September Intro: The Fields Are Painted Gold

[lifeaftr_mods]

INTRO LOG: SEPTEMBER

Who: New arrivals, and you!
What: New souls arrive to the archipelago of LifeAftr
When: September 4th and onward
Where: Primarily Ensō, though Umui is also likely
Warnings: Mark as needed!

The Beach: And the Sun is Coming Through
When you arrive on the archipelago of LifeAftr, it is on the shores of Ensō - turquoise waves dragging through the pale sand of the beach. The breeze carries the tang of salt on the tropical sea spray. The sky overhead is a blue to rival the aquamarine surf. All told, the atmosphere is almost...pleasant. Not far from the cream-colored beach, the jungle beckons.

Above the treetops, however, something seems to be drifting overhead.

Bright spots of color drift on the wind like motes of dust. On further inspection, one might be able to discern what, exactly, is the cause of this lazily wafting, brilliantly colored confetti. They are flower petals, being funneled up into the sky. Petals of every color and shape imaginable, thickening the air with golden currents of pollen, being lifted from one specific point. They are streaming freely from the Storyteller's Temple, as it happens, though this may not be clear to the newly arrived. The Temple has at last begun to shed the floral trappings that have ensnared it since the end of last month, and the breeze carries this out across the ocean skyline.

There's no mistaking it: it is very beautiful. Unless you have allergies.

Inland: The Trees Are Filled With Memories
This influx of flowers on the breeze, aside from being a potential source of unpleasant reminders to those who died choking on said flowers last month, have had additional consequences. The creatures rescued from Ziziphus flourish in such pollen-rich environments, which has led to a fresh budding of their young. Baby mosslings crawl like lumps of lichen over the trunks of trees, and the loud peeping of arboreali chicks can be heard in the branches above. Most of these creatures are not tameable, but some, such as flowccus, can be kept as livestock.

Just take care, when venturing into Ensō's verdant jungle. If Ziziphus's prey animals have begun to spring forth, then its predators have begun to reproduce as well. Young spindlanks and rootwyrms are not nearly as vicious as their adult counterparts, but you may have a bit of trouble getting rid of them without killing them - you did, after all, bring them here to preserve them.

Most notable, however, are the fresh litters of tigerlilies that have begun swarming all over Ensō.


Tigerlilies can be tamed and kept as pets, though despite their fearsome appearance, they not terribly vicious. They subsist in much the same way any other plant would; off of water and sunlight, primarily, though they might also graze like an herbivore from time to time.

If you're interested in keeping one for your own, bear LifeAftr's companion limit in mind - two per character, and no more. The process of trying to tame a tigerlily is not always successful, either. We recommend use of a d10, with the following guidelines:

Rolling a 10: Critical success! This tigerlily will follow you to the ends of the earth.
Rolling 6-9: Taming and training this tigerlily will be like educating a stubborn housecat, but will be nonetheless successful.
Rolling 2-5: Failure. You get sprayed with soporific pollen, which will affect you for several hours.
Rolling a 1: Critical failure. Not only do you get sprayed with soporific pollen, but the tigerlily in question decides that you're their new cat toy. Tigerlilies are not carnivorous, but their teeth and fangs are still very sharp, and not highly pleasant to contend with.

Bear in mind that these are only guidelines; you are free to predetermine successes or failures as you'd like, presuming your character can sustain the companion! Our discord channel has a room for dice-rolls, if that's your speed.

---

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 )

Comments

p5 spoilers!

[ladytakamaki]

THE BEACH.

[ when ann wakes up for what feels like a second time, she's greeted with a scene straight from an anime flower petals falling from the sky. there's an abundance of them, it seems, and she's looking up at the petals that fall around her. ]

Whoa... [ it's so easy to get caught up in how beautiful it is, and ann doesn't move for a few moments, admiring the scenery. it's like magic. this definitely isn't destinyland; this definitely isn't tokyo. she turns her head, expecting to see akira or ryuji or one of the phantom thieves, to tell them about how incredible the view is. but nobody's there.

that's what gets her to remember everything. she remembers that they were in the middle of something important, that she'd been panicking over okumura's death, and the phantom thieves need her. she needs to find a way out.

she starts to rise to her feet when she notices something heavy on her back. she groans, looking back at the knapsack--when did that get there?--and she finally starts to survey her surroundings. ]

Where am I...?

THE JUNGLE

[ after ann's gotten settled in, she decides to take a look around the island to see what else is out there. she's asked someone (you!) to accompany her on her journey, not wanting to go alone, because ann does not know how to deal with danger on a deserted island. she does, however, want to get familiarized with her surroundings, even if the only weapon she has on her is a knife that she was given upon arrival.

as she begins to head out, she passes by a tree covered in moss. her arm brushes against the bark, and something moves--a mossling, to be exact. it scurries away, and ann jumps back with a little yelp. ]

D-Did you see that?! I can't be the only one who saw that!

the beach

[antepone]

[ Ann is enamored by the petals, but Mira... Mira sees the petals, sees the purple and blue mixed in with them, and she feels sick. She's definitely a little paler as she looks up at them, and her stomach churns. Beside her, her dog senses her discomfort, and Daisy whines a little as she nudges Mira's leg.

The girl's question catches her attention, gives her something to focus on. ]

An island named Enso. Welcome.

jungle

[everylittlesecret]

[Nari's met an Ann before. Not this one. That was apparent. Why she was asked by this one that wasn't the one she met before to run around with her is beyond her. But it was something to do with the day as she follows Ann along.]

It's harmless. You just scared it.

[If it wasn't so fast, Nari would try and catch it.]

beach!

[flower_of_innocence]

[Flower petals dance on the wind, spiraling down into the sand and littering the shoreline with color. It would be breathtaking, if not for the anxiety it sparks. Flowers weren't so comforting anymore. Weren't so pretty.]

[Lillie is sporting some of her new clothes (a flowy shirt that looks like a sea of stars and those torn-up jeans Guzma found for her) as she emerges from the Storyteller's Temple and makes her way down towards the beach. A large jug of water is cradled in her arms. Guzma said new people would be showing up soon and she was sure they could use a hand with the mana pools. Some might even need aid, water, or food. And, well...she holds a faint hope that Luna will be there with them. She would be drawn in by the opportunity to meet new friends. So if she's not there, Lillie will know for sure that she's really and truly left the island.]

[She comes upon Ann pretty much right out of the gate and, for once, has a confident answer to the question she's (ambiently) being asked.]

Enso. Oh, but. Um...hello, also.

[Nailed it.]

[savedbyasong]

It's a mossling. [Not too far away there is a white haired boy crouched down, a tigerlilly by his side. He smiles at her, though his voice is pitched low as to not startle, either her or the mosslings.]

Aren't they fascinating!

jungle

[catpiper]

[Ren has her eyes on the newcomer and not the suddenly abundant wildlife that's taken over the island, so she misses the movement on the tree, but not the way Ann jerks away. It's enough to make her jump back in turn, tensing up at the realization she was the only one that saw-that? Saw what? Between this and the petals fluttering around the sky, she's not having a great afternoon.]

We should get away from it.

[Whatever it is-any direction works. It's time to go go go.]

the beach

[tokenflavortownie]

[The petals drifting through the air on the breeze, pretty as they were, felt like a knife twisting in Pyrrha's gut. She hated seeing so many, but she tried not to let the phantom pains bother her. The flower problem was settled, the pollen didn't bother her much anymore. Hell, the Storyteller's temple was finally shedding its overgrowth. She'd felt disgusted by such a display for the people who died, and was all the happier to see it all go.

And there's other things that need focusing on. Like people who need her, people that need help. New people, on the beach.

Somewhat... familiar, people.]

Excuse me? [Here comes Pyrrha, wandering down the beach to meet the girl who looks deeply confused by her surroundings... more than the usual, anyway.] Is everything alright? You wouldn't happen to be new to this island, would you?

[raygunner]

(re)arrival.
[ All things considered, he isn't sure how he feels about being back here. It seems like he just can't get a damn rest, and with those memories of meeting Ann Takamaki here again... it could be a lot better. Somehow, though, he feels oddly calm. He's alive, against all odds. He's back on this island.

... scratch that. He isn't sure how he feels. He's lost in thought, staring up at the petals... maybe come say hi? ]

tigerlilies.
[ ... and eventually, he picks up a companion. Akechi might not be terribly fond of people, but animals have never hurt anyone. He thinks the cat(?) might stop following him at some point, but the more he walks, the more the cat follows. Admittedly, it's very cute, and after a while, Akechi turns and kneels down to greet the little one. ]

Would you like me to take care of you? [ he asks, expression and tone oddly soft. The cat mewls and bumps its head against his hand.

He's totally suckered in. Rest in pieces, Akechi. ]

tigerlilies; P5 spoilers

[ladytakamaki]

[ by the time akechi's found his companion, ann's already got one of her own. a smaller tigerlily is following behind her as she starts to make her way out of the jungle.

she wasn't expecting to see him here. ]

...Akechi-

[ she freezes.

do you want help from the very person who attempted to put a bullet in your leader's head?

no. that...

she looks at him with wide eyes. she doesn't know what to say. ]

Dogo | ota

[jackal_style]

[The Beach]

[The beach is beautiful. Prettier than anything he's ever seen in the Outlands or the Pridelands. But even with that strange dream he had, he's not sure if this is anywhere near the Pridelands or his home.

He explores the beach a little, walking up and down and sniffing around. Flower petals are landing on his fur, which he stops every once in a while to shake off.]

Mom! Dad? ... Anyone?

[His family is never too far behind. He'll just have to wait on the beach for the rest of them.]

[Tigerlillies]

[Big cats instinctively make Dogo nervous, but this particular cub doesn't look like a member of the Lion Guard. It... doesn't look like any kind of animal he's seen before actually.]

Uh... hi there!

[The Tigerlily perks its head up once it sees Dogo, and waddles up to sniff him.]

Hellooooo? Can you talk - ow!

[Dogo gives a little surprised yelp as the young cat bites and pulls at his ear. Dogo growls back, tugging and trying to pull away.]

Let go! That's not yours!!

[want_to_belong]

[After problems with that horrible illness that kept them indoors for a while, Prompto was happy to get back out and look for some good pic-taking spots. The beach was an obvious one - familiar and relatively safe feeling. The petals made him nervous, but he tried to shake off the feeling and get some good shots of them fluttering through the sky.

Then he spotted an unusual animal. It didn't look quite like the others, but it did seem very puppy-like. Cautiously he moved closer, keeping a wary eye for signs of aggressive, before extending a hand from a safe distance away, calling to him gently like he would one of the cats or dogs in the city.]

Hey there, little guy. It's okay.

closed to damen and ann!

[crosslaced]

[The first indication that Laurent isn’t home is the horses, chilling by the Islet 1 public showers. Their manes and tails are damp from a recent bath and they’re just chilling, watching their human wrestle his Tigerlily into a shower.

Left to his own devices in the forests around the Temple, No Stop That the Tigerlily has gained a fair bit of leaves and petals in his coat. He was supposed to gain independence. But oh well. The Tigerlily looks much more matured than the precocious juvenile he was when he followed Laurent to Enso- but still he’s a dumbass, and mewls with great distress under the running water. Laurent’s keeping him in place with the help of a woven harness, so even when he squirms periodically he can’t quite get away. ]

[SAD MROOOOOOW.]

Don’t give me that.

[Laurent’s preoccupation in washing the dirt and pollen off his ridiculous cat means that Damen or Ann can get the jump on him, at least. ]

[dedamastai]

[It's a little bit weird that Laurent isn't home, but he has a life of his own and it doesn't worry Damen when he shows Ann their house and Laurent's not in. The horses aren't nearby either, though, which generally only means one thing: it's grooming time.]

There's public washing this way, which is the work of Gladio I believe. [Oh. There's Maribelle and Chuck, who he idly pets as she checks his pockets for fruit that's not there.] And these are Chuck and Maribelle, our -

[He's cut off by an incredibly sad mrow.]

- horses. And that'll be Nemea, the tigerlily, who is presumably getting a bath he does not appreciate, courtesy of my fiancé.

shiro // voltron // ota // will match // possible spoilers

[propugnator]

[ A: PETALS LIKE FALLING SNOW. ]

( a body can be found face-up along the shore, a considerable collection of pink petals littered across him as the waves lap gently against his right side. they collect against his face and neck, some of them floating on the surface of the water hitting against him. he might be familiar to some as a man who had been here before, although just a little different now with snow white hair and a missing arm. from first glance, it is clear that he isn't injured and his armour isn't damaged.

someone just got dropped off at an unfortunate location.

he can also be found on that same beach a little later on, sitting in the sand with his helmet at his hip after eventually waking up either on his own terms or through some helpful intervention. he pulls his glove off with his teeth, biting at the tip of the ring finger to yank it off. he gives it a couple shakes afterward, flicking off beads of water and some stubborn pink petals. )

Guess I should be getting used to this, huh.

( a sigh. then he's glancing off towards the ocean as if it might magically provide him with some answers. )

Where is this even supposed to be?

( it definitely doesn't feel like earth. but where else had they been headed? had they crashed on the way? he's got to get some answers. )

[ B: EVERYBODY LOVES CATS. ]

( priority number one, now that shiro has had a little time to get himself straightened out, is to explore the area and potentially find some signs of civilisation. somewhere with weather this nice and forests this lush must have people living here. or at least one could hope. he really isn't looking forward to the outcome of getting temporarily stuck somewhere entirely alone. he had tried his communicator a few times on the beach, but he had received no answer.

no static. only dead air. not a good sign.

however, a distressed sound stops him as he pushes his way through the jungle. it's quiet, a little pathetic, and more than enough to catch his attention. while he knows that he needs to cover as much ground as possible while it's still daylight, he can't just ignore that kind of sound. he immediately takes a sharp turn in the direction of the noise, pushing back tree branches to find a strange plant-tiger trapped within a mess of thorny vines.

it makes another noise as soon as shiro approaches, something between a growl and a meow. reaching forward, he pulls at the vines with a gloved hand. )

I know, buddy. No one likes to be caged up. I'm going to get you out.

( he says gently as he works on freeing the beast from its accidental imprisonment. )

:3c

[salschef]

[ Hunk's taking a walk- needing a break, needing some air- when he sees... someone.

He hears the voice, that deeply familiar voice, first, and he bolts towards it, not bothering to sneak as he crashes through the underbrush, but he freezes when he sees who was making it. ]

Holy-

[ Is that really- ]

Shiro?

Newt Geiszer | OTA

[fortunefavored]

[THE BEACH]

[When giving advice about drifting, it's common to hear Jaeger Pilots say to "Stay in the Drift. The Drift is silence." Quite frankly, Newt doesn't really agree with that.

Then again, none of those Rangers drifted with an alien hive mind.

The Hivemind is loud, screaming, full of a myriad of voices snarling out in rage for vengeance at Newt's now-second intrusion. Their anger burns hot, wanting to kill and destroy and tear until nothing is left. Last time, he felt burned by it, rattled and shook by their surprise and the sheer neural overload. This time, however, that burn feels lessened, protected and cocooned by another consciousness neither his nor the Hivemind's, images and emotions of his own past and a past he doesn't know flitting by like a jumbled slideshow. A toy airplane, the bite of the needle, smooth wood of a cane under his hand before those memories are pushed aside and they're pushing further into the Hivemind, the two of them, together (--with me--) tearing out the Precursor's secrets and knowledge and 'they are grown I told you so' and 'honestly Newton is this really the time' and that's how you open the Breach, that's how you get past their defenses, we have to warn them, you will fail, we will find you, WE ARE COMING and there are claws reaching for them and Newt pulls back, jerking, trying to drag them out before the Precursors can sink their teeth into either of them and everything for a moment is violent chaos and then

nothing

just

blue

...until there isn't. Instead, there's an overly large rabbit who sees fit to introduce themself, start going on about stories and things like that and Newt can't even get a word in edgewise despite trying. And before it can even really begin, it's over, and it's all blue again and he feels like he's falling through nothing at all and he's grasping, reaching,

and Newt jolts upright, sucking in air, coughing violently. His hand flies to his face, pressing under his nose and coming away bloody, which causes him to immediately start fumbling in his pockets for a handkerchief. A moment later it's tucked under his nostrils, temporarily stemming the flow, and then...Newt notices that he's, well...warm. There's sun warming the sand--sand?!--that he's sitting on and it's definitely not sometime in the morning in Hong Kong and he's still covered in dirt and grim and possibly kaiju guts but as his head jerks up and he looks around--]

What the hell!

[it's essentially a squawk as Newt scrambles to his feet, handkerchief falling from his hand as he turns to stare at the beautiful sandy beach, the blue sky, and the sea behind him. He stumbles over the sand, eyes wide and wild-looking behind his glasses, rotating as if this action would reveal something familiar.]

Where--Hermann?! [He was just there, he was with me, where--and Newt's foot catches on a large bundle laying next to him, and down he goes, sprawling onto the sand with another loud yelp. For a long moment, he simply stares up at the blue sky through one of the cracked lenses of his glasses before softly but emphatically whispering:] What the fuck.

[...a breath and a hand pushed under his glasses to rub at his eyes and Newt groans.] Okay, Geiszler, let's think this through. You were in Hong Kong. You drifted with the Hivemind a second time, great idea, go me, we know how to get past the Breach and we need to warn them because the plan's not going to work and then there was a rabbit???? And now I'm...on a beach. [Newt pulls his hand out from under his glasses, staring once again at beautiful limitless blue with flower petals drifting by. He sits up, slowly this time, taking in his surroundings with a more critical eye.] No Hermann. No baby kaiju. [It's like he's ticking off a check list.] No drift machine. No helicopter. No, uh...Hong Kong. [He can't help but laugh, once, high and cracking hysterical] Okay! Sure! This is super normal! [he finally glances down to see what he's tripped over, frowning as he reaches for the...backpack? It's a backpack. Something like that?? Either way, he nearly drops it again once he realizes it's got his name stitched onto it.]

What the fuck?

[this iteration is louder than the first and laced with significantly more irritation as he yanks the backpack open, staring at the inside. There's...not much in there, but he's immediately pulling each thing out until he's got everything spread out in front of him, from the packet of dried fruit to the stone with a screen on it???? Newt stares down at them and repeats, now for a third time, accompanied by throwing his hands up in the air:]

What the fuck?!



[THE JUNGLE]

[Really, Newt should've known better. But when has that ever stopped him?? After having a mild (""""mild"""") freak out on the beach, Newt's eventually wandered into the jungle, because where else is he going to go, exactly? This, naturally, lead him to stumbling into a group of tigerlily kittens. Literally. Honestly, they blend in with the foliage! So much so that he's not even aware of their presence until he accidentally steps on one of their tails. The resulting yowl is enough to make Newt nearly jump out of his skin, but it's the resulting spray of pollen that has him coughing and hacking up a storm, stumbling back from the now moving pile of plants that is conforming itself into...cats??? Tigers? Something with plants growing out of it??]

What...the...

[Newt's hand shoots out, helping him lean on a tree while he tries to squint and get a good look at whatever the hell just gave him a face full of something probably hazardous. Unfortunately, the effects of the pollen are already starting to take their toll, causing a wave of drowsiness that makes him sway on his feet. He winds up clutching at the trunk of the tree with both hands, trying to suck in air for a clear breath, as if that could clear the sudden cotton in his head. Unfortunately, it does no such thing, and Newt slowly starts to sink down to the ground, even as his fingers scrabble at the tree bark, trying to keep himself upright. Today is just...not a great day.]

Beach!

[savedbyasong]

You are on an island. [Newt's day might be about to get weirder as a white haired boy approaches, wearing an interesting t shirt, flanked by a tigerlilly. They had followed the flowers to the sea and Shion realised that there were new people, new confused people.]

An archipelago to be exact. This isn't your world, instead it is a world that draws souls from many universes, so most people here will not be from your world. You may remember a dream with a talking rabbit, they are the Story Teller. A god in this world. What they said is the truth. You are trapped here, your world is in some kind of suspended animation. We don't know who brought us here or how to get home yet.

[He sounds like he has said this a lot. He gets closer though and gives a smile that is supposed to be reassuring.] But we will find a way.

The Director | OTA

[determinist]

The Beach

Leonard awakens in the life raft, blinking into coherency, and takes in everything around him as quickly as he can. It takes a moment to remember where he'd been, what he'd last been doing, and he sits up with a start, only to see his knapsack nearby. As the lifeboat settles onto the shore of the nearby island, he rips open the bag to see what's inside.

The pistol. The pistol is the only thing he seems to be able to take in among its contents. He gasps and sits back against the side of the boat.

An afterlife. Not another try at life, another chance, as he'd believed he'd have. But some kind of afterlife, some place where he'd have to deal with the consequences of what he'd done.

He seals the bag, tempted to angrily chuck it far off into the water and ignore that he'd ever had it. However, being so rash could be unwise. Scowling, he shoulders the bag and climbs out of the boat onto the shore. He can't believe it. He can't believe it! This shouldn't be happening!

After a few steps onto the beach, he notices the flower petals drifting on the breeze and reaches out to capture one. It's soft and slightly scented. He rubs it between his fingers and then lets go.

Is this— Could this be...?

There are others on the beach. Other boats arriving. His heart leaps into his throat. "Allison?" he whispers to himself, looking at each boat's occupant as it washes up to shore, rushing to inspect the face of every blond woman that might happen to be nearby. If this is the afterlife, then—

He must find her.

Inland

Leonard has ceased to search for Allison, at least among those arriving on the boats. After another inspection of the contents of his knapsack, he takes out the multitool and keeps the knife to the ready as he picks his way among the trees and undergrowth. Once he finds shelter, he'll work out how the stone of farspeech works.

He's sighted a building and started toward it when he notices the animals nearby, frolicking and not fearing to be near him. He lowers the knife he's holding and watches for a moment. He was never much of an animal person&msash;had never allowed his daughter to have a pet, had never stopped just to pet one. He pauses to see if one will come near.

inland

[counterblows]

You know, he was banking on the off chance that it was nothing more than a terse, unwelcome dream. One of those veins of memory popping out from his skull, slinking fire into his chest and ripping him apart in safety of R.E.M. But it wasn't enough of a nightmare for that to be the hope, now, was it?

There's the click of a round entering the chamber. Fully-armored, his helmet's visor springs out like a band of gold beneath the jungle's canopy. He shifts his weight slightly, loud enough for the crack of a twig to signify his presence.

"You're going to want to drop the knife, Director."

Dogmeat | Fallout 4 | OTA!

[thegoodestboy]

i. beach

[Dogmeat woke up a little while ago, but hasn't bothered to move from his spot yet. Instead, he lays just above the tide line with a growing blanket of flower petals covering his back and head. Occasionally the pollen gets to be too much and he sneezes, sending a veritable rainbow of colors scattering to the wind around him. There's an appropriately sized knapsack on his back - it looks as though someone has taken the time to thread his legs through the straps so it won't fall off. He can't reach it, so he doesn't know what's inside, but he's sure somebody will be nosy enough to check eventually. That's human nature. They're just natural looters.]

[But as is, with no real direction, Dogmeat does what he knows best: He waits for someone to need him.]

ii. inland

[Eventually, the beach does get boring, so he makes his way into the jungle. There are all sorts of strange creatures here, new smells and sounds he can't even begin to place. This is about as far from the Commonwealth as one can get and Dogmeat has no idea where to even begin.]

[So for the most part, he wanders. Into the Storyteller's temple, into the surrounding squares, pretty much everywhere. The later in the day, the further inland he can be found, though he never goes more than a square or two away from the temple, using that as a home base of sorts for the time being. He makes note of resources, shelters, oddities, danger zones...just the beginning of what will be a long and difficult road of memorizing the island.]

[Feel free to come upon this unusual addition to the island's wildlife at any point in time today.]

Beach!

[rosehecate]

Oh, my. Are you here by yourself as well?

[Anthy's been slowly making her way down the shore, and she hadn't needed Chuchu's squeaks of surprise to notice the dog up ahead. What was odd, though, was the pack on his back as well, just like the one she has. Normally, when one comes to a new place, one would assume all the animals are native to it, but for this dog to be outfitted as she was...well, he had to be from somewhere else, then, wouldn't he?

Anthy stops a reasonable distance from Dogmeat, crouching down so she could be on his level, and doesn't look directly at him. Her voice is gentle, though, and if he chooses to bring his attention to her, she will hold out a hand for him to sniff. Chuchu, intimidated by this creature's size, slips off into Anthy's knapsack and watches from there - he could try to fight a human, they won't eat him, but a dog might.]

Anthy Himemiya | Revolutionary Girl Utena (spoilers likely) | OTA

[rosehecate]

A - What The Tide Dragged In

[When had Anthy laid down to rest? She can't recall, but if she had it was most certainly not on a beach, let alone so close to the water. She finds herself waking as the waves pull back, coughing up saltwater, her clothes sodden and her unbound hair heavy and wet. She sits up, blinking back the last images of her dreams, of a party at night and white roses blooming from her body and a rabbit, a rabbit speaking of stories, and-

And she stares. Once she has her breath, that is. She looks wide-eyed at the incredibly blue sky, the pure sand, the jungle waiting off in the distance, and the petals, oh, the air is sweet with them. Despite the surf rolling in to brush at her legs, the sand likely now encrusting her pink dress, she closes her eyes and breathes deeply, centering herself.

It's alright. She may not know where she is, but...Anthy has dealt with worse.

Her reverie is broken by a tiny coughing sound, and she looks - there's a sodden knapsack at her side, where the sound is coming from. Brow furrowed, she opens it, and only realizes the moment she sees her tiny purple monkey companion that Chuchu had been with her when she had left Ohtori, so where was he now?]

Chuchu! Oh, no, are you alright?

[She scoops him out and holds him to her shoulder like one would a baby, and gently pats his little back. He coughs, sputters, takes a deep breath.] Chuuuu...

I'm so sorry, Chuchu - I should have looked for you the moment I woke up. I didn't know you'd be in there. [He clamours up onto Anthy's shoulder, then lays there face down and groans. She smiles, the expression small and private in its warmth.] But the worst of...whatever this is should be over, right?

B - Linger At The Tree Line

[Whether or not someone's come to explain what's happened and where Anthy is, she's taken the time to cautiously examine the place where the expanse of jungle begins. Having shaken out most of the dry sand from her clothes and hair, she holds her knapsack in front of her and peers into the shade from the canopy, wondering if she can make out any familiar sort of creature. Not that she's looking to make friends right away - there is a part of her, a small part, that pipes up in that light and insistant tone that she really needs people friends, and going straight to her old habits will not help her in this strange and new world.

But it's intriguing. Oh, is it intriguing. Even Chuchu has perked up to look with her, though he dare not stray from his Mistress's shoulder.]

...Isn't it beautiful? I can't recall ever seeing any place like it.

A

[lightlessfuture]

[ The Knight has grown used to looking for new arrivals at about this time, and so it's not so much a surprise when they come across a new person on the beach, apparently cradling a smaller creature.

They observe briefly from a distance to assess the situation, but it doesn't take long for them to walk up to Anthy and...stop to look up at her.

...Why are all these people so tall. Oh well. They stick out a small hand in greeting, wanting to show they're friendly. ]

[savedbyasong]

Flowers drift like memories

Don't... don't go. Please! The words, the grief echo in Shion's mind as he wakes up, trembling from the dream. Grief, lonliness. Someone being left all alone and Shion, sat still doing nothing. Nothing to help.

Nightmares and strange dreams were nothing new to Shion but when he was attacked by a tigerlilly, a dreameater and a cat it wasn't difficult to put the pieces together. He had lost time again. Disappeared to no where and it seemed odd dreams that seemed almost too real were part of that.

Mu was a dream land, was that where he had been? Lost wandering? Or had he been elsewhere? The idea that he had been taken somewhere and made to forget... It had happened in the Tower. It could happen here. They did not know, after all, who exactly was responsible for bringing them here.

So a dream? Or a reality that Shion only part remembered? Had there been a sobbing, grieving person begging someone to stay. Someone left alone...

He pulled on the T shirt that Ren had given him and left the islet, Cobweb by his side, heading towards the Story Tellers temple, he still can't read. He had tried to read his notebook. Tried to write down his dream. But... Even if he can't read the rock it is a place people gather.

As he steps from the mana pool he sees the flowers. They are beautiful, floating through the air like that. Even with the horror of having them growing out of him. Even seeing his friends dying of flowers bursting out of their skin, coughing up flowers and blood...

He flinches as one of them flutters through his hair. It's too much. But he can't... There's so much that is ruined by memories. Foods he had once loved that now made him choke, sounds that struck fear into his heart, innocent things, innocent words that cause panic to rise. Plants, flowers. They have been something he has loved since he was a child, he will not let this ruin them.

But still he flinches every time one touches him.

Forest of new life

He had noticed the abundance of new life and he could be found crouching down observing mosslings or getting lost in watching the flight patterns of an aboreali. They had chicks, nests. Though the parents weren't hunting, they didn't need to. Being mostly plants. The animals that were mostly plants from Zizipus were beyond fascinating.

A few times his hand went to his backpack for his notebook before returning to his side empty. He was trying not to think about it. That something as basic as reading had been removed from his mind.

Cobweb didn't let him brood for long though, he soon found a group of young tigerlillies and though Shion was a little concerned it seemed he had nothing to worry about, Cobweb was content to play with them gently. Shion joined them, petting a couple of the small tigerlillies. He was careful not to startle them, not wanting to end up sleeping. Cobweb was having fun and Shion was content to stay for a while, watching them play.

ASGORE | Undertale | OTA

[journalname]

[Even though flowers have been a...pretty questionable topic recently, the shower of petals is very lovely. It makes for a nice walk around the islands. Asgore stops to inspect the petals from time to time, when an unusual one catches his eye. Shame there's no seeds to take as well...

The baby animals are also very cute! Asgore enjoys seeing them around, so naturally when he realizes that the tigerlilies are rather docile, he attempts to interact with them. Taming one isn't even really in his head; he'd just like to play. You may encounter him watching them beneath the trees, occasionally tossing some bits of food to tempt various creatures.

Unfortunately, in an outcome that's possibly predictable, the fact that he's a giant monster seems to be alarming. Asgore can also be found on the beach later on, with the tigerlily continuing to viciously attack his feet as he walks.

He doesn't seem too upset about it, at least. The most he's doing is dangling a long reed like a cat toy, trying to distract the thing. It's not working all that well.]

beach!

[lesbeau]

[Well, that sure is happening. She's pretty sure that's a Firbolg having what she would bet is an entire experience down there. Does he notice? He has to notice. Beau is standing just a bit off at the treeline, arms crossed, not seemingly intimidated but plenty confused.]

Uhhhh. Dude. Doesn't that... hurt? Or does that thing just not really have teeth or something because it's some gigantic flower?

Héctor | Coco | OTA

[vagabone]

Cat.

[Héctor's really more of a dog person, and he prefers his cats to be no more than fifteen pounds. So of course that's why he returns to his so-called house one night to find one of the young tigerlilies sleeping in the corner on his new stash of shirts. Wonderful. Oh, well, he doesn't need a change of clothes all that bad, he'll leave the kitten be. (Said kitten already being bigger than a housecat...)

This may be a mistake, because the kitten is back the next night. And the next. He seals his fate on the third day when he starts to play with the weird hybrid thing, dragging around a long leafy branch for it to chase. Eventually it's curious enough to sniff at him and allow him to sneak some petting in. Later on, it joins him in his hammock and together they sleep the night away. Congratulations, Héctor, you've made a friend.

Catch him sleeping in late at his shack as usual, but with a buddy now. Or find him elsewhere on Enso and the islets, such as the Denny or the message rock with his new floral shadow not too far away.]

[determinist]

[ Leonard has been wandering since his encounter with Agent Washington, homeless for now, but having visited the shack where they were distributing clothing. So his knapsack is full, but he's weary, not having slept in some time, or in great comfort.

When he sees the skeleton at the message rock, his intended destination, he starts with the shock of it at first. This doesn't seem physically possible. But he's seen many impossible things already, it seems. It also seems to contradict Washington's idea that this isn't the afterlife. Of course a skeleton would be able to have life in a place where the dead are no longer.

So Leonard approaches, slightly wary, noticing the tigerlily frolicking nearby. ]

Hello. I couldn't help but notice you standing there. Could you show me how to send a message?

[ He starts out warmly, letting his Southern drawl sound lazy. ]

beau | ota | i'll match your format!

[lesbeau]

i. [the beach] ego's a hard thing to relax / but it's so easy to feed

[At first, she just thinks it started raining.

Beau wakes to being buffeted by the water of the ocean, sputtering as it gets in her mouth as she quickly rights herself. But this isn't the dark forest she (must have) dozed off in, and... are those flowers?

She squints towards the horizon, talking before she takes stock of her surroundings.]

Hey, Caduceus, that's not you, right? You don't do some flower... oh.

[Beau turns her head left, then right. No one's here. No Caleb or Nott or Keg or anything. Shit. She scrambles to her feet, dragging her belongings (and some new backpack) just off the sand. She can be found digging through her old- and new- stuff, but quite alert to approach or danger.]

ii. [inland] so, hit me / cause I don't wanna lose tonight

[Okay, so this sounded like a better idea in her head.

The thought was- gather up stuff. Go into island. Find whoever's in charge here, and figure out where the rest of her party is. If they're not around, find some people. Also, figure out if she's in some sort of mage-induced hallucination. Keg did say Lorenzo would break people- no way of telling how they'd do it. Maybe this is magic. Just some-- some really advanced magic.

Of course, her skill at making plans doesn't often involve talking to people properly, so Beau positions herself crouched in a tree, lying in wait among these weird flower creatures that makes her feel like she's in some drug-induced trip. Filing away that she might be high as a kite right now, she'll stay silent and still in the branches until someone comes along.

And then she'll leap down and either land directly on them, or right in front of them, staff drawn.]

Hey! Hold up! I've got questions and you better have answers.

inland because let's start things off right i guess

[counterblows]

[You know what you should definitely not ever, under any circumstances do?]

[Willfully startle a fully-armed, fully-armored space marine with deeply rooted paranoia and crushing PTSD as well as a history of shooting first and asking questions later.]

[Really, it's amazing that he doesn't shoot her on the spot, though his rifle jerks sharply up to brace against his shoulder, mere seconds from firing until his heart arrests itself in his chest and his breath hikes:]

Jesus christ what the fuck.

[selfinserting]

the beach;

[It's almost peaceful, when he wakes up. From the sounds of the water, the breeze on his face, the smell of the ocean air and the color of the sky... In any other situation, he'd probably enjoy it. As it is, though, he comes to and realizes that this is wrong, that he's in a place drastically different from the last thing he remembers. That means that he's rising to his feet quickly and unsteadily, his movements rapid as he rubs a few stray petals out of his hair.

He doesn't know what's happening or why he's back here so suddenly, and it makes a familiar sensation of panic start rising in his chest. Without thinking about it, he starts to move away from the shoreline, simply because it's something to do - he can't stay still, not when he's feeling like. Of course, he's not paying attention to where he's going as he starts to backpedal, which might just mean he's bumping right into you.]

Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to—! Are you, are you okay? I'm so sorry...

[His expression is apologetic, even if he stares straight at the ground, not making any eye contact as of yet as he clutches at his knapsack nervously.]

the jungle;

[When he does eventually migrate away from the shore and into the jungle, it doesn't take him long to come across one of the tigerlilies. He's never seen a creature quite like it, and even if it's young, he immediately considers the idea that there could be older (and larger) members of the same species here as well. It's why, as he sees it, he halts in his path.

To anyone who happens to be nearby, or anyone who might have accompanied him:]

Do, do you, um, see that...?

jungle

[postictal]

[Tim is just heading back with a fresh wad of clothes in hand, his raid of the remainder of the shopping mall that's been made of the Temple having proved successful. There's an unlit cigarette poised between his teeth, but the feeble stammering of someone caught off guard catches his attention nonetheless.]

[He stuffs a colorful wad of fabric into his pack and blinks.]

It's a tigerlily. They're kind of all over now.

Chip Abaroa | Original Character | OTA

[demonpuppy]

Islet 4

The day dawns much like any other on Enso. The sea is calm, and bludroks can be heard beginning to rouse with clucks and ruffled feathers, ready for a new day. But there is one oddity to be found today, in the form of Chip sitting outside theirs and Erika's cottage working away on some sort of craft project. THey seem pretty focused, not paying attention to the two kittens playing nearby or their phoenix watching them work from a perch up above.

After an hour or so of work, they seem satisfied with what they've made--an odd-looking doll made from tied up grasses and leaves, with six limbs and a bulbous head. After one last inspection of it they nod to themself and stand up, heading over to the water's edge. They glare out at the horizon, the sun having just finished it's passage over the dividing line, and take a deep breath.

"THIS BITCH EMPTY!"

It's a startlingly loud shout, and before one could even begin to react to the break in the relative silence Chip winds up to hurl that grass doll out into the sea as far as they can.

"YEET!!!"

Enso

With so many babies running about, it's inevitable that Chip would find a few that aren't immediately skittish of them. Kneeling near a little pack of mosslings, they've found a long bit of grass to wave at the little critters to try and play with them like kittens, but the mosslings seem more confused than anything else. One of them takes a few timit steps forward, chirring curiously, but when Chip bobs the makeshift toy it squeaks and skitters back again.

Expression falling, Chip sighs and rests their forehead on their knees, both arms gone limp in petulant defeat. "The crows all liked me, why don't you...?"

Enso

[yallstupid]

Because they different critters.

[The voice comes from behind Chip, as Guzma shifts a net of fish on his back. He can't linger too long, otherwise the heat and sun will make them rot, but he can afford a few minutes.]

Y'can't hope for a wild animal to get a liking to you right off the bat, kid, it just don't work like that. Even a freshly caught pokemon won't be too fond of their trainer right away. Takes time and trust, and knowing both of y'all's boundaries. [He crouches down easily, setting his load aside and relaxing his posture.] Don't be so pushy on 'em either...you keep chasing 'em around, they gonna think y'all is tryin'a eat 'em.

Let 'em come over themselves, get a good feel for what you are, then they'll feel more comfortable 'round you. But it ain't gonna happen overnight.

CT | OTA

[tuskenlancer]

Beach

[ CT looks out over the ocean, an impossible, picture-perfect tropical aqua. The sky is likewise perfect, deep and blue with just the right amount of fluffy white clouds far overhead. She smiles, craning her neck upwards to watch flower petals float up and away like confetti, dotting the sky with a rainbow of color.

Then she lifts her hand and raises her middle finger at the dancing, delicate cloud of petals. Fuck you, flowers. ]

Tigerlilies

[ It's not that she'd been looking for a pet. The last thing she needs is the responsibility of looking after someone else.

But she can't help it. They're so cute.

The tigerlily's more floral elements bring up some unpleasant memories. CT actually freezes in place the first time she spots it, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest. Not again. But the cat doesn't seem to be sprouting flowers as much as it is half-made of them. And once she notices the other animals nearby - each of them blending in perfectly with the vegetation, but very clearly alive and healthy - she relaxes a bit. It takes some time, and a lot of patience, but CT's got plenty of both, and eventually she finds herself sitting on the ground, quietly delighted and grinning hugely, as a giant, half-vine-covered tiger flops on the ground beside her, its head in her lap. ]

Wildcard

[ Hit her up, she's around! ]

tigerlilies....sob

[counterblows]

[He's been moving at a brisk clip since he got away from the Director, now packing an extra multi-tool and his old sidearm, because he'd at least made sure the other man wasn't armed before they went their separate ways, but now that he's no longer surfing the adrenaline high, he's already mentally kicking himself for not doing a thorough job of it. The hell was he thinking, just leaving him there? Should've searched him for anything hidden, even if the likelihood was low - ]

[The sight of C.T. sitting there with a tigerlily sprawled on the ground beside her stops him dead for half a moment.]

[And then...longer, as he processes it.]

Uh...wow. I guess you made a new friend.

Kaworu Nagisa | OTA

[braceforimpact]

Not far from the mana pool on Enso, Kaworu Nagisa is refusing to move.

Sometimes he's seated on the ground, cross-legged with his hands in his lap. Other times he's a couple of feet in the air, his legs bent and his hands in his pockets, floating silently, even sullenly. Sometimes his eyes are open. Sometimes they're closed. Either way, he is completely and totally blind.

And he doesn't like it. After death (which was barely even death here, if you ask him) he woke up and immediately walked facefirst into the temple wall. It went downhill from there. Sure, his AT Field means he can tell when people are nearby (at least once they're within ten feet of him) but otherwise he's discovered what seems to be the number one sensory pitfall of the human form. 'Inconvenient' doesn't even begin to describe it.

But unlike humans, Kaworu does not need to be entertained. His mind doesn't seek out knowledge or demand novelty, doesn't crave stimulation--he doesn't experience boredom because he doesn't posses a human mind.

So he's not going anywhere.

[vagabone]

The mana pool is the only way to get off the islets where his shack is, so of course he'll pop out of it sooner or later. Several times, actually, and each time Kaworu is there, in the exact same spot.

Also, he's floating now, when he wasn't earlier. That's ridiculous, stop it.

Kaworu may be able to hear Héctor walking up, all those creaky bones and ribs clacking together. "What are you doing? Why are you just sitting there?"

In midair!! The nerve of some people!

Rei Ayanami | Rebuild of Evangelion | OTA

[youngmother]

[Rei wakes up on the beach staring up at the blue sky, blinking in confusion at the mass of petals that obscure the clear blue skies. There are many things wrong that she notices immediately--the scent of a living sea, no haze of civilization or industry tinging the air, the beating of her heart within her own chest. She had died, she is sure of it. Even though Shinji had pulled her back out, after being absorbed by an Angel like that...]

[After a few moments she pushes herself up to look around, brows furrowing. She dreamed of a place like this, with strange people and stranger happenings. Is she still dreaming? Or has the end begun...? No, she would not be alone if that were the case, she's sure of it.]

[The bag nearby is quickly rifled through, supplies that will be useful should the others from that dream not be here as well. The rabbit...seems to have been real, but Rei is still unsure about trusting anything right now. But for now she heads in the direction those petals are flowing from--it's as good a signpost as any, and with any luck she'll be able to find more of an explanation at the source.]

[forwearemany]

(New arrivals arrive like clockwork each month.

The times have been memorized. Like many others, they observe with some interest.

They spot someone who is familiar to them. As this is the first such occurrence, they are curious, and decide to approach.)

Ayanami Rei.

[thermalwind]

A. Flowers of every shade

[Emerging to greet the day had been like a nightmare. Flower petals drifting on the wind would have been something pretty before. But he remembers why they'd been in the air before. He stalks through the islets, checking for anyone getting sick. He crosses over to Enso with Ember in tow.

Together they steal through the woods and ghost between the trees. It's easier to spot the bird of flame soaring over head. The man is harder to spot in his dark clothes. One might catch a flash of a blade or the glimpse of black and purple. Or catch him when he emerges from between the bushes or out of the under brush.]

Hey, feeling okay? [There is a chance to catch sight of him at the shore up to his boots in the sea water and staring warily out at the ocean. Dark shirt, dark hoodie with a purple paw print on the chest and back. He'll glance your way and turn fully to face with you with a white and black U in one hand.]

So, what do you need?

B. It's a Jungle out there.

[The island is alive with life as Keith prowls through it looking for anyone he can find. He barely avoids young spindlanks and rootwyrms. He hadn't met the adult forms of the later...or he had when he woke from Bliss's dream but that time is a red hazy blur.

He stops to look up at Arboreali chicks up in the trees. It feels like so long ago he carried them to Monsun and Enso. The ground had shook and broke apart. He closes his eyes for a moment. It's just long enough that a crowd of yowling tigerlily kittens surge up around him and past him. They're big enough they knock him off balance. He goes down with a surprised yelp.]

a!

[ladytakamaki]

[ ann is on her way towards the trees, away from the shore, ready to head go exploring and find somewhere to rest. her clothes are still damp from being washed up on the beach, and she's still disoriented because everything's been happening way too fast and way too quickly. she's heading inwards, towards the woods when she suddenly sees someone emerging. it doesn't startle her even if his presence is unexpected, because his movements aren't sudden or quick. being in palaces and having shadows pop up unexpectedly has sort of trained her in the art of not getting scared as easily as she used to.

she's assuming he's asking if she's alright because she's a newcomer. not because he thinks there's a possibility she may be sick. ]

Me? [ yes you, ann. ] Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Just getting used to, well, you know...everything. But I'm not hurt, if that's what you're asking?