Returning Island: Ai'tuoh

[lifeaftr_mods]

RETURNING ISLAND: AI'TUOH

Who: Everyone!
What: Ai'tuoh returns to the archipelago of LifeAftr
When: March 20th, and onward
Where: Oh, what revolution you inspired...
Warnings: Please mark if anything comes up!

Pull Color From the Summer Skies
Ah, Ai'tuoh. A grim island to visit, indeed. The last time adventurers were here, they discovered a city full of draconian rules and a well-armed city militia more than capable of apprehending as many of those lawbreakers as possible. The island was left in a fiery conflagration following a bold rescue attempt of many of those imprisoned lawbreakers, most of whom happened to be the adventurers themselves. This sparked a subsequent conflict within the city itself, a boiling revolution that could very easily have changed the entire course of that city's history.

In a way, it did. At least, that's what you'll have to assume. The Ai'tuoh that characters discover, should they venture into the city, will be...completely empty. And not just that - it'll look as though it's been empty for a while. Almost as if generations upon generations have passed since you visited. This means that you'll have, of course, free rein of the city. While most of the buildings are weathered by time - many of the older houses built from clay and such have decayed significantly - some are intact enough to have left some interesting tidbits for adventurers to gather.

At the city's heart, a pair of statues have been erected. Though just as weather-beaten as many of the rest of the city structures, it is still evident that one is of an elderly woman, and the other of a shorter though no less elderly person. The woman bears a torch; the other bears an open book. At their feet is an inscription:

To Commemorate the Liberation of A.E 2301

On the nineteenth day of the third month of the year of 2301, the Strangers who had come to our lands from parts unknown were doomed to be purged in the ancient artifact, that gift from the most Holy, the Standing Water. Rather than be cowed into subordination, the Strangers reached forth. They beckoned for us to throw off our shackles of Unerring Laws, and celebrate in freedom of mind and choice and body and soul.

We honor those Strangers for showing us that light. We honor also our great matriarch, MARI ZALIN, who led us to a new age, as well as her sibling and successor, KIRAN THE NINTH.

May we remember always their leadership and honor. May we walk free of either god that once ruled us, and free of the sins of our ancestors. May we choose our own path forevermore.

It's clear that both of these statues have been here for a long, long time.

Cold-Blooded in the Wave
The good news here is that the city that was once strictly controlled is free for exploration to any traveler's content! Though weathered with age and not nearly as plentiful as they were the days that adventurers first visited, you are all nonetheless free to wander the city of Ai'tuoh at your leisure.

[ ♆ ] Housing: The simple abodes have mostly succumbed to the elements and the inevitable forward march of time, but there are nonetheless plenty of small tools and useful tidbits that travelers can pick from the old ruins - old eating utensils, jugs, simple toys such as balls and creatures carved from wood. In case there was any doubt that the fiery revolution did indeed improve the quality of life, some houses will also feature murals and effigies that might seem familiar: depictions of white-haired boys, men in sweeping coats relishing in apparent destruction, lanky teenagers striking off in boats, and so on and so forth. It might be a bit odd to see yourself or people you know (or knew) portrayed in the form of dolls and paintings and tapestries...but that's exactly what this is. You all became household names, figures of legend whose stories were passed down across generations.

[ ♆ ] Library: While most of the older parchments and books have moldered away over time, some of the more well-protected and well-preserved writings have remained untroubled. Those seemingly infinite rulebooks that listed the same tired laws are utterly absent, replaced with thick tomes full to bursting of the island's rich history. Again, travelers who pick through the library may very well recognize writings that paint their exploits in rescuing their fellow adventurers from the Standing Water as a heroic turning point. Any writings that deal with the aftermath will focus on Mari Zalin and her younger sibling, known as Kiran the Ninth and their efforts in rebuilding society from the ground up - their rejection of the strict laws that once defied them and the sealing off of the Standing Water.

[ ♆ ] Markets and Warehouses: Just like before, most of the supplies to be found here are rather derelict with age. That does not mean that one can't find something useful, however. Old weapons and the odd item of furniture, as well as simplicities such as water canteens, sturdy jars or mortar and pestles can be found, cleaned, fixed up, and made use of, if travelers wish. Lucky folks might find larger tools such as cauldrons or anvils. If they don't mind cleaning off a little rust, those can make for some very useful things to have on hand!

[ ♆ ] Farms: What were once well-kept farms have now become horribly overgrown, though thankfully purely in the colloquial sense. The neat rows of crops have become thriving carpets of weeds. The area has now become little more than an enclosure for herds of cattle and livestock of a similar ilk, all of which have thrived with plenty of greenery to graze upon and who doubtless have not seen a human soul even once in their lives.

[ ♆ ] Docks: Most of the docks are in a rather sorry state. The boats that still remain relatively seaworthy could do with a great deal of repair before we recommend you try taking them on any ocean voyages. Nonetheless, you're free to claim any one of these vessels for your own, provided you're interested in patching it up to sail it back to Ensō or the islets yourself! The inn that stood near them is still intact enough to go combing through, if desired. Most of the place is pretty devoid of much in the way of anything scavengable...unless any of you manage to locate the cellar, where the real prize here lies. There, you'll find barrels upon barrels of finely aged liquor. An old, corroded plaque will label the contents of these barrels as SPICED KENNING RUM. Rich in flavor and sharp in taste, those of you willing to figure out how to transfer these spoils to Ensō will discover that this liquor is both delicious and very potent.

[ ♆ ] Barracks: It looks as though the old cells that were once used to hold lawbreakers have long since been done away with, replaced with more storage rooms and dormitories. The maze-like interior has likewise fallen away to a much more standard layout to illustrate the changed times. The barracks now contain significantly less in the way of weaponry than they once did, though that's not to say they don't contain any. Those of you devoted to picking apart anything of use will discover that there are some old racks of sturdy shields of all shapes and sizes that might be able to be fixed up and taken back to Ensō, as well as some very simplistic, aged firearms that are more than a little reminiscent of certain types of hand cannons. Nonetheless, you can find plenty of gunpowder and ammunition in the barracks supply rooms as well. So try not to shoot your eye out if you decide to keep any of this stuff, all right?

The private docking, just like the public docks above, have mostly degraded to a point of unusability. Nonetheless, the small islet located to the northeast of Ai'tuoh will only be reachable by boat...or by wings, if you've got them. You can also venture there via hang glider, as long as you set off for the islet somewhere between the 22nd and the 31st.

Unfortunately (or perhaps, fortunately), it looks as though the underground chamber housing the Standing Water has been utterly sealed off, and has been for some time. A heavy stone gate has been laid into place, and cannot be budged by ordinary means. An ancient plaque declares the following:

SEALED BY ORDER OF KIRAN THE NINTH

Following the Liberation of A.E 2301, we hereby reject the practice of casting our unruly to the Standing Water. May this cursed place remain as ever a reminder of our sins.

Of course, just because this gate cannot be breached by sheer force doesn't mean it can't be opened. Those of you interested in doing so can reach out to us if desired!

Watch the Beauty Drown
Of course, there's a lot going on in the background as well. Characters are not required to go to Ai'tuoh; you're free to explore any other minor events listed on our Monthly Rundown post. You are also always free to create your own individual logs and posts as needed!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them over on our Monthly Rundown post!

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

Comments

[weedlikespirit]

[ Well, it makes sense. She doesn't think she's seen anything like that since she's arrived. Fae, that is! She definitely hasn't seen anything like a carnival.

Still, a year and six months? She's a little quieter now, thinking. He's been gone that long? ]

That is a very long time.

[ A very long time... but since when? Exactly what has Yuki-chan been through during that time? ]

[reflash]

... it is, but I've kept myself busy. I have the most medical training of anyone here, so I've been running the clinic for a while now.

[weedlikespirit]

By yourself??

[ Because that is exactly what it sounds like, not that Shiemi thinks Yukio is incapable. If anyone could do it, Yuki-chan could. He's really amazing and "clinic" sounds so big, but that there is one, well -- ]

D-do you get a lot of work here?

[ Aside from her mishap with that gun, things have seemed really peaceful to her if a bit eerie on this island. Yukio is the first person she's run into in this one populated place, after all. ]

[reflash]

There used to be a head doctor, but now I'm the one with the most medical experience. A few other people help, but thankfully it isn't too busy. It's still important for us to be ready, in case something does happen. ["Ready", he says, like he hasn't constantly been the one in need of help.]

[weedlikespirit]

[ "In case something does happen," that makes her think of this island and what only just happened with herself and that... thing. Something obviously happened here to this island as a whole, but beyond that, beyond what the Storyteller has told her, she doesn't really have a frame of reference for what sorts of things might happen in this... well, world.

Yuki-chan had said it isn't too busy, though. ]

What sorts of things happen here?

[ She spares a glance behind them at the barracks. ]

[reflash]

Well... [There's... a lot. He has to pick something safe.]

Once we all turned into mermaids. [Mermen? Shiemi gets it, probably.] Then we explored a sunken island. That was... interesting.

We do a lot of exploration, and the individual islands aren't without their own dangers. And sometimes unusual things happen on the main islands as well, but it's mostly unusual situations with the... local wildlife.

When things do get dangerous, everyone does a good job of helping each other out.

[weedlikespirit]

[ Mermaids?? Of all the things Shiemi might've imagined, that's not one of them, but here she is, blinking in turning wide eyes back to Yuki-chan as she tries to imagine mer -- er, merman Yuki-chan. She isn't entirely sure where to begin. It's just the bottom half that's different, right? But... they don't usually wear clothes, do they?

She's still listening even as pink creeps into her cheeks. It isn't just her attempting to piece that mental image together, but it all seems rather fantastical to her in a way. Turning into mer... people? Exploring a sunken island and others, unknown danger, unusual situations with the local wildlife. She'll have to ask about that.

She'll have to ask about a lot of things, but -- ]

So, even though Yuki-chan's been away from home for a long time, you haven't been alone. There've been other people with you.

[reflash]

I'm sure everyone else here will be glad to meet you. I already promised Ginko-san that I would make sure to introduce you to him if you ever showed up. [There are people he doesn't mention. He doesn't say anything about Rin, about the way his brother was in the Carnival and then here and now is gone.]

[weedlikespirit]

I'm excited to meet everyone, too. We're in the same situation, aren't we? So, I'd like to meet everyone and help out where I can, too.

[ She's sure there's something she can do. She isn't entirely sure what just yet, but she'll find it and keep trying to help the Storyteller, too. Hearing that Yuki-chan promised someone something like that, though -- ]

Is Ginko-san a good friend of yours?

[reflash]

[Is "friend" the right word? No. But Yukio doesn't know what the right word is.]

It's somewhat complicated, but he's one of the most responsible adults here. And we are close. [Wait. No, he didn't mean to say that.] He's been extremely helpful.

[weedlikespirit]

[ Shiemi doesn't pause at Yukio's first statement, but the second? The second strikes her as an unusual admittance and she understands the statement on the most basic level, but she isn't entirely sure what to make of it.

Being away for so long, had Yuki-chan...?

But that smile of hers doesn't quite falter. Hearing that from him, she's... actually a bit relieved. ]

Th-that's wonderful, Yuki-chan! I'm really happy to hear you've been able to meet that kind of person here. I can't wait to meet him!

[reflash]

[His tongue flicks rapidly, a quick flicker of movement. It's subconscious, a new habit that's settled in since he went through this transformation.]

If there's anything you'd like to ask me, please feel free.

[weedlikespirit]

[ He says that and she pauses. She does have questions. She has so many questions and she isn't really sure where to begin. There is one question, though, that stands out before the questions she has about this world and the last, how Yuki-chan came into all those blue eyes and his fluffy, bladed tail, his experiences -- ]

You said we're from two different points in the timeline.

[ Her voice is quiet as she considers that. ]

When are you from?

[reflash]

[He knew it was coming. He wouldn't have offered if he wasn't planning on it, but it's still something he doesn't want to talk about.

He wishes he could remember exactly what she was wearing, that day.]

It was winter, just after everyone started being able to see demons. [Is that when she's from? Or later? She looks like he remembers, but he doesn't know...]

I came to see you, because I... didn't want to go home.

[weedlikespirit]

[ There's weight to those words and she realizes it as they register with all the subtlety of brick against glass. She is not so small, so fragile as to shatter before them, but it's jarring to her despite that that time is hers. No, because it is, she thinks. For Yukio, it's been so many months, but for Shiemi, that moment might as well be her today.

She hadn't been able to help Yuki-chan. She'd gotten angry when he'd said he had no family, no friends. She'd insisted that she was friend and he had Rin and he'd... he'd gotten so angry with her. He'd ran. He'd ran from the shop, from her, and she hadn't been sure where to begin looking for him, if she wouldn't somehow make things worse.

Shiemi had wanted to find him, to apologize, to understand. It seems like there's always so much she doesn't understand or know.

She takes a quiet breath, her fingers finding themselves over the fabric of her kimono. She'd ran, too, to find Rin. She'd only just told him what had happened with Yukio, what he'd said, when she'd found herself before the Storyteller, then on Enso. From there, she'd traveled all the way to Ai'tuoh and she's found Yuki-chan or, well, he found her.

They found each other in this place so far from home and she really, really doesn't want to mess this up. There's a softness to her voice as she speaks. ]

I remember. I arrived here from that morning.

[reflash]

[She goes quiet, for a moment too long, and he knows why, knows she must be from after him, she understands what he means when he says that and can't meet her gaze.

But then she speaks, voice quiet and soft and---

he wonders if there's a bruise on her shoulder. What she did after he ran, shaking and shaken until he tripped over the snow and ended up at the Carnival's front gate. How she can still stand so calmly here in front of him. What's going to happen, now that she's seen just how horrible he really is.

How it's going to sound when she says whatever she's going to say that means she hates him.]

Shiemi-san, I... [it's been months, a year and longer but he can't escape it, that conversation is going to haunt him for the rest of his life.

Is I'm sorry ever going to be enough? He's bowing, deeply, but really there's nothing he can say or do that will be enough to apologize for forcing her to listen to his problems when he knew there was no solution, for exploding in anger at her, for hurting her when she was just trying to be kind.]

I'm so sorry.