002 - Growing Pains

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Growing Pains State of the World ▲ Locations ▼ Bestiary
OOC ▲ Comments A Light In The Darkness
Light seems to have been especially tricky for the world to comprehend, but it finally, finally seems to have figured things out. Light comes from more than just the sky, and now signs and lamps that were once dark have begun to glow brightly. From the Wall Market's dazzling exhibition of color to the dimmed street lamps of the City of Tears, the whole world has been made bright and lively once more without losing the comfort and tranquility that darkness brings. Even the broken screens of the Hammerlocke Stadium give off a pleasant glow, and the world doesn't seem to care that some lights need electricity to stay on - lights are simply lights, as far as the world seems concerned.

Unfortunately, these new lights are a little too simple. Without any need for a power source, there's no way to turn the lights off - if something is deemed a light source, it will always function as a light source. The only way to stop it is to destroy the object beyond recognition, but that might not be the most practical solution. Covering up the lights is the next best thing, but it's a task that's easier with some sources than others. At least no one needs to sleep yet.

Difficulties aside, now seems like the perfect time to start exploring all those new corners of the world that were previously too dark to navigate. Fire is an easy, safe and portable light source that anyone can use, and it even puts itself out after awhile. Just be careful not to get stuck in the dark by a stray breeze.

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Who's Hungry?
Animals need to eat. People need to eat. These are simple facts that people lost in the strange, changing landscape all seem to be well aware of, yet appear to not apply to this world. That is not to say that people can’t eat or drink, for many people do, but there is no actual need. Eating provides nothing but the knowledge that one has eaten, and anyone might go without food entirely. Lately, some might have found eating has become more satisfying and fulfilling an act, as though food is providing them with a vaguely-defined something they didn’t get before. It doesn’t seem to mean much in the grand scheme of things, but perhaps it allows them some sense of normality.

When hunger sets in, it’s sudden. Every person, whether or not they ever needed to eat in their homeland, is hit with a powerful, overwhelming sense of hunger, to the point it feels that if they do not eat they will soon starve. Those who have never eaten in all their time here might easily find themselves so hungry they can barely even move, and have little choice but to eat. Fortunately, food is plentiful. If it can be put in the mouth, chewed and swallowed, it is food, and thus will give a person temporary relief from their hunger. What goes in does not appear to come out, instead simply becoming part of that person and revitalizing them. How long it takes to feel hungry again seems entirely random, and each time there is no lead up - someone is either fine, or they are starving, without any in-between.

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Starving Mad Beasts
When people suddenly remember hunger, so too do the animals of the world. For some creatures this isn't an issue - the tall-necked beasts continue to graze on the treetops like they always have, and the smaller creatures seem content with snacking on whatever small scraps they can find. Not all creatures are so easily satisfied, however, and the more aggressive ones have turned to attacking other species for food.

The vicious water dragons are quick to clamp their mouths on anything within reach... but, lacking teeth, this doesn't amount to much. Still, they're as persistent as ever, and in a way their inability to viciously devour their prey only makes them more dangerous. These beasts are starving, and for all their skill in chasing down prey they can do little to actually eat their catch, which means they're constantly on the hunt and out to get anything that moves. Perhaps it might even be a good idea to help them out, if feeding the fish might make them a little less aggressive.

The machines are far better equipped for hunting, and all the more dangerous now that they're hungry enough to take a bite out of someone. Death is not a concept the world understands, so it's not like they're doing any permanent harm, but it's still a bit unnerving to see animals limping by with bite-sized chunks taken out of them. They haven't had a taste of people yet, but it doesn't seem like it'll be long before they try.

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Mushroom Hunting
Mushrooms are a new sight within the world, and a perfect snack to satisfy that sudden debilitating hunger! Harvesting them can be a bit of a problem, however. For one, they are massive, and the task of cutting one down and breaking it into edible chunks is made much easier with a group of people than one person working alone. Finding the mushrooms in their dark habitats may also be difficult... although, it is much easier to spot a mushroom the size of an entire person compared to something much smaller.

The real problem with mushroom hunting is where they can grow, which is nearly anywhere indoors. Though light now comes from other sources besides the sky, there are still buildings with dark corners that might suddenly acquire a giant mushroom or two (or three, or four) if left alone. And if those mushrooms are allowed to remain, they may just continue to grow, and grow, and grow...

So, if you don't want giant mushrooms bursting through your roof, it might be a good idea to keep an eye out for them before that happens.

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code bases by tricklet

Comments

iv. wildcard

[abeautifulgame]

[at some point, Kaiba is going to have to come 'home,' and when he does, he'll find Damien sitting outside, perched on one of the planters, head turned to one side, lost in thought]

[this place was a Godsend, at the start -- an escape from his ultimate fate, a chance to refresh, recharge, regain himself, because he went a little off the rails at the end there, didn't he? -- but now it's getting a little stale. the fact that he can't sleep to pass time is one thing. the fact that there's a few dozen fucking computers, inside, from the cheap laptops in every room to one of the nicer computers he lifted from the lobby, and he can't do anything with any of them is another. the 'power', such as it is, now, is a nice change, but god, what he wouldn't give for this place to figure out actual power, any day now. he's getting impatient. he also would sell -- well, someone here to Satan, for one corn chip, if this place could figure out how to put in an accessibility ramp or two. Chicago was a lot of things, but at least he could go do something, if and when he wanted to, instead of having to be fucking Aiden, with all his parkour, just to go shopping. and -- ]

[ -- and movement catches the corner of his eye, derailing his train of thought. he looks over, soured by that, then relaxes a little when he sees who it is. he and Seto got off to a rocky start, but they also found their common ground, and maybe, he has something for him, information-wise. that'd be an improvement on this miserable not-day]

Enjoying what passes for power, these days?

[small talk, get!]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[What a miserably unproductive 'day' it had been for the impatient young inventor. By the time he decided he needed a break from his self-assigned tasks he felt mentally exhausted if not physically so. As he approached the apartments there was no liveliness to his steps, it was as if he was being dragged the whole way rather than moving of his own volition. What little progress he had achieved had been negated when one of the new creatures had decided to eat it. An object made primarily of metal.. and it ate it. To top it off, he had his own struggles with sating his hunger, and it was humiliating. He just wanted to go somewhere where he could be out of sight for at least a little while...

When he noticed the figure up ahead, Kaiba straightened his posture, and dusted off his jacket while he was still at some distance. Appearance was everything, and he didn't want everyone else zeroing in on his defeatist attitude. This was a setback- that's all.

Now with his head held high he neared the entrance to the building]

...... [For a moment he debated whether Damien had prior knowledge of his experiences and was being a snarky bastard- but it didn't really fit. It wasn't the new light sources that were tasking him. So after some effort not to infuse his words with his negative emotions he stopped, crossed his arms and responded] At least we aren't living like moles any longer... [Or, yes] I won't try to pretend that I'm not disappointed with what a small concession it was. [His duel disk was still lit up, faintly glowing on his arm] I haven't found a way to harness this power for anything else...

[abeautifulgame]

[no, he has no idea what Kaiba's day has been like, so he appreciates him not snapping at him. he does, however, make a face, though his sourness isn't directed at Kaiba. it's more:]

So am I. [he fishes his phone of his pocket and waves at Seto] I'd thought for a minute ... [he'd hoped, but no. he blows out a breath, frustrated, and puts his phone back in his pocket] It's irritating.

[a beat]

It also makes me wonder if it's actually putting out power. [is this true electrical power as they understand it, or is this just an extension of light, which this place seems to keep getting wrong? he's inclined towards the latter, but] ... what I wouldn't give for a multimeter.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

It's a joke. At our expense. [Practically snarling as he spoke the words. How he positively loathed being toyed with, and this smacked of mal intent. It was like dangling a piece of meat before a caged carnivore- eh bad example considering that hunger was now a thing. Or the most apt, take your pick.] ... and it's beyond irritating.

[Perhaps he shouldn't have been preaching to the choir. If anyone could understand his frustration with the lack of functionality in the tech it was Damien]

Have you noticed- these objects are producing light, but not heat. [Pointing that detail out like he had mentioned the absence of wind in their previous conversation. Maybe he shouldn't have because not long after wind had come into being and it also wasn't working correctly. They should watch what they say.] If there's any weight to the conscious thought theory- good luck on ever seeing a multimeter. Those who would even know what that is [Like us] are in short supply.

If this isn't energy as we know it, imagine just how much could be saved on the electrical bill.

[abeautifulgame]

[he nods]

I had. [he may not have noticed the wind, or lack thereof, before Seto pointed that out, but the lack of heat, he has noticed. normally, if his phone's screen was active, on for this long, it'd heat it up. it's a pretty good indicator that this isn't true power, but still. he'd still like the multimeter. unfortunately, Seto's probably right about not getting to see one, here, and for more than just the idea of conscious thought. has he mentioned not being able to go shopping?]

[he makes a little face at the thought, then:] Still, it might be worth keeping an eye out for the multimeter, next time you're in the market I hear exists, now. [if not to check for power, now, then for use later] Even if it is as likely as stumbling on the power bill for this place. [or lack thereof]

[... god, when was the last time he actually paid for an electric bill? it's been ages. hacking for fun and profit and all that]

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Returning the nod to acknowledge what's been said. The answer didn't surprise him. The previous conversation had been at a time when they were all dealing with some disorientation from the time spent in the void and trying to acclimate to the new environment in general, the wind or lack thereof really had been the least of their concerns. ]

... [Seto had been about to remark that he had no intention of playing gopher for anyone, when his eyes briefly looked to the light glinting off that apparatus on Damien's leg. Oh. Right. The limited mobility would have made it hazardous and nearly impossible to navigate the underground passages. Not having the issue himself, he admittedly hadn't given it any thought until this very moment. There was a thoughtful pause as he weighed a few options in his mind.]

Look for it yourself. [What. The words had bite to them, and likely sounded wholly insensitive.

After a beat had passed he flipped a hand into the air palm side open as he casually looked aside.] Once the walkways are in place. [A bit of a snap decision on his part, and he didn't want Damien to get the wrong impression so he tacked on..] That passage is an accident waiting to happen. As the shortest way to the mountain's summit it's been lacking the proper infrastructure from the beginning. [See- he's not doing this for you, Damien. Not at all. Cough.]

[abeautifulgame]

[what, indeed. Damien bristles, opening his mouth to ask Seto if he's an asshole or just an idiot, because has he not noticed his leg, and -- and he stops at the mention of walkways, expression falling. he hadn't heard anything about any walkways]

[he starts to ask, then, stops again as Seto continues, and then gives up entirely, if only for a moment. hold on a second, friend. he needs to reorient after the rollercoaster that was]

... is this something you're planning? [and if so, it's totally for him, right?] Or someone else?

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[The reaction the inflammatory line received was every bit as amusing as anticipated. Kaiba just wondered what had almost rolled off the other's tongue. Let's face it- to some extent Seto Kaiba is an asshole. He could have skipped the subterfuge and just come out with his plan.]

[He's pleased when he's able to get everything he has to say out there, uninterrupted.]

I wouldn't trust anyone else with it. [Just say yes Kaiba. Yes isn't that hard to say. The cave system didn't pose as problem for the youthful, athletic ceo, so it clearly wasn't as beneficial for him as it would be for Damien] I don't think it came up before but I am an engineer. [You know, among all of his other accomplishments]

[abeautifulgame]

It hadn't. [he looks suitably impressed, though. such a mundane job, back home, and yet so useful here. at least he knows anything Seto builds will likely hold up]

[though -- ] You're going to need a crew, to put it all together. [ -- just because Seto can draw up plans, doesn't necessarily mean he can execute them. he'll need people to do the grunt work, putting it all together] Not to mention people to salvage parts for it all.

[a beat]

I assume you'd be pulling things off the beach?