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Entry tags:
- *event,
- ace attorney: miles edgeworth,
- arrow: felicity smoak,
- cardfight!! vanguard: ren suzugamori,
- covert affairs: annie walker,
- critical role: caleb widogast,
- critical role: mollymauk tealeaf,
- critical role: nott,
- doctor who: jenny,
- ffxv: ignis scientia,
- ffxv: prompto argentum,
- got: loras tyrell,
- gundam: duo maxwell,
- it: richie tozier,
- kingdom hearts: axel,
- kingdom hearts: kairi,
- kingdom hearts: roxas,
- little witch academia: diana cavendish,
- love live: yoshiko tsushima,
- marvel 616: bucky barnes,
- marvel 616: natasha romanoff,
- mcu: bucky barnes,
- mcu: rocket raccoon,
- mcu: steve rogers,
- one piece: trafalgar law,
- outlander: brianna randall,
- outlander: claire fraser,
- overwatch: jack morrison (soldier 76),
- penumbra podcast: juno steel,
- penumbra podcast: peter nureyev,
- punisher: frank castle,
- saiyuki: genjo sanzo,
- star trek: james t. kirk,
- star trek: kathryn janeway,
- star wars: luke skywalker,
- star wars: padme amidala,
- stargate: john sheppard,
- stargate: tamara johansen,
- tasm: peter parker,
- the 100: emori,
- the 100: john murphy,
- the punisher: frank castle,
- torchwood: ianto jones,
- torchwood: jack harkness,
- voltron: allura
❪ event ❫ spirited away
|
PRELUDE Entry to the forest is not only overgrown with vegetation, but seems to be growing at an increasingly alarming rate. Any attempts to clear the vines will be met with even larger ones growing in its place, and it only confirms Nurray's findings as true. The only way in is across the sound from Nadril, entering the forest from its snowy back yard. It doesn't stay cold for long; as one ventures further into the forest, the snow will disappear, as though it was completely out of place in the first place. The red sun's warmth will take its place soon after— and before long, you'll feel too warm for the clothes you came with. That's when you know you've entered the heart of Josa Forest. WITHIN THE FOREST  The forest seems to be thick with a profound presence that can’t be ascertained. While venturing through it, one will feel like there are being watched or followed. This feeling will only intensify as metallic-scented drops of rain begin to fall between the clearings in the trees. Unfortunately, what many don’t realize at this point is that this is how the forest itself eats. How it subsists and lives through the minds of those who eventually get lost in it. Wandering this far in is akin to walking into a lion’s jaw, or rather… straight to its stomach. But, the forest has a way of making one stay. While it swallows someone up, it shows them sinfully beautiful and picturesque sights. Even showing them people or things that are familiar to the lost. All of which will urge them to go in deeper and deeper. But, while the forest begins to prey on the mind of their victim— they will suddenly hear an elegant and alluring voice urging them back. This voice promises them comfort and safety. Promises to be kind and open. Promises she has a place for them where they will never feel displaced or unwanted, or lost. Before they can fully accept, they will find that they are whisked away in Barthala’s embrace. Some will be taken, wiped of all their previous memories and inserted new ones. Others will find they have no prior memories at all of themselves, only urged to go on with regular life. What is prevalent is the forest's desire to turn you. Metamorphosis is a phenomenon that occurs only to certain individuals, and there is no rhyme or reason to them. Some adventurers would find themselves changing by the minute, the hour, or the process may even take days and weeks. The forest toys with you, but it only wants to draw you closer to its core — as though there's a story there it wants you to see and understand. Will you go on anyway, knowing the forest has already has its claws on you? I. ALL ROADS LEAD TO — YOUR NEW (NEW) LIFE  Adapting to an entirely new setting isn’t always so simple. People often say that assimilating oneself to the environment happens fluidly, and before you know it, you’re a part of it. In Dranbu, these words hold an uncanny sense of truth. When you awake, your day begins like it always has. Your daily routine meets largely unchanged, except a few tinier details. Perhaps, you’ve realized your true calling is an occupation within the villages itself. Maybe in farming up strange medical herbs, maybe in acting as a witch doctor for the people, or maybe you find yourself drawn to the arts and you really enjoy sculpting fellow villagers in the nude. Once you commit these tasks, you realize, it feels like what you’ve always done. As if it were natural, as if you’ve done them for years, and maybe you have? At least that’s what your gut is telling you, and slowly your memories will too. At the end of the day, when you return home, you realize you’re not alone. You have a partner who shares the same values and whom you love deeply. Or maybe a spouse whom you’re always arguing with. But, even that will feel as commonplace as the rest of your day. All you know is that the day that might have started off not being yours is entirely yours and yours alone. IV. THE HUNT — THE BOUNDARIES BEYOND  For some, placated is synonymous with bored. While there is a sense of wonder in the beauties of nature that adorn the woods, serene forest life isn't for everyone. Those seeking more adventure can explore the challenging slopes of Waco Mountain. Barthala's influence is weaker on those bluffs than in Josa Forest itself, so thrill chasers won't be disappointed. Lose the path, slip on loose rocks, fall into a stream and spend a night wet and cold, there are many perils that come with traveling a mountain-side. Scattered ruins offer some shelter, their walls carved with images resembling Barthala, a dragon, and three other stranger creatures. While the deity's pacification does not flow as deeply through this region, all are still save from mortal wounds, and the veil cast over their memories will not lessen. If you have made it this far, however, there is no reason to try to return to the main city of Dranbu. Accommodations are always available in the neighboring villages: Phares in the north, and Stroln in the south. These villages are in friendly competition with one another, and will tempt travelers with women and men of their kind in order to draw in business to their hotels. FINAL OOC NOTES
No REP is available for this log. REP will now be primarily available through achieving NPC quests, which will be available on the 19th! Please keep an eye out for that!
Dranbu is entirely available for exploration! You may find that most of Wyver and Olympia Flora/Fauna may be found in the forest as well. For more information on your characters' (opt-in) Metamorphosis, please refer to the November Outline!
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no subject
..Ah. It's not a monster.]
...I was thinking about it. It's very small to be out here all alone.
no subject
[He's just thinking on that and looking...not exactly at Caleb, more like past him, as if his attention has slipped to somewhere else entirely, when he seems to remember something and wave a hand.] Oh, did I interrupt something? You looked like you were drawing in the air when I came out.
[He's not even focusing on Caleb entirely as he says that, though, now crouching down near the kitten since it seems to have stopped here for the moment. He looks very much like he just wants to pick it up and lavish affection on it, but he also doesn't want to scare it off.]
no subject
[That’s, apparently, in response to Ren wondering what the kitten could be doing so far out in the woods. It’s too small to be alone but also the forest is oddly gentle, he’s found.
Which is...exactly why he was prepared to unleash a spell on Ren. Of course. Now that the young man is drawing closer to the kitten, Caleb keeps his distance. Still, there’s a look on his face that is a little envious. He won’t compete for the kitten’s affection. But he wants to, a bit.]
Ah...sort of. My apologies, I thought you might be more dangerous than you turned out to be.
[Caleb, that’s barely an explanation....]
no subject
There is one thing about Caleb's reaction that's hard not to notice, though, and Ren waves a hand as he wiggles his fingers with the other one to get the kitten to come a bit closer. It seems friendly and unhesitant to approach him, so it's probably used to bigger things hanging around it.]
Oh, I guess that makes sense with what's been going on in here... [Now that the kitten's gotten closer, he scoops it up into his arms with a careful motion that says he's very used to handling cats. Though after rubbing it behind the ears himself, he...holds it out a little towards Caleb with a tilt of the head.]
You look like you want to pat it too.
no subject
When Ren offers it out towards him a bit, Caleb looks like he's...considering it. He deeply misses Frumpkin at this point but has mostly given up hope that he'll ever be trusted enough to summon him again. (Not enough hope to not keep...trying. But mostly.)
He hasn't sought out a replacement on his own primarily because it wouldn't particularly be the same. And he's not as alone as he used to be. But staring in the face of a cat who looks similar to his familiar....]
....Yes. Thank you.
[A little bit of stilted courtesy. He steps closer and reaches out to gently stroke the kitten's head and back. It's pity that it looks far too small to scarf.]
Ah, my name is Caleb Widogast.
[Because it just seems polite to make the introduction...in this circumstance...]
no subject
His smile widens a little at the thanks, but as soon as Caleb introduces himself, the expression turns into a blink of surprise momentarily before switching back into something much more delighted.]
Oh, you're Molly's friend, right? [Or, at least, he's going to assume this was the Caleb he was told about. He seems like someone who'd believably be from Molly's world.] I'm Suzugamori Ren, but just Ren is fine. I guess it's kind of lucky that I ran into you here, isn't it?
[He's met Nott already, but from the few times he's heard Molly mention Caleb, he'd seemed a lot less likely to meet at the kinds of large gatherings Molly frequents.]
no subject
It's almost enough to be distracted from what Ren is saying. If he hadn't brought up Mollymauk. It's not surprising to run into someone who knows the tiefling. Caleb assumes that almost everyone knows Molly. Molly is a natural at getting into peoples' business and inserting himself into their lives.
...He is, maybe, surprised to find that someone knows his name because of Molly. But then, Molly does talk.]
We are-- [He's about to downplay what they are. Acquaintances, is what he's going to say, but then thinks that that might get back to Molly. Alright. Friends it is.] yes. Friends.
I...suppose it is luck, yes.
no subject
Ren gives a bit of a nod at the matter of luck, still holding the kitten (and maybe gently running a finger up and down its flank as he holds it as well.] Well, it looked like you were alone, and I don't think he'd be too happy about one of his roommates going missing...did you come here to investigate like everyone else? I think groups are supposed to be safer, but I figured I'd run into someone before long...
[Honestly, he's been running into people pretty much the whole way through, which has been extremely convenient for him.]
no subject
[It probably says something about Caleb that he abandoned that person when he apparently wasn't able to convince them to keep going. If they were going to be stupid, they were going to be stupid. And since that person was not Molly or Nott, Caleb hadn't felt like waiting around to guard their back.
He has his defenses.]
But yes, I've been...curious. It's a strange forest.
[All the while, this kitten is definitely getting ear scratches and even chin-scratches. What a precious thing.]
no subject
He can, at least, tag onto Caleb's mention of the subject, even though he's a little distracted at how cute this whole business with the kitten is.]
It is a bit, isn't it? All these people are supposed to have gone missing, but then we come in here and there's nothing dangerous at all...maybe it's like some horror story where it's trying to lure us into a false sense of security...
[At least he has the decency to recognise Caleb probably wouldn't get a "horror movie" reference.] Though I haven't seen any weird forest monsters yet. Have you?
[Posed as an entirely legitimate and reasonable concern to have.]
no subject
[Caleb pauses, thoughtful but faintly concerned.]
They seem to vanish quickly. Who knows what they are. Or how they operate.
[The cute kitten is definitely not quite enough to distract him from this train of thought. Even though he hasn't stopped his petting. He can multi-task.]
Like you said. A false sense of security. Perhaps they are just waiting for something...
no subject
[Having so many people investigating at once does have its disadvantages. He taps an uncurled finger on one side of his face as if trying to place what they might be waiting for.]
Obviously it's not like a horror story, then, or they would've grabbed you while you were alone. Unless it's a different kind of horror story...
[Psychological, for example, where you keep seeing weird creepy things and getting more paranoid without anyone having to intervene directly.]
no subject
[Caleb sounds...unconvinced by this answer, honestly.]
Assuming that it is like a story. [He's not absolutely sure why it should be, though. Or, honestly, what kind of story Ren is referring to.]
I...do not have any idea what their motives might be. But they are the only thing in the forest that seems overtly dangerous. The rest is just...suspicious.
[At least, Caleb thinks it's all suspicious. He's not sure how anyone would think otherwise, honestly.]
no subject
He does hum a little in agreement at Caleb's assessment, though.] I guess it's a little hard to tell if they are dangerous until you actually meet them, but it is pretty weird, isn't it? Especially when everything else in here feels kind of like it's meant to be safe...
[So having something breaking up that sense of security it's trying to introduce is weird of itself.]
no subject
[Caleb peers off into the distance as if maybe he could summon one of those strange figures if he tried hard enough. Not that he particularly wants them nearby. But then Ren could at least see for himself.
...There's nothing. He sighs and turns back.]
I think that little one should be taken into the village. Something has obviously happened to its mother, and who knows how long it's been out here alone.
[Who cares about the mystery, really, when there's a kitten in need.]
no subject
[He came to investigate, but he also wants to make his way through to the other side and Dranbu so he has somewhere else to orient himself before he comes back in to investigate again. But he doesn't know Caleb's plans or how good he might be at navigating, so it's probably better to check.]
no subject
[Ren doesn't look like much, at least in the department of fighting, but then...well, looks can be deceiving. Caleb himself knows that he intentionally does not look like much. And he can hold his own...mostly. When he doesn't go down like a wet towel.
In any event, the way that Ren brightens up when he talks about the kitten certainly recommends him to Caleb. Anyone who likes cats at least earns a little bit of his trust.]
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[He says all that with the air of someone who considers the fact that he's going to get lost at some point a given, which may not be the most reassuring thing ever in this situation. But he seems happy enough with the suggestion, and turns his head to look around the area a bit before pointing further down the path.]
You were heading this way, right? [Or at least, he seemed to be coming from the opposite direction when Ren encountered him, so he's going to assume that's where he was heading.]
no subject
...But it's okay. Caleb is a human compass. Sort of. Forests can be a little bit tricky. Buuuut he knows the general direction of Dranbu and he knows where north is always so he's useful.
In any event, he doesn't look like Ren's lackadaisical nature bothers him too much.]
That's right. I'm not sure how much further it is, but I do know that the town should be that way.
no subject
Let's find this cutie a safe place, then~ [He leans down a bit to rub a finger behind the kitten's ears. There was no way he was going to be able to keep his hands off it for the entire time.]