auroraexpress | Newbies + Monthly Prompts!

Who: Everyone
When: Day 47, morning
Where: the Aurora

[It's that time again: this morning, you're awoken by the jingle associated with an official message from your Chain -- the usual "newbie time" balloon animation and text:]

WELCOME NEW HEROES

[This round's newbies are waking up in their rooms, in the usual nondescript undies or team pyjamas.

Outside, the cold snap has broken. It's back to jungle warmth, though the sudden change in temperature appears to have caused a thick fog. So thick, in fact, that you can't see more than a few feet in front of you -- and it doesn't burn off with the daylight.

For the next few days, Origin Star will be lost in the mist, and should you venture too far, you may be too. Because out there in the humid dim are willow-the-wisps, faint lights in the fog that will lead you to perilous terrain or into the jaws of beasts.

Sometimes, you may also hear a voice -- a distant song from across the sea, in the direction of the corrupted island. If you get too close, long and spindly arms will reach out of the water and pull you down, for a kiss from a scaly human-like being that sucks all the emotion out of you and leaves you feeling hollow and lacking empathy for others. The cure is time -- you'll be better in a day or so, but you can speed it up by basking in the warm feelings of others.]

[[OOC NOTES: As the monthly prompts, the fog and mermaids will continue until next month's placements. If you have any questions, please ping the mods via the q&a. Thank you!]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Nope! None! He passes right by Rufus with Literally no recognition! ]

[aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

[okay.

...okay. He can be polite and pretend there's no problem!]

Good morning. Can I help you find anything?

...Hm. Good morning.

[ why is a stranger talking to him ]

I'm not particularly looking for anything.

I see. Then...

[Everything is fine everything is fine. He can just... hide it.

Or he could be honest. Which is hard. But if he plays dumb, eventually Rean will find out and that would be horrible, so... Sigh.]

Would you sit with me. I'm afraid you're a little familiar.

[ :?

He looks on in confusion, but -- ... Well, he has no reason not to believe this guy, and they're similar enough in appearance, so ... ]

...

I suppose.

Thank you. Have you remembered anything since you arrived?

...

No, nothing yet.

I see. And has anyone told you they know you?

Yes, actually - a boy on my team. Though, I sincerely wish otherwise.

Oh? Why is that?

[is this dishing on Crow cause--]

I would prefer not to be around him, at all, ever.

[ It's dishing on Crow. ]

[oh nice.

Rufus laughs a little, warm and pleasant.]

Crow is quite a character. But I can assure you he's quite reliable when it comes down to it.

Is lecturing me on respecting the "character" on my team all you called me over for?

I never said to respect him. Just that he's reliable.

[Two different things man.]

But no. I asked you to join me because I, too, know you.

You've said as much. Are you planning on telling your story?

I suppose. To put it simply, you are my dear, precious little brother.

[ ???? ]

It must be odd to hear. I apologize for the shock.

[ He was just so rude to him.................. ]

...You don't need to apologize to me.

There are many things I need to apologize to you for, on a daily basis. Nevertheless, should you allow it, I would like to be present in your life, in whatever capacity you see fit.

Do you? I have no memory of anything that could have happened between either of us - you'd be apologizing for something that, effectively, didn't happen to me.

...I've no reason to reject you.