Tabula Rasa Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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tabularasa_rp2021-01-15 08:51 pm
tabularasa_mods) wrote in tabularasa_rp2021-01-15 08:51 pm
Entry tags:
- *game event,
- *ley line,
- *mingle,
- *open,
- 2064 rom: turing,
- ffvii remake: tifa lockhart,
- ffviii: rinoa heartilly,
- genshin impact: venti,
- haikyuu!!: shouyou hinata,
- kid icarus uprising: viridi,
- persona 5: goro akechi,
- persona 5: haru okumura,
- persona 5: kasumi yoshizawa,
- persona 5: ren amamiya,
- pokémon: raihan,
- touhou project: parsee mizuhashi,
- watch_dogs: damien brenks,
- xxxholic: kimihiro watanuki
006 - Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives
Connecting Lines, Connecting Lives
New Imprints ▲ CommentsIt 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:
- 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?
- 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.
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…
no subject
[which makes sense, because Viridi rarely listens to anybody who isn't herself. she will tentatively follow, scooping up the winged chestnut and waving the other animals to 'come on'.]
This is a pretty pickle.
[The walls are... bleeding. Everywhere.]
You can't patch this all up yourself. ...I don't even know if sticking bandages on a flesh wall will do anything. You're sure you heard a voice? I wonder if this place is trying to develop a spirit of the land. In which case, you'd want to give it spiritual nourishment.
[Behind them, the animals are agitated again.]
no subject
(They were pretty sure they couldn't kill the History God either, but they did.
Just like Shepard-Commander proved the Geth wrong when she defeated Nazara. She betrayed them in the end, but the power of hope still shines in her example.
They thread the needle, and begin to work on stitching one of the larger wounds together. It's clear that while they know how this is supposed to work, they've never actually done it before.)
Request elaboration: how is spiritual nourishment provided?
(They will do both.)
no subject
[Speaking of animals.]
Try to calm down, children. It... uh. Legion is doing... the best Legion can.
[A brushboy pulls at her skirts towards the exit of the tunnels. ...When that fails, it gives an annoyed squeak, pauses, then pulls Viridi's palm towards its tail. There is silence for a few moments.]
...Hey.
[Viridi holds up a picture of a spiky bear drawn on her hand.]
I think they want us to do something.
no subject
(They think a bit as they continue their work. Positive thoughts? Offerings?
They place their hand on one of the undamaged patches of wall.)
We are grateful for your acceptance of us.
(The words obviously aren't meant for Viridi.
For now they offer the world their gratitude.
...Viridi is speaking to them. They turn to her, and examine the drawing on her hand.)
...Acknowledged.
no subject
...Waaaaas kinda hoping for more input, but OK! You don't have much to say when you're not being passive-aggressive slash aggressive-aggressive, huh?
[Not that she minds.]
Lucky for everyone, I know what this is. I'm going to the church.
[aka the site of her last run-in with these bears]
no subject
(They chatter.)
Do you anticipate a need for our assistance?
(They'll come and help if she wants.)
no subject
Nope. Got it all under control. Animal handling is my passion.
[Which frankly, is true, and frankly, she's quite good at it. ...It's just that she can't really carry that many bears all at once, but she'll live.]
Well, I'm gonna go talk to some bears about a horse. You stay put.
no subject
...Acknowledged.
(They go back to work. It seems better to split up and try multiple approaches anyway.)
1/2
[With her entourage, the small goddess departs without further fanfare.]
no subject
returns an hour and a half later with a few things:
a. several needle bears in her arms
b. lots of needles stuck in her face and body
and c. no other animals besides the weird flying chestnut thing.]
I fed you already. Twice! You can't say you're hungry again! ...Well, of course we walked a long way, but I was the one walking! You're just making excuses. You know, this is a poor showing from a cadet in the Forces of Nature. I'm not giving you your promotion if you don't shape up.
no subject
They turn to look at her, headflaps lifting slightly.)
You are damaged.
(Again, they don't actually hate her: such damage is non optimal. Will she require assistance?
The animals ... are hungry?)
Suggestion: After the current task is finished, we will acquire cake.
(Perhaps incentives will enable them to accomplish the task more efficiently.)
no subject
[the cake is not for you viridi]
And please, this is nothing.
[She plucks one or two of the needles out and flicks them away right into the -- ]
Oops, uh, let's not do that. [she will remove the needles from the wall.] Well children? You have a task to complete, don't you? Go ahead.
[She shoos the cacteddies out of her hands and gestures at the rips in the wall.]
no subject
If they are not removed, there is a risk they will cause further damage.
(Say she falls and drives the needles in further, or one gets caught on something...
For now, they ignore the walls and the rips, allowing the Cacteddies to work.)
no subject
It's nice that you care, though.
[Viridi carefully begins to de-needle herself as the lazy Cacteddies murmur amongst themselves for a few moments before sliding up to the wall and beginning to get to work. Their needlework is swift and effective - the rips in the walls are closed much more quickly than if any human were trying to make the effort.
...Not that there are any humans here right now.]
Hm! Not too shabby, if I do say so myself. Good work, children. There's too many to cover today, but let's do what we can for now.
no subject
(Their headflaps ripple a moment, before they turn away to watch the cacteddies work. They can respect that, because she's right: nature can be way worse than just getting stuck with needles.)
Acknowledged. We will acquire cake.
(And they're gonna leave and go do that, unless she stops them.)
no subject
She'll give them a break after they've done enough of the tunnels that they seem genuinely worn out. They have maybe covered about 2000 feet of tunnel.]
...Well. This is going to be slow-going, but...
I mean, something did this, right? They need to slow down and take breaks, too. We'll come back tomorrow.
no subject
Affirmative. Cake?
no subject
Ow!
I see where your loyalties lie, you traitors.
Uh. Thanks.
[Viridi will... awkwardly wait for the creatures to finish eating cake before she tries for a piece.]
no subject
She did indicate she wanted cake as well, after all.)
You are welcome.
(Are they warming up to her? It's actually difficult for the Geth not to like people that they're cooperating with, so in that sense, maybe.
The thought that she might look at their people and see abominations who deserved to be destroyed still "makes their blood boil". As does the idea that she might be rude and insulting to others.)
no subject
[Viridi takes a few bites of flower cake.]
Acceptable! Good work today, all.
[It's less awkward to compliment the robot if she compliments everyone in general.]
Well, that wasn't so bad. As usual, nature has the answer to all of life's ills. With enough time, these children should be able to patch up what's wrong.
As long as whatever did this doesn't come back.
no subject
Acknowledged. (Nature is also the cause of many ills, but they won't point that out.)
Data: native lifeforms are distressed by what has been done to this world. Hypothesis: This damage is the result of a fellow captive.
no subject
...ok well Viridi will probably acknowledge that there are some pretty bizarre things happening out in the natural world]
...You think so?
[She stops to blink.]
I just thought it had accidentally incorporated some sort of damage from another world. You think this was deliberate sabotage?
Ooh, the plot thickens.
no subject
It seems likely.
(Incorporated damage seems less likely, as the native life has previously adapted to such changes seamlessly, as though things had always been that way.)
no subject
Well, far be it for me to suggest any affection for this place, but it seems like a bad plan to go around carving wounds into the flesh tunnels.
I'll ask some of the children to keep an eye out.
[The 'children' are now half-comatose as they have consumed all the cake and are ready for naps. Viridi sighs and scoops them up.]
I think we're good for today, though. I'm heading back to town.
no subject
(She has assisted them. They are grateful.
That said, they're also rather glad to be able to part ways.)