MASKTOURN

In the center of the citadel is a large, open square, bordered on all sides by buildings. It’s one of the most intact areas of the ruined citadel. The ground is covered in intricate stone tiles, and the open sky looms over the courtyard.The area is devoid of plant or animal life, and despite being reminiscent of a bustling city center, is hauntingly empty. At the very center of the courtyard is a small stage, raised from the ground by about five feet.

Darcy wandered into the main square. There wasn't anyone else here, yet. He hadn't come across any others in the journey here.... but there had to be others there. He frowned, gazing up at the looming acropolis. This whole place gave him a bad feeling. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni made his way here by chance. He didn't walk far into the main square, feeling nervous about being out in the open. Like a rabbit on a plain field, where all the predators could see. He looked at the stage, and couldn't help thinking about public executions. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy lit up upon noticing someone else was there. He waved to the stranger. "Oh! Hello there! I've been looking for someone else!" He walked over to Aarni, hoping the stranger wasn't prone to violence, or anything. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni jumped slightly at the greeting, and turned to face the other with a sharp look. He seemed to relax and soften when he saw Darcy, though. "Hello..." he greeted, nodding. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I presume you've been brought here for the tournament, too?" He greeted. "I'm Darcy Sterling, by the way. It's... good to see another face around." Hopefully, a friendly one. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah. So you too, huh?" Aarni replied. He glanced over Darcy's attire, taking note it was different color than his, but similarly styled. "I'm Aarni Repo, nice to meet you", he nodded, and offered his hand to shake. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy hesitantly offered his hand, and Aarni would be able to notice that all his skin, up to his forearm, was covered in a silvery, metallic sheen. He gave Aarni a nice, firm handshake. "Nice to meet you, too." "It's... not the first time I've been to one of these. The last one was a cult, and this one doesn't seem much better." He scoffed. "Apparently, I've been put on the 'snake' team. Whatever that means." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni noticed the silverish skin, but didn't comment on it, instead shaking Darcy's hand like he hadn't seen anything. "Really? I have been in a tournament before too, but I don't know if I would call that one a cult, hm.." his eyebrows raised in surprise and intrigue. "We're on different sides, then. I'm on a bird team." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Really?" How many of these things were there? "That's- hm. If it's anything like the one I attended, I'm sorry you had to go through that." "Mhm, I figured. Good to know what both team names are... I hope we don't have to fight each other, but... eugh. I get the feeling that's what's happening." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni shrugged. "I don't know, but... there has to be some connection", he frowned slightly. He sighed, and looked away. "...I don't want to fight anybody. In the tournament I was in, we didn't have to kill our opponents. I lost my fight but I was just put in a cell for a week or so. But, here..." He shook his head. "I just can't believe any of this." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. I won my fight, and my opponent was similarly locked up- but I think this is different. I think- we actually have to kill." He shuddered. "It's awful. Eugh." He adjusted his robe so it better covered his chest. It wasn't chilly out, but he wasn't used to showing this amount of skin. "Do you think they want our powers? I should ask, do you have powers?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yes, it is" , Aarni agreed, not looking at Darcy. He could feel a cold, invisible barrier form between them, or around them. He didn't want to kill, he would never kill if he could choose. Yet, he didn't want to die either... if they were pitted against each other, one of them would die, and it made it feel weird talking to Darcy. It made Aarni feel isolated and lonely, even though he was right next to the other man. "Oh, I don't know, I didn't come to think about asking", he hummed, and turned to face Darcy again. "I do have powers. The cult was after powers as well, right?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, it was. The cult leader wanted to revive his dead wife. It was all very... intense." He frowned, and put his hand on his chin as he thought. "We didn't really... defeat him as much as he let us go. I don't think that'll happen again." "What did the people at your tournament want your powers for? Did you learn? Were you able to stop them?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"The ones who held that tournament wanted them to revive their dead dad. Us contestants got together with the staff of the island, and the hosts who also decided they wanted to rise against their father, and we defeated him for good." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Huh. It's always necromancy, isn't it..." Darcy scoffed. "Well, I'm glad you were able to defeat him... that's good." He let his gaze drift distantly. "You think they might be doing necromancy here? I mean- what are the chances?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"We had some really good fighters, and a good leader", Aarni replied. "Hmm..." Aarni was about to agree that it was a possibility, simply in the base of what had happened in the other two tournaments, but then he paused. His brows raised slightly when a thought occured to him. ...Maddy? "It is possible..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy's expression shifted from contemplative to intrigued. "Did the, uh, the woman, with the red robe- did she tell you more? She didn't tell me much beyond that it was a tournament and that we'd all die." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Albanes", Aarni said, a distant and worried look in his eyes. "She was my friend. Is my friend. But she's... older. From the future." He frowned, trying to wrap his head around it. "I was too... confused and, yeah, I didn't ask very good questions. But she did tell me she is the Lifebringer, but there's another, even more powerful Lifebringer that kind of.. controls her? I don't know... it also kills anyone who loses their fight but isn't killed by their opponent", Aarni explained. "Hmm... she also... said something about this place.. something like it doesn't really exist, or that, it exists only because of the Lifebringer." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Albanes?" Darcy repeated. "There was a young woman named Albanes at the tournament I went to- she was one of the cultists, the leader's daughter. Come to think of it, she did look similar..." He frowned, and glanced over Aarni, as if to judge how culty he looked. "Hhuhhhh...." Darcy laughed- though it sounded more pained than amused. "The Lifebringer... god. Of course it's the Lifebringer. You know, I think I've had enough of things that may-or-may-not exist." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni looked back at Darcy, a bemused and doubtful look on his face. "She... she was in your tournament too?" he asked. "How.. how can she be in two places like that? Uh... how.. how old was she?" He blinked a couple of times and shook his head as though bothered by flying insects. "Don't tell me.. it was a Lifebringer cult?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"She was about the same age as me, and that was around four years ago, so.... twenty one, or twenty two?" He shrugged. "Oh, it was. Run by some guy named Yeonaixho Sehwolh, he had healing powers and all." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Huh.. so a little older than she was in my tournament... could she have ended up in another world?" Aarni thought aloud, his brows knitting together and he brought his free hand to his chin. "Hmm... healing powers are a Lifebringer thing, I think..."

11:52 AM

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Maybe? Or- or maybe, we know different versions of the same person?" Darcy thought. "Yes, it is. The Lifebringer is, supposedly, a 'God of Healing'." He did air quotes. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni remained looking puzzled. "Like... a multiversum?" he felt a little odd thinking about it. "Hmf, oddly obsessed with violence for a healing god..." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well- maybe. I guess there's no way of knowing, but... it's a possibility." Darcy thought. "Right. It's... honestly pretty ridiculous." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded slowly. "Hmmh. I guess there's more to heal if there's violence", Aarni offered as a joke, though he said it with a straight face. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy didn't laugh, but hummed in dry agreement. "I guess so. Can't have healing and life without suffering and death. Guess that's why we're all here." He frowned. "You said Albanes was your friend, though... what was she like?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmm, I don't know..." Aarni mumbled in thought. "Oh, Albanes was really nice. She was really hardworking and studied medical stuff all the time. She also helped me figure out some weird issues I was having that I thought were health problems. She's also tough and can stand up for herself. She's friendly when you're friendly, but she doesn't let people bully her", he told, not noticing how he shifted from past tense to the present. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhmmmm..." Darcy contemplated. That was all very sweet, but it didn't give him too much insight into what this new Albanes was actually like, or what weaknesses of hers he might be able to exploit. "The Albanes I knew... I didn't know her too well, but she seemed kind enough. She died on the boat back home, I think." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"She died?!" Aarni seemed alarmed and dismayed, even though this wasn't his Albanes. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, she was there when we boarded and gone when we left." Darcy frowned. "I'm.. sorry." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Shit, aw... awful..." Aarni was saddened by the news, and fell quiet for a while. "...I should go and talk to her again. I need to ask her more questions." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy didn't know how to comfort Aarni's grief. "Mhm. Right... well, if you do find her, tell me anything you learn. I'm probably going to keep looking for others." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded. "Alright... Good luck, stay safe." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You too. Stay safe." Darcy echoed, and wandered off... @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Fuck, fuck, fuck.... Seki stumbled around the area. They were almost doubled over and clutching their stomach with both arms, tail trailing on the ground and ears pressed down. They had to find somebody. They had remembered some things, feeling a bit more grounded, but awfully nauseous and their stomach was killing them. They didn't know what that golden-eyed freak had done to them, but they needed help. Someone was there. "Hey.. hey!" Seki called out to the figure further ahead. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Reagan was cautiously hovering by the stage platform, trying to reassure themself, but perked up at Seki's voice. "Oh- are you alright?" They rushed over to Seki's side. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"No, ugh, I think I'm sick or... something.. Augh.. I feel awful.." they grunted, looking up at Raegan, eyes slightly squinted from pain and discomfort. They blinked, seeing the mask up close, and was a bit thrown off by it. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh- oh, my-" Reagan was clearly distressed, even with the mask. Their long snake tail twitched apprehensively. "How do you feel? Do you need something to eat? I can get you to the refectory, if you need." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"My stomach hurts... a lot. Ah... I don't know if I can eat anything..." they realized they were really hungry, but they felt so gross they didn't know if anything would stay down. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"We should at least get you to somewhere you can sit down. And I can get you something to drink there." Reagan began guiding Seki slowly towards one of the buildings. "Come along, it isn't far." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ait..." Seki groaned and huffed, shuffling along with Reagan, taking heavy, pained breaths. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Aside from the whole 'this is a tournament in which you're prolly gonna die in' thing, this place was eerily cool. Ellie was leaning against the stage platform, lightly tapping on the shutter button of her camera. On one hand, she could take a photo of this place, but on the other hand, it would. Probably be a waste of film. (But, uh, y'know, the whole death fight thing.) It groan-sighs, it's foot kickng against the ground. What a pain. She couldn't even consider taking photos in these conditions. Damn! @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale was taking in the area, trying to get her bearings. The place was huge, and intricate, but.. empty. They hadn’t seen anyone else yet, despite the look of an old city. Gale paused as they entered the large square, looking out into the open sky. It had been awhile since she tried flying, but maybe she could figure out where they were… …? There was someone else here? And they had a camera, huh. Gale gave a friendly smile and wave to the person. “Hey there! How you doing?” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie looks up from the camera as a voice rings through the clearing, looking around to find the source. When it does find them, it seems to perk up at the sight of them. "Heya!" she cautiously greets, lowering her camera. With it's strap around her neck, it rests against her stomach. It seemed to be similar to a news camera, though of a slightly smaller and more...mobile make. "Considering all this, not...too badly?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 (edited)

She steps a bit closer, not wanting to shout across the clearing. “Fair enough. Man, I’m glad to finally see someone else. I’m Gale, she/they, what’s your name?” They were fidgeting with the sleeves of their jacket, which looked kinda big on her. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I'm glad to see someone else here, too," Ellie sighed. "I've just been here for a good few minutes, and I hadn't really seen anyone else yet." "Hm!" she hummed, smiling a bit. "Um, I'm Ellie. She/it. Gale, huh? Like, the winds?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“I haven’t been here too long, just feels like there should be more people ‘round. It’s a huge place for nobody to be here, y’know?” Gale smiled back, seeming to relax a little. “Good to meet you, Ellie. Heh, yeah, like the winds. Funny coincidence on my parents’ part.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"It is a pretty huge place. Huge and eerie, too. It's kinda spooky, but it's honestly not too bad, either." Ellie lightly tapped it's camera, tilting it's head to the side with a small, low whistle. "Like the winds- hm, that's clever! What do you mean by it being a coincidence?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale nodded, glancing around the area. “Eerie, yeah. Weird place to have a.. tournament. Thing. I guess I don’t really know how this is all meant to work.” They looked back as they heard the tapping. “Nice camera you got. Heh, it’s a coincidence with my powers. I can control wind. Not that they knew I’d get those when I was born.” She lifted her hand, and swirled around her pointer finger. A small, twisting breeze blew through Ellie’s hair. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I'm not, eh, really sure how all of this stuff works, either," she said with a little frown. "I don't think I learned...much about this, actually. Just about the competing to win and the. Umm, 'prrrize'." It used little quote fingers to emphasize that point. "But aside from that, nothing else." "Uhm, this camera- I'm actually kinda surprised I managed to keep her with me. She is an expensive girlie." Pat-pat top the top of the camera. When it looked up, Gale's powers rustled through her hair, light blue strands fluttering in the wind. Ellie's eyes went wide, it's mouth dropping open with surprise. "Oh- oh! So that's what you meant by coincidence, huh?" She sounded a bit more chipper as she lifted her hand to do the same. It said something quietly under it's breath- 'vind viske' -and a light pulse of blue light bloomed at their fingertips. A light, yet powerful burst of wind twisted through Gale's hair as well. "My powers are also, coincidentally, called 'Gales'- nicknamed by me, of course. It's, um- a bit powerful than regular winds, though." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

‘Prize’. Right. She couldn’t think about that right now. Meeting people just to potentially see them die later- she shook her head for a moment. Their smile remained, but there was the slightest tension in their eyes. The tension eased as Ellie spoke, and her smile grew as her hair was tussled. “Holy shit, I’ve never met anyone like me- with wind at least, haha! Heh, coincidence again with the name, huh? It glows a little, that’s different.” She was smiling with her eyes now too. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie tilted her head to the side, yet said nothing until Gale spoke. It smiled again, eventually lowing it's hand to rest atop it's camera. "Everything seems like a coincidence," it laughed. "I've met...well, seen one other person with wind powers like me, but he was this villain guy? Ghost guy, so, eh." "I'm not quite sure why it glows- maybe 'cause I'm casting it? Using words? Not entirely sure, actually. It's a bit different than most people's magic, though!" "You said it- well, yeah, your parents chose your name. Did they have wind powers?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“I’ve only really.. well I really knew one person with powers before this, I guess. Magic, huh? I usually heard it called powers, is it different somehow?” Their smile shifts for just a second, but it quickly returns. “Nah, my parents don’t have any powers. The way I, ah, got my powers wasn’t really… normal I suppose? I heard most people are born with them, but. Heh, mine were a weird case..” @kipology (edited)

"Hm! Really now," "I'unno! Powers, magic, they're pretty much the same. My friend used to call powers magic all the time, so, I guess it rubbed off on me?" Jacey was always yammering on about magic and mana. She never really got it, to be honest, but it kind of worked? "Huh! Like...gained individually instead of it being biologically?" Ellie asked, messing around with then lens cap of her camera. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Huh, neat. So they’re synonyms, or just similar?” “Gain individually, pretty much- how’d you get your powers?” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Beats me. I don't know a thing about that sorta stuff. That's...a really interesting way of getting powers, but I'm pretty sure they're not as uncommon. There's been plenty of people who got their powers on their own! I think most of the elemental masters where I'm from got it that way." "I'm not one of those guys, though," it laughed. "My parents have powers, and it kinda got passed down to me. It's just, like, plain 'ol genetic-powers, y'know? Actually, wait, it makes more sense if it's more of the genetics guys." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale nodded along, a grin growing on their face. “That’s real interesting! So you can inherit them.. huh. I, ah, well- haha, the way I got my powers.. Short and simple of it, I got caught up in a tornado and took a bit of it with me. My brother-“ Her voice fell off with her smile. Clearing her throat, she continued. “..He, ah, he got struck by lightning and he got lightning powers from it. I think.. heh, guess we’re kinda.. cursed with weird weather.” @kipology (edited)

If Ellie noticed the way her smile fell, she didn't address it just yet. She just stood there, nodding along as Gale spoke. "Really, huh? You got caught in a tornado and got your powers that way?" it asked. "That- well, I wouldn't say that's great, but it's pretty incredible! That and the lightning, too! I never knew you could get your powers that way..." (All the more to tell Jason about when she got home.) "Um- you said your brother, yes?" Ellie added, her voice a bit softer. "I'm curious, what's his name? Was it lightning-related, or something?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 (edited)

Gale looked away for a moment, before looking back, her smile returned, but not reaching her eyes. “Yeah, I can’t remember it all that well, but yeah. After the fact, it was pretty cool. And, ah, the lightning, yeah.. mm, nothing lightning related, his name’s Roy. It was a really crazy storm..” She’ll always remember that day, even if he couldn’t. Gathered in that tiny hospital room, his body littered with jagged red scars. Their sister clinging to them and their mom’s arm, tying them together. The moment he opened his eyes, the room going black. “..Wasn’t natural, it or the tornado, I think.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie quietly hummed, tilting her head slightly to the side. "Hm. I see," she murmured. "I guess it really was coincidental, huh?" "You think those two were caused by...elements? On purpose, or something?" And quickly, after a moment- "Oh, uh, you don't have to answer if it's too invasive. I was just a bit curious, that's all." She was starting to pick a bit at her lens cap again. A habit of hers? @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“I don’t know if it was on purpose or anything, they just.. weren’t normal weather. And, hey, you’re fine. I understand being curious, heh.” Gale had their hands folded, their right hand was balled tight on their jacket. A faded, lightning-looking scar stretched up her hand. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie's gaze shifted rather quickly from watching Gale to their hand, humming again in response to their words. (Uncomfortable? Upset?) "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice definitely a bit quieter now. "We don't have to keep talking about it if you don't want to. We could, um, talk about something else?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale looked at her, seemingly caught off guard. “Buh? Ah, um, it’s alright.. I’m alright. Just…” ’It’s weird to finally talk about this like it’s normal? It’s weird to talk like this when one of us might die later?? Everything is fucking weird and I’ve been abducted to some death match hosted by gods and my sister is home all alone, I left her alone-’ Gale lets out a deep breath. “It’s fine, just, ha, it’s been a weird day, y’know?” @kipology (edited)

"Yeah," Ellie quietly sighed, her hair falling into her eyes as she looked towards the ground. "It's been a pretty weird day for all of us, huh?" When it looked back up, there was a bit of an empathetic look in it's eyes. "It's pretty...bizzare and just overall freaky being here, and I get it. Um. But if you want to talk to anyone about stuff, I'm here, y'know?" (It'd be a liar to think they'd leave this place.) "It's going to be alright," it said, trying it's best not to lie. "It will be alright. There's people here, y'know? We're here together." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Yeah, it has..” Another sigh, but this time she smiles a little more genuinely. “You’re a kind person, Ellie. Y’know.. I- I’ve been.. I know we haven’t been here long but, I didn’t even think about trying to get out. Those.. people that brought us here, they said that..” Another sigh, quick and frustrated. “My brother, he’s been.. missing for a year now. She said she could find him. Ha, that’s the only reason I haven’t started tearing this place apart..” She looked tired, despite the smile hanging on her face. @kipology (edited)

It didn't...entirely know if it'd get out. If anyone would get out. But it didn't hurt to try hoping, right? At the mention of Gale's missing brother, her smile fell, leaving behind a slightly surprised and stunned expression. While he wasn't... missing missing, it's been radio silent for months now. Three months. He's back in Greece with his family, but apart from that, they don't...really know anything else. "Missing, huh," Ellie quietly said, truly apologetic. "I'm sorry, that's really unfortunate. I...I know how stressful and just awful that is." Taking down missing posters was- it was supposed to be relieving. They couldn't even get through half of them. "I- you said she could help find your brother, right?" she asked, trying to shift on to a less...depressing topic. "Who, Albanes?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

@Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄 (no rush! Just a headsup ayup)

There was a click of recognition, and pain on Gale’s face. “You know? You- fuck man, we can’t keep having all these coincidences..” Her hand dug into her hair, as a dry laugh escaped her. “I’m so sorry. Can I ask..? I get it if you don’t wanna talk, I got sick of it for awhile but.. it’s nice to talk with someone who gets it.. And- yeah, yeah, it was Albanes. Said if I make it to the end of this I can have whatever I want. I w-“ Turning away for a moment, they cut themself off, but it was clear what they were about to say. She was blinking away tears, but her breathing was perfectly even. @kipology (edited)

"Um- you can ask, it, it's fine, really," Ellie reassured, letting out a wobbly, strained laugh of her own. "It- it just really, really sucks. It's awful, so- so I kinda know how just...awful everything is and feels. Though...he isn't...missing missing, I- I guess." Two rad but sad guys. With wind powers. As Gale spoke, the cogs in the back of it's mind were slowly beginning to turn. So that's what she meant by that...gift thing. Whatever they wanted? Aside from the whole getting out part, it seemed like pretty good incentive to get people to fight. Not that she was praising whoever was in charge of hosting this fight, or whatever. (Whatever they wanted. She never thought about it that way.) "I...get that," she quietly said. "Anything for those you care 'bout, yeah?" "Um- hey, are you alright? We can grab a seat, um. Somewhere, if you want?" @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

She sniffled for a second, wiping at her eyes. “Wh- who did you lose? How long’s it been for you?” They nodded, biting their lip for a moment before continuing. “I.. I would do anything for him. And to get back, I- I left my sister back home.. She took Roy’s disappearance pretty hard, I don’t.. She won’t lose anyone else.” They wave it off. “I’m alright- ha, didn’t mean to get all teary on you..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Aw," she softly said. Sister. More family left back at home. "It's- it's alright, it's all good, really! It must be hard being so far away, especially now. I just...I just really hope you can see your family again." Whether anyone could was a different thing. "Um...well. His name's Nathan, and...well." Ellie fidgeted a bit with her lens cap, quiet for a moment. When did it get so hard to talk about her family? "Well, while I wouldn't really call him my brother-brother, he's like pretty much a brother to me. They're my best friend, we've, like- we've known each other since middle school. We went to the same schools, same college, we live together, we were pretty much inseparable, y'know?" The whistle of a train that hadn't run in the past thirty-five years, the crackle of static and the rush of a wind that did not belong to it. "But, we- it was three months ago, like, kind of on the dot, three months ago- we had this argument, and it was. It was explosive. It was bad. And then right after that, that argument, they just went. Missing." 'Clack,' went the lens cap, snapping off the camera. She 'clack'ed it right back on. Ellie was much quieter when it spoke, shifting the strands of hair out of it's eyes. "Nat, he's been in contact, like, once, with my friend- Ace, we're all friends, we all live together -and apparently he's in Greece? With his family? I wasn't home when he called. Something about phone booths, and snow, and just- I don't know." "...Nathan's not 'missing' missing, but it- I don't know, it's really reassuring to know that he's like, okay, but he hasn't called us since. And that was like, months- two- two months ago. Yeah." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Ha, yeah, it’s hard.. farthest I’ve ever been from home.” Gale listened intently, nodding as it spoke. “You were close, but something drove you guys apart, huh.. they’ve completely dropped contact too? That’s.. rough. He didn’t say where he was for months??” If anything, this guy kinda sounded like a shitty friend. Or they got abducted to Greece. Hard to say without the whole picture, not that Ellie seemed to have it either. …Suddenly Gale got a really hard look on her face. “Feasting and- what the fuck- did you hear that? What the hell was that??” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I don't know," Ellie groaned, pulling lightly at her braids. "I'unno, we got one phone call from them, and- and that was it. I'unno if cell service in Greece sucks, or if Ninjago just frickin' sucks with calls, but it's been noth-" It froze up as that...voice? Thought? Continued, brows furrowed deeply in confusion. "Um- I, yeah, I heard...that? I'm not really sure if that was a call, or an- an announcement or something, but yeah, I heard it." "Feasting and revery. Huh, like that doesn't sound ominous," she muttered, scuffing her sandal against the ground. "And what's with the whole mask thing? I haven't been wearing mine around..." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale threw her arms up, scowling at nothing. “They can just speak in our heads like that?? What the hell!” “Ugh.. I got no clue about the masks, but they probably want us wearing them to… that. Shit, should we even go? I guess we’d see the other.. other people brought here.” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"It is so freaky," Ellie groaned. "I can't believe they're just allowed to do that! It's so invasive, eugh." "Um- well, well, it's probably...not a bad idea. I haven't really met anyone else here- aside from you, that is -so it wouldn't really be a bad idea to, I guess. See the other...people here?" She was not calling them competitors. She doubted anyone was willingly 'competing' in all of this stuff. "And it's probably for the best if we wear our masks to...whatever that is." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Seriously- enough they fucking abducted us, now they’re invading our minds??” She let out a sigh, a slight gust of wind blowing with it. It felt like a fresh spring breeze. “Yeah, not a bad idea..I haven’t met anyone ‘cept you, too. Maybe the others will know more of what’s happening..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Wh- yeah, it is pretty much an abduction! Man, what the hell! Faen!" When Ellie thudded her foot against the ground, dust 'pouf'ed out from where she stomped, settling in an arc around her feet. She quickly shook her foot free of the dust, tapping it lightly against the ground instead. "Eh- well, that's also verrry true. We can see what people learned from Albanes there, too. I didn't even know, like, the 'prize' extended that far until you mentioned it. It'd be helpful to just learn more about whatever's happening here." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Gale blew away the dust from their face, then nodded. “Guess we should get ready..? I already have the mask but.. there was some other stuff on the table I didn’t bother with, should probably look at that before heading out.” She rubbed her neck with a slight sigh and a smile. “It was nice meeting you, Ellie. See you there, yeah?” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Yeah, that's pretty fair. I saw that slab, but I didn't really check it out," Ellie agreed, patting her camera bag. Tucked away safely inside was that chunk of clay. "Seems like a pain to handle, though." It cocked it's head to the side, bits of hair falling into it's eyes. "Yeah," she softly said, smiling as well, "it was nice meeting you too, Gale. I'll see you around the gala." @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

“Yeah seriously, I still have to figure out what it’s for..” She gave a wave and a smile. “Stay safe, see you ‘round.”">"> @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"A hunk'a clay and something," Ellie laughed. "You too, stay safe. I'm going to mess around with...this." At that, it left with a little wave, braids bouncing with each step. @Saj | Gale🌪+Carrion🍄

Seki started walking cautiously through the main square with Evan, their ears up and turning to different directions and whiskers flared out in attention. "Mhm? Ask away, buddy", Seki hummed. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (edited)

“I-I was just- A b-bit curious,” Evan fidgeted more. “I f-found out that b-bird people existed today, so- I was just- I h-haven’t seen anyone like y-you before? So I was just-just a b-bit curious.. A-are you a bunny person..?” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki turned to Evan with a grin. "Oh? Hehheh, I don't think I'm a bunny, no. Someone called me a fox today, but I don't think I'm that either. I'm a Soileon, part of the eeveon family. I think eeveons are a class of their own, though I'm not super sure. I quit school when I was your age, heh.. I guess you are a human?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“O-oh- I’m sorry for mistaking you, then!” Evan bowed his head slightly. “I’m not- Familiar, I’m sorry. My h-home mostly consists of humans, and I’m human, but.. Sorry..” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hey, don't sweat it! I actually have only ever met one other Soileon, so we are pretty rare. No wonder you don't know. An I do have pretty long ears!" Seki chuckled and flicked one esr, making the earrings gently jingle. "...Say, Evan... did you hear the announcement at the gala?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan smiled a little at the jingle. “Th-thanks for not being mad..” At Seki’s question, Evan shook his head. “Nuh uh, I didn’t hear an announcement.. I stepped out of the gala to relax a little, but.. No, I must’ve missed it. W-was it important?” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Of course, buddy, no harm done", Seki smiled kindly. "Ah, so you didn't..." Seki went silent for a bit, watching around the dark yard and sighing. "Well, they just announced who will be fighting who in the first round." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan immediately froze up. He looked at Seki with terror that was somewhat hidden by the mask. “Th-they did?!” Evan squeaked out fearfully. “O-oh my god- O-oh my g-god- It’s really happening- Oh my god-” Metal began to climb up his fingertips and spread up his arms. “D-do you- D-did you catch wh-who I’m fi-fighting? I ca-can’t believe this’s r-real..” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki turned to look at Evan with an apologetic and gentle smile. "Shh... it'll be alright", Seki said, and cautiously placed their paw on Evan's shoulder, if he didn't flinch away. He sighed and nodded. "I did catch that, yeah." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan flinched at the contact, but he didn’t pull away. Rather, he found the touch to be grounding. He took in several deep breaths in an effort to calm down. “C-could you t-tell me?” Evan asked softly. “Please-? Or d-do you think it’s b-better if I d-don’t know..?” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmmh..." Seki hummed, their ears flicking and tail squirming as they walked. They patted Evan's shoulder and rubbed it a little, taking a deep breath. They seemed to consider whether or not to tell. "I guess, it's better you hear it from me rather than from someone else", they said, and took their hand away. They kept their gaze ahead, watching the night. "You are fighting.. me." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan flinched heavily at their response. The boy’s shoulders shook as he took in rapid breaths of air. His heart raced in his chest painfully as he tried to conceal his panic. The metal continued to spread to his entire body, covering him in a layer of metal. Even his clothes started to change material all together. “Hgnn- A-a-are you-” Evan barely managed to speak. “G-going t-to k-k-kill me now-now so you d-don’t have t-to l-later..?” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki paused, and turned to look at Evan with concern, and their heart ached at the sight of his panic. Their ears lowered slightly. Their nose twitched from the scent of metal, and they glanced at Evan's element spreading across him. "Shh, honey, don't be silly. Of course I won't kill you..." Seki shook their head gently. A after a beat, they slowly took their paw to their mask and took it away, hoping that the sight of their eyes would better show their sincerity. Though the night was dark, their green eyes sparkled in the starlight. "Calm down, dear. We won't dance to their tune willingly, and we'll try to get out of here. Here's to hoping, we never have to fight." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

The boy flinched once more as Seki removed their mask. As they made eye contact, Evan started to cry. He could tell that they were being genuine and honest. Slowly, the metal retracted. His robe returned to the soft material it once had been, and his skin returned to normal. His hands remained metallic as he fidgeted with his fingers. “Y-y-you r-really a-aren’t going t-to k-k-kill me r-right now..?” Evan asked tearfully. It would be so easy to. It was dark, no one was around- It’s not like Evan would be able to properly fight back. All he wanted to do was curl up into a little ball and let his powers protect him from any harm. All he wanted to do was be safe. Yet, here he was, standing before his future opponent, a fully grown adult who probably had years of experience under their belt in combat. Evan had nothing. He was just as good as dead. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aw..." Seki tilted their head, and their brows slightly scrunched and eyes narrowed in empathy. She slowly lowered herself down to one knee, so that they wouldn't be towering over Evan. The boy was so fragile, so terrified. It broke Seki's heart. If it had been them, at Evan's age, they would have been fists up, having way too inflated trust in their own skills and prowess, but Evan wasn't like that. Gosh. He was so little too. Seki felt cold and sick thinking how easily he could just wring the boy's neck and be done with it. Their fur bristled with rage, thinking Naiyta had paired them in a fight, but they took a deep breath and forced themself to calm down. They needed to focus on Evan. "Sweetie, I won't kill you, no. See, although I said earlier that ima kill that Lifebringer.. it's just a figure of speech. I don't actually want to kill anyone." Seki shook their head, with a very mild smile. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (edited)

“R-really..?” Tears continued to roll down Evan’s cheeks. He wasn’t too sure if he believed them one bit, but he likely would have to play along and act like he believed them. He had to get through this interaction somehow. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Really. I promise you, even the thought of hurting you makes my stomach turn. Aw, calm down now, honey, you are safe, there's no need to cry.." Seki would have offered a tissue for Evan to wipe his tears on, but didn't have any, so they offered one corner of their flowy garments for the boy to dry his face with. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan didn’t take the offered garment. It’d be rude to deny it, but it felt more rude to rub his face on it. Instead, Evan wiped his face with his own robe. “S-sorry- I-I’m just sc-scared..” Evan whimpered. “Sorry..” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aw, honey, it's okay, I understand that this is a scary place. I'm sorry I scared you", Seki spoke softly, leaned back and fully sat down on the ground. The robes weren't his, so he didn't care if they got dirty. "Take a few deep breaths, okay? If I wanted to kill you I, coulda done it already. I'm not going to. That'd be beyond unfair. Just take a breather, okay? I'm just gonna sit here and wait til you've calmed down, and then we can talk, okay?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I-I-It’s okay..” Trembling, Evan gave a small nod of his head. He felt a little less intimidated with Seki sitting down now. Evan stood and took in several deep breaths, performing a breathing exercise in an effort to calm himself down. It took a painfully long amount of time to work himself down into a calm state, but he was less freaked out than he was before. “O-okay- I-Th-think I’m a b-bit better..” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki held his arms loosely on his knees, the mask in his other hand, and watched Evan calmly, tail slowly swaying. Once Evan said he was feeling better, they smiled and nodded. "Good. Okay, so, do you know how to fight? Are you trained in any sort of martial art? Self-defense? Any of that sort?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“N-no,” Evan was about to burst into tears again. “M-my powers help k-keep me safe, and I c-could f-fight a b-bit with them, but- I d-don’t really know how to f-fight..” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Hmm, then you need to learn", Seki nodded, her face serious but concerned. "You have Steel powers?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (edited)

“Mmhm.” Evan sniffled. “I c-can cover my body with it, a-and reshape a-already existing pieces of m-metal..” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Well, there we go, you could use your powers very creatively, and you already have an armor. Hmm. What do you do back home? Are you in school? Do you have hobbies?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I-I’m in school,” Evan whispered. “I l-like learning a l-lot, so I’m a-always reading.. I g-go to the library o-often..” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm, what do you like learning the most?" Seki tilted her head and smiled. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I-I like l-learning about how things work, l-like machines,” Evan took off his mask to rub at his eyes with closed fists. “I w-wanted to b-be a mechanical e-engineer when I g-got o-older..” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm, that's a very good interest, yeah, you could become an engineer for sure. I could never, I got a rock for a brain", Seki chuckled. "That means you are clever, you understand things in detail, complicated things. You can use that to your advantage. I think it's best in your case to learn your opponents' powers and weaknesses, and then figure out how to exploit them and counteract them with your own powers. Makes sense?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Y-yeah, I can- I c-can try and do that," Evan sniffled. Slowly, he took a seat a bit of a distance away from Seki, but close enough to make conversation. "I j-just get overwhelmed with things.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Aw, I get that, hm, this place is definitely overwhelming if any. Hmm. Would it help you if you practiced being in a fight situation?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"M-maybe.." Evan pulled his knees close to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, hugging himself into a small ball. "M-my big brother b-back home tried t-to teach me a f-few things, b-but I had trouble getting the h-hang of it.. I-I don't know h-how much I'd be able to l-learn here.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Your bro taught you? Then you already know some basic things, eh? Even if you didn't become a pro, that's still a start. Can you remember what he taught? Could you show me how to throw a proper punch for starters?" Seki smiled. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"H-he taught me a b-bit- He wanted to m-make sure I'd be s-safe if anything e-ever happened.." Evan just never imagined having to put any of it to good use. Sniffling, the boy didn't really put his heart into his punch. However, it still was a pretty decent punch! He knew how to make a fist and throw it with a decent amount of force. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki nodded, faster when Evan demonstrated his punch and their eyes brighter. "Yeah, yeah, there you go! You know not to hurt your thumb and you punch pretty well! Don't put yourself down, that's a good base to build on." They nodded. "Look, I know this is anything but fair, and that you are not cut out for this. I hate that you are here, I hate that you are my opponent. It's wrong and I wish you could be home safe and you never had to learn how to fight. But you are not hopeless, Evan. You don't have to win this tournament. You just need to survive long enough that we find out way out, okay?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Th-thank you..” Evan smiled lightly at the praise. He glanced down to his closed fist and wrapped his other hand around it. “I-I’ll do my best- T-to survive, until we f-find a way out..” He took in a shaky breath. “I h-hope we’re out b-before our f-fight happens..” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah..." Seki nodded. Their smile faded, and they watched Evan sadly. Then they smiled again, slightly, apologetically. "However, for the instance we do have to fight, I need you to learn how to. I have two pups, younger than you, and I'd love to see them grow up happy and healthy. So, I won't go out without a fight. I'm sorry, Evan." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Tears welled up in Evan’s eyes. They rolled down his cheeks once more as he squeezed himself into a tighter ball. “I-I-I u-under-stand,” Evan choked out. The lump in his throat was making it hard to speak and breathe. “E-everyone h-has someone t-to f-fight for..” That included himself, but he hardly could speak anymore. All he did was bury his face into his knees. Seki wouldn’t go down without a fight. They’d harm him if it came down to it- Kill him when it came down to it. Evan stood no chance. He couldn’t win. The boy didn’t say anything else. All he wanted was to live and go home. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ears lowered as he watched Evan cry. His own eyes prickled, and he was glad the boy couldn't see their face twist in hate and disgust towards the one who had brought this kid here. Seki took a deep breath to answer with a steady, soft voice: "Yeah... which is why I need you to fight for yourself, and for anyone else important to you, mkay? You can't go out without a fight either. Alright? Do your best, kiddo, knock me out." Seki smiled a little. "We'll make things fair, somehow. First off, I have crystal powers. I can control rocks and make crystals in any shape I want, and levitate them. I can move the ground a bit too. Use that info well. Steel is strong against Rock, so you have that on your side." Seki nodded. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I-I’ll d-do my best-..” Evan whimpered. He’d do his best to fight- God, he should ask Ryu for more tips. He needed to be able to do more than punch. “O-okay- Th-thank you for- Th-that inform-mation..” The boy sniffled. At least Seki was being kind to tell Evan this stuff to prepare him for the battle. He’d have to do his best to fight. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm, no problem. Well then. It's super late, and you should get some rest." Seki slowly stood up, trying not to make too sudden movements. "Come on, I'll see you to the bird rooms, yeah? Hm... do you think you can sleep after all this stress? I could go asking if you could get some sleep aid or something." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

A sleep aid sounded nice. However, Evan didn’t want to risk that. What if Seki snuck into his room while he was deeply asleep, and decided to strike him down then? No, he needed to be awake and alert. “N-no sleep aid, pl-please..” Evan slowly lifted his head. He rubbed his eyes with his hand once more and took in a shaky breath. “I d-don’t want it..” @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Alright, that's understandable. But do try to rest up at least." Seki smiled, and offered their hand for Evan to help him up. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I-I-I’ll try..” Evan sniffled. Hesitating, he reached out and took Seki’s hand. He got up to his feet. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki smiled, as they helped Evan up. They lightly patted his back, before leading him to the #bird-hallway . @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

It was morning time now. Evan walked across the main square, yawning as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He still felt as if he could sleep for another hour or two. The boy hardly slept at all last night- The rush from his conversation with Seki still worried him, and then the ghost interaction was spooky, too. Homeboy had a lot on his mind. As he walked, he paused. Someone else was here, and they had- Blue hair, like him! That was nice. Still, he didn't approach. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie didn't want to sleep. She didn't want to. End of. She wanted to pass the night at her friend's side, looking over photos and talking about home while ignoring the weight of this entire thing. But Ace had insisted, and gently reminded her where they were. (Where they were, they, they, they, the two of them, together.) 'You need to rest,' he had quietly said, squinting at her over his lenses, and she relented, and finally dragged herself back into her room to pass out. And now she was sitting up on the stage, eating apple and polenta. Yum- like actually yum. Ace wasn't up yet, which was unfortunate, but it was regular old man behavior. She idly bounced her leg as she took another bite of her polenta, and by the time she lowered her spoon, there was a small. Child standing not too far off, just kind of looking at her. (Child?) "O-oh!" Ellie loudly said, nearly hacking out her polenta. "Aug- h hi!" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (edited)

"O-oh-!" Evan straightened up once he was spotted. He gave her a small bow before offering a little wave. "H-hi-! G-good morning!" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Couuggh hack cough "Khhf- hi!" she greeted, once she wasn't actually choking on her breakfast. It waved back as well, lowering it's head in a small bow. "Good morning to you, too!" (Child- the child! There was only one child here, right?) "Uh! You're Evan, right? Fourteen, metal powers, likes dogs?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"O-oh- Uhm- Y-yeah, th-that's me," Evan paused for a moment. "H-how do you kn-know that..?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ayup; the only child here was the aforementioned child. "Juh - Ace mentioned there was a kid here," Ellie said, nodding a bit. "And, well, you're the one and only kid I've seen!" "I'm Ellie! Ellie Halvorson. I'd shake your hand, but I'm a bit far up right now." It patted the stage once, twice. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

The stage was just slightly taller than Evan, making it a bit difficult for him to properly greet her. "O-oh- You know Ace? I met him- He's really nice," Evan nodded. "B-but hi, Ellie! It's nice to meet you.." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Nice 'n old, indeed," she lightly said, grinning as she cocked her head to the side. "Yeah, heee- we're roommates. In a not-tourney way." She took a bite of her polenta, chewing thoughtfully for a moment. "It's pret-ty early," she hummed, looking towards the sunrise. "Like. Real early." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan frowned slightly. Not-tourney? He wasn't sure what she meant by that. No one had roommates in the tournament. "O-oh, gotcha," Evan nodded. "And- Yeah, it's early. Bright and early." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Ayup, bright 'n early- not many people are up at this time, except for...mm. Hm, I'unno, actually." (Poor kid didn't like loud and crowded places. Honestly, that'd get pretty overwhelming for...well, anyone.) "I think they refilled most of the food from the night before," Ellie said, poking her fork in the direction of the refectory. "Eh, there's only two people inside, Asha and, um, someone else. Pretty sure they might be chatting with each other right now, though." Another bite of food. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Oh, okay, that’s not too many people,” Evan bit back a yawn. “It’s pretty early, yeah. Most people are probably t-tired from the party yesterday..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Oh, yeah. Most definitely," Ellie agreed, nodding much more than before. There was a lot of crying. Like. A lot of crying. (Not at the gala, but more like what happened afterward.) "It was, eh. A really interesting night. Lots'of names. And announcements." It sighed a little at that, tap-tapping their spoon against their bowl. "It was a pretty interesting night, though. Super pretty, too! I took a few photos of it last night. Well. One." Next to her was an apple and a slightly bulky camera bag. That stone tablet seemed to have been jammed in there. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Y-yeah, r-real interesting..” Evan cleared his throat. He took in a deep breath. “Picture?” He looked to her bag. “.. You have a camera?” Evan asked, curiously tilting his head. Standing on his tiptoes, he rested his fingers on the edge of the stage and looked a bit closer at the camera bag. “Like.. A real camera?” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Mhm!" It set down its bowl to start rummaging through the camera bag, setting aside the- you guessed it -whole-ass tablet from it's room. "A whole working camera. It's a digital camera! I love her a lot- but there's only enough room for, eh, about forty photos? Thirty-nine, now." After a moment, she removed it from the bag, sliding it neatly in front of Evan's face. "I was actually a bit surprised they let me keep it! You can take a look at it if you want- the power button's up top here, and this button's for seeing the gallery." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Whoaaa..” Evan’s eyes were wide as he looked at it. The boy stood as tall as he could on his tiptoes to get a better look at the camera. He didn’t reach for it, not yet- So he simply admired it from a distance. “I haven’t seen a real camera in real life,” The boy hummed. “We don’t have too much tech back home..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ellie could remember that same awestruck feeling she had when she first saw her dad's camera. It was awesome. (It was really nice seeing the kids faces light up when they saw her camera, too- it kinda felt like, I'unno, passing the love of photography on to the next generation!) "Aw, I see- that's alright, though! Most tech tends to be accessible in larger cities and stuff," she reassured. "When I saw my dad's camera the first time, it was pretty vintage- pretty old, too. When I moved into the city, now, that's when I saw cameras everywhere. Kinda sucks that it's kind of a limited thing, though." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Mmhm, back home, they don’t really bring in shipments of fun and cool stuff like this. It’s always the necessities,” Evan hummed, his eyes still glued to the camera. The boy looked away from it to look at Ellie. “C-Can I hold it? I promise I’ll be careful with it..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Oh, absolutely! You can hold it, I don't mind! Ah, there's some stairs on that side of the stage, if you wanna take a seat up here? But if you wanna stay down there, it's all good!" "Hm, home, huh?" she hummed. Ace mentioned Roston, but neither of them had really heard about it before. "Hrm. Oh, hey, I know a fun idea! D'you like Icebreaker games?" All the kids she knew loved them, but, eh, the teens, not so much. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan eagerly nodded his head and made his way up the stairs. He stepped to Ellie and took a seat, unable to help his bright smile. “I’ll be really careful with it,” Evan nodded his head. “And icebreaker games? Like- The question kind, or the actual ice kind? Because back home, s-some people mess with the icy surface of the water, a-and they get into a lot of trouble..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Oh, don't worry 'bout it, really! I use her for a lot of fieldwork, so she's definitely been through the wringer. Works just as fine, though! She's real resilient." The camera in question seemed to be...mostly fine! The paint seemed to be scratched off at some parts, but it looked to be covered up with metallic paint. The only evidence of it ever being damaged was that the paint was only a bit shinier than the rest. "Like, of the question kind! The actual ice kind seems...er, not very safe here- it's a bit too warm for that kinda fun." Man, she missed ice skating. "Did...you ever play those kinda games?" she lightly teased, play-squinting at him. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I’ll still be careful.” Evan nodded. “I-I’d hate to break something that means a lot to you- I might be able to patch it up a bit, though, with my powers. I could fix up the outer frame a bit..” “Oh, yeah, then I like that kind of ice breaker,” Evan nodded. He shrunk in on himself slightly as he fidgeted with his fingers. “I- Uhm, n-never played those kind of games.. I w-wasn’t really fr-friends with those kids, and I can’t really swim, so- I stayed away from the ice..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"That's sweet, you don't have to, really!" she insisted, laughing lightly. "But that's very kind of you." "Aw- don't worry, it's okay. I only learned to swim when I was like, twenty or so. And sometimes friends are hard to make, especially if, uh, they play different kinda games 'n stuff," it said, nodding it's head a little. It's braids bobbed along with her. "It's just how it kinda goes, sometimes." It slid the camera over to Evan as he fidgeted about, before taking up their bowl again with a smile. "But sometimes, even if you don't share hobbies, you can make friends by learning more about it! That's also how it kinda goes." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (edited)

Evan gingerly took the camera into his hands. His eyes practically sparkled as he looked over it. It was always exciting to see a new piece of technology that they didn’t have in Roston. He was eager to see how it worked. “Y-yeah, that’s how it goes,” Evan nodded his head. “But- I’m kinda okay alone.. It means I can read more, and I like reading a lot.” “.. Maybe I c-could learn more about their hobbies, a-and see if we bond over it, but- I-I dunno.. New people kinda- Intimidate me..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"A bookworm, huh? Not many people read for fun anymore, but it's nice to know that there's still some enthusiastic readers around," Ellie laughed. "And, yeah. New people can be pret-ty intimidating, too." "What kinda books do you like reading?" Ellie asked, completely forgetting about her Icebreakers suggestion. "Sci-fi, mystery, action?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Mmhm, I like reading a lot,” Evan’s eyes grew sparkly once more. “I like reading all kinds of books- Sci-fi, action, adventure- But then I like scholarly books, too! I like reading how machines work, so sometimes, I’ll even read manuals. I wanna be a mechanical engineer when I grow up, and my powers help a lot with it, so I wanna build things and make sure that they work.” His smile flickered slightly. “It sounds- Kinda boring, though, doesn’t it..? N-not many people d-do that for fun..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

What a sweet kid- he really liked learning, huh? As Evan rambled on, Ellie's own smile begin to grow. Ace mentioned he was a pretty clever kid... "H-huh, what? Boring? Evan, that's amazing- you read manuals for fun 'cause you want to learn about it!. Most people just, like, watch videos and docuseries, but you read like, manuals for machinestuffs! If anything, it's impressive! All those figures and diagrams are just. Confusing." "You want to do mechanical engineering when you're older?" she asked. "Like, anything in particular, or just overall?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“R-really? You don’t think it’s t-too boring?” Evan lifted his head slightly. “I just- Think it’s really neat. They show how things come together and how all the pieces make a machine work, it’s really interesting to me.” “Uhm- Just overall,” Evan said. He looked back down to the camera. “I h-haven’t decided yet, but I still have tons of time if I wanna narrow it down..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"It's! A bit confusing to wrap my head around- the manuals, that is -but it's not boring stuff," Ellie reassured, swirling her spoon in her polenta. "The manuals all have their uses, y'know? And they're just really, really helpful to learn from, too." "It'll take a bit of time to decide what you wanna do," she agreed. "But, you're young, you still got time to figure it all out! There's a lot of different alleys you can go down. It's a verrry versatile career choice." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Mmhm, I wanna pick one soon though, so then I’m all set for when I’m older.” Evan smiled. “Plus, my powers help a lot with reshaping the metal I need, so it just seems like the right kind of job for me!” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Right, that's also fair! The sooner you figure it out, the more you can focus on studying that before you actually start locking in with mechanical engineering." "Oh- right, yeah- your powers," Ellie suddenly said, eyes lighting up a bit as well. "Can...you...make metal? Or are you just able to, like, control it? Some powers can do both, but sometimes it's just one or the other." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Mmhm! I'm hoping I'll figure it out soon." Evan smiled. At her question, Evan nodded his head. "I can make metal cover my skin, kinda like a suit! But then I can control metal that already exists, and I can make it into other stuff." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Oh, huh!" Just like Karlof- man, that interview was. An interview. "That's awesome, since it's like, defensive and protects you, and can also be used for other things. I can see how that'd be very helpful for mechanical engineering." (That was like, two-fourths magic types. Right? Shielding-offensive- eh? It didn't know.) "I interviewed this guy with metal powers- Karlof -a few years back! He can also make metal cover his skin, though I don't think he's able to control like, man-made metal. I think I might have a few photos in my camera, if you wanna see?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Mmhm! I'm still not good a-at controlling it defensively yet, b-but- I do like reshaping it! I'm getting better with it." Evan smiled. Curiously, Evan nodded his head. "Y-yes, please, I'd like to see. I haven't seen anyone else with powers like mine- You said you did an interview? Have- Are you a reporter?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"And so I've heard!" That widdle dog was so frickin' adorable. And that name was so stupidly adorable, too. "You'll get better with it over time, I guarantee it! You seem like a pretty determined kid." At that, Ellie beamed as well, puffing out her chest a little bit. "I am!" Ellie proudly said. "Ellie Halvorson, intern reporter for the NGTV News! I do a lot of photo work on the Ninja, and, y'know, for disasters and whatnot. I do a handful of interviews after said disasters." "So! Do you see that little button with a square on it? Kinda looks like a photo, yeah? That's the gallery button- you can press it, and it should automatically open up the gallery," it said. "The most recent photo's a snapshot of the gala from last night, but I'll show you how to get to the folders after that." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Thank you, I-I appreciate that," Evan smiled. Maybe he would get better with his powers once he's had more time to work with them. Practice made perfect, after all! "There's disasters? And- The Ninja?" Evan tilted his head. "Wh-where do you live? In the main city?" At Ellie's instructions, Evan looked back to the camera. He clicked the gallery button and smiled as it opened up the gallery. "Whoaaaa.. That's so cool." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Ah, no worries- and yes, I do live in the main city! Straight in the heart of Ninjago City! I live in a little apartment not too far from Borg's Industries." Ellie seemed to leave it at that for a moment, before continuing, "it- it's not my apartment, though. It's Ace's. We're roommates. So, I, uh, don't really know how much rents...costs? It's pretty low, though, thanks to how...disastrous this place is." "But! I see you have heard of the Ninja! Don't worry, I got a few photos of them in here too! I- eh. D- do? You know about the Ninja?"" As the gallery popped up, Ellie cleared her throat a bit to get into the 'instructor vibe'. "So, that gear-looking button is the settings button, and you'd click on that, and go to the right twwwice, with the little arrow keys. In the options there, it should be one that says 'Folders'. Lemme know when you find it." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"O-Oh! I know Borg Industries- I-I went th-there.. O-on a trip for my b-birthday," Evan managed a small smile, though he seemed a bit nervous all of a sudden. "I-I gu-guess I'm glad that rent's low, th-though it's a dangerous place.. Th-the city's a bit scary.." "I k-kinda know about them, I saw some posters while I was there," Evan gave a nod of his head. As Ellie instructed him, he followed along. He spotted the 'Folders' option. "Oh- I found it!" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Oh, huh! Well, I guess it's a pretty popular spot to go to. I had a hunch you'd like the place; lots of robots and engineering stuff around," it said, suddenly noticing Evan's worry. "Um- uh! And, and yeah, the city's a bit scary sometimes, but the Ninja do all they can to keep the place safe!" "Good job, yeah! These! Are all the folders I've sorted my photos into. I, uh, wanted to sort them by year, but I don't have a good track record with time, so! By category it is." Among the folders were some titled; Ninja - Stix - NGTV - Nat V. - J. Lao - and the one they were looking for, Elmnt. Masters. "So, use the arrow keys again to move down to the Elemental Masters folder, and the first one should...oh, I think it's the newest one first. I took Karlof's photo like...dang, years ago."

"Mmhm, it was really cool to see all of the tech," Evan gave a small nod of his head. "I-it's scary how often the city gets beat up.. M-my eldest brother u-used to live there.." As Evan looked at the categories, he was amazed by how many there were. "Whoaaa.. So you've been doing this for a really long time now. That's so cool!" He clicked into the Elemental Masters folder and saw the first image. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Mmyeup. Well, its' been pretty quiet these few months, fortunately. Not that I'm complaining, or anything," it laughed. "Oh, yeah, I've been taking photos with this since...um. Since I was sixteen? I started doing news work when I was twenty, so, about seven years working, and eleven overall!" The first image was (slightly) blurry photo of a woman with green hair and green eyes. It seemed to have been taken in a rush. "That! Oh, dang, I thought I sharpened that photo," Ellie muttered. "That's Tox, she's the Elemental Master of Poison. I took that photo during the, uh. Most recent disaster- it's all good though! She was great. Like, high action and just. Really great." "Ah, well! Pressing the left arrow shows the photos taken before that in reverse chronological-order, and pressing the right one takes you straight to the first photo taken! I think Karlof was like. The first few Elemental Masters I took a photo of, so just- just press to the right a bit until you see a shiny guy." "You...have siblings? If you're alright with me asking, how many?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Whoa! So you’ve been doing this a long time, then- You’re like a pro.” Evan smiled. He looked at the picture of Tox. “Tox, master of Poison? Th-that name’s fitting.. Huh, I’m glad she was a big help.” Evan scrolled and saw the picture of Karlof. “Oh- Him? The metal master?” The boy fell silent for a moment. “I-I have- Had- Two brothers.. I only h-have one now..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Keh- yeah, I'm kind'of a professional at this," said the woman with that disgustingly blurry photo from before. "She was a great help. And she's good friends with Karlof, the metal master!" Ellie tapped a bit on the display, where a still photo of Karlof was. True to her word, he was a very...silvery sheen. Every bit of him, from his helmet, to his clothing- to even his skin seemed to be metallic. He stood center-frame, with his fists- well, gauntlets, pressed together. He was smiling. "Karlof was an aeronautical engineer from Metalonia, and he was a key part in helping the Ninja escape from the Tournament of Elements," Ellie explained in her reportery voice. "Because his element allows himself to turn into metal, he's able to deflect virtually anything- weaponry, fire, and even pure, raw, energy. It's rather incredible!" And her smile immediately fell as Evan spoke. "Oh- oh, Evan," she softly said, brows pinched together. "I...I'm really sorry. You don't have to keep talking about it if you don't want to." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (edited)

Evan took in the sight of Karlof with wide eyes. “Whoaaa.. That’s interesting- I wonder if my powers will be kind of like that.. The reflecting part, maybe if I get better with it.. And he’s an aeronautical engineer? That’s so cool.” He looked at Ellie curiously. “D-do you know anything about Metallonia? I’ve never heard of that place before.. M-maybe that’s where my powers stem from?” “Th-thank you,” Evan stammered. “I-I’d like to n-not talk about it anymore..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Ah, it's okay. We- we can talk about something else, instead," she reassured with a small smile. At that, Ellie clasped her hands together, clearing her throat a bit. "Uhm! So! Yes, Karlof's an aeronautical engineer- he used to make a lot of Roto Jets in Metalonia; these small bomber jets that are just really nimble. If I remember, he mentioned that he repurposed one of the noodle machines to make an escape jet!" "I...know a little about Metalonia, though it's not much. It's a region that produces a lot of high-quality metals that most of Ninjago tends to use. Ah, it's a! It's a very dry and arid place, and aside from the humans residents, there's also reptilian-like creatures, too." "But maybe your powers could have come from there! I don't really know much about magic or anything like that, but it makes sense that most metal powers could from a region that works with a lot of metals," Ellie explained. "And your powers will definitely get stronger over time. You just need to practice the reflection stuff more, and, well. Anything you wanna get better at." "Do you...know about where your powers came from? Was it hereditary, or did it just. Spawn one day?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Evan gave her a grateful nod of his head. He look led back to the camera, looking over Karlof with intrigue. “Huh.. Metalonia sounds like an interesting place.. Maybe I can go there some day. Maybe even Karlof could show me a thing or two about my powers?” The boy gave a shake of his head. “I-I don’t know where my powers came from. I’m adopted, s-so I don’t know if I get my powers from one of my birth parents, or if it just appeared..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Oh, I'm sure he'd love to teach you stuff!" Ellie exclaimed, clapping her hands together a bit. "He looks really rough and intimidating, but really, he's just a sweet guy who loves building things. He's super reliable and friendly, I can guarantee that!" "Hm," it hummed. "Well, um, most of the time, people's powers tend to come from their birth parents- either one, or a mix of both- but it can just kind of appear on it's own..." "Maybe Karlof could tell if your powers, y'know, came from Metalonia, or if your parents were from there! Either way, I'm sure he'd be glad to help." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“H-huh- He does sound kinda nice.. I m-might be intimidated at first, but- If he is kind like that, then- I’ll be okay..” “So- Maybe he can give me an answer then? That’d be nice,” Evan smiled softly. “C-could you- M-maybe help me get in touch with him a-after this is over..?” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Mhm!" Ellie enthusiastically hummed, nodding all the while. "I'd love to get you in touch with him! I have everyone's information stored back at home, so it's not an issue just grabbing it!" "When we get out of here," when. When. When, because we're all definitely getting outta here, "would you like someone to be with you when you go to Metalonia? I say when you go to Metalonia, because I know for sure you can definitely go." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Oh- Thank you! Th-that’d help big time!” Evan smiled. “I-I hope he won’t mind..” “That’s right- I-I should have company if I go..” Evan nodded. “It’d be s-safe..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I'm sure he won't- he really does love talking about home," it sighed, before a rather playful look appeared on it's face. "Company wouldn't hurt! Say, perhaps someone with a camera," it slowly said, nudging Evan with their elbow, "that you already kinda know how to use. Perhaps someone with wind powers to help keep all the sand and heat out- oh, wait! Wait, do you want to know how to take a photo?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Y-you’d be willing to come with me?” Evan’s eyes widened. “Th-that’d be really nice, Ellie- Th-thank you!” “You have wind powers?” At her question, he looked to the camera eagerly. “C-could you show me how to take a photo? Please?” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Well, it wouldn't be fair to just send you off on a journey by yourself, now!" she laughed, smiling. "And of course! I wanna lend you my camera so you can take photos when you want to! Cameras are pret-ty expensive these days. Oh, and film- film too." It nodded at his questions, cocking her head to the side. "Ayup- my wind powers let me reposition myself so I can take better photos of the Ninja! It's why I got so many good photos in these folders. And sure! What do you wanna take a photo of? Anything in particular?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"I'd l-like it a lot if you could come with me," Evan smiled. "And oh- I could- Pay you for film, if you'd like- I don't h-have money on me right now, but- For the trip, I can, so I'm not wasting any of yours.." "Ooohhhh, that's a smart way to use your powers to help you take pictures. I haven't thought of that. So- You could fly, if you wanted to?" Evan asked. He looked to the camera and hummed in thought. ".. I h-haven't seen many birds in my life," Evan admitted softly. "I wanted to go b-bird watching.. Maybe- Can we take a picture of a bird..?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Oh- oh, you don't have to worry about paying me back!" she reassured, winking. "Technically, you'd be taking photos of Metalonia- so, well, I could just write it off as an...extended interview with Karlof! Kehe- don't take after my habits. And yes! I could fly around, though not in a verrry...traditional way." "Bird watching- sure, we can take some photos of birds," Ellie said, her voice a bit softer now. "I think Ace mentioned some fields around that had some goats and pretty birds- or, well, we could stay closer to the citadel instead?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Are you sure? I-I really don’t mind, I have some savings that I keep in my piggy bank,” Evan smiled. “.. What do you m-mean by it not being traditional..?” Evan perked up at the mention of goats and birds. “O-oh-! I wouldn’t m-mind going to the fields, if that’s okay with you..” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I'm definitely sure. It's a nice offer, though! It's very nice of you." "Sure! We can go to the fields and snap some photos," Ellie said, gathering her empty bowl and apple. "Mm, unnntraditional -I can show you when we get there, yeah?" "Did you have breakfast yet or anything?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I’d like that,” Evan smiled a little. “I think it’s n-nice to see how others use their powers..” “And I haven’t had breakfast yet- But I will after!” @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Mhm! And using your powers is kinda like stretching! It's just nice to spread your wings once in a while- metaphorically, that is. Hey, maybe we can show each other our powers!" It set the apple next to Evan before easily sliding off the stage and landing on their feet. It brushed off the front of their robe before turning around to grin up at Evan as it gathered the rest of their junk. "You can take the apple, if you want. I've already had my breakfast, so don't worry 'bout it!" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Mmhm, maybe I need to stretch more,” Evan nodded slightly. “But y-yeah- We can show each other our powers! It’d be nice.” “Oh- Th-thank you!” Evan smiled. He took the apple graciously. “Th-this means a lot.” Evan scooted to the edge of the stage and slipped off to the ground beside Ellie. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Aw, no worries! Oh, this is gonna be great!" Ellie eagerly said, sliding the empty camera bag around her shoulders. "You can use the strap of the camera to wear it, if you want! Kinda like photographers do! It's a bit easier to carry other stuff, and you don't have to worry about accidentally dropping it." "Hrm. I think the fields are...ttthat way!" it said, finally deciding on a direction. "I heard it's wonderful out there." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“O-oh- Okay! I’ll carry it like that.” Evan nodded. He put the strap around his neck as Ellie suggested, and he smiled. He felt like a real professional photographer! “Really? I haven’t been out there yet.” Evan admitted. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"You look just like a pro now!" she laughed. "Well, to be honest, I haven't been out there, either. All of this info's just. Secondhand!" "But, well, we'll get to see for ourselves! C'mon, let's snap some photos of some birds!" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (wanna shuffle to fields?)

“Thanks!” Evan smiled, his eyes brightening up for a moment. “Mmhm, l-let’s go.” (Off to the fields!) @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

“Alright, this is about how far I can go, since- You know, we’re on different sides.” Kal chuckled. He set Asha down on her feet. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha got back down to her feet and brushed herself off, readjusting her robe to fit on right again. "Thank you Kal- before you go let me get you a sparkler.." Asha said and put her hands together. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I do?” Kal’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Thanks! I appreciate this big time!” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha only nodded in response, as she was focused on making the flare. She pinched her top hand together and pulled out a large silver sparkler from her lower hand. She held it out to Kal. "There it is- when it's lit by hitting it across a solid surface I'll get a vague sense of where it's going off, and it's really loud and bright.. Please only use it in an emergency." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Will do! Emergencies only, got it.” Kal took the sparkler eagerly, looking over it joyfully. “Thanks, Asha.” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm.." Asha smiled, and paused for just a moment. ".. You want one you can use just for fun, don't you?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“.. Maybe.. Can I?” Kal smiled sheepishly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I knew you would." Asha chuckled and put her hands together again. "What colors do you want?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Can I get a green and red one?” Kal asked with a grin. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha nodded. "Can I ask.. Why those colors?" Asha asked as she began to pinch her fingers together and pull up from her palm again. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Well, I like green a lot,” Kal smiled. “And I told this guy we’d go rock climbing later. He has ‘red’ energy. So, I figured, I’ll do red and green, and maybe light it once we’ve reached the top of the mountain!” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Red energy? Is that a kind of soda?" Asha asked. This sparkler was much longer that the other one, and the sparking material went most of the way down to the handle. "Here ya go, don't put it in your face or touch the sparky part, it's gonna be really hot when you strike it." Asha said. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“It might be! I don’t know, I don’t drink soda,” Kal chuckled. He eagerly took the sparkly and looked over it. “Man, your powers are so cool- Thanks so much!” Kal beamed. “How do I do it? Do I need fire to start it?” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You don't drink soda? I thought you did a brand deal with that Schnapps company or.. Whatever it's name was a few months ago?" Asha asked. "And to light it you wanna hit the textured part against something solid, like a rock or tile." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Oh yeah! I did!” Kal laughed. “That was a little while ago for me- I’ll admit, I don’t remember too much about it. It was kinda blur. It was my first time having soda then, turns out, I don’t do well either caffeine. I got too much energy as it is!” Kal chuckled. “Thanks for explaining it to me! I’m hyped to see how cool it looks later.” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh- I can imagine. You must have been bouncing off the walls.." Asha chuckled. "Mm, using it when its dark out will look the best. It'll be hard to see the lines it makes in the air during the day time." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Pretty much,” Kal laughed. “Alright, I’ll give this a try later tonight! I bet it’s gonna look awesome.” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It'll look really cool, I promise." Asha said and wiped her hands off on her robe. "But anyway Kal, it's been great to hang out again. I'll see you later, alright?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Yeah, I’ll see you later!” Kal beamed. “Have a good one, Asha!” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm, bye Kal!" Asha smiled and waved back, before walking away back inside.. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Bye!” Kal smiled. He went off on his merry way. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Kal didn't get too far into the main square when he stopped, his gaze locking onto his next friendly pal. With a grin, Kal bounced towards Kallum, waving a hand at him. "Kallum!! Good to see you!" Kal grinned as he came closer. "How's my Kal Pal doin' today?" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum did not want to do this. He didn't want to be here. So... why was he here? Shut up. "We're not friends," he immediately grumbled, scrunching his nose up as Kal bounded over. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"That's alright!" Kal chuckled as he got to Kallum. The man bounced on his feet slightly. "Did you sleep well? Have breakfast yet? It's important to do a climb with lots of sleep and a great meal!" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

He'd gotten more sleep and food than he had for the last few days, so Kallum blankly answered, "Yes." Then he just stared at Kal, boredly and expectantly. mistah starer. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Cool!" Kal gave him two thumbs up. "Let's head on over, then!! We'll go ahead, do some stretches, and then get started!" @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Kallum didn't like taking orders - not from strangers, and this was the strangest stranger of them. However, he followed without verbal resistance, but certainly facial, as he scowled, almost sulkily moving. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Here we go!" Kal beamed. He began to lead the way to the mountain face! @soul | kallum 🔥 + peregrine 🎭

Seki reached the citadel, and paused in the main square. They really didn't feel like going to a feast, but going to bed seemed difficult as well. They went and sat on the edge of the stage in the middle, sighing, and tilted their head up to look at the sky, that was glowing a soft, eeriey green. Even though the auroras remained mostly above the Acropolis, they illuminated the sky even here, casting a faint light onto the courtyard. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

After the fight, Invo had wandered the Lifebringer's domain once more. He wasn't quite sure where to go, really. He was thinking on going back to the observatory, but there was a bad taste left in his mouth after the last time. It didn't help that the same man he encountered then happened to be Kallum--Who also happened to beat Aarni in the fight earlier. It left an odd, empty feeling in his chest. Invo didn't want to put a name to that feeling. So instead, he wandered. However, something drew him out of the shadows for just a moment--That strange green light in the sky. Invo had never seen anything like it before, and it drew his eye. He stepped out onto the street, his eyes slightly wide as he gazed upon the sight. He didn't even notice there was a big wolf creature just feet away from him. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki's ear twitched towards Invo, and she lowered her head to look over. They studied the young man curiously, and smiled slightly at the sight of his wonder. "Pretty sight, huh? It looks better outside the city", she spoke in a softer tone, as though not disturb the stillnes of the evening. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo was spooked when he suddenly heard a voice and he half fell into the nearest shadow. He turned to the stranger—And gaped. A WOLF?! He stared in bewilderment, stunned silent as he looked Seki up and down. "You.. You talk." Very smart observation, Invo. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki bit back a chuckle when Invo scrambled, though they found it neat how the boy was able to merge with the shadows. At his following expression and statement, Seki blinked, taken aback by such an unexpected remark. Then, they burst in laughter, swinging their tail here and there. "I sure do! And so do you", they replied and grinned, still chuckling. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

He rapidly blinked, almost comedically, at Seki. This was a wolf. A talking wolf. On two legs. They even had paws. What. Invo was too shocked to find Seki a threat. "How? Are you a mutation of some kind? An experiment? A creature from another planet?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"A mutation?" Seki chortled, and covered their mouth with a hand to giggle. "I guess I'm kind of like from another planet? I'm from Ninjago, but from another dimension", Seki explained with an amused smile and kicked their legs happily and innocently. She had been greatly cheered up by Invo's reactions. "Do you guys not have a lot variation in species? Oh, hey, heheh, what animal do I look like to you?" Seki grinned. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The more Seki laughed at him, the more Invo became embarrassed by his own reactions. His face flushed a little and he tugged his hood higher on himself. "Stop laughing," he huffed. "Nin-ja-go..? Never heard of it. It's full of creatures like you?" Invo frowned. "You look like a wolf. A gray kind." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki cocked her head to the side and grinned playfully, but stopped laughing. "Aw, I'm sorry, honey, I don't mean to embarrass you. I've just never had someone act like that when they saw me, before. You made my horrible day a little better, so thank you for that!" they bowed their head a little with a bright smile. "You haven't heard of Ninjago? Huh, then we probably are from different planets. I'm pretty sure the last person I talked was from Ninjago as well, though. My home is full of all kinds of people. My exact species is pretty rare, but eeveons overall are pretty common. That's the family of species I belong to", Seki haphazardly explained and waved their hand. "And a wolf, huh? That's a new one, again! I've gotten dog, bunny, and fox before", they smiled. "Name's Seki, by the way, nice to meet you." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo grumbled as Seki thank him. He didn't understand why they were saying such weird things, but didn't comment more on it. "Ee-ve-ons..?" Invo sounded out each foreign syllable and frowned. "I don't know what that is. You're strange... And you're definitely more a wolf than any of those other creatures," Invo pouted. "Even your name is odd... Seki. I suppose you may call me Invo." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki grinned again, hoisting one leg over the other, leaning back on the stage and put a hand on the floor behind herself for support. Her tail swished leisurely but happily. "Well I'd guess it sounds strange to you if you've never seen us before. I'm a Soileon to be specific, one of the evolutionary forms of Eevee. Heh, and I suppose I could say the same about you, or any other 'humans' here, but I'm discreet enough not to disrespect anyone just because they are of a species I haven't met before", Seki said lightly, but cast a meaningful look on Invo with a smile, to subtly chastise him for the sake of his future encounters. "Ah, Seki is actually a nick name. My official name is Kiseki, but I've been called Seki my whole life. Invo is a pretty cool name, can't say I've heard that one before, I don't think", Seki nodded in a friendly way. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Even with Seki's explanation of Eevees and Soileons and Evolutions, Invo still stared up at the creature like an unknown. Whatever jabs she was giving him, Invo didn't seem offended. If anything, he just seemed to double down on his suspicions. "When you don't know what something is, of course you're going to be confused. I can't believe that bastard God would even bring non-humans to something like this.." Invo said as he shook his head. "Kiseki... Why not just go by your entire name? What's the point of going by a shortened version of it?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oof, oww, you're starting to sound awfully speciesist, my dude. Better keep that in check", Seki put on an exaggerated grimace, but didn't truly seem offended. They waved it off with their paw. "I don't mind you being confused, though, I'm sure I would be in your situation, though." "Eh, Seki is what I like to be called. It's cozy. My name used to be Yuuseki when I was a pup. Once I came to realize a boy's name didn't really fit me, I changed it to something gender neutral, and I thought Kiseki has a nice tone to it. Plus it's nice to write on official papers. I still go by Seki cuz it's more familiar and neat", she shrugged. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I'm not sounding like anything. I'm simply confused," Invo corrected with a huff. He stared at Seki's paw as they moved it around before looking back at Seki's face. "Are you not confused about your own situation? You're trapped in a realm of... aliens, essentially. How can you be calm?" He asked pointedly. As Seki described her name and how they came about it, Invo just seemed to grow more confused. "A boy name..? Names are names. Who cares. Still odd to me.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"'Surprised God would bring non-humans to this', preeetty much sounds like you're putting your own species above everyone else's. Just sayin'. Though, if your world really doesn't have sapient species other than humans, I guess your statement is understandable. I'm only pointing this out because there are other 'non-humans' here than just me, so it'd be good if you were careful with your words. You might hurt someone's feelings", Seki explained, lifting her leg off her other knee, and back onto the stage to sit more balanced. "Eh, well when you put it like that, it does feel weird, huh? I'm used to seeing different people though, ones whose species I don't recognize, so it's not that big of a deal to me. Not much is different though, and I've been able to have conversations with people just fine", Seki shrugged. "I do wonder why that fuckass god-complex brought me here, though. Fuck my life", Seki ended with a huff. "Yeah, Yuuseki is a name they usually give baby boys. I'm not a boy, or a man, so it didn't feel fitting. I like your way of thinking, though! Names are just names. I still like mine better now." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo shrugged, as if that information wasn't much of importance to him. "I meant that that bastard God would even stoop so low as to bring in people who aren't of this world to a thing like this. I am not saying you're not worth kidnapping. That would sound even more absurd," he rolled his eyes. "At least your brain is not all lost from the kidnap. You should focus on being on guard from the others around here. Being so casual can be fatal," Invo grumbled. "Whatever. Your name is your name. Nicknames are just dumb." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, I gotcha", Seki nodded. "It did kinda sound like they are already messing with different timelines and stuff, so maybe they just want to test their limits. Hm..." Seki pondered. "Aw, thanks for the warning, champ, I'll keep that in mind", Seki smiled. "We are in the same boat, though, so I hope all of us can work together to figure out how to get the hell out of here. I'm pretty much at my wits' end right now", they sighed. "You can call me Kiseki if you want to, I wouldn't mind. That'd be awfully formal of you", they chuckled softly. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Whatever it was, it's a major inconvience for everyone involved. I'm sure it takes more power than it's worth to drag so many mortals into this realm," Invo said with an annoyed shrug. He looked even more annoyed at the suggestion that they would all work together. "I don't do teams. Everyone here keeps talking about doing that. Why?" He frowned. "And fine. Kiseki is better." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You'd think, yeah. It spoke something about needing us for stopping the realm of death from mixing with the realm of living, but even if that was true, there had to be simpler and better ways to go about it", Seki hummed. They lifted a leg up on the stage again, crossed their arms and leaned them against their knee, then resting their chin on their arms. "Oh? Not a pack wolf?" she chuckled. "I'm sorry to say, buddy, but you can't play a team sport solo. It's either all of us get out of here, or none of us will, I'm afraid." She only smirked and nodded to acknowledge Invo's last words. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo snickered a bit and folded his arms across his chest. "Yes, that's what it told me too. I imagine they're quite weak as it is, so that's why they have to slowly drain in more power," he shrugged. "It probably also serves as some sort of legitimate game to the Lifebringer.. but who knows why." Invo's brows furrowed a bit and he turned away from Seki. "Teams do nothing but drag you down.. I keep telling that to everyone, yet they all still insist of forming some sort of alliance. You can't rely on anyone but yourself in times you need. That's how the world is." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki let out a curious and amused hum, glancing at Invo keenly. "Oh? Why do you say that? How do you think working together would 'drag you down'? In this situation, specifically." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo's hands gripped a bit tighter to his arms and he shook his head. "It always does in the end. You think you can trust people.. rely on them, share burdens.. but it's not true," he replied, trying his damnest to not reveal any emotion in his voice. "People always betray one another if it's convenient for them.. especially if it involves their life. We're all meant to kill each other here. Forming teams will just cause more chaos and confusion when we go up against another." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Ah, so you are traumatized. I am sorry you have been betrayed", Seki hummed softly, a gentle look in her eyes, even though she was still smiling in that curious and amused way. "I understand now why you are so reluctant to trust others, but how do you plan solving this all on your own? We might be pitted against each other at some point, but as long as we are free, we can work together to figure things out." Seki finally hopped down from the stage, and dusted off their robes. "Two minds think better than one, and however many there are of us, we can cover ground much faster and more efficiently than you could by yourself. Time isn't on our side, so we need that speed. Whatever clues we find, are more valuable compiled together. Imagine if this was a puzzle that we needed to complete. If people found the pieces but refused to share them, the picture would never be whole, and we'd all just die. But if we share those pieces, we get the whole image, and all of us survive!" They crossed their arms, and stood in a relaxed way, looking at Invo and waiting to hear how he'd reply. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The way Seki spoke about teamwork and how things would be better if everyone worked together reminded Invo of someone. Someone Invo hated more than anyone. The way Seki just spoke so casually... so lighthearted and reassured, it made Invo's skin crawl. "I'm not a child. I'm strong enough to do this on my own," Invo simply rebutted. He had no other explanation to offer. "Only the weak group together. That's how they become strong... but I'm already strong on my own. I don't need anyone else. Needing someone else when you're already strong.. that's weakness," Invo frowned. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hummed a soft chuckle. "This isn't about 'strength.' You don't pass a math test with strength. You don't solve a jigsaw puzzle with strength. Or, if you want to talk about 'strengths', we all have our own strengths, and out own weaknesses. You aren't without weaknesses, honey, and what if you could pair up with someone who can cover your weaknesses? This is irrelevant, though. We aren't grouping together because we are weak, or stupid. We should group together because it's the wisest thing to do. We are in this together. Trying to do this on your own is just plain stupid. You'll slow yourself down. You probably don't even know what you are doing." They cocked their head to the side. "Honey, listen to me. You have nothing to prove. This isn't about being a big, strong boy and able to do something without help. This is about all of our survival. I can see that you are capable, so it would be a huge help if you could work with everyone else to free us. If you decide to scramble alone, we are losing some precious time and knowledge we might have gotten with your help, whereas you will likely not find all that much alone. It is okay, to be part of a team. It does not make you weak. In this case especially, it'd show that you have the wisdom to choose when to keep to yourself and when stick together." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

'Dear Great Hmarab, please grant me patience..' Invo thought to himself with a strained expression. His fingers dug even deeper into his skin, making the burns under his bandages itch. Seki's words were so logical. Everything she said was so basic and reasonable, but Invo didn't believe any of it. Couldn't believe any of it. There was always something he had to prove. Being 'wised' wasn't going to save him--or any of them. There was no way it would. He shook his head and his glare bore into the ground. When was the last time he was given such a lecture? "I know what I'm doing.." Invo replied, though there wasn't much confidence in his voice. "I know that I have to keep myself alive. If people are going to die, I need to do what's best for myself. You should do the same, Kiseki. Getting attached to a group of people drags you down. If I'm going to die or live, I die or live for myself. That's it." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Seki hummed, and opened his arms to put his hands on his hips. "You are afraid of getting attached to people? Hm, there's a lot you need to learn, but I guess you'll have to learn on your own. I can't force you to help us, or yourself, but maybe at least think about what I've said? Talking with people will at least give you a better chance to learn what they know." They sighed. "I'm going to grab some grub. You should go check out those lights, before they fade. The poor guy has probably burned to ashes already, and I don't know how long his powers are going to linger up there", Seki glanced up to the sky. "Goodnight, Invo", she finished, and waved her paw lightly, before goint towards the refectory. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I'm not afraid of anything-" Invo started, his gaze snapping up to Seki, but just as quickly as he had opened his mouth, he shut it. Invo wanted to prove Seki wrong. He was strong, wise, and unafraid. This entire situation was nothing. He was going to get through this just fine. Yes, totally fine and this will all be but a forgotten memory soon. Invo glared at Seki as they walked away and said nothing else to him. Invo didn't need to give them any more of his time or words. Though, he did spare a glance up at the lights once more, taking in their beauty before sinking into darkness. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Naiyta carried Roman all the way back down the mountain. "Are you well enough to walk? I could drop you off someplace different if you'd like." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmm, I should be able to walk. Those two protein shakes really gave me a boost." Roman said. "Thank you for carrying me." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta let Roman down, and adjusted the shawl now draped around his shoulders. "Alright. I'm glad you're feeling better now." It smiled. "Kairas will be looking out for you if you get in any sort of trouble. I should be getting back to the acropolis now." It smiled warmly. "You just look... so beautiful." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm, you do too, Yta." Roman reached out and grabbed Naiyta's right hand, and kissed it on the back. "I love you. Stay safe up there." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta's smile brightened at the kiss. "You stay safe, too. I'll see you tonight, right?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm, I wouldn't miss it for anything." Roman said. "I can't wait to see what you have waiting." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I hope it'll impress you," Naiyta smiled. "Impress you, and more." They gave Roman a gentle kiss on the cheek, and started back towards the acropolis, waving goodbye. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Byeeeeee~!" Roman said loudly as Naiyta was getting further away. Once they were out of earshot, he pivoted and walked away..

After that entire...nightmare, Ace had eventually found his way back to the main area of the Citadel and gotten rid of all that sand and blood. Now, they stood in the quiet of the Citadel, looking over the emptiness of the square. Compared to the night of the gala, it was certainly much quieter now. The silence was very welcome, though. Mm. Roman mentioned lunch earlier. Was it the nausea from earlier or hunger that was eating him alive? @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy was simply passing through the square on his way back to his quarters- still absolutely drenched from the rain- but seemed to perk up upon seeing Ace. "Oh, hello, Ace!" He waved from across the way. "Remember me? I don't think we've talked since that first day. How have you been?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Ah- Professor Sterling, I do remember you," Ace said, smiling at the sight of a familiar face. They waved to him as well, stepping aside to give him some room under cover. "I've been well- as well was one could be while here, that is. I met a familiar face at the, ah. Gala." Mm. How to broach the topic about Miss Asha. "But how... how have you been? We hadn't exactly gotten the chance to speak to each other since we first met." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy followed Ace over to the more sheltered spot. "That's good to hear. I've been... alright. The fights have been harsh. I guess it's what I should expect from such a cruel god, but... hmph." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace winced a bit, folding their arms over their chest. "Harsh is...certainly a word to describe it," he flatly said. "I don't think any of us could have expected the fights to be. To be so sudden, really." "I'm very sorry about Miss Asha," Ace said, their voice a bit quieter now. "I, ah. Saw that the two of you were sitting together at the first fight. She seemed kind." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm...." Darcy hummed. "They didn't start this soon in the first one I went to." His gaze shifted away as Ace brought up Asha. "Ah.... hm. She was a good person, with a lot to live for. I don't know if we were friends, but-" He paused. "She was fighting Kal. And Kal is- he's one of the only real friends I've got. I- I didn't want her to die but- I couldn't condemn him to death, either." Guilt washed his features in a tense crease. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I see. That's...unsettling." Ace was silent as Darcy spoke, brows furrowing slightly more. "Mm. I...understand. It's difficult having to watch people you know go against each other, especially in these circumstances. Especially if it's someone you care about." "...It's not wrong to not want someone to die," he softly said. "You were on the sidelines. Wanting one or the other to win doesn't make you responsible in any way." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy still didn't meet Ace's gaze, though his distraught was clear in his face. "... thank you." He sighed. "At least... at least, I know what I'm going to do about my own fight." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"...It's nothing. My apologies for bringing it up," he said, nodding slightly. While Darcy was a professor, it was still very clear that he was young. Younger than he was, at least. "Ah, your fight- I assume you plan to win, correct?" Ace asked, trying (poorly) to bring some humor to this honestly dreadful topic. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'm going to win." Darcy nodded. "Even if I have to kill Peregrine Marvell with my own bare hands." His bare hands, which were trembling in balled fists by his sides. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Oh boy. "I...see. Ah." Hm. Okay then. Balled up fists was a bit of a bad sign. "...Professor, are you alright?" Ace sounded genuinely a bit worried at that, tilting his head a bit to get a better look at Darcy. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy took in a few deep breaths, and tried to relax. His silver hands detensed. "I'm- I'm fine. Just.... very over being put in murder Lifebringer tournaments." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I figure most people are very over being here a first- and a second," Ace sighed, straightening up with a wince. "Mm. I don't really have much else to say than good luck against your opponent. I don't...think I spoke with them, so unfortunately I don't have much information to provide about them." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you. I don't really need any information about him- I already know him, and his powers. All I really need to do is immobilize him- he has flight powers, and not much else." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"You seem well prepared, at least," Ace hummed. "Best of luck to you then. Hopefully the arena will be on your side- or at least come in handy somehow." Ace was silent in thought for a moment before he spoke- "Would you like to train with me for a while?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you." Darcy said again. "Oh- that would actually be really helpful. I've been meaning to test out a few of my spells in a more controlled environment- better than risking them acting up in a life-or-death situation. Should we head to the arena?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Mmhm. Precisely my reason for wanting to train- ah. Not precisely, but more about practicing before putting it to use," Ace said, nodding with a slight smile. "Yes. Let's head to the arena." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

After a while of resting, Darcy changed into clean clothes and left to get something to eat... only to find he wasn't allowed in the refectory. The guard wouldn't tell him why, only that he wasn't allowed to eat anything for twenty four more hours. Grumbling and angry but ultimately too weak to do anything, Darcy passed through the main square. He had to stop and rest a bit by the stage, he was still worn out and weary. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Always the lurker, Invo lingered in the shadows of the various buildings around the square. He was still a bit peeved about his earlier encounter with the spirit haunting Aarni, but overall, he was ready to move on. When he noticed a random straggler, Invo peeked out to observe him. He watched as he was denied entry into the refectory and as he rested against the stage. How odd. Invo moved over towards a nearby shadow and stepped out. "You were turned out of the refectory. Why?" He asked. No introduction, no nothing. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy flinched at Invo's sudden appearance. "I don't know." He said bitterly. "They wouldn't tell me." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Invo tilted his head, looking over Darcy in a curious manner. "Hm. You must of done something to irk the Lifebringer. Have you been in contact with it recently?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... it's probably because I attacked Roman." He admitted, with a grumbling sigh, not quite meeting Invo's gaze. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Roman?" He repeated. "I have punched the Lifebringer itself and I am still allowed in. Who is this Roman?" Invo asked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, good for you." Darcy rolled his eyes. "Roman is one of the bird side contestants. He's Naiyta's boyfriend or something, I don't know." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Darcy's sarcasm was lost on Invo and he simply peered at the man. "Boyfriend? The Lifebringer has no such thing," he said with such certainty. "Even if it did, a contestant here wouldn't be given such importance... I wonder why they would go out of their way to hold off food to you." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, like I said, I don't know. You're free to make your own assumptions." Darcy crossed his arms. "Not like it matters, especially not to you." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I decide what matters to me and what doesn't," Invo simply replied, narrowing his eyes. "Well, why did you punch the Lifebringers' new play thing? I am sure you didn't just do it because. You don't seem the type," he commented, looking Darcy up and down. Yep. Total loser alert.

7:17 PM

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It doesn't involve you, which makes it none of your business." Darcy countered. "And I didn't punch him, I cast a spell on him. It's none of your business why." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"What is with you people and trying to decide what I can and cannot determine is important to myself?" Invo huffed and glared down at Darcy. "I see. So you are simply insufferable." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Are you Roman? Are you Naiyta? You certainly aren't me. Those are the people who are directly involved in this. You can't just go into anyone's business and say 'I'm involved in this now'." Darcy retorted. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Who said I wanted to be involved? I was simply asking a question," Invo rolled his eyes. "The only one making this into a bigger ordeal is you. If punching someone can make us unable to gain nutrients, then it is better to know why. Insufferable is much too soft of a term for you. Idiotic is probably better suited." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Your asking questions is getting involved." Darcy crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not making this into anything. You're the one who wants to keep taking about it. And anyways, if you really want to know more, you should ask Naiyta." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Oh, so asking questions about a topic that could harm other people is getting too involved? You really are stupid," he scoffed. "The Lifebringer and I do not get along. As I said before, I punched it before we even came to this specific realm. It is even more annoying than you are." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Yes. Because it's not 'harming others'. Right now the only person affected, at all, is me. Projections into the future don't count. And don't call me stupid." Darcy frowned. "Well, we don't get along either, so you'll have to try getting information from someone else." He began to walk off. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

If Invo could roll his eyes even harder, they would of fell out of his head. "I call people what they are. It seems like foresight isn't quite a skill you have either," Invo replied as he watched Darcy walk off. "Stupid idiot." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

If Invo could roll his eyes even harder, they would of fell out of his head. "I call people what they are. It seems like foresight isn't quite a skill you have either," Invo replied as he watched Darcy walk off. "Stupid idiot." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy had stopped paying attention to him. Probably for the best. Goodbye Invo

Leaving Valerie and Enya behind, Ryunoske trailed outside to find a light source. She trailed along the path through the main square and lit her cigarette with the fire from the lamp post once again. Finally, she had her daily dose. Taking in a deep and easy breath, a red-green smoke escaped her lips as she leaned against the post. It had been a moment since she had any alone time, and she was going to enjoy this. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Well, she might not enjoy it after all, because she wasn't alone. Ryu would begin to feel the prickling sensation of being watced, and sure enough- her observer showed up soon after. Kairas landed on the stage and folded her wings behind her. She didn't say anything to Ryu initially- just stood there, watching and waiting. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Hand and cigarette still up to her mouth, Ryu glanced over at the stranger. She stared in return, the gaze washing over her awfully familiar. "Can I help you?" Ryu asked with a blank expression. Usually, she'd be happy to meet a stranger, but something about this one seemed odd. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kairas assumed a more casual pose, and shrugged. "I could ask you the same." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu smiled a bit and lowered her hand to her side. "You're the one watching me, babe. Do I know you from somewhere? I feel like I've met you before," Ryu hummed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I watch everyone, and everything." She shrugged. "You simply caught my interest for the moment." "You don't know me. Or, at least, I don't know you. I'm Kairas, the bird side leader." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Kairas.. the name wasn't familiar, but the 'I'm better than everyone' attitude was more than enough to give Ryu some ideas. "Birds, huh? Yeah, no, I'm on the Snake side or something. Looks like in this world, you still serve the Lifebringer... at least you have your wings out this time," he commented. "So, what about me caught your eye? Was I so charming you had to approach?" Ryu joked. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't know who you are." Kairas maintained coolly. "Nothing in particular. It's simply been a... boring day." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu couldn't help but chuckle. Of course Kairas wouldn't know her, yet it was still humorous. "Right. Well, life can get boring when you're a servant. What do you guys do around here all day when there aren't people to kill off?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"We do our duties." Kairas replied simply. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"And those are...?" Ryu gestured for Kairas to continue. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"For me, keeping watch of the contestants and attendants." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Right," Ryu said with a breath of a laugh as she took in another whiff of her cigarette. "I'm sure that's a lot of fun. Don't you ever get bored just watching everyone else?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I wouldn't describe my experience as boring. Quite the opposite, actually." She shrugged. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu raised a curious brow at that. "Oh? You're still quite the voyeur, aren't you?" She chuckled. "What's been intriguing you lately?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well," Kairas put her hands on her hips. "Naiyta is still involved with that Roman man. And the fire boy. Though... I'd be happier if I didn't have to see any of that. You've been, ah, busy yourself, but you don't need me to tell you that." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu didn't know who the 'fire boy' was, but Roman didn't surprise her. Honestly, he could expect Roman try to find any semblance of a owner in someone, and who better than a God of this realm? Though, at Kairas' comment about herself, Ryu smirked a bit. "Well, I hope you've been enjoying the show. There's always room for more if you're interested." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thanks for the offer, but I have someone to take care of my needs." Kairas replied casually. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Awh, don't tell me it's someone like Yeonaixho again?" Ryu feigned a pout. "What do you even see in a guy like him?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't know who you're talking about." Kairas said. "My partner is Reagan, the snake side leader." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Hmm. That was something different in this world. Ryunoske stared at Kairas for a moment and smiled. "So you ditched Yeonaixho then? Good for you. That guy wasn't worth your time anyways," Ryu hummed. "But if you and this Reagan ever wanna spice things up, I'm always an open door." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. Again.. thanks for the offer, I guess." Kairas shrugged. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Well, I guess you sound a smidget more excited than then other you," Ryu shrugged. "So, since you're not busy or anything. You mind indulging me in something for a moment?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Depends on what you mean by indulge." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Oh, nothing bad or anything," Ryu chuckled as she blew out some smoke. "I'm just curious is all... what do you think of the first Lifebringer here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kairas shifted her stance slightly. "Would you believe me if I said I'm not allowed to voice my honest thoughts on it?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu barked out a laugh. "Hah! No, I'd believe you every bit, but man. You never have your own autonomy anywhere you go, huh?" She commented, taking another whiff. "How long have you been with these Lifebringers then? Can you tell me that?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I've been in the citadel for six months now. Same as the attendans and Reagan." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Hm. Only six months? "Why were all of you guys taken at the same time for? Seems a little odd to just... decide to take a bunch of people from their lives here." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

(could've sworn I replied to this

) "For the tournament." Kairas said, like this was obvious. "Naiyta needed time to... prepare us." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Prepare?" Ryu questioned. "What like, indoctrinate you guys? Don't you all already believe in following this Lifebringer crap?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"No." Kairas scoffed. "There are only two people in this citadel who are here willingly, and I'm sure you can figure out who those two people are." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu shrugged, taking another whiff of her cigarette. "You don't? That's interesting... The other you I knew was head over heels indoctrinated to Yeonaixho. I assume some of you have tried to escape, but it hasn't work?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"There's no way out of here without the Liferbringer willing it." Kairas shook her head. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ryu opened her mouth to say something in response, but stopped as she heard the announcement for another fight. Ryu seemed mildly interested, as it was Kyrie, and glanced back to Kairas. "Guess I'll meet you there," she told her and started off towards the arena. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

darcy and aarni

seki is suffering

sky girlfriends first meeting (minus kyrie)

seki and evan

double e chat

kal and asha part ways

kal pals meet up

seki and invo

naiman part ways

wizard boys reunite

invo meanaces darcy

kairas and ryu