June Intro: Let's Sea How Far We've Come

[lifeaftr_mods]

INTRO LOG: JUNE

Who: Everyone!
What: New souls arrive to the archipelago of LifeAftr as the island of Ziziphus begins to crumble
When: June 4th and onward
Where: Ziziphus and Ensō...and Monsun
Warnings: Mark as needed!

Ziziphus: At The Start Of The End Of The World
Since Bliss's destruction, the extensive root network they've threaded throughout every inch of the island of Ziziphus has begun to crumble. June 4th marks the beginning of the inevitable collapse of the island as it starts to sink into the sea...coincidentally coinciding with the arrival of LifeAftr's newest adventurers. Between the dead trees surrounding Bliss's empty husk, great cracks in the earth start to widen, the dead god's absent root system leaving vast gaps underground which simply cannot support the life above. It almost sounds like thunder rupturing from the ground itself, wild tremors preceding each vicious boom until gaping chasms lay between venturing parties and the safety of the mana pool - only water waits below, for those unlucky enough to lose their footing.

And if the immense pull of mile wide chunks of landmass sinking beneath the waves isn't enough to suck you down, the heavy rain of debris from Ziziphus's rapidly destabilizing edges will certainly help. Want to avoid a watery grave? What you need to do is simple:

Escape.

Sorry, newbies. If you showed up on Ziziphus, you're in for a very athletic entrance to LifeAftr.

Monsun: Just Like Every Other Morning Before
Adventurers aren't the only creatures on Ziziphus attempting to outrun its collapse. Creatures great and small, from the largest spindlank to the smallest tigerlily will be heading south in an attempt to escape the worst of the quakes. Unlike offshore adventurers, however, these poor creatures don't have a mana pool waiting for them to escape through. Their extinction, it seems, is imminent.

Unless you have something to say about it.

Already exhausted from their attempts to get through to and then actively dispose of their fellow god, the Storyteller will break their traditional manner of communication to announce a potential solution to this problem with a single broadcast to the Stones of Far Speech in a strained, weary tone:

"The mana pools on Monsun are now open. If you are willing, save what you can."

True to their word, characters will discover that the island of Monsun will be accessible once more for a short period of time. From prey to predator, obstruction to catastrophe - multiple species of flora and fauna can still be preserved, should you choose to do so.

Be wary of the psychological effects of both sides of the island. Those who are new to our setting and wish to explore, the island of Monsun has a peculiar side effect to its stark divide: the eastern half is rich in resources, but brings out the very worst of you, while the western half is a tumultuous wasteland that accentuates your best qualities. More information on said island can be found on its entry on the Locations page, or its introductory info post.

Due to these efforts, the Storyteller will not be available for contact from the 4th to the 18th of June. Item Requests will also be unavailable at this time. They will, however, make a rather strained announcement to ensure all are aware that access to both Ziziphus and Monsun will cease on June 10th.

Ensō: I Wonder What It Means If It's Gone
The native fauna of Ziziphus aren't the only ones on the move, it seems. Those who wander the shores of Ensō will be delighted to witness the appearance of creatures akin to both turtles and dugongs drifting through the waters, gravitating around the island's eastern coast, rapidly gaining in numbers over the following days.

Kaleidoshells have been unlocked in the bestiary!

With spring close to ending in the archipelago, these peaceful creatures are looking to make good use of their natural nesting areas; hope you're open to sharing the beach for a little while. While a few braver individuals will make their way to the shores between C4 and D1 to begin digging nests, the vast majority won't be coming to shore quite yet.

They do, however, make a very fine sight around the waters of Ensō, especially in the evening. Luminescent, their rainbow patterns glow underwater, drifting mood lights for the increasingly warmer evening breeze.

---

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

[piercetheheart]

A) Evenings on Monsun
[Gladio can be found on the Western side of the island near the campfire most nights, unwinding after a busy day. He's tired and filthy but content for the most part.

One of these nights he can be found with a massive bonfire that's been burning all day burned down to coals in a fairly deep pit. He's nearby, sweating profusely from the heat of the fire and the heat of the desert, wrapping broad leaves around the carcass of a cariborn, its belly roughly stitched up around a collection of veggies and herbs.

This thing is going to be delicious in about 24 hours.]


B) Daytime: Monsun and Enso
[Most people that catch sight of Gladio over the week will see him hauling supplies. Everything from baskets filled with large stones, plants or other supplies to sometimes coming across the mana pool to Enso with an entire tree in his arms. There's no time to break things down just now. Instead they're dumping everything on Enso and they'll worry about the rest when there's not such a rush for supplies.

Occasionally he'll drop into the Western camp on Monsun, bleeding or burned. Nothing nearly as serious as the wound that had been in his belly earlier but enough to be problematic. Thankfully Ignis can use his healing abilities on him. Anyone paying attention to these interactions might be surprised to see the ripple of magic healing his wounds repayed with a soft kiss, a bright smile, and Gladio's fingers lingering on Ignis' arm before he returns to his work.]

B

[want_to_belong]

Prompto was almost a constant on Monsun. He readily helped move things during the day, but he couldn't seem to wait to get back to Monsun as soon as he could. That meant a lot of time around Gladio, and most of the time there wasn't anything unusual about it.

But he wasn't totally blind. He was surprised when he first saw his two friends kissing. With no commentary on it, he busied himself with other things as if he hadn't even noticed. It was only later while heading out for a supply run that he mentioned anything.

"So, uuuuummmmm... You and Iggy are kissing now...?" He was mostly a little confused. When did that happen?

[piercetheheart]

Prompto you're getting one of these basket packs to help with the hauling of resources, bro.

Gladio's steps falter for a moment and he almost stops. Then he picks up the pace, falls back in line with Prompto and runs his hand through his hair. "I- heh.... yeah... We are."

And it really sounds like he's still not entirely sure this is real.

[want_to_belong]

"When did, uh, 'that', start?"

He wasn't really trying to grill. This was just quite the revelation, and he felt like he was being left out of something. After traveling together for months on end, constantly sleeping together and basically almost never being apart, suddenly his friends were kissing.

[piercetheheart]

Okay no if they're gonna do this they're going to sit down and have a damn conversation. Gladio snags Prom's arm and nods towards a fallen log. He drops heavily onto it and tugs Prompto down next to him.

"It's... kind of a new thing." Gladio's not quite looking at Prompto, worried and looking about as uncertain as Prompto usually does. "Are you... I dunno is it too weird?"

[want_to_belong]

He continued for a few steps when Gladio took his arm, but when he gestured to sit down Prompto went along with it, plopping down the log.

"It's kinda weird. I mean, how would you feel if you came home and me 'n Noct were making out?" He let out a small, amused snort at the absurdity of it. "But, like," he sighed, "it's okay, I just feel like I missed something. And... Well, that's not really my business."

[piercetheheart]

"Throw you two a fucking party. 'Bout damn time." It's teasing, sure, but he... actually means it. They're all so close it wouldn't surprise him any. Honestly he kinda thought there was something there when they were in high school.

"It is your business, Prom. We're friends. We all are. I don't want this to push you away I just-" He blows out a heavy breath and leans back on the log. "I dunno I guess it seems outta left field for you, what with the whole thing Iggy has going on with Ardyn."

[want_to_belong]

"Whoa," was all he could say to Gladio thinking he and Noct should make out, quirking a brow. Not offended. Just, whoa.

"You're not pushing m..."

He paused, because he had to take in what was said next. "What do you mean 'the thing he has going on with Ardyn'?"

He knew Iggy was trying to help Ardyn or something. Reach out to him. But he didn't consider that some sort of relationship.

[piercetheheart]

He stares for a moment at Prompto, waiting for Prompto to break, to crack a joke, to... something?

And he doesn't, he just looks confused and Gladio;s eyes go wide for a moment. Oh fuck. This was not supposed to come from him. This was supposed to come from Igs. No wonder Ignis was so shocked that Gladio had found out.

"Iggy and Ardyn they- Uh..." Nope, time for Gladio to be as blunt as humanly possible, as is his forte. "Well fuck, okay. Ignis is over the moon for Ardyn, the Ardyn from Monsun and the dreams and all. The good guy under all the Scourge and prophecy shit."

"I dunno how all this is going to work out and I'm not trying to tell Iggy that he should change how he feels I just-" He shrugs. It's complicated, it's a mess. He knows that much.

"Why the hell did you think I was so mad that night I didn't come home? Gods Iggy shot me down without even a fraction of a chance back home and then I get here and come to find out he's pining over Ardyn? I was furious... but mostly it just hurt."

[want_to_belong]

Prompto was just going to stare blankly at Gladio for a bit. It was strange enough finding out about his friends. Fine, yeah, but weird. But Chancellor Hobo? Even if Prompto knew what he acted like on Monsun - after all, they both had a taste for the island - he couldn't imagine Ignis and Ardyn together.

"Are you joking?" he finally asked bluntly, knitting his eyebrows. "I know he acted different on the other island but, like... he's still Ardyn."

The guy who stabbed Luna. The guy who had tormented him so in Niflheim. The guy behind the destruction of their home.

"Iggy can do way better."

[piercetheheart]

"Yeah, he's still Ardyn but..." He shrugs a little. It's not his place to try to explain Ignis' feelings. He's not even sure he understands them, not fully. He might know they're there but he doesn't really get it. So there's only so much he can explain about that side of things.

"But he makes Iggy happy, when he can, so... I'll do what I can to help him. What other choice do we have? It's not like we can kill him here so we may as well try to fix things another way, right?" Which sounds colder than he means it to but it's not... exactly untrue.

"Point is... We... put a lot of shit on hold for Noct. Missed out on a lot of things. And, somehow, Ig's willing to give me a chance to make up for some of that lost time." He sounds utterly awed by it, like he's still not entirely sure he believes it's real.

[want_to_belong]

"I want him to be happy, too, but... man."

It was the weirdest fucking thing he figured he ever heard. Back home he would have probably snapped at Gladio for telling such a bad joke. It wanted to sink about as well as a balloon would sink into water, and no matter how he tried to imagine that relationship working out all he could think of were all the times they'd dealt with Ardyn back home. Everything. They knew now, what kind of person he really was.

After some silence, he finally looked back to Gladio, completely perplexed, "Ardyn?"

This really was going to take some time. Hell, it'd be easier to believe if it turned out there was just another dude who happened to be named Ardyn on the islands.

b

[scourgingstars]

[Someone was in fact paying attention to the two of them.]

[It was an odd sort of feeling, knowing that outside of the desert he would have immediately snapped into a bitter laugh, all I told you so and finally found something better, did you? Jealousy, bitterness, hatred, everything that came so easy to him proven right in an instant.]

[But that wasn't who he was in the desert. The best of Ardyn Lucis Caelum could never be selfish, not even in the slightest. If this was how things unfolded, fine. He'd expected it, was even relieved in part that sense and logic had finally won out.]

[So he just looked on for a moment in a distant and resigned sort of way, gave Gladio a tired smile that seemed to say 'oh, go on then' and turned to preoccupy himself with whatever Hresvelgr was up to scratching around the sand.]

so about that threeway thread

[piercetheheart]

[Gladio catches that look, frowns... rolls his eyes and sighs. Then he turns on his heel and marches right back to where he left Iggy. A hand on his arm, cupping his elbow as Gladio leans in. Lips brush his cheek and then he's murmuring in the Advisor's ear.]

Do us all a favor and go kiss that kicked puppy look off your monster, yeah?

[A playful nip to his ear and then he was stepping back.] Just make for the bird.

[Turning Iggy in the direction of Ardyn. And as soon as he takes a step in the right direction Gladio... actually drops his hand to give Ignis a swift little swat to his ass. Grinning in Ardyn's general direction.]

[shatteredlenses]

[During his time on the islands, Ignis has grown used to touching and being touched more often. It's been a necessity with his loss of vision, but there is a bit of difference between simple touch and the regular affection Gladio's been showering him with. Not that he minds. He just finds himself having to fight the urge to blush and check around them to see who might have seen it.

Of course, he wouldn't be able to actually see if anyone was witness, but the urge is still there.

He supposes part of it is because he knew eventually this exact scenario was going to happen. Ardyn would see the kisses, touches, and soft words and immediately jump to the wrong conclusion. He gives Gladio a nod--his heart soaring at how well the Shield is accepting this--and then starts in the direction he can hear Hresvelgr moving around in. Of course, he is distracted from his goal the moment Gladio's hand connects with his butt. A soft, startled sound escapes his lips and he turns back to give the Shield a look that could peel paint if only it wasn't matched with the flush on his cheeks. He takes a deep breath then, making a show of straightening his clothes, before covering the rest of the distance between Ardyn and himself in a few long strides.]

Your thoughts are very loud, beloved monster.

[And, without hesitation, Ignis slips an arm around Ardyn's waist, pulling him close enough to press a short kiss to his lips.]

If you wish attention, you need only ask for it. There is no one being left behind here. I've found now that I am allowing myself to be selfish, I'm a very selfish man and my heart demands quite a lot.

[scourgingstars]

Wh-

[Whatever half-formed thought was cut off by the kiss, replaced by a loud and inarticulate thought amounting to '?????'.]

Don't--I mean, it's alright. I'm actually relieved it's turned out this way. You're far better off with someone that isn't either a living biohazard or liable to hurt you for no real reason.

[shatteredlenses]

It's most certainly not all right. Not so long as you are thinking such thoughts.

[Despite his harsh words, Ignis settles his head on Ardyn's shoulder, fingers of his free hand making their way into the man's hair.]

I've been exiled by that terrible brute, you see. I have no choice but to seek refuge with you beloved, at least until I--and I quote--'kiss the kicked puppy dog look' off your face. We can begin now, of course, or wait a while. I'm content here, by your side.

[scourgingstars]

I...I don't understand.

[Just about no part of this made a bit of sense to Ardyn, apparently.]

Why would he even allow that? Why are you persisting in something so ridiculous when you've an obvious alternative?

[shatteredlenses]

[Ignis hums softly for a moment and then shrugs.]

I believe you will have to ask him that. I'm not a mind reader. If I was, things wouldn't have gotten so bad before. If you don't like that option, you can always go with what I told you before as the answer. Emotions are illogical. Trying to force logic on them is just going to give you a headache. We love who we love.

[scourgingstars]

You would really...want this outcome? It's far from too late to turn back; you can forget this whole foolish thing and stay with someone able to care about you.

[shatteredlenses]

You are able to care about me. There are parts of you that can and do. Perhaps those parts are far away sometimes, but they are still there.

[He raises his head slightly so he can press a kiss to Ardyn's neck, right below his ear.]

So yes, I want this outcome. The chance to turn back was lost to me a long time ago.

[scourgingstars]

...You're terrible at knowing when to give up.

[He raised his arms a little hesitantly, settling them around Ignis' shoulders.]

You truly are...too much like me that way.

[shatteredlenses]

So I've been told. I take it as a compliment.

[Ignis smiles, relaxing into the hold, letting Ardyn know it is most welcome.]

You know, between the two of us, we just might be able to civilize that brute over there. It would certainly be a challenge worthy of testing both our talents.

b

[dedamastai]

[Though Damen is a hunter, he's also a king - or was, at any rate - and therefore doesn't know the intricacies of how one cooks the things that get hunted. It's an area of interest for him, since he's aware he should probably learn some cooking skills, but he definitely doesn't know shit about it so he trails behind Gladio asking questions.]

And you said this cooks for how long? [Surely Gladio had been joking when he said it would take an entire day. Surely food couldn't take that long to prepare.] Does all meat take so long to cook?

[piercetheheart]

[Well at least one of them was still talking to him.]

All day, man.

It doesn't and it doesn't have to take so long. But it's supposed to be a big community building kinda thing. Everyone helps dig the hole and build the fire and prep the animal. And then the next day after all that hard work you get to just sit back and party because there's no need to cook!