]

[Oh yes, he's absolutely, 300% thinking about himself as he tirelessly looks for two children that can't swim during a period of rising water. How selfish of him.

Tut fucking tut. Bad Guzma.

He curses under his breath, then rubs his fingers through the short, black hair on the back of his neck, closing his eyes and furrowing his brows. He really shouldn't work himself...he shouldn't. Those kids are way more capable than--...well, than this asshole, that's for damn sure. Amsonia, the more sarcastic one Guzma nicknamed, especially. There's way more to those kids than they let on.]

Tch...they smart kids. Knowing the both of 'em, they'll head to high ground, so the mountain, prob'ly. [They know the terrain, too, considering they were all in a search party together to explore it.] But Amsonia's a stubborn piece'a work. If you can do anything right, then drag their hide up a tree and rope 'em to it.

[A pause.]

...Turn 'em upside down and shake 'em first, though. [To loosen the KNIVES.]

[aurabble]

I hope that high ground has a boat.

[Jaune grits his teeth before he can voice that they might be too late. That maybe all of this is pointless. What happens when the island's gone? They all move to those islets? They'll just die a slower death when they do.

He also thinks sticking anyone in a tree where they can't escape as the water rises is a terrible idea.]

You can stop telling me what to do now.

[He's pretty sure he's seen more shit than this overgrown brat. He has the right. But he does head to higher ground, without saying anything else.]

[yallstupid]

[For the love of god, Guzma just wants to punch this guy in the face and hold his head under the water. One less idiot to worry about, one less mouth to feed, one less person to use up their resources. If only he could kill him and he'd stay dead though, alas.

With a roll of his eyes, Guzma shakes his head with a sigh. God, what a moron...oh well. Hopefully the kid actually does stab him. Guzma'd high five him, for sure, or maybe give him something as a reward. Seriously, just shut this idiot up for two damn seconds, his head is filled with nothing of value, and all that escapes his mouth is garbage.]

A suggestion, but take it as you will, Lillipup. [Guzma shrugs lazily, then diverges their path, because he plainly can't stand to be in Jaune's presence another second. Besides that, he does need to collect a few resources for himself and Luna before they do get destroyed, and staying with this brat won't get him anything other than a fistfight...or worse.]