epidemiology | EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

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EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Papyrus as mistaken a literal rock for a human before, so this is really a step up honestly. Even if he SHOULD be able to sense the magic on her, being a spirit, he also is borderline passing out, regardless of much denial he has fueling him.]

Is there a problem with spoiling them once in a while? They might not know it, but I'm sure they'd be happy about it if they did!

[a... rock... that's... talent. Or a certain special brand of, at the very least.]

Nature may not get emotional, but it's more aware than you'd assume, too.

[The answer to the first question is 'no', by the way. She avoided answering precisely because of that.

Still, despite sounding somewhat sullen, she definitely isn't displeased. Putting down her pail, she gets on her knees and proceeds to put one hand - the NOT gloved one - onto the soil.]

...These are fine. They wouldn't mind a drink, but they've definitely weathered worse.

Can you tell, just from touching them?? Wow!!

[He sounds very excited- and then also sighs, sounding very tired immediately afterwards. Don't take it personally. He's just trying to pretend he's not slowly losing energy and enthusiasm.

Either way, he kneels next to her, bucket held in both hands as he begins to gently pour water onto the flowers' roots. Not so much that it'd be a problem though, since she said they wouldn't mind a drink, and presumably, not a whole plant's worth of water.]

Something like that. I can hear the voice of the earth and that of its denizens.

[N...ot exactly, but it's not a total lie either. She is highly attuned to the Earth and can accurately pinpoint the state of a plant from a glance, but 'hear the voice' is stretching it.]

Plants don't have concepts like gratitude, they can however appreciate good conditions where they may thrive to the fullest of their potential. But if they can express themselves now...

[She glances back at him, umbrella resting over her shoulder.]

They would wonder about the entity that's spoiling them. Plants can't be selfish either, after all. ...Most of the time, anyway.

[Regardless, Papyrus is just as impressed. Although, one might get the feeling, he would be impressed with quite a lot of things.]

Oh! Perhaps I should introduce myself!! Hello to both of you!

[He means herself... and the flower. Who he still continues to treat as if it has more personhood than it might.]

My name is the Great Papyrus! Normally, I would pose after saying that, but I... think I would like to conserve the energy I have and remain sitting. Imagine me, posing beautifully with one leg shot up straight in the air! That's what I'd be doing.

[She humors him... Let's just be glad that this is merely a little girl pretending that she can talk to/for plants, and like... nothing Flowey-tier.]

...

Hello. You may call me lady Edna. [This makes them even.] This little one doesn't have a personalized name, of course, but its family has been labelled as the Orchidaceae, more commonly known as 'orchid'. It generally prefers the company of breathing organisms due to the air they exhale, but it can also find contentment in anything that doesn't mess with its peaceful growth.

[She's definitely not going to mind his treating the flower as a person... She is too, on top of rambling on about basically nothing but still making it SOUND as if she's talking about something important.]

When it comes to plants, you can also trust first impressions. If a flower is healthy and well, it will be brightly blooming, and if it's malnourished or ill, it will be wilting. Too bad not many other living beings can be that honest.

[She tilts his head at him, though her expression is neutral.]

Looks like the flowers are all in better shape than you are. Go rest, they won't hold it against you.

[But Flowey's one of his best friends!!

Regardless if Edna is being honest or mot, Papyrus gladly listens to her ramble on about flowers, this orchid in particular. They don't have these flowers underground, and really... any of the flowers he's seen here are new to him, so it's a great learning experience.

Sorry, if she's trying to throw shade, because he's not picking up on that.]

Better shape than I am?? Preposterous! Just... look at this one over here-!

[He scrambles over to another flower, a short distance away with a drooping stem.]

Now, while I have yet to be an Orchid Expert, I can plainly see I'm doing better than this one right here! And that one over there, with bits of brown! I am a skeleton at my peak!

[Remember that posing he said he was too tired from? It's happening now, anyway, because she brought up the idea that he MIGHT be tired.]

...

[ah, there goes her patience... she's making no attempts at hiding it though, blankly staring back at his posturing with the flattest look he may have ever come across in his existence.]

You're going to offend every flower here, at this rate. They take their well being very seriously. [what a lie, here's to hoping that he takes it straight too regardless......] Are you trying to burn through your energy as fast as you can, so that you may fall over and crush as many of them as possible with every bone in your being?

[Oh, geez, that's pretty harsh.]

I hadn't thought about that...

[He stops his posturing, slowly.]

[She definitely acts the total opposite of how she looks... Regardless of the ends though, her means could definitely use work.]

Not knowing or ignoring one's limits isn't just a human thing, huh. You don't want to worry others, right? That's fine, but try thinking it through first. Expending more strength when you're tired will only make you drop quicker. Won't that just worry people more? And what if a poor hapless stranger was to bear witness to your untimely demise? Should they bear the emotional trauma, and be responsible for locating and informing your friends?

[Despite the words, her tone remains flat, not the least bit chiding or reproachful.]

...

[He's quiet, unanswering. Sure, he's thought all those things. He knows, deep down, what he's doing is stupid. But it's successfully kept a lot of his friends from worrying about him. All he needed to do was shout even louder, excitedly jog about for a moment, and it worked for most. There were a few- Koltira, Olivia, Ban- that he managed to admit his weakness to in one way or another. But for most people, this method worked.

But he doesn't even know this girl, and she can see through him. Was everyone else just going along with him?

He wraps his boney arms around himself, looking back down to the flowers he was trying to help.]

I'm sorry.

You don't owe me an apology. We are meeting for the first time, and you haven't fainted on me. [It certainly may feel like there's a 'yet' there, too, even if it wasn't said out loud...] You owe it to yourself, and those who already care about you.

[His dejected look may sway a kinder soul, but she's... not exactly that, and those from her world are likely to all agree upon it too. Still, she's not outright saying she doesn't care. ...Really!

...

Still.]

Usually all burning rays of sunshine and inexhaustible energy, are you? Fatigue may be unusual for you, but plenty common for all living organisms. Talking about it won't kill anyone, either. [Probably.] You may have even learned earlier that others are feeling it too. Not everyone's hit the same way, but there's been a collective drain of some sort going around.

I...

[ He pokes his fingers together at the tips, to give himself something to do. Admitting the truth like this isn't exactly easy, when it's a Bad Truth. ]

Didn't want anyone to worry. There are some people who haven't been affected by the draining! I thought I could convince everyone I was one of them. It's hard enough for them to be worrying about themselves, and so many others. I didn't want to add onto that.

[ He pauses in this, looking down to Edna with a slightly pleading expression. ]

If I promise not to tire myself out or faint, can you promise not to tell anyone??

Some, but not all. Why are you treating it as a bad thing? Flowers wilt, just as people grow weak. But simply because a flower loses its petals doesn't mean it's sick. In fact, plants generally bear fruit after the flowers are gone. ...Oh, but I should put it in more... human terms, huh. Let's see...

[Despite sounding deadpan and clinical, her questions and contemplation are earnest. This really feels like a non-issue for her - because it is one, even though she understands where he may be coming from.]

Worry means they care. It's not the end of the world if someone close to you finds out. ...Unless they wear their heart on their sleeve and care TOO much about everything and everyone, or something. [Which Papyrus may fall under, actually, now that she thinks about it. It's the reason why she falls silent for a beat longer than her usual pauses, as she stares back at him with a bit more scrutiny.

...]

If you didn't want to add to that, then look better after yourself. Contrary to popular human belief, limits don't exist purely to be broken. But yeah, sure. Guess I can promise that, if it'll make you feel better.

[She tilts her head aside, suddenly staring intently at a bright cluster of flowers. After a second or two, she looks back at him.]

You can take a nap here, if you want. The flowers say they wouldn't mind the company.

Edited 2016-04-26 19:06 (UTC)

[He understands she means well. People grow weak and such. But losing magic is not simply something monsters just do once in a while. For monsters like him, this is a sign of a fatal disease. The only form of illness a monster can have is if they lose magic, which eventually leads to Falling Down, and then dust.]

... Really?

[He looks over to the flowers, a flicker of unease in his attitude. Which isn't to say he's uneasy about her, or about the flowers, but...]

I don't typically... like sleeping.

["It feels lazy" is one reason. Fear of not waking up is another. Resting might seem like a good idea, but as his magic dwindles, he knows sleeping isn't going to restore it. He doesn't function the same way a human, or human-like being does. Sleeping just means he's wasting whatever life he has being unconscious to him.]

And I only sleep if there's a bedtime story! I'm sorry if it seems like I'm being difficult. But I have many sleeping-standards.

[He looks over at the same flowers Edna had been staring at, assuming those are the ones she had "communicated" with.]

I hope they understand, I would gladly otherwise take them up on this otherwise! Perhaps, my waking company will suffice instead? I won't do anything but sit here, I promise! I sometimes just like to feel the sun on my bones. And I would feel better, if you could promise me that you won't tell anyone.

[She figured. He's been far too considerate and nice for the 5 minutes that she's met him, the reason why the admission to NOT liking sleeping is a flag in and of itself.]

Don't usually do it? Hmm. You skeletons sure are weird, but being skeletons, I suppose this isn't TOO weird. Do you even derive nutrients from eating?

[...]

I guess they're okay with that. They are sensitive to the moods and energies of other living beings around them, though, so try to not be a bad influence. As long as you can chill out and give yourself the care you'd happily give them, they'll stay healthy and will bloom all the brighter.

[Edna don't make stuff up, even if it's to get a skeleton to relax...]

Okay. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye. I won't tell anyone that you've been affected by the magical drain that's been going around.

Then you've met my brother. I hope he wasn't too weird to you!

["You skeletons" after all...]

In a way, yes. Not in the same way humans do, though.

[Monster food turns to energy a lot faster than human food. And even if she's making this all up, he believes or (or at least accepts it) as an answer. It's not like he likes being in a bad mood anyway.]

Oh, I haven't heard that rhyme in a long time! Nyeh heh heh, I hope you realize you've made the most promising promise you can make! I'll be holding you to it!

Edited 2016-04-29 16:49 (UTC)

...Your brother.

[Followed by a pause, long enough to be noticeably unusual. That might be attributed to a lot of things, granted, especially considering Sans' character on top of being a talking, walking, and eating skeleton... But to those who actually knew her, they would be able to tell that she was just caught off-guard.

...]

Short and chubby Mr. Bones? Ah, yes. He was quite charming. A perfect gentleman, tibia nest. Or would that be a gentleskeleton? Gentleskelly.

[whelp

A small part of her is genuinely disappointed to see that he knows the idiom. It could have been funny, if he were to take the expression literally...

A small part.]

Mm-hm. We've got plenty of flowers here as witness too, I won't be a bad influence.

[Regardless of her purposeful pause, he doesn't take note of it. He's not... always that observant. He's actually smiling along rather pleasantly...

Until she starts punning. His expression instantly goes flat with that tibia nest.]

Nevermind. He was weird. I can tell.

[...ooh. that's a new one.]

Not much weirder than any other talking and eating skeleton I've met, it's also refreshing when it's not trying to kill me. [because she sure has met walking skeletons before, except they were just undead hellions/ye standard jrpg enemy mobs] He was humerus.

[~~literally.~~]

I'm going to just ignore those puns for now. What do you mean, trying to kill you? That doesn't sound like a thing a skeleton would do!

[she begins to idly spin her umbrella over her shoulder, while giving him a quite well practiced look of innocence and obliviousness.] That's a shame. Don't you wonder if that ever makes him feel bonely, having a brother who can't appreciate his quirks?

[moving on...]

An animated skeleton can be moving for very different reasons depending on the context, just like how the term 'monster' can mean different things depending on where you're from. [she did have a conversation with Sans about how 'monsters' was just how their race was called in their world, not too long ago.] Skeletons are usually associated with death, after all, and that's generally a bad topic on a pretty much universal scale.

[a beat.]

But you two are just made this way, huh?

I THOUGHT I HEARD SOMETHING THAT SOUNDED LIKE YET ANOTHER SKELETON PUN, OF WHICH I AM GOING TO GRACEFULLY IGNORE.

Associated with death, hm?? You know, that's ... not the first time I've heard that! How odd. And to be known for killing or violence! Skeletons during the war must have left quite the impression upon Humans... Well. I assure you, all of the skeletons I know personally would not kill someone!!

Of course, the only skeletons I know personally are... myself, and my older brother, but I know for a fact the two of us wouldn't do that! I'm sorry you've had such a bad impression of skeletons before.

Wow. And I thought nothing could get under a skeleton's skin. [since they don't have any...

and continuing on with the 180 degree convo flips:]

You misunderstand. I'm pretty neutral about them, for one. Skeletons themselves aren't known for violence or killing, they're symbolic to death because after living organisms like humans and animals die, while their flesh and organs can rot within a few years, their bones will remain behind for centuries on end. When they start moving again, it's generally because of outside influence too, usually some dark magic or energy that makes them unfriendly to pretty much anyone else they come across. So when those skeletons hurt others, it's not totally their fault.

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