002 - Growing Pains

[tabularasa_mods]

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

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[Inefficiently; that's how Kaiba would have answered her quandary about how food works here. The sporadic hunger pangs were not only detrimental to maintaining an unflappable image, they could also be quite serious in terms of severity, debilitating even. For someone who was used to skipping regular meals, let's just say that he was less than pleased with the addition. He was planning on finding an efficient method to keep snacks handy, and also planning on maintaining a regular exercise schedule. Sure, some of the regular processes were still not in effect, but he would not allow himself to be blindsided again. He would ensure that he maintained his trim figure.

So much for being able to survey the beach for any approaching beasts or persons. Kaiba had failed to do this on multiple accounts all because he had thrown himself so thoroughly into his work. It wasn't until she called out to him that he realized his error. Whipping back towards the unfinished machinery, he only just caught sight of the furry-horned blur as it dashed for him.

Sure, he instinctively raised an arm to shield himself, his other hand reaching for the nearest object that could be used as a weapon but even his reflexes were not quite enough to be the instrument of his own salvation.]

You've got to be kid-

[Was about all he managed to get out. When the claws and fangs should have reached their prey, the pain was not forthcoming. Kaiba had heard the impact, and the accompanying howl of the monster, and he just managed to find his feet by the time the whirlwind of sand and turquoise fabric got between him his wouldbe attacker. What a pair had come to the rescue.Could Kaiba ever live this down?]

I'm in better condition than that thing.

[Speaking of which, it wasn't one of the species he recognized, and he wasn't sure just how dazed it had gotten when she klunked it with her boomerang-like device]

Apparently that impulsive nature isn't reserved only for introductions.. [Hearkening back to their first encounter] Is it incapacitated?

[pinwheels]

[ Whatever the "that thing" is, it's nothing that she's ever seen before, even here. It looks in some way almost like a Behemoth, black instead of purple, with a metal face at the end of its tail; some sort of twisted abomination of the same kind as all the others here, without the cuteness that some of the others - like Felix or the trash can plants - possess. It's down for the count for now, but Rinoa doesn't know how long now will last for, and so even as she meets Kaiba's eyes, shaking her head at what seems to be a particularly unhappy tone of voice, she keeps her Shooting Star readied on her arm, prepared to fire it again at a moment's notice. ]

For now. But I can take it out again if I need to. [ A smile curves her lips, and Rinoa turns back to face the creature that's slumped on the ground, keeping herself between it and the man it tried to attack. Just in case. ] You're welcome, Kaiba. [ Assuming the comment on her impulsivity was his way of thanking her, anyway.

Felix seems to be calming down, and if there's anyone whose instincts she can trust here, it's her companion's. She nods at him, lowering her arm, although she keeps a cautious watch on the creature as she turns partway toward Kaiba. ]

I've never seen this one before, though. Do you think it came out because it was hungry?

[ It stands to reason after all that if she was hungry enough to be in physical pain, and if Felix could be driven to try and eat the plant on her windowsill, that the other creatures of this world may also need to eat. And those driven by instinct may be more volatile about it, too. Right?

She has a little of the meat from her feast left over, and she moves forward now, careful steps, to put it in front of the unconscious creature. Felix makes an alarmed sound, but she just gives him a smile before she steps back, joining him, and Kaiba, a few steps away. ]

If you're going to be out here alone, you probably need some kind of weapon.

[blue_eyed_obsession]

[That made two of them, and if there's one thing this world didn't need it was more monsters. Unless- it wanted to suddenly start allowing him to summon his dragons, of course. The beast was an odd amalgamation of parts almost like a chimera in that regard, and it easily could have passed for a new prototype for a duel monsters card.]

Mm. [Nodding to that statement, though now that he was aware of it's presence he might be able to chip in in regards to that effort as well. Kaiba didn't have to see her smile to know that it was there, her tone was giving it away.] ... [Normally, he might have followed up with a 'you'll be compensated for your trouble', since he didn't like the idea of being indebted to anyone, but with the state of currency being non-existent all he could do was fill out a check she couldn't cash.] You must have struck it in precisely the right point. It's not even twitching. [Though he still had to peer around her to determine as much since she was insisting on playing bodyguard, his height helped]

Neither have I. Either that or it's got a vendetta against progress. [Not being serious about the latter but he had lost a considerable amount of his work thanks to that animal] I spotted tooth impressions around the edge of some of the metal components. Or... in other words, it was gnawing off chunks of solid metal. [Just let that sink in]

What are you- you're going to feed it now?

[Shaking his head disapprovingly]

GREEEAAAT, now it's going to associate us with providing free meal tickets. [Apparently forgetting that he should be showing more gratitude than sassitude] Sure, let me get right on that. There's so many arms dealers here, I won't know which to choose form. [Rolling his eyes.] It was a mistake- it isn't going to happen again. [Until it does]

[pinwheels]

[ She can't tell if Kaiba is impressed or irritated, which is something pretty impressive all on its own, she thinks. She's pretty good at seeing straight through to how people are feeling, but in this moment she can't help but wonder if he hasn't quite decided on what his feelings about the situation even are.

Perhaps something to ask him about later. For now, she just shoots him an amused smile as he starts sassing her about her choice to feed the creature and his lack of a weapon. ]

Are you always this grumpy towards people who help you?

[ The creature still isn't moving, but she leaves the piece of meat there for it anyway, ignoring his words. Considering it just tried to take a chunk out of him, she has a feeling it will be appreciated in the long run, when it wakes up. Instead, she looks around them - a quick glance draws her attention to a metal pipe lodged in one of the trash piles, and she points at it, shrugging her shoulders. ]

I'm not saying it has to be something special. Even a pipe like that one would work, right? You just have to be able to defend yourself.

[ Her smile broadens, the girl folding her arms over her shoulders. ]

Unless, you know, you'd just prefer for me to hang out here with you and protect you when they come.

[ Rinoa already knows what his answer is going to be, of course. Her words aren't even a serious offer, not really - she just wants to see his reaction. ]