It is a quiet day in mostly reconstructed Cerealia. The robots are busily running into walls that were not there before, the Cybuddy bees are buzzing...and CERES has still not said a word. Attempting to contact them still gets the User Offline error. Strange...
But who cares if CERES is offline? After all, they are the cruel and tyrannical captors. A Cerealia without them must be better than a Cerealia with them. So there's nothing to worry about on this fine, peaceful day. Or, at least, that's what it seems like, when suddenly there's a voice in everyone's head. A chosen few may recognize the voice, for they will have heard it before, but to the vast majority, it is brand new.
Looks like someone has been saved, and a reward granted... and no, you don't have a single choice in the matter.
 Your heroism will be remembered, lost and stolen souls.
You have saved me, and so now, I shall save you.
All of you.
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PHASE I [ day one ] It happens so quickly. One moment you’re in the colony, going about your daily life, and the next, you’re… floating. A moment later, every player character from the colony is transported with a wisp of fresh air to...somewhere very very different. The distance is far, but it is covered in what must have only been a scant moment, and it’s clear somehow, especially to air characters, that it was Caeli’s doing that brought everyone there.
There, naturally, being right in the middle of the jungle.
Everyone is then unceremoniously dropped. You may land on a tree, or in a patch of poison mushrooms (no really, look out for the colorful plant life, it’s probably poisonous) or in the river. There are some strange insects of all sorts and types, some of which have some uncomfortable side effects if you’re bitten, such as swelling or the uncomfortable urge to go hug the nearest person, and there are strange flowers everywhere, some of which glow only in the dark of night or the shade of trees. It is dreadfully humid, however, and a little hard to breathe--unless you’re of the air disposition.
Either way, you’ve certainly landed somewhere fantastical, so take some time to get used to your surroundings. It shouldn’t take too long to find everyone else, hopefully.
PHASE II [ day two ] Of course, this far into the jungle, and making this much noise, it was only inevitable before some company was attracted.
Some are clearly dangerous, some are peaceful as can be and some are somewhere in between; approach at your own risk.
Either way, these monsters are all drawn to larger groups of people and a lot of noise, so it may be best to keep quiet...though the ones that keep their distance may be even more concerning.
Everyone is certainly being stalked at one point or another in the jungle -- and at night, there are eyes watching from the darker parts of the trees.
PHASE III [ day three ] But perhaps if you follow some of those monsters deeper into the woods, you will stumble across an old, run down village of sorts. It looks as though time and the jungle has overtaken it. Exploring it will reveal plenty of homes that were clearly lived in however, by families and by people of all sorts.
There are empty rooms, covered in dust, and a central village fire, long gone out.
Small knick-knacks and various objects can be found… if you want to steal from the dead, you know. It’s a little rude. It appears they led a simple, peaceful life, however; most notably, there is no technology to be found.
And if The Bridge catches you doing it, she will look incredibly sad and ask you to put everything back in its proper place before she goes back to looking very irritated at Caeli. You may overhear words about how this “isn’t the right place” and Caeli’s unrepentant, “It is only a few hundred miles”. Looks like something went a little wrong in the transportation process.
Time to camp out for the night, perhaps. And your CereVices don’t get any reception out here, so no surfing the internet for you. If you try to connect to the internet, for some reason the device starts playing a song. Was that programmed…?
PHASE IV [ day four ] By the fourth day, it’s pretty clear that you’re going to be stuck here for a bit. Pestering Caeli or Maris gets nothing, while the Bridge still can’t be approached for pretty good reasons. So… you’ll just have to make the best of it while they figure out their next approach.
Time to figure out how to camp with few supplies and even fewer nice places to sleep. Maybe try to make a fire (though it’s incredibly difficult, considering how muggy it is here) or try to find some bugs to eat (ew gross).
Of course, you can try hunting, but the prey doesn’t look too friendly, so be careful not to become the prey yourself. The same goes for fishing, it seems.
Some of the trees are poisonous, some of the grasses will cause unfortunate rashes, and some vines will lash out to grab at people (especially colorful ones); basically, this is an entirely untamed alien jungle, so it may not be the fun camping trip you'd like.
Time to work together to survive out here, at least for a little longer.
It’s your time to shine. This is Person Versus Wild.
PHASE V [ day six ] On day six, the jungle goes utterly silent.
The monsters and animals disappear. The extra friends poof away hastily and suddenly. Maris and the Bridge fall silent (though Caeli admittedly continues floating there as ever). If anyone approaches them to ask, they'll just say that "she is coming".
And soon, she does appear. She moves slowly, lacking in feet; they are roots, as though that of a tree. Nonetheless, she has no troubles with moving forward, slow bit by bit. She does not speak, not at first, and behind her, trotting lightly through the woods, there is another. Both feel strongly of spiritual energy, just like Maris and Caeli. And eventually, after observing the people gathered, they can be spoken to.
BONUS [ day ??? ] After spending some time in the jungle, emotions might be running a bit amuck. And those emotions might bring some unexpected...friends. Yes, let's go with friends.
Because if a character is typically grumpy, gloomy, stoic, lineface, or anything along those lines, they may find themselves followed by a bright, happy bird. That bird feeds off of those emotions, and will just cheerfully follow around any lineface character for as long as possible. Or until they smile. The birds are otherwise harmless, chirping happily every now and then and following them around like a friendly shadow.
Happy, cheerful, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, energetic characters, on the other hand, will soon find themselves followed by... a different friend. Or maybe a handful of them. It depends on how cheerful they are. Either way, these creatures feed off of happiness and fun, but they will also chew on hair or an ear if they're allowed to get that close, making horrifying, chittering noises as they follow anyone who is in a good mood.
[ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with sensitive or inappropriate material and do let a mod know if your thread careens off into maiming or canoodling so we can lock the log. ] |
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no subject
A glance is spared towards the river as she crosses her arms over her chest with a huff.of course Oona's been talking to the fish. Of course. She tilts her head this way and that, her ponytail swishing behind her (there's a very brief, comedic moment where she glances behind her, startled and confused, because she's so unused to having her hair up that it scared her, before she focuses back on Adolf again)]
Besides! You are here now. What do I have to fear from anything? [Oona smiles easily, pleased, as if that's the most natural conclusion in the world to come to]
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He almost replies with one of his usual brief 'yeah's, and then seems to catch himself midway. ]
—Didn't you come here with someone?
[ She made it all the way into the middle of her jungle by herself? This is news to him. ]
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Oona even goes so far as to look around, as if this mystery third person will appear. When they clearly don't, she looks back at Adolf with a frown]
...No? Was hungry, so walked until found the river again.
[Why does it feel like she's done something wrong... She watches him, mildly suspicious that a lecture might be incoming or something]
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Fine, then. Don't worry about it.
[ He bends down, picks up the fish that'd slapped him in the face to hand back to Oona. If she's hungry, he figures that she'll eat it raw. ]
...I have a question, though. Not one that you might be able to answer, but it's worth asking.
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She pauses with her mouth hanging open (belatedly she realizes she should offer him some too before she starts digging in anyhow), and slowly shuts it again with a suspicious, albeit curious, look. At first her mind goes right back to the scientists, poking and prodding and asking questions she didn't have the vocabulary to answer even if she'd wanted to (and she certainly had not).
But then she remembers that it's Adolf, so everything's fine and her shoulders relax]
What is it?
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So, before he asks, he pauses. Looks Oona up and down, as if this is good enough of an indication that he's thought about what he's going to say and acknowledges that it sounds ridiculous. ]
...The voice that spoke to all of us before we were sent here. [ The calm voice that spoke directly into his head— something about being saved? Nonsense to him. ] Did you recognize it at all?
[ He asks, because maybe it's someone Oona spoke to to get her scale...? She seems more well-versed in these things, he trusts her judgment on the matter. ]
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Not as such. But, think I know who it was. When spoke with Maris before, he spoke of her-- Their Bridge, they called her. CERES took her. He said, eh...
[Oona takes a deep breath, hesitating. It's not, she supposes, like it's a secret, but she hadn't felt the need to talk to anyone else about what was said to her. People didn't tend to actually ask her important things like this, so she kept the information safe and hidden away.
But this was Adolf. She trusted him, and now was as good a time as any to prove that by revealing what she did know.] Well, said it was why he attacked and flooded the city. Came to take her back. She was important to them, suppose she was something of a leader? He said she 'helped them see'.
Suppose they managed to save her, and they took us out of city; They say we are, eh... corrupted. Suppose they are trying to save us from more of that.
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[ This is all actually vital information to know, and he commits it to memory without doubting the credibility of it... which may or may not be a good idea, given how biased Oona can be about some things. But Adolf also knows by now that she doesn't lie, which helps him to trust what's being fed to him.
She's given him a piece of this puzzle, which he ticks off mentally as 'something he owes her for'. ]
So this is their way of 'freeing' us. Can't tell if we're meant to be celebrating or not.
[ Because have you seen this place, it's like murder central... He puts his hands in his pockets, shifts his weight from one leg to the other. ]
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Maris said, water around city is polluted, that if he did not move his people away they would be corrupted, 'like the other beasts under the city.' I do not know what he meant by that. [in retrospect she supposes she should have asked.
She tilts her head thoughtfully, humming lightly.] Do not think this is where we were supposed to be. Heard Bridge speaking, before, that this was not right. Right place is many miles away. Suppose we will have to walk and travel there, where 'there' is. I hope it is near ocean.
[She would, tho. Oona looks away at the surrounding forest, debating.] Suppose could try to talk to Maris and ask more, if you want.
no subject
Which could have him start questioning to what extent any of this is even real, but. Not the time.
His posture relaxes somewhat after he organizes his thoughts, and he sees fit to thank Oona with a brief placement of palm to head. He knows that that's compensation enough, when it comes to her. ]
Then we'll get more answers once we get to this 'there'. Probably for the better if we stick to worrying about surviving, for now.
[ The complicated stuff can come later!! But he appends: ] ...If you can talk to this Maris person, that would help. If there's any danger in doing that, I'll go with you.
[ Just. Looking out!! ]
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She practically beams at him, and would probably go as far as grabbing at his hand for it, but her own hands are still preoccupied with fish.] Can help with that. Fish, and the plants the fish say are safe. Can help with that much. I, eh... [She starts, hesitates, then continues] When I escaped, spent some time in the forest. Was not, of course, as big or...strange as this. But know, a little.
[A very little ,actually, so she's not sure why she brought it up in the first place. Oona looks a tad embarrassed-- after all, it's not like she knows how to start or fire or make a shelter. The couple days she'd spent in the forest ad been mostly spent by the river and sleeping on the ground...
But his offer makes her smile a little.] Maris said I was 'one of his' more than was so before, when he gave me a tail back. Am sure I will be fine. But... Thank you, Adolf. You are sweet. And lucky my hands are full, so I can not kiss you right now.
[Of course she has to tease him with that.]
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He can't begrudge her looking proud of her ability to do things for him, because he won't take that away from her unless he feels that it's 100% more conducive for her to stay back while he gets things done; but. Why does she need to apply the word 'sweet' to this acknowledgment...
He clears his throat, stifles a sigh. ]
Don't thank me. You're the one that gave me information— I should be thanking you.
[ NOW FOR...THIS KISS BIT. ]
And no kissing. Does this need to be a disclaimer before every conversation.
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[Oona can't help but grin. WHY DO YOU HATE KISSES??]
You are so against kissing! What is wrong with kissing? Are my kisses so bad you do not want to taste them? [She pouts here] You are so difficult. But, I like a challenge. Will just have to work harder.
[Oona tilts her head this way and that, expression thoughtful] What about a hug? [oona this isn't something you barter about.]
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[ The information, he means. He's not interested in her feeling indebted to him because that's too much attachment for comfort, but he feels like this is a good way to clean the slate, to clear the ledger.
Her bartering is met with a placid turn of his heels, a slow walk towards a direction he hasn't taken yet. Standoffish, yes. Practical, also yes. ]
Kissing isn't something casual for me. Besides— [ 'I'm married' is on the tip of his tongue, but he quashes that again. Is he, really? He'll have to think about how he'll want to articulate this. ] —I told you, kisses aren't currency.
[ Good deflection, nerd. ]
I gave you something already, anyway. [ A wave of his hand, to indicate the headpat he gave her a few moments ago. ]
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[#Salty. The world would be so much easier if they made this a Thing. But when he starts walking away, she's quick to follow after him, not wanting to be left behind.]
Yes, suppose. I like that too. [It's the simple things in life.] Acceptable, for now. Can work way from head pats to hugs to kisses. [She moves a little ahead of him and turns, moving backwards to hold the fish out to him]
Are you hungry? Will share, with you. [With the implication being that she wouldn't, normally, but it's Adolf so she'll be charitable. Such selflessness.]
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[ Prickly, prickly... It's difficult to be stern when most of what he says rolls off Oona's shoulders, but he makes a valiant attempt nevertheless, his expression as steady as ever.
He stops when Oona starts walking backwards in front of him, stifles the desire to exhale under the collar of his jacket. There's a vine behind her that she'll walk into if she continues not paying attention, so... he reaches out, pulls her to the side. ]
I'm not hungry. [ Good luck trying to get him to eat in front of you, Oona!! ] If you're going to eat, sit down. I'll go make sure the coast is clear.
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She makes a small noise of surprise when he suddenly stops her, and sighs at his refusal. Well, more fish for her, she supposes, but...
She hesitates and shifts her weight, frowning at him.] ...You will come back yes? Will not just use as excuse and leave? [It's not that she doesn't trust her own ability to survive out here-- she does, and there's always the river to turn to if she needs a quick escape or a place to hide or whatever. But she honestly enjoyed Adolf's company, prickly though he was (was he an eel or a porcupine?? True questions to ask here, clearly), and it'd be rather depressing if he was just trying to get away from her.
Of course, she's also not sure he'd actually do that, but the doubts linger anyhow.] I do not want you to leave if you do not need to.
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Of course, that was to get Adolf to drink, but, you know. Some words ring true in a lot of contexts.
He doesn't patronize by thinking that Oona is incapable of being fine without supervision, but he thinks about that, about being able to 'give a little'. It prompts him to take a deep breath, reconsider. ]
—If you don't want me to leave, fine. [ It's not impossible for him to be alert using his internal radar, so that's...that. ] I'll stand, to make sure I'll be ready if anyone comes. You sit down and eat.
[ And he turns his back on her, as if that's that. But he appends, under his breath: ] I wasn't planning on leaving you behind.
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[But she doesn't need to be told twice to start eating. The fish isn't too big so it won't take her long, but she actually makes an effort to be semi-civilized about it. After a moment she makes a mildly exasperated noise as she licks...blood...from her fingers. Nice.]
Human teeth are annoying. Too flat, can not rip easily. Want my fangs back... [But even in her mermaid form she didn't have them anymore. Alas.]
Ah, if you get hungry, let me know, yes? I do not mind fishing. And there are plants we can find too. At least, ones by river or in that the fish will know of. They will tell me these things. I can not protect you much out of the water, but can do this.