TDM 002

[etrayamods]

⏵ arrival⏴ Arrival goes as anticipated. Characters awaken in the pristine, new hospital, greeted by Aurora and potentially getting a rundown of what's happening depending on their approach to being dropped somewhere new. The door to their room opens, and new arrivals are left free to explore their new environment. When the first round of citizens arrived, Aurora and the companion bots had been largely unprepared. This time? They made sure to put up welcome banners, even if the sentiment isn't quite right. There are cupcakes and cookies set out in the hospital's lobbies, and a digital map has been placed just in front of the entrance of the hospital, telling others how to reach the various locations throughout Etraya. Companion bots wander throughout the city, some carrying construction equipment to half-built facilities while others act as nurses, servers, or sales associates throughout the constructed buildings. ⏵ rainy awakenings ⏴ Many concepts are new to Aurora, including rain. She is familiar with how it functions, and its purpose, but rain has never been present on the lands of Etraya. Given how new it is, that may not be all too surprising - but the method of how it’s being introduced is… a little much. Rainfall commences in the early days of April, a persistent downpour that waxes and wanes in intensity but never ceases entirely. Most nights in Etraya are characterized by a soothing patter of rain against rooftops. Yet, some nights leave the grounds flooded come morning. Rivers begin to swell, the current much too strong to justify trying to go for a swim. These showers also bring a new assortment of plants blooming across the green lands: bright blossoms whose petals spread wide when the yellow sun shines down on them, while numerous cherry blossom trees have grown out of nowhere, flourishing despite the rainfall. Clover carpets the grassy expanses of the islands, weaving a beautiful tapestry of color across the grounds. ⏵ Getting drenched by the rain can trigger a surge, followed by a slump. Initially, individuals will feel giddy, excited, full of energy, and ready to take on the world. However, in the subsequent days, they’ll find themselves feeling depressed, lacking the energy and motivation to move forward. Aurora advises that these effects are only temporary and should fade within the week, but they can be resolved more quickly by embracing a stranger. Attempting to hug anyone they already know well will not produce the same effect. ⏵ With the rain comes a significant increase in the greenery around Etraya that isn’t fake. Most of these plants will resemble ones originally found in the characters' universes. ⏵ A couple of these plants contain magical properties: The Emberloom is a bright red, fiery flower that only inhabits smaller land masses. Those exposed to its pollen will experience heightened aggression and impulsivity. Shadowbloom resemble tulips during the day, but during the night the petals open and it looks more like the night sky: dark petals with specs of white throughout them. Growing too close to the apartment building for comfort, those who look at the petals after nightfall will fall into a deep sleep. Worse yet: the dreams they find themselves in are not their own, but are the dreams of other residents. Ones who had not looked into the Shadowbloom, but had drifted off to sleep elsewhere on the planet. The one who looked into the Shadowbloom will find they cannot awaken until the person whose dream they have entered does. These flowers will continue to bloom through April, after which the companion bots will search for and remove them from the atmosphere bubble. ⏵ If there is a specific, unique plant that those in game (or those accepted during the next round!) would like to add, please comment to the LOCATIONS page! We’ll add mentions of these to the Outskirts section. Along with the botanical resurgence, numerous new animals appear: glowing fish swim freely through the waters. In the canopy above, new species of birds and critters flit among the branches. Some diligently construct new nests in anticipation of the coming spring, while others seek refuge in the shelter of trees, retreating from the weather. Not all the creatures are so small, or so peaceful. ⏵ Small critters make themselves comfortable in the forested area around Etraya, staying mostly out of the way. There are the occasional visitors that will let themselves in through windows for a quick visit, or maybe a snack, but they’re mostly harmless. ⏵ Several larger beasts make their way into the city to try and find land that’s more habitable for them. Giraffes navigate gracefully through the areas designated for new arrivals, using their elongated necks to reach for the foliage near the hospital when they aren’t finding new places to make themselves comfortable. An eclectic array of cats, ranging in all sizes and breeds, brazenly saunter into buildings they don’t belong. Hopefully, the lioness lounging in the apartment complex's common area does not prevent residents from reaching their rooms, because she has no intention of yielding. ⏵ The leopard adorned with a rattlesnake tail in the hospital's cafeteria may be difficult to ignore, given his determination to devour everything in sight and attack anyone in his way. ⏵ Cat scratches and bites pose a significant risk of infection. In the event a character is injured, individuals can expect the companion bots to quickly seek them out and approach them with a special antibiotic cream developed specifically for these cats. Refusal of treatment may result in severe symptoms, including high fevers and itching. In extreme cases, individuals may begin to exhibit cat-like characteristics, ranging from physical alterations to changes in mental traits. ⏵ Numerous other creatures of all shapes and sizes will be coming and going through the city. You may play with this as you wish! While the uproar caused by these guests doesn’t particularly bother Aurora, she does send out a message to everyone wearing an earpiece to request their assistance in capturing the larger animals that her companion bots may not be able to handle themselves. She has converted an island to the East into a temporary holding area until the companion bots can set them up with something a little more permanent. ⏵ network ⏴ Welcome to Etraya! Upon your arrival, Aurora provided an earpiece, a device to make communication with others stuck in the same situation more simple. The device connects to an internal network, which is accessible by everyone else currently residing on planet. Whether you’re looking for guidance, camaraderie, or want to see if there are any familiar faces around, this is the perfect place to do it! Please feel free to post any questions, offer your name, ask for assistance, or maybe complain to the powers that be about how you’ve got better things to be doing than sitting around here completing their missions. Maybe they’re listening. Maybe they’re not. ⏵ NOTES⏴ ⏵ During April, Etraya’s getting a little wet! Those who spend too long in the rain may experience a few unfortunate effects. ⏵ The rain brings in new flora, including a couple that may cause characters to experience aggression and impulsivity, or take a stroll through others’ dreams. ⏵ New animals also appear! While many of them are friendly, others… are less so. The cats specifically seem to be a little grumpy. Characters scratched or bitten by these cats may find themselves becoming just as catty. For any questions relating to the contents of this log, please reply below. All other questions can be directed to the FAQ. The TDM is game canon, meaning everything happening above is occurring within the game properly. Those who apply to join in the April application round may keep their TDM threads as game canon. ⏵FULL NAVIGATION⏴

Comments

Rainy Awakenings - A

[thetombkeeper]

[He hadn't thought much of the flowers. They're lovely but nothing seemed particularly odd about them? So when he gets hit by the pollen while inspecting some due to them staying in bloom at night, it catches him completely off guard. He hits the ground unconscious.

The dream he wanders through is terrifying. Eventually though, he's freed from it, and he shoots up awake, covered in sweat, and panting.

The voice startles him further and his head snaps towards the strange man, his eyes wide and pupils constricted. As observant as Hannibal is, he'll easily notice how dull the boy's lavender eyes are. There is very little shine to them, no light, and his pupils are far smaller than what's considered normal for a human.

Marik grits his teeth and wipes his forehead, starting to catch his breath.]

... Does it look like I did?

[He takes a moment to look around the room. Seems he's still in the apartment complex at least...]

Why am I here? What happened?

[The tomb keeper remembers the flower and then... things get fuzzy.]

[relished]

[Hannibal can smell the stress on Marik before he wakes. when he does eventually sit up, he can see there's something different about him. he doesn't smell like most people, there's an air to him he can't quite place.]

One can only ask.

[he supposes someone wouldn't want to delve into their dreams with a stranger, especially without knowing Hannibal's expertise.]

You fell unconscious after looking into the flowers that bloom at night. I brought you to my apartment to rest safely.

[which was the obvious solution. leaving an unconscious person out in this new wilderness as a witness wouldn't look good.]

[thetombkeeper]

[A click of his tongue because that response, while annoying, isn't wrong. All he can do is ask even if it's obvious.]

Right...

[Marik sighs, seeming to relax a bit now that his current questions have been answered. That doesn't explain why the flowers knocked him unconscious but at least Hannibal had been kind(?) enough to bring him inside.

Even a prissy primadonna like the young Egyptian isn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth when it comes to his safety in this strange place.]

... Thank you. You noticed the flowers only bloom at night too then. I didn't think leaning in to get a better look would have me rendered unconscious. It happened so fast...

[He reaches up and rubs his head, looking down at himself.]

... I know I dreamt but I don't remember what it was, other than the lingering terror I feel...

[... He's gone now though. He shouldn't still be having nightmares that leave him in this state. Not to mention, his older brother isn't around to calm him down but... he remained in control of his psyche despite that.

Maybe he's just jumping at shadows?]

[relished]

[Hannibal has only been cautious since he arrived here. his knowledge of botanicals had given him the insight to steer clear from the flowers to avoid the possibility of poison. his instincts were proven right.

he appreciates the gratitude.]

Of course.

[he only did what anyone else would do. well, anyone with a good morale. he leaves some information unsaid, such as suggesting to avoid the flowers in the future, or which other flowers to avoid.]

Your body likely had a natural response to being in an unfamiliar place and it affected your dreams. You would be surprised by how much your brain can process, even while unconscious.

[his tone is even, matter-of-fact. while he isn't aware of the full effects the flower has on people, he can make a plausible deduction.]

[thetombkeeper]

[The perks of knowing how to blend in with normal society when you're something more.

Marik is vaguely familiar with Egyptian flowers, their meanings, and uses, but this is an entirely new place. He purses his lips slightly.]

That doesn't explain why or how the flower knocked me out. Flowers don't... normally do that, right?

[The corner of his lip twitches when Hannibal comments about what brains process when unconscious. Understatement of the year when it comes to him. He won't say anything in regards to that for the time being.]

[relished]

No.

[he sighs, sounding perplexed. he is anything but - the idea of these new plants are fascinating.]

While some flowers do have poisonous properties, I've never seen them work so quickly on the human body. It's quite mysterious.

[a pregnant pause; he has many questions, but none are appropriate for the time being.]

Would you like a glass of water?

[thetombkeeper]

[At least he isn't going crazy.]

I know about some of those. I assumed it was through digestion or injection that they were poisonous, not... pollen explosions.

[His throat is a tad parched now that he thinks about it. Marik always sound somewhat raspy so the water won't help that bizarre voice of his.]

Yes, please. I'd appreciate that.

[relished]

That is usually the case. Though I'm not sure if what happened to you is entirely related to the flower's pollen.

[Hannibal is nothing but a good host. he fetches Malik some water promptly, standing over him to offer the glass. once Malik takes it, he sits back down in the chair across from the couch. the chairs themselves aren't very comfortable, or anything close to what Hannibal would choose, but even still, his body language in the chair says anything but - he sits in it as though he is a king.]

Let's hope the water isn't contaminated as well.

[there is a slight smile to accompany that comment to imply some (dark) humor in hopes to lighten the mood.]

[thetombkeeper]

What else would it be then?

[He accepts the water, taking a sip as he watches Hannibal return to his seat. The man certainly has an air about him. He's calm, elegant, certain.

Marik isn't used to interacting with respectable adults so... he's certainly intrigued.

In response to that dark little quip, the teen can't help but smirk, taking another small sip.]

... If it is, I might need to blame you for it. How do I know you didn't mess with those flowers?

[He's semi-joking. Aurora says they're the only denizens here outside of the bots. Who's to say the man didn't arrive earlier and breed the flowers himself though?]

this is so fun omg

[relished]

That's something that would require a little more observation.

[and testing. he has an idea that he would normally never consider, but being here is anything but normal. it's fantastical. Marik is young, but something about him reads as older. just as Marik is intrigued by Hannibal, Hannibal is intrigued by Marik. the comment earns an upward twitch of his lips.]

You don't.

[another joke? or an honest response? likely a mix of both.]

Forgive me, all of this conversation and I haven't introduced myself. My name is Hannibal.

Hannibal is such an fascinating character. I knew I had to throw Marik at him.

[thetombkeeper]

[It's not surpring Hannibal would need more time to study the flowers to learn everything they do. If he wasn't the one who planted them, of course.

Marik seems amused by his answer. Most would be insulted of such an accusation or deny the fact but this man... Instead he plays in to it yet is still honest.

Another sip of water.]

It's fine. I don't think introductions were on either of our minds given what's happened...

[You know. All of it. Pulled into another universe to save your own, magical sleep flowers, animals running around the city. Those are a bit more urgent than remembering social niceties.]

A pleasure, Hannibal. I'm Marik. Thank you again for looking out for me. I'd rather not have our lobby lioness or one of the roaming animals decide to make a snack out of me.

[He wouldn't make a good snack anyways. Boy's skin and bones.]

<3

[relished]

[he is quite amused by the lioness.]

She does seem to be enjoying her time downstairs, doesn't she?

[it's rare that Hannibal encounters a child with manners like Marik's, and he appreciates it for what it is.]

Arabic?

[he knows it is, but conversation is conversation, and he'd like to get a bit more information out of him.]

<3!

[thetombkeeper]

She does. I don't know if that's a good thing or not...

[It takes a certain kind of person to get the best manners out of Marik. Generally it's those that are equal or better than him. It doesn't take a blind man to see Hannibal is... well, there's something. He can't quite put his finger on it just yet.]

Hmm? Oh, my name? Yes. I was born and raised in Egypt.

[relished]

Time will tell.

[he'd like to see what happens, wonders if someone will be ignorant enough approach the wild animal. it hadn't made any attempts at attacking (so far) but he wouldn't put it past something vicious happening - she's a beast of nature.

there is such a brief moment of recognition in his eyes. he can smell the resolution in Marik, smell that he sees something in Hannibal. his confirmation of where his home is makes him wonder if many others are from places he at least knows of. the information is slipped away into a corner of his mind to dissect later.]

To be plucked from home and placed on such unfamiliar grounds. We are all in what seems to be a bit of trouble, aren't we?

[thetombkeeper]

I only hope it's not while I'm around.

[Considering he's probably borderline unhealthy skinny, not likely.

Marik finishes his water and sets the glass down on the coffee table, leaning back against the couch.]

Mmn. I just came from a rather hi-tech city so it's not a huge culture shock for me with this place... I can't say I was looking forward to being thrust into another "adventure" though.

[relished]

[that comment earns a slight raise of his brow. exactly how high-tech? was this boy further into the future than him? judging from his dress and demeanor, he can only guess. he doesn't want to assume that he has experience with being dropped into another world, but-]

What sort of adventures have you been on that make this easier to comprehend?

[thetombkeeper]

[Kaiba tech is crazy. He's already tried to explain it to someone already.

Marik hums in thought, thinking of how to phrase it in the best way possible to not sound utterly insane.

His expression is a bit sheepish because it does sound utterly ridiculous and he's mostly to blame for the entire thing.]

... Card game tournaments and virtual reality worlds to decide the fate of the world?

[relished]

[there's a first for everything and his time here is proving to have a lot of firsts. he needs a minute. not a literal minute, but the silence that follows Marik's statement sure feels like one. his mouth parts slightly, he blinks a couple of times to process. usually Hannibal is a master at microexpressions. as micro as these appear, they are showing quite a lot more than usual.

finally, he breaks the silence:]

I see.

[that's...it? well, sort of. Hannibal has encountered his fair share of patients with personality disorders or fantastical dreams. but assuming this isn't a dream, and people all around him are taken from different worlds, he supposes this is one of the possibilities.]

To have the fate of the world rely on something people usually define as mundane. How interesting.

[thetombkeeper]

[Ah, if only Marik had been dragged here a week earlier in his world, Hannibal would get to meet both personalities in the boy. But now there resides only one. (Probably wasn't the best way to go about helping him with the disorder but that's how his world rolls.)

The Egyptian is obviously embarrassed by having said that, knowing how utterly ridiculous it sounds to someone who doesn't know of Duel Monsters or the legends and scriptures he was raised on.]

It was an ordeal, that's for sure.

[And he was the cause of it.]

So. Finding out I've been whisked away to another world is odd but... not entirely unbelievable, you know? The only thing I don't like is... why should I be the one who determines whether my universe is worthy or not? There's so many more qualified individuals...

[relished]

[it's too bad the two personalities weren't still inside Marik, Hannibal would have had a field day. imagining a world where card games determined the fate of the world came across as ...well, to Hannibal, both entertaining and to put it simply, silly.]

Perhaps you're not seeing your true potential.

[he's letting quite a lot of information slide for being someone that has never had anything like this happen to him, but while it all piques Hannibal's curiosity, he isn't intending on letting the conversation go for hours into the night. their paths will likely cross again.]

Others may arrive later -- we shouldn't trust the cards that have been dealt.

[ha ha. funny joke.]

[thetombkeeper]

[Now everyone's stuck with the less explosive but far more evil half. Clearly the good half, right, Ishizu.

His full potential, huh? His mind shifts back to the how close he got to obtaining what he wanted in life and how he lost in the end. If that wasn't his full potential then what is? Marik simply fiddles with his golden armband and grunts.]

... Maybe.

[What if someone else arrived? Wouldn't that be unfair to those with only one person from their world? The boy hums in thought for a moment before his lips curl into an amused little grin.]

A Trap Card, eh? I suppose we'll see.

[Even if Hannibal has never heard of the game, he figures it's easy to figure out what that means.

Marik rises from the couch.]

I don't want to eat your entire evening, Hannibal. I wouldn't be adverse to doing this again sometime.

Maybe without me waking up on your couch though.

[relished]

[he catches how Marik phrases his response, understands he's referring to something he isn't entirely aware of, but that doesn't matter. they're both on the same page. this isn't the first time he's suggested that someone look further into themselves, and he wonders just how far someone will go for a chance to save their home.

Hannibal stands from his seat as well. Marik's courtesy has shone; he'll remember that (for better or for worse). their time together, however short, proved useful.]

Hopefully not, but should I find you again, we won't be complete strangers.

[he motions to the door with a polite, reserved smile.]

I'll walk you to the door.

[he waits until Marik begins to walk down the small hallway to follow behind him, similar to the way he would walk a patient out of his office. there was something oddly ...adult, about the kid, in a way that surpassed how his interactions had been with Abigail. he didn't come across as delicate or scared. no, something was different about him. the boy did not require any adjustment of speech or coddling.]

I trust you'll let me know if you find something out.

[thetombkeeper]

[The teen chuckles.]

I know better than to shove my nose into strange flowers but if it does happen again for whatever reason, it's much appreciated.

[Marik heads to the door, his walk one of (mostly) confidence and a slight strut. He seems at ease despite the short time the two have spent with each other.

Marik grabs the handle, opening the door, and turns to look back at Hannibal with a smirk.]

Of course. Would you like me to shoot you a message or just swing by to visit?

[Not like they live far away from each other, after all.]

[relished]

[the idea of having a kid "swing by" unannounced is out of the question to Hannibal, so with a tip of his chin and a half shake of his head--]

Feel free to give me a call.

[he's hoping he'll have found a different housing option by the time that happens. with that, he bids Marik farewell and closes the door to his apartment.]