You and your familiar have been magically pulled into the world of Avalon... a ways away from the normal arrival bay. This time, you'replunged into a small lake within a gorge formed by waterfalls on one side and land on the other. Within the lake, an even smaller island within it that contains what appears to be some kind of statue encrusted with moldavite. You'll likely find that around the same time, current characters start appearing who are using their Land of Maidens Totems provided to them by the Fairy Queen.
The Lady of the Lake is still around to help people get out of the water and onto the little island, but even she seems a little perplexed at where everyone is supposed to go from here. At the very least, she will be providing shots of Everwarm potion to save people from freezing in the cold winter waters, and will tell new arrivals topartner up with some of the mages appearing on that middle islandto get an explanationabout where they are and what's happening.
B ⦿Searching for Direction
Further exploration will reveal that though the end opposite the waterfalls is deep enough for a dive, the end closer to the waterfalls is shallow enough that you canwade through it at about waist height. There are small rocks visible underneath the water surface that sparkle with a holographic shine. Prismatic rainbows dance across the surface of the water and there are a variety of pixie-like fairies dancing across the surface of the water in celebration. Speaking to them will reveal that a spirit that goes around purifying stones that gather natural energy throughout the year has just visited. The holo will fade after about a week, but it's truly a sight to see! Ask them where you're supposed to go next, however, and you'll get a lot of giggles and statements that you'll find your way if you keep your head down!
If you interpret that to mean you need to go deeper, swimming down beneath the surface will unveil to you what appears to be an underwater park. At this point, the pixies will tease you by casting a variety of enchantments on you that will last for the next hour, including:
Reverse Speak: Say the opposite of everything you intend to say. (Yes comes out as no, hello comes out as goodbye, "I love you" comes out as "I hate you," etc.)
Messy Magic: Causes something to go awry based on your primary magic type:
Kinetic:items follow you around at a respectful 2 feet behind
Elemental:everything you touches will freeze
Animal: all animals (including people) will be afraid to get within 10 feet of you
Alchemy: anything you touch falls apart (non-living)
Healing: reopen any visible wounds/scars when you touch someone with one
Dark: the lights going off every time you walk in a room, including candles and lanterns- outdoors, within 20 feet
Cognitive: send all of your thoughts to anyone within 20 feet, uncontrolled
Synchronized Swimming: Every time you get into the water, you find yourself making strange poses.
C ⦿Off-Track
Keeping your head down can mean to avoid drawing attention to yourself too, so perhaps you instead are choosing to look for places to hide around the area. Be careful! You'll likely find skeletons from wayward travelers lying around outside of the water... it may be best to stick to where most people are right now, or at least find someone to teach you some basic magic skills to give you a chance at defending yourself against the fearsome creatures that lives near this gorge: the aqrabuamelu, a species of fierce warriors created to wage war against younger gods in their original lands. They are 8 to 9 feet tall, with the torso, head, and arms of a man and the body of a scorpion, including both claws and a poisonous tail. A sting from them will render victims blind, they are super strong, and if that wasn't enough they are also excellent archers. It will take a party to get out of a battle with these warriors and back to safety, so you may consider helping out your fellow new mages by trying out your magic todefend each other.
A ⦿Keep Your Head Down
Those who aren't afraid to get wet may head toward the waterfall itself and the pixie's hint might become a little more apparent:keep your head down and walk through the waterfall itself. On the other side, you seem to be on another land entirely. A floating land, actually. Three islands, floating in the sky above the clouds and connected by a wooden suspension bridge from the first to the middle and a second from the middle to the last island.
The first island you arrive upon seems to be host to not much-- old statues, shaped like beasts are scattered among ancient, gargantuan trees whose roots are likely bigger than you are and leaves are shades of blue and turquoise throughout. There are a variety of small birds fluttering around, squirrels, deer, rabbits, a friendly skunk- the basic Disney package. One particularly notable thing is that the animals are reactive to music, so if you start to sing, they will follow you around. The birds will sing with you, the animals may start participating in whatever it is you are doing.
Across the first bridge lies an island with an old-looking castle with tall towers, covered in vines and flowers, surrounded by a moat, with a gazebo in an overgrown rose garden. Despite that it seems the plant life is unkempt, the building itself looks intact and clean.
The only residents of this island are 9 sorceresses, and they will welcome you with open arms and graciousness. There is an anti-violence spell placed upon the castle grounds. Any attempts to start fights, hurt anyone, or cause trouble, will result in the immediate transformation of that person into swine. You'll need to either speak to the sorceress, and one of the maidens upon the island named Circe, to beg for your fellow travelers returned to normal.. or find a siphoner to remove the curse for you. In the meantime, everyone is welcome to stay in the unoccupied rooms and explore the castle and the islands of the Land of Maidens while they stay. Get comfy, perhaps find a roommate (there are a lot of people coming in and there may not be enough rooms). You may also want to find your own food source over eating anything in the kitchen. Maybe hit up some of the older otherworlders who were warned ahead of time about eating fairy foods... or risk getting stuck in Elphame until you find a solution.
Within the castle, there are 6 occupied bedrooms-- visiting each will allow you to meet the sorceresses who live in the Land of Maidens.
B ⦿ The Maidens' Tasks
Each maiden will provide you with a different task to complete upon meeting. Once enough people complete their tasks, they will show everyone how to get off of the island and fast-travel to the capitol of the Fae lands, Nicnevin, for the Winter Solstice. In the meantime, everyone is welcome to stay in the spare bedrooms within their castle or camp outside where they please.
Eight of the nine witches are present and their tasks are as follows:
Thitis: A woman who plays a cither with expertise, she is able to change the moods and emotions with the power of her music, as well as lull people into slumber. She requests that you climb to the tallest tree on the first island and get her a branch from the top with which to make a new neck when this one runs out. Do not harm the tree in the process, and watch out for the thorns, which are known to turn creatures to stone if they draw blood. It is a gift for her sister, Thiton, so please deliver it to her.
Thiton: Thiton is more interested in modern music, and asks that you perform your favorite song with her. She can play any instrument, but you must perform to whichever one you choose to play with her. She will transform wood brought from Thitis's task to whichever instrument you choose and you must find at least one other person to perform with you. Sounds created from her instruments will create sonic damage as well as give your character synaesthesia for the rest of the day.
Circe:Casts a curse upon every person who entersher room. This curse causes the person to have one part of themselves transform into a wolf every five minutes.Break your curse or become one of her pets. This curse is immune to siphoning and can only be broken by finding the character's clothes, which have been transported onto one of the statues on the first island, and throwing it over the cursed individual.
Mazoe: A very motherly figure, her room looks like a nursery for a baby. In fact, upon entry, you and whoever you enter with will be tasked with taking care of her child while she runs some errands. Her child is a giant baby with superpowers. It doesn't seem like she's coming back for a while. Good luck, new parents.
Moronoe and Tyronoe: This room is the scene of an argument between the two witches. They cannot decide on a mural for the accent wall in this room. They seem to decide that the truest art is one that fate decides for you, and you and whoever you came in with (or wandered by in the hallway and got pulled in) should work together to paint them a new mural. Be wary, as any creature painted on the wall will come to life and mess with the rest of the mural as you go. You cannot leave the room until the painting is complete.
Gliten and Glitonea: These two share a room filled with threads and needlework projects and equipment, and a cauldron they will not let you near. They lament that you missed their sister, but she runs off on her own from time to time and only comes back to the island when it's her turn to stir the cauldron- though neither of them seem to need to right now. They seem to speak in turns, often finishing each other's sentences. Something about them looks familiar, as if you've seen their sister before. The sisters three's (two's?) task is to cross the bridge to the third island wearing a blindfold. The bridge itself is called the "Whisper Bridge" and you will hear voices of people you care about trying to draw you off the bridge, saying anything they can think of to get you to turn off the bridge. There are no railings on the second bridge.
A ⦿ Whisper Bridge
Attempting to cross the bridge without a blindfold will prove to be much more challenging, as the bridge seems to be under siege by sky orcas. These beautiful creatures, colored with galaxy patterns that seem to move as they swim, occupy the skies surrounding the islands. They make a show of flying through the air and are peaceful everywhere around the islands except for at the Whisper Bridge.
Those who see them while crossing the bridge will be hunted as dinner, and they're particularly terrifying ethereal beings who can touch you, but turn to clouds when you touch them. They will not attack anyone who cannot see them-- so Gliten and Glitonea's task, or an impossible fight, will get you to the third island.
B ⦿ The Island of Dreams
The final island is a place where the imagination rules. If you can imagine it, it will come into being on the Island of Dreams... sometimes whether it's on accident or on purpose, so be careful what you get caught in your head. This illusionary island will make anything real, and is a way to conceal some very real features that it is protecting.
Remember that anything you create on Dream Island must stay on Dream Island or it will die, and anything that you create on Dream Island can cause real damage to the real people on it. This is a place where dreams become real. You cannot control the other people on it, but you can create illusionary versions of people you know to interact with as well. (Please get player permission before doing anything with in-game characters.)
The exit to the islands is also located on Dream Island, in the form of a huge, green dragon. You have to be brave and walk into the dragon's mouth, and you'll come right back out the waterfall you came in through. It's hard to tell if this dragon is real or not... but it will get you back on Avalon's grounds.
• All test drive prompts are open to anyone in the game at any time to create your own logs with, as the events within are considered game canon. • This post should have top-levels by potential new characters only. Current characters may reply to any threads and may start their own logs off-post, 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. • Normal "Arrival" prompts are usually present on every TDM, but December's has different prompts as it is in a different location than normal. • Questions about this TDM's content? Comment here! If you have a question about the game at-large, please head over to the FAQ.
[ One minute, she was exploring the empty village she was born in with her mentor and the next she's unceremoniously dumped into a lake. The sudden cold is enough to shock and it's every instinct on fire that leads her to swim to the surface. Her hood clings to her shoulders as thickly as the rest of the nice clothes Reines had bought her —
Panic doesn't set in immediately. ]
— Add?
[ No answer, but maybe that's okay. He hadn't been talkatic today, right? He said he was sleepy — She turned to take account of herself and look for the hook under her cloak. Empty. He's gone. It's gone. ]
[ Panic sets in now. Only now as she begins to fidget with her cloak and stops once more. When they arrived in that village, Flat had hidden her face. The illusion had been a gift, freedom, and now the face of a stranger stares back at her once more. ]
I - I —
[ Her voice catches. It shouldn't be a surprise, this is the face she'd been stuck with most of her life. Flat's magecraft could only do much. And yet, it's these two changes that keep her staring somewhere into the middle distance despite her body shivering from the cold. Despite how it screams at her to get out of the water, she wades instead. Confused, lost, and perplexed as she tugs the hood back further over her head and feels an overwhelming sense of loss. ]
[ Perhaps, this was the "life" at the end of death her mentor once spoke of. ]
II INTO THE UNKNOWN
[ She's not dead. That much had become apparent, she thinks, when she finally made it through the waterfall and to the other side. The items following behind her had been proof enough. More than that, however, was finding Add. Half asleep but cranky, she'd been relieved to find her closest friend once more. His sleepiness meant she could hug the cage tight and hook it back underneath her cloak before long. ]
[ Of course, she's heard a lot of stories about Camelot and Avalon. In a village like hers how could she not? (With a face like hers...?) ]
[ The world of faeries isn't an entirely unknown skeptical either, but stories don't hold up to appearances and she can't help the awe that feels her as she sees the giant trees and the large castle, foreboding in its measure. It's not at all like London. ]
Ihihhihi, you thought a different world would be the same? Stupid.
[ The voice, gravelly and sleepy, comes from beneath her cloak. Seeing someone glance her way, the girl coughed to hide it and ducked her head unanxiously .]
Um... We should look... For a roommate, right?
[ The castle looked big, but it's a lot of people. Is it selfish of her to not want to be alone? The slight rattling beneath her cloak reminds her that she's never entirely alone — but it's different. She feels overwhelmed and wants to run and hide —
Where? ]
III SPIRITED AWAY
Ah — Um — Please don't do that!
[ Her voice wavered from that of a whisper to something more along the lines of a depressingly quiet shout. "That," as it turns out is that the superbaby was currently crying because they was tired (and didn't want to sleep). It's half flooded the room, but more importantly, whenever they pound their fist or feet into the ground in the tantrum the entire room shakes with the force of an earthquake. ]
[ She can feel Add rattling with unheard laughter as she approached. When he swipes a hand in her direction she jumps back — without being able to reinforce her muscles she doesn't go as far, just barely misses, but at least doesn't tumble back into the water now past her ankles. ]
That's not nice... [ She sounds way too timid of a babysitter, as if she's not sure how to handle this kind of situation (hint: she really isn't). ] Would... you like a bedtime story?
[ That quiets them momentarily and for a moment she breathes a sigh of relief before realizing one very, terrible fact: She doesn't know any bedtime stories. At that, she turned giving a deer-in-the-headlights kind of look to the nearest person. ]
IV FLEETING DREAMS
[ The island of dreams offers freedom and a part of her never wants to leave it. At first she'd watched, curiously, as people made so many delightful things — bizarre and strange, but wonderful. Her world's expanded once more, but she feels so very small. ]
[ It's a passing thought. Until now she'd always thought she'd keep the same face — Flat had shown with magic that maybe it wasn't so impossible. And so one day, on the island, she sits and thinks. She'd always had a similar face — but what was it like before? She can't remember. She tries to force herself to remember. ]
[ She doesn't. But even so the face she dreams up is different, her own in a way. The hood comes down. Her smile separated as she turned back. Her dream island is mostly this — a concentration on freedom. And yet, somehow, there's more:
Cats. A lingering smell of tobacco smoke, ink, and herbs (familiar, soothing, she's content). A large tree, so very normal, but so comfortable to sit under that she can't help but do it most days she's on the dream island. Often she falls asleep to peaceful dreams. ]
[ When she leaves the island, it's always with something of a dower expression. A sort of dream world catchall! Catch her changing her face or napping. Or being surrounded by an army of cats. Have shenanigans ensue. ]
V OOC NOTES
[ Just some quick notes before playing with her. Please note that Gray may come in with a hefty dose of imposter syndrome. She's technically the form of a reincarnation of King Arthur — in body only, currently — from that of the Fate Universe. So although her hair is grey in color she's pretty much the exact replica of a couple other characters currently in play (Artoria, Nero). Dialogue-wise, she's timid, so there may be a bit more monologue! This monologue may allude to death and her own (believed) eventual end — though I do try to do so rarely. So if those topics bother you please avoid playing with her. Thank you!
A final note that Add is a strange-looking cube in a fairy cage. He's always with Gray, but kept hidden under her cloak. Jabs, laughing, and cloak rustling may be mentioned as necessary, but characters won't initially see him.]
[ self-centered and egotistical as saber might be, she... has generally found herself to be one who tries to help where she can. her absent master's influence has had a lasting impact.
the girl ahead of her is hooded, but clearly out of her depth regardless. elphame may be new to saber as well, but... well. avalon, at the least, is more familiar now. ]
[ Gray hadn't quite fully looked at the person when she spoke. Her fingers twisted in the fabric of her sleeves, the young girl gave a tiny bob of her head: no, I don't need help it says. Or more likely the case, she doesn't want to bother anyone with herself. People are as overwhelming as new places. ]
I do not know what I would need help with...
[ Said quietly, not quite a lie. Gray isn't sure where to begin or go. For a girl who six months ago had never left her village of less than a hundred people and only left due to coincidences to stay next to her master's side... It really is overwhelming, she thinks, as she glances upwards from beneath her cloak. ]
[ Perhaps in another world, she would have sensed someone sooner. She doesn't know. It's almost impossible to hide the shock of a similar face. If she was more of a collected person, she would have looked away. Maybe she would have run away.
Instead, the hooded girl can't look away no matter how rude (or dangerous) it was. ]
[ saber's eyes widen a bit. it is not the first time she's come face to face with someone who looks eerily similar to herself in this place, but it's strange that it might happen again.
the face is the same, by and large. a bit sharper, eyes not quite the same shape, but—it's uncanny.
really, though, this girl strikes her as more of a mirror to artoria, even if this timidness would be a surprise from the king of knights. ]
I know I am quite the sight to behold, but... [ maybe joking isn't the right tactic here, actually. saber pauses, tries to think. her voice softens a touch when she speaks up again, stepping a bit closer. it's clear that something has the poor girl spooked. ] It is all right. If it helps, I hardly understand this either. What do I call you?
[ She doesn't want to look at the other's face anymore than she's ever wanted to look at her own in the mirror (or be looked upon). And yet, her attention isn't torn away as readily as she might like. The longer she looks — indeed — the other's face isn't nearly so mirror as an image. Older, sharper — maybe. ]
[ It allows her to turn her attention away, seafoam eyes boring a hole into the ground instead. All she's ever had about her appearance is other's point of reference, in the end, but — She can feel Add move in his cage. She doesn't. ]
[ For as much as fleeing would be preferred, she feels rooted. Listening. Uncertain and confused in equal parts. Hesitation and then an answer: ]
... Gray.
[ Finally, some part of her body seems to creek into existence as she moves hands to tug at the hood of her cloak, pulling it further down her face so only half of seafoam hues can be seen. A beat, and she's quiet, as if the question isn't something she's allowed to ask: ]
--What is your name?
[ She thinks — hopes — somehow they are not that hero. ]
[ it's perhaps an overly obvious name, but... a good one. it puts this newcomer in good company with red and blue, she thinks, and normally the thought might amuse her.
saber nods at last, glancing away towards the castle. gray clearly doesn't feel comfortable being so—seen. she has always been every bit the opposite, living for the spotlight, but... still, she has no desire to cause this person any more discomfort. ]
I go by Saber, in this place, but... I doubt that is what you mean to ask. [ she closes her eyes for a moment, letting out a breath. gray seems to her to be asking out of more than simple politeness or curiosity. still, even now, she finds herself reluctant to disclose her true name. ] Nero. Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.
[ The voice is gentle, closer than Gray might have expected, but Gareth had found little trouble getting close to the girl in her distracting panic. The knight reached for Gray's shoulder, all the same, tender in her touch, not letting any weight press there just yet, just to have a presence, to assure her the other person was real, and above all not a threat. ]
Let's get you out of the cold, shall we? I don't doubt you've a myriad of confusions, that I'll endeavor to make clear for you.
[ Panicked as the girl was she lacked awareness of that around her. Outside of the initial feeling of wrong, her focus had been settled almost entirely on her missing friend. The sound of the voice, at first, goes unregistered until Gareth is touching her shoulder. ]
[ She jumped in the water, turning her head to look at the other with wide and confused eyes. ] I --
[ It is cold, very cold. ]
[ She shakes her head fiercely in spite of that, seafoam orbs glancing over the land and then: ]
-- I'm missing... something... It might have sank.
[ It was possible, right? The cage could have easily detached from beneath her cloak and gone under water. Add first, she couldn't leave him-- that's what her voice said now. ]
We'll have a moment to look for it after you've gotten yourself warmed up, milady.
[ As far as Gareth could tell, this girl was still in shock from the whole arrival ordeal. Most were. She certainly didn't take it very well, herself, despite being used to that on some level. Heroic Spirits had to deal with that kind of thing, right?
Regardless, Gareth wasn't about to leave her to look for whatever 'something' was, not yet. So instead, she turned away to let out a sharp whistle. It wasn't a moment later before a flash of lightning struck the island, a dire wolf alight in sparkling electric brilliance standing in the wake of the initial burst of light. ]
Stoirm! This girl may have dropped something where she came in!
[ The wolf, who seemed to understand Gareth, nodded, the sparks from her fur fading to reveal a more natural blonde color beneath, all before she started to run out into the deep, diving beneath the water. ]
If you allow it, milady, I'm willing to pick you up and carry you the rest of the way... my familiar will take care of the rest, alright?
[ Gray bobs another fierce shake of her head 'no' -- but words die in her throat. It's not like she can tell a stranger of Add's importance. Her mouth drying, she feels as lost as she is useless. ]
[ There's a dog -- spirit? something -- flying through the air and it catches her attention, if only briefly as her teeth dig into lower lip. ]
I can swim... but I can't leave him behind.
[ "It" became "him" too easily, but she ignored it. The other is right, they need to get out of the water, but her attention stills to water and creature for a moment longer. A familiar -- the person was a mage? ]
This isn't my village.
[ Not it at all. Is this where everyone else had disappeared to, too? ]
[ She didn't miss that "him", either. At that point, she really did hope Stoirm found something within the further depths of the lake, but Gareth had a few doubts she would. After all, it was very rare anyone showed up with a companion, even if Mash had arrived with Fou... ]
Stoirm is a better swimmer than either of us, nor does she have to worry about the lack of air. I know it's asking a lot, but please put some faith in her, as I have.
[ And as for her other remark... ]
This isn't your village, no. Nor is it my own, or really any of ours. Just as I am, you are not a natural part of this world...
[ Gareth hadn't gotten permission so she just opted to help guide Gray out of the water, bit by bit. But it was in that moment she got a much closer look at the girl and couldn't help a pause. There was... something about her...
Unfortunately, Grey's search for a roommate seems to be off to a rocky start, considering the first room she tries, the door is flung open from the inside with a disturbingly ripped, blue-skinned and somehow angry-looking skeleton man on the other side.
"There you are, He-Man! It's time we settled this once and for who are you." The rictus grin twists into a snarl. "This room is occupied! Go away!"
No one had answered when she'd knocked lightly on the door — Perhaps because the man was giving some villainous monologue to himself. When she opens it, only a few inches, to peek her head in there's a giant of a man on the other end.
Gray jumps with a start, eyes widening, and hair standing on edge like a cat. "Sorry!" The exclamation is louder than usual, high-pitched and she does the most obvious course of action: Slams the door shut, takes a step back, and places a calming hand to her chest.
Hooded head looking up and down the hallway to ensure a quick escape.
[ Out of all the tasks available to them, babysitting seemed like the easiest. But as Tsumugi stands in a literal pool of tears, he feels that "the easiest" doesn't at all mean easy.
Still, he's in no position to complain. Especially with Gray visibly panicked, clearly unsure of what to say next. So before the superbaby starts crying again, Tsumugi pipes up with: ] How about a story with cats?
[ Truthfully, he doesn't know any bedtime stories either, but he's been acting long enough to know how to tell a story. So it's fine! ... Hopefully! ]
[ The baby's stilled yet as if waiting expectantly for some story. She's read plenty of detective books, but those aren't really good for telling babies no matter how super. When the other person in the room pipes up an idea, Gray's eyes widen and she gave a tiny bob of her head 'yes'. ]
[ Said baby rolls over on its side to peer at the smaller two — why was it so big?! — and Gray released a breath. ]
Ah, the story is about a small, black kitten. One day, he got lost on his way home in a swamp!
[ She glanced over at the other person and hesitated:] Um... and after that...
After that, the small, black kitten met a kind and friendly bird.
[ He gives Gray a smile that he hopes is reassuring (it's okay. just follow my lead and do your best) before turning back to the baby. ]
From up high in the tree, the bird calls down to the lost kitten. [ He pitches his voice slightly. ] "Hello, friend! Is something wrong?" [ And then, back to normal. ] To which, the kitten replied...
[ He pauses for a moment, allowing her to jump back in if she wants. ]
[ A sigh of relief. A part of her wants to take the out to escape having to continue the story, but the other's smile is warm... And she doesn't want to be more of a burden than she is. ]
[ She's read plenty of books before, this should be no different. Except she's never had to make the plot of a book before. ]
[ Oh, he's making voices, should she? ]
"I'm lost and all alone!" the kitten exclaimed... it flicked its tail and added quietly, "and it's getting dark! I heard you're not supposed to go out in the dark or in the swamp..."
(Harry’s search for a roommate so far didn’t have any success, as some of the people he had asked to be his roommate either declined the offer or had prior arrangements. So there is he, wandering around in the castle hallways with nowhere to go when he sees that someone else (Gray) is also at the hallways as well.
If Gray looks very close, she can see a lightning bolt scar on the right side of his forehead with his bangs brushed aside to the left these days.)
Oh hi there, Miss. It appears that I don’t have any luck in finding a roommate at the moment. Are you looking for one as well?
[ Add rattles from beneath her cloak, something of a laugh that's too sleepy to carry. Another's voice has the young girl glance up — the figure distorted from beneath her hood. Her heart still racing from her last interaction, the girl hesitate before answering quietly: ]
I think... Ah — Maybe it would be better if I slept outside...
[ Her eyes glanced over to a door where someone's booming voice was still coming out of. Not a no, but a startled remark all the same. ]
Oh okay, that’s understandable. I’m just asking around to see if anyone wants to share a room in the castle with me.
(Harry could understand the feeling she is dealing with at this time. When he first came to Avalon, he didn’t have someone else to share his old inn room with for months and it wasn’t until the events in the Fall Equinox that he had welcomed his current roommate into his flat for the foreseeable future.)
Is this your first time visiting the land of the Fae as well?
...I could... [ Her voice hesitates as she glances from beneath her cloak to the offending door. ] But only if it's very far away from here.
[ She's not bothered by a roommate — She's bothered by the person behind the first door she opened. Loud enough to shake her out of her skin and slam the door moments prior, but she shakes her head slightly to get rid of it. ]
[ Saber is soon to come through, looking around for others who look more lost than others. She hadn't expected arrivals to come along with them here, after all.
Still, she hears a voice that's... almost familiar, and turns to face it, but... no, the person she turned to face is a girl around her own size, a hooded figure that... she actually hasn't seen before. Albeit she can't see their face, so she can't be fully sure. Regardless... ]
Hello. [ She'll come up slowly from behind. ] Are you alright?
[ For a moment, Gray doesn't look fully up at the other — A fact that's perhaps for the best. She's shaking her head instead — although what she's trying to say goes unclear for a moment longer. ]
H-hello. I'm fine. [ Short laughter from beneath the cloak, weak and quiet, she covers it up with a fist to her mouth and a cough. ] I think — it's just dusty! It's getting stuck in my throat...
[ The girl agreed, perhaps a touch too quickly. It's dusty, clearly, and that's all there is to it. Add's quieted down once more — a state she's done her best to not be worried for. ]
[ She chews curiously on the other's words before trying to answer: ] Ah, a lot of us... Arrived in the lake over there.
[ It's a confirmation as much as anything as she glanced up, denial quick on her tongue, before stopping herself entirely. A person of similar height and build isn't far away, but that's not just it — ]
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avalaughs2021-12-01 12:21 am
gray | case files of lord el-melloi ii | kinetic and death magic
II INTO THE UNKNOWN
III SPIRITED AWAY
IV FLEETING DREAMS
V OOC NOTES
ii
the girl ahead of her is hooded, but clearly out of her depth regardless. elphame may be new to saber as well, but... well. avalon, at the least, is more familiar now. ]
Do you need help? [ she hazards that at last. ]
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I do not know what I would need help with...
[ Said quietly, not quite a lie. Gray isn't sure where to begin or go. For a girl who six months ago had never left her village of less than a hundred people and only left due to coincidences to stay next to her master's side... It really is overwhelming, she thinks, as she glances upwards from beneath her cloak. ]
[ Perhaps in another world, she would have sensed someone sooner. She doesn't know. It's almost impossible to hide the shock of a similar face. If she was more of a collected person, she would have looked away. Maybe she would have run away.
Instead, the hooded girl can't look away no matter how rude (or dangerous) it was. ]
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the face is the same, by and large. a bit sharper, eyes not quite the same shape, but—it's uncanny.
really, though, this girl strikes her as more of a mirror to artoria, even if this timidness would be a surprise from the king of knights. ]
I know I am quite the sight to behold, but... [ maybe joking isn't the right tactic here, actually. saber pauses, tries to think. her voice softens a touch when she speaks up again, stepping a bit closer. it's clear that something has the poor girl spooked. ] It is all right. If it helps, I hardly understand this either. What do I call you?
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[ It allows her to turn her attention away, seafoam eyes boring a hole into the ground instead. All she's ever had about her appearance is other's point of reference, in the end, but — She can feel Add move in his cage. She doesn't. ]
[ For as much as fleeing would be preferred, she feels rooted. Listening. Uncertain and confused in equal parts. Hesitation and then an answer: ]
... Gray.
[ Finally, some part of her body seems to creek into existence as she moves hands to tug at the hood of her cloak, pulling it further down her face so only half of seafoam hues can be seen. A beat, and she's quiet, as if the question isn't something she's allowed to ask: ]
--What is your name?
[ She thinks — hopes — somehow they are not that hero. ]
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saber nods at last, glancing away towards the castle. gray clearly doesn't feel comfortable being so—seen. she has always been every bit the opposite, living for the spotlight, but... still, she has no desire to cause this person any more discomfort. ]
I go by Saber, in this place, but... I doubt that is what you mean to ask. [ she closes her eyes for a moment, letting out a breath. gray seems to her to be asking out of more than simple politeness or curiosity. still, even now, she finds herself reluctant to disclose her true name. ] Nero. Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.
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i
[ The voice is gentle, closer than Gray might have expected, but Gareth had found little trouble getting close to the girl in her distracting panic. The knight reached for Gray's shoulder, all the same, tender in her touch, not letting any weight press there just yet, just to have a presence, to assure her the other person was real, and above all not a threat. ]
Let's get you out of the cold, shall we? I don't doubt you've a myriad of confusions, that I'll endeavor to make clear for you.
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[ She jumped in the water, turning her head to look at the other with wide and confused eyes. ] I --
[ It is cold, very cold. ]
[ She shakes her head fiercely in spite of that, seafoam orbs glancing over the land and then: ]
-- I'm missing... something... It might have sank.
[ It was possible, right? The cage could have easily detached from beneath her cloak and gone under water. Add first, she couldn't leave him-- that's what her voice said now. ]
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[ As far as Gareth could tell, this girl was still in shock from the whole arrival ordeal. Most were. She certainly didn't take it very well, herself, despite being used to that on some level. Heroic Spirits had to deal with that kind of thing, right?
Regardless, Gareth wasn't about to leave her to look for whatever 'something' was, not yet. So instead, she turned away to let out a sharp whistle. It wasn't a moment later before a flash of lightning struck the island, a dire wolf alight in sparkling electric brilliance standing in the wake of the initial burst of light. ]
Stoirm! This girl may have dropped something where she came in!
[ The wolf, who seemed to understand Gareth, nodded, the sparks from her fur fading to reveal a more natural blonde color beneath, all before she started to run out into the deep, diving beneath the water. ]
If you allow it, milady, I'm willing to pick you up and carry you the rest of the way... my familiar will take care of the rest, alright?
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[ There's a dog -- spirit? something -- flying through the air and it catches her attention, if only briefly as her teeth dig into lower lip. ]
I can swim... but I can't leave him behind.
[ "It" became "him" too easily, but she ignored it. The other is right, they need to get out of the water, but her attention stills to water and creature for a moment longer. A familiar -- the person was a mage? ]
This isn't my village.
[ Not it at all. Is this where everyone else had disappeared to, too? ]
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Stoirm is a better swimmer than either of us, nor does she have to worry about the lack of air. I know it's asking a lot, but please put some faith in her, as I have.
[ And as for her other remark... ]
This isn't your village, no. Nor is it my own, or really any of ours. Just as I am, you are not a natural part of this world...
[ Gareth hadn't gotten permission so she just opted to help guide Gray out of the water, bit by bit. But it was in that moment she got a much closer look at the girl and couldn't help a pause. There was... something about her...
Why did she feel familiar? ]
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Into the Unknown (Roommates)
"There you are, He-Man! It's time we settled this once and for who are you." The rictus grin twists into a snarl. "This room is occupied! Go away!"
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Gray jumps with a start, eyes widening, and hair standing on edge like a cat. "Sorry!" The exclamation is louder than usual, high-pitched and she does the most obvious course of action: Slams the door shut, takes a step back, and places a calming hand to her chest.
Hooded head looking up and down the hallway to ensure a quick escape.
iii (🥺 so excited to see gray!! i love her!!!)
Still, he's in no position to complain. Especially with Gray visibly panicked, clearly unsure of what to say next. So before the superbaby starts crying again, Tsumugi pipes up with: ] How about a story with cats?
[ Truthfully, he doesn't know any bedtime stories either, but he's been acting long enough to know how to tell a story. So it's fine! ... Hopefully! ]
(aah i'm glad ;A;!)
[ Said baby rolls over on its side to peer at the smaller two — why was it so big?! — and Gray released a breath. ]
Ah, the story is about a small, black kitten. One day, he got lost on his way home in a swamp!
[ She glanced over at the other person and hesitated:] Um... and after that...
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[ He gives Gray a smile that he hopes is reassuring (it's okay. just follow my lead and do your best) before turning back to the baby. ]
From up high in the tree, the bird calls down to the lost kitten. [ He pitches his voice slightly. ] "Hello, friend! Is something wrong?" [ And then, back to normal. ] To which, the kitten replied...
[ He pauses for a moment, allowing her to jump back in if she wants. ]
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[ She's read plenty of books before, this should be no different. Except she's never had to make the plot of a book before. ]
[ Oh, he's making voices, should she? ]
"I'm lost and all alone!" the kitten exclaimed... it flicked its tail and added quietly, "and it's getting dark! I heard you're not supposed to go out in the dark or in the swamp..."
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Into the Unknown (Roommates)
If Gray looks very close, she can see a lightning bolt scar on the right side of his forehead with his bangs brushed aside to the left these days.)
Oh hi there, Miss. It appears that I don’t have any luck in finding a roommate at the moment. Are you looking for one as well?
Re: Into the Unknown (Roommates)
I think... Ah — Maybe it would be better if I slept outside...
[ Her eyes glanced over to a door where someone's booming voice was still coming out of. Not a no, but a startled remark all the same. ]
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(Harry could understand the feeling she is dealing with at this time. When he first came to Avalon, he didn’t have someone else to share his old inn room with for months and it wasn’t until the events in the Fall Equinox that he had welcomed his current roommate into his flat for the foreseeable future.)
Is this your first time visiting the land of the Fae as well?
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[ She's not bothered by a roommate — She's bothered by the person behind the first door she opened. Loud enough to shake her out of her skin and slam the door moments prior, but she shakes her head slightly to get rid of it. ]
[ A pause at his question and then confusion: ]
— Someone said it was everyone's?
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II
Still, she hears a voice that's... almost familiar, and turns to face it, but... no, the person she turned to face is a girl around her own size, a hooded figure that... she actually hasn't seen before. Albeit she can't see their face, so she can't be fully sure. Regardless... ]
Hello. [ She'll come up slowly from behind. ] Are you alright?
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H-hello. I'm fine. [ Short laughter from beneath the cloak, weak and quiet, she covers it up with a fist to her mouth and a cough. ] I think — it's just dusty! It's getting stuck in my throat...
[ Or something like that, anyway. ]
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Mm, perhaps it is...
[ Regardless... what is this strange feeling? It's like... familiarity, but in a way she hasn't experienced before. ]
This land is an unfamiliar one to us all, but... forgive my assumption, you are more unfamiliar than most, correct?
[ A newbie, she means. ]
If you wish, I can accompany you to the castle.
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[ The girl agreed, perhaps a touch too quickly. It's dusty, clearly, and that's all there is to it. Add's quieted down once more — a state she's done her best to not be worried for. ]
[ She chews curiously on the other's words before trying to answer: ] Ah, a lot of us... Arrived in the lake over there.
[ It's a confirmation as much as anything as she glanced up, denial quick on her tongue, before stopping herself entirely. A person of similar height and build isn't far away, but that's not just it — ]
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