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seasonsgreetings2023-02-12 12:01 pm
seasonsmods) wrote in seasonsgreetings2023-02-12 12:01 pm
Entry tags:
Test Drive Meme #1
Test Drive Meme #1
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION
You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.
The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:
An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.
All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.
Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.
And it looks like you're not alone.
After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.
Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa.
The Message [ Click to Expand ]
Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.
Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here.
This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes.
We used to have plenty of people here who could control the powers of the four Seasons. We called them Seasonal Power Holders. Unfortunately, due to a tragedy you can read about later, we lost almost all of them. Now only four of us remain and the world is in chaos. We have done our best to protect the world, but we need more power holders to do that.
That's where you come in.
All of you have been assigned to one of the seasons. Whatever space you were in just now is what season you represent. You will learn different skills based on the season and those skills are going to help you save this world.
These powers don't interfere with your own natural powers. They use a new energy that has formed inside of you. It's harmless to your health, but it's vital to your seasonal powers. Your own powers should still work, even if the dark energy outside the city might interfere with them.
Unfortunately bringing you here wasn't as simple as it sounds. We couldn't do anything about how to keep you anchored to this world other than making a simple spell that helps with it. That is, you need to touch someone else who is not from this world ideally at least once a day. It will help you stay in control of your powers and boost your magical energy. If you don't, the consequences aren't very good. But as long as you hold someone's hand or give someone a handshake, you should be fine.
That's all I have to say about the situation. The staff of the Research Center will give you more information about housing and other necessary things. I will, however, promise that you will be sent home once the situation becomes better. That's the least we can do.
The hologram can be viewed in private in a separate room later, should someone wish to look at it again. For now, the staff of the Research Center hands everyone their new smartphones with their small flower lucky charms (the flower is anything the player decides). They're also told that the building next door is where everyone can find a room assigned to them with some of their belongings there and possibly even any animal companions. Those concerned about their mount-sizes companions are welcomed to the stables downstairs to see if their friends are there. The mounts are allowed to stay there until you find a place more suitable for them.
Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.
Part 3
The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.
All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.
The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.
All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you your own room if you ask them. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?
The city outside the Research Center and the apartment building is a very futuristic and bright place. There's a lot of fancy technology and the weather seems almost too perfect all of the time. Even the weather here is artificial and doesn't feel natural at all. This is the center of the whole Nightwake City and it's called the district that never sleeps for a good reason. It feels like any time of the day you choose to go out there's something going on.
Everyone was given some money on their money app BankCrow to spend. Why not go for the Gacha Restaurant on the main street if you're hungry? You can either choose what style/type of food you want (different cuisines, pizza, junk food, etc) OR pick any ingredients and list your allergens before rolling the gacha machine and what comes out is a meal that fits your choices. Most commonly they're mediocre quality (2-3 stars), slightly rarer are the very bad and very good dishes (1 stars and 4 stars) and the rarest of them all is the golden 5 star dish that is the most delicious and sophisticated meal you'll ever taste. But hey, at least the drinks are all the same no matter what meal you end up getting.
If the futuristic city style isn't for you, there are other district with various different atmospheres waiting for you just outside the city center.
In the District Spotlight [ Click to Expand ]
Blossomcrown is a modern city, but not as futuristic as the central district. Cherry blossom trees have been planted on the side of the streets to give some color for the otherwise gray scenery. It's a busy place with a central park full of spring flowers in the middle, that gives some much needed peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of the city. There's even the famous Botanical Garden open to all visitors. It's a home to many exotic plants that can't be grown anywhere else (that's safe, at least). There are also plenty of butterflies and bees living in the gardens. Attached to the building it also a flower shop where anyone can purchase a plant for themselves - they're even divided by suitability for each district. But if plants aren't your thing, why not check out the concert venue, which is an arena made for holding concerts. It can be transformed into both an outdoor and indoor venue by opening or closing the roof. Anyone can book the venue to hold a concert as long as they have the funds to do it. They will even advertise your concert for you everywhere!
Those who really just want to see something that's not a city, why not try Frostreign? Sure, it's very cold but there aren't very many buildings. It's more like a small village in the middle of Eternal Winter. The easiest ways to move around here are sledding, skiing and sleigh rides, where either excited huskies or chill reindeers will take people on a ride around the district. There are some snowmobiles too for those, who want to try them. One of the most popular locations is the giant, nevermelting ice castle in the center of the town, where kids love to play hide and seek. It's also a popular locations for dates, as the natural magical crystal lights inside the castle make the place look romantic. Another popular spot is the ice hole, where some brave souls go either swimming and some others at least try staying in the icecold water for a little moment before running to the Sauna Spa! It's an area full of different kind of saunas but it also doubles up as an inn, and due to knowing Otherworlders were going to come today, it's even available for booking!
Those who want to test out their powers right away, Dayrise is the place to go! The Grand Colosseum is designated for power holder practice for at least the following week. After that the natives would like to watch sports again rather than continuous fighting, but even then you're welcome to use the colosseum when there's a chance. After testing your powers, the luxurious baths of Dayrise are a good treat. They're all public baths and none of the natives are ashamed of being naked for hours with strangers. They will also encourage anyone coming with a towel to throw it away.
Those who really just want to see something that's not a city, why not try Frostreign? Sure, it's very cold but there aren't very many buildings. It's more like a small village in the middle of Eternal Winter. The easiest ways to move around here are sledding, skiing and sleigh rides, where either excited huskies or chill reindeers will take people on a ride around the district. There are some snowmobiles too for those, who want to try them. One of the most popular locations is the giant, nevermelting ice castle in the center of the town, where kids love to play hide and seek. It's also a popular locations for dates, as the natural magical crystal lights inside the castle make the place look romantic. Another popular spot is the ice hole, where some brave souls go either swimming and some others at least try staying in the icecold water for a little moment before running to the Sauna Spa! It's an area full of different kind of saunas but it also doubles up as an inn, and due to knowing Otherworlders were going to come today, it's even available for booking!
Those who want to test out their powers right away, Dayrise is the place to go! The Grand Colosseum is designated for power holder practice for at least the following week. After that the natives would like to watch sports again rather than continuous fighting, but even then you're welcome to use the colosseum when there's a chance. After testing your powers, the luxurious baths of Dayrise are a good treat. They're all public baths and none of the natives are ashamed of being naked for hours with strangers. They will also encourage anyone coming with a towel to throw it away.
Around the city of Nightwake, Valentine's Day is being celebrated. There are plenty of decorations, all in pastel colors (mainly pink). The Spring Segment districts have also contributed by giving all other districts flowers for decorations for some pleasing aromas. Most of the restaurants also have discount for those who dine together instead of alone.
There are plenty of treats that lift up your mood. Eating too much of the treats results in becoming very clingy to the next person they see. The effect usually wears off in half an hour, but it could take longer depending on how many treats you've eaten.
Another popular Valentine's are the game stalls that are intended to be taken on as couples. Anything you win will only be given to your partner. If you play alone, all you get is a round of applause even if you'd do a new high score. These game stalls include a lot of classic from carnivals and festival, racing with horses or vehicles and even video games.
Each district has a small stall that acts as a starting point for the main Valentine's Day challenge. The goal is to travel from one check point to another within the district while holding hands with someone. There is a small task to be done at each checkpoint (like eating a full course meal or popping balloons while still holding hands). The point is to never let go of your partners' hand. Once the pair gets to the end of the course they get a reward.
The reward for getting past the course is a free item from Riki's Rewards (any prize) and a pair of friendship bracelets that sends messages to its pair bracelet (like "I miss you", "Let's meet up").
Exploring the city isn't something that interests you? Well, the four bridges that lead to the Seasonal Segments are always open and you're definitely allowed to go outside. However, due to the summoning magic, the dark energy outside the city has temporary gone haywire and all of the Segments are suffering from their natural disasters at the same time.
Winter Segment is suffering from a raging blizzard and the usual beautiful landscapes are just a white blur for the time being.
Spring Segment is in the middle of a hurricane, with all of the lightest beings being picked up and tossed all over the place with the wind.
Summer Segment is literally on fire. Only the rain forests and jungles, as well as the Great Ocean Lake are safe from it.
Autumn Segment is suffering from a thunderstorm. Chances of getting struck by lightning are quite high should someone step in.
If you're prepared for the weather, no one is going to stop you from going out to explore. It might be a good idea to bring a friend with you. Luckily, the natural catastrophes calm down after two days and the Segments are more normal after that. So it might actually be worth a while to wait before going out.
After the storm the sun shines and sheep appear [ Click to Expand ]
When you venture out to the Spring Segment after the storm, there's a herd of Fabric Sheep wandering near the Flower Yard. These sheep are tame and while they usually run and hide, sometimes they look for people to help them get their wool sheared. Luckily natives on the Dayrise bridge are handing out shearing scissors for those who would like to help.
The sheep get scared very easily, but if you don't make too many sudden movements, you will be able to do your job easily. The sheep might even boop you gently as a thanks before heading off again. If you're mean to sheep, however, you might get an angry Gravity Goat chasing you.
Anyone who visits the Flower Yard of any of the Segments will hear a story from a native there. A story of the magic that has been put in place that lets all the otherworlders "respawn" to their respective Flower Yard if they die in Ellipsa. The flower will be the same as it is in everyone's charms. The natives say that more details can be asked from the main four seasonal power holders, but that they've heard it's painless for otherworlders to emerge from the flower.
After the Segments have settled down, a message appears on everyone's smartphones. Everyone is invited to join some observational cruises at the Airship Station in Nightwake District. There are four different ships leaving at the same time, but if you come back again later you will be able to go to them all eventually. The trip targets are the Seasonal Segments. Of course, there are long instructions as to how one should dress to handle the different weather they would be experiencing while in the air. You have time to shop as the invitation is open for a good while.
The Airship Station is a very modern, almost futuristic, place with a lot of docks with various airships lined up. Most of the ships there are used for in-city transportation and there are various holographic displays that tell how many ships are available and where. Various restaurants are also found here and view from the ones on top of the building is amazing. There's time to look around, but your final destination is the biggest docks at the end of the station.
The point of these cruises is to give otherworlders a chance to see what the Segments are like without interacting with the monsters down below. The ships will fly to the airship station of each Segment and then come back a different route to cover as much of the segment as possible. In total the trip is said to take four days.
Because of the length of the trip, everyone has been provided with a simple two to four person cabin (with their own bathroom/shower) and three meals are served per day throughout the trip. Snacks can also be found from the cafeteria and they're free of charge.
Enjoy the view, bond with your fellow passengers and relax. Staying on the deck is safe, especially if you don't start leaning over the rails to look down.
The old lady and her cats [ Click to Expand ]
Each airship station in the segments is unique in their own right. They're not very well-kept like the one in the city and various weather changes have definitely modified them to look old and worn down.
Strangely enough, each of the airship stations has someone living there; an old lady with a herd of different cats depending on the season: winter cats are spirits that can be seen by anyone due to them taking control of stuffed animals, spring cats are part flowers, summer cats look like small lions or tigers and autumn cats are essentially the same as will-o'-the-wisps but in cat shape.
The old ladies explains that they are quite comfortable living there and don't have any plans to "evacuate". They will kindly decline anyone who tries to help them. The airship staff explains there are some special arrangements in place to help them live in the stations as those are safe places to stay in.
Each of the ladies will tell you a story. Winter lady will talk about the Watchtower and who used to live there, spring lady will tell all about the abandoned farm and its owners, summer lady talks about the abandoned castle and its royalty and autumn lady tells about the abandoned mansion and who used to be the lord.
If you talk to the same lady again later the story is different. She tells a different version of the story every time she is talked to. No one is really sure which of the stories is true because of how many versions are circulating around.
The ships only stay docked at the station for as long as the staff of the airship delivers some food and other necessities to the old ladies and then it's back towards the city again. Of course, nothing stops anyone from leaving the ship and experiencing the segments themselves.
Strangely enough, each of the airship stations has someone living there; an old lady with a herd of different cats depending on the season: winter cats are spirits that can be seen by anyone due to them taking control of stuffed animals, spring cats are part flowers, summer cats look like small lions or tigers and autumn cats are essentially the same as will-o'-the-wisps but in cat shape.
The old ladies explains that they are quite comfortable living there and don't have any plans to "evacuate". They will kindly decline anyone who tries to help them. The airship staff explains there are some special arrangements in place to help them live in the stations as those are safe places to stay in.
Each of the ladies will tell you a story. Winter lady will talk about the Watchtower and who used to live there, spring lady will tell all about the abandoned farm and its owners, summer lady talks about the abandoned castle and its royalty and autumn lady tells about the abandoned mansion and who used to be the lord.
If you talk to the same lady again later the story is different. She tells a different version of the story every time she is talked to. No one is really sure which of the stories is true because of how many versions are circulating around.
The ships only stay docked at the station for as long as the staff of the airship delivers some food and other necessities to the old ladies and then it's back towards the city again. Of course, nothing stops anyone from leaving the ship and experiencing the segments themselves.
- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.
- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible.
- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.
- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!
- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts are open, except for the Guilds for now.
- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.
- You can find monsters to encounter on Beastiary, including information on the two mentioned on the TDM.
- FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.
- Feel free to also hit our EMP/ATP meme while you're here!
Emet-Selch | Final Fantasy XIV + Edge of Reverie CRAU
[For all that this is hardly the first time Emet-Selch has found himself in a new place unexpectedly, it helps to have at least had some explanations of what to expect. At least in so far as why they are ostensibly here. (And it has not escaped his notice that they have been taxed with helping to restore this world.)
That, however is a concern for later. Right now he is far more interested in checking out the world he has found himself in. Not least of all because it's probably not another space hovering on the edge of a dream. Accordingly, he can be found pretty much anywhere in the city, sooner or later. Most frequently however, he can be found exploring the sights of Nightwake City (though he largely steers clear of the Gacha Restaurant) or the Colosseum in Dayrise, though he notably does not seem to be interested in testing his own powers. Instead, he mostly seems to be interested in watching other people test theirs, lurking discreetly nearby at an appropriately safe distance.
Every now and then, he can also be found in Frostreign, though in a very different appearance; while he never stays long, there seems to be a sense of something like nostalgia around him while he does.]
{Segments}
[1]
[Stepping outside of the city to find what appears to be a raging fire is... not exactly what Emet-Selch would have expected. From where he happens to be standing it is... not entirely unbearable - he has skill enough to keep the flames and the worst of the heat away, but it is very much not something that is particularly enjoyable.]
Ah. I see matters are... less than settled.
[This is a significant understatement, and he seems to be aware of it. But it's not quite wrong, either.]
[2]
[Shearing sheep is... not exactly what Emet-Selch would have expected to end up doing, when he'd first set foot into this particular segment, once the weather had calmed down enough. True, he's patient enough, and has a reasonably steady hand besides, but even so it's a surprise. And it's certainly clear enough that the sheep do need it, otherwise he can't imagine that they'd have asked in the first place but still. Bad enough that he'd found himself involved at all, never mind having been all but asked by one of the sheep themselves.]
Yes, yes, I know.
[This is, apparently, directed at the sheep in question, as he slowly and patiently continues his work - he might not be entirely thrilled about having been asked, but that doesn't mean he's not about to his best all the same.]
{All Aboard}
[Given his own hand in helping create the airships of his own world - or at least the systems by which they work - it's perhaps no surprise that Emet-Selch is quite perfectly at home aboard the airship once the cruise gets underway. That it's both comfortable and is a form of travel that doesn't involve any significant effort on his part are added boons and he can often be found gently dozing up on deck.
When he is not, he spends the vast majority of his time simply mingling with the other passengers, willing to engage most anyone in casual conversation even if he might not always seem the most friendly at first glance.]
How are you finding the view?
no subject
It's as she wraps up with a certain round that her ears flick up and... she turns as she sniffs the air for something that seems familiar enough to—
Make her freeze in place. No... surely...? ]
... oi. How long have you been there?
[ Of course she knows him but also... she seems to be watching him for recognition of a different sort. ]
no subject
Long enough.
[A pause and a shrug.]
I have admitted to liking to watch, have I not?
no subject
Enough to make her response to him a little dazed: ]
... You have.
[ Then, she catches herself, straightening up and marching over. ]
What do you recall last, then? Speak up now!
no subject
Likewise, he doesn't even so much as bat an eye as she marches over to him.]
Of our world, or those we might have found ourselves unexpectedly pulled to?
no subject
Then—?! Do you remember- the other place? The one between realities? The—
[ No don't give everything away, he should know what she's about to say! It's important!
Gah! Why does he have to answer a question with a question?! ]
— well, you should know! Do you?!
no subject
[It looks as if her answer is one he might have been expecting too, by the way his smile shifts. Not that there’s a direct answer, of course. Not in something like words. Instead, there’s a pause - for dramatic effect most likely - and then he raises a hand and snaps.
…and his wings unfold out of nowhere, every bit as she remembers them.]
I trust that is answer enough?
1/2
Everything becomes so much more clearer through the fog that's been reigning in her head, the words, the touches and— all of them related to him, even if thoughts about others are all a blur.
But her expression goes from surprise, to relief, to... ]
2/2
And she's reaching out to grab him by the front of his outfit and unceremoniously shaking him! ]
You could have led with that you theatrical ninny!!
[ And she's puffing her cheeks hard before she just.
Tugs him in to push her blushing face into his chest, hugging him tightly. ]
Dummy. Silly Hades!
no subject
What, and ruin the moment?
[Also he'd at least wanted to make sure she had had some idea of what to expect, but there's another flicker of a smile before she pulls him in for hug. One that he gladly returns, wings curving in around in echo a moment later.]
Exploring-Frostreign
It was someone’s first time experiencing snow, so there was a little cacophony of giggles not all that far away. He looked like a teenage boy, though he held himself as one far younger. He wore fine silks, and had no shoes, but seemed unbothered by the cold.
Currently, he was quite fascinated by the concept of footprints, and was having all manner of fun until he bumped right into the… very tall man.]
Oops… [And the small construct craned his neck up, looking somewhat in awe in face of someone so large.] e-excuse me.
no subject
...Only for that frown to swiftly vanish as he takes in the sight that greets him.]
Where are your shoes?
no subject
And he is indeed, still shoeless. So he looks back up.]
I don’t have any.
no subject
Surely you don't mean to say you arrived here without any?
no subject
[He looked down at them. Fine silks, tailor made for him, meant to be a show of status… now wet from his romps in the snow.]
no subject
[There's a blink and then a soft noise of displeasure.]
Come with me. If you intend to remain here the least I can do is ensure you have clothes suited to this weather.
no subject
[That said, he full falls in step alongside the tall man, keeping up with his pace in a little trot.]
no subject
[Not least of all to avoid any lasting damage, but he'll avoid mentioning that just at the moment.]
no subject
[He says with pride as he continues to trot along. He may not need the clothes, but the nice man hadn't told him to stop following him, so he'd simply continue until told otherwise.]
But it is very kind of you to ask!
(no subject)
(no subject)
exploring Frostreign <3
[The heavy coat that Gaius wears is certainly a familiar one, the deep red contrasting harshly with the snow-covered town around them. But the rest of his clothing may only be familiar to those who had...shared a dream with him, once? It's what it felt like, the memories of a strange prison still so fuzzy in his head... Memories that end up being the only reason why, even after seeing that too familiar face standing nearby?]
[Gaius actually approaches, rather than simply leaving in disgust.]
Feeling nostalgic, are we?
[Said in such a way that implies he's...still not sure if Emet is truly allowed to, just yet. The lingering sense of bitter anger is still there, it seems, even if it's managed to cool somewhat in the time the Ascian's been back in his life...]
no subject
Whatever else Garlemald may have been, it was home, for a time.
[Somewhere to which he had a devoted a not insignificant portion of his life, immortal though his may have been.]
Though it would seem that I am not the only one to feel so, here. Unless I have misjudged...?
[It's not impossible, of course. But if he has found some similarity to their shared home, surely it's not entirely beyond possibility that Gaius might have as well.]
no subject
[Before he clicks it shut again. Shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose, and pushes the complicated swirl of feelings back down where he doesn't need to dwell on them until later.]
Asking questions you already know the answer to was tiresome before, and it remains tiresome now.
[Only now he no longer has to humor the man if he doesn't wish to. Emet may wear Solus' face again now, but...]
[...but it makes everything easier to pretend he remains unaffected, as he trudges through the snow to approach the man properly, pale eyes taking in their surroundings with a subdued expression.]
This may be the closest we'll get to it again for some time now, so if you're coming?
no subject
But he says nothing of that. It is neither the time nor the place to, and though it is something he and Gaius may well need to speak of... it can wait.]
Can you blame me for the habit?
[Still, he doesn't seem to actually take offense at Gaius choosing not to answer. For all that he may have chosen to wear Solus' face - largely in an attempt to be less miserably cold - they both know full well that he is no longer the Emperor of Garlemald and has not been in some time.]
Of course. [There's a nod with the words as he steps up to take a place by Gaius' side.] If you would care to lead the way?
no subject
[...but their time in that other place together, nevermind all he was told about everything that had happened back on their own star... Perhaps it couldn't dowse his anger entirely, nor does he think anything ever could. But it certainly put a lot of things in a different light.]
[How he feels about that...he's still not entirely certain.]
[But Emet-Selch falls in step beside him, and for Gaius... There's a strangely welcome familiarity to this that a small part of him still aches for, even now, and it's a difficult thing to tamp that back down again once it makes himself known.]
'Tis very reminiscent of Garlemald in her infancy, is it not?
no subject
Plus, it means that he doesn't have to concern himself with the matters at the heart of that conversation, and there are no shortage of them that are likely to be complicated.
(To say nothing of the fact that there's a part of him, too, that is oddly relieved to have Gaius standing at his side, for however long it may last.)]
Very much so. In those bright and early days, before magitek had become what it is now.