lifeaftr | November Intro: Red Sun Rises Like an Early Warning

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November Intro: Red Sun Rises Like an Early Warning

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.

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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[The second her feet hit dry land, she drops to her knees and clutches her bag close to her chest. She's wet. It's horrible. But her bag is safe and sound, the guy is safe too and-

Nice job, darlin

She barely hears anything else over the sound of compliment. It gives her a nice feeling. A few kind words she didn't expect in exchange for a couple seconds of bravery. It was worth anything to get her medicine back, but his praise helps ease the rapid beating of heart and relax her. It's fine. It turned out okay. She did a nice job and Seto could have done better. Could have done it quicker. Wouldn't have hesitated for a second in the face of the ocean's potential dangers, like she had, but she thinks her actions might have made him proud too.

She turns to look at him from her position in the sand with a small smile on her face.]

You did a nice job too. You were a good-[what was it again?]-anchor. You're good at that.

[Ah, there it is...the smile he was hoping for. Guzma grins, right back, and he's tempted to pat her head, but instead gives Ren's hand a little squeeze before he laughs and leads her back toward the forest. They really should get away from the rising water, if she's so afraid. Something tells Guzma they really, really don't want to be near the ocean right now. Maybe it's the islander in him, but this all seems like the makings of a very catastrophic force of nature, and he prays it's not to come.

Because they are hysterically unprepared for something like a tsunami.

But better to keep those thoughts to himself. No need to freak out the thalassophobic one here any more. He shakes a bit of water out of his sneakers (gosh, they're going to be destroyed by the end of all this) and shrugs his shoulders.]

'Ey, finally found something a useless lug like me can do, yeah? Dump me in the ocean and drag me 'cross the seabed.

[Blissfully unaware of dangers like tsunamis, she's more than happy to be lead away from the Danger Zone and pretend like if she can't see the water, then it can't hurt her. There's never been an issue between her and the ocean until now. It's pretty to look at it and she likes splashing around the shallow end during the hottest parts of the day, but now she knows it's a smooth criminal, just waiting to drag her bag into the ocean. She'll remember this betrayal.

She keeps a tight hold on his hand, unwilling to relinquish her grip on him until they're completely safe.]

The water's scary now. You can be a good anchor here.

[And she points to the ground with her other hand, making it apparent she a) has no idea what an anchor is and b) doesn't want him to go back into the water period. The actual point of his statement 'nyoooming' over her head and into the sunset three dimensions away. Besides-]

Guzma can do other somethings. You can make good fish and put your 'bros' into circles. Those are good things you can do.

[It's fine, Guzma's actually entirely okay with having his hand held this time around - not many people get that privilege, but Ren has endeared herself to him. She's sweet, played with his pokemon, and seems like a lost and...somewhat abandoned kid who had a difficult life. He can relate in a way, and he's taken in far worse than her and called them his brothers and sisters. Team Skull is gone, but he can still be someone else's big bro.

Guzma doesn't feel the ground squish under his sneakers anymore, which is a good sign. Still, staying on the island is dangerous. He's tempted to whisk Ren right back to his and Luna's little shack for a while and house her. He's, uh...he's sure he can make it work. Somehow.]

Put my-- [He snorts, laughing quietly as his shoulders shake.] I told you, kid, they're pokeballs - and my, uh...my bros are called pokemon. Golisopod and Ariados. Or Goli and Ari, if y'wanna shorten 'em.

And I ain't even the best at that. [I mean, he's a good trainer, especially for bug types, but he's no where near where he wants to be. In fact, Guzma has placed in various competitions and tournaments when he was just a child. Third place...and one second. Bronze, and silver...never gold. Never. Hahaha...

There's a reason he's the only one who wears gold on his team.] But ain't nothing you gotta worry 'bout, yeah? Let's get y'all someplace dry n' safe. You wanna sleep over, sweetheart? I know Goli would love to see you again.

[She repeats the names to herself, Goli and Ari, and tries to commit it to memory. The nicknames are better. Far easier to recall, though she only knows Goli well enough to associate a 'face' to. If Ari is his other friend-another bro, a piece of his family-she'll remember that too. Luna. Kitten. All of them.

It's a strange feeling to have someone offer their home to her, yet again. Especially an adult, though she's starting to realize the few in her world didn't exactly represent the whole group. They might have had kind hearts at some point in their lives, like Shin did. Maybe if they hadn't died, it would have come back.

But Guzma doesn't need to wait for his kind heart to return. The offer comes out and she-]

Taako and Lup-they like dry and safe places too.

[She thinks. It seems to be a universal desire most people share and without knowing how far the water is going to rise, how deep it's going to get, and if it'll reach their camp-

Where would they go? She has good hiding places to fit herself into, push come to shove. Nice big rocks that block out the weather and surround her on all sides so nothing can surprise her. The problem is it's not big enough for all three of them.

And she needs to pick up ESP kitty, who she left behind because it was his afternoon nap time and she couldn't resist the allure of treasure hunting anymore.]

Can they sleep in your warm house?

[And then because she loves Goli and still wants to see him-]

I can find good flowers for Goli to put in their hair.

[Ah, of course the little princess has people that're taking care of her. He's actually glad it's the two Keebler twins - they seemed pretty well together in terms of at least providing food, protection, and necessary goods for the kid. They had skill that would easily keep her safe and alive. Housing them both, though...hrm.]

Gonna be a tight squeeze - don't know if me n' Luna's lil place can fit three more people - one's not so bad, but...mm, there may be a space left on our island where they could room for a while. Plus, if not me, then I know others'd prob'ly take 'em in.

[I mean, he could try, but it'd be really, really difficult. Not impossible, especially if they rearranged their hammocks a bit to be more like bunkbeds (bunk hammocks?) to free up one side on the area - and Ren could sleep in Luna's hammock - but it'd tricky. They have enough blankets, too, thanks to the Drifter...]

I'll keep y'posted on that, okay? If it really gets bad on the mainland, you come on over with your buds, yeah? I won't turn y'all out.

[She doesn't have the same reservations about cramming a bunch of people into one small house. Release the pokemon, while you're at it. It would be warm. And no matter what direction you looked, there would be another person to hold hands with with. Overcrowding is definitely something she has a hard time wrapping her mind around.

But in his own way, he offers it to all of them. Where he won't turn them all out and she squeezes his hand in response to that. The water levels aren't bad, but having that backup plan is enough to comfort her. ]

Okay.

[The rock is a viable option for her and she can hobble off once she's sure the elves are tucked into bed, should there be an issue. She thinks they would like being around him, though. Whether it's sharing a bed or holding hands or even if they need to stay together in the future, he's got a kind heart that would resonate with them.

A heart Seto would appreciate, if he were here. Maybe one day, if she's still alive, she can bring him to Guzma so they can hold hands too.]

They'll make you very happy. They're cooking wizards, like you.

[In case he wasn't sold on their potential!! presence!!]

And Guzma can make them happy. You're good at that kind of thing too. You can make them smile.

[Once again, the temptation to pick her up - set this little darling on his shoulders or support her in the crook of one arm - is pretty high; Ren has a way of warming even the coldest, blackest of hearts. It must be a special gift only she has. Still, Guzma just chuckles again, a soft little hiss between his teeth. Cooking wizard...that's going to be a thing now, huh? Lord, he's never going to live it down, but might as well get better to wow his little princess here a bit more. Seeing her face light up is worth all the silly babble she spews. Actually, that in an of itself is part of the reward, too.

It's the last two things that makes him falter somewhat, his laugh turning into a swiftly sucked in breath and a tensing of his muscles. Ren can probably feel it, how uncomfortable he's suddenly become - how stiff and withdrawn with just a few well-meant words.

Simply because he doesn't believe any of them. It's true, he's not as bad as he was, but that darker, more ugly part of him can't exactly be ignored. It's still there, and it rears its ugly head whenever he gets angry - really, really angry. Guzma wonders how many sweet things she'd say if she ever learned just how bad he actually was. If she ever saw the type of thug he actually as--no, still is, sometimes.]

...Yeah. Maybe.

[It's because of the kindness he's shown her over their time spent on this island, that she doesn't think for a moment its her words that cause the shift in demeanor. But she feels it-even without her empathy to guide her and see his heart, she can sense the change. Her hand tightens around his with a vice grip similar to the one she had on him in the water, brought on by a fear of something she can't see.

Maybe something he can?

She becomes quiet and alert, looking at her surroundings to try spotting whatever mysterious thing has made Guzma stiffen up like this. But outside of the rising waters behind them, which didn't bother him only seconds ago, she doesn't see anything. Nothing. No spooky monkeys in the trees or crystals poking out of the rocks in their path. She can't see any ghosts spawning in front of them or-

She whips her head around, checking the area behind them.

Not there either.

Her voice is barely above a whisper when she speaks up again.]

Is it scary here?

[Guzma blinks, suddenly all too aware of how his shift in posture has create an air of paranoia in the girl he was trying to help and protect. He's still a little stiff, because talking about his issues is difficult, even to people he likes and trusts, like her, but...but she probably wouldn't understand anyway. She shouldn't have to. She's a good kid, doesn't need to know about all the bad things that've happened in Guzma's life, and how he feels about them...and himself.

He shakes his head with a soft sigh, rubbing his thumb across the back of her hand to ease her a little bit. Sorry, princess, didn't mean to freak you out. Just being an idiot all over again, nothing new.]

Nah, s'fine. Sorry 'bout that, darlin', just felt...out of sorts a sec there. [He shakes his head, breathing in and out.] Y'all doing okay? Need a lift instead - pretty sure I could carry you back if'n y'getting tired of slugging through this mess.

[There's a moment after that, when his thumb starts to touch the back of her hand, where she simply stares at him. As if she's trying to read something from his features. Maybe feel something from him outside the warmth of his hand, but-

Out of sorts, whatever that means. It's not fear and that's enough for her right now. There are 99 problems behind them and maybe a couple in front, but they're together and it's not scary. So it's fine for now.]

It's okay. I can walk for a long time. I can do things like that.

[It's a kind offer though and one that elicits a response from her in the way of maneuvering their joined hands, so that she can rub the back of his hand with her thumb instead. She doesn't know what that gesture means, but she likes it and it must help in some way. Even if she can't pinpoint how.]

You won't feel-[What did he say??]-'out of sorts' again if I do something like this? Right?

[And she CAN'T hold his hand if she's on his back god damn let her help.]

[Guzma still seems a bit withdrawn after all that, his gait more slow and sluggish, and his response a bit lacking in real emotion. He sounds almost tired, like his energy was sapped by...something. He's never been great at controlling his wild, topsy-turvy emotions, and self-worth was never something Guzma had an excess of. Being complimented so genuinely is strange and bizarre to him, when he was made to believe he was nothing but a disappointment since childhood - worsening only by the things he's done, and the poor choices he's made in adulthood.]

Suit yourself, but it's gonna get harder to walk once the water starts getting higher. You ever feel weighted down, yeah, just lemme know.

[They continue onward, and Guzma glances down at their joined hands when Ren begins to fiddle around with their grip. He blinks when she mirrors his previous action, then sighs softly as a smile actually, honestly appears on his face.]

...Yeah, that's right. Y'know, you're real good at cheerin' people up, yeah? Thanks, angel. [A new nickname, and certainly a deserving one.]

[She thought there might be a limit to the times her heart could swell up like this. It's a bizarre combination of happiness and pride that's all too new to her and feels almost overwhelming. She can only claim to be good at finding cats because she managed to get on good terms with all the city strays.

That's it. She was meant to be a tool and failed at even that. They couldn't use her, for whatever reason, and choose to use another girl. Tried to use her again when they knew it would end in pain for the few survivors left and-

Guzma says those kind words and she almost double-takes, surprise clear on her face for a second. Nearly has to catch her breath and realize that her heart's beating fast because she's happy. Not because her medicine wore off.

She wonders how much he would like Seto, if he thinks she's good at that. If he truly looks at her and sees value in how she cheers people up, he'll be overwhelmed by him. Whenever he finds her, she has to bring him to Guzma immediately. Has to let him see who's the best at cheering others up.

But like the elves, he uses another name. It's not a food he confuses her for and it's not a 'term of endearment' like she's recently learned about, it's something else entirely-angel. Whatever that means.]

It's Ren. [And then-] It's okay if you forget. I'll listen for your voice and-

[Doesn't matter what name he uses, she'll be there, and she squeezes his hand tight.]

I'll come cheer you up again. I can do that for you now.

[The best at cheering people up would still be Ren, hands down, to Guzma anyway. Because she's the sort of person he'd needed a decade and a half ago, and only just found. She's the sort of person who could even put a genuine smile on his face...despite everything. Despite how hard, cold, and bitter he's become. She's...definitely very special, especially to him.

Ren, huh? Oh, he'll definitely remember her name, but he's going to keep the nickname - it's simply too fitting. What else could be be, but an angel, to come to this poor sinner's side when he was down? And offer to do so again and again, unconditionally.]

I'd 'preciate it if you did... Name's Guzma, now c'mon, I'll take you back to my place for now as get you fed up and y'all can decide if you wanna go or stay, yeah? But we gotta make tracks if we wanna be back 'fore it gets too dark.

[Or too waterlogged. It'll be a long walk back to the Storyteller's temple, but Guzma will indeed make good on his promise. Once by the mana pool, and back at his islet home, he'll feed Ren whatever he has available (AND MAKE HER FREAKING EAT IT >8C) then give her the option of staying or going on her way. Whatever she chooses, he'll treat her well regardless.

His little angel. ♥]

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November Intro: Red Sun Rises Like an Early Warning

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