January Intro: I Know the Winter's Getting Colder

[lifeaftr_mods]

INTRO LOG: JANUARY

Who: Everyone!
What: New souls arrive to the archipelago of LifeAftr
When: January 5th and onward
Where: Chol and surrounding waters
Warnings: Mark as needed!

The Overview: New Lands
New arrivals will not be waking in the typical hub of activity; instead, they will find themselves coming to on the small island of Chol. While the island's fringes are little more than an unforgiving spread of craggy, canyon-like rock and coastal cliffs, the island dips down to form a fertile divot of edenic woodland in its center. The people living there will even be helpful and polite to you, should you inquire after them.

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

Icebreaker: This is the Winter of Our Youth
Unless you're someone with a fondness for the cold, you'll undoubtedly be waking with more than a slight chill in your bones. The appearance of the island of Chol has signaled a coming event of great import in LifeAftr, and unfortunately, the signs of that event's approach have already been set in motion. The temperature has begun to drop as the sun's rays begin to die, faster and faster, leading to an impressive cold snap in the ocean waters - particularly those surrounding Chol.

It is for that reason that you won't be waking on Chol, per se. Instead, you'll be waking on a thick crust of ice that's mantled itself over the ocean waters, freezing solid enough to bear your weight...for the most part. The ice won't hold forever; it isn't meant to. If you happen to be particularly vivacious in your waking, or especially active in general, thick cracks will start to spiderweb out from underneath those impacts with low, warning chunks and wrenches of fracturing ice. Better hurry to land soon, unless you care to take a little dip into those freezing cold ocean waters.

Mainland: When We Pick Over the Past
Should you make it to the land of Chol, braving the iced-over waters surrounding its craggy shores, you'll encounter something at least as startling - the people who have elected to set up a rudimentary encampment upon its lands. While a bit on the scalier side, the Jormun are nonetheless allied to you land-dwellers, and will welcome you to the island. Most will be preoccupied with preparations for an approaching siege, but many will comment idly that the cold is a sign of the coming battle. Some may point you to their leader, known to most as Munin, but others will venture hospitality based on the actions of those land-dwellers that came before you, who were successful in allying themselves to this sea-dwelling people.

Those who might have braved the cold a little too fiercely will quickly be offered some rather rough blankets - perhaps more on par with burlap sacks in terms of texture - as well as a hot brew that the Jormun call brrkshavak. Heated to a boil just prior to being served, the drink will be more than adequate in warming your weary bones, though it bodes mentioning that it is both scalding hot and made with a fleshy kind of undersea herb that is akin to crushed chili pepper in taste.

It'll warm you up, all right.

---

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 )

Comments

[journalname]

i

[Strictly speaking, Asgore has not been Underground for several months now. But the laboratories of Aperture Science are still not quite the surface, and he lies still on the ice for a moment just looking up at the stars.

The chill reaches through his fur rather quickly, though, and without fully thinking about it, he clambers to his feet. Only after, at the sound his claws make on the ice, does he realize this may have been a hasty move.]

...ah.

[That looks rather thin, doesn't it? Certainly for someone of his size, it isn't safe at all.

He takes a second longer to look around, down at the ice, and then up towards the nearby island. Walking on this is a bad idea, but there really does seem to be nothing for it. His magic is still with him, unlike in the hospital, but none of it can particularly help him with this. So, very very gingerly, he starts to inch his way towards shore.]

ii

[After reaching shore, Asgore's quick to gravitate towards what small crowds there are. At first he spends a little while walking around scanning faces, as if he's looking for someone. There's no reason to really expect that any of his friends were brought here as well, even though he was just with them - that is not, he has learned, generally how this sort of thing works. And yet, and yet...

When he finally gives up, he moves alone to a larger unoccupied area, flat and clear of plant life. After conferring with the Jormun, of course, because it would be terribly rude to startle their hosts with this sort of thing, he flicks a paw at his chosen spot, causing a fairly large fire to roar to life, and settles down to warm himself. There's no wood or any obvious source of fuel, but it keeps on burning, and Asgore is quick to beckon anybody who passes by.]

Please, sit and warm yourself if you like. I promise it is quite safe.

[...at some point, he also starts unbuckling his armor, setting the pieces aside. Once that's done, leaving him in only the thinner clothes he wears underneath, he unclasps his cape just long enough to pull a bright pink sweater over his head. It says MR. DAD GUY on the front. Once it's on, he replaces the regal-looking cape over top of it. So, that's a thing that is happening.]

ii

[lightlessfuture]

[ They'd followed along after Asgore out of sheer curiosity - they've seen fluffy bugs before, and big ones, but nothing quite like this.

Then he starts a fire and they skitter back some distance, because anything that can magic up lights and fires doesn't fill them full of confidence, to put it lightly.

He doesn't seem to talk like that dream of sunlight, though. He seems more intelligent than that. So they slowly creep back into the radius of the fire, a little ghost with a bone-white mask, to look at Asgore from across the flames.

They seem to be studying him intently, radiating curiosity. ]

[journalname]

Ah! Hello, little one!

[Asgore would normally kneel down to a child's level, but he's already seated and he's not likely to get to this person's height unless he lies on his belly. They may not be a child anyway. Still, he makes his voice as soft as it can go - they seem nervous.]

Would you like to sit down?

ii

[darkova]

[The fire is clearly magical, and Ingway is impressed. And while he has never seen a creature exactly like Asgore, he's seen enough beast men to not be too concerned.

So he sits]

My thanks.

[...that sweater sure is a... Thing. He smirks a little]

[journalname]

Of course!

[Asgore smiles, apparently either blithely unaware of or completely indifferent to anybody else's sweater opinions.]

My name is Asgore Dreemurr. [He offers a large, clawed hand.]

2

[unpurify]

[These islands have exposed the Batter to many people of different shapes, sizes and species. And due to his own world and abilities the concept of magic isn't an unknown, although it is an impressive amount of fire this being kicks up.

And then he makes an offer, taking the Batter out of his thoughts.]

Okay. [A pause before he adds.] Thank you.

[He's still working on when to add things like 'thank you' to sentences. The Batter sits down and two large circles of pure white energy follow suit...somehow. Luckily enough for him he had some layers but it's still pretty cold so the fire is welcome.

The purifier watches Asgore remove his armor for a moment, only to replace with a sweater that says 'Mr. Dad Guy'. That's...quite a juxtaposition.]

[journalname]

Of course! [Asgore watches the human(?)'s own magic with some interest, having apparently not taken note of any social awkwardness.] We are all in the same boat, are we not?

[He's a little focused on what he's doing, though, removing the armor and getting that sweater over his horns. It's only when he catches the Batter watching him that he realizes he has not made introductions.] Ah - forgive me. My name is Asgore Dreemurr.

[No title given. It's not that he is no longer a king, but so far from his home, it seems to have stopped mattering quite so much.]

ii

[alittleditty]

Thank you.

[She dips a small curtsy. Although first, before she does that, she still has scarves to distribute. Although looking up at Asgore, she has to admit... well, he's quite large. Quite likely larger than male Roegadyns can get. She holds up one of her larger scarves, looking from it to him and back with a frown.

Well, this is embarrassing.]

... I do believe I may need to make a bigger scarf.

[journalname]

...oh gosh, you don't have to do that! I have this sweater!

[He holds up an arm as if to show it off. It's clearly also hand-knit.]

i

[souris_keteer]

[With the arrival of the new island, Mickey has begun to head over to see who could use his help. He follows the sound of the cracking ice, and begins heading toward the large man - but once he gets a good look at that face, he stops.

Because my adoptive father liked to murder children.

Oh yes. He killed several children- my age, younger. A horrible notion, is it not? To strike down the innocent, those who couldn't fight back.

The memory share hadn't been too long ago, and out of all the horrible things that had been discovered, that one clearly stuck out - especially the way that child had smiled so darkly when revealing this truth about a man who looked so warm and kind. Mickey's mind goes blank. He doesn't know what to do.

You could say he's frozen.]

[journalname]

[Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, Asgore is pretty quick to notice a fellow creature out on the ice. A monster? Maybe not - he's not so quick to assume that of non-humans anymore, and though there are monsters that look very much like that, this isn't somebody he recognizes.]

Oh, howdy there! [He smiles, only a touch strained.] Have you also just woken up out here?

ii

[ratsinadaze]

[Even engrossed as she is in her discussions with the Jormun over how and when to set up ambushes for the coming battle, a fire roaring to life in the middle of the camp certainly catches her attention. She stares at it, and the huge fuzzy creature next to it, for a solid minute before excusing herself from her conversation and making her way over.]

[She nods awkwardly in thanks at Asgore's words, settling down by the fire quietly and trying to figure out how best to bring up the sweater. Ultimately she decides she has no right to judge others for their clothing choices and breaks the ice more traditionally instead.]

So, uh. You must've just come in, I'm guessing?

[A black rat scurries out of the folds of her clothing and settles on her shoulder, sniffing in Asgore's direction curiously.]

[journalname]

I did, yes. And you have been here for some time?

[Oh, how cute! He tilts his head, smiling a little at the rat.]

The Jormun I spoke to said that we were far from the first land-dwellers to arrive in such a way.

ii

[thejaw]

[Asgore may pose a somewhat intimidating figure, but the, uh, 'MR DAD GUY' sweater is helping to offset that. Plus, Brian is cold, so after a brief moment of hesitation, he accepts the offer and sits down opposite Asgore. It's a deliberate decision to sit as far from him as possible, and one leg remains folded underneath Brian, ready to spring himself up if needed.

He's been seeking out heat, but he's not seeking a conversation, and so Asgore will be met with awkward silence.]

[journalname]

[well that's too fucking bad, you have fallen into his CONVERSATION TRAP]

Howdy! My name is Asgore.

[prettypurpleparlor]

[That... is an unexpected, unmistakable face. But she shouldn't be surprised, really- people from the Underground's past have shown up here, why not their present, too? Muffet begins to step forward and then realizes the danger of putting any more weight on the already-strained ice.]

[She carefully backs up until she's standing on solid ground, then calls out to him from the shoreline:]

Hello, your majesty. I can throw you a line and pull you in the rest of the way, if you like.

[journalname]

[......oh.......

It's only a fraction of a second before Asgore mentally chastises himself. He should be glad to see one of his people. Not glad that she's here, perhaps, but if there were monsters drawn into this place before him, it is better that he is here. Right?

Alex was probably right about all of it anyway. It could not have been quite that easy.]

Howdy! [He lifts a hand to smile and wave, taking the time to search his memory. He makes an effort to remember the people he meets, even if only briefly.] It is, ah, Muffet, is it not? That would be very kind, thank you!

[Can she really pull him in? He's never seen her magic, maybe she can.]

ii.

[mamaterasu]

[The burst of flame is what catches Ammy's attention first - she had been inspecting a few leftover scraps of food on the floor, her appetite overriding manners (as it is very wont to do) - but the large, horned figure is what actually draws her near. For a moment, the face and figure doesn't really register, but once it does she begins to wag her tail and trot over with a pleased yip.

The dream-like memories always were difficult to recall with absolute clarity, especially with Ammy's terrible memory, but she recalls this massive ram and his gentle nature. The fire is new, but then again...with everything covered in water, fire wouldn't exactly be ideal to cast, would it? Ammy flops down on her side beside Asgore, leaning her head on his knee with a huge yawn.

Hello there. Hop your arrival here was a bit more smooth?]

[journalname]

Oh! Oh, hello there...

[Asgore smiles a little at the contact, gingerly reaching for the wolf. He's telegraphing it enough that she could easily move if she wasn't okay with it - so, if she doesn't, he'll take that as a sign to pat her head.]

Golly, you look a little familiar. [It's half a question. He'd mostly forgotten the dream, but what he can recall gains significance after that meeting with the Storyteller.]

ii

[maku]

[ first question: what's with this giant goat dude.
second question: why is the giant goat dude wearing a sweater.
third question: where can she get a sweater.

That's not what she asks just yet, of course, because that would be rude and that might mean she doesn't get to huddle next to this big warm fire. So instead she plops herself down close as she dares and sticks her hands out, spreading her fingers wide to the flame. ]

Are you doing this? The fire, I mean. There's no wood or anything.

[journalname]

I am! It is part of my magic. I cannot maintain it forever, but certainly for the rest of the night.

[It'll take a little more investment to keep it while he sleeps, and he's noticed his magic feels...more limited than usual, perhaps? No matter; this is a good use.]

It will not burn, if you get too close.

2

[the_word_is]

[And sit, Maka does, after a wave "hello". She isn't going to pass up a fire, even one clearly made by magic.

She's wary, but not too much, a smallish human teenager in combat boots and kahki pants and a flower print long-sleeved shirt and a hoodie with the sleeves torn off. Her hood is up, and there's a bandana wrapped around her throat as a scarf and another over her mouth to keep her face somewhat warm. She keeps her backpack on as she crouches by the fire.]

[journalname]

Howdy! My name is Asgore.

[She's quiet, but fair enough; she looks terribly cold, as wrapped up as she is.] Do not worry, it cannot burn you.

[demonpuppy]

[They've seen magic like that before, though not nearly so strong. Asriel had shown them a small, fitful ball of flame held in his so soft paws, and the roaring fire burning in front of this monster is so much the same it easily could have been spun from that very same soul.]

[And thinking back to the last Storytelling, maybe that's not too far off.]

[Chip bites their lip before hurrying over, settling down on the other side of the fire and pulling their jacket (too light for this kind of weather) closer around themself.]

Um...thanks.

ii.5!!!!

[achievementhunter]

[Dashing back and forth across the ice isn't exactly the smartest thing they've done. It's not a style of terrain they're used to, nor do their shoes have the grip required to stop them from skidding and stumbling all over the place, crashing to the ground more than once. By the time they return to Chol, Chara feels like their entire body is composed of bruises, cold and exceptionally sour in mood.

The fires are surrounded by people. If they hadn't lost feeling in their fingers a good half hour ago, perhaps they would have skipped the busy area entirely, winding their way through the crowds with a brisk excuse me here and there, where there's no room for them to move without brushing against someone.

And yet, there's some things that can't be missed. Certain things that catch the eye entirely- an exceptionally large goat monster is one such thing. They freeze, staring at his back with breath caught in their throat and a mixture of-- thoughts.
Emotions. Disbelief. Rage. Guilt. Bitterness.
...It seems their time is up, after all.

They walk towards the fire, and it's with conscious silence, that they skirt around the edge. Hunker themself down opposite him, eyes on the fire itself. They know they're different to what he remembers. Shorter hair- perhaps, one silly part of them thinks, they even look older.

But probably not.]

...Sir.