lifeaftr | July Event: Riding the Wave

JULY EVENT: RIDING THE WAVE

Who: Everyone!
What: The Jormun reappear to allow some transformative fun...and potentially some underwater exploration as well
When: July 10th and onward
Where: Ensō and the ocean floor around it
Warnings: Potential (and fully optional) body/transformation horror may arise when undergoing shifts from land-based to sea-based shapes, and vice versa. Otherwise, tag as you go!

I'll See You on the Other Side
The Jormun resurfaced to greet their old allies on July 8th, bringing with them the offer to explore the ocean floor alongside them. They're not the only old friend that's made a return, however. The kaleidoshells, placid, rainbow-tinted creatures reminiscent of sea turtles, have also made their way to Ensō's shores for their nesting season. For much of the month of July, you'll have to tread carefully around mounds of sand hiding delicate heaps of kaleidoshell eggs.

Those of you uninterested in sea exploration can remain on the surface, if you like - the kaleidoshells can make for a stunning sight if you're glimpsing them for the first time as their shells throw off vibrant rainbow swirls of light reflected into the ocean waters.

Predators are always keen to feast on easy prey, and kaleidoshell eggs are no exception. If you feel like protecting them from any hungry slypers or pterax, you'll find that some of the Jormun are happy to stick on the surface with you and assist. They'll even lend you a schlacknorkcvic, which is the Jormun equivalent of a simple driftwood training staff, to help keep any thieving creatures away from the nests of kaleidoshell eggs - though they recommend that you do so peacefully, if possible.

Get Carried Away
Or you can brave the sea waters with the Jormun, instead. With the help of the sne'akleriad pendant, your new, aquatic shape will allow you to navigate the waters just as easily as they. Whether you intend to make use of this new skill to go roaming about and explore some of Ensō's uncharted ocean squares, take a look at that underwater structure that's been sighted before, or just have a joyous time beneath the waves with your new scaly, tentacled, flippered, or be-gilled form, the choice is yours.

In the meantime, the following links may prove handy:

[ ♆ ] OOC Event Info and Plotting Post
[ ♆ ] Underwater City Exploration Page
[ ♆ ] Jormun NPC Information
[ ♆ ] Ensō's Locations Page

Event Timeline

[ ♆ ] July 8th: The Jormun and the kaleidoshells return to Ensō's shores
[ ♆ ] July 10th: Underwater exploration begins
[ ♆ ] July 17th: Part Two of our second year anniversary Test Drive Meme goes up
[ ♆ ] July 20th: Monthly Storytelling occurs
[ ♆ ] July 22nd: The final island in this voting round appears
[ ♆ ] July 25th: The Jormun return to their home beneath the waves

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He stretches a bit with a sigh, and then gives Ren a small shrug. ]

I don't know. It's beautiful, sure, but it also traps us here on these islands.

[ Molly looks out over the water, red eyes watching the glint of the sun in the blue ripples. Maybe he'd like it more if he had seen it in another circumstance. Maybe as an idiot, stealing a boat with his friends. ]

You feel trapped?

[It's a hard pill to swallow that her home is a curse to some of the other islanders. She never wants to leave and lives with a freedom she never had back on her world.

The same can't be said for others though and it's hard to hear, especially from the people she cherishes.]

Do you miss your home?

Yeah.

[ Molly admits freely, looking at the sea. ]

Not... particularly because of the island itself. I can't go back, so existing in some way is nice. I just don't like the games it plays.

[ He can understand the beauty of this place and the fun and exciting things, but it always came with a catch that just wasn't worth it. ]

It hurts people. My friends.

[It's a situation she's learned to cope with since her arrival because the alternative is much worse.

But he's not wrong. More than once, she's seen her friends and family get ripped apart by the islands and all their fickle gods. The things it did to her didn't matter-it's an unnecessary worry and she's starting to see that-

He's the same way. The pained way he talks about how It hurts my friends without any regard for his own well-being because Existing in some way is nice.

She gets it and while it's never made her feel like she's stuck behind those locked laboratory doors again, she understands a little better and-

Raises a hand to pat the top of his head and his horns. There there.]

That kind of thing-I don't like it when they get hurt or if you get hurt. It's scary, but they're very strong.

[Another little pat and-]

You're very strong. It's okay.

[ He's... not sure what to make of that. Ren has reminded him of Toya a lot, but she's also very much not like kids are supposed to be at times. Molly has no idea if it has to do with her personality, her world of just trauma from this fucking place, but her tolerance for things seems kind of skewed.

Still, he accepts her wisdom(?) and headpats, because this is a shitty subject and he doesn't want to be sad next to her. ]

I'll be strong.

[ He agrees, softly. Strong enough to somehow help getting his friends home - and everyone else that wanted to leave.

(Maybe it would just be him and a handful left.) ]

What's your favorite part of this place?

[She's been here so long that his question doesn't get an immediate answer. How does she choose between her campsite, the patches of tall grass, the doodle covered tree trunks, the holes filled with rocks and shells and treasures-everything.

How does she choose between gods that find the rare medicine that allows her to live and the people who make her want to do so?

But maybe that's what makes the decision so easy too.]

I like seeing you. I like seeing everyone-when they smile at me and at each other and say nice things like 'Hello, how are you?' and 'Hello, are you hungry?' and 'Hello, pumpkin'-that's my favorite part. Everyone's kind heart shines all the time and I really like it.

[ That's... ridiculously sweet, honestly. Molly's features soften and he smiles at her. Ren's innocent love for life was just what was needed right now. ]

Alright. That's a really good part, pumpkin.

[ He opens his arms for a hug. It feels like a good pick-me-up right now. ]

[Denying someone a hug is impossible and the way he extends his arms, the word pumpkin falling off his lips in a way that reminds her of them-

She lunges for him, wrapping her arms tight around his body. The hard part will be getting this leech to let go because for as long as he lets her-

She's going to hold him tight, tight, tight. Maybe it'll keep him from disappearing too.]

[ He needed a hug more than he realized. Wrapping his arms tight around Ren, he just lets it happen. Lets them both take comfort from each other for a while, surrounded by sand and eggs and ravenous seagulls.

Molly doesn't pull back for a long while and when he finally does so, it's to place a kiss on her forehead. ]

You're such a good person, Ren. Never stop being you.

[The compliment warms her heart, even if it's not true. Molly can't possibly know the acts she was complicit in or how her fear kept her from doing the right thing at every opportunity. He doesn't know, won't ever know-it's her burden to carry.

But-

The peck on her forehead-it makes her feel like she did something right. As if her words carried enough weight to lift some worries from his heart. Hugs aren't new. She gives those out freely enough, but the forehead kisses are and she she leans up to place a kiss on his forehead in turn. There, there.]

You're a better person. Your heart shines very bright-I can always see it.

[Not literally, but she knows. She doesn't need empathy to see that.]

[ That was very sweet, and he smiles at her. Normally he'd say 'no, I'm an asshole', but there's something so earnest in Ren that it just... is. Molly can accept it for once. ]

I'm glad. I... thank you.

[ He sighs softly, and then moves to stand up. ]

Let's go look if someone turned into a fun fish, shall we?

Okay, okay!

[Because that does sound like a fun adventure. So many people are transforming by the day and as much as she hates it-

She would rather see them off and watch them return, than to ignore the process entirely.

There's a burst of energy that runs through her body as she pushes herself up with both hands, taking a couple steps ahead to lead the way.]

Follow me!

July Event: Riding the Wave

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