TDM 006

[etrayamods]

⏵ arrival ⏴ Arrival is absolutely not normal this month. Instead of a hospital bed, you wake in a tunnel with a large group of other people. These are the residents. A woman’s voice in an earpiece hurriedly clues you in with an apology. I apologize; I had not planned to introduce you this way, but we are low on time. Please proceed down the hallway. An image of a shattered pearl pops up on your personal HUD and rotates. I am Aurora. You are joining many others on Etraya in order to save your world from destruction by completing missions. Your current mission is to find the pieces of this object that have become scattered in the library ahead of you. For everyone else, coming in is much the same. The instruction goes out to head to designated areas immediately, where companion bots will escort the residents of Etraya down into the depths, the area beneath where much the same is explained. ⏵ disrobing ⏴ The tunnel eventually opens directly into the foreroom of an expansive library, painted in marvelous hues and patterns with skylights far above. There are wizards milling about, bearded and holding tomes, quietly chatting amongst themselves. The reception area of the library has tall ceilings with equally tall doors Before you get too caught up in the scenery, a voice directs you forward. A gentleman, hunched and bespeckled craws out. "Make a line! Make a line, everyone! You cannot enter the library dressed as you are... Come forward and give me your name." The receptionist asks your given name and then hands over a box from underneath his counter. You can give him any name you want, he doesn’t seem to mind. It is tied with a tagged ribbon- labeling it accordingly. “The _____ robe of _______.” (First Letter of Given Name) (Last Letter of Given Name) A Controlling N Helpful A Melodies N Light B Glimmering O Floating B Discretion O Mind-Reading C Wet P Handsome C Growth P Climbing D Gruesome Q Gullible D Grasping Q Jumping E Observant R Ratty E Flying R Hurting F Powerful S Adhesive F Reading S Guiding G Psychedelic T Sweltering G Dancing T Bug-Speaking H Swift U Cheerful H Shouting U Exploding I Voracious V Anxious I Extracting V Complaining J Soft W Likeable J Punishing W Dividing K Keen X Ruthless K Creeping X Slapping L Fabulous Y Dramatic L Walking Y Charming M Fair Z Demonic M Listening Z Combustion As you read what the contents of the box may be, they form inside- Looking and behaving as your character expects them to. After all, magic is all in the wielder’s mind. Don your robes and enter the library. ⏵ unfamiliar familiars ⏴ For those without a familiar (like one hatched from an egg not too long ago) you may borrow one from the library counter. They all have strengths and weaknesses, but they will all assist in the very important mission. As you roam the library, they will make little indications that you are closer or further from finding a piece of the pearl. Pro • Hardworking • Gives correct directions 75% of time • Won’t run away from you • Very affectionate • Gives correct directions only when paired with another rat, toad, or personal pet. • Gives correct directions 90% of the time Con • Must feed bookworms • Will run away if too close to a cat • Does not care for you • Sleepy • Will run ahead • Gets distracted by rats ⏵ the task at hand ⏴ With robes donned and creature in hand, you must now complete your mission. Find the pieces of the shattered pearl. As you enter the library, you may notice that it’s all very dim. There’s oil lamps around the place that may be moved with you to assist in your journey if your robes do not already emit light. Break off and search the library. There is a directory at the front to point guests to all the different sections. Wings of the Library A General Works B Music C Philosophy, Religion D Fine Arts E History, Auxiliary Sciences F Language and Literature G Magic, General H Science J Geography, Anthopology K Medicine M Agriculture N Hobbies, Recreation P Social Science Q Military R Political Science S Practical Arts T Law W People X Education Y Spiders Each section looks enough like the last, though the books within have immense power. Pick up the wrong book, and you might conjure a dragon or a historical figure! You must persist and avoid making too much noise or breaking too many things. Or else the Librarian, a tall mass of knotted fabric will confiscate your robe and usher you back outside. Your name will be struck from the list, and you must pick a new one to re-enter the library to continue the search. You can try to fight back against him- he may be set alight with the lamp. But should you be starting fires in here? ⏵ NOTES ⏴ Any thread with 15 comments between you and another may be submitted to find a piece of the pearl. There are 20 pieces altogether, and we will determine if the mission was successful by March 28th. A post will go live on the OOC comm for this! This mission occurs out of time, similar to how the spaceship had. Meaning, those currently in game can experience these events any time between now, and March 14th. Please direct all questions to our mod queries comment! ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

[meforsaken]

They hold back from mentioning that they grew up with all the same awful tales, but all said straight to their face. It doesn't matter, the pain is different and yet the same. To not know one is an outsider to Asgard but to feel so regardless...

Still, there is Loki's other question. They smile, back to their usual mischievous self now that the difficult topics are out of the way.

"I can't speak for you, but I am an exception in all things. Less fun answer, though, is yes, it's a defining Loki trait. I'm the God of Stories," and they slam the book in their hands shut as if to emphasize this, "so I've seen the edges of the narrative. Once you start looking for patterns, you'll find them everywhere."

[ambitiousblond]

[Rufus can sense the tense shift in Sephiroth, assuming that the young SOLDIER must think it's his responsibility to look after Rufus with the Turks being absent.

Which will be interesting given Cloud is acting as his bodyguard as well. Fate or destiny or whatever this is seems to have a real sense of humor and Rufus has to stifle a laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.]

It's alright, Sephiroth. No one has found a way to return to our respective worlds easily yet so we're all just making the most of what we can do here. I'm sure I'm safe in your company for now though.

[He knows that eventually Sephiroth will be able to tell that Rufus is older than expected but for now he's going to focus on their mission of finding shards of pearl hidden for now.]

Let's find the pearl then- have you found any pieces yet?

[nimbuster]

[Cloud has never seen Sephiroth look this...small, before. Not in physical size, but in demeanor. Sephiroth has always been, for better or worse, a larger than life presence whenever he's around. This kid looks like he wants to disappear.]

Trust me, you reacted a hell of a lot better just now than adult you did when he found out. But it is my concern. You're my concern, whether either of us likes it or not. You'll understand why when I tell you more, but right now you need a break and some clothes. Let's head back to town and get you set up with an apartment and everything.

[nimbuster]

Cloud tilts his head, considering the quasi-nonsense as if it were totally serious. "Right - deterrence, and if that doesn't work, use your secret weapon. Not so different from battle."

He eyes both their robes dubiously. "You think they'll stick around? I figured they'd probably disappear when we leave, since they didn't exist till we got here. But hey, if not, these are all yours."

He shakes his head, folding his arms casually. "Nothing so far. Not surprised, this is a hell of a lot worse than trying to find a needle in a haystack. They say the familiars can track down the pieces, but so far this little guy has mostly been leading me to books with random stuff he likes. Greens, hats, shiny stuff. The usual."

Usual for chocobo chicks, at least, though he has no idea whether Rose knows what a chocobo is.

"You?"

Clef | Magic Knight Rayearth

[kurefu]

[1: Arrival]
No longer was he within the castle walls anymore, let alone the room where the Proof of the Pillar once resided. Instead, he found himself inside an underground tunnel with a brief synopsis of his whereabouts and requirements to complete one of many missions to save his world from total annihilation.

As much as he could remember, the Magic Knights and the three neighboring countries used their combined powers to eradicate the newest threat to Cephiro with Hikaru ready to enact her wish as the new Pillar. So how could the world Princess Emeraude - and himself among others - loved with all her heart be in the crosshairs so soon after the fact? Were all the sacrifices and literal blood, sweat, and tears made prior to Deboniar’s defeat be for naught?

Had he not overexerted himself moments before his untimely arrival in Etraya, Clef would’ve actively sought out answers on his own if only to ease the growing wariness about the current situation. For now, the best alternative while in his weakened state was to recuperate and silently observe the many passersby until an opportune time.

[2: Disrobing]
After an undetermined amount of hours, the psychically young Guru arrived at a library with an overall atmosphere reminiscent of times past. It triggered a memory about life in Cephiro before everything fell apart, which he immediately nipped in the bud a second later. After all, Hikaru’s eventual wish would prevent history from repeating itself with the love of many to determine the fate of their country. Admittedly, what was said back at the tunnel managed to cause some form of doubt about that particular prospect… which may explain why he’s in the reception area in the first place.

He made his way past a certain desk and the long line beside it, his belief in the gentleman’s vocal concern about his wardrobe nonexistent. Due to Clef’s status as the most powerful mage of all Cephiro, he already looked the part with the elaborate robe and intimidating staff. Unless proven otherwise, he would instead focus on his own abilities rather than the clothing of complete strangers. Trust should be earned and if past experiences meant anything, it won't be given so easily.

[3: Unfamiliar familiars]
Blue eyes glanced over the three animals known as familiars, each with the potential to help aid him in the mission to find the missing pieces inside the library. He weighed the pros and cons of the toad, rat, and cat in silent contemplation until a thought came to mind…

If he summoned one of his own to take part in the mission, their presence alone may lessen or even diminish any liability of the current familiars. The only downside was further strain to his body, which had not fully recovered from his previous ordeal back home. But if it meant a successful outcome and in the long term a safe Cephiro… If it meant the prevention of more emotional turmoil the Magic Knights were already dealt with…

The jewel on his staff began to glow as he spoke the following words.

“Creature, I summon thee…!”

[4: Wildcard]
If anyone has an idea with a prompt you want to try out with Clef, feel free to DM this journal. I also have Discord with daydreamergirlie as my username if you prefer that form of contact instead.

[maximumlegend]

He huffs.

"You think I can't distract a hall full of people for five minutes?"

.. granted, that does sound like a pretty impossible task for most people. And yet Fabian scoffs, like she's assuming that he can't do some basic thing here. Like tying his shoe laces.

"Please," he tells her, "I'm a bard."

He's saying it like it's obvious. Which, to be fair, it is in his world. But after a second the young man does seem to remember the same might not go for Rose's world, so he adds-- "You do know what a bard is, right?"

[tinflower]

[ A door? Gorgug perks up! ]

Let's go through it.

[ There's an urgency in his voice. This is serious!! ]

[tinflower]

[ Gorgug's nodding as Sky Lynx repeats his accomplishments, because yes. Truly, he is the greatest wizard. And what great achievements does the greatest wizard have? ]

I have the magic to build things. And I can even seal great beings inside sigils on top of my vehicles. ...singular vehicle. [ Sorry, he got too into the groove there. And Gorgug looks up upon Sky Lynx, looking them over, giving a deep nod afterwards. ]

Meeting more of your kind would be very cool. [ ... ] You look like you have many functions.

[ Because they're big. ]

[lastonetodie]

He might sympathize if he knew what a tauntaun was...even though he has no sense of smell.

"A dog? Fascinating. I have seen one before, but only briefly...and it looked quite different from this one."

He stares down at Luke like he doesn't know what to do with himself. Very gingerly, as if he might break the creature, he reaches out to give it a gentle touch.

the task at hand (hewwo.... finally, it's jhey time)

[tinflower]

[ The aisles are dark, save the lanterns that people carry and those that hang in the far distance--away from the books, the tomes too precious to risk.

And there is one visitor who doesn't need the lanterns to see through the dark. His eyes--scleras black, pupils white to gold--peer easily through the shroud, with his own familiar (a toad) using this as an excuse to sit in the centre of both of Gorgug's hands. It makes it difficult for Gorgug to check out any of the books, let alone hold a source of light. He's trying to look for this apparently broken shard of pearl anyway, but it hasn't been going well, so far.

Does it have something to do with the books? Is there an extra floor to the library? A basement?

Gorgug's still checking out the aisles first, and that's when he spots--a figure. A guy he doesn't know; and, perhaps, Peter might hear someone approach the aisle before they even get so close to him to be seen under lantern light, with a robe like that. But when Gorgug doesn't carry a light source himself, it's difficult to see much; or perhaps standing still in a fugue state is far more interesting for Peter.

...but nevertheless, a figure approaches. Spotting Peter, but not saying anything until he gets closer. A ] Hi? [ spoken carefully, the kind when you want to call out but know you have to be quiet, and said if Peter speaks out too.

And then, the figure comes close enough to be made out to the other: a figure of green. A snub nose, long jaw, and pointed ears. There's magic about him for Paimon to notice, but there's no particular alignment, and he's taller than Peter by six inches.

Will Gorgug get to say anything else? Much of all? It's time to find out. ]

[crimsonsphere]

"More than a little." Yeah. That sounds about right.

[She watches as he rolls around the earpiece and takes out her own. The Gullwings use something similar to stay in touch with each other.

But again, the element of choice rings strongly with her.]

I'd like some proof about this whole "save-our-worlds" thing, personally.

[crimsonsphere]

That's me, the soul of caution. [She's only half-joking. Compared to her friends, she often is--though not always.] No interest in the flying, though? It might be useful in a room full of records.

[Spira doesn't have many actual libraries, as such, but the places you find hidden records are often pretty hard to access on foot.]

[constants]

[ An abandoned hidden passageway is probably for the better. It would be terrible to pop out in the middle of some conversation they weren't meant to hear. It still might happen anyways, but if it's unused they should be less likely to be caught. It is a little excited to find this mystery, but mostly she doesn't like the unknown. So little of her life has been unknown for thousands of years. It's a strange experience and makes her feel... anxious? She supposes. It's not a feeling she enjoys, though she doesn't think she should. She should be withdrawing from this situation but this stranger is right that it's worth investigating for the sake of the "mission". She'll just have to be on her guard. ]

I am the Archive and I am from Earth. And yourself?

[constants]

If I truly wanted to fly I would be able to use magic to do so. I have no need for a robe.

[ Not that flying is easy to do with magic, but she can. Archives have done so in the past so she has the memory of how to do it. ]

However I hope that they have ladders that allow us to reach tall places. One must exercise caution when using a ladder but they are preferable to using unknown magical objects or wasting energy on flying.

[ It's not adventurous of her at all, but since when has the Archive been adventurous? Ladders are dangerous in their own right, but hopefully they have those ones that roll along the shelves. ]

[shoplifter]

[Months? That doesn't sound quite right.]

I just saw you.

[Certainly not months ago, she's pretty sure. But despite her size and age, she's good at connecting the dots; she recollects the short, patchy memory of wandering alongside the other children in the forest. It was such an insignificant thing, she'd thought maybe it was just a dream she'd had and mostly discarded when she woke up.

But that would explain it, wouldn't it?

How she was just standing in some tunnel, with no memory of how she'd gotten there.]

I went back home?

[She doesn't remove herself from the hug, for the record.

(It's very nice.)]

[aimsforknees]

[ John can't help the flash of a smile to reflect Carver's. ]

You drink much back home?

[ They have a good mood right now, John is hesitant to bring up memories of home for Carver, but he brought it up first to John hopes it's okay. It still catches him off guard that they can have a relaxed conversation like this after the ways they've interacted in the past. It's... nice. ]

[aimsforknees]

[ John likes cars in so much as they're fun to drive, but he wouldn't call himself a "car guy". Now Shaw, there's someone who likes cars. He's not sure she'd have much of an opinion about vans, but what the hell does he know. ]

Not really, but I know someone who is. If you ever want car opinions you can send them her way.

[ It feels weird bringing up Shaw in a conversation like this. He's still trying to bridge the gap of the two years she has on him. Is this something he can do? Would she mind? He likes Gorgug Gorgug is a (probably) harmless kid and she might get a kick out of whatever van set up he has. ]

sorry for delays, got the flu. bleh.

[miniroth]

[Sephiroth, who has never seen a single horror movie in his life, does not know the sort of trouble they're about to get into. Supernatural spookiness is also pretty much absent from his life aside from certain recent events, so his thoughts always turn to the mundane - and thus the rather easily dealt with.

But the warning earns Gorgug a sharp, if confused look.]

A movie? What do you mean--

[This isn't a movie! Unfortunately that means Sephiroth is distracted when it comes to the book in his hands, and the toad happily hops for it, sensing deliciousness pending - pearls can wait, bookworms CANNOT. It lands on the sudden open page with a plop and begins searching for its delectable treats.

About the same time the ground becomes a disgusting miasma of bookworms and pearl shards, much to the toad's delight, and hanging onto the book he has becomes not a priority for Sephiroth in favor of tossing it aside and grabbing for one of the heftier ones just flying around trying to hit him, with every intention of putting it to use warding off all its airborne papery allies. If he's sinking, well, that's a lesser concern for the moment - not much stops him from being dragged towards the middle.

His amphibian 'ally' meanwhile makes good use of this opportunity, attempting to monch. Priorities.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ Her quick thinking saves the day again! At least, she saved their days. Temporarily. As is often with her impulsive decisions, they may work in the moment but not long-term. The term of this plan ends abruptly once they reach the edge of the long bookshelf they're sliding across.

The ladder catches on the end and lurches, fumbles, and careens over with them still on it due to the force. Rosie is torn between holding on or not but in another snap decision decides to jump before it falls. ]

Woah! [ she exhales, catching the edge of the top of another bookshelf. ] -okay! I'm okay. Are you okay?

[aimsforknees]

[ John isn't very familiar with mythology, but gets the general idea of what Accelerator is saying. It also raises one big question in his mind. ]

Does that mean that your "magic gods" can be killed?

[ John isn't going to tie this back to Echo out loud, but he's thinking about it. What if Echo is just a really powerful magic being? What if it can be killed? What happens then? ]

[miniroth]

[It doesn't seem Sephiroth's bothered by a lack of recognition either of himself or the type of name he has. It's a small comfort, as being recognized tended to go rather ... poorly.]

..Yes.

[To his name, his choice of fake name, or doing their best?? It's hard to tell; this kid doesn't seem overly inclined to explain either. It's not hostility at least, he simply doesn't seem to think of it.

He picks a section of library purely at random and heads for it; his toad doesn't seem particularly interested. If the rat was worth anything alongside the toad, maybe time would tell.]

It may be paranoia to worry about it, but this place is.. unfamiliar. Although there aren't monsters and flesh walls yet.. that could change.

[fortitudosalutis]

Nah. Whatever we find, we use for disinfectant.

[ He shrugs a little. ]

Sometimes there’s moonshine, if the commander’s pleased with us.

[levelshift]

Yup.

[He's answering that question without hesitation.

In the end, he had only managed to slice off a lock of Nephthys' hair before immobilizing her. It wasn't much, but it hadn't regrown itself like how she had healed her leg after kicking into his reflection, or after he had annihilated the insides of her body with a direct touch. She had been able to manipulate her body's state according to percentages, and she hadn't been able to fix her hair. It had rotted away.]

Not that it's easy, of course. But it's possible.

Arrival

[kurefu]

Clef glanced up at the tall woman before him with weary and guarded eyes, his white knuckled grip on the imposing staff clearly visible while his childlike body leaned against it for support. The very short mage looked worse for wear, but was nowhere near defenseless despite the contrary. He won’t hesitate to attack if this stranger posed a threat to himself or any other innocents inside the tunnel. Rather than risk possible escalation to confirm his suspicions, he took the preferred approach.

“…I don’t know.”

It’s more than likely not what the other wanted to hear, but it's an answer nonetheless. He continued with his thoughts on the matter.

“Whoever this woman - Aurora - is, she said we are here to save our world from danger by completing missions. Whether her claims are true or not, I cannot say.”

[abit_ofboth]

The blush is somewhat telling and Loki almost wishes he had offered his services. Well, maybe he will get a second chance for that, but for now he lets it slide.

“There really is nothing better than a nice bath.” It’s apparently Loki’s turn to feel a little hot around the collar as he suddenly cannot help but picture such things. And how much he wouldn’t mind joining Hob in such an activity. There’s a bit of a pause where Loki pulls at his collar a bit awkwardly and clears his throat.

He smiles again when the conversation continues on. “I am not questioning it myself. It is rare I truly enjoy what they lay upon us here. I am a little worried that I am not quite following the mission directive, but I will never complain about such nice clothing and a trip to the library.”