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

fuckin furry

[evasively]

[ Fai's already short on cash from a pickpocketing incident earlier on. Of course he would spend some of what remains feeding sweets to a cat-like person. Of course. His eyes flicker downward to Asato's tail, following it momentarily as it twitches. There were a lot of mannerisms to this other man that were very much like a real cat. It's so....cute..... ]

You think so? [ So cat-people like to eat pastries too!!!!!! Pleased with his pointless task, Fai clasps his hands in delight. ] Do you want to eat the cherry too? [ weh ... cutie ... Fai plucks off the cherry that was sitting on the sugary tart, holding it out for Asato. ]

[bristles]

[ I'm in pain.

He's never eaten a cherry. What is that. It looks like a juicy fruit, but he stays apprehensive. He looks at Fai blankly, his stance wary. ]

Why? [ Why is he being so nice and offering him food out of nowhere?? ]

[evasively]

[ When given a one-word question like that, it's kind of hard to make out just what Asato happens to be referring to. ] 'Why' ...? [ Fai repeats, in a questioning tone. ]

Mmm -- Because it's tasty as well! [ And that exclamation may come out just a little more animated than it needs to be. Fai actually has a feeling that this probably isn't the answer Asato is looking for, but he'll wait for the quieter man to clarify himself on his own. ]

At least, I think so. It might be different for you.

[bristles]

[ Well, that… sort of answers his question? Asato doesn’t have it in him to refuse such generosity when, admittedly, his stomach has been aching for food since he arrived, but he just doesn’t understand. Back home, food was sometimes something to be fought over, or at the very least, purchased (as he learned the hard way). But given away to a stranger?

He doesn’t look as cautious as before, but he’s still a bit wary, his ears perked forward a tiny bit in interest. ]

Why are you giving me food? [ He asks, but slowly extends his palm out for the cherry. He’s got some pretty sizable claws, too. ]

[evasively]

[ Fai glances down at those claws. They were indeed sharp, very much like what one would expect of a cat. This other person was very human-looking, and yet he had all these cat-like qualities to him. It makes Fai wonder if all the people in his world were like this as well. ]

I wanted to see if cats liked cherry cake as well. [ He responds jokingly, as he drops the cherry into Asato's palm. Then, he follows up with a more serious answer. ]

You looked a little famished.

[bristles]

That's what this is called? Cherry cake?

[ He pops the cherry into his mouth and gives Fai a small smile, which quickly fades at the "famished" comment. ]

I'm fine. I don't need to eat much. [ He's always had... bigger concerns. Also let's ignore the fact that Fai is an actual noodle I guess.

He swallows the whole cherry, pit and all. ]

That was good. Thank you.

[evasively]

Um, I don't think you're supposed to -- [ Pls?? You're supposed to spit out the pit??? Fai watches in mild concern as Asato appears to swallow the whole fruit down. ]

Ah, you ate the pit too.

[bristles]

It was delicious.

[ All of it.

All of it was delicious. He goes hard.

He grows quiet for a long second, and then pipes up. ]

I'd also like for you to try something delicious, if you want.

[evasively]

[ All of it ... The pit usually tastes bitter, but since Asato had swallowed the cherry whole without actually chewing it, it might be that he hadn't tasted it at all. That's ... fine, then?? Since Asato appeared to enjoy the cherry, Fai lets the matter go.

His curiosity peaks at the offer. ]

Oh? What would this be? [ Could Asato be planning to buy him something in return? ]

[bristles]

I'll be right back.

[ Asato nods before turning on his heel and quickly disappearing into the nearest side street. There are a few vendors set up there, too.

When he re-emerges from the crowd, he jogs back up to Fai and offers him...

His good old friend, a roasted turkey leg. ]

Here. I hope you like it.