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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Comments

[theforgottenboy]

What do you mean?

[kimihiros]

If I'm different from the others, something is not human, wouldn't you agree?

[theforgottenboy]

I don't know. I'm different from other spirits, too. And I'm different in other ways, here. Sometimes I feel like less, but I'm still me.

Maybe you're different here, but you're still you. A kind person.

[kimihiros]

What do you mean, you are different from the other spirits? You're not like Mugetsu or Mizuhashi, but aren't there others like you?

... I don't know, Cole.

[theforgottenboy]

No. I was a spirit of compassion, but I changed when I made myself forget. I became what I couldn't be, and now I'm me. It doesn't matter what I am, so long as I help.

What don't you know?

[kimihiros]

Why did you do that?

I don't know what's going on. I heard that there would be a time I would be powerful enough to eventually become one of you. If I can help the ones I love even a little, it's fine, but I can't even do anything here.

[theforgottenboy]

I didn't know that I did.

Like Parsee did? Humans don't become spirits where I'm from.

[kimihiros]

... Her story is different, but yes. It's what I was told.

[theforgottenboy]

You don't want that to happen?

[kimihiros]

No. Would you?

[theforgottenboy]

I'm not a person.

[He's already a spirit???]

[kimihiros]

I'm not a spirit. I'm still human.

(are you though???? ARE YOU?)

Threadjack!

[bridge_princess]

Cole.

He absolutely should not want to ever become anything like what I became. Oh god, why would anyone actually want that? I only did it because it was a means to an end.

[kimihiros]

She's right, you know.

[bridge_princess]

I think Cole has trouble understanding the difference between spirits in his world and ours. I admit, I have trouble with his a bit too.

Not that I regret my decision. It's been way too long for regrets there.

[theforgottenboy]

[Oh hey, Parsee is here.]

He said it's different. And you're a kind spirit, now.

slides in

[pragmatism]

What does being 'human' mean to you?

[ A familiar voice; calm and soothing, interwoven with faint threads of gold. Earth is the element of stability and reassurance, a role that Zhongli has played all too often. ]

[kimihiros]

... Zhongli?

[pragmatism]

Yes, it is I.

What troubles you, my friend?

[kimihiros]

Zhongli, have you noticed any changes? Have you been eating and sleeping normally?

(considering their last encounter, he knows they share some things. perhaps this, too.)

[pragmatism]

I have. It is not too different from what you had been discussing.

[ He just outed himself as an eavesdropper. Whoops. ]

[kimihiros]

... Any clues as to why?

[pragmatism]

This world is a blank state that constantly changes as it learns from its inhabitants. Natural phenomena that were formerly absent have started to appear, such as snow and lithic activity. I would hypothesise that the Void's understanding of what we [ yes, we ] are have also changed as a result.

It is not very good at precision nor accuracy. [ By way of explanation, Kimihiro gets a brief mental image. Zhongli still looks like himself, but there are golden horns that sweep back from the side of his head. ]

[kimihiros]

What exactly are we?

[pragmatism]

[ If Kimihiro sounds angry, Zhongli doesn't seem to notice. ]

Quite a good question. What are we? A kaleidoscope of individuals from many worlds. It would be difficult to give an appropriate word that would be fitting for all of us here.