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

[kimihiros]

Were you ever truly human, Cole? Before you became... A spirit of compassion, was it?

[theforgottenboy]

No. I was a spirit, then I became Cole.

[kimihiros]

Can you tell me about that? I'll answer a question of your choice, if you'd like.

[theforgottenboy]

When I was a spirit, or after? Do you want to know about spirits, or Cole?

[kimihiros]

Spirits. How are they where you are from?

[theforgottenboy]

[Hm, how to describe spirits to someone from a different world...]

I don't remember much of when I lived in the Fade, but that's where spirits are. Except for the ones that come through the Veil, or are forced to. This world can be like the Fade sometimes, but spirits shape the Fade. I don't know what shapes this place.

[kimihiros]

What is the Veil?

(different names for the same thing, he wonders?)

[theforgottenboy]

It's between the Fade and what's real, cut off but connected. Spirits can feel more where the veil is thinner, or push through, like I did.

[kimihiros]

... What has Mizuhashi told you about our world, Cole?

[theforgottenboy]

Are you from the same world? She uses words like youkai and hashihime. She's Envy the way I'm Compassion. I know she was a human, and she had to die to become a spirit.

[She's told him more details of how that happened, but Watanuki didn't specifically ask about that.]

[kimihiros]

We are from a similar one, yes. We share many of the same concepts, although there's no way of knowing if it's the same.

[theforgottenboy]

No one here knows about the Fade. Some don't have magic at all. They have electricity instead, which acts like magic but isn't. I don't really understand it. I haven't heard of any worlds like mine.

[kimihiros]

If I'm totally honest with you, I haven't either.