lifeaftr | March Adventure: Swim with the Current and Float Away

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March Adventure: Swim with the Current and Float Away

NEW ISLAND: AI'TUOH

Who: Anyone who feels brave...or particularly lawful
What: A city worth exploring, and a people worth meeting
When: March 10th and onward
Where: Ai'tuoh
Warnings: The themes you might associate with strict punishment and rule-based dystopias will abound, along with nonconsensual drugging/sedation for those found guilty in the streets. Otherwise, mark as needed!

The Overview: Ai'tuoh
The dawn of the 10th will see the appearance of the promised island on the horizon. The smooth, even planes of city walls rear across the expanse of sandy beach, but beyond that, no particular discerning characteristics can be immediately glean. That same morning, characters will awaken from a brief dream, wherein the Storyteller will advise that the new island accessible via mana pool - and they suggest, with some trepidation, that you do not make the location of said mana pool on the new land immediately obvious to the natives. It's clear that something has put them on edge, though they've yet to say what.

Welcome, adventurers, to the island of Ai'tuoh.

Our City, Our Rules
Ai'tuoh is home to a sprawling city, built of smooth, sandy stone. Its architecture is simple, precise, and uniform, valuing utility above all else - function to the exclusion of form. The homogeneity of the people of Ai'tuoh extends beyond the similar, monochrome spectrum of their apparel. Despite the gradations of skin color and the subtle shifts in the shades of their hair - all falling within established limits, of course - they all appear to be more or less human. But most striking of all is the stern warning emblazoned across the city's gates. It translates as follows:

May those who violate our law be cleansed in the Standing Water.

The Unerring Law of the people of Ai'tuoh can be found in the library, which contains little besides some five hundred copies of the same dispassionate lists of various laws, most of which you've probably already broken by the time you've entered.

If you plan on stopping by, we'd recommend taking the time to explore the docks first - those that frequent that particular area are rather more forthcoming to travelers. You might find someone sympathetic to your plight, willing to offer some helpful hints.

Holding Cells: Awaiting Your Trial
Those unlucky enough to be caught by the concealed militia taskforce of the city will be sedated on sight of their violation, and will wake in a small, smooth-stoned room. There are no windows, and only one door - and it won't be opening under your duress.

The holding cell into which you've been deposited is beyond barebones; while clean and uniform, it lacks even the basic commodities of a bed and bucket. It seems that there's no need to plan for keeping prisoners in the long term. No one drops by to visit, and no one addresses you if they pass through. Your only company is in your cellmates, who you might be able to hear through the walls, provided you raise your voice over the soft, buzzing hum that permeates the air; a magical suppression field, to ensure that those with particular talents cannot exert them to break the law's hold.

The barracks are sorted into clusters of several buildings, each with variety of cells hidden in secluded pockets. To contrast the uniformity of the city itself, there is no such order here; the buildings are designed to be difficult to break into, and even harder to orient oneself in.

Those who are being kept in holding until their cleansing will not be in complete isolation forever. There are a number of militia who patrol the prison areas to ensure peace is being kept...and some might even be open to conversation.

For OOC information about Ai'tuoh and the city's laws, please see our recent OOC information post!

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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[ Kanata hasn't even ventured into the city yet for lack of interest in its slated gray walls and threatening welcome sign. It's only natural that he would be drawn like a magnet to the sea, letting his feet soak in the water while looking over the docks.

With his eyes closed and his face to the sun, it's peaceful.. for approximately 15 seconds seconds. ]

-- Uwah?!

[ Kanata startles back, watching The Screaming Disruption breach through the surface of the water, and it takes him a moment to realize it's actually just his fellow unit mate and not one of those fish people from before. He's leaning in out of concern as far as he can without toppling into the water himself. ]

Shinobu~~? [ SHINOBU....??? びっくりしました...??? ] Are you "drowning"...?

Shhhhhhh----Shhhhhhhhhhhhh-Shinkai-dono!?!

[Gasping both in surprise and to replenish his lungs with the proper amount of air, Shinobu marvels at his luck to run into Kanata rather than some other weirdo. Like one of the strange natives who seemed to walk with dull eyes. Or Eichi.]

No! You see~ I was using my special underwater ninja technique. [A moment of pride before he sports a more sheepish posture, carefully adjusting his hair to make sure it hadn't accidentally exposed his left eye.]

Ahhh... A-Actually, I had seen that you left and decided to follow at a safe distance... B-But after a while I had lost track and wound up all alone... Umm, do not be mad, please...!

Yes, it is me...~ ♪

[ He is so, so calm after that first bout of surprise. Kanata nods slowly in understanding as Shinobu gasps, fixes his hair, and rattles off at a mile a minute. He's used to this, fondly granting him plenty of time to finish and then some before Kanata even draws up a reply, dipping his toes back into the water with the pause. ]

I am not "mad" at you, Shinobu. [ Maybe just a little, but that's more out of worry than anything. ] You are also "growing up", after all.. But it would be "safer" to stay beside me next time.

[ He's using the word safer here on purpose- Kanata knows what it means to be looked at with an ostracizing glare, and boy if that's what these locals don't do best. Briefly looking back at the city behind them, he tries to sound a little more stern. ]

But.. do not "follow" me when I go in there, or I will become mad. I am not.. very good at looking after you like Chiaki, so I want Shinobu to "stay put" like a good boy.

[ And then, striking a pose that resembles something out of the hundreds of sentai shows they've had to study in their unit, Kanata's tone softens to it's usual lilt. He doesn't want that warning to sound too harsh, so he follows it up with a more appropriate hum: ]

I am the Vice-Captain, so that is a "direct order".. okay~? ☆

[For a moment, a glorious moment, the way Kanata poses and declares his position in RYUSEITAI brings them back to the campus of Yumenosaki. Back to their everyday land-locked school life.

Sadly moments do not last forever, and the foreign scenery behind Kanata becomes all-too clear in Shinobu's eyes. He can't keep himself smiling like this, and instead opts to look to his feet.]

....Shinkai-dono... [He begins, choosing words carefully as his thumbs entwine and untangle with anxious movement.] Along with Captain-dono, yes, you two always look out for the rest of us... It really is amazing~

[A pause, much longer than intended.] B-B-But... I am not a kid, you know? Shinkai-dono! I apologize for following you in secret, that was very wrong of me... But -- To your request, I must respectfully decline... We are not in Yumenosaki anymore, we are in this strange and scary place on our own... It is just us two of RYUSEITAI, a-and so... And so....! I humbly request...

[His fingers separate their web and curl into fists of determination, looking back up into his senior's face with as much courage as he could muster.]

Please allow me to watch out for you as well...! ☆ I do not want to stay behind idle and leave you alone to face unknown dangers!!! To coexist as equals despite our differences, that is the spirit of RYUSEITAI!... I-Is it not~?!

[ It's a little bittersweet to see how much Shinobu has grown away from being the trembling first year Kanata still remembers him as. To think that he's bold enough to go against him even when Kanata is trying to shelter him from whatever danger lurks in the depths of this foreign place.. He would be more proud if not for the fact that it sort of throws a wrench in his plan to win his junior over into obediently staying put.

Realizing this, there's a muted look of surprise that Kanata tries to obscure and beat back with a distant smile, casting his glance aside to the far horizon that splits the sea and sky. ]

Ehe.. I was not expecting Shinobu to become "so brave" that he would say no to me. That is a little unfair, you know..? [ He has to pull himself up here, enough to stand straight and look Shinobu in the eye. This feels even further away than the Shinobu he'd stood on stage with not even days before being taken here, the resolution in those yellow eyes proving themselves more than words could. ]

Chiaki would not "be happy" about this, since he is a very overprotective and "meddlesome" leader, and all.. [ There's a pause as Kanata lifts a hand, letting it settle on the top of Shinobu's head. ] But I think.. if we are "protecting" each other, things will be okay. You children are so troublesome.. growing "more and more" every time we look away.. ♪

[ Don't mind him while he pets Shinobu's head in complete contrast to those words, though. ]

[To be quite honest, Shinobu was one blue eyebrow twitch away from completely browning his pants. To be so bold as to challenge an order the Vice Captain of RYUSEITAI -- more than that, a Senior two years above him -- what was he thinking?

Well, he was thinking... he wanted to try and be useful. He wanted to protect Kanata any way he could. He wanted to avoid a future where he'd watch Kanata leave their little hut and never return. They're alone on this island, together, and if Kanata is only watching out for Shinobu then who is left to watch out for him?

Despite all of this, it feels more comforting than embarrassing to feel the palm of Kanata's hand on his head. Relief pours through the boy with an exhale as he feels his shoulders soften.]

Ehehe... To grow into a strong idol and senior like Shinkai-dono and Captain-dono is an important wish of mine, right...! [His fists clench a little while he adds a very important part:] And to be the greatest ninja in the world! And also! And also...! We............... should probably get out of here...!? It is kind of a scary place...

It is very good to "have dreams", isn't it~?

[ Maybe he's been underestimating Shinobu, shortsighted by the feeling of wanting to keep him kept out of harm's way. Though he has to wonder if Shinobu isn't also overestimating him just a bit too much as well. There's a difference between being a strong idol and being, well, strong. Kanata isn't sure if he's the latter just yet. ]

But Shinobu is "already" the greatest ninja that I know.. ♪ [ And also the only ninja he knows. Pulling his hand back from Shinobu's head, he can't help but give a small laugh at the sudden change in his tune, true as it is. ]

Ehehe. Yes, yes.. We must use our "sneakiest" steps. [ He sidesteps with a little wobble, making way for Shinobu to take the lead. ] Please "guide" me with your secret technique, Ninja-sensei..~

[Though the request had been granted, it was not without fault. Shinobu, so used to the comfort of staying under everyone's wings, may come to find being in the front-lines is harder, and scarier, than he once thought. All would come with time... Right now, Shinobu Sengoku has entirely checked out of orbit with Kanata's own sneak attack.

The greatest ninja he knows! The greatest! Ninja! He! Knows!]

Aha!

[And the finishing blow. For the inexperienced and youthful Shinobu to be deemed ~Ninja-sensei~ by the boy he's looked up to all this time... It's really just too much.

Without any change in expression, the emotional dam he has tried so hard to keep upright is obliterated with four syllables, and tears stream almost violently down his cheeks.]

...Sh---Shi-------Sh-Sh-Shinkai-dono, please g-g-g-give me... one moment...!!

[Breathe, you banana! Turned away from his sea-loving senior, Shinobu mentally recites the ninja's oath in attempt to stable his emotions, soaking his sleeves in the process beyond repair.]

---O~kay! [He turns back quickly, nose still red and cheeks as puffy as ever, but with a big smile and a can-do expression.] Shinkai-dono, because we do not wish to be seen by outside eyes, we must stay low to the ground while we move, see? [Thrusting himself to the ground, Shinobu begins to show off his Ultimate Sneaky Crawl Technique number 4.] Sneak, sneak, sneak... Shoooo... Through the underbelly of society does the ninja crawl...

[ This is more along the lines what he expected, the onslaught of tears that come without so much as a sniffle to precede them. He's a crybaby, just like Chiaki, and that triggers nothing but a gentle smile to spread across Kanata's features. He can wait patiently for his junior to compose himself, relatively speaking, while wrestling back the urge to pet his head again.

As Shinobu faces him again, Kanata feels that warm bud of pride blossom in his chest at the sight of his earnest ( but tear-swollen ) expression. ]

Yes, yes..~ [ He gives a slow nod of understanding, dropping to his hands and knees with equally paced movements. Following Shinobu's lead, he crawls after him and repeats in a sing-song: ] Sneak, "sneak", sneak.. ♪ Crawling, crawling... Just like "ninja isopods" on the ocean floor...~

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March Adventure: Swim with the Current and Float Away

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let shinobu say shit

NOOO

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