TDM #3

[aionmods]

TDM #3

DREAMING (new characters)

At first, there is nothing. You are nothing. Whatever existed before ceases to be if for a moment. Then, bit by bit, you start to become aware. Where there was not even darkness now is a dim haze, gentle and almost mist-like. You have limbs again and beneath your feet lays a path of light reaching out like limbs of a great tree beneath you, twisting and climbing out into the horizon.

You take a step forward for what else is there to do? As you walk you begin to remember what it was you were doing before the nothingness; maybe something as simple as chatting with a loved one or close friend. Maybe you were just beginning a great journey or facing off against an old foe. Whatever it was, you get the distinct feeling that wherever and whenever that was, it is not here. Not now.

The path of light twists off into different directions. When you look up you can see that it is not a sky above you but the sky of everything, a grand cosmic tapestry littered with not mere stars but galaxies and clusters of galaxies that gleam like crystals against the velvety backdrop of space. Admire it for a moment, if you will. You don't know how long you will drift here, but you are not alone. Other wanderers will come and go as you bask together in the vastness of creation.

It seems to you that there are two paths to walk in this place, the light and dark beckoning in turn.

❖ THE LIGHT AT THE CENTER
One leads you to the center, splintered fragments folding together and colliding until only one thing remains: a light that speaks to you with the voice of all there is and has ever been. It greets you simultaneously as an old friend and as a lost child, both rejoicing in and mourning your arrival. You remember it too, somehow, with a feeling of complex nostalgia, as if returning to a place recalled from your distant childhood.

You’ll feel the same of the other wanderers that join you in the light; you know their faces, their voices, and as you reflect upon the world of your birth, you may witness fragments of theirs as well. You feel a comradery, then, a synchronicity of thought and emotion. Are the lives of others truly so different from your own? Or are you simply two hands of the same, greater being? Though some individualistic part of you may resist, the longer you spend in the light, the more you will find yourself becoming one with it.

Despite this welcoming call, no matter how eagerly your pursue its embrace, before you can fully submerge yourself in this oneness you will find yourself being torn away. As if seized by the impossibly long, cold arm of a creature unseen, you are plucked from the edge of fulfillment. The last thing you will remember is the sensation of your world, and all the others your experienced here, collapsing into nothingness.

❖ THE DARK OUTSIDE (CW: deep despair, ego death)
The other leads towards the outside, where the splintering becomes so great that the vestiges of reality can do nothing but collapse back into the abyss at the end of everything. As you wander to these barren outskirts, your thoughts will not be drawn to familiarity and oneness, but instead to memories of discontent and waste. The darker the path becomes, the more you find yourself dwelling on life’s disappointments and injustices, of the things about yourself and your world you find wanting.

If you see others here, at first they will feel frightening or contemptible, as if representing to you the worst experiences in your life. Even if they are someone you’re certain you know, that familiarity and affection will be stripped away in the face of the great emptiness before you. In the end, you were all the same. In the end, none of this was worth it. If you approach the end together, you may even form a kind of kinship around this acknowledgment, as the need for paranoia and hatred fades.

Slowly, the darkness encroaches, and you can see it devouring all the things you once knew. Memories of your home, of those you loved, dissolve into nothing, and you can only reflect on the barren emptiness in your heart as you see it happen. In your final moments, though, you feel peace with it all, knowing that there was no other way. You step from the edge of the last dwindling fragment of being and are greeted by silence.

❖ THE END
No matter which way you go, you are left with a single impression: you feel the world you came from die. It's a realization that transcends logic or sense; it weighs on your heart and leaves the vestiges of dark memories dancing in your thoughts like motes of ash. It's a memory of your home crumbling away into nothing as if consumed from within by rot. Returned to the void, all that's left to you is to be reborn.

REBIRTH (new characters)

In a new time and place, you awaken. Stirring within a capsule of warmth and isolation your senses will slowly return, only to observe that you are trapped. Your body, as it wakes, is tangled in close, yours eyes unable to open, as if still within the womb. You are held tight in the embrace of something unyielding, so smothering that at first you only have the strength to struggle for moments at a time. Yet, as you persist, the pressure begins to relent in turn; it may take hours, but eventually you will find the purchase to push, to claw, to fight, and it will all give way.

The chrysalis surrounding you bends like flesh and cracks like glass. It tears as you force your fingers through, finding liberation one inch at a time, until finally you have emerged. As if having undergone metamorphosis, you feel old and new all at once. You are weak, piteously so, but the markings and scars of your previous life remain. As you slump down upon the smooth cavern stone, you realize that you've just wrenched yourself free of gigantic crystal, though its hollow, shimmering form is now in pieces on account of your passing. Somewhere on your body, a shard of similar material remains embedded.

The cave itself looks almost like the inside of a geode, the walls and ceiling bedazzled with greyish crystal that shines with all the colors of the rainbow. While they vary wildly in size and shape, only a few have grown large enough to hold a form like yours, and you can see the one you just escaped isn't the only one bearing a passenger within. They may have already hatched, or they may still be lingering in stasis. Either way, there's enough time that you may have a chance to speak to yours unexpected peers, or to perhaps to struggle to find something to cover your naked body with. You feel the chill of the open air against your moisture laden skin, a distant light trickling in through the cavern's opening.

Make the most of this time. It won't be long before you're interrupted.

[Mod Note: If you don't want to deal with your character being naked in front of the others at that location, feel free to assume they emerge at a different time than the others of their legacy. Characters will be 'hatching' over a period of several hours.]

DREAMING (OLD CHARACTERS)

For those already in Horos, they will find themselves in the same dreamscape as the new arrivals, only, this time, it's familiar. You'll feel more cognizant of your surroundings as you reawaken in this psychedelic realm, more in control of your emotions. What's more, you recognize that light at the center and the darkness at the edge: it's the Pleroma and Kenoma respectively. The one you are attuned to will call our to your soul, and though you are technically free to wander as you please, the closer you get to the force of your opposite sect, the more it will grate against you spiritually. Pleroma attuned nearing the Kenoma will feel as if its presence is desperately trying to tear them apart, and Kenoma attuned nearing the Pleroma will feel as if its light is burning them from the inside out.

More importantly, you notice that entirely new souls are wandering here with faces you didn't see in the cavern. It gradually becomes clear that they are Aions in the same state you were prior to your rebirth, lost and wandering this stretch of the cosmos with no idea what's to come. Maybe this is your chance to ease the confusion of their arrival, or maybe you'd simply like to scope out what kind of people are on their way. It's also possible for you to run into Aions already in Horos, wandering just like you are. Unfortunately, things are a lot less neutral than they are the last time you shared this realm.

No matter what you do, eventually the cosmos above will begin to burn out, just as it did the first time you were here. As darkness swallows reality itself, you will wake with the visceral memory of your world corrupting and breaking apart.

SEARCHING (OLD CHARACTERS)

Soon after the dreams begin, it will become clear that the Aion NPCs of either sect are also aware of what's happening. For those in Achamoth and Greentruth, the imminent arrival of new Aions will become a matter of official discussion. All able Aions will be called upon for their aid, in whatever way they can offer. Getting to the shrines themselves will be easily accomplished via teleportation. What's would be more complicated is ferrying any new arrivals back to a secure location. Thankfully, this is something both sects have already prepared for.

All characters will have the opportunity to acquire a 'returning stone' if they don't already have one. In all cases, this will amount to an amulet made of the same shimmering material as the shrine monuments, though the stylization differs between the Pleroma and the Kenoma. While regular Aion teleportation can bring you to any of the shrines you know the sigil and location of, a returning stone is magically programmed to bring its wearer back to a specific destination to which it is attuned. Normally, these stones will only be able to store enough energy for one 'return' a month, but it turns out that the ambient power created by the shrines being active will temporarily super charge them. Though it's not guaranteed, this means they may generate enough energy to perform multiple returns for TDM purposes. More information about returning stones can be found on the powers page.

Spare returning stones will be issued to all Aions so that they can be used to bring back anyone they collect, as it's possible to bring someone alongside you if they are also wearing a returning stone. Where your stone leads will depend on your sect.

❖ PLEROMA
Tehri will be the one to supply returning stones, based out of Greentruth. She will not travel to Godsblood to deliver returning stones to those that have not visited Greentruth, but it can be assumed that Greentruth's visitors can pass them along to anyone who has been staying in the city. The returning stones are set to bring them to a secure location beneath the water of Godsblood's coast. From there, new arrivals will have to be allowed to rest and then brought up into the city when they're ready.

Greentruth is limited in its resources, but it will attempt to send troops to the Innocent, Seeker, Wanderer, and Firebrand shrines, all of which are close to the forest. Compared to the last attempt, these troops are a bit better armored. Meanwhile, bolstered by recent events in Godsblood, bands of Resistance members and guerrilla fighters will turn up at the Artisan and Sovereign shrines. The Resistance members will work willingly alongside with the Pleroma Aions, but the guerrilla fighters seem to have their own priorities and that is mostly that they have a beef with the Achamites. These reinforcements will struggle against powered Aions, but they might be able to delay any troops sent by Achamoth or Hylici.

❖ KENOMA
Xishen will be handing out returning stones to all Kenoma the day after the dreams begin for the Aions that don't already have one. She'll explain how to use them, and state that the Regent expects for them to head to the shrines once they become fully active. The Kenoma will have whatever mundane weapons or supplies they need at their disposal for this mission, along with minimal Achamite reinforcements. Due to injuries and death in both Godsblood and Venera, many are in recovery or on their return to Achamoth. She'll reiterate not to rely too heavily on them; after all, only the Aions are able to quickly move between the shrines and at the Citadel. The regular troops will have to be deployed by river or by land, and mobilizing them will take time. They will feasible be able to reach all of the shrines to some degree or another, but will more easily populate the shrines of the Martyr, Celebrant, Lover, Champion, Visionary, Sovereign, and Firebrand.

The Hylicians will be called to fill in the ranks of the diminished Achamite troops. They follow the orders that they are given but are very standoffish otherwise, even more than usual for them. Xishen herself says she will be traveling to the shrines and the Kenoma will be expected to communicate their movements to her as they work. Dionys remains in Achamoth to 'keep watch'. All Kenoma Aions will be given a familiar vial of black sludge, and are instructed to feed it to any Aions they capture at the shrines. It will cause the same effects it did in the cavern, though it will resolve in a few days rather than a week.

RETURNED (ALL CHARACTERS)

New characters that are found a the shrines will be brought back to one of two lodestones, depending on which sect they are taken by. This will be accomplished by their escort putting a 'returning stone' around their neck that will enable them to be teleported to a secure area in their sect's territory. It is advised for your character to be taken by whichever sect you'd like them to end up in.

❖ TO THE PLEROMA
In a dazzling flash of psychedelic light, you will find yourself brought to the Pleroma's lodestone: a monolithic rock set in the center of temple-like ruins. The entire cavern is hidden away beneath the ocean waves, just outside of Godsblood, and the ceiling itself is comprised of nothing but a barrier of water, as if held back from filling the space by some unknown force. The waters surrounding the lodestone are exactly body temperature, with swarms of tiny, violently iridescent fish darting through it. Crabs that look as if they're made of pure, clear crystal wander the sparkling, sandy shores.

There isn't much here in the way of accommodations, but it's comfortable enough that the new arrivals brought in by the Pleroma can take a moment to catch their breath. Some relatively plain but assorted new clothing will have been brought to the cavern to make sure they are actually clothed, as well as blankets and basic food items. It's a good time to ask your questions, or if you are an established Pleroma, to help out your freshly arrived peers. After all, their welcome at the shrine may have been a confusing one.

New arrivals will be permitted to leave the lodestone's temple when they are ready. Unfortunately, the only ways out of these place are through your choice of either swimming through pockets of water that eventually lead to the surface, or by spelunking through a series of tunnels to make your way the cliff faces near the city of Godsblood. More information about the city itself can be found on the setting page, though it would be preferable to keep TDM interactions to the lodestone area. As characters emerging from the shrines will start our as Untouched (more info about attunements here) they will not be permitted entry into Greentruth until they have attuned to Pleroma.

❖ TO THE KENOMA
As your returning stone activates, you will feel yourself thrust into a suffocating void, only to emerge just as quickly somewhere else. The most pressing thing on the minds of anyone taken by the Kenoma will be the vial of pitch black sludge they are forced to drink, whether it is before or after their arrival. Maybe their 'escort' from the shrine gave it to them, or perhaps another Kenoma does soon after they arrive. If not, one of the Achamite cultists wandering around definitely will. Dedicated servants to the Regent's will as they are, they are not afraid to gang up on the vulnerable new arrivals and force it down their throats.

Once in your mouth, the potion will slither down your throat as if it's a living thing. The effect takes hold quickly: as this darkness creeps through your insides, it will embolden your darkest and most despair inducing emotions, plaguing your thoughts with the worst sorrows of your life. What's worst, it simultaneously seems to awaken some form of enhanced psychic empathy within you, both projecting your thoughts for others to hear, and allowing you to receive those of the others around you in kind. Black ooze will begin to seep from orifices, or the space around your shard. The effects of this contamination bring out your worst, and its recipients will be forced to live with these effects until they accept the force corrupting them into their souls.

This world is not good enough, a voice speaks to your through the Kenoma. This suffering you feel, the cruelty that has birthed this darkness in you... it is simply the rot that is consuming this existence. A better universe awaits, one forged by your own hand, and all you need do is first bring about this broken reality's end.

How long this goes on will depend on how long the characters is able to fight it. Acceptance of the Kenoma can come as quickly as immediately, if your character is inclined towards it, or it could be drawn out to take a few days. In the meantime, they will have to stay in the barren halls surrounding the Regent's lodestone, and will not be permitted to exit into the greater Citadel as the current Kenoma are. All that will immediately be offered to them down there are stone slabs that can be used as beds and formless white robes that reach down past their knees.

Of course, that doesn't mean the characters that are already of the Kenoma can't do something about that. If they desire it, they will be able to bring food or other supplies to those suffering with their Kenoma infections, and it will be equally within their power to try anything from bullying them into accepting to lovebombing them. Once a character accepts the Kenoma and attunes to it, they will be permitted to leave, but for the sake of the TDM interactions should be kept to the lodestone area.

QUESTIONS

Is this TDM canon?
Mostly! It's part of an in-game event. However, only threads with new players that app and are accepted will be considered game canon. Threads between old characters will all be canon, but threads involving new characters that don't apply or aren't accepted will either need to be tweaked to remove their involvement or made non-canon. New characters will also be able to decide TDM threads aren't canon if they end up changing directions.

Who can toplevel on this post?
Anyone, whether they are a new character or a current one. However, we do ask for current players to do their best to tag new characters. If you are bringing in a new character and want a current character to bring them into your sect of choice, post your request here! ICly, current characters are fighting to claim new arrivals, but it's up to the player of new characters where they ultimately end up going.

When is this TDM taking place chronologically?
The beginning of August. The shrines will be active and forming Aions during that time. The dreams will start around the 29th of July. All current Aions will be able to sense when it's time for the new arrivals to start emerging.

What are the shrines like?
Every shrine is comprised of the crystal-filled cavern character emerge inside and then the massive statue symbolizing the relevant Legacy built on top. More information about each shrine can be found in the "Aion Shrine" section of the setting page.

Are everyone's homeworlds really gone?
That's a complicated issue, and while the fate of their world is not without hope, they may certainly get the impression its been destroyed from the dream they had. Alternatively, they may refuse to believe what they felt and attempt to dismiss it as only a vision. More about this situation will be revealed as the game goes on.

Can I only experience one end of the dream sequence prompt?
New characters may experience one ending, both endings, or neither. If they experience both they will struggle to recall which came first or which feels the most 'true' to them, as both will simultaneously be the thought they are reborn with. If your character refuses to pursue either path they can simply linger in the middle until the infinite worlds above them start being extinguished one by one, eventually expelling them into darkness in a similar style to the light prompt. Which dreams they experience will not dictate their initial sect affiliation.

Is it possible to pull another character back from the end of the light or darkness dreams?
Yes! If your character is able to resist the pull of either end, they will have the chance to try to pull another character back from the edge of the abyss or the edge of oneness. Whether or not they succeed is entirely up to the other character, though.

Do you come out of the chrysalis wet?
For most intents and purposes it's the same experience as hatching out of a real butterfly chrysalis, so yes, a bit.

How does attunement to the Pleroma or Kenoma work for new characters?
More information about sect attunements can be read on their dedicated info page, but in summary: when new characters are brought to Horos, they will be in the state of being "Untouched" meaning they are not attuned to either sect. By the end of their first month in game it is expected they will either attune to Pleroma or Kenoma, though for those taken by the Kenoma's forces, the transition will be forced within the first few days. If taken in by the Pleroma, it may take then some time to attune to Pleroma, depending on the strength of their spirit, but it could also happen almost instantly if they are allowed to. How quickly it happens will depend on how strongly they align with the Pleroma's traits. Characters who have been taken by the Pleroma but that remain Untouched will not be allowed into Greentruth until their attunement to Pleroma is complete.

Can a character taken by one side end up attuning to the sect of the opposite one?
This is theoretically possible, yes: a person taken by the Kenoma could potentially resist the Kenoma's call, and someone taken by the Pleroma could end up falling to the Kenoma while staying with them. Generally, though, we recommend that you have your character be taken by whichever sect you want to end up in, as doing a switcheroo will cause narrative complications that might bog their introduction down in plotting that will need to be done with the mods. It can happen, but it is not to be done lightly!

Comments

han sooyoung | omniscient reader's viewpoint | visionary

[pyojeol]

dreaming (new);

[han sooyoung doesn't trust the light.

then again, she hasn't trusted any new situation, scenario, or sight since that fateful moment in the subway, so what's one more, really, in the end. She doesn't trust it, but she goes along with it anyway -- walking gingerly at first before moving into a flat out run along the stars. (the stars are lighting her way and her visceral reaction is to make a rude gesture up at them. it doesn't do anything but at least it makes her feel better)

She's not so much running for the light in the center as she is just running out of both habit and desperation, as if she can somehow cross this universe and return straight back to hers with the sheer power of her will.

sometimes she slows down, sometimes she overshoots her run and circles back, but she does eventually stop whenever she sees someone else. brows knitted together because she still can't trust, but the feeling in her tells her to anyway.

it tells her to. and yet?

she takes three long strides with her fist raised anyway, nyooming with the intention that would be alarming if she wasn't 5'2'' and tiny, but maybe she'll end up landing a hit in this dreamscape anyway... (doubt.png)]

the BIRTHING (visionary);

[hsy is currently shoving her arms into the goof of her leftover egg, cursing under her breath]

...Nothing? Seriously? Is it really all gone?!

[HER ITEMS!!! NOOOOO -- she gets up, fully clothed because ive written so many naked prompts and i refuse to do so again and then marches over to the nearest broken open chrysalis,

just to shove her arms into that too. sorry friend, she's just looking for something.]

returned (pleroma)

[aside from that Incidient in the Dreamscape, HSY thinks she's been pretty well-behaved. Incredibly so, considering the verge of panic and terror and rage that she's this close to succumbing to. She's here, isn't she? She's sat through one or two explanations, stared at her new surroundings, changed and eaten, and then stared into the distance as if waiting for something to appear, eyes not quite focusing on anyone.

but you can only stare for so long waiting for something to happen before you get too antsy to continue, so Sooyoung moves along, glancing down at the water or up at the cave walls, growing more and more annoyed until she finally bursts out,]

You've got to be shitting me. This -- That's the only way out? Really?

[WHAT HAPPENED TO TELEPORTING?? SHE JUST DID THAT A SECOND AGO?? she buries her hands into her hair and groans, muttering]

Should have chosen the sketchy, evil side....

[evil always has benefits wow]

wildcard;

[she's in pleroma/visionary!! lmk and i can throw something up for you if these prompts don't work]

dreaming

[apostolus]

[ Road watches HSY the entire time.

It's not like there's anything else to do in this long sweeping dark other than look at the stars, and she's never felt any compunction to spend her time thinking about the beauty of creation and life, not when everything's destined to be destroyed. Herself included; she knows better than to elevate herself above the Earl's -- no, Noah's -- plan.

Maybe that's why she doesn't move when HSY skids to stop nearby and turns on her, fist raised in the air and blurring as it shoots forward. Her aim is true; her knuckles connect with Road's cheek, the force of impact enough to send the smaller girl stumbling backwards.

But there's no pain, no scarring, no bruising. And instead of screaming, crying, yelling—she laughs, high-pitched and girlish giggles, but with a sharp edge that cuts through the air.

(It's because this is a dream, and no one can hurt her in a dream.) ]

It's not very nice to hit children, you know.

[ And yet this child doesn't seem bothered at all?? The fuck. ]

[pyojeol]

[i can't believe hsy just punched a CHILD

hsy would too if she hadn't purposefully run STRAIGHT to Road in order to hit her, so this one is on her. she'd suspected at first, the lack of pain on her hand confirms it -- she's either dreaming or her consciousness is being projected somewhere or Road is just a God -- invulnerable to physical damage. none of this makes her feel better, and the frustrated expression on her face reflects that.]

Hit me back then, if you're so upset.

[she grumbles, noticing the way Road doesn't CARE. it's like road punched her instead wow, especially with how dissatisfied hsy is feeling right now.

isn't pain the best way to wake up from a dream? is she really stuck in kumbaya star land until she walks gently into that good light???]

[apostolus]

[ She likes this.

Righting herself, Road takes a half skip-step forward, bending slightly at the waist and lacing her hands behind her as she smiles (slightly creepily) up at HSY. This definitely means she is a normal child, right? Because only children can act so absolutely unhinged. ]

Fighting isn't really that fun though. Playing games is so much better.

[ Her eyes alight and she straightens, like a brilliant idea's just come to her unbidden. Her hands unclasp, circling back forward so she can clap them together. ]

Why don't we play a game instead?

[pyojeol]

[The more happy Road looks, the more annoyed HSY gets. She's not like Dokja, coolly and politely sarcastic, or like Yoo Joonghyuk, ice cold and immune to all. Her emotions fluctuate quickly from one extreme to the next, easy to pick up. Case in point, there's a shine of suspicion in her eyes as she turns her gaze down to Road (wow at least road is shorter than her, small miracles). Games, huh?]

Like what -- I Spy? Twenty Questions?

[there's a momentary flash of something -- a fragment of an image of a group of people hop-scotching across a fiery landscape -- some falling, others being pushed off. HSY bats the image away,]

I'm not gonna play if you're just gonna suggest something weird.

[she knows what games REALLY MEAN!!!]

still not over politely sarcastic

[apostolus]

[ Maybe something a little more engaging? Like a deep dive into this woman's memories to dig into the worst of her fears and anxieties, rolling them around in the palm of her hand before she picks them apart and makes them reality. She can already see hints of them in the dreamscape surrounding them, flashes of memory that she sucks in greedily to stash away at the back of her mind.

But bulldozing her way forward has never been her style so she settles for something lighter, beaming even brighter as HSY rattles off suggestions scraped from the top of her head. ]

I like Twenty Questions! But you have to think of something really interesting, okay?

[ What counts as an interesting subject?? Only time will tell... ]

returned!

[bingos]

[ Being trapped underwater isn't something she's thrilled about persay — She's had her own bad experiences with it that she remains slightly unnerved the entire time they're down there. But caverns underwater also isn't the weirdest thing ever, so she's capable of not super focusing on it. Still, there wasn't a lot down here - at all, really.

There's no way they can stay down here for more than a day - at least, she'll completely unravel after that. She didn't sign up for camping on rocks after all! Well, she didn't sign up for anything, but still.

She's taking a walk with Hawkmon around the perimeter, talking to themselves when she can't help but overhear. And also agree: ]

Right. There wasn't any place better for it? [ She lets out a breath: ] I bet those other guys have nice warm beds and food.

[ It's meant more light-heartedly than entirely serious; She knows she wouldn't want to go with them anyway. ]

[pyojeol]

[Sooyoung lets out a huff, but she relaxes her death grip on her hair at least. She moves her hands to her waist instead, turning her gaze to Miyako and her.... Hawkmon....

...

Well. Honestly not the weirdest animal she's seen, and yet? She eyes the creature carefully, relaxes a little once she realizes it's not aggressive,]

They've got beds, food, paid leave... And probably a creepy castle where they can all stay in.

[she knows the tropes? she can guess. She jabs her thumb at Hawkmon,]

Speaking of creepy, what's that?

[this is so mean hawkmon is cute]

[bingos]

Ugh, tell me about it - [ Miyako's response is with a tilt of her head - surely, they have the better side of the insurance stick. And she knows tropes well enough as well. And evil villains (unfortunately). ] They're probably also only dressed in dark colors because obviously that's the only fashion statements evil guys can make.

[ Look, Miyako, not everyone can enjoy bright colors like you do.

But any sense of commadorie momentarily dies from shared indignation: ]

Pardon me!

[ Hawkmon looks positively affronted. Miyako looks mildly angry, placing her hands on her hips as she proclaims: ]

Hawkmon's definitely the cutest digimon there is.

[ Sorry, Miyako, I have to disagree; It's Patamon Gammamon these days. ]

[pyojeol]

[digimon... is that like p*kemon.... except p*kemon can't talk.... Interesting.... Sooyoung looks more curious than apologetic, despite the latter being more warranted in this situation. Instead she comes closer, peering at Hawkmon. A flash of something like surprised realization crosses her face,]

So it can talk too, huh? ...Wait, where'd it come from? Did it come from your weird egg thingy?

[SHE MEANS CHRYSALIS but lbr it was a weird egg, a birthing sequence...]

[bingos]

[ The pair in turn look less than amused. Hawkmon looks -reasonably - affronted at being called an 'it'. Miyako looks annoyed, crossing her arms as she folds her arms. Less so at the question than in general how the other is treating her partner - Like a thing. ]

I'm a he, thank you very much. [ Hawkmon's response comes quickly, lacking some of the usual politeness the Digimon carries when tempered. He takes a little hop back on his claws, flapping his arms in the motion: ]

[ Maybe they're just getting way too used to digimon being normalized in their world they forgot people's confusion in the past and yet, Miyako shifts pressing a hand on her hip and letting the other rest at her side with a tilt of her head: ] We were together, but that's not weird; We're partners after all.

wildcard!

[salvageable]

[ It hasn't been very long since Dokja's revival, a day at most, and instead of taking the time to recover, he's on the move. Death isn't a foreign concept to him, he's died too many times before to be affected by it, but there's a difference to this one. He hadn't expected to come back, had thought that there would finally be an end to all of his suffering, but the world's never worked in Dokja's favor, so why would it start now?

He's back.

And instead of drowning in his sorrows, his anguish, his agony, he's decided to start packing up his life in Godsblood. He can't freely roam the streets of this city anymore, not when its citizens think he's on the side of the enemy, and he has a few destinations in mind. Nothing concrete, nothing that sits well with him, but what choice does he have? His fuck ups have determined that he can't stay.

It's how he finds himself with a stack of books in his arms as he navigates through a narrow alleyway as a shortcut. These are long overdue to be returned, and he figures he can just drop them off at the door and scamper away. He's not really paying attention to his surroundings, his focus on making sure the books don't topple over, but when he finally emerges from the mouth of the alley, he bumps into someone passing by.

There go the books. ]

Sorry, excuse me.

[ His voice is muffled behind a mask, his face shadowed by the hood of his cloak. He's had to dress like this ever since he'd been outed as a Kenoma Aion, and he keeps his head down even now as he crouches down to start piling the books back into a neat little stack. Hopefully they take his apology and go, and if not, showing his face to them will be enough to scare them off. ]

[pyojeol]

[If Sooyoung could mark the trajectory of her emotions since waking up in ISEKAI LAND then it'd go a little something like this.

Except not once have her emotions gone up? They've just plateaued, and then dipped down, further and further. The world is gone. Down. She's all alone. Down. The fact that this situation rings familiar too, is something that she hates. She hates thinking of Kaizenix, of all her years spent there.

Is it going to be the same here?

Sure, she hasn't woken up in the body of an infant or anything, but crawling out of that chrysalis almost feels like the same thing. She's definitely weak as an infant. She can't even throw a rock, or run a mile without grabbing her side. It's some kind of miracle that she's traveled all the way here, in fact. On her feet, sometimes hitching a ride, feeling bruised and broken and not quite whole. She hates this feeling. That, and she hates how dangerously close she is to feeling terribly sorry for herself. Godsblood doesn't quite manage to be the distraction she's aiming for, so she keeps on stomping through the city, grumbling and muttering to herself, thinking sad trombone thoughts while not paying attention to anything around her, which is why she ends up colliding with a complete stranger.

Her first instinct is to snipe and then move on, but the image of those books scattered on the ground keeps her in place. Maybe it's the writer in here that makes her stay, maybe it's because this random person crouching down to pick up their books is emanating a Vibe that feels almost as sad as her inner thoughts........

Whichever it is, she crouches down too, grabbing a book and staring at its title. Can she judge this complete stranger on their literary tastes? Maybe Dokja is reading erotica?]

[salvageable]

[ wtf is this clip 너도 이제 그만 해라,

Also it's not erotica? Why is she not the first person to assume this upon discovering he reads books?? It's a fantasy book, thank you very much, and it was hard to acquire so leave him alone.

He didn't think this stranger would be sticking around to help him pick up his books, but he doesn't comment on it as he continues gathering them from the ground, raising his hand to shift his hood a little lower over his eyes. Once that's done, he finally glances over to where the stranger crouches, only finding it a little weird that instead of quickly handing the book to him, she's... checking it out? Well, that's fine. Maybe she's into reading, too, in which case he can recommend that title and...

... Ah.

His gaze had gone to her face, and in that moment, it's like time stands still. The person before him is every single one of his dreams and nightmares combined into one, and his heart seizes in his chest. He forgets to breathe, a shrill sound rings in his ears, and he feels light-headed. This can't be real. Another hallucination. Another something because there's no way... Not her. Not here. Not after everything that's happened. ]

Han... Sooyoung...?

[pyojeol]

[It's not a title she recognizes, but it's familiar enough. ...A fantasy novel, huh? She keeps holding it, for a longer time that's probably comfortable. Will she be accused of theft? Of being a weirdo? She's heard worse, done worse. If this was back home, then she'd have stolen it already.

But it's not, and so she keeps holding the book awkwardly in her hands, waiting for its owner to ask for it back.

That's what she expects, so it's why she immediately blinks up at the sound of her name instead, clearly startled --]

-- Huh?

[she sees the robes first, the hood, then the mask that obscures the entirety of this person's face -- except for their eyes.

just a normal set of eyes. an incredibly common pair of eyes? plain, brown... staring back at her. just that sliver shouldn't be enough to recognize anyone, but it's not just the eyes. it's the tilt of her neck as she looks up, up, up, it an angle she's intimately aware of.

...she'd have to crane her head higher for yoo joonghyuk, tilt her head lower for yoo sangah --

She's still holding this person's book, but her other hand is free to reach and try and grab the edge of this stranger's robe,]

You. Show me your face.

[salvageable]

[ Sorry, he's in the middle of a fucking panic attack, please hold. His breathing grows ragged once he remembers to actually breathe and he grabs at his chest, fingers bunching up the fabric of his cloak there. He can't take his eyes off her, doesn't bother moving even when she grabs at his clothes. He's frozen to the spot and it's like the whole world is distorting before his very eyes.

Already crouched like he is, it's not a far drop when his knees crash down on the pavement, one hand bracing himself on the floor while the other he'd had at his chest comes up, fingers trembling as they hook themselves over the top of his mask to heed her demand.

—And then he stops. He stops because just past her shoulder, he sees people turning to look their way. They're on the streets of Godsblood and sure to attract attention this way, and if she's seen with him, then they'll associate her with him, and then... and then...

His hand falls away from his face and drops down to where she has a hold of him. Like this, holding her wrist in such a tentative way in fear that she might just disappear altogether, he feels something inside of him shatter into pieces. She's real. He's touching her and she's not going anywhere. ]

I can't.

[ Not here, not in public like this. He has to protect her. So with shaking legs, he tries to push himself back up to his feet, only to drop back down immediately. All the strength's left him and he feels so weak, so lost. Han Sooyoung. In this place. She should be back with the others, so then why? Why is she here? ]

WILDCARD ME

[predispose]

[ casually slides my paws all over yaywon. I don't read ]

HOLDS U UP

[pyojeol]

[imagine i just nonconned nakedness for no reason but NO IG THEY'RE DREAMING RIGHT NOW IN THIS DREAMSCAPE!!! HSY is still running, and she's still mad. Or she's trying to be? The longer she drifts among the stars, the less anxious she feels. Which doesn't make any sense, and only prompts her to hold onto her anger just a little longer -- long enough for her to glance across this supposed universe, and see... someone... familiar?

Yoojin is fortunate, in that HSY does not go running in his direction to punch the lights out of him. Instead, she

does

something!! similar!! In that she attempts to slap him on the back, hello. Enjoy, Yoojin.]

-- You asshole!!

[me looking up the wiki: can't believe dokja and yoojin have only 1 cm height difference and look exactly the same from the behind sans coat --]

is held up like simba

[predispose]

[ do it you coward. but it is dreamscape... he has been looking around, not specifically the where but for who. after all, he has to find him. he can't lose him. not again. once was enough, he can't handle losing him again. after everything he's done..?

his breath is short, taking another step forward and

feels that slap to his back. HELLO?? he jumps in surprise, the notion snapping him from his crashing mood and depressing thoughts. at least for now. He blinks wildly at her, peering closely to her face and-- seriously who is this woman? ]

I'm sorry? [ though, he isn't really offended, just confused- he's used to doing this trick on others and not someone doing it on him. assuming she's going down the route of apparently recognizing him. he looks to the side of her, as though expecting something to pop up but help his abilities aren't? well, this is a first. he hasn't felt this lost in some time. ]

cute.... what an uke icon

[pyojeol]

[Sooyoung opens her mouth to follow her AGGRESSION with another insult, but

oh.

this isn't. the protag she's looking for? Instead of immediately apologizing like a polite person, she just. stares at Yoojin, sweeps her gaze up and down and takes in all the differences that she should have noticed, before she pinned all her hopes on a stranger. ...Of course it's not him. Why would she be so lucky? Why would he just be here?

She immediately bristles, like her poor eyesight is Yoojin's fault, as if she can place all her disappointment squarely on his shoulders.]

-- Who the hell are you?!

[WHY IS SOOYOUNG JUST YELLING AT SWEET YOOJIN]

i'll kill you

[predispose]

[ normally, he would expect an apology, some reason for her exclamation but it's just. nothing. wow. this isn't very attractive of you, noona. why the hell are you even bristling, you have no one to blame but yourself?

instead, Yoojin just smiles, a polite kind. even though he kinda wishes to be snooty in return. he can behave as the adult that he is it's fine. ]

Shouldn't you be introducing yourself first before asking for someone else's name?

[ your manners are so rude? AND FOR WHAT. it's fine, he's not acting like an adult. he's being petty now for her yelling at him for no reason. really tempting his soul to call her ajumma straight up. ]

visionary

[tohell]

[ Upon waking from a familiar dream of broken worlds and memories relived, J feels a nagging pull to return to the shrine where he'd been reborn. Months ago, that dream had been the precursor to his own arrival. And after running into a few new faces there, he suspects it's a clear sign that a fresh batch of Aions are sure to cross over soon.

There are plenty of other legacy shrines to choose from, across the land. Some more practical in their location to where he resides in the Citadel. But for a demon, he's always been a surprisingly sentimental creature.

Sure enough, J's not alone when he teleports into the chilly interior of his home shrine. Padding forward towards the racket reveals a girl rummaging around inside a cracked open chrysalis shell. Well, that's not the reaction he'd had upon being thrust into this world, but it is a less troublesome response to deal with than someone paranoid and looking to lash out. ]

I hate to interrupt what looks like a fun time, but- [ For a demon that towers over most, he moves with an easy stride over to the shell the girl is trying to dig through. Propping his back against a more intact side, J gives her a pitying look that doesn't entirely read as sincere. ]

Whatever you're looking for, it's not in there.

[pyojeol]

[Sooyoung whips her head up, a flash of indignation mixed with surprise crossing her face -- mostly at the fact that she was surprised in the first place, that she let herself get surprised.

she's never been this sloppy. that's the whole point of grinding, isn't it? so that you're stronger than normal, more alert and fast. maybe she let herself get too distracted, it's that and the absence of all her usual skills, but whatever the reason --

she's still here sticking her arms in goo while a guy with horns is looking down at her.

she glowers up at him.]

Yeah, I can see that. [she shifts, standing up from her crouch. unfortunately, she's 5'2'', so whatever height she gains is probably inconsequential.

still, it's the thought that counts] Were you just watching this entire time, or did you know that I wouldn't find anything?

[tohell]

[ After several moments in Horos, among all shapes and sizes of Aions or the less humanoid denizens, J should be accustomed to people brushing off his appearance without so much as a blink. But to have a shrimpy little human launch accusations at him without any hesitation? That never ceases to surprise him. Or maybe he's just starting to act his age by living in the past. Back in the old days, demons haunted the nightmares of people like her, and were only sought out by the bravest and most desperate of souls. A few months of being considered practically ordinary doesn't easily change seven hundred years of lived experience. ]

Excuse me. [ Ma'am??? He just got here? J touches a hand to his chest. Offended™. ] Do I look like I spend my time picking on kids for kicks?

[ Okay, so maybe that's not something a demon who terrorized his teenage ward can deny. It might not even apply here, when he doesn't know the half-pint's age. But it does answer her question, more or less. He isn't here to pull pranks or humiliate whatever precious bit of pride she has. ]

I'll have you know I'm a very busy man. [ Demon. Thing. ] And right now my schedule is full with providing you a proper escort out of here.

[ Get in loser, we're going Kenoma-ing. ]

[pyojeol]

[Sooyoung wisely decides not to answer his question, but maybe her silence and shifty-eyed expression is answer enough. She absolutely assumed J to be That Stinky. It's like the spiderman meme, when two demon bullies can identify each other on sight. She really looked at J and saw horns and went "possible troll".

case in point, her squinty eyed expression immediately turns suspicious,]

So you're not here to pick on me, but to pick... me up...? Why?

[are u here just to pick up chicks and teens, regina jeorge.......]