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

I would have gotten you back, too. But... It looks like this place might not be as bad.

That remains to be seen.

[CYNICAL]

Yeah, but... everything's all colourful and nice.

Private rooms are an upgrade at any rate.

I'm going to invade yours.

... I'll allow it.

[Like. He had to think about it? Why do you like him.]

[because he knew he'd allow it regardless of his grump]

You can come to mine, too. There's room.

[If course he would.]

I will.

[For all that he is glad to have permission. It saves him having to ask for it.]

Good!

[He knows it's easier on Sousei to have affection shoved at him than to admit to wanting it, and he has no problem doing that. It just makes him happy to know it's returned. And also, another happy thing...]

Oh, Sousei. The monster is gone.

[Francis knows him well and he really does love him. He's just. Himself. He'll only show it gruffly or when he has to.]

Oh...?

[That perks his interest.]

I don't feel anything at all. What about yours?

It's still in my head. Hard to tell if it has power yet.

I hope it doesn't.

[UGH why can't it just be dead?]

As do I. I'll have to search for someone with the power to subdue it just in case. But for now the thing is merely being annoying. I do not feel it taking over.