TEST DRIVE MEME ⚔️️ 2

[avalonmods]

{ QUICK NAV } Premise ⚔️️ Rules ⚔️️ FAQ ⚔️️ Taken ⚔️️ Reserves ⚔️️ Apply ⚔️️ Locations ⚔️️ Bestiary A ⦿ Soaking in Your Arrival KERPLUNK, SPLASH! Regardless of what you were in the middle of, you and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon just above the Bay's chilly waters. After a brief plunge into the Bay, the rush of water filling your ears and soaking up into every creak and crevice of your body, you may need to cough to clear your airways when you rise above the surface. It's paralyzingly cold for a few seconds before you're approached by the Lady of the Lake beneath the water's surface. She puts a vial of a vibrant, glowing red Everwarm* potion to your character's lips. The icy water doesn't feel so icy once consumed and you'll be able to move your limbs enough to swim to shore on your own. She can't stick around to explain, she's got to get this to all the new arrivals! Many of which you'll see plopping in around you. If you can't swim, a handful of helpful ice turtles will scoop you up from beneath and drop you off at the shore. When not helping people, the turtles are going around and hitting the ice that keeps forming on the surface with their shells to keep the surface open for the falling arrivals or pushing personal items to the beach near the new arrivals they smell like (belong to). If anyone tries to ask the Lady of the Lake for directions, she will direct you to Archimedes at the Rent-a-Ride. If anyone with Animal Magic asks the turtles, they will give the full spiel, but very slowly, and they like to get off topic and gossip about other turtles you've never heard of. The shores themselves are littered with new arrivals complaining their way up a staircase carved into the walls of the White Cliffs. There is no railing, so be careful, but if you do fall, be prepared for a mysterious sand hand to reach out of the side of the cliffs to catch you. The hand will pat you atop the head twice before retreating back into the wall. This is the Cliff Beast; despite the name, he is quite friendly. B ⦿ The Caravan to Camelot Once everyone is wrangled up to the top of the White Cliffs, the handsome owner of the Rent-a-Ride, Archimedes, will distribute smart phones, a pair of earbuds, and a winter cloak** to everyone before getting them settled in groups into modernized carriages pulled by horses and give them a basic explanation of why and how they've been brought to Avalon: The universe is frozen in time and your character has been brought here by a familiar that was able to bond with them. They'll have to learn magic to help save their own world from destruction, but first they've got to get them to Camelot. It is here that you have the first opportunity to decide who they will be in their new home. You'll have about an hour to wander around here, meet and greet, and pet the horses before it's time to go. These carriages use fae technology that combats weight, so your character will be able to get in regardless of whether they're light as a feather or weigh two tons. The carts have air conditioning when it's hot, heating when it's cold, and a mystical shield to protect from bugs. There is also a mini-bar that pops out of the console with nip bottles. Characters can use their smartphones to connect to Camelot's internet service, avalononline (AOL), to chat with other characters, watch dumb videos, learn about the world, contact Camelot Support (they'll answer any questions they can for you, from how to use a smart phone to where to find quests and resources to learn more about your magic). Be careful if you decide to use your phones while in the caravan-- if you don't use those earbuds and start forcing everyone to listen to your nonsense, Archimedes may make you walk. C ⦿ The Red Spring The journey from the White Cliffs to the City of Camelot is a long one, and the first evening you arrive you'll end up spending at the Red Spring, a booming resort town. Because of the volume of new arrivals and vacationers, inn rooms are assigned two-to-a-room. The rooms have two twin beds, a bathroom, a mini-fridge and microwave, and a TV equipped with a couple of entertaining video games and a few free movies. If you don't want to relax in the room, try taking a dip in the spring for another chance to meet your fellow travelers. The waters have restorative properties that help horses and travelers recover quickly when drunk. It is known to relieve stress, improve energy levels, and mildly accelerate healing. It may be a little chilly when you get out though, so make sure you don't slip rushing back indoors when you get out! The springs are also home to a large training grounds just outside town limits, where there are teachers who will teach basic magic safety and help you discover what kind of magic you have together with other new arrivals. Try target practice, obstacle courses, meditation circles, and other ways to try to figure out just what you can do... if you didn't already have an accidental discovery on the ride there. A ⦿ Trial and Icy Errors Winter has arrived in Avalon, and with it has come to a change in the weather. Puffs of breath precede sentences when outside, small fires fill braziers to allow people to stop and get warm for a moment between where they come from and where they are going. Snow has begun to fall; at first, it is the same, fluffy, white flakes many adventurers will have seen. However, as the day progresses, the snow begins to shimmer; it’s like a prismatic effect, a magical light catching against every little crystal and illuminating sparkling flakes, so vibrant it’s clear someone has enchanted the snow. Shortly after the change, there will be a text alert to all devices: Tired of the same old routine with your magic? Ready for a little something new? Come on out and have an old fashioned snowball fight with a magical twist. Be sure to practice your new powers and have fun! 😉 -Merlin Those who come outside to find the rainbow snow already being packed into neat balls by Camelot's citizens; go ahead and grab a basket full but remember, don’t just toss them. Let’s get magic with it! Different types of magic will have different effects on the enchanted snow: Use kinetic magic to toss three at once. Nevermind if they suddenly balloon inside and burst into a snow shower over your opponent, throw a couple more; some are bound to hit, right? Throw a little animal magic in there and morph a few into a bear or some other animal of your intent; sorry about his random dance attack, at least your opponent will be laughing too hard to throw a snowball at you. Try hiding them in a shield or cast an illusion with some light magic; better apologize when that goes sideways and the snow hardens, bursting into rainbow crystals at your opponent's feet. Team up with someone who has cognitive magic; they can telegraph you the plan without your opponents being any the wiser... except the snow seems to be picking up on it and sending those thoughts right to your opponent! Perhaps use this as an opportunity to learn control! Maybe you want to try using a little wind magic if you’re of the elemental class; watch out for the rainbow snow squall your perfectly lobbed snowballs will become. Healing magic is one you might not see coming-- enchanting a snowball with healing magic can result in positive mood enhancements. Give your enemies a blast of zen to lower their guard and make them an easy target! A dark magic user might think to add a little hex to their snowball; give themselves an edge... too bad, without practice, that hex might be a little too heavy and burst over the maker before it even leaves their hand! Hope you know how to fix it. Alchemists are welcome to change the shape of those snowballs. Maybe try and craft them into something a little more stealthy or projectile. Too bad that snow seems to want to turn into a batch of butterflies and be free... magic sure is tricky! But hey, they sure are pretty. In the end, it seems while adventurers will be able to get plenty of practice in, some of that practice is going to come from trying to stop the side effects of mixing their powers with the magic snow; welcome to your first lesson in control. If one is going to use magic in conjunction with already magically imbued things, they ought to know the right amount, seems Merlin wants you all to learn in a trial by snowball error. Those who practice their magic and participate in the snowball fight will be given hot chocolate, warm soup, fresh baked goods, or other treats to warm them up after their training is done. But don’t slack off! You’re like to find your hot chocolate spiced with pickle flavor, that warm treat suddenly turns to ice cream in your mouth. Avalonians want that practice to happen, and are willing to add some incentive... whether that means the carrot or the icicle. All throughout the City of Camelot is a buzz of excitement about the oncoming winter solstice on the 21st. Citizens will tell you of the winter solstice's importance in cleansing the flow of Avalon's magic each year and absorbing sunlight to increase its potency. In other words, the winter solstice generates a significant amount of magic if the proper ritual is followed, so the visitors from other worlds really should head on over to Albion's White Cliffs. A ⦿ The Darkness in the White Cliffs The first task that you'll experience during the ritual is asking the Cliff Beast's permission to enter the cliffs. Though they look wholly solid on the outside, these cliffs contain a veritable labyrinth of magical caves that weave in and out of the chalky cliffs. As there is danger within these walls, it is recommended no one go alone. The Cliff Beast will only open a door to the caves for parties of two or more who present him with a gift. The gift doesn't need to be something significant, just a show of courtesy-- a lovely rock or a seashell will do, placed at the base of the cliff. The only gifts he will outright reject are precious gems and metals. Honestly, they make him a little nauseous-- and you don't want to see a cliff beast nauseous. In fact, if you try it, the Cliff Beast will suddenly burst into a rockslide right near where the gem was left. Watch out! Once you gain entrance, you will find there is no light within the caves and the door seems to close behind you. Non-magical lights won't illuminate anything within these caves, so you will need to either navigate through the darkness or find a magical means to light your path. Be wary-- traveling in the dark will be a much safer journey if you can find your way through the caves and keep track of your companions. The reason there is no light are the bat-like creatures that eat energy like fire and electricity. With the magical light attracting them and nothing to consume, they'll be very aggressive and swarm anything emitting heat.. like an unsuspecting traveler. Make too much noise, and the Cliff Beast will spit you out back onto the sand and you'll have to start over. B ⦿ "For a greedy man, even his tomb is too small." Those who persist within the caves will eventually come upon a room whose ceiling glistens with bioluminiscent microbes that are too small for the bats to eat. These little glowing creatures create reflections in the room that show just what it contains-- glimmerings of precious gems, gold, and other treasure cover the walls and floor, save for a large flat stone altar in the center. There are many hand-crafted clay cups filled with what appears to be water. The side of the alter has a very simple message: "TAKE ONE CUP TO THE SPRING, LEAVE THE REST. SPILL NO DROP." Sure enough, this matches with the instructions you were given about the ritual: Take a cup of waters harvested by the Asrai, a fairy that lives within the walls of the cliffs that cultivates it every year to bring to the Red Springs for the Winter Solstice. There is no clear warning about what will happen if you take anything besides your one cup. However, characters who disobey this instruction and take any of the riches within the cave will initially experience severe symptoms such as magical blockage, an endless common cold, and food turning to ash in their mouth. They will experience dreams in which they are urged to return the treasure and a day later, advanced symptoms if it goes on for too long have been known to result in vomiting frogs and snakes, insomnia, speaking in tongues despite the translation spell, bleeding from the ears, and eventually death. C ⦿ Drink Up Those who listen and take the Asrai's cups to the Red Springs will notice while carrying the cups, all creatures and threats will leave you in peace. Neither rain nor snow will touch you, parting from your path in both the sky and on the ground. The effects will only last as long as you don't spill a single drop. The ritual can still be completed, but the protections only work if you don't spill-- otherwise you'll be fighting off weather, creatures, other people, and whatever else you encounter as the effects of a spilled cup will cause those around you to try to steal your cup without thought for your safety, even if they might not even think to do normally. Upon arriving at the Red Springs, a party of people there to guide those who have made the ritual's journey to a particular pool within the vicinity of the springs. Characters will be directed to take a sip, then pour the rest into the Spring alongside your peers, finally throwing the clay cup itself into the spring. Throughout the day, you will begin to feel strangely giddy, but it will pass. Nothing much will seem like it happens otherwise, but the guides assure you that you will understand on the night of the winter solstice when the ritual is complete and your body becomes a conduit to purify and rejuvenate Avalon's magic. For now, as thanks, the guides offer you one of the celebratory gifts they have to offer-- free drinks (this time of the age-appropriate alcoholic or sugary variety), a free night's stay at the Red Springs, a yule log, an escort, a Recipe: Snow Dance. (Effect: Snow Dance will cause small flurries to pick up where the spell is cast, resulting in decreased visibility. Only works if snow is already present, as it cannot generate elements.) The choice is yours. Pick one. MOD NOTES: • All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, but this post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads, but should not top-level comment on this post. • If your application is accepted, you may accept TDM threads as game canon as long as both players consent. Characters may begin threading as soon as their journal is accepted to the communities. • If nothing here tickles your fancy, try one of this month's Quests for your TDM prompt. • The first "Arrival" prompts are present on every TDM, but may contain seasonal tweaks for flavor. All other prompts will change monthly. • Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ. *This Everwarm does not count toward your potion collection for those who wish to take up potion brewing. You must obtain Everwarm from the Elphame Trader's to count. **Jackets come in a variety of neutral colors, enchanted with a fit-adjustment spell that will adjust to your character's size.

Comments

[gutteringlight]

A: Arrival: Cat-Astrophic Caravanning

"MMMAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOUUUUU!"

"Sssh, sssh, come on darling, I know you're wet--"

"MMMAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOUUUUU!!!"

"I'm trying to help, if you could just stop squirmi--"

"MMMAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOUUUUU!!!"

The source of this ungodly racket appears to be an oddly-dressed gray feline in the arms of an absolutely mortified hyur. "Sorry, sorry..." he murmurs, red-faced under the stares of passersby as he tries to comfort his wailing bundle of...joy? Sure, we'll go with that. "'Twould seem the poor thing's had a bit of a fright, eh?"

B: Arrival: Putting a (Hot) Spring in Your Step

Ah, now this is more like it. As many and varied as the comforts of Duplicity were, none of them could match the experience of a natural hot spring. He strips down to his smallclothes with unhurried leisure, savoring the steamy air against his scar-coveredskin. Finally he slips into the water with a contented sigh, closing his eyes and leaning back as the heat soothes away the cold and the stiffness of old joints.

He cracks an eye open at the sound of approaching footsteps. "Don't mind me," he says cheerfully. "Plenty of room for everyone, aye?"

C: SNOWED IN AND TELL

"Hello? Excuse me?"

The extremely muffled voice appears to be coming from a lovely rainbow crystal standing proudly on one side of the battlefield. Or rather, it's coming from the man who has managed to trap himself inside it...somehow. "My shield spell went a bit...wrong," he explains. "I can't break it from this side..." He strikes the wall of his prison as well as he can given the extremely cramped quarters, and succeeds only in making a lovely musical chime. "But mayhap it can be broken from the outside?"

D: DRIVEN BATTY IN THE DARK

The journey through the pitch black caves has gone surprisingly well so far. Jophrey's familiar could see where human eyes couldn't, and while the gaelicat doesn't know much about navigating mazes, spotting dead ends and unstable hallways proves an easy task.

The mage was never the sort to trust a run of good luck, so the sound of his companion's warning hiss comes almost as a relief. This is much more familiar territory. "I'll summon a light," he whispers, and a moment later a weak, flickering glow springs to life in his palm. Not much, but in this pure darkness it's more than enough to illuminate the passages before and behind.

And they are full of eyes.

"Oh bugger."

E: WILDCARD

Got another idea? Hit me up on Plurk @ izzyryu or PM me. Or just post a starter here and I'll roll with it!

C!

[angel_of_death]

Not being the incredibly social sort, Walter isn't actively participating in the wintery fun. However, it has woken him up, and given it seems to be showing no signs of slowing... well, might as well start his day.

It's in the process of circling the flank of the 'battlefield' that he passes near the large crystal. He almost keeps going, but the muffled sounds are just audible enough for him to recognize as human speech, and he pauses in his tracks.

The chime that sounds as the ice crystal is struck from the inside gets him to saunter over.

"Got yourself stuck, did you?"

[gutteringlight]

"It would seem so," the man in the crystal admits, his expression sheepish. "I was trying to make a shield, but the construct went haywire as soon as that bloody magic snow hit it." He shakes his head and sighs. "Never could properly get my head around arcanima. Didn't think I'd need to until..."

He cuts himself off with a cleared throat as if he realizes that he's rambling. "Erm...but anyway! I don't suppose you could help a fellow out?"

[angel_of_death]

"Hmmmnn...?" Arcanima. Now that's a curious word. But there's little need to ponder on it while an old gent slowly freezes inside a prison of his own making. "Alright, old boy. I'll help you out. Brace yourself."

It is all the warning he gives before he shoves the entire thing over with a firm kick. Not one meant to break the thing, though it certainly gives a ring of protest at the blow. No, he wants it on a more solid footing so that he doesn't end up knocking it away... or accidentally harming the person inside.

That in mind, he presses his foot against it once again, half-straddling the crystal as he pins it in place. "Still awake in there?"

[gutteringlight]

It's a bit hard to see Jophrey's expression through the translucent barrier, but his shoulders sag with relief. He nods at the warning and adjusts his stance as best he can. "I apprecia--WHOA!"

Down on the ground, he appears a bit startled, but otherwise unhurt. He blinks up at the young man, rubbing the back of his head. "Well I'm definitely awake now," he chuckles. "Right, what's next?" He's pretty sure he can guess, but no harm in asking.

[angel_of_death]

The man's in good spirits! Good. It would be annoying if he helped out only for the gesture to be sneered at. And as that's not the case, it even has the bonus effect of improving Walter's own mood.

"Next," he begins, lifting his hand and curling his fingers into a fist, "We break that little shield of yours."

He typically doesn't use punching in his fighting technique — preferring the use of his much more lethal wires — but his gloves sport metal rings at each finger, which in combination with the proper application of kinetic magic should produce enough force in a small enough area to do a good bit of damage.

"It might take a moment though. Don't want to go too hard on it after all." The human body is a fragile thing, and as apparent as it is that whatever powers or augmentations they had originally are gone, he reasons that it wouldn't be too far-fetched to think that they might all be about as durable as your typical ordinary human.

B

[betweentheseconds]

Joph will get a flat, unenthused grunt of acknowledgement to his cheerful invitation. For there is absolutely something to be said for the pleasures and benefits of a natural hot spring, in Zenos's estimation. That is why he is here, and that is why he is stepping into the water and lowering himself into it with a contented rumble of a sound.

A moment is taken to regard the other man, and a few moments more than he might have usually taken is spent taking in that impressive collection of scars. There's a veritable epic etched upon his skin, and he cannot help but begin to ponder the source of the most easily visible ones... But in the end, it holds no prolonged interest for him. He has nothing much to say, either. And so he closes his eyes and leans his head back and resolves to relax. It has been an eventful day, to say the least.

[gutteringlight]

With no reply forthcoming, Jophrey simply closes his eye again and goes back to soaking in the warmth for several minutes more. Fair enough if his fellow bather had no interest in idle chatter, and he could more than understand the desire for silence after a long day. And for those few blissful moments, he's oblivious to both Zenos's identity and his scrutiny.

But curiosity has a way to ruin so many things, and eventually it gets the better of him.

By the time he finishes the startled gasp that escapes him, Jophrey is already out of the water, mage's staff appearing in his hand as if conjured from thin air. The easy relaxation is gone from his bearing, replaced with the combat-ready wariness of one who's fought for his life time and again.

"Zenos." He manages to pack a great deal of emotion into that one word. "How in the hells did you manage to follow me here?"

[betweentheseconds]

Zenos had been content enough to sit there motionless and silent, for the warmth was the first remotely enjoyable thing that he's managed to experience in this place. That too-familiar nigh-growling of his name is something of shock, enough for him to open his eyes and snap his head forward. This man knows him? Knows him enough to think that this is all something personal.

He frowns deeply, all contentment now gone from him.

"And who are you, to presume yourself so worthy of my pursuit?" If there is any emotion in Zenos's tone, it is annoyance. Here he had briefly begun to entertain what it might be like to dwell somewhere where his reputation and status did not precede him, without a hint of baggage or history hanging over him... and here he is already needing to discard that half-formed hope.

[gutteringlight]

That...was not an answer he was expecting. For a long moment he simply stares at Zenos with a bemused expression, planting his staff on the floor with a thump. He leans against it like a shepherd holding a crook, abandoning his stance entirely.

"You have no idea how often I've asked myself that very same question," he says. "But...I have to admit that having you actually agree with me is a bit of a blow to the old ego. Probably says something unflattering about me, come to think of it." The casual tone and posture are belied by an undimmed intensity in his remaining eye.

"So what poor bastard are you obsessed with now, boy? I should like to offer my condolences."

[betweentheseconds]

That shift in posture and tone is well-noted. There is something here that he is missing, some vital fact that he is now determined to obtain from this man. He shifts in the water, sitting straighter, eyes never leaving him.

"I've not changed who I have my sights on. The Warrior of Light still holds my attention." He frowns, and inclines his head slightly, the look that he gives all the keener. "And you are not him. I would know him anywhere, no matter how battered and marred. So I ask of you, once again: Who are you?"

B

[crystalsfused]

[...there is something familiar about the man, even from behind. He knows that form, he knows those scars... the voice just makes his ears perk up and a grin form on his face. Jophrey!

With every familiar person he has met thus far recalling Duplicity as well as he does, G’raha feels no particularly need to question him. He brings himself close, perching at the edge of the water.]

For someone supposedly held at the Creator’s mercy, you seem quite relaxed, my friend.

[It’s meant to sound teasing, but instead it comes off as cheery - G’raha’s a little too pleased to see a friend unharmed for him to sound anything but delighted.]

Re: B

[gutteringlight]

Eh?

[ His expression shifts from confused to delighted, and his face splits into a wide grin. ]

Raha! Well, if this is what the Creator means by "at his mercy," I certainly can't fault him for his taste. But this place doesn't seem quite his style wouldn't you agree?

[ He glances down at his chest at the spot his Submissive tattoo used to be, and his smile widens. ]

But good riddance to bad rubbish, I sa--wait.

[ He turns around to get a better look at G'raha Tia, peering up at him through the fog. ]

...Thal's balls lad, did you get younger?

[crystalsfused]

[G’raha’s laugh is bright, ears happily flicking back and forth as he edges just a little closer.]

Indeed! Though I would rather not recount the hows or whys for the moment... the circumstances don't make for the most pleasant of memories.

[For a moment, he considers helping Joph relax and ease whatever aches and pains he had (after both he and Felih had suffered from sitting too long on their journey here!) with a simple shoulder rub - at least, that would be his excuse, for a part of him simply wants the reassurance of touch. As though some part of him just wants to make extra-sure he is really here.

As this is not the most private of settings, however, he instead pauses for a moment and then dips himself into the water.]

I think all of us missed you... though I think none took the Creator at his word, and thought you instead returned home.

[gutteringlight]

[ He shakes his head. ]

If I did return home, I've no memory of it, alas. 'Twould seem that time between here and Duplicity is all scrambled as well. From my perspective we last spoke a mere handful of bells ago. Then I woke up in a bloody lake with a terrified gaelicat hanging onto me for dear life.

[ There's a smile as Raha slides into the water, and underneath the surface Jophrey takes his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. ]

Full glad am I that we're reunited then.

A

[emet_sulk]

While the gaelicat's caterwauling attracts its own sort of attention, it's Jophrey's voice which attracts Emet-Selch's ear. The Ascian had been in the town square browsing job listings when the first caravans bearing another set of arrivals halted. The damp cat's protestations can be heard a malm away.

He wanders over to observe everyone. And then his eyes fall upon a familiar figure, a familiar face. Almost without realising, his feet take him to where Jophrey is and he halts a few paces away.

"...I see you made it here after all."

His tone is carefully controlled. He stands with arms folded across his chest, face expressionless. His own familiar isn't around at the moment but it will come if he calls.

[gutteringlight]

"...Ha--Emet-Selch!" Jophrey is definitely not displeased to see his former enemy; quite the opposite. His brow is furrowed however, as if something about Hades doesn't quite match up to his expectations. "You look well!" There's genuine surprise in his voice, and relief, of all things, as well.

"Aye, I did make it here, wherever 'here' is this time." A sour note creeps into his voice. "Another of the Creator's little experiments, I take it?"

[emet_sulk]

This...jubilant attitude leaves him at a loss for words. He's not entirely sure where they stand now and he hadn't had the chance to confirm it before Jophrey had disappeared from Duplicity.

So it takes a few moments for him to answer, the Ascian gazing silently at the other man meanwhile.

"...No. It appears to be the work of local powers. We have all of us been deprived of our usual magicks and forced to use native incantations."

[gutteringlight]

Jophrey answers Emet-Selch's surprise with some of his own. "Is is so surprising that I was concerned for you?" he says, eyebrows raised. "I...I suppose that's fair. But...from my perspective I only spoke to you a few bells ago, and you were in a bloody state after your Tempering was undone, were you not?"

He absently shifts the gaelicat so it's covered a bit more by his cloak, and it seems to settle down as the drying and warming spells do their...well...magic. "'Twould seem it's been longer for you than for me. I do hope that you and Felih managed to sort things out."

He nods at the explanation. "Well that explains why my collar appears to be missing. Good riddance. And why I can't sense any aether here." That's why everything feels off-kilter. It's like having the world's color taken away.

"And these native incantations...are they why I seem to have a traumatized gaelicat attached to me now?"

A

[seasoflight]

Felih's ears shoot up at first, recognizing the sound of a feline in distress. While it's what immediately gets him moving, the more he follows it, the better he can hear the other voice, and when he sees a very familiar figure becoming clearer, his tail starts to quiver.

He zooms over so quickly he nearly accidentally bowls the man over, but he still greets the man with a tight hug and a noisy purr, nuzzling into his chest and completely disregarding the fact that Joph is soaked.

Thank the gods Felih has a habit of wandering the shore. He would've not stumbled upon them otherwise!

"Joph...! You made it here, too!" He looks at the poor gaelicat. "And your familiar too- poor thing. I have a towel, if it'll help?"

Re: A

[gutteringlight]

Jophrey only gets a glimpse of a ginger blur before Felih is in his arms, a protesting gaelicat caught between them. He laughs and returns the embrace while his familiar struggles free, eventually clinging to the hyur's back with a highly affronted look.

"Aye, I'm here, though 'twould seem I arrived a bit late?" Though from his perspective, he'd been talking to Felih a mere handful of days ago. "And full glad am I to see you in such good spirits, lad! And the others are here too, you say?" His eyes narrow just a bit, though his suspicion isn't aimed at his friend. "This isn't another of the Creator's games, is it?"

[seasoflight]

"Just a tad," Felih responds, purring and delighted, nuzzling into his chest. "And some of the others are here, yes! Hades and Raha and Irhya and Megumi- they're all here! Ah, and there's a new Amaurotine here, too! His name is Hythlodaeus, and he's very fun," he chirps, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.

"I don't think this is anywhere near Duplicity... from what I gather, this is a new world entirely. And look- my Submissive mark is gone!" he says proudly, tugging down his winter scarf to expose an unmarred throat.

[gutteringlight]

Jophrey's eyes widen in shock. "Hythlodaeus?" he repeats. "He was a close friend of Hades, was he not? I met a...a sort of shade version of him before I came to Duplicity, but...you mean to say that this is Hythlodaeus in truth? From before Amaurot fell?" Hades seeing his friend again after all that time, it must have been indescribable for him.

Prompted by Felih, he looks down to where his own submissive mark would have been, loosening the top fasteners of his robe to find naught but bare skin. "By the Twelve, you're right!"

A - Driveby Test Drive

[lovesuwithknives]

Someone peeks curiously through the crowd, stepping effortlessly past strangers on the path to finding out just what all that yowling is about. The fact that the source of said racket is dripping wet is almost disappointing in its logical plausibility.

Then Azwel gets a closer look--he'd recognise that prematurely white hair and lanky frame anywhere. He gives an amused snicker.

"Somehow I'm not surprised you'd end up with a wailing cat," he chortles.

While the ostentatious clothing is unfamiliar (but strangely suiting), this man couldn't be anyone other than Azwel....

[gutteringlight]

"Good to see you too, Azwel," quips Jophrey dryly, glancing down at the feline who is currently deciding what to do about this rude interruption. He eventually settles on staring at Azwel with what can only be a highly offended expression. At least the little bastard is quiet now.

"Strange after all this time to find a beastkin from Eorzea here after all this time." He fusses until his familiar is well wrapped in his new cloak, which seems to do wonders for its mood. It burrows deeper into the magical cloth, beginning to purr as the enchanted material dries and warms both familiar and master.