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

[etrayamods]

The wizards know plenty about the pearl, but they’re not about to share. If asked, Gorgug will be told to mind his business and be happy with his rewards. After all, he has a wish yet ungranted.

[shadowsincryo]

[The receptionist picks up a couple cages and sets them on the counter. Toads, rats, and behind him are some uninterested looking cats.

Kaeya hums and tucks the box under his arm.] And these are for?

‘Finding what you seek.’

[He raises an eyebrow. Did they know? He looks again at the familiars. A pity there are no birds or turtles.] I’ll borrow a toad. Do they have names?

[abit_ofboth]

Seeing Gorgug hang his head is even stranger. It isn’t like it’s uncommon for people to dislike insects. It’s not a personal phobia of Loki’s, but he knows others that feel similarly. It is hardly strange at the least, but Gorgug is responding like he expects Loki to berate him for it.

“It is fine. Not a big deal at all. Maybe it is even why you were given a frog. It can eat all of them before they have a chance to come near you.”

Probably not much of a consolation, but Loki doesn’t really know what else to say. He is curious to know why Gorgug is so disturbed by insects, but before he has a chance to ask the frog starts making noise. “I think it is trying to tell us something?” Loki looks around trying to figure out what set the creature off.

[monoceroscaeli]

[The moment the head of the plant is sliced off, Tartaglia falls from his position up on the tops of the shelves downwards so he can move to assist Kaeya if necessary. His eyes dart around to ensure nothing is going after his comrade, being protective so that their rate of success stays high. And to his enjoyment, he watches on as the final efforts are made, the plant being sucked back into the book, and the book flying away to where it belongs in the section they find themselves in.

Childe gets the high sign, and with an amused laugh, he trots over to Kaeya with the biggest grin on his face.]

Well done! We make a pretty good team. I must say, though that plant wasn't much of an adversary, I still rather enjoyed myself.

[badfengshui]

Yeah... yeah.

[ Henry can only quietly agree that it could have been much worse. His eyes shake for a moment, trembling at how bad it could have been, before he blinks. Lifting his chin, he glances around mutely. The beauty of the library calms him - even in the dim light, it still is prettier than what's already been experienced.

He turns his head slightly toward him. ]

It'll -- it's gross but -- the pearl's important so we should do that first. Probably.

[ And that's drinking water! Gorgug should drink that! If he's thirsty! ]

[badfengshui]

[ Henry feels his jaw work back and forth. He breathes out a little half-noise but beyond that movement and sound, his expression doesn't change. His eyes roll up as he tries to think of what he wants to say. Usually, he lets other people carry on the conversation, but -- ]

You have that luxury. [ Another step forward and bending to be at eye level. ] Things are complicated and serious... but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be protected. [ His gaze drops. ] It's too much for one person to carry... and even more so... someone younger than me.

It's too much for anyone... but you're still someone that should be looked after.

[shadowsincryo]

It is quite different. All of these books have something within them. [He taps his fingers against his lips. They had made some noise but not so much the librarian is coming.

He lets his weapons back apart and hums. His robe glows brighter, giving them some better light. His Vision is belted around his waist in plain sight. His hair braided to make it less of a hassle for now.]

This is exciting despite the circumstances. I’ve heard some interesting things from the others too.

[levelshift]

[Accelerator waits patiently for Connor to do his thing, and once he points out the shelf he follows him over to it.]

Okay, so -- [His owlet lets out a loud hoot, interrupting him, and leans towards one of the books on the shelf, flapping her wings. Accelerator raises an eyebrow.]

... I think it found something.

[etrayamods]

Alas, nothing. It is not potent in its shattered form. Please do not accidentally ingest it nor allow a less competent companion ingest it- the wizards will not be pleased, and neither will you.

[leewards]

[The crashing bookcases cause a domino effect, and of course Ithaqua's is in the line of fire... but he's well out of the danger zone by that time. He'd seen it coming, after all. He just waited for one to completely collapse, and then move to perch over there, crossing his legs despite the carnage of the crushed spiders around him.]

Hehe~! What a mess, what a mess.

Just so you know, the noise is getting louder.

[In fact, the source of the sound might just be right there with them-- there's a mass of knotted fabric just above.]

[tinflower]

Okay-- you're sure? They might have a tap-- a tap and a sink. A bathroom? Libraries have bathrooms.

[ Gorgug is convincing himself on the spot...!! And if that's the route Henry wants to go, they can continue back down the way they came...

....and they can find a big fat toad sitting on the book the criminal out from that it jumped on in the first place. unharmed. :) ]

[hasitsthorns]

"There you go," she offers, so helpfully, to her 'compliment' being received. But when the other woman tries to activate her robe's (or her own inherent) power and nothing happens, she does feel a little sympathy.

"Ah-" she starts, trying to quell the small giggle that bubbled up in response to the now realized oversight. She can't even claim she isn't laughing at Rose but with her since, well, she kind of is amused by the blunder. At least she thinks it's cute more than anything.

"I mean! I did too, actually." Rosie only give the initials of her true name, which was kind of cheating the system. H.N., in her case, though no one here knew what the 'H' stood for and would likely just assume an alias.

"I got the Swift Robe of Light? I don't even know what that means or what it does though yet. Aside from look really pretty, which- Not to add insult to injury or anything."

[tinflower]

I'll have a toad, too? [ Gorgug slips in, if not very confidently. The receptionist opens the top door to the toad cage, and brings two out with a sniff. ]

'Names don't matter. They'll do their job if you do yours.'

[ They have an off-putting manner of speaking that makes Gorgug undecided about asking their original question, glancing at Kaeya and then back. ]

Do you know why we're here?

[ They look at the pair again, unimpressed in their gaze. ]

'Yes. And asking questions won't help you.'

[hyphanated]

[Ah yes, because he's a scanner machine person. An Zhe tries scanning his surroundings as well, but all he gets is that there's a whole lot of books...]

Do you scan a lot of things, normally? Where I was before, there were only...medical scanners, and facial recognition scanners, I think. There weren't any that looked like people.

[shadowsincryo]

[Kaeya straightens, some of his casual attitude gone. He knows this sort. They are somewhat unpleasant and won’t tell you fuck all.] Understood.

I imagine you have quite a bit of work ahead of you. We won’t keep you.

Where do we change into these?
[The receptionist sniffs again, pointing to the changing area. Kaeya looks at Gorgug and with a slight nod to the receptionist, walks away. His toad rides on his shoulder. Once Gorgug joins him he says in a low voice.]

Now that was an interesting response. Useful information.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Setting a hand on his hip, he gives Kaeya the one over he wasn't able to earlier. Seems that he's not the only one here from Teyvat, as that Vision is a dead giveaway. He doesn't recognize this man, but it's good to be in the company from someone else from home.]

Hah! Being told that we're in a fight to save our world alone is interesting enough. I'm not sure if I've ever been in a position where the stakes are so high.

[The Vision on his own belt shines with an enthusiastic blue, matching the wearer's demeanor. Childe doesn't seem like he's worried whatsoever, not on the outside at least.]

We can discuss that in a moment, though. You can call me Tartaglia. Good to know I'm not alone, here.

[maximumlegend]

Well, why are you standing around here and looking at these books when there is nothing to be found? [ He says - already starting to wander off in the direction of another section.

.. like, you know, Noel wasn't.. looking at the books.. to see if there was something there or not in the first place!! But maybe Fabian just needs to have something to complain about. He does look a little huffy, like there's something bothering him that isn't just this entire dumb thing with Noel. (Because, let's face it, that's just dumb guy talk.) ]

If you were a shattered pearl, where would you be?

[wizard_fujoshi]

Thank God Rosie laughs, even if she tries to stifle it. If Rose's self-inflicted suffering isn't at least funny then what's the fucking point? Just to gratify the universe's sadomasochistic tendencies? A silent audience for Rose's unforced error must necessarily be unimpressed, or worse, pitying. Excessive pity would have doubled Rose's humiliation, and she might have flipped a bitch over it.

But something Rosie says catches Rose's ear, distracting her from her mortification. "The what? Are you... no, you're not screwing with me." Rose folds her arms and monolgues: "As it happens, I'm the Seer of Light, which means that your assigned robe does add insult to injury, though that's obviously not your doing. It's not your fault that the nicer, prettier floral-named blonde gets the gorgeous light-themed wedding dress/robe combo, while the gargoyle who turned her back on 'true love' gets the 'crazy cat-lady' getup. That's just what happens when multiversal archetypes filter through our real-life experiences, particularly if the universe in question is a little misogynistic, which I suspect most are. Frankly I'm amazed that--"

She pauses and blinks for a moment. She looks up, then away, then at Rosie--or more accurately, Rosie's "robe." She squints at it for a few moments before saying, "Try that. 'Amazing.' "

[sortie]

My memory...?

[ He echoes the theory, frowning at the thought.

It'd make sense enough, wouldn't it? Lars is a memory, when it comes down to it. So is Griff. Why not papers conjured from his own recollection?

If this place can do that, it'd be like the Cage, at least in that one way. ]

[stresstokens]

"Yeah? I can believe that. People're always surprised by how much I eat too, aren't they, litle guy?"

He scratches the dog underneath his chin, hesitating. He's immediately going back on his word, isn't he? To just let Mal have something good for once. His hesitation at least is clear, bottom teeth worrying against his lip. "He's really cute. And he seems really sweet. But... you'll be careful, right Mal?" He looks up at her, eyes magnified by his glasses. "We don't know if we can trust that person who was handing them out."

[bangboozzzle]

Right, where are you from anyway?

[Maybe the first question she should have asked, but to be fair, she was still in a state of shock. The cats were a good distraction though, even as she lightly jogs forward, trying to figure out their direction.]

Do you think there's food nearby?

[tinflower]

[ Gorgug watches the receptionist with still a quizzical look, though a realisation does start to dawn on him somewhere at the tail end. It doesn't take long for Gorgug to follow over, box in one hand and his toad in his other.

He looks at Kaeya when he speaks, looks up in a quick thought, before he looks back and nods his head. In a low voice back: ]

They feel threatened. They can sense I'm a wizard too. [ He's nodding, this time to himself. ] They're jealous.

[ It's so obvious! ]

[tinflower]

Whoa. The idea he was linked to a toad to take down the bugs...makes Gorgug blink at an apparent revelation being given to him, head raising again to look at Loki. But then he speaks again, and Gorgug looks at his toad in question, and-- huh. It's acting weird.

"What is it? You want to eat all the bugs for me?"

Gorgug can't understand toad, and all he's known what to do with the toad is to carry it, so he holds out his hands before it. It jumps on, and Gorgug turns back to Loki, not sure what to do now...

But it rrrrrribbits again, and starts flicking out its tongue. Gorgug barely gets it, but...

"Maybe I should walk around with him..."

[shadowsincryo]

They also know our mission, possibly submitted it to Aurora themselves. They likely know us as operatives of Aurora or our being from various worlds. Or both.

[He unbuckles his belt, offering a gem like broach with an snowflake at the center to the toad. The toad holds it in his mouth as Kaeya opens up the box.

A glowing robe that looks like winter made manifest waits inside. He unfolds it and pulls it on. He buckles his belt over it.] They know about our goal and likely what it is for or does. But we don’t have enough trust or rank to get an answer.

[The broach goes on his belt. He pats the toad.] They might talk to us more after the mission. They might not. Or they might get more jealous. A world traveling wizard is a mighty title.

[He flashes a smile and adjusts how the robe sits on his shoulders. Not bad. Fits over his usual clothes just fine.]

[constants]

[ That's a sufficient answer. The Archive is only 14, even with thousands of years of memories she doesn't understand the nuance of his reply. She thinks he understands her intentions. ]

It's nice to meet you, Mister Finch. I do not have a given name, I am simply the Archive.

[ Even though she would never go by it now, she was never given a name. Her mother never thought of her as a name. Even in her memories of the brief time her mother was the Archive there was never a name. ]