lifeaftr | May Intro: We're Going Down, Down

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May Intro: We're Going Down, Down

INTRO LOG: MAY

Who: Everyone!
What: New souls arrive to the archipelago of LifeAftr
When: May 4th and onward
Where: Ensō...and above
Warnings: Mark as needed!

Floating Islet: And Sugar, We're Going Down Swinging
While new arrivals may generally be expected at this time of the month, one factor that has continuously failed to maintain consistency is their point of arrival. And indeed, it appears that this month has once again exceeded even the Storyteller's expectations as to where arrivals may take their first steps on this world.

Those who were with us in February will most certainly remember the floating islands hovering far, far above the mainland. While they currently remain inaccessible, they are still steadily floating overhead, shifting appearance as if made of the clouds themselves. And so while waking up on top of the world may be a surprise, at the very least new arrivals will have a bird's eye view of Ensō to enjoy for a time...until they take notice of a rather sinking sensation.

In fact, that sensation would be the island itself, starting to sink out of the sky.

So that's nice.

On a crash course for the ground at F6, the Storyteller will eventually slow the island's progress to the ground below, though a rather profound impact is, simply put, inevitable. Characters with the ability of flight will find the island skimming low enough to reach on their own. Others may wish to utilize their resourcefulness to find an alternate means down.

Or, perhaps, you'll simply deal with whatever awaits you at the crash site.

F6 and Beyond: In An Earlier Round
Thankfully, the Storyteller's intervention will ensure that no one still on the not-so-floating island upon impact will escape with minor injuries at worst, the island itself crumbling to pieces and taking down more than a few thick trees. The pieces of the island will very quickly begin to blacken, crumbling underfoot as the floating island turns to dust. Anyone still aboard may wish to make a very quick departure.

The ripples of this impact, however, are far more significant than two pieces of land bumping up against one another.

Previously, visitors to the floating islands may have experienced some...oddities, during their time above the clouds. For the next few days, these oddities will spread across Ensō itself, leading to some rather awkward scenarios:

[ ♆ ] Some may find their weapons are... behaving oddly, though all are still functional. Weapons, in this instance, may also include fisticuffs, if the intent is to use your fists as a weapon.

[ ♆ ] Equally as irritating are those who find themselves coming down with a severe case of NPCitus: periods of time in which they find themselves incapable of saying more than one or two lines of the same, repetitive dialogue.

[ ♆ ] Equal parts nostalgic and irritating for some are the instances of lag (walking forwards, only to find oneself back where they started), Swimmer's Ear (incapable of movement unless swimming through the air), and clipping (suddenly stuck halfway through the nearest rock are all common, regrettable side-effects).

[ ♆ ] Other unfortunate side-effects may also transpire, as varied and wild as one's imagination.

Though many of these may be hindering or even dangerous in the right situations, they are, for the most part, passive. The Storyteller will assure anyone who asks that these oddities will disappear in the next few days.

You are free to create or utilize glitches you are particularly fond of, though keep in mind that any potential content warnings should be mentioned in your toplevel! You may peruse some of the past glitches here, or create your own along those lines! And a special thanks to our local Donn-mun, Jake (

venesection), for the first glitch on the list!

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

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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[Ignis sighs, reaching out for his magic without another word. It's a wonderful feeling when the magic responds, even if it feels a little different. More mature maybe? Is it because the Noctis who returned to the island is older now?

A curious question, but one for later. After a few seconds more, a familiar spell will wash over Gladio. The regenerative part of Regroup works pretty much the same way here, but along with that Gladio will feel a slight boost to his moral. Not quite the same as back home, but close enough not to be worrying.]

I'm quite certain the saying goes 'Wisdom comes with age.' You may wish to look into where your share of that wisdom vanished off to.

[There is also a saying that warns one should not anger their party healer lest they cut you with their sharp tongue. At least, if there isn't, there should be.]

[It might not be quite what he's used to from back home but at the same time...

He hasn't fought alongside Ignis in so many years he's forgotten what that tingle of magic feels like. Which is obvious enough from the startled inhale, not quite a gasp but close enough. He takes a moment to just let the feeling wash over him, to breathe deeply and roll his shoulder and he can feel the ache disappearing before it's really had a chance to set in.]

Think it's more... wariness and maybe a little paranoia. [A soft laugh, more of an exhale than a real laugh exactly but amused nonetheless. If a little sad.] Been hanging around Cor too long, I guess.

[Despite his frustration with Gladio's stubbornness, Ignis finds himself nodding. Coming from what Gladio has, paranoid and wariness are the only things that would have kept him and those he cared about alive. He can't expect his friend to shed those habits quickly no matter how much he may wish it to be so.

A slight frown pulls at his lips when he hears that sadness in Gladio's voice. Astrals, nothing has happened to Cor, has it? Ignis really can't imagine it. If anyone...

He shakes his head, pushing the question away to join others that have to wait for their time to come. For now, it is important to focus on getting Gladio--and Noctis too--settled into the island.]

Wariness isn't a bad thing to have around here. Keep a hold of that.

[Ignis steps closer, reaching out until he eventually finds Gladio's arm and gives it a gentle squeeze.]

There is so much we need to talk about, but first, why don't we head out to the islets? I believe you have a date with the sun and there is no better place to soak up some rays than the cove near the cottage.

[These habits he keeps teasing Gladio for are so deeply ingrained after all these years that it's impossible for him to just cast them aside. Even if he might want to.

Iggy reaches for him and Gladio gravitates toward him just a little, enough to make sure his friend doesn't look like he's groping blindly for him... even if that is literally what he was doing. It wouldn't do for anyone to see Ignis doing something so undignified. He's not entirely certain what to think of this place just yet but the moment Ignis mentions the sun he smiles, laying his hand over Iggy's on his arm.]

Sunlight... It almost sounds too good to be true. [But he can see it even here, between the dense branches, in the gaps left by the fallen tree.] Is it... safe to go swimming around there?

[Down by the beach, out in the sunlight, like those days so long ago at Cape Caem. Before the darkness took hold, before Ignis was blinded and Luna fell. Back when they were... not untroubled but still happy.]

[He might not be able to see the smile on Gladio's face, but Ignis certainly can hear it in his voice. It causes a warm smile to cross his face in return.]

As long as you remain within the cove, it will be safe enough. I was told by someone long gone from the island that swimming too far out causes one to start feeling strange. It's like there is some kind of barrier keeping people from just swimming away.

[And if anyone could have just swum away, it would have been Finley considering he was more shark than man most times.]

There are sharks that roam the open water as well, though I doubt they will come too close to the islets. They have been hunted rather thoroughly since they were discovered.

Sharks? [And instead of sounding horrified he actually sounds quite pleased.] Wild animals... alive and thriving? Gods I thought I'd never see the day.

[Some of the plants continued but honestly so much has died. There's nothing in the waters anymore, nothing for anything to survive on, vegetation slowly dying away just as surely as the animals it was meant to support.]

C'mon. [He tugs at Ignis, not sure which way they're supposed to be going but swimming and sunlight sound too amazing to wait.]

[Ignis is about to point out he's not sure how thriving the sharks are with the hunting going on, but before he can Gladio pulls him forward and his words disappear in an amused chuckle. Subtly, he alters their course so it's in the right direction, but then allows himself to be led forward.]

Do tell me when we reach the ruined temple and the odd pool surrounded by flowers. I'll explain how traveling via mana pool works.

[He pauses then as a thought strikes him.]

I do hope you're not planning on me swimming with you. It's rather...difficult without vision.

[Though, there is part of him that wouldn't mind it if someone was there to make sure he didn't get himself into trouble. Swimming alone really has no appeal to him, the state of his vision aside. He spent quite enough time in the water alone in Altissia. He really has no wish to spend anymore time like that.]

[Ignis pauses and Gladio just tugs him along, not hesitating in the slightest. C'mon bro. He has sunlight that needs seeing.]

Huh. Didn't know your eyes had anything to do with your arms.

[It hasn't been long for Ignis but it's hard to remember that when it's been so very long for Gladio. It's not intended to be mean, quite the opposite. Ignis would question his ability to do something and in true Gladio fashion he would make it a challenge, helping him through it sure but also goading him into pushing himself by giving him so much shit.]

Or you spent so much time lounging on this beach you don't got the muscle for it anymore? [Nudge nudge pinch nah his arms seem just as firm as always. SO WHAT'S THE EXCUSE IGNIS!?]

And will you need to prod my legs like a piece of meat next to prove your point?

[Ignis almost pulls his arm free of Gladio's grip, but in the end decides not to. He knows what his friend is trying to do, and on some level, is grateful for it. It's just that after nine months without the Shield around, he's forgotten what it was like to have someone willing to push him so hard.]

For the record, I'm quite certain I can still swim faster than you, vision or no.

[He just might have a harder time swimming in a straight line is all. Oops.]

[Ignis sasses him and Gladio releases his arm in favor of dropping his hand, pinching Iggy’s thigh as well, an inch too low to quite be considered an ass pinch. And then there’s the challenge he was waiting for, the assurance that Ignis would at least try. It had Gladio ginning, laughing as they made their way to the mana pool.]

That’s more like it. C’mon Iggy you’ve gotta go easy on me. It’s been years since I’ve been swimming

[He should have--pardon the pun--seen that pinch coming, but it still startles Ignis. A short distance below the ass pinch level is still a lot closer than he was expecting. It makes him very glad when he smells the flowers around the mana pool, so that he can use picking two as a distraction to cover his aborted jump and the light blush on his face.

Flowers picked, flush cleared from his face, Ignis turns back to Gladio and holds out one flower.]

You need to drop this into the pool and then think of the first islet. The mana pool will take you there. It will be a little easier once you have a mental image of the islet itself, which is why I believe it best if we go at the same time this first time. If we're in contact and thinking of the same place, then we are certain to both get there.

[It will work even if Gladio just thinks, 'follow Ignis' he's fairly certain. After all, touching was all that was needed to bring an animal or object along to the same place. It should be the same for two humans working together.]

And if you are so worried about me going easy on you, I can just as easily sit on the beach and listen to you splash about. I would hate to embarrass you so soon after your return to us.

[He tries to hide it but Gladio catches a hint of that blush, something almost proud creeping up on him before he pushes it away, shakes his head to dismiss the feeling, and focuses on what Ignis is saying.

It sounds crazy but simple enough, at least. And hey, thinking 'follow Ignis' isn't terribly different than his usual thought process anyway.]

Oh no, you're not getting out of it that easily. C'mon... let's go.

[But just to make sure they don't get separated he does reach out to take Ignis' hand. Just in case.]

You are the one who asked me to go easy on you. Do make up your mind.

[While Ignis had been thinking of a hand on an arm or shoulder, he can't say he minds when Gladio's hand wraps around his. He bows his head, small smile not quite hidden as he steps forward raising his free hand to drop the flower into the pool.]

Ready?

[He waits for Gladio to indicate he is ready and then lets his flower drop into the pool. A second later the familiar magic washes over him and they are somewhere else.]

Welcome to our home away from home.

[He motions toward the islet as it stretches out from the mana pool.]

It needs work, but one can't fault the amount of sunlight we get on any given day.

Said to go easy on me not to just not swim.

[But he laughs as he says it, stepping up with Iggy and making a small affirmative sound, fingers squeezing his hand lightly.

Then suddenly they're somewhere else and he's blinking hard, grip tightening more on Ignis' hand because now, out from under the jungle canopy he-

He can't see. His eyes burn and water, flinching away from the bright glare of the sunlight, especially where it glints off the water ahead of them. He lifts his free hand to shield his eyes, turning into Ignis a bit, his first instinct is to hide his face in his friend's shoulder.]

Shit! [Soft but sharp. The light is warm and comforting but he has not been exposed to light like this in so long and his eyes would take some time to remember how to adjust.]

Bloody hell!

[Ignis mentally kicks himself. He should have realized this would happen. How much had the light stung his eyes when his vision was returned on the floating islands? And, that was after just a few months. Gladio has been away from the sun for 10 years.

Without a thought, he puts himself between Gladio and the sun, letting his form cast a shadow over his friend. He then pulls the sunglasses from his face and holds them out.]

Here. These will be of more use to you than me.

[He flinches slightly, trying to look through the glare to what Ignis is offering. The sunglasses are his shield against the assumptions people make about his disability, Gladio knows that, but he doesn't have it in him to turn the offer down. He reaches for the sunglasses, misses, grabs blindly at Ignis' wrist and manages to pull the glasses from him, cramming them onto his face.

He stays bent over, hovering in Ignis' shadow, blinking hard, even with the sunglasses it's so hard to see. He manages though, squinting, eyes watering, he manages, though he can't look out on the water, the glare too violently bright no matter what he does.]

Fuck, sorry Ig. [Taking his sunglasses feels wrong but he's not sure he'd be any better than Ignis without them right now. Swimming might have to wait till the sun gets lower.] We should... maybe get inside?

Hush. There is nothing to be sorry for. I should have realized. Close your eyes if you need to. I can lead us back to the cottage. It's not far.

[It takes a moment since he's not willing to move all that much and risk letting more sun through to test Gladio's eyes, but he eventually finds the Shield's hand so he can lead him toward the cottage. How often has Ignis covered the ground between the mana pool and their humble abode? Even if he wasn't blind, he would be able to make the trip blind now, and as a result, it takes only a couple minutes for them to arrive at their destination.]

The step up is uneven. Be careful.

[Stubbornly Gladio tries to keep his eyes open, tries to look around as he follows Ignis' lead. The blind leading the blind over here, honestly. It's not far but the lancing, screaming pain behind his eyes is too much and he finally has to surrender halfway to the cottage.

The warning has him blinking at his surroundings again, wiping tears from his eyes and finding that, between the sunglasses and the shadow of the building he can at least mostly see. He still has to squint but he's able to see the step, steady himself as he follows Ignis inside.]

Can't believe I finally get to see the sun again and it's going to kill me. [Geez, dramatic much?]

[Ignis chuckles under his breath, shaking his head as he does.]

You poor soul. Don't worry. When we bury your ashes, I'll be sure to people speak of the good food served afterward instead of the mighty Shield's embarrassing fate.

[Such a good friend, isn't he?]

Come, have a seat over here. It's not much, but we don't really spend that much time here.

[Aka: Sleeping isn't something he spends much time doing and if he's not sleeping, well, he's certainly not sitting around here. Not with a new island out there and weird vines showing up.]

[Gladio laughs, a quiet chuckle, even as he reaches out to tap Ignis with a light, playful punch. He takes the offered seat though, dares to take the sunglasses off for a moment to wipe at his eyes. It's darker inside, cooler, but the ramshackle roof doesn't do as much to keep the sun out as one might hope.

The glasses go back on so he can look around the place, really evaluate what's going on here... and... wow, guys. ]

Prom made it sound uh... homey? [Iggy what is this shit?]

He said 'homey,' did he?

[Ignis waits until he hears Gladio is settled before seating himself gracefully on the ground in front of the Shield.]

I suppose that is one way to describe it. It is most certainly a work in progress, but it does keep the rain out for the most part.

[He laughs softly, embarrassment coloring the sound.]

It must seem so ridiculous to you that we've been living like this. You can be sure that we've pointed out more than once how cruel fate was being when, out of all of us, it was you who didn't make it here. I've done my best, but theory can only get one so far with this kind of thing.

Okay he didn't say homey but... it was implied.

[You know it's bad when Gladio is arguing semantics.]

Keeps the rain out, my ass. [He stands, vision slowly adjusting, brushing his fingers over Ignis' shoulder as he steps around him, a small indication of where he is and which way he's moving. Then there's the scrape of stone as he tries to get a better idea of what this poor building was actually made of once.]

I'll need help gathering materials but... we should be able to fix this up.

I said for the most part!

[Ignis lightly slaps Gladio's leg as his friend passes by, turning slightly to follow his path.]

It's certainly better than when there was no roof at all. Fortunately, Mira--a good friend of mine--and I found an area where the wildlife has taken down a fair number of trees. There is a good amount of wood ready for the taking. We just need to bring it back here. I can show you the location and I'm sure Prompto will be willing to help.

[He won't mention what took down those trees may or may not be some kind of malboro. Gladio has enough to worry about as it is.]

[Gladio laughs at that swat, takes a few moments examining the walls... then plunks down on the edge of the cot beside Ignis again.]

Wood'll be useful for some stuff but not for the roof, not without a way to treat it. It'll all fall apart and we'll just have to keep replacing it.

Know anywhere there's a pretty decent amount of clay?

[Ignis nods in agreement with Gladio's words. It's why what little roof patching they've done so far has been with the canvas that the Jormun left behind. Fortunately, the island has provided them with a rather...interesting way of getting clay.]

As far as I know, no actual deposits of clay have been found, but that may be because we have another way of getting it.

[He bows his head slightly, knowing full well his cheeks are going to be tinted red with embarrassment by the time he's done explaining this.]

There are these strange bugs on the island. They tend to be found in groups of 6 to 8 and they...

[For a moment there is silence and then Ignis clears his throat and continues quickly.]

...ingest human waste providing clay in return. It's a rather smelly process, but I believe a few people have set up farms of sorts away from the islets.

[Gladiolus Amicitia, Ignis loves you, but right now he also hates you for making him explain about bugs that eat poop and give clay in return. Thanks, buddy.]

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the only reason to have this icon lol

It's such a good use for that icon though!

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