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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p5 royal spoilers

[kimihiros]

(he didn't look up to see who approached him, but the dulcet, kind voice and respectful manner tipped him off. sumire touches him and that is enough to cut him off the anxiety trance, taking a larger breath than the ones he had been taking and trying to compose himself.)

... Sumire-chan.

[feale]

[ When he looks up at her, breathes out her name, it's a small smile that Sumire offers him in return, something she hopes offers comfort, and her fingers curl to find purchase on his sleeve, her head dipping in a brief nod. ]

Yes, it's me. I'm not going to go anywhere.

[ It's a promise made in that surer voice of hers that slips through from time to time, the young woman determined to remain strong when it's something he clearly needs from her right now. ]

[kimihiros]

(kimihiro has always been an anxious person. easily irritable, and in his younger years, afraid of his own shadow. he's changed to adopt a much better stance, a calmer posture, but the anxiety sometimes still gets the best of him. a cold hand touches hers, as to reassure.)

I'm ok, Sumire-chan.

[feale]

[ When his hand touches hers in response, a sigh of relief finds her lips. The anxiety is still written on him enough for her to see, but he's calmed himself down so much already. She doesn't pull her hand away just yet, just in case he needs the grounding, but the concern melts off her face a little, and she smiles tentatively. ]

What happened?

[ It's risky, asking him to revisit it, isn't it? But she can't help if she doesn't know what happened, either. ]

[kimihiros]

(sumire-chan sure is adorable, isn't she? if it's tough for him, it surely would be tough for her, too. a lesson that he keeps revisiting over and over ever since he has started to realize that people in this realm don't want him to disappear either.)

It's... I'm just confused.

[feale]

[ Confused? To her mind, he looked a lot more troubled than confused... but she doesn't say as much, even as the question shows clear as day on her face. Her head tilts. ]

What do you mean, confused?

[ She's not sure how much help she'll be able to be, but if she can help him, she will. ]

[kimihiros]

You heard it, didn't you?

(considering the whole debate was over the leyline. kimihiro wipes a tear, like it had never rolled from his cheek in the first place and retreats his hand. he'll be fine.)

[feale]

[ At first, she shakes her head. But then, she stops, thinking back over the jumble of conversations she heard in her mind, the myriad of voices and topics that were almost too much for her to bear, and...

Yes. He was there, too. He said... Her eyes close, her thoughts tracing back over the conversation, trying to find his exact dilemma.

(A lot of dilemmas have come up in the very short time since these lines have appeared.) ]

It's... it's about the eating and resting, isn't it? You're afraid about whether you're human or not?