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

[batsymbol]

( For a moment, he's confused — throws a glance over to him before he's looking ahead again. )

I figured you don't have anything defensive on you. So I'm giving you something in case you find yourself in trouble. I'm around but I'm not Superman. I can't just be there in a couple seconds.

( It had still been surreal for him when Clark was still here to appear the second after he had called out to him at Damian's request, having both heard his voice regardless of where he had been in Etraya and his heartbeat to determine he was, in fact, Batman. Unsettling to him, to say the least, especially when Superman also isn't a thing for him back in his own Gotham. )

[copsormasks]

I can get a knife anywhere. [Jason tosses it back toward Bruce.] I'm not a bat any more.

[Although it would have quietly been nice to keep a symbol of what he once had around. He'll never be Robin again, that much is obvious. As they come down toward the end of the tunnel, Jason sees the batmobile, but veers away from it.

No thanks. Not going near that thing. Not when they had stakeouts, not when they talked about real things about what it means to wear the cowl. He's done with that.]

[batsymbol]

( Batarang back in hand, he flips it around and holds it out to Jason again. )

And I'm not a billionaire who only has Alfred for family. You're whatever you want to be here. It's yours because I'm giving it to you. Do what you want with it and if you want a ride somewhere, I can drop you off.

[copsormasks]

[Jason holds out a hand to push the batarang away.]

And it doesn't mean anything more than that, does it.

[Jason flicks his gaze up at the Batmobile and shakes his head.]

I'd rather walk. [Too many memories and far too soon.]

[batsymbol]

( Twirling the thing around, he holds it there at his side and regards Jason for a moment. )

I told you. It can mean whatever you want it to mean here, Jason. ( A beat, he sighs. ) I'm not the Bruce you've come to know. I'm not the one who took you in or stripped you of your title. But I'm still here if you need me. Best I can be.

[copsormasks]

[Jason pauses, looks over at Bruce, and for a second there's a kid staring back at him. A kid who is wounded and torn, a kid who doesn't know how to get his life back together.

But then the defense rolls back over him, shutters his gaze and Jason shakes his head.]

You can't do jack shit. [And much quieter,] I'm a fucking liability. Nobody wants that.

[batsymbol]

The offer still stands.

( Of his being here if he needs him or his help, however or whatever that might be. )

[copsormasks]

[Jason stops and turns around.]

Can you honestly say you'll ever use me? [Jason remains tight-lipped, his haunches up. He expects a big fat no.]

[batsymbol]

( That gets him to blink for a moment. )

We help each other here. Why wouldn't that include you?

[copsormasks]

[Jason straightens at the vague answer.]

That's not what I meant and you know it.

[batsymbol]

How about I get to know you first and you get to know me?

( As he had with Damian here. )

[copsormasks]

[Jason tilts his head ever slightly again to the side again. Bruce never really did that part before.]

... okay. [He gestures with his hands in his pockets.] Okay.

[He holds his hand out for the batarang.]

[batsymbol]

( If this were nearly a year ago, he would have walked away from Jason a long time ago. But because of Damian's stubbornness to continuously force his way into his father's life and see to it that he wasn't alone — at least for very long — these sorts of interactions have become... a little easier for him in his time here. By no means has he mastered it or is he perfect with them all, but. He tries, is the thing. At least when he knows he's capable of. He still has his moods and reclusive tendencies after all.

Twirling the batarang around between his fingers, he holds it out then for Jason to take. )

[copsormasks]

[Jason accepts the batarang, holds the weight of it in his hand, looks up at Bruce, before tucking it away.]

I'm Jason Todd. You're Bruce Wayne. We both have a history in Crime Alley.

[batsymbol]

Apparently.

( The little he's heard. )

Where you planning to stay here?

[copsormasks]

Wherever's free.

[Which Jason naturally assumes is some rundown shithouse.]

[batsymbol]

The apartments are. Or at least are something until you feel more settled.

( He's mentioned the Manor and the Tower, but. He knows Jason has some reservations with those landmarks, so. )

[copsormasks]

Farther away from Wayne anything, the better.

[Not with all the batfamily in town.]

[batsymbol]

Then those would likely be your best bet for now.

( To which he glances back at the Batmobile and then over to Jason again. )

I can give you a lift there. If you want.

[copsormasks]

[Jason looks over at Bruce with a measure of distrust, but they're working to know each other.

He just hopes he doesn't enjoy the ride too much because he's very sure he won't be getting another one any time soon.]

Fine. Just this once.

[batsymbol]

( He'll take it.

Turning on his heel, he slides his bag off his shoulder — holds it by the strap there at his side as he makes his way towards the car. It's very much an earlier model, much like his suit and, well, much like he is in terms of how long he's been at this. Despite the way it's missing the fancy gadgets some future models will inevitably hold, it's still a Frankenstein of a car that he modded from the ground up more or less. The front reinforced and used more as a battering ram, the engine powerful and scary much like The Batman tries to portray.

Opening up the driver's side, he tosses his bag inside, the passenger side having been added since Damian had more or less demanded such a thing be done. )

Probably not what you're used to.

( It's not an apology for how the car is. Regardless of how young it may be, he likes it. )

[copsormasks]

It's a lot less pretentious.

[Jason climbs into the passenger side and buckles up. The only thing he ever really liked about the Batmobile is how it could make bad guys piss themselves.]

[batsymbol]

( Door coming shut beside him, he brings the car to life and it wakes up almost instantly around them. The dashboard lights up, the engine roars, and a couple computer screens flicker to life as he adjusts himself some within it. Taking a second, he pulls his scarf up around his mouth again, resting it there on the bridge of his nose, and he gives a glance ahead before he's turning the wheel with the heel of a palm and taking them out of the secluded spot he'd tucked it away in. )

How long did you wear the mask?

[copsormasks]

[This part is so familiar. Climbing in, hearing the engine roar to life, it's almost like being home.]

Two and a half years. He caught me boosting the hubcaps off the Batmobile and decided he needed another project he'd abandon.

[batsymbol]

( The look he slowly gives him in regards to boosting the hubcaps off the Batmobile... )

Maybe we can skip that part here.