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]

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.

[copsormasks]

[Jason isn't intimidated in the slightest. Instead, he shrugs.]

Yeah, maybe. It's not like I did it for the thrill of getting one over on Batman. I needed to fucking eat.

[batsymbol]

There's a few places to do that around here. Doesn't cost anything, like I said.

( He knows how absurd it sounds, but. It's the truth. )

Takes some getting used to. Kwik-Trip is considered the local convenience store around here. Then you have diners, burger stops, a pub or two. Roxy's has clothing. It's all provided to us because of our being here to prove our worlds being worth saving. Jobs and schools aren't exactly a thing around here because of that.

[copsormasks]

[It sounds crazy and Jason honestly doesn't believe it. He crosses his arms in his seat.]

I don't want to fucking save my world. In case you forgot that.

[batsymbol]

Aurora and Eos seem to think otherwise and I'm inclined to agree with them.

( He doesn't look over as he says that. Eyes focused ahead on the road and terrain as he keeps driving them towards the apartments. )

[copsormasks]

There's nothing left to save, Bruce.

[Jason rolls his eyes, pressing his lips into a line.]

Just a shit world with shit people.

[batsymbol]

Gotham's a lot like us. Angry and scarred. But there's still good people within it. I wouldn't have taken someone in if I didn't think they cared.

( He hasn't yet, but. He likes to think this other version of him more or less feels the same way and, judging from the others here he's come to interact with, he feels confident in being right about that. )

[copsormasks]

[Jason rolls his eyes again.]

Did you forget the part where I got fired because I was having some nightmares?

[Another eye roll. But the topic is clearly a sensitive spot for Jason.]

[batsymbol]

You didn't elaborate on why.

( And he wasn't about to press for it if Jason didn't want to talk about it. )

[copsormasks]

[Well, Bruce knows now. Jason tilts himself away from Bruce.]

I was having nightmares, okay? Like anyone else in the fucking city. Who hasn't been fucked up one way or another by Gotham.

[batsymbol]

( He doesn't look over — focuses on the road, but. He can feel the way Jason turns away some and he lets him. Quiet. Until he finally speaks, soft. )

I'm sorry. I know what it's like.

( All too well, unfortunately. )

[copsormasks]

Yeah, but you didn't throw in the cowl because of them. No one forced you to step back from doing what you love to do.

[Jason stares out the window as they pass various structures.]

No one told you you were a fucking mistake.

[batsymbol]

( That's an... interesting word there used for doing what they do. Love. )

You love it? ( He glances over for just a moment. ) Being Robin?

[copsormasks]

Of course I do. [Jason looks over at Bruce.] Take down bad guys? Being Robin is total freedom.

[batsymbol]

( He licks over his lips. Keeps looking ahead as he makes a turn. )

I don't love it. I do it because I have to. Because no one else will.

( And it often leaves him tired, both physically and emotionally. Never mind frustrated and angry. )

[copsormasks]

You sound like him. [Jason turns back toward the window.]

[batsymbol]

Did you think he loved it?

( Because he has to wonder now. )

[copsormasks]

I don't fucking know. [Jason shakes his head.] He can't bother to be around me any more.

[batsymbol]

For what it's worth and I imagine it won't mean much to you, but... I'm sure it's not that easy for him.

( At least, he believes it wouldn't be for him — from conversations he's had with the older version of himself here. )

You know why I started, don't you?

( Why he took up the cape and cowl to begin with. )