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

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

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.

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 )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ignis snorts softly.]

Some days, I have no idea. Pray tell, what would you have me do to make up for my horrible error in judgment?

My, however could you apologize for your charge's terrible lapse in good manners...

[Ardyn frowned in a playfully overdramatic way, thoughtfully humming to himself.]

Perhaps I could be convinced to forgive you if you kissed me.

Is that all now? I think you underestimate the weight of what you are owed.

[Ignis leans farther into Ardyn, so their lips are only a short distance apart.]

I think you deserve at least two kisses to make up for that.

Oh, really? [Ardyn brought his other hand under Ignis' chin, smirk more than evident on his face.] How very kind of you to correct me on that front.

Can't have you selling yourself short now, can I?

[Ignis leans in to press a kiss to those smirking lips, warmth blooming in his chest just as it does each time he gets a chance to spend time with Ardyn when this side of him is allowed to be at the fore. He pulls back only slightly after a moment, letting his breath pass lightly over where his lips just were.]

Did you plan on cashing in on both now or saving one for later?

I'm not always a patient man.

[Ardyn leaned in that time, answering with a slow and thorough kiss of his own. It felt so much easier this way, when things were quiet and he was stable enough to actually enjoy things to whatever limited capacity he was able.]

[Ignis is startled at first when Ardyn takes the initiative, but that surprise lasts only a second before it shifts into contentment and pride. A low purr rumbles in his throat, as his hand, as it so often does, slides around Ardyn to tangle into his hair. He pulls away reluctantly only when air really starts being a need he has to attend to. It won't do to end up passing out and falling into the mana pool.]

You know, I'm starting to think you have a lot you could teach me about that. What do I need to bribe you with to make you consider becoming a teacher?

For you, I could be convinced to do quite a lot when I'm caught in the proper mood.

[Physically, Ardyn was just as dead and chilled as ever--but for now, there was something very warm to his tone.]

[That warm tone makes Ignis all but melt against Ardyn, his head tucked against the redhead's neck, or at least as close as he can come considering the number of layers between Ardyn's skin and the open air. The chill he's become used to--perhaps because it so closely matches the chill that was left in his bones after the power of the Ring burned through him--but this is something he will be just as happy to get used to.]

You realize I may find it hard not to take advantage of that proper mood when it appears. Fair warning.

What an awful fate I've condemned myself to, in that case. Left vulnerable with someone willing to exploit the fact, how careless of me.

[Ignis hums happily, a smile crossing his face.]

Fortunately for you, I only intend on using my skills in that regard to make you happy. Not so bad a fate really.

How fortunate I am to be left at the mercy of someone choosing to be merciful.

[He laughed softly, pressing a light kiss to Ignis' forehead.]

...I've missed this dearly.

I have as well. I like hearing you sound happy and relaxed.

[Ignis tilts his head up then, blind eye search a face he can't see.]

You know I'm not going to give you up for anyone or anything, correct?

Despite my repeated attempts to convince you otherwise? I do believe we've had this conversation a time or two.

I wish to make sure you remember it.

[Ignis settles his head against Ardyn's shoulder, letting his arms come to rest around the redhead's waist.]

Have you talked with Gladio since he arrived? He comes from right after they...we...finished fighting Ifrit, so he is..was...quite angry with you.

[The longer that sentence goes on, the more unsure Ignis becomes. At least, he thinks Gladio is less angry with Ardyn now, but there were so many emotions involved when they finally talked that it is hard to be certain.]

And that's different from Gladiolus on a normal day...how, exactly?

[Ignis can't help but turn his face into Ardyn's coat as he laughs. It is true. No matter what else he may think of Gladio, no one can deny his temper.]

He's told me some things about the Darkness, specifically about himself and me. I...

[His voice trails off for a moment, replaced by a grumbled 'I've been trained all my life to use words. Where are they now?' before he continues.]

He told he's had feeling for me for a very long time and that is part of the reason we all drifted apart during those years.

...Oh. [And for a long time, that was all Ardyn really said. For once he was oddly grateful to not have a working heart that would've betrayed how he actually felt about that statement.]

[Part of him wanted to laugh and lash out, oh, so this is how you're finally rid of me, but the desert had already dulled the sharper edges to him.]

[Unfortunately, it didn't stop him thinking it.]

[Ah yes, isn't that silence telling? Ignis' arms tighten around Ardyn as much as he can.]

What did I just tell you to remember, beloved monster? Your thoughts are loud in the silence.

You're being foolish again. And you're wasting your time with me.

It's my time to waste. Not that I consider spending time with you a waste.

[He reaches out with a gentle grip to tilt Ardyn's head in his direction.]

This changes nothing between us. It complicates it, but things were already complicated to begin with. I love you and I always will.

You shouldn't. I wish you didn't, for your own safety.

Your objection is noted and ignored. If I did nothing that put my safety at risk, then I would get nothing done.

[He leans froward to press a gentle kiss to Ardyn's lips.]

There are things worth the risk and you are one of them.

...I'm not.

[He said that softly, leaning his forehead against Ignis' as the words left him.]

I don't want you hurt for a lost cause, how many times must I insist upon this?

However many times it is, I will always insist upon the opposite.

[Ignis laughs sadly, shaking his head without pulling away.]

I've already given so much for a king who many would say I was bound to without choice; let me now give as much as I wish to a king of my own choosing.

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