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.

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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

[holdmyhand]

Ah-- hey! [ she puts her hands on her head to remove the imposing hand and pull her hat back up-- it was doing a good job of covering her ears!! But!! It doesn't need to cover her nose!! Their eyes meet, and Luna feels...sad. Not because she remembers that terrible memory among the many that she gazed upon, but because she made worse memories on top of that. Yelling doesn't fix yelling.

It's been an awkward couple of days, to say the least.

His necklace around his neck brings her both comfort in it's familiarity and confusion. A reminder of where he had started as far as Luna's memories are concerned. She doesn't know enough about Guzma to know what that necklace represents. But...it doesn't have anything to do with her, right? She can hear him saying it after the sting of their last conversation. Even though he doesn't sound mad now. ]

No...just trying to help out. There's too much to do to just sit around! [ she responds, pulling the make-shift cape around her legs and making a pouting face. >:C ]

[yallstupid]

[Yelling doesn't fix yelling, but boy did he need to hear some of those things. He didn't believe a lot of them, but they did their part of at least sinking in enough that he heard them. Heard them, and remembered them. When their eyes meet, when Luna looks sadly at him, Guzma's teeth grit together behind pursed lips and he looks away uncomfortably. He really messed up, huh? The rift between himself and the little champion is sure wider than just a few feet...

The chain jangles when he shifts, bobbing to and fro against his chest, but it's not the only one. Guzma grabs something that clambers out of his pocket, shoving it back in hastily as his face lights up ferociously. He's not sure if he even should give Luna this. I mean, the item is important to him - the symbol of his team, his family, imbued with Dawn Stone - his and Luna's promise to get stronger and...and to return home. No matter what, don't forget to return home.

Because he has one now. And she does, too. If she wants to. If she wants to share a home, a place of safety, with him. If she wants to be part of his home and his family.]

Y'know...you won't help no one if'n your legs fall off cuz'a frostbite, brat. I ain't carrying around no nubby little shrimp, either. How tall are you? [The last question is a bit...shocking? Odd?? BOTH??? But he needs to know so he can get her some comfy stockings made to keep her legs warm.]

[holdmyhand]

[ she hears the chain...s? In his pocket. They're louder than the fire, at least, and she settles her gaze on his pocket thoughtfully before he quips up a response. At least....at least that's a good start. He's still talking to her. Good. Probably.

She wants very badly to roll her eyes at his mothering, but there's a part of her that knows he's not here because it's the only fire. With balance, she hugs her legs and rolls back into the cool ground. ]

I'm basically five feet tall! [ and 'basically' is about as close as you're gonna get, g-man. Luna's already pretty sensitive about her height...even if it makes exploring small areas a lot easier! ] And...if I keep moving, I'll be fine. When everyone is settled in and safe, I'll, uh...move less?

[ she smiles, though it doesn't quite reach her eyes. Talking helps her focus. Moving helps her focus. Sitting and looking at a guy who screamed his truest feelings at her after witnessing a horrific memory not meant for anyone doesn't help her. She needs to talk. She has to move. Almost as quickly as she sat down, she stands up!! ]

I'm, um...I'm glad you're okay. [ the gratitude that he came back at all is clear in her somewhat uneven voice. They've been quiet the last few days. Things might be different. But he's still here, and she's still here, and...as long as they're talking, things could be okay. It's okay, Luna. It's okay. ]

[yallstupid]

[Five feet? He doubts that, but it's a good enough size to go by - he can tell that little munchkin girl...elf...whatever Luna's height and hopefully get some knit stockings for her made up, to keep her legs warm. He has nothing to trade, but she seemed willing to do it for free, so...maybe--]

You're pretty darn stupid, kid. That ain't how it works - you're using a whole lot more energy just to keep yourself warm already...using up any more will just wear you out, and if y'all collapse where it's real cold, you don't wake up again. Do what you gotta in the next hour or whatever, but when y'all sit again, you stay put. Eat...drink something hot. You got that jug'a hot stuff in your bag, yeah?

[The cider, he means. Guzma still has his in his bag, and been eagerly guzzling it up to keep warm, singing to it to get it to refill daily. Of course, his contains alcohol, so Luna may only be offered the tiniest sip, but she should have one that's nonalcoholic. If...she remembered to bring the darn thing.

He's actually reaching into his pack again, to fetch the corked jug when Luna stands again, and he practically snarls at her, but pauses when she speaks again, and Guzma deflates entirely, looking away from her with tightly pursed lips and tightened shoulders. Those aren't exactly words he expected, nor does he deserve. After how he screamed at the poor girl, who did nothing else but care, he doesn't deserve her to actually...actually give a damn. He doesn't deserve her to remain at his side. There are other people so much more capable of taking care of her than he is.]

Hold on. [He mutters, just as she's ready to go. Guzma inhales deeply, grabs the item from his pocket and holds it out to her. The pendant dangles from its chain, glittering beautifully in the light of the fire, throwing light like seawater, or an aurora, against the ground. It's a necklace, a pendant to match his own - the logo of Team Skull - but the outer rim was silver, eyes still black, but the case of the S shape? It's a blue-green. Like a certain, hard to get stone.] ...Here.

[He huffs, turning away again, to avoid looking at Luna's face. He feels incredibly stupid, offering this to her. Considering everything he's done, this is perhaps the worst gift she could ever receive. A symbol of the Team that hurt her friends and pokemon...a criminal gang of thieves. Why in the world would she accept to be a part of that? He closes his eyes...waiting.]

[holdmyhand]

[ he's insulting her, and she looks a little let down. Organized complaining. Maybe just venting some more-- Luna is not an expert in these sorts of things, but she just lets him critique her with a somewhat avoiding gaze. Is he mad? Is he just being himself? What sort of mood is this?

His question brings her out of her daze and she nods!! Oh!! Yes, she got that! ]

Yeah! It's really good! Did you get one too? You can...e-er...you can have some of mine if you want some! [ it's huffed out!! just!!! Forgive and forget! That's been the motto so far. Just be yourself. Work through it. Viva la vida...whatever that means.

She hadn't intended on leaving, so when he gruffly tells her to stay put, she feels more cemented to her spot than before. The jingling sound intensifies as his large hand rifles through his pocket to retrieve...

...a skull pendant. And the first look it gets is a confused one, but it softens as the light catches and shares that beautiful, familiar blue shade. It's...w-well, it's definitely Guzma, and she can't help but smile just a little without thinking about it too much. It's definitely his sty-- ]

...for....for me?

[ her eyes widen. for her? This? This pretty thing? It...it matches Guzma's. She walks over to him and takes it from him in her smaller hands, and it looks like a much larger necklace. Olivia would want to inspect it if she were here-- she knows Lillie would probably give her a confused stare, but...

...she can't help but smile, with a rosy little light against her cheeks. That's probably just the fire. Absolutely just the fire. ]

It's pretty! Did...this is the one you were talking about before, right? [ she's holding it in front of her, thumb lining the silver around the outside. ] It's okay if I take this? You won't ever get it back! I'll wear it all the time!

[ it comes out like a threat, but it's more of a jumbled compliment. It's easily tossed around her neck, though somewhat crooked, and she looks very happy to have it. ]

[yallstupid]

[Forgive and forget...haha. Well, he certainly didn't forget what happened, and doesn't forgive himself for how he acted, but...Guzma certainly is treating the subject like it never happened, and he's happy to continue doing just that. What she, and so many others saw, is not to be discussed. Ever. And so help the witless fool that tries to bring it all up again. He probably won't hold back, that time.

Guzma barely registers what Luna says, other than she got a jug of that cider stuff, whatever it's called. Good, that should keep her nice and warm if she's smart enough to save it, or knows how to magically refill it. I mean...it pretty much says how to on the damn jug itself. Share or sing to it, and he's been doing the latter, always having drunk the thing before being able to share (oops).

But that's not why he's really here, oh no. He only chances a few glances back, finally really looking at Luna when she accepts it. It's like a weight off his shoulders, and he breathes out heavily - a deep sigh of relief. But, like any kid, she doesn't really get the true meaning behind it, and he huffs a little at her excitement, turning a light shade of red around his face. If pointed out, Guzma will more definitely snarl and blame the cold, then hide his face in the knit scarf he snagged from that little elf girl...person.]

Yeah, it's yours. [He grumbles, chewing the inside of his cheek to force himself not to smile. Wear it all the time, huh?] That's a Team Skull pendant you're gonna be wearing, brat - you really okay saying you'll wear it all the time? You know what it means to wear that, right? It ain't just some little trinket I'm handing over just 'cuz.

You put that on, and y'all is saying you're a part of my team. [And you can't take that back.]

[holdmyhand]

Your team? [ she can't help but repeat what he's saying, holding the necklace close to her body. Team Skull? The group that created his image in the eyes of locals? Villians...heartless mobsters, who steal pokemon. A place where you could go if you needed a place to be, and a place to be if you had no place to go. She'd gone through, and she'd met some of the grunts of Team Skull, and...they had nothing but respect for Guzma. Nothing but respect and some fear, and some adoration. Someone who helped organize them.

...so what really is Team Skull? She seems a little uncomfortable. Mainly because everything he does has her thinking on if it's a good decision or if it'll lead her down a path of thuggary. If she was more well versed, maybe she'd recognize the philosophical arguments going on in her head.

But...Guzma is her friend. And he wouldn't just give this out. She looks at the accessory and reflects it on the light of the fire. He's finally looking at her, and she returns his gaze. ]

So...are we gonna be the new Team Skull? And don't think I'm gonna ever go easy on you when we battle, just because you're the leader!

[ she looks up at him with a grin. All is forgiven, big G. ]

[yallstupid]

[New Team Skull...huh. It never occurred to him to reform his old team, there was no point to it. He wasn't helping those idiots, he was only hindering them by keeping them stagnating at the same low point in their lives...sort of like he was. So bitter and jaded that he couldn't progress, only tear down those who tried to overcome him in their own pursuit to glory. Out of sheer spite.

They had to go on without him, because they could. As stupid as his grunts all were, they were good kids, deep down. Most of them, anyway, and some were talented in a variety of ways. He...doesn't exactly know if what he did was good or bad, and certainly some hated him for disbanding, but...there were others that said they'd never forget their time here, and they'd don the so-called 'colors' at a second's notice, if needed. Morons. He misses them, sometimes.

He snorts, tempted to flick an ember her way from the fire, but resists. Brat...she's pretty dumb, and undoubtedly doesn't understand what he's getting at by giving her the necklace, but...well, he's glad she accepted it.]

Yeah, I guess... You, me, n'that other girl what likes cats a whole lot. [Did...did he ever learn her name? Um.] I gave her one'a these, too. And I ain't even gonna comment on that battling since I'd drag your kiester through the snow til it all melted away.

Twerp.

[holdmyhand]

For... for Ren?! Really?? [ she laughs!! Of course, Ren, of all people, would win Guzma's heart. Enough to earn her a skull chain, anyway. She's a treasure. ]

Ah-- hey! [ she glares playfully, curving her arms into the grunt skull pose, and then extending her arm out with some sloppy choreography... ] I'll get better! We'll train every day if we have to!

[ the fire in her eyes serves as a gentle reminder that this...is a promise. Not an idle thread. She's grinning, though. The challenge of bettering themselves is one that is sought after and looked forward to, for sure! ]

[yallstupid]

[Guzma hums softly, nodding his head and committing that name to memory. Ren, right...he's pretty sure she told him that, but lord knows his memory is garbage. He'll do better this time, now that he cares so much.

Guzma raises his brow at the ridiculous pose Luna takes and shakes his head. Unbelievable... Is that really how people saw him and his grunts? Those idiots and their whack little jazzhands. It's fun and all when they're dancing, or rapping, but straight up foolish when just...making conversation. Sigh.]

Good. 'Cuz I won't accept a win until we on equal ground, got it? I'm gonna beat you down when you n'me are both at our best.