EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

[futurologists]

With the storm gone, the water surrounding Komo has calmed considerably. Much of the affected area is in ruins, but thanks to ALASTAIR, a large contingent of Komo survived the disaster. However, with parts of Komo uninhabitable, they need to be able to reach Nalawi’s other islands. With their technology so limited due to dependence on their Gifts, it’s all they can do to build a few tiny, shoddy canoes, powered solely by elbow grease. They only fit two regular-sized people (but four Nalawi), and the wait time is long, but they do the trick. If you aren't willing to wait, you can always try to get creative. Strangely, though, anyone trying to use their magic to cross the waters will find that their powers are beginning to dampen. Similarly, anyone with superhuman abilities at all will find them waning, albeit at different rates. Those without any special powers at all will be completely unaffected. But that's nothing to worry about, right? It’s time to see the rest of Nalawi. PU’ULAI PU’ULAI is the centermost island of the archipelago and by far the largest. Most of the travel between islands is to and from Pu’ulai, as it’s the cultural hub of Nalawi and the location of Nalanni’s largest temple. It’s very populated during the day, but isn’t a residential area and clears out once the sun goes down. The first thing you'll notice is that the deer hate cats. The citizens of Komo are far more likely to let it go, but if you have anything slightly cat-looking with you here, at best, you'll be yelled at. Some Nalawi try to start fights, and no one but Komoans will allow cats anywhere near their homes or inns. Recruits might notice children running away from cats, screaming, "Dakal!" THE TEMPLE, referred to as Nalanni’s Garden, is closest to the Nalalona volcano on a neighboring island. The regular ash from it was viewed as a good omen from Nalanni, who’s rumored to live within the volcano, but it’s been months since anyone has seen any activity from it. The temple is dark as obsidian, which is coincidentally what it’s made of. There’s a copious amount of brightly colored flowers around the temple, hence the name. The gardens are free for anyone to walk through, as is the temple. One image is constant throughout the temple: an inhumanly large, vaguely feminine being made in stone and fire, a walking volcano. It would be easy for such a woman to look frightening, but she looks welcoming and caring, arms outstretched to embrace her children. Inside the temple are more murals of Nalanni, but also some curiously unrelated to her. They depict the Nalawi fighting against large, predatory cat-creatures, finally culminating in their enemies attacking Nalalona. This is when Nalanni reappears, striking them down. The temple is tended to by several Nalawi of varying ages, all very welcoming to strangers, especially those they’ve heard heroic tales of. News traveled fast once the Komo villagers crossed the waters and spread the news of their timely rescuers. There are plenty of Nalawi in the temple, making offerings and asking Nalanni to return to them -- some are hopeful, but others appear desolate. CITY HALL is where the ten members of the Council convene. No one is allowed in, as they’ve been discussing the changing state of Nalawi nonstop for days. There’s a group gathered around the hall each day, hoping their leaders will emerge and announce their plans, but nothing has happened yet. It’s a good chance to sit around and listen, though -- you’ll quickly find out that Nalawi is a meritocracy; the Council have the strongest Gifts of anyone in Nalawi, determined by a nationwide competition to prove their worth every time a seat opens. Some of the more disgruntled deer whisper that some must have lost their powers by now and no longer deserve to sit on the Council. A few arguments are beginning to break out around the city hall, and even a few scuffles. Luckily, their weakened powers have also dampened the damage they’re able to deal, and no one has been injured too badly. Just try to be respectful -- otherwise, you might upset the wrong person. Those hooves can hurt. ELSEWHERE, there's a marketplace where traditional Nalawi clothing can be bought, among other things, inactive spas shut down due to dormant volcanoes, and maybe -- if you’re very lucky -- you’ll stumble upon a ferry that still works. It’s unlikely, though, and haggling with its owner will be difficult. You could always steal it, but you wouldn’t do that, would you? You can always explore the SURROUNDING ISLANDS, which are mostly residential areas, similar in theme to the parts of Komo that haven't been destroyed. Oh, and if you're disrespectful to the islanders or were at any point rude to the people in Komo, you might wake up to find a bunch of tiny, adorable Nalawi around your bed, swinging around bars of soap in socks. Don't worry, they won't actually do anything but threaten you for a minute before storming out. ...Yet. The moral of the story is 'don't mess with the Nalawi.' OOC INFO The entire map of Nalawi is now available to characters. Updated location information can be found here.

Comments

Nicholas St. North

[thebelly]

ONE. THE BEACH

[ The ferry is down and North is definitely way too big for the canoes - swimming isn't an option either. But as if that'll get him down! The impromptu workshop hosts a sizable raft, and from the looks of it things are progressing rather smoothly. In fact, if you were to drag it out to the sea right now, it'd probably do its job. Only, that's not all- just off to the side is his current pet project, a stool for him to sit in as he gets around. Beside that are his brand new oars, and an anchor with a decent length of rope. There's also what looks to be some sort of fence - or a tent? - made out of old nets... He's definitely not going overboard with this. Nope.

He's more than open to visitors though, given the fact that his face lights up at the sight of someone new joining him. ] Ah, Welcome!

You are looking for ride to islands?

[ ... Of course, all non-believers are going to see is a free ride to another island and a bunch of other pet projects that have yet to come together. ]

TWO. THE TEMPLE

[ Thanks to his project, it's dark by the time he arrives to Nalanni; but none of his enthusiasm has waned. ] Amazing! [ He lets out, barely above a whisper, expression probably stuck in wide-eyed wonder.

His awe only sticks with him for a few moments though, the Guardian immediately beginning his exploration - one minute he's studying the murals with curious eyes, the next minute he's staring at the statue of Nalanni with what might be described as "fond nostalgia". Then He's about to run back out to the gardens, when suddenly the giant man loses his footing, and the man tumbles past the rows of flames outlining the walkway.

( Losing his footing? The last time that happened was when - ) ] Rimsky Korsakov-

[ He groans, hand clutching his head as he tries to regain his footing. Uh, it might be a good idea to let him know the tail of his coat has set on fire! Unless you can't see him, of course, then you're treated to a flame suddenly jumping out of where it's supposed to be. Maybe Deadman's Walk isn't the only place that's haunted -? ]

THREE. MARKET PLACE ( closed to believers! )

[ Luckily, he manages to save most of his coat, except for a large hole at the back, near the bottom. There's a determined look on his face as he storms into the market, prepared to find the finest tailor and fix this once and for all (he's already moped for a few hours until the sun rose)!! ... Only after his third time circling the streets he's a) hopelessly lost, and b) tailor-less. ]

This is worse than that one time when Bunny decided that - [ Santa sure is slipping into another round of sulking. It'll probably last him until mid-afternoon-

But that's the exact time a rambunctious child, breaks into a run right in his direction. He notices, but it's too late to dodge, body strangely sluggish when it should be feather light, oh no this is going to be bad--

The child runs right through North, continuing dodging and weaving past the rest of the crowd.

Shock doesn't quite describe his expression - horror, or fear might be better suited for the man completely rooted to where he's standing. The natives don't seem to pay any attention - in fact, some seem to pass by his arm like it doesn't exist, others running straight through the middle. Uh, you might wanna ask what's going on. ]

FOUR. WILDCARD

[ North won't be outright disappearing, but by the last couple of days of the event he'll be hobbling around the island with his sword as a cane; believers might also have a hard time seeing him. If you wanna play around with the later days (or none of the prompts strike your fancy), hit me up with a wildcard prompt! Or if you wanna plot someting out find me via pm or charred @ plurk. c:

And as usual, his belief mechanics can be found here! ]

two!

[humerous]

[WELL.

It's a good thing he caught that when he did, or he may have walked right into that flame. When he's over the initial shock though, he wonders what the hell this is all about. Ghosts can't catch fire considering they're incorporeal, so it can't be that...

So he stands (at a safe distance) to observe the flame he doesn't know is North's coat, head tilted forward a little.]

Hey, c'mon little guy. If you stand there you're gonna make a mess...why not go be with the rest of the fire?

[thebelly]

[ It takes him at least a few more second before he realizes the warmth that's awfully close to his legs, despite being a fair distance from the flames.

Well - what tips him off in the first place is the unfamiliar voice that seems to speak as though he's not here and the fire is ... alive? Silly stranger, fire isn't a live thing -

Which is just about when his eyes catch the mix of red and orange slowly eating away at his coat, scrambling to stand up, throwing his coat on the floor. The fire shakes, but it only grows bigger as it continues to burn through the fabric. ] No, no-!

[ And in that moment, the best plan of action was to stomp the fire to death. Which is exactly what happens, and Sans can probably tell too; that wasn't a fire that went out on its own, someone put it out forcefully. But North's too busy mourning the patch of fabric that is now gone forever. ] No...!

[ To add even more fire (ah...) to the flame, when he looks up, there's a skeleton; short, stubby, not at all like the unenthusiastic set of bones he met on his first day here. The guy who told him about the fire (even if indirectly), yet the guy who can't... see him...

This day got weird reeeeally quickly. ]

[humerous]

[Well...not what he expected. But Sans is fairly sharp, so the fact it was forcefully extinguished isn't lost on him at all. Maybe it is a ghost? Ghost-monsters were their own species of course, and they had their own traits that might be unique compared to ghosts of other kinds. Hell, hasn't he had enough people accuse him of being undead to know better by now? He shouldn't dismiss it just because he thinks he knows better. Of course, it could also be something else...

But he isn't sure what he's stumbled onto here, either. Still, rather than dismiss it and go along on his way, he raises both hands to chest level, a sort of "i come in peace" gesture.]

Look, buddy, I don't know what that was all about but if you're a little shy, it's cool. I knew a ghost with anxiety.

But, uh, you don't gotta hide from me champ. I dont't got a mean bone in my body.

[haha......]

[thebelly]

[ What a curious ... skeleton; his interactions were short, but he knows what a believer looks like simply by watching them. This guy - skeleton? whatever - however, seems to take the news of "invisible stranger" pretty well, skipping right past the "who are you?" and "is someone there" pretty quickly. Instead he moves to a rather interesting conversation, even if his base assumptions might be a little off the mark.

For a skeleton, North can can tell this is a pretty smart guy (rather unlike the other skeleton he met . . .)

He raises an eyebrow - how does he tell this particular monster that it's not hiding? There's nothing here he can communicate with --

Worries over his coat temporarily forgotten, he starts looking around the room. ] Hm...

[ Nothing. Apparently these natives are really good at keeping this temple clean. Time for some desperate measures.

He knocks the floor with his hand. It's definitely not a visual sign, but Sans should be able to hear that. ]

marketplace;

[keystaff]

[Sakura is out an about, both exploring in general and making use of the time through potentially buying anything she might like or need that she forgot to grab enough of back at headquarters.

She pauses when she sees North, instantly about to rush over but stops as the sees the child run....right through him?! Instantly, she pales, her feet pounding against the ground in her haste.

Of course, she's feeling weaker herself. Her own magic being affected. But that's hardly so important when Santa needs help!]

Ah, are you okay?

assuming they introduced each other, that's okay!

[thebelly]

[ It's ... terrifying. This isn't supposed to happen, especially not when a few days ago, he was on the beach entertaining the very children that no longer realize he exists. Have the children suddenly forgot the existence of the spirit bear-Santa with the waning magic here?

No, no that's not possible; not when they've met North too.

He's about to run, the most cowardly thing he's done since a very, very long time, but instead he's stopped by a familiar face. ] Ah!

You! [ Wait, no, he's got this! ] Sakura! [ He greets, in his own way, the panic not quite leaving his voice. ] It ...

The children! [ He begins, suddenly reaching over to grasp her shoulders with his two hands. His eyebrows are furrowed, as if this is the greatest issue he's had to face (in some ways, it is). ] They cannot see me!

They no longer believe-!

All good! I would assume the same.

[keystaff]

[Sakura peers at him, obviously worried as she seems to attempt to help hold him up, to keep him there, or, she reaches to but then North's larger hands are at her shoulders. Holding her to him as well. As she tries to process what he says.]

The children...? But then...what'll happen to you? What can I do? There has to be something, right? Telling them stories about you or....giving them presents?

[Sakura it is April.....not Christmas by any means.]

[thebelly]

[ If anything brings him back to reality, it's 4 words Sakura says.

What can I do?

Because it's worked, somehow there are people in this team that know him, that believe in him, that can see him and talk to him and somehow, care about him! And he's still a figure and an role model, which is enough for him to take a deep breath. Inhale - ] Ah.

That could work -- [ He responds, panic edging away from his eyes. Slowly, he straightens again, giving a half-hearted smile. ] I am a Guardian.

I can only exist because the children believe in me, and will protect them for as long as they do. [ A pause. ] If no child believes in Santa Claus ... then there is no Santa Claus.

[ He lets that sit for a moment, eyebrows furrowing. ] But! There are still children on earth, and I do not think that will happen. [ A hand raises to his beard, though the other still remains on Sakura's shoulder. ] Though it is worrying, why children cannot suddenly see me...

finally tags... Two!

[weirdologist]

[Ford has barely slept since his first arrival at the temple, far too busy examining the murals and going over the stories the Nawali have offered in his head to simply break and rest. He's going on his second day without much sleep aside from maybe a cat nap, and it shows around his eyes. He thinks better this way after all, although the years of paranoia have crept up on him. It felt like he was almost onto something. Almost...

He's distracted by the sound of someone tumbling from head to toe, and his head snaps to the side, in the direction of the gardens. For a moment his hand goes for his gun before he stops himself, spotting the man now on the ground. Large, perhaps larger than Soos, from what he can see at this distance...though Ford lifts his glasses to rub at his eyes when he seems to flicker out of existence for a bit before the fire starts. A ghost? Category three or four? It didn't seem intent on causing harm like a category ten...

The deer folk are backing away from the sudden breakout, acting as though it's a simple wildfire. Ford gives a small sigh and makes his way over, using his foot to stomp the flames out before they have a chance of spreading further.]

It's fine. Everything's fine, go back to your worship.

[It's mostly for the Nawali's reassurance as he holds his hands up to placate them, standing properly and turning his attention to the other man before reaching in case he needed help steadying himself.

And hoping he didn't look like an idiot reaching for thin air.]

Looks like you took quite the fall.

[thebelly]

[ What snaps him out of his semi-trance is a man, standing alarmingly close to North until he stomps. Right through the fire, and right through his coat, too. As if he was stomping on the ground.

The giant man jumps, visibly; it's like being jolted back to reality, after a strange daze. Only he shouldn't be dozing off right now, Sandy's sandball hasn't hit him, why is he feeling so tired...?

( Maybe he was thinking a little clearer, he'd realize that some of the natives can't see him, even if they should. )

Blue eyes flicker up to the stranger's face at the sudden voice, and he, absentmindedly, reaches for the other's hand - ] Yes, yes -

[ Only the contact doesn't exist, and his hand passes right through the offer. He stops again, head moving up and down as he realizes oh. Oh. ] Hm.

[ His hands use the wall behind him to stand, back at his full height, glancing back at the hole on his red coat (alas, some losses must be taken). But for now, his eyebrows furrow, leaning forward to be closer to eye level with this rather helpful stranger. ]

Can you hear me? [ He tries, tilting his head to the side. ]

[weirdologist]

[He's a little surprised when the other man's hand passes right through his, though perhaps he shouldn't be. There were Nalawi that were looking at him like he was crazy, and it takes Ford a few seconds to deduct that they can't see this man in front of him. Ford shifts away, drawing himself up as the other man does so, crossing a hand under his elbow and holding his other to his chin.

He can certainly see someone there, although now that he was focusing it wasn't unlike looking at a ghost. The man then speaks and Ford inclines his head in a nod. Although it's not quite clear as speech goes, but he can still hear him.]

Yes I can, my friend.

[His brow furrows in slight concern, pursing his lips together.]

Are you a ghost?

[Category three at the very least, he doesn't seem harmless but he doesn't seem as dangerous as a category ten.]

[thebelly]

[ What a curious man.

Belief takes many, many different shapes; this, North knows. He's seen it manifest people in different ways, and it's no exception here, either. But to have someone communicate this clearly with him, but not be able to touch -

Just how much of "Santa Claus" did this guy believe? Was he a hardened adventurer who saw everything and anything, or is he simply a gentle soul who still holds absolute wonder for everything?

North has no idea, but then, the unknown excites him. He laughs, booming, and his head thrown back at the question. ] Bah!

I am spirit, not ghost. [ A pause. ] Guardian. [ He corrects himself. As if this explains absolutely everything. ]

And you are?

one

[strictdiscipline]

[North's exuberant invitation goes ignored, largely because Riza can't see or hear a single inch of him. Instead, she pads down the beach, the odd collection of objects and knick-knacks a puzzle she wants to take a closer look at. (And the rocky shores of the beach were where she'd treated that deer of many days ago, and been spooked by a can of ointment sailing through the air.)

The raft's inspected, then the rope, and then finally the collapsed tent, her brows pulling down at the sight of it. Is someone living here....? Well, regardless of whether or not someone does live here or not, there sure is a lot of useful junk lying around. She clambers back over to the oars and crouches down, giving the abandoned pair a long thoughtful look.

Someone stop her before she gets it into her head that paddling out on a raft by herself is a bad idea.]

[thebelly]

[ It takes him a moment ( okay, maybe longer than a moment, because the invitation happens - then gets ignored - and he has to sit there and puzzle why she seems like such a familiar face ). Hm. His arms are crossed on his chest, eyes narrowing as he tries to remember the blonde hair - come on, North, it can't have been that long ago - ]

Rimsky Korsakov! [ He suddenly exclaims, completely oblivious to where the stranger's (sort of...?) interests lie. He's points a finger at her. ] It's you!

[ ... Only ah. His suspicions are confirmed (again) that she can't see him. In that case...

There's no need for writings on the sand or sticks being waved in the air when the wonders of technology! He fumbles with the interface of his ring, before shooting a message from un: North ]

Hello! It is good for you to join me!

[strictdiscipline]

[The wonders of technology indeed, though since it's half based on magic, it's really the wonder of magic (maybe probably).

Regardless, said blonde stranger's in the midst of inspecting one of the oars when his message arrives - possibly contemplating its merits in aiding her towards one of the smaller islands, but probably more likely weighing its uses as a deadly weapon - and she pauses just enough to read the message and frown deeply.

'Join me'...?

She looks up towards the shoreline, swings her head back around to the village from where she'd first wandered, then up, as though a palm tree might've miraculously sprouted out of nowhere to reveal the figure of a person in its fronds.

Nothing.]

I'm afraid I don't understand. Where are you?

[Meanwhile, a small black and white blur makes its way closer towards them...]

as promised, finally.

[gutpunching]

[The deerfolk aren't uncooperative, really. Just clueless. Any and all speculation on the part of the public regarding recent events seems to circle around to their apparently missing goddess. So it's only a matter of time before Jason comes around to check out the the obsidian halls of the temple.

Pretty impressive. But mostly more of the same from stakeout standpoint. Until he catches wind of a hushed argument happening in a quiet corridor. One of the priests, and a hooded figure about the right size to be another one of the nalawi.

Whatever they're discussing, it's looking a little more urgent than the usual lamentations. But he's too far away to make out the specifics. (Turns out reading deer-lips is a lot harder than you'd think. If that kind of thing even works through the translation voodoo that goes on.)

As soon as he can do it without being seen, he ducks behind a basin of colorful offerings so the two can continue their talk in "privacy." Now to figure out how to get a little closer.]

hellmo.gif

[thebelly]

[ Somewhere in between staring in awe at the murals and watching the natives praying, North notices hushed voices further into the room. Unlike the others, these ones are hushed; agitated. If there weren't others in the room, surely their voices would rise. It's curious - most of the deerfolk here seem to be welcoming, kind, patient; at least on the surface. But these ones are openly tense. Nervous.

Afraid?

His footsteps, surprisingly, are nimble and quiet. He doesn't dare get too close - he doesn't want to interrupt the conversation, for more reasons than just "not wanting to disturb them". Only in the process of getting to close, eyes trained on his target a few feet away, he ends up not noticing another audience member. ] -!!

[ He manages to stop just in time, hand reaching out to the offerings to steady himself, only ah, there goes... an offering... falling off the very top from the force -- no...! North ducks hoping that the basin is enough to hide him from the deer, flinching when he hears the fruit tumble to the ground, ringing in the otherwise quiet temple. ] ... Oops.

[ The two pause, looking in the direction - the priest appears to frown, noting to pick it up later, but for now they return to the conversation. North sighs, because hey! this basin might be big enough to hide him!

( It's not. But he doesn't quite notice that, doesn't notice the fact that the deerfolk can no longer see him. ) ]

[gutpunching]

[Smooth, Santa.

The spontaneous rattle of the fruit bowl draws the attention of all three of the corridor's other occupants. Ignorant to North's grand display of holiday stealth, the whole thing seems to come out of nowhere at all. Jason casts a sharp look over a shoulder, but—of course—finds nothing at all to explain the disturbance.

Fishy. But he's not in a position to question a little providence. After turning back to the conversation, the priest's now angled away from him rather than toward him. Just enough to risk ducking out to a closer bit of cover—a carefully carved statue of Nalanni.]

three

[winces]

[ honestly, it takes her a moment to even notice, which is probably telling in and of itself.

but she does notice though, which is more than can be said of most that amble around him. it's a strange sight to behold, for sure, but not nearly as strange as the look on a face she's come to only know as joyful. ]

...Mr. Santa?

[ her voice is soft as she approaches him, clutching a basket close to her side that has only been halfway filled with fresh fruits and meats. she approaches him tentatively, even going so far as to try and wave a hand in his face. ]

[thebelly]

Ah - Olivia! [ He snaps out of his moment, horror turning into surprise, and --

Wait. ] ... You can still see me! [ - Of all the things for him to say. He turns toward her, hand suddenly on her shoulder as he lowers himself down to her level, eyes narrowing - ] But the children, they cannot -

[ He mumbles, until he jumps from that topic too. ] Wait. Not Mr. Santa!

Call me North! [ He waves his free hand, getting that out of the way. ]

[winces]

[ she puts her hands over her mouth, looking properly abashed. habits and all... ]

Sorry, sorry! Mr. North. [ well, at least it isn't santa. ]

Do you know why the children can't see you, though, Mr. North...?

THREE!

[digophelia]

[ Alice notices it right as she approaches him. It's odd, she isn't expecting anyone to run through him. She can see him clear as day, if he were solid. There are spirits, skeletons, and the like here -- is that unusual? It is for her, when she can see him clearly. Alice does approach him, not caring if anyone stares at her if she speaks to him.

Besides, it's not uncommon she speaks to something or someone deemed imaginary- ]

Why, I haven't seen that before. Are you alright?

[thebelly]

[ North hasn't snapped out of it. Thoughts are racing through his mind the loudest of all why and how could this be.

Really, it's not really his fault when it takes him a while to respond to Alice - or notice she's suddenly here in the first place. But she still jolts him back to the present, instead of where ever he was in his head. ] Ah-!

[ He stares at her, because yeah, she remembers her, from back in the viewing hall - ] Yes, yes, I'm fine. [ He waves a hand, all too distracted and perhaps slightly dismissive, his eyes focused more on the incoming crowd than his current conversation partner.

Why is this happening? ]

[digophelia]

Why are they going through you?

[ Alice really has no tact and nor does she understand why they would walk through them. She doesn't realize North could be anything else but human, even if he's Father Christmas. Childishly, she asks- ]

Doesn't that hurt?