May Intro: We're Going Down, Down

[lifeaftr_mods]

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!

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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.

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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

[shatteredlenses]

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.

[piercetheheart]

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.

[shatteredlenses]

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.]

[piercetheheart]

[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?

[shatteredlenses]

[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.]

[piercetheheart]

[For a moment Gladio stares at him, sure he's joking. And then... he laughs, bright and loud and full, something he hasn't done in longer than he cares to think on.]

You're telling me these thing eat shit and shit clay!?

[It takes him a moment to catch his breath and stop laughing but then he claps a hand on Ignis' shoulder, tugs slightly to coax his friend to lean back and look up at him. Even more pleased to see the color on his cheeks.]

So how hard would it be to bring some here? [No, Iggy, he's not joking]

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis drops his head into his hands, groaning at Gladio's reaction. It's good to hear the laughter, so loud and familiar, but at the same time...]

If you must be so crude, yes. That is exactly what they do.

[For a moment, he considers resisting the tug, but he knows Gladio doesn't mean any harm. If he's going to be embarrassed about this, he might as well be embarrassed in front of someone he's so close to.]

The clay could be moved easily enough if we had something to carry it in or with. The bugs themselves are docile from what I've heard, but I beg you to consider the fact that our neighbors will not likely be very happy to have such a thing here on the islet.

[piercetheheart]

[Gladio grins, satisfied at the flush on Ignis' face before he pats his shoulder, pushing to his feet, pacing away from the cot again. Sunglasses still firmly in place he goes and sticks his head out the door for a moment, looking around the island as much as possible.]

Smells like shit for a bit while I get stuff done or do you want holes in the roof for longer? 'Cause it looks like you're not the only one with a few leaks.

[And that's just it. He doesn't want to move stuff back and forth with the volume he needs. And really, if he's doing one he's doing them all... isn't he?]

[shatteredlenses]

[There are several moments of silence before Ignis sighs in resignation, unable to deny that Gladio has a point.]

Just do me a favor and keep it as far away from the cooking areas as possible. If anyone complains, I suppose we can just remind them that it doesn't exactly smell all that fresh when the wind blows from the direction of Laurent and Damen's horse fields either.

[piercetheheart]

Doesn't have to be forever. Just long enough for me to get the roofing tiles made.

[So good of you to admit he's right, Ig.]

..... What's a horse?

[shatteredlenses]

[A small smirk crosses Ignis' face when the question comes. If he has to admit that Gladio's right, he can at least get a little payback with this.]

Oh, just a kind of hornless duplicorn. Prompto had a quite a fit when he saw me riding the one.

[piercetheheart]

Hornless duplicorn?

[ Iggy this sounds like something fake. Wait... riding? Like a chocobo? ]

You can ride them!?

[shatteredlenses]

Yes, it seems as though those on Laurent's world have trained them to fill a niche similar to that which chocobos fill on our world.

[So yes, like a chocobo, Gladio.]

Despite appearances, they can be quite docile. I believe Prompto has made friends with them. You should ask him to show you some pictures. I'm certain he has quite a few of them.

[piercetheheart]

Least the camera's getting some use. [A soft, fond chuckle.]

Still dunno how I feel about trusting something like that for... riding. That just sounds uncomfortable.

[shatteredlenses]

When it's not taking accidental crotch shots, yes.

[Ah, poor Prompto and his camera glitchiness.]

It was different, I will say that. They can haul more than a chocobo can. That is one point in their favor.

[Ignis stands then, moving over to Gladio's side at the door.]

Think you are up for that swim now?

[piercetheheart]

[There's a snort of laughter first. Crotch shots? Really? Why is he not surprised?

And the information that these horses can haul more is good to know it will get him in trouble later.

He glances over at Iggy, considers, looking out into the sunlight, realizing he's going to burn for the first time since he was a kid and it's a pain he's actually excited to feel again. Yeah, this'll be good.]

Definitely. [He's going to take the time to leave his clothes up here in the cottage though, stepping back from the door and, shock of shocks, folding his clothes as he undresses. Iggy this has never happened before. Madness.]

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis remains near the door as Gladio undresses, making no move to do the same. Shirt remains buttoned, suspenders remain in place. Is he or is he not going to swim?

As he listens, his head tilts because surely he's not hearing what he thinks he is...]

Are you actually folding your clothes neatly?

[Who should he thank for this miracle?]

[piercetheheart]

's the uniform. [And also the only clothes he has but more importantly these clothes are all that's left of the kingdom they've sworn their allegiance to. He's kept them neat and safe for ten years through the worst of the destruction as things fell apart, moving from one Hunter base to another.

There's a level of respect owed to the uniform and what it represents, their place at Noct's side. The leather pants, which weren't technically part of the uniform but like hell those old pants actually fit, hit the floor with an audible thud. They were infinitely better for protection but they weren't the most comfortable. Especially not in this heat.

But Ignis was still perfectly clothed, gloves and all, while Gladio was standing there in his boxers. Which wouldn't do at all. He stepped back to the door, beside his friend.]

You don't mind me keeping these for a bit longer, right? [Not even a real question, he wasn't giving the sunglasses back just yet. And then, as quietly as possible he shifted his weight, crouching down...

only to move to grab Ignis around the waist and throw his friend up over his shoulder. Ignis was fast but hopefully he could catch him by surprise and haul his stubborn ass down to the water.]

[shatteredlenses]

[Ah, respect for the Kingsglaive uniform. Ignis can understand that. He just didn't think of it because he's still working on mentally updating his image of Gladio. It's more natural to imagine him in his Crownsguard attire even though he clearly remembers the changes he felt in his friend's face back on Mu.

He starts to answer that, of course it's okay to keep his sunglasses as long as they are needed, but a moment too late he realizes the question is only a distraction.]

Don't you da-

[Too late he tries to back away, only to have his back come flat against the door frame with no escape paths for him to slip into. Ignis slaps his hand against Gladio's back as soon as he lands over the man's shoulder.]

Gladiolus Amicitia! Put me down this instant and I don't mean in the water!

[piercetheheart]

Now, now, Iggy! [Gladio jostles him slightly, laughing hard even as he carries Ignis away from the cottage. It's still bright enough that he has to squint through the sunglasses but he's adjusting, slowly.]

Don't be a spoil sport! [You will swim, Ignis Scientia. He will make sure of it. And sure enough he can hear Gladio's bare feet sinking into sand, the shift of his movements when the ground begins to give underfoot. And then water, sloshing up around Gladios feet and ankles.

He could be mean and literally throw Ignis in the ocean but he doesn't. Not quite. Instead he waits until the water is up above his waist then leans forward, finally letting Ignis slide off his shoulder into the water. He should be able to find his feet relatively easy and he's not going to slap face first into the water. But he's still going to be in water up to his elbows.]

[shatteredlenses]

[Were he Prompto or Noctis, this would be a time of flailing limbs and threats of treason, but Ignis know when he's lost a battle and he's not about to embarrass himself anymore. This whole thing is already embarrassing enough. Better to keep himself collected so he can plan.

Can a person really make being flopped into the water off someone's shoulder elegant? Ignis isn't sure, but he definitely tries, crouching in the water once he's righted himself and unconsciously moving to secure his glasses which still rest on Gladio's face.

Oops.

Frowning slightly, he shifts the movement to pushing his wet hair up out of his eyes as soon as he realizes what he is doing and then tilts his head up at Gladio. For a moment, his lips part as if he is going to speak, but that's only a distraction while he fully folds his legs under himself and then launches himself at Gladio in hopes of toppling the larger man into the water.

Turnabout's fair play and all that.]

That icon is so dramatic for fucking *swimming*

[piercetheheart]

[If anyone could make being flopped into the ocean look graceful it's Iggy. But Gladio can't help laughing as he habitually moves to fix glasses that aren't there. Which means he's distracted enough by the time Ignis comes at him that he doesn't have time to react. He tries to catch the smaller man, to turn this around on him but the water changes how he can move, the weight that suddenly slams into his chest.

The laugh turns into a yelp and Gladio flails, tries to keep his balance, and fails spectacularly. When he falls back it's with a huge splash, a desperate gasp just before he sinks under and he does his best to shove away from Ignis once he's under to give himself a bit of room and to push his way back up to the surface.]

But is it too dramatic for REVENGE? LOL

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis is grinning as they both go back into the water, and for just a short time, he does his best impression of an octopus, long limbs remaining wrapped around Gladio no matter how much the Shield struggles to escape, however before either of them can become too short of breath, he pushes away, letting them both surface.

Once he breaks free of the water, he laughs, pushing the hair out of his eyes.]

Now we are even.

[piercetheheart]

[There's no real struggle to holding his breath for that long but he tries to fight his free of the Ignipus? Octonis? OctoIg? Octoig.

They finally break the surface and he's grinning, struggling desperately to keep himself from laughing, shoving the sunglasses up in his hair so he can wipe his face and sound outraged at the same time.]

Dammit, Ignis! Don't you dare blame me!

[And he pulls the glasses down, slides them back into place so he can watch his friend's face.] Your stupid sunglasses are gone.

[Too bad he's forgotten to try to sound pained? Hmm do you believe this bullshit, Iggy?]

[shatteredlenses]

Oh...

[Ignis sounds possibly upset for a just moment before shrugging.]

I suppose I'll need to go borrow Ardyn's daughter for a short while then. Do you know that bloody chocobo steals my sunglasses? Just like the one that stole my spectacles back home. I bet she can find them and if not, well I suppose I will just have to do without. They were more use to you than to me, after all.

[Oops, perhaps not quite the reaction Gladio was looking for.]