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]

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.]

[piercetheheart]

[For all the playful fun of the moment before the mention of Ardyn makes him freeze, anger roaring to the fore of his mind immediately.]

Why the hell is his bird coming anywhere near here? Near you? [What if he has some sort of weird magic or, worse, magitek that allows him to monitor what they're doing through her? What if he's using the chocobo to get them to lower their guard so he can murder them all so he can go back and Noct will have no one to protect him? What if-

A sharp, strained breath and he steps closer, pushing through the water to take Ignis' hand and bring it up to his face, to let him feel the glasses for himself, trying not to give away just how much Ignis' casual mention of Ardyn makes panic and rage try to claw it's way up out of his chest.]

I was teasing, Ig.

[shatteredlenses]

Oh!

[Ignis' response is embarrassed this time and he would have sunk farther into the water had Gladio not taken a hold of his hand to show him the sunglasses were still safe. When his hand is released, he lets it settle against his friend's cheek fingers lightly caressing his skin.

Yeah, try a little harder to hide that panic and anger next time Gladio. Ignis sees right through you.]

It's all right. She's a baby. Just like Prompto's chocobo. They both came from the Storyteller. She's an innocent animal who took a liking to me when she was small and we were all in the camp on Monsun.

[Ignis' fingers come to a halt then and he taps one purposefully against Gladio's cheek as he continues.]

If you harm her, you will face me and I will not be kind. Don't try me on this.

[piercetheheart]

[It doesn't really matter how much he tries, there's no hiding from Iggy. He knows that. It's terrifying.]

I'm not just going to attack a chocobo. Not if- [Not if the Storyteller has the power to potentially bring them back. Not when they've been nonexistent in his world for so long.

Still it's surprising how defensive Ignis is of her.]

You were trapped in the same camp as him? [He couldn't sound more disgusted and horrified if he tried.]

[shatteredlenses]

Good. If you don't hurt Hresvelgr, then I don't have to hurt you and we're all happy.

[Ignis smiles as he speaks, though the smile drops away quickly. He shakes his head, letting his hand drop away from Gladio's face so he can once more push his unruly wet hair back.]

It's a long, complicated story. One I will be happy to tell once you've settled in more and have a better understanding of this place's strange nature. Needless to say, the very nature of Monsun changed quite a few things. That camp was one of our safe bases when the sun died and darkness fell. Whether or not you believe me, he saved my life during that time.

[Unconsciously, Ignis raises a hand to rub at the left side of his neck--the side that has those faint white scarring lines on it--for the first time giving an indication of when he gained them.]

[piercetheheart]

[There's something there, some strange tangle of emotions that he doesn't dare investigate too hard. It's one thing not being able to kill him but there's just enough little hints that things have been more complicated than "non-murderous" that it leaves Gladio distinctly unsettled.

So he's just going to avoid another argument, flopping back into the water and enjoying the warmth of it for a moment.]

Hresvelgr? [It's not perfect but it's close. Repeat that one more time, Iggy.] Where the hell did Prompto get "Fressy"?

[shatteredlenses]

Yes, Hresvelgr. A rather fancy name for a baby chocobo and for your average Prompto. I'm honestly surprised he didn't end up even farther off.

[Ignis sinks farther into the water, relaxing as much as he can considering he's still fully dressed and he's not looking forward to the 'fun' that will be stripping off a full set of soaking wet clothing. Honestly, though, he has no one to blame but himself.]

Still, I suspect that at this point he still calls her that to annoy Ardyn more than anything. After all, he's mentioned that the Chancellor tends to annoy him by making picture taking more difficult than necessary. I believe the technical term is 'photobombing?'

[Yes, it's a very technical term, don't you know!]

[piercetheheart]

[Ardyn photobombing Prompto who tries to spend time with a chocobo that belongs to a monster and the entire thing is so bizarre and distressing that he tunes out half way through what Ignis is saying. He can't, won't, sit here and pretend like this is perfectly acceptable interactions with that bastard.]

Just stop, Ig. [For the love of gods just stop. He doesn't want to know. He can't know, it's just too much to process on top of everything else that's happening here. And he's standing here in the ocean under the blinding sun and the sheer relief of that is enough to make him want to cry. He's not going to let Ardyn take that from him, not now.

The best correction for this is, clearly, to take this opportunity to dive under the water, getting himself as close to Ignis as he dares without alerting him to his presence and then powering up to the surface with as much force as he can manage, bombarding Iggy with a surge of water and ruining all those attempts to keep his hair neat.]

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis bows his head slightly, an apology on his lips as he internally berates himself for not thinking more carefully about what he's saying. Of course, Gladio doesn't want to hear all of this. Not after what he just witnessed back home before being brought here.

The apologies never leave his mouth, though, as he hears the sound of Gladio suddenly diving. Reflexively, he drifts a few steps back, but all that manages to do is put him in a perfect location to take the brunt of Gladio's splash when he surfaces.

Coughing to clear out the water that manages to get into his mouth, Ignis uses one hand to weakly splash back, while he uses the other to clear some of the water from his face.]

Feeling better now?

[It should be a scolding, but it comes out much weaker than that considering he's still coughing occasionally. Besides, how can anyone take him seriously with his hair looking like this?]

[piercetheheart]

[Okay that was the most pathetic retaliation in history. Seriously Iggy?]

Yeah. And what was that? [Tiny little baby splash mimicking what Ignis had just done.]

C'mon [And as he offers that challenge he floats onto his back, drifting for a fleeting moment and then... kicking as hard as he can, sending water shooting up over Iggy in a geyser.] It's on!

I think we're about ready to leave these two to their watery shenanigans?

[shatteredlenses]

Excuse me. I didn't reali-

[That's all Ignis manages to get out before he has to cover his mouth with his arm or risk another mouthful of sea water when Gladio kicks. Miraculously, most of the water goes over his head, but that doesn't stop him from sending a most annoyed look in Gladio's direction.]

How old are you again?

[Don't bother answering that, Gladio. Ignis is already on the move, diving under the water and then waiting...

He's been practicing holding his breath ever since he was dropped on the island. Time to put that new skill to use.]