OPEN ★ ARRIVAL LOG

[futurologists]

ARRIVALS ( OCT 2 ) The dragons are taken from you, sent off to a safe haven. You're back in Oska for less than a day when you hear the announcement and head to the rendezvous point. You blink, step through the portal, there's a loud crack, and... You're thrown into darkness. You taste copper and, for a moment, your ears won't stop ringing. All common side-effects of portal travel. The entire crew arrives just beyond the city gates, so you might also be feeling a little bit claustrophobic. It takes a second for the eyes to adjust, but one can make out buildings and the cobblestone beneath their feet. To the right is the Trade District, where all the vendors are gathered to sell their wares. Up ahead is the City Square, where the rest of the citizens out and about seem to be gathered. To the left of the square is the Commoners' District, and to the right of it is the Nobles' District, the two main residential areas. Further travel west will come to the outskirts, a makeshift residential area, this one densely populated with goblins. Many of the people are holding candles or lanterns. You might want to try getting your hands on one of those. If you have not already done so, your enchanted jewelry will manifest words in front of your very eyes — or sounds in your ear, if you're illiterate — asking you to identify yourself. A quick look around shows that you seem to be the only one able to see it. All you have to do is think or say how you wish to be identified. After that, you're immediately given a message. Those who participated in the dragon mission at Anwick will first receive this: We appreciate your help at Anwick. The wyrmlings will live to grow up and bring about the world's natural end. Thank you. -- ALASTAIR Afterwards, the crew will be given an abridged version of this, then told to familiarize themselves with the city and natives, report all information gathered back to ALASTAIR, and wait for further instruction. At the end of the night, wherever they may be, everyone will receive a letter with the royal seal thanking them for their efforts to end the goblins' defiance and inviting them to the Festival of Illumination on the 4th. FESTIVAL OF ILLUMINATION ( OCT 4 ) Candles are sitting on windowsills throughout the entire city, but the main event is in the city square. In the fountain float lit lotuses, and people all around are holding lanterns, waiting to light them. There's a minstrel playing songs, and several of the vendors have pulled their carts up to the square in the hopes of making a sale. Many sweets are for sale, including baked apples, gingerbread, cherry tarts, pudding, and more. There's also some drinks for sale. Some children are playing games in the corner, and others are dancing to the music or writing wishes on slips of paper to be sent into the sky with their lanterns. Everyone seems merry for once, but you'd better be careful. This is an ideal place for a pickpocket. About an hour and a half into the festival, the lanterns are sent into the sky. They're sent flying, the sky becoming filled with bright lights, until... A strong gust of wind sends all the lights out. At least, you think it was a gust of wind. What else could have done that? On closer inspection, however, you'll see that even the candles sitting on windowsills inside have gone out. For a minute or so, there's only darkness and chaos. Suddenly, the flames begin to burn again, revealing a message in the cobblestone in the center of the square. It almost looks as if it's been burned into the ground: IT IS COMING, followed by a symbol of a creature with a lion's head, goat's body, and serpent's tail. [MOD NOTE: This is a catch-all log for the first few days. For the sake of organization, all arrival threads should be posted under the subheader ARRIVALS and all festival threads should be posted under FESTIVAL. Threads that don't fall under either of those categories can be top-levels. Also, please remember to add your character's tag to the post! Thank you, and have fun!]

Comments

[rosing]

[ Anna looks up from the collection of red things in front of her when someone speaks, only to discover it isn't directed at her. The girl the man is speaking to shakes her head no and quickly leaves. Anna watches her go, and turns back to Julius. Not saying anything, she just stares up at him, finding it familiar... She's seen him back in Oska.

Anna's not the one he wants, but she does have time. So, very simply, she answers, ]

I do.

[viscontree]

[Julius shows Anna an image of a monster from one of his books.]

Have you seen something like this before? [ His world was filled with dangerous beasts...he finds it odd that he hasn't seen a single one ever since he got here. Talk about crazy man. Julius honestly wonders if anyone else has seen Aragami around this area. Anna do you like crazy monster birds? ]

[rosing]

[ It's subtle, but her eyes widen at the sight she's shown. ]

No. [ She probably sounds interested. She is interested. It's red... ] Are they a friend?

[viscontree]

It's a monster that exists in my world. We call them Aragami.

If you're unfamiliar with them then it's fine.[He doesn't want to see another Aragami if he can help it either. Chiyou variants are really awful man. Julius feels a little safer knowing that other people haven't seen these monsters here.]

You'll have to pardon me for asking something so strange.

[rosing]

Aragami...

[ Anna repeats it, tests the sound of it. She'll remember it, for if she ever sees it. But to Julius' words, she shakes her head. It's not strange at all. ]

Are you looking for them? [ She could try to help! She could help! ...Why does it sound like she wants to help? ]

[viscontree]

Yes, I am. If you ever encounter them yourself you should run away.

[Julius thinks about searching for them on his own. Aragami probably don't exist here anyways. It's still weird to him, but talking about all this monster nonsense does help.]

Oh, right. There's one other thing I need to ask you. Did you just arrive here as well?

[rosing]

[ She won't run away. Not answering that question, she just says, ]

With ALASTAIR.

[viscontree]

[Well, damn. He looks kinda pissed off for a second because ALASTAIR's recruiting children. That isn't something that Julius can easily ignore. So much for being stoic.]

I'm involved with ALASTAIR as well. My name is Julius Visconti, former Captain of Special Forces Unit, Blood. [Unnecessarily long military titles man.]

Could you tell me your name? I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe.

[rosing]

[ She knows, that's why she said it. Anna doesn't look away from his face, her curiosity at his anger never showing up on her face. For someone in a unit called Blood, there's barely any red on his clothes. The red in his ribbon is pretty though. ]

Anna. [ His concern is appreciated. It's the first time she's being told this outright though. His straightforwardness, and his anger--she can tell Julius is kind.

But, she can keep herself safe. ]

I'll be okay.

[viscontree]

[Anna really is going to be okay though she's quite mature for someone who seems so young. Julius simply nods at that.]

Alright, Anna. We're going to be here for a while it seems.

Let's find some place to settle down.

i still love you

[rosing]

[ She raises her finger, points in a direction. ]

There are inns over there. [ Pooints in another direction. ] And there.

yay..

[viscontree]

We'll go to the closest inn.

[And walking WOOPIE DOOO!! Occasionally Julius checks behind him just to make sure Anna's following.]

[rosing]

[ She's following quietly, occasionally tilting her head to look at something red or bright. The only time Anna speaks up is when she wants to tell him he's walking too far. ]

This way.

[viscontree]

Is this the place?

[He's pretty sure they're at the right spot, but he wants to double check with Anna first.]

[rosing]

Someone thought this was the best inn.

[ Literally. ]

[viscontree]

We should be able to rest if that's the case.

[Go chill in the corner Anna. It's not safe outside!!]

[rosing]

[ She's safer than the person who needs an adult!!

Anna pushes the door open and holds it for Julius like a gentlelady. ]

[viscontree]

[Wow isn't supposed to be ladies first...

Julius walks in anyways but smh. He waits for Anna to come in too before shutting the door entirely.]