Newbies + Monthly Prompts!

[trainmasters]

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!]]

Comments

[bad_crowmance]

Yep, we're all here to hold hands and get along. It's kinda slow-going though. You might be surprised at how many people are bad at it.

[comingstorm]

Even under threat of universal annihilation? Are they stupid?

[bad_crowmance]

[ His response is blunt and to the point: ]

Extremely stupid.

[comingstorm]

Helpful to know at any rate.

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, I'm a helper. Got any questions you need answered while we're at it?

[comingstorm]

What would you consider pertinent to know?

[bad_crowmance]

Well, sounds like you've already picked up a few of the more important things-- saving the universe through bonds, we all need to make nice with each other, blah blah and so forth. You'll get a decent chunk of sparks if you win a trial, but those can vary from social drinking and chatting to shanking your own teammate because the guy running the thing has a weird sense of justice or something.

[comingstorm]

Lovely. Yes I've heard.

[bad_crowmance]

Then you've already got the important stuff. The rest's just details.

[comingstorm]

So whore ourselves for points because ultimately it will save the world. Fine.

[bad_crowmance]

Well, don't you have a way with words. Not that you're wrong!

[comingstorm]

I'm rarely wrong. At least this is less actual prostition for a cause and more metaphysical.

[bad_crowmance]

It could be literal. You can get sparks for sex.

[ Like. He's just saying. ]

[comingstorm]

[Oh right that would be an application of it wouldn't it.]

Of course you can. Well I'm sure that keeps people busy.

[bad_crowmance]

Heh! Some more than others I'd bet, but it definitely does.

[comingstorm]

[Hm yep not asking.]

And what, more generally, do you tend to do?

[bad_crowmance]

[ He would not actually clarify further than that implication, it's cool. ]

Depends on the person I'm talking to! Headpats are a great source of income, can't go wrong with that. Playing hard in Trials is also another great way. Participating in other people's Bonding attempts. Otherwise, I just feel things out-- see what's right.

[comingstorm]

That sounds reasonable enough. Head pats, though? Hm.

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, headpats! The idea is "physical affection" and it's pretty vague as to what that means so it covers a range.

[comingstorm]

At least that's handy.

[bad_crowmance]

I'm guessing it's on purpose, but hey! It works.

[comingstorm]

Flexibility is its own blessing.

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah, no kidding.

[comingstorm]

I wonder how they harvest the energy.

[bad_crowmance]

That I can't help you with-- not that I haven't wondered myself. Getting sparks is pretty immediate though, so I'd imagine the harvesting is just as quick.