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

[begetblue]

[ Not many people knelt down to their level to talk to them. Not that that really bothered Turing, but it was a nice gesture, and they met Raihan's smile with one of their own. ]

My name is Turing. I think looking together would be an excellent idea!

[ They carefully peeked over Raihan's shoulder at Duraludon. Well, it wasn't fair to judge based on appearances, now was it? Plus Raihan seemed rather nice, and there certainly wasn't a reason for Turing to think they were in danger or anything of the sort. Therefore, Duraludon got a smile too. ]

[rotomphone]

Turing. [ he repeats it, committing it to memory. ] Pleasure to meet you! I gotta say, it's been pretty cool to meet all sorts of robots around here.

[ he and Legion are already getting along swimmingly, so he'd love to add another robot friend to his circle!

he means well with the crouch, but rises up to full height shortly after - doing that for too long takes a toll on your knees, and they have work to do. Duraludon continues to stare curiously, unsure of exactly what Turing is. while he ponders that, Raihan takes a cursory glance of the market's surroundings. it's bright, but there are some dark corners here and there... ]

Let's see... if I were a battery, where would I want to hide?

[ honestly, a cave doesn't seem like a good idea to begin with, but nothing about this brave new world seems to be very logical. ]

[begetblue]

I think it would be difficult to hide at all if you were a battery.

[ Turing. Figure of speech. There was no trace of sarcasm either. Turing really did say that, thinking it would be helpful.

That aside, Duraludon's staring did result in Turing shying away a bit; they weren't used to being studied in such a way. Considering the situation back home that was something they would just have to get used to, but that was neither here nor there. They had some searching to do! ]

Perhaps the other end of these lights will lead us to a clue?

[rotomphone]

[ hey, it was helpful to Raihan! it gets him thinking, anyhow... ]

Maybe these batteries have legs or something? It'd make about as much sense as everything else we've seen so far.

[ i didn't say it would get him thinking smartly. but he's just as earnest as they were, and he'll stick by it! walking batteries seem kind of cool, if not a little inconvenient for keeping track of. ] It gives us a trail to follow. Let's do it!

[ as they begin to move, he gets a glance at Turing shying away slightly from Duraludon. it makes him chuckle softly, glancing down at them. ]

Is Duraludon making you nervous? I know he can be a little intense.

[begetblue]

[ Oh. Oh no. There really wasn't anything they could say to refute that. This place really was that strange! ]

That is distressingly accurate for our situation.

[ At least beginning their search could preoccupy them in the meantime. Theoretically, anyway. Turing was still reconsidering everything they had ever thought of as "normal" when Raihan brought up Duraludon. Oops. They hadn't realized they had been caught doing that, and they stared at the ground as if they were a kid who had been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. ]

N-no, that's not--! [ A pause. ] Well...it is true that the intensity is a factor, I'm sure most of it is due to a lack of familiarity!

[rotomphone]

[ oh, that's... really cute, actually. Raihan has learned that it's quite common for people unfamiliar with Pokemon to end up staring at Duraludon for longer than is usually considered polite, but he'd rather dispel any fears that might be looming in regards to his partner. after all, there's nothing to be afraid of! ]

He's a big sweetheart when you get to know him. Right, buddy? [ as he glances at Duraludon, the Pokémon lets out a low rumble and turns his gaze away in what looks like embarrassment. ] Aw, don't be shy! I wasn't calling you out, promise.

[ he sighs, but it's affectionate. ] I think he's still getting used to people not knowing what to make of him. Not many folks around here know what Pokémon are, so I guess it can't be helped... but don't worry, alright? He's just a little awkward.

[begetblue]

I won't worry.

[ Not many folks knew about ROMs, either. They could understand much better when it was put in those terms; it was indeed an awkward feeling. In response, they took a few steps closer to Duraludon, hoping that they at least looked confident. ]

I'm sorry. I hope my reaction to you didn't make you uncomfortable. I see now that my worries were unfounded!

[ They had no way of knowing whether he would understand, but Raihan was talking normally. They might as well do the same! ]