EVENT: The Sound of Summer

[trainmasters]

Who: darers, newbies, and everyone else!
When: Day 40, dawn
Where: around the train

[After several hours of Kiss or Dare, the bar lights go off and you're let out into the grey pre-dawn. The Cat isn't one for ceremony, so there's no closing fanfare -- but in the sky are new stars in cobalt, pink, & violet. Congratulations to the winners!

You could go home and get some sleep, but you might have a rough time with that. As the sun appears in the sky, there's a horrible ruckus -- the sound of what seems like a million cicadas suddenly springing to life. They're staying in the canopy, not causing particular problems with buzzing around, but they are deafening.

Occasionally, you may hear one particularly low-pitched cicada noise. If you do, cover your ears, else you become hypnotized, overcome by a destructive urge. Those effected will find themselves compelled to act out violence on inanimate objects -- it's only property destruction, but the longer you're effected the more likely you are to lash out at anyone trying to stop you.

Good thing the hypnosis is broken by hugs, because this will be lasting for awhile.

Maybe it's the noise or maybe it's just bad timing, but the arrival of the cicadas is accompanied by the arrival of some new teammates! As always, the notifcation will appear on everyone's Chains:

WELCOME NEW HEROES

[[NOTES: Announcements and placements are up over here. You're welcome to make team posts if you like, or intro directly into this mingle. The cicadas will be here until next month's placements, so please feel free to interact with them in your own posts throughout the month. If you have questions, please comment to the announcements post. Thank you!]]

Comments

[firstworldproblem]

That I have. A most stubborn trait of mine I must admit.

[Leaning back with a shrug and a sigh.]

Though I did not end up here completely whole. Would be too much wishful thinking to believe there wouldn't be any sort of price or exchange.

Ah, but have the rest of you forgotten?

[awakenerd]

Mm, some have. Some haven't. Some are missing other things, maybe like you, maybe different, I couldn't say. My own situation is a little unique but... That's not relevant.

To answer your question our efforts seem to be bearing fruit, slowly. We at least recently purified more of this star.

Also my name is Rean, you?

[firstworldproblem]

It is hard to judge what is not relevant and what is not. There is much that is unknown. Though I imagine it is of a personal nature. I will not press if it is undesired.

Purification... If it wouldn't be a bother, could you provide more details.

Where are my manners to not introduce myself prior. Emet-Selch.

[awakenerd]

A pleasure to mee you, Emey-Selch.

It's... Less personal and more that my loss of memory stems from what I am, not from arriving here.

Purification... when we form enough bonds to fuel the prism in combating the malice's corruption, returning things to their original form. If you wish to see the twisted abominations the malice created there's still an island tainted by it but going there is perilous, and I'd recommend you take me or someone else as an escort unless you've full confidence in your strength.

[firstworldproblem]

[He gives an offhand wave now that the pleasantry of greetings has been completed.]

My condolences. 'Tis not an easy burden to bear.

Malice and taint. From where did it spring? What is its purpose? Questions upon questions, but the answers can wait. Good show, by the way. Bringing peace to this star. It is peace you are bringing, correct?

I might take you up on your generous offer. One can hear about topics through words, but experiencing them firsthand is the best teacher. And even if I were confident in my abilities, it is no harm to take another.

[awakenerd]

Ha, thank you.

For the source of it you'd have to ask our summoner, Prince Cardamom. Or maybe Eliza knows, she's been around a while. A great girl, she's on Thyme.

I hope it's peace we're bringing. Hope, at the very least.

I'd be happy to join you, though you might like a turn around the train meeting people before adventuring. Or maybe you'd rather go see first? Whichever suits you I'm happy to oblige any questions I can answer.

[firstworldproblem]

[He nods at the suggestion as a way of thanks.]

Hope.

[He stands, well, slouches.]

No time like the present. I'd like to see firsthand how bad this taint is.

[awakenerd]

Can you swim?

1/2

[firstworldproblem]

[firstworldproblem]

Not in this.

[Sweaters and fur coats probably not the best for recreational swimming.]

That's the most beautiful two part response I've ever received

[awakenerd]

I... could probably teleport us there. It takes a bit of energy though so we'd want to avoid too many monsters.

[firstworldproblem]

The goal would be to observe, not to engage. So we can tuck that little worry away, can't we?

What would be the cost of said energy?

[awakenerd]

I don't really regenerate energy on my own, I require outside forces. But I've got plenty to get us there and back and even out of a pinch, though we'll be avoiding that.

[firstworldproblem]

You make that sound dreadfully ominous. Outside forces --- one might think you need to do a ritual of some sort.

There is no rush. If you would care to explain before I go trampling all over your generosity, how do you regenerate energy?

[awakenerd]

In a sense. Rather I'm bound by contract to others who offer me energy, I only take the excess, but my existence is basically parasitic.

However I've stored enough not to be wholly useless at the point. And teleporting beats drowning, the waters aren't entirely safe anyway.

[firstworldproblem]

[....]

It is the safest way. If you are certain you are up to it, then I trust you know your limits. You've been here watching out for this star before I arrived after all.

[awakenerd]

Thanks for the confidence in me, I guess.

It might be best if we step outside, the train's wards don't hinder me but it's still simpler to be beyond them.

[firstworldproblem]

[Giving a short bow.]

Lead the way, my dear hero. To see with our own eyes what ails this star.

[And Emet-Selch will follow him out of the train, but lordy does the man not walk fast, but will pick up the pace when prompted.]

[awakenerd]

Just Rean, my dear hero-in-training.

[He's in no hurry. So a leisurely pace suits him without him seeming impatient at all.]

[firstworldproblem]

Hn.

[Well, he is amused by that for sure. Guess we gettin' off this train then. The noise is a bit deafening, but manageable. He nods to Rean.

Do your magic.]

[awakenerd]

[Once they're outside in the noise Rean lifts his hand and offers it to Emet-Selch.]

Easier not to lose you if you build on for a moment.

[firstworldproblem]

[Grabbing a hold of his hand firmly.]

Let's be off then.

[awakenerd]

[He holds onto Emet and the air around them ripples, displacing, and abruptly they're elsewhere.

On the shore of the corrupted island. The water is black and restless and will try to grab and drown you if you get too close. The jungle on the other hand is dark and menacing and inside lurk twisted monsters, giant geckos whose saliva turns one to glass and other monstrosities.

It's an unpleasant place. And everything is extra hostile.]

Here we are. Be careful looking around.

[firstworldproblem]

[Taking a few strides to the water's edge before kneeling. Not terribly close. He spends a few quiet moments just looking out at the water.]

Tell me, as a mage, what do you see?

[awakenerd]

I'm... Not really a mage. But I can tell you what I sense.... Hostility.

[Closing his eyes as he tunes into it.]

I know it's called the Malice but it really does feel... malicious. And like it's watching us.