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

[He taps his cup, silent demand for more tea.]

[she obliges him.]

Trials, usually, are more harmless, however. When they are not, it is usually because something is amiss. This is our first one, but I expect stars will continue to be dangerous until they are purified.

Hm. Tell me about the corruption and purification more.

What do you wish to know?

Whatever you find relevant.

Well, I will say that I have been here long enough to witness that what they say is true about Malice, and about bonds.

[doesn't mean she's any good at the latter]

Malice, in practical terms, had dominated the water when we first arrived here. It was at the shores, and would pull you into itself. Many of the fauna were affected, as well. Now? It is relegated to a small island. It seems to be almost...denser because of it, more alert and desperate, but it is nearly gone.