006 - Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives

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Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives New Imprints ▲ Comments The Ground Shakes
It begins unremarkably enough, with the light tremors of the ground so small they might easily go unnoticed, or else dismissed as the movement of some creature nearby. As time goes on, however, those little tremors begin to grow in both strength and duration, the length of time shortening between each one. To begin with only small, light, unsecured objects are rattled loose by the rumbling of the ground, but as the tremors grow in strength there is a growing danger of much larger things being moved.

The realm’s clear lack of understanding of how things work cannot be relied upon in such a situation. If the tremors have grown strong enough to throw all the books of Hammerhead to the ground and throw over all the clothes rails and capsule machines and furniture in the Academy, then what if they grow strong enough to move the heavy blanket of snow atop Mount Silver? What if they grow strong enough to damage the caverns within?

Then there is the question of how, or why, the realm has made the land shake. It must surely have picked up the idea of an earthquake from someone, right? An answer to the question is not immediately forthcoming, but should one stay low to the ground and listen, they might well hear the muffled, distorted sound of screaming.

Creature Chaos
As the rumbling and shaking continues, it is clear to see that the local wildlife has been disturbed, and they seem remarkably active. Critters can be seen running and flying to and fro, and any who go out to investigate may find themselves the center of attention. Brushboys may paint arrows on the ground in an effort to lead them somewhere, or bluurgobos might actively offer rides, or the flying cat-like creatures will excitedly circle someone before attempting to lead them somewhere. Going along with them will lead to one of two places:

1. The meaty, pulsating, cavernous tunnels of Mementos shudder and convulse in a way quite unlike before, and closer inspection will quickly reveal why. The flesh has been cut and torn, hacked apart, leaving gaping and bleeding wounds to spill over the subway tracks. Whichever critter has brought someone here excitedly gestures towards the wounds, and as it does a giant and painful shudder goes through the tunnels and shakes the earth. All those earthquakes… could this be the source?


2. The road to the Hammerlocke Citadel Ruins are as long as winding as ever, and precarious with the risk of an earthquake dislodging snow and rock from the mountainside. The animal that has taken the lead is on a mission, however, as unclear as that mission might be. On arriving, it turns its attention to a group of the spiky, bear-headed beasts that are lazing about as though the land is not currently shaking and quaking around them, and tries to draw their attention. Clearly, these bear heads are expected to do something, and they aren’t doing it.

First Words
Though the tremors have finally stopped, they have left a significant change to the World in their wake. Where the ground above was once flat and untouched, there now lay cracks and fissures that glow with a strange, but enchantingly warm light. There doesn’t seem to be a single area that has been left untouched by them - though the number of cracks are denser in some places than others, it’s difficult to find a place completely devoid of them. Could this be the world’s attempt at trying to heal itself?

If all of that wasn’t enough to warrant investigation, the sound of whispers that appear to be coming from they might do the trick. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that the whispers aren’t coming from the lights, but from inside your own head. Focus a little more, and some of the voices may sound familiar…

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Venti | Genshin Impact

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

[A - Leyline]

[Venti doesn't know what's going on yet, but the ground is screaming and that's generally a bad sign. Once the tremors start to calm down a little he approaches one of the glowing cracks, kneeling down to dip his hand in the edge of the mist.]

You're in pain, aren't you? I'm sorry, but even if I was at my full strength, fixing something like this is way beyond my abilities. Wind is better at pushing things around than stitching them back together, you know? Even Lord Barbatos has his limits.

[give him a second to figure out this is actually just a shitpost zone now and not(? maybe??) actually talking to the world itself.]

[B - Herding Bears: The Musical]

[Some time later, Venti can be found hiking up the side of Mount Silver, a small entourage of brushboys and other animals in tow. As much as he tries to insist he can't do anything about this... well, he can at least try one thing, and it seems he won't be left alone until he does. Eventually, the local wildlife's persistence wins out.

So, here he is, standing at the entrance to Hammerlocke to do what he does best: try to make other people do the work for him. He plucks at the strings of his lyre, the beginnings of an uplifting melody drawing in the empty eyes of the nearby cacteddies.]

Come now, friends, this is no time for rest!
The world cries in pain, and your aid we request!

[He doesn't stop there, of course, and proceeds deeper into the snowy ruins as he continues serenading the bear-creatures. Venti would be pleased to say he has their attention, but... whether his ad-libbed inspirational song is enough to actually make them go down and fix the tunnels...]

[C - Intermission]

[Alas, he has found relatability in the most unfortunate of places. Try as he might to motivate the cacteddies into doing something productive, they have proven themselves far too lazy for his efforts.

"If you can't beat them, join them," right? Regardless, Venti is tired and hoarse from all the singing, so it's totally fine if he takes a break under one of the more intact ruins. He lazily strums a few chords on his lyre next to a pile of snoozing bears.]

Ahh, what I wouldn't give for a drink right about now...

Leyline

[bridge_princess]

Wait, what? No, I'm fine. Right as rain.

...

Who is this?!?

[Congratulations inadvertent shitpost! Have confused 'is this on?']

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

Whoa, you sound... different? [compared to whatever screaming flesh tunnels sound like, anyway] Are you sure you're okay? I don't think the ground is supposed to glow like that.

You can just call me Venti... wait, who's this? Hello?

[bridge_princess]

Oh gods. I'm think-talking to someone telepathically aren't I? Great. Now that's a thing. This is just fantastic.

I'm not the world, the Void, Proteus, or whatever. Yeah, the ground probably isn't supposed to glow like this at all and it's got me nervous about the tremors that something's breaking.

I'm Parsee. I don't think we've met yet, Venti. I help run the shrine complex by the bridge.

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

I don't think we have, either. To be honest, I wasn't aware anyone was running the shrines here at all.

But I think I understand the current situation now. Whatever is in these cracks must be acting as a medium of sorts, though I can't say I understand the cause of all this... Did you also hear that screaming? [The world might be trying to communicate with them after all. That, or someone out there is having a really bad day.]

[bridge_princess]

There was another person, but Melinoe's gone and disappeared. It's Viridi and I. Trust me. You couldn't miss her if you tried.

Screaming? I might have missed the screaming. I was busy with the earthquakes. I'm not sure this world always knows what it's doing, but I'm a bit worried it might have hurt itself.

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

Ah yes, Viridi! An apt description indeed! I did promise to visit, so I guess I'll be introducing myself in person next time.

I thought I heard screaming, but perhaps I was mistaken... in any case, the world does seem to be in pretty rough shape right now. I take it something like this hasn't happened before?

[bridge_princess]

I see. Well, in that case we may meet in person soon enough.

No, this is absolutely new. I know that the dreamworld had fleshy tunnels so maybe that's part of what's going on? It's very 'ewww,' so I don't recommend going.

A

[memorate]

I'm not looking to get fixed.

[ Actually, he could use a lot of fixing, but to do so he'd have to admit that he's in any kind of pain to begin with. No way...! ]

Who the hell's Lord Barbatos?

[ He hasn't heard of anyone by that name, despite the seemingly important title. ]

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

Uh, who do you think it is? I kinda figured you'd know already, since...

[and now that he's starting to notice the other voices on the line, suddenly he's a lot less sure of his initial guess. hmm. bad.]

... or maybe not! I think there may have been a slight misunderstanding. Who is it I'm speaking to right now?

[memorate]

[ Why does this stranger sound so much like Kyrie... ]

Lord Barbatos sounds like someone who could know a lot about this world. Could also be a nobody with a fancy title.

Name's Cloud.

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

Ahaha... unfortunately, I think it'd be closer to the latter than the former. Sorry to disappoint!

You can just call me Venti! But hmm, if you're not the voice of some mysterious glowing earth spirit, you must be... another outlander?

[memorate]

No, I'm a mercenary.

[ That's still an outlander. ]

Why did you think I was an earth spirit? Does the land usually communicate with you?

[ It actually wouldn't be that strange, knowing what he knows. ]

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

Sooo, like an adventurer? [yeah let's just keep assigning new titles to Cloud, close enough]

Well, what did you think when you came across a glowing crack in the ground trying to initiate conversation? Though I can't say I've encountered such a spirit before, it seemed the more likely explanation.

C

[crystaltower]

Quite how it is possible to relax so when the land shakes beneath you, I fear I don’t quite understand.

[The calm and steady voice comes from a robed and hooded figure, accompanied by a brushboy.]

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

I've slept through worse, so something like this is no problem. Someone else will deal with it...

[... he looks like he might already be half-asleep, though he's apparently awake enough to hold a conversation. Eventually, he does crack open one eye to get a look at the stranger.]

Care to join me? Or is there something else you're here for?

[crystaltower]

[Ah. A layabout. Understood. The Exarch is unimpressed.]

Were we all to sleep through disaster on the basis that “someone else” will resolve things, mankind would accomplish nothing. Your assistance might be critical. Will you not at least try to motivate yourself?

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

[By Celestia, this man knows how to cut it deep. That at least gets Venti to sit up properly, an annoyed expression on his face. Try and tell him, the God of Freedom, that mankind can't solve its own problems?

... but it's not like this stranger knows any of that, and besides, he's not an archon here. Right now, Venti is just a lazy bard. He sighs irritably, holding his tongue.]

Well, I wouldn't be here if I hadn't already tried something.

Alas, I am but humble bard with few other talents to speak of! They say that the most savage of beasts can be tamed by song, but as for these creatures, their will is simply too strong. What else am I to do about it?

[crystaltower]

Perhaps simply not give up so easily. Worlds may well end from inaction, especially one so unstable and precarious as this. With such a small population, ‘twould take but one person’s inaction to tip the scale.

[The Exarch really has little patience for people not pulling their weight. Such is the contrast between the Crystarium and the city of Eulmore - one a self-sufficient city of hard workers wishing for survival, and the other a city of idle layabouts happy to sit back and indulge while waiting for the world to finish ending.]

Humble bard or no, you yet have hands, legs and feet. Even failing that, your song might inspire others to action. It need not be these... sabotenders.

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

You speak of inaction, yet I don't recall you attending my performance. You must be quite gifted in both meddling and clairvoyance.

Am I not allowed to at least take a break? I'm not exactly built for hiking up and down mountains all day. I didn't even think to pack any supplies! Ah, what am I to do, stranded on this desolate peak with naught even a drop of ale to soothe my parched throat, nor a flame to warm my frigid hands? Is this truly the end of Venti the Bard?

If only some benevolent soul would lend me their aid, such a foul end could perhaps be delayed...

[he slouches back against the ruins dramatically. look at how tired and cold he is... how could you be so cruel, telling him to get up and go back to work like he hasn't been trying his best??

just, you know, ignore how he had the strength to ramble at length. that's clearly an unimportant detail.]

a

[abeautifulgame]

How could you tell?

[he doesn't realize Venti thinks he's talking to the world. he does realize that he, himself, isn't finally and entirely fucking losing his mind, the events of the last few days catching up to him, pushing him back to and past that tipping point he was at, back in Chicago. might as well go along with the sudden voices in his head, then, because -- well, fuck it. just fuck it]

[at least his psychosis seems nice]

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

[Well, he's finally had a minute to piece together what's going on here, so he's no longer convinced this voice is the spirit of the world communing with him... but with an answer like that, he's hesitant to cut straight to the point. This is, perhaps, a situation where it's appropriate to meander for a little while.

He can be a nice bout of psychosis.]

You sound weary, my friend. What is it that's troubling you? Though my powers may be lacking, even I can at least lend an ear.

[abeautifulgame]

[the answer, answers plural, come rapid fire, one overlaid over another over another. it's a testament to how fast his mind works. it's a testament to how not okay he really is]

Gone --

-- left me --

-- the Merlaut is mine.

[there's a pause and then more rationally:] Who is this? [the Void itself or whoever's behind this wouldn't be lacking in power, right? a nervous breakdown wouldn't be lacking in power?]

[wouldntglidingbefaster]

I'm afraid I couldn't quite catch all of that! But it sounds like you lost something important to you. Is that right?

[but he did catch the important part—Merlaut. He knows there's a building by that name, though he hasn't explored it much himself. It's not too far of a trek from his corner of the woods...]

They say that if you whisper your prayers into a dandelion, the seeds will carry your words all the way to the God of Wind. He is not known for his interventions, but he's a good listener, and he gives his blessings to all those who desire a life of freedom. If you're ever feeling lost or alone, perhaps it might help to ease your mind?

Ah, but it would be quite difficult since there are no dandelions here... it's a little known fact, but you can also leave an offering by your door if you want the wind to visit. A bit of wine or cider will usually do the trick!

[abeautifulgame]

Several times over.

[everyone's moving out of the Merlaut, which he considers his just by virtue of being from his world, and therefore akin to leaving him. he lost his love interest, recently, too -- she went home, he imagines, for all that her presence just disappeared. and so on. it's been a month, and this really isn't helping, for all that he thought he'd finally snapped there, for a second]

[but at any rate, he's silent for a moment, before:] So -- what? You want some kind of marker as to where I am? [a pause] Come by Heavenly Blanc. [it's closer to where he is than the Merlaut. there's also wine there, which he's not sure he has in his room]