❪ introlog: #6 ❫ city of secrets

[natha]

You've spent the last few days on Thesa Station, taking in the knowledge that your world is no more. Now, the time to put all your survival training into practice has arrived: El Nysa needs you, and you're here to help the planet thrive. Are you ready? THE DESCENT     All refugees on the station are called to the hangar, where a large-scale teleporter awaits. Simply step onto the space between the arrays and wait; everyone will be sent down to the planet together. Before they depart, all refugees will be given a cold weather survival kit with warm clothing, rations, and bedding. The arrays build into a brilliant wash of light, creating a column that travels all the way from Thesa Station to the surface of El Nysa, teleporting the refugees to the planet on an aurora. Once on the planet's surface, refugees receive one last message from Darma. It has been a long, perilous year for you, refugees. And yet we must ask you to brave further peril. Within Nadril are the secrets to how poor Ysverai's revival was hidden from our sight and how this disaster has come to our star. Find the first refugee from beyond this planet, a man named Magda. He will not speak to us, for much has come between us, but to you… If you prove yourselves, he may be willing to answer your questions. We beseech you, for there is a veil over Nadril that hides all within from us. There may yet be more untold dangers waiting to befall this planet. For the good of all who make this world home, we ask you to lend us your aid. There is yet one more favor we would ask of you. In warding off the Storm's encroachment, the physical aspect of ourselves that you call Thesa Station was damaged. We must remain to continue repairs to El Nysa and to deal with Ysverai, but there should be suitable technology within Nadril that could be used for spare parts. If you have the chance to find it and can return it to us, it would hasten— Darma's message crackles with static, another image overlaying hers — her broadcast is cut off and replaced with another. A more sullen and alien voice takes Darma’s place, overlapping on itself in an ominous reveal. It has been a long, perilous year for you, refugees. And yet you’ve only just arrived here. To say I’m not disappointed in your… generation would be to lie, and I am nothing if not an honest creature. But I suppose these have been unusual circumstances. You must ask yourself this — are you only here as Darma's lapdogs? I can assure you, it's not worth being on the Natha's leash. With time, that will be something you'll have to learn for yourself. If you're so determined to come find Nadril, then follow the path north, and you'll find the border. What awaits you is revelation, if you're up to the challenge. A FROZEN LAND     The refugees land on a literally frozen world, both in temperature and time. Curls of icy wind hold swirls of snow aloft and an uncanny silence is broken only by the crunch of hoarfrost underfoot. Only Darma's protection allows the refugees to move through this frozen world — and movement is very necessary. Bitter cold sneaks through even the thickest clothing and without warning, a snowstorm rises: unnaturally quickly, a wall of white howls directly in the refugee's path. Bizarrely, the way back is perfectly calm; it's obvious that this storm is no product of nature. Magda's challenge becomes clear: the only way to Nadril lies through this storm. Visibility within the storm is near zero, the whiteout hiding any landmarks from view and making navigation near impossible. The only guidance refugees have is a sporadic path of faint, greenish lights, easily lost in the raging storm. Refugees need all the survival skills they practiced on Thesa Station to survive, for getting lost alone is a death sentence. Luckily, those separated from the group can happen upon guiding lights Magda has planted throughout the tundra. These blue-white sparks cause frostbite if handled recklessly, but they also serve as directional anchors, turning into ghostly flames that lead lost souls back to the path to Nadril. The trek through the storm will be no mean feat and will last for the better part of three days. By the time the refugees reach Nadril's gate, most will find themselves exhausted and running on fumes. As the snowstorm dies away and a gap in the glittering forcefield around the city opens to usher the refugees inside, it's clear that Nadril is a different beast. A WARM(?) WELCOME     I. Despite the unforgiving journey, entering Nadril is painless. Once inside, characters will be greeted by their predecessors: the original refugees who made this advanced city. They'll immediately be offered medical attention, as well as warm cider and blankets. But it's obvious that the Nadril citizens prefer higher tech to fend off the weather: they also offer wristlets and ear cuffs that that double as mittens and earmuffs by creating warm bubbles of air. The earrings also feature a few quality of life programs, such as timed alarms and thought-to-speech messaging. However, both programs are in beta stages so it's not unusual for a stray thought to accidentally slip through or an alarm to accidentally ring at an inopportune time. II. Refugees are offered free lodging in a large, crystalline building crafted from ice. Despite the coarse building material, the ice is unmelting and surprisingly well-insulated, and the beds are as warm and cozy. The rooms are, however, small. The sleeping quarters house two people, and are some cross between an igloo and a capsule hotel. Though built for efficiency over comfort, all rooms are also outfitted with the latest Nadril AI, RoboAlfred, or Ralf for short. This helpful program is installed in practically all the furnishings: the closet tells guests to bundle up, the bathroom sink reminds them to brush their teeth, and the mirror offers helpful fashion tips. Ralf's personality matrix still needs polish, though: it may very well insult your clothes and passively-aggressively question your lifestyle choices for the entire stay. III. Though not as advanced as Thesa Station, the colony has technology far beyond the rest of the continent, such as rudimentary AIs and mechanical transportation. Nadril's skyline is a point of pride — refugees can take a (literal) lightrail that gives an aerial view of the colony, which is hewn almost entirely from ice and rock. Despite its tech, Nadril is much more sparsely populated than Olympia and Wyver, and its residents stay near a central hub: a Natha refugee drop ship, Central, which has crashed and long embedded itself into the earth. Central is similar to an older, smaller, grounded model of Thesa Station, in functional order with round-the-clock solar power. Within Central are lounges similar to ones on the Station, though many of the damaged areas have been converted. They include repair stations, different wings dedicated to science, botany, astrology, and mechanics, and a research and history facility, which has a smattering of technology from planets beyond El Nysa — including your own. The staff here don't mind if anything is sampled and studied, but objects cannot be taken from the labs. IV. On the outskirts of the central hub, many will find several curious looking bots with insect-like wings perched about high traffic walkways. Simply passing the bots will cause a dizzying flash before a series of photos print out. Upon closer inspection, people will find that these images reflect stills taken from their home worlds as they remember it. Unfortunately, these photos only last a couple of hours at best. At that time, they will revert back to regular pictures of the refugees. People will be encouraged to share these images of their worlds. The residents of Nadril comprehend the value of remembering one's origins, and will be pleased to see that people still hold memories of old homes close to them. RECREATION IN NADRIL     I. Small, mechanical creatures scampering through the city are a common sight. Ask anyone, and they’ll tell you that they come from a shop called Paws About Town. They’re very useful, as companions, gophers, and couriers (though the more mischievous will note that they’re just small enough to keep tabs on people without being noticed). Premade robotic pets are available on display inside the shop. They come in all shapes, but small sizes; one may be able to find robots that even look like miniature creatures from their homeworld. These are a part of a new, highly customizable line with programmable personalities. Customers have the chance to take pets for a one-day trial run. Those who don’t know how to program may want to enlist more knowledgeable aid, but the pets come with instructional pamphlets for basic personality traits such as obedience, helpfulness, playfulness, and bloodthirst. For returns, the switch to wipe the robot's personality to a blank slate is on the back of its neck, right between a switch to invert all traits, and a switch to have them learn by observing. Try not to press the wrong switch — you might wind up with a pet with a mind of its own! II. A. The Frosty Tap Cantina is a thriving hub of activity, but one of the major draws is the self-service bar: molecular mixology is wildly popular here. Playing with drink compositions can be a game in and of itself, and newcomers to the cantina will find that the bartender — a cheerful woman with lilac skin and three eyes — is always happy to give them a few tips on how to use the wide array of tools within reach of the barstools. All manner of drinks are possible — from glowing, layered cocktails, to clear drinks with colored, spherical bubbles and vividly-colored shots that give off their own smoke. There's a nightly contest in the cantina for the most creative drink created by a team — this may be as good a time as any to partner up with someone and see what can you come up with. Winner gets all their drinks for the night free! And, hey, even if you don't win, you get to drink whatever you make. The well-lubricated patrons of the bar are eager to challenge anyone nearby to a different sort of drinking game… Just how well can you hold your liquor? B. Holo-screens in the cantina are nearly always broadcasting some match or another of a game that looks very much like hockey, albeit played with sticks that light up and a puck that changes shape from time to time. Colonists here merely refer to the game as "the sport," and one of their favored pastimes is betting. However, they don't use currency — they wager dares. Nadril colonists are a tough, weathered lot, and they prefer to speak with actions over silver. Colonists will urge the refugees to take part as well. Common dares range from the ridiculous (lead a sing-a-long, attempt to make someone with a poker face smile) to the suggestive (kiss the person in the cantina you find most attractive, strip off a piece of clothing), to the outright reckless (venture out into the snow for a certain amount of time, and no one will judge if you find some company to keep warm). The colonists are unfazed by even the most insane or tawdry of dares — but you'll certainly be called a killjoy for refusing too often! Why not grab a friend and give it a whirl, or challenge a rival to a dare yourself? THE MISSION     I. On the outskirts of Nadril is the communications tower of the old refugees. This is where Magda resides, monitoring Nadril's technological protections, the extent of the Natha’s influence, and running his own personal projects for El Nysa’s technological advancement. It is isolated, filled with research labs and relics of the past refugees who have come to El Nysa — a living mausoleum of worlds swallowed up by the Storm whose peoples have refused to forget where they came from. Crew photos line the walls of the tower: pictures of alien families and friends, the refugees who came to Nadril before you. Each group of photos gradually becomes smaller in number, and the most recent of the pictures are from half a century ago. Magda's picture can be found among the first group of refugees, an unusually small cluster of photos dating back centuries in El Nysa's past. I have been on this planet for nearly two centuries. Life has come, evolved, and collided in an ever expanding culture. But Darma fears interference, and made this place a prison, with she our warden, stifling the growth of the creatures native to this world rather than encouraging them to flourish. She sent you here for answers in her stead because she knows I'll spurn her, and after seeing what that fool Raysc has wrought, I'll give you them — not for Darma's sake, but because I trust after all the Natha have done to you, you'll understand my decision. Mistakes were made, and I won't hide them. You've made it here so there's some mettle to you, and unlike the Orbiters, I'm not interested in hiding the secrets of the dangers we face. I gave Raysc what he needed to keep his actions hidden from Darma's eyes — what he needed to advance the primitive magics the Natha had doomed him to. It was old Natha tech, Darma's very own used against her. Hilarious, isn't it? Raysc learned of Nadril, and like you, braved the snow to find his way here. He proved his worth and his determination, and he spoke of a brighter future, El Nysa coming into its own, its people realizing their true potential, unhindered by the shackles that had been put upon them. I believed him. He had vision — or so I thought. In truth, he was a fool. A madman. He wasted the opportunity I gave him on his petty vengeance. But not everyone on this planet is such an idiot. Surely you lot aren't. The Natha are hiding things from us — about the Storm, about everything. And here in Nadril, we're going to find all those secrets. What's it going to be? Will you help us, or are you going to stay obedient dogs on Darma's leash? Magda isn't too talkative yet; after all, the new flock of refugees may just be here as eyes and ears for the Orbiters. But what he has said leaves you with plenty to talk about, and if you can earn his trust by helping out around Nadril, he doubtless has a great deal more to reveal. II. Central isn't the only Natha ship that made its way to El Nysa — another, crashed just outside Nadril's borders, is little more than a junk heap. It's here that you'll find the spare parts Darma asked you to retrieve for Thesa Station. What remains of the ship's hull serves as a windbreak, and snow has built up against it, turning the piles of old Natha tech inside into something of a snowy morass. Holes in the deck offer would-be scavengers passage to the ship's innards, barely illuminated with flickering lights — the tech is old, but hardy enough to withstand a crash landing, the severe weather, and the passage of centuries. Deep in the wreck are the remains of living quarters, research labs, VR arenas, mecha bays, cafeterias, and a host of other rooms, many of which may seem familiar from Thesa Station, albeit with a decidedly older feel to what remains of the smooth curves and sleek surfaces of the Natha architecture. Most of the ship's systems are damaged and the technology is nonfunctional, but that just means there's plenty of spare parts to be found. The wreck isn't in the best shape, its structural integrity damaged, and the drifting snow threatens to block off exit routes. Be careful while exploring and be sure to bring a partner. As it turns out, Darma isn't the only one interested in the wreck — Magda is also eager to get his hands on Natha technology. In his own way of taking some responsibility for Raysc, he's asking scavengers to bring him parts, muttering about seeing what he can do about Ysverai's curse. Bring him anything that looks useful, and he may have a chance to succeed, though whether he'll be more effective than the Natha Orbiters is up for debate... FINAL OOC NOTES     An AC-eligible thread with a new character as a participant for 2 NADRIL REP POINTS may be submitted from this log. SUBMIT THE THREAD HERE BY AUGUST 5TH, 11:59 PM EST. As always, feel free to create your own prompts and explore the Nadril location page! There are a variety of activities made available, including fishing and cave exploration! Please direct questions to the questions thread below! Thank you! QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[inaurare]

I knew it was possible to take pictures using the devices... nothing like this...

[murmured as he leafs through the ones in his hands, though there is a tiny smile lingering at the corner of his mouth with each one. With the memories, the images of home - some sweet, some a little more bitter. But whatever else the Teahouse was, it still was home to him, and he can't help but press the photographs against his chest again, as if to keep them safe.

However startling and strange the process was... at least the result wasn't necessarily a bad thing.]

Usually it's terribly expensive to have one's photo taken.

[he can probably count on his fingers the times it's happened to him in his life.]

[cassus]

We had instant photographs back where I'm from.

[ Polaroids have been around for decades, and with the newer smaller versions that have become popular with millennials, the trend seemed like it was gaining steam again. Before the Storm, at least.

So that part isn't what's gotten under Dazai's skin. It's the fact these things can apparently rifle through a person's past, through their own memories or perhaps even paging back through time itself. And then for whatever reason they've pried into things that are potentially painful or that have finally scarred over, those annoying snoops slap their target's private recollections onto paper.

Dazai has more than a few things he wants to either forget or keep locked away within his chest. So the notion that anything could invade the sanctity that's always been the steel trap of his mind isn't something he's going to let slide any time soon. But he'll try to temper his bristling, if only for Linn's sake. ]

A shame this place didn't opt for a less intrusive way to provide a physical copy.

[ Thoughts veer away from the bots and their meddling, heading straight back for Linn where they belong. ]

Otherwise... [ He winks a little, teasing until the subject returns to Linn's apparent new-found treasures. ] I'd take one of you.

[ Dazai won't say if he meant that this hypothetical picture was meant for Linneus to keep, or himself. But the way he smiles fondly suggests he's leaning towards the latter option.

A memento of someone else he's grown close to would be nice, since wanting to preserve the present moment is a habit from old times that Dazai apparently just can't shake. And he does have his device. But there's something about holding a real picture in your hand that feels more secure than a saved image that could be wiped, erased or even lost should any harm come to the device. ]

[inaurare]

Ours were a good deal slower than instant...!

[he should like to see how these instant photographs work - though perhaps he already has, in a way. He isn't sure how anything can photograph a memory, but oddly that doesn't trouble him so much... perhaps that is just resignation to the 'magic' in this place, the technology, which in many cases are one and the same to Linneus. Besides, he has glimpsed a few of the photographs, blessedly none of them seem exactly compromising. Aside from the method itself.

He's not very keen on being mobbed again.

A little smile at that offer, securing his photographs with one hand and sliding his other through Dazai's arm with a questioning tilt of his head. Shall they walk...? Shall they go somewhere...?]

But there are the devices? Isn't there a way to take them off the device and make them real...?

Bad decisions at 3 am: That phrase.

[cassus]

[ The press of Linn's arm as it draws around his own is so natural that it isn't even a surprise anymore. Though there's no shock to be found, the linking of their arms never ceases to hold such a unexpected intimacy for so small a gesture that he feels surprisingly warm afterward. And the smile which broadens beyond Dazai's typically ironclad control, widening as he accepts the nonverbal invitation, isn't something he can shake either. ]

There's no harm in trying, is there?

[ His device in hand, Dazai lifts it into Linn's line of sight with his own newly formed plans in mind. They could always take pictures and then try to find a way to print them. Fruitless or not, the experience itself might prove to be fun, just for the sake of it. ]

Any place you'd like to have your picture taken?

[ He's been holding off on inquiring about Linn's own photos, however much Linneus' soft smiles have been tugging at his own curiosity. But the opportunity to barter one for the other does seem like a good time to change that. ]

Afterward, I'll show you mine. [ He smirks. ] If you show me yours.

Go to beeeeeeeeeeed!

[inaurare]

[that smile is gently returned, obscured briefly as Linneus leans his head against Dazai's shoulder - a short companionable moment]

Perhaps somewhere there is snow? [not too hard, in Nadril] I'd never really seen snow before coming here...

[and it's possible he might get used to it during his time here, enough that it might stop holding a sense of wonder for him. But he does hope not.]

If we do end up elsewhere, I should like to have some sort of proof I was here at all.

[a lift of eyebrows at that smirk, and drily at the slight innuendo]

Indeed...?

♡♡♡

[cassus]

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[ Oh, if Linn is going to be cute and lavish him with a little affection then Dazai will absolutely indulge in it. Soaking up the moment, his temple settles atop the crown of Linn's head long enough for him to enjoy the position. At least until they need to continue strolling onward to a place that's snowy enough to suit Linn's tastes. ]

It never hurts to have a memento, to remind yourself that something happened.

[ Dazai gives a breathy sort of laugh after he's caught making such a shameless offer. Rare as it is, his expression edges so close to embarrassed that he runs the risks of being believed. Linn never let's him get away with these ridiculous attempts, always reining him back in from careening off into the antics he's prone towards. But somehow being kept in check doesn't bother Dazai in the least. ]

You have to admit that was a little clever. [ Albeit crude. ....And flirtatious. ]

[inaurare]

[it is good to have mementos, but Linneus is more than used to having things taken from him. So if anything, he is reassured by the way that photographs can be captured by the devices - it makes them a lot harder to lose track of. His device... a little less so; it had vanished some time in all of the chaos but given that he seemed to get his device back again once on the station he trusts in it a bit more.]

A little. [a light squeeze to the arm he is holding, those brows still raised but now to tease-] If redundant. You've seen me naked, Dazai.

[granted, it was hardly under any scandalous circumstance... but then Linneus doesn't mean simply without his clothes.]

[cassus]

Careful, Linn. [ His smile softens at the affectionate squeeze. ] You'll spoil me if you keep this up.

[ Yes, practically if not logically, Dazai had seen Linneus divested of everything save for his skin. But the moment was a somber, healing one, where both of them had been rubbed so raw that even holding a conversation let alone one another felt difficult. It hardly even registered as seeing him in quite that light. ]

Some people believe experiences only improve with repetition.

[ All that considered, he feels it's appropriate to tease. Even if the mood shifts toward another direction entirely when the fingers of his free hand reach over to lace together with Linn's. ]

Ever heard the saying, "Third time's the charm?"

[ In particular their post-Armageddon shower together had been a rather stunted episode of missed opportunities. One which held an exceedingly high absence of exposed skin for bathing. Since getting under a warm spray sounds like the perfect remedy for all this excessive cold, that kind of redundancy doesn't seem so bad at all. ]

[inaurare]

[that smile is shot back with equal warmth]

But I do enjoy spoiling people.

[especially people he likes. He may be less demonstrative in public but that doesn’t mean he dislikes showing affection, albeit in small ways; little touches]

I have heard this saying, of course.

[and all kinds of superstitions about the number three - all kinds of superstitions period. That tended to come of being raised by housekeepers and serving staff]

But wouldn’t that be skipping over the second time, in that case?

[The second time may be just as good a chance as the third to make up all those missed opportunities - it seems unfair to dismiss it.]

Come, shall we go somewhere, or just continue wandering?

[cassus]

Good point. [ He chuckles, thoroughly amused. ] Then we'll aim for a second time, before a third.

[ Even just an aimless stroll within this land is likely to bring the pair smack-dab in the middle of a snowbank. But this feels a little more important than that. ]

I'd say we should find a location, but- Where's the perfect place to take your snowy picture?

[ No artist by any means, Dazai has still dabbled enough to get a sense of how lighting and environment changes a scene. That and a lifetime of crime has taught him how the mood matters. ]

There's always an option of riding the lightrail. [ A thoughtful hum. ] We could find a snow covered rooftop and get a view of the city in the background.

[ The aura that any given place exudes can even change the perception of an object or person within that space all within an instant. A simple white room can seem like something from a man's darkest nightmares or deepest fantasies, all depending on what his senses tell him. ]

Or maybe you'd want to head to the Central or the cantina, to have something a little more lively among the backdrop~?

[ Dazai is equally impartial to the options he lists, no more biased towards one than the other. He's more than satisfied with everything he has at the moment. And certain his companion will make the evening pleasant, no matter the location. ]

[inaurare]

That all sounds wonderful. I tend to prefer somewhere quieter, if the intention still is to catch me and the snow. Or even just the building we are staying in; it's fantastical enough....!

[a little hum, leaning into Dazai's arm briefly.]

Let me think on it? I'm sure the snow will still be here tomorrow, the day after. [carefully suggesting] We could make a day of it?

[and taking a trip out together for the day in search of different places to take their picture - because he would perhaps like Dazai's as well - that doesn't seem like a bad idea? For now he adjusts his hold on the pictures at his chest]

For the time being... well, I shall have to put these somewhere eventually, but perhaps we can find something to warm us?

[cassus]

[ Soon as the body beside Dazai leans into him, it's only natural in Linneus' company to feel the need to gravitate closer, meeting him in kind. They fit like this, tilted just enough to feel one another's weight even as their stroll progresses. ]

Spending the day with you, taking pictures and making memories? I like the sound of that.

[ He didn't expect to ever find an outlet for his secret urge to capture moments that may be gone in an instant and never to return. And yet Linn indulges him in this, supplying more than merely one thing Dazai needed but never expected to get. It's unexpectedly satisfying to him, even if the plan had originally been purely for Linn's own benefit. ]

Something that'll get you nice and warm, hm? [ He smiles. ] Good idea.

[ Dazai can't very well drape his coat around Linn when their hands and arms are linked in such a way. However he can offer a playful nudge, the amusement for Linn's word choice carrying over into the lit to his voice. The flirtation isn't necessary with Linneus, but old habits die hard. ]

A place, drink or something else~?

[inaurare]

We can arrange that. And I’ll make sure you know where I’m staying.

[a nudge in return at that teasing lilt to Dazai’s voice; a light chuckle]

Something warm to drink would be wonderful. The cantina, then...?

[at least it isn’t too far away. And that helps - Linneus is a little new to winter clothes and while his boots are at least easier to walk in when he started out, they are heavy on his feet and a little awkward, given that he is generally used to lighter. Softer.

Indicating his handful of photos]

And I should like to take a look at these...

[cassus]

Please, do. [ Said casually, downplaying how curious he is over simply where Linn rests his head ] I'll stop by and pick you up whenever you'd like.

[ The Frosty Tap Cantina isn't the kind of territory he'd expect Linneus to feel comfortable maneuvering, no matter where he'd worked in the past. Everything about his personality seems too soft, low-key and gentle to put up with rowdy occupants and freely flowing liquor. That and the their first meeting around an ornate tea set will always be the standard environment. ]

You read my mind.

[ Ironically enough, because it's something so entirely new and unlike the norm, Dazai is more than a little fascinated about mingling in a settling closer to his own speed. He's spent a lifetime in bars, nestled within his city's underbelly, where low lights and murmured conversation feels like home to him. So bringing Linn into his own familiar territory feels like letting him get to know that version of himself; a touch darker and more dangerous than the man he spends time with in the daylight. ]

So would I, if you wouldn't mind.

[ It's a bit of a walk to make their way from Central's outskirts where the bots had terrorized Linn, back towards the more active hub of foot traffic within the city's heart. But as always their conversation flows readily, moving so easily from one subject to the next that it's not long before they're nearly there.

A steady buzz of gregarious chatter echos even outside the pub, where both drunk occupants filter out and back onto the street and eager would-be patrons slide past them to begin their evening. There's no old fashioned door to hold open, but it's a blessing in that he doesn't have to relinquish his hold upon Linn. The place is crowded, with occupants bunched together in all parts of the cantina. Keeping a steady hold upon his companion seems like the only way to prevent the pair from being separated. ]

Want to sit at the bar, or...? [ He glances around, spying an empty booth. ] There's some empty seats, a little separated from the crowd.

[inaurare]

[Linneus doesn't so much mind being surrounded by people. His quarters now are even smaller than they were before, and yet it still seems they fit him poorly. As much as he is out of his element on the station, at least that was a little easier; being able to gravitate toward a common area if he felt in need of company.

The environs of the bar are new and interesting to him, for sure, but a room full of loud people is also not necessarily a bad place to have a more quiet conversation. Though Linneus supposes they will converse as they always have - heads leaned together almost like co-conspirators.

He holds a little bit closer as they enter, the better to hear Dazai, the better not to lose him.]

The seats, I think? I would prefer that.

[cassus]

Coming right up!

[ In high spirits he navigates the sea of bodies with Linn in tow until they can slide into the booth one after the other. It's cozy in their chosen corner, tucked slightly within a world of their own, despite how full the establishment is. ]

Now about those drinks...

[ Catching the eyes of a waitress through the crowd, Dazai coaxes her over to their little nook with a beckoning motion of one hand. The cantina has an extensive selection, supplying a more than strictly liquor if someone prefers a beverage that's not sure to leave them tipsy or worse.

Dazai feels inclined to order the nearest substitute for his world's whiskey, as it'd be a waste not to. Which is why he's more than happy to pass a menu over to the other man and inquire on Linneus' choice before even cracking open his own. ]

See anything that'll get you suitably warm~?

[inaurare]

[he laughs as Dazai shuffles them along to the table - the booth is comfortable and private, and allows them to sit almost shoulder-to-shoulder, though he will need to take off a few layers. Preoccupied, hands full, he's a little startled as the waitress comes by]

Oh--

[he has barely had time to take in his menu; his free fingers touch the pages a little while he thinks]

Is there spiced wine...?

[he had had it once or twice in Ivore, but since arriving he had been seeking it out a little more - and found it, too, in most establishments. If not spiced wine, then a sort of spiced fruit tea that he has enjoyed]

[cassus]

[ The waitress nods agreeably, noting that on a certain page there's a selection of wines, including Linn's specific choice. She also mentions beers, liquors, dessert drinks and (luckily enough) includes a mention of the ample double spread upon the menu dedicated solely to different teas.

Dazai watches the exchange quietly, content to wait his turn until the waitress has gone through her little sales pitch, advertising the weekly special or particular local favorites. ]

Just a whiskey for me.

[ Chin palmed in curiosity, he gives Linn another gentle but affectionate nudge. It extends to the verbal as well, encouraging him to branch out and get more than one item, if he'd like. They're on vacation, sort of. At least it's one way of thinking about everything that's happened. Why not make it enjoyable? ]

How do you feel about something else, after the wine? [ A smirk. ] Because those dessert drinks sound inviting.

[inaurare]

[it's still a little strange that Linneus finds himself being waited on, and he flicks through the menu like a student at his books, finding the page she is referring to. He shall have to come again, for the teas, but those words have caught his attention, making him leaf through to find the item in the menu with a quizzical tilt of his head]

What is a dessert drink...?

[his country has dessert wines. But dessert drinks...?
]

[cassus]

Think of your favorite cake or dessert, and imagine that flavor in beverage form.

[ A cantina is no place for floats or milkshakes, so even those items on the menu best suited for patrons with a sweet-tooth aren't geared towards the tastes of children. ]

They're often made with a cream or sweeter tasting liquor.

[ There are a select few which sport the 'virgin' designation, freeing the customer from any risk of getting drunk off those particular sugary confections. But the best things in life always come with risks. Along that same vein, the most flavorful items contain the additional punch of alcohol on top an inevitable sugar high. ]

Usually they're drizzled in chocolate or caramel syrup with whipped cream.

[ Dazai touches the fingers of one hand, counting off various 'toppings' that might sound enticing to someone new to the experience. ]

It depends on the favor, but some have a cinnamon or nutmeg garnish while others are even topped with fruit!

[inaurare]

That all sounds terribly decadent...

[murmured as his attention is guided down the menu - if they are he probably shan't want to eat afterwards, and he isn't even sure the likelihood of him managing to finish a whole one by himself. It's his eating habits more than anything - little but often, preferring small bites grabbed here and there over larger meals more spread out. This does look like a lot, and while sweet things certainly appeal to him... he's not sure about the commitment of ordering one to himself as well as his tea...]

Perhaps we might share one? Which would you prefer?

((hey, I went and threw this into an overflow here :) ))