MASKTOURN

Strange ruins lay within the northern fields, shrouded by the shadow of the treeline. They seem… out of place in a village like Shairoun, almost like they were moved from someplace else. The bones of a small stone structure sit, undisturbed in the grass. Some remaining walls are carved with intricate reliefs, but they’re so weathered and cracked it's hard to tell what they originally depicted…

".. I think we may have underestimated how long it would take to get out here.." Asha shivered just a tad as they walked through the darkness. She had begun clinging to Persis' arm at some point during the walk... @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis didn't think this walk was quite that far, but perhaps that's because he was used to these sorts of treks. He momentarily paused and offered his other arm to Asha. "Shall I carry you, Miss Asha? I would hate for you to catch a cold all the way out here.. Or trip and hurt yourself," Persis offered. "The ruins are still a ways up ahead, so it would be best to try and conerve the rest of your strength for when we have to head back." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The likelihood that they could catch a cold here was pretty low.. "I don't feel tired, it's just.. Getting late pretty quick." Asha said. "There's no monsters that are gonna attack us when we get to the edge of town, right? How is Albanes keeping us here? Unless there's an invisible wall or she put the whole continent in.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I have never been attacked by anything while living here, so I doubt there will be anything coming out to us," Persis replied. "Are you sure you do not want me to carry you, at the very least?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. How much can you lift? I am pretty heavy.." Asha said. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Miss Asha, I used to be a Knight Commander. I assure you, I am more than capable of carrying a woman in need," Persis reassured her with a small, but earnest smile. "I am not that old yet," he added with a small laugh. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Asha looked him over. How could she resist getting carried by a big strong man? He was gay and gay married, so.. It didn't really matter. "Sure, you can try. I was two hundred and eighty pounds last time I checked.." Asha said and held her arms out. The last person who had carried her was Kal. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis moved to pick Asha up, carrying her in a bridal style hold. As soon as she was secured, Persis continued walking up towards the ruins at at his normal pace. It took about another ten minutes, but eventually, the sight of the ruins came into view under the moonlight. "Here we are.." He hummed as he gently let Asha down. "It looks the same as usual.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

How were Kal and Persis this strong.. Roman needed to get back to the gym after she got home. She stood back on her own with no issue, and glanced cautiously around the area. ".. What.. is this place? Did there used to be a temple here or something..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis shrugged as he looked around the abandoned structure. "I am not too sure. I have not gotten to ask about it to anyone specifically, since I assumed it simply was an abandoned structure. Though, I thought it might be worth checking out since it is quite out of place compared to the rest of the town." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

(Investigation roll I suppose)

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 12
Details:[d20 (12)]

Asha hummed, and went up to the hard to decipher carvings.. Maybe if she squinted hard enough she could figure something out. Maybe it was a map of how to escape, for some reason. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Asha could only vaguely see human silhouettes depicted in the carvings. They seemed to tell some kind of story, but she wouldn't be able to tell what it was. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

(Persis are you any better at this)

Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

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# 4
Details:[d20 (4)]

(No you are useless thank you)

Persis wouldn't even be able to tell there were people in the carving sorry king @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis followed behind Asha, humming as he looked over the same things. "Can you tell what these carvings are, Miss Asha?" Persis asked as he traced some of the grooves with his fingers. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"They're.. People, I think.. That's so I can really tell. They're doing something, but I don't know what it is.." Asha said. "Do you have any ideas?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis looked closely at the carvings, but after a moment, shook his head. "They do not even look like people to me. Just sort of.. like blobs," he replied. "Maybe my eyesight has gotten worser over the years instead of my strength," Persis said with a lopsided smile. "Is there anything else on these walls?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

She squinted... Harder.

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 19
Details:[d20 (19)]

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Asha wouldn't find anything else on the walls, but upon a second glance, she'd be able to make sense of the carvings. The section she was looking at depicted an interaction between two women- one in a long dress with a spear, and another in a tunic with a headscarf and a sword. The one with the sword had a halo around her head. The first panel depicted the women standing near each other and preparing for combat. The next few ones depicted their fight, which ended in victory for the woman with the spear. The next panel depicted the spear woman standing triumphantly over her enemy, and the last Asha would be able to make out showed the spear-wielder crouching over her fallen, presumably dead opponent, looking for something within her spilled guts. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Nothing really on the walls.." Asha sighed, and went to look at the carvings. "Oh- I think I kinda understand this one." She pointed to the first carving. "Two women are.. Fighting, I think. One of them has a spear and the other one has a sword. The sword one has a.. Halo?" "First they're getting ready to fight, and it looks like the spear lady won.. Oh.." "Eugh.. Looks like the spear lady is disembowling the other one after she won.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' gaze followed what Asha pointed at and he frowned a bit once she finished. "Hm, interesting. I have no clue who could be in the carvings, or why they fought... but it is nice to know what the drawings seem to be depicting," Persis nodded. "Did the Lifebringer in your timeline fight in a battle like this, perhaps?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I.. uh.. I don't think Yeonaixho would be able to do something like this- at least not mine. And I don't think this depicts him.." Asha said. "He didn't talk to me much about the Lifebringer thing. I guess he was the current one there, otherwise he'd be dead, but.. He wasn't like Albanes or Naiyta." "To be honest, I kinda brushed off the Lifebringer stuff.. The Loucari in Ninjago is the only place on the whole continent that doesn't believe in the First Spinjitsu Master.. So I figured it wasn't real, yknow? Why did some small island get a different religion than the rest.. and now I'm here, and the inn keeper lady said I shouldn't talk about my god.. So I guess that's payback." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed, folding his arms as he thought. "I see.. Well, perhaps it is a different Lifebringer then? Young Aarni said this Albanes was also a Lifebringer, and I believe she is a woman, so it would match the description here a bit more," he shrugged. He then gave Asha a certain look--A mix of confusion and skepticism. "There are plenty of places with different types of religion. Even if Ninjago is the only continent in your world, is it really that difficult to believe a different subset of people believe in different things?" Persis asked. "Regardless... I wonder if there is any more to these ruins.. Let us continue looking around." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha was too busy trying to squint at the carvings to see the look Persis gave. ".. Yes, it is that hard to believe. The son of the First Spinjitsu Master is still alive- and so is his grandson. There's first hand information available." Asha shrugged. "I don't know what all happened in the Loucari to give them a different God to follow." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis shook his head and shrugged. "I am not certain.. but there is always room for life to grow in different ways," he simply replied and continued walking around. "I wonder if there is any more to these ruins.. or if that is the only depiction here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha walked in a different direction, and looked for anything else of use...

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 10
Details:[d20 (10)]

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

There were more carvings on the wall, but Asha wouldn't be able to see what they showed just yet. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mm.. there's some more stuff, but I don't know what it is.." Asha mumbled. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed as he also looked around.

Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

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# 9
Details:[d20 (9)]

(persis you are useless to me)

Persis saw nothing. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I do not see much of interest.. Just more ruins and broken stone," Persis said from his spot as he looked around. "I suppose this place was not much help like I thought it would be.. Maybe we would of had more luck in town," he sighed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

After all this walking, Asha wasn't content to leave empty handed. She WOULD find something useful...

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 9
Details:[d20 (9)]

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Asha couldn't make out much of anything. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mmmmmmmm.." Asha strongly exhaled through her nose. "There's nothing here, just those ladies being violent and gross.. All I want is a door that I can just walk out of here with.. And go back home... I don't even care about whatever religious drama this all is." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

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Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

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# 12
Details:[d20 (12)]

(Persis please I know ur dead but can't you be more useful

) @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Persis would be able to make out a few figures in the carvings he was looking at. One figure was the sword-wielding woman from the fight scene, now depicted younger and without the halo or weapon. The other was a man with a heavy brow, broad features, and hair braided tight to the skull. He seemed to be playing music for the woman on a harp, and had the halo over his head. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I doubt a door will magically appear for us.. But let us hope, Miss Asha," Persis replied as he continued walking around. He stopped when he saw another carving, examining it with a closer eye. "Hm.. this one seems to depict a man and a woman. No bloody women.. but the man in this one is wearing the halo this time. Do you think that means something, Miss Asha?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I'm guessing the halo is the.. Lifebringer..?" Asha guessed. She glanced down the ruins, seeing that they were nearby the start at this point. "Maybe it's.. The different incarnations? The halo seems to switch between people.. Maybe if we keep going back we can find the first one." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Hm.. This Lifebringer God switches amongst people? I suppose you and young Aarni did mention something about that before," Persis nodded as he slowly walked down the ruins. "Do you think because it is a Lifebringer that brought you two here, they may of brought other pieces that are important to them as well?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha followed him, trying to see where the illustrations began. "Maybe, that might be it.. But the only thing I've seen of Yeonaixho here is this not-him here with no memories, and his broken statue back in the tournament. Someone had broken his head, and when me and Kal tried to fix it, it just... Kept screaming. In agony. It was awful." "But I don't see what other people here have to do with the Lifebringer- like.. Roman. As far as I know, he'd never met one. He's from the same village as me, and there's never going to be a Lifebringer from there.. Ellie, Lacey.. I don't know what they'd have to do with it either." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis tried to think about what may be the answer, but he came up blank. "I am.. not sure. I wish I could explain more, but I cannot," he sighed as he eventually met Asha up in the middle of the ruins. "I believe there may be another description.. but I am sure now there will be no information on how you can leave.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

(Asha look for the first carving)

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 1
Details:[d20 (1)]

(ASHA)

(girl)

8:10 PM

Asha found absolutely nothing. Like she can't even see the carvings she's already looked at. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hopefully Aarni got something from his friend to say something.. that would just be the most simple.." She huffed. Asha tried to read the first carving, and got up very close to it, but ended up falling over face first. Oops. Balance wasn't great. "It's too damn dark to see anything!" Asha huffed in exasperation and slammed her hands on the ground. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

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# 13
Details:[d20 (13)]

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Persis would be able to find the first carving somewhat easily! It depicted a woodland scene- the background visual more detailed than in later carvings. There was only one person depicted- a young adult in a layered outfit, crouched over the body of a creature. The creature looked something like a mix between a goat, a fish, and a bird, and its guts were spilled out in front of the adolescent. The person was gazing up at the sky in awe, a gleaming halo around their head. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis had been examining the carvings when he suddenly heard Asha fall. "Miss Asha-!" Persis quickly moved to help the woman back up, and he very gently dusted any dirt off of her. "Are you alright?" He asked and took a good look over her, clear worry on his face. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, most of the dirt was on her face, which she quickly handled herself. "I'm fine- nothing ever hurts here.." She sighed and let Persis help her back up. "Did you get anything? If not.. I say we just head back. Maybe we'd be able to see more when it's not dark out.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis gave Asha one last look over before nodding. "Yes.. over here," he said and gestured towards the drawings depicting the woodland scene. "There seems to be someone here.. with some sort of creature. It looks like a lot of different animals put together—like some sort of chimera.. but it seems to be dead. If you think the halo represents the Lifebringer, this person is one as well." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha squinted down at this scene, but didn't get as close as she had just tried. "That looks like.. the Not-Albanes Lifebringer here.. the one that killed me.." Asha said. "I don't see the person who came before it here- is this the first one?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis raised a brow as Asha said she recognized the person in the carving. "This person is the one with the other Lifebringer?" He frowned and gently traced his finger over some of the drawings. "It is possible it is the first, since the carvings stop here. I.. wonder what the depiction of this creature is, however. Did it give whatever these Lifebringers are power..?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It's.. Hard to tell." Asha said. "Some of the other ones depicted disembowling people, so maybe that thing.. had it's powers in the guts originally, and that pale freak ate it..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis visibly grimaced at the idea. "That would be quite... unsightly," he simply commented and took his hand off of the rubble. "Were there any drawings that looked like the other Lifebringer you and young Aarni keep talking about? This 'Albanes'?" Persis asked and glanced around once more. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Not that I saw.. but if hers is here it might be over at the other end." Asha said. "I don't know if.. I could imagine Albanes eating someone's guts.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I do not like imagining anyone eating guts.." Persis sighed and rubbed his temple for a moment. "I believe we have found most of what we could here.. We should head back now, Miss Asha. Young Aarni is probably waiting on us still," he said and offered her his hand once more. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yes.. Maybe we can come back when it's light out." Asha sighed. "What did you say we're having for dinner..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Beef stew, if that is alright," Persis smiled a bit. "I've had some meat marinating and slow cooking since last night, so it should be ready to be cooked with the rest of the items when we get home." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Alright, that sounds pleasant." Asha said. "Maybe I'll.. try to cook something here from my village if I get a chance." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis raised a brow in a curious manner and smiled. "Something from your village? I would be delighted to try something from there, Miss Asha. What are you thinking of?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"There's a lot of things I could do- ah, maybe.. I haven't actually cooked in a few years, my husband has been handling it.. And before him, it was my attendants.." Asha sighed. "I would probably have to make something simple, like coconut rice, I think I could manage that." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Hmm, that sounds delightful. I bet it would pair well with a spicy dish," Persis commented with a small smile, heading back towards the direction of his home. "How long have you and your husband been married, Miss Asha?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"About seven years now, just a bit before my oldest child was born." Asha smiled softly. "Lupita, she's the cutest kid ever. And so smart too.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' smile grew a bit as she saw Asha's. "Ah, I see. That is quite sweet. Your Lupita sounds like quite the spitfire as well. What are the names of your other children? You have quite the few, do you not?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm, Lupita is six, Dekha is four, and Kaisa was just born five weeks ago." Asha said. "And I was due with a boy when I was much younger, but he didn't make it. So sometimes I include him. In my village you don't choose a name until after they're born, so.. He never got one." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' smile fell just a bit at that. "Oh, I am sorry to hear that, Miss Asha. It must of been difficult.." he said and offered his condolences with a small bow of his head. "Do you plan on having any more? I know how rambunctious a big family can be, but they are quite enjoyable, are they not?" He smiled. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It's alright, it's been quite a long time since then.. He's with my first husband and parents in the departed realm, I know Kaizer would have given him a name up there. I'll learn it when I can get there." Asha smiled lightly. "And definitely not- I'm getting too old to have any more. With my weight and age, the doctors were already pretty concerned about Kaisa.. I can't do another one." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Even though Asha was speaking about her dead family, Persis found her rather positive outlook on the situation endearing. "I see. I hope you the best when you can be reunited with them," he nodded. "And I see. Well, three bundles of joy will surely keep you busy in the coming years. Will one of your children inherit your powers one day?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Hah, I hope they won't. My powers aren't genetic, you gain them by winning a tournament. When the current power holder dies, every child in the village ten or younger gets a chance to compete for it. So unless my powers went back home, and they declared me dead, I don't think my kids will get a chance to get them. Maybe my grandkids." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed. "I see. So, I assume you must of won whatever this tournament was when you were a child, Miss Asha?" He asked. "What exactly do you have to do to procure your power from your predecessor?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Mhm, I was eight and Kaizer was nine, we were the first to win together." Asha smiled as she recalled it. "There is a backup made for the powers to channel in to once the current wielder dies that's kept in a secure place, and is then taken out for the tournament. It's a large golden sparkler that is pretty heavy. In the very last event it's shot off in to the sky with a lot of other fireworks, and the remaining competitors have to find it in the shrubland. Me and Kaizer grabbed on to it at exactly the same time, so they let us say we tied." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Hmm.. I see. That is quite the interesting tradition. I assume your late husband decided to let you have the powers? That was quite kind of him," Persis replied. "Why did you decide to compete in the tournament, Miss Asha? Did you want to become the next head of your village?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, he didn't choose to.. Turns out he had the powers the whole time, found that out the hard way.. But the people in the village don't know that, they assume I always had them.. It was a long story how i ended up receiving them, it involved another tournament I was in." Asha sighed. "And all of the children compete, most can't really think of how serious is a commitment it will be. It's just seen as the highest honor." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed a bit at that, rubbing his chin as he listened to Asha. "That sounds quite complicated, but I assume things have worked out considering where you are in life now. I do not really understand why they let such young children who cannot comprehend the responsibility of being the leader of the village compete for the powers... but I suppose each area of people are different," he nodded. "When did you meet your current husband, Miss Asha? I do not think you have told me what his name was." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The person who gets the powers needs to be young, so they can be trained in to the role as they age. So I left my family to go live in the traditional home of the rulers, which was very nice.. I still live there now, actually." Asha said. "Oh, and my current husband is named Roman. There's a different version of him attending the tournament here.. He looks pretty small and frail, so he'll probably show up here sooner or later." "And I met him about eight years ago. He was a one man band at one of the few bars in town playing late one night and I just- he seemed quirky and cute. So I asked him out. We dated for a while, I got pregnant, and I we both liked each other enough to figure we should just get married." "He's really, really sweet and considerate, and a great dad. I don't know how I'd raise three kids without him.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

There was a slight face Persis made when Asha said a child was purposefully chosen so they could be trained to be the leader. For some reason, that did not sit right in his mind, especially since Asha said the kids there did not really understand the responsibility, but again, traditions were different everywhere. Persis didn't want to offend Asha, so he simply nodded. "Ah.. How interesting." Though, he seemed to be more opsitimistic when Asha continued about her husband. "Oh, that sounds lovely, Miss Asha. Though, it is sad to see even another version of your husband being here, somehow. I hope both of you are able to return to your correct timelines.. He sounds like a wonderful life partner." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yes.. The one here is very, very different. He got with my.. mm.. I don't really feel bad saying it, because she is, my very evil cousin. I think she really messed him up.. he's so rude and weak." Asha sighed. "I am excited to get home, but I don't really know what this Roman has to go back to." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis blinked at Asha and hummed. Evil cousin? That was an adjective he didn't hear often. "I see.. so this Roman is not like the one you know at all. That is rather sad.. for both of you," Persis commented. "What exactly did your cousin do for you to call her evil..?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I invited her to play at my wedding since she was a musician or whatever, and she repaid me by bringing in bandits to rob and destroy the village because of some stupid arguments from our youth-" She had to take in a deep breath and cross her arms just to calm down slightly. ".. It got my husband killed, and made me lose my baby. I can never forgive her. She's evil." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis fell quiet as Asha recalled what happened, and he gave the woman a sympathetic look. "I am sorry that happened to you, Miss Asha. That is awful.." He frowned as they walked closer to the edge of the village again. "What exactly happened between you and your cousin in your youth?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"What happened is nothing that justified her getting half the village killed and the other half seriously injured.." Asha grumbled. "It doesn't matter what it was, I'm sure part of it is that she lost to me in that tournament. All she ever wanted was power and attention." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis doubted children could of done anything to each other to justify such a horrid act in their adulthood, but Persis was curious. Seems like whatever it was, Asha didn't know the specifics. "Yes, it was a horrible act regardless of reason. What of your cousin now? You said she was with this other Roman in his world? What of the one in yours?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I dunno, she's still a famous musician or whatever. She's banned from coming back, not that she wants to anyway I'm sure, so I don't think I'll ever see her again." Asha shrugged. "I think her band's something like the 'Roqeuing Rayes' or something equally stupid and self centered- but I don't know who all is in the band with her." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

For just a moment, Persis' sympathetic gaze became a bit confused. Roqueing Rayes. He's heard of that band name before. Almost too many of times in his life. "...Your cousin is Roque Rayes?" Persis asked slowly. "Well, that is both a surprise, yet also makes sense in the grand scheme of things. My daughter was quite the fan of the band in her youth, even when she was older, she enjoyed them. How small the world is." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Asha huffed through her nose. "Well, if your daughter shows up here after her friend kills her or something like the rest of us, I'm not too sure I want to talk to her. People who like her must not be the kindest people." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis awkwardly smiled at Asha and nodded. "That is understandable, Miss Asha. My daughter.." Persis sighed. "My daughter is a complicated person. I had tried my best to teach her ways to be kinder and more open from the moment I took her under my wing, but it is something she stills struggles with. She has had a difficult childhood and it has severely affected her outlook on life and people. Even the therapy she agreed to go to has done only so much.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Sometimes there's just nothing you can do to change people. They're just messed up forever." Asha shrugged. "How old was she when you adopted her..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The retired knight shook his head, his gaze looking ahead in the dark woods. "I am one that believes change is capable in everyone and everything," Persis simply replied. "My daughter was eighteen when she came into my care. She has been with me since then." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Eighteen?" Asha asked incredulously. "That's an adult- if she was such a nightmare to handle, why didn't you just.. Let her go and figure out things on her own? Seems like even if you gave her everything you had, it didn't end up mattering." "Did you actually adopt any of your kids as kids, or were they all young adults?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis sighed at Asha's response. It seemed to be a mix of disagreement and disappointment. "Perhaps we share different values, Miss Asha... But even when you reach the imaginary threshold of 'adulthood', those who are young and learning about the world still require guiding and help where needed, especially if they grew up in an environment where they were emotionally and physically stunted. How could I just abandon someone in need?" Persis replied. "Most of my children were in their early adulthood or late teenage years when I adopted. As I told you before, they came from backgrounds where they had severe lack of support or none at all. Not everyone is lucky to have a stable home with people who care and support them from birth, and I made it one of my life missions to support everyone I could that I met." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It wouldn't be abandoning her, she should have been able to go her own way. She clearly didn't want help if she never changed, you could have helped so many more reasonable children if you didn't have to waste so much time on her.." Asha said. "When I was eighteen, I was getting married and about to have a kid. That's my frame of reference." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Suddenly, Persis stopped walking. He turned to Asha, an eerily serious look to his face as he stared down at her. "I will say this politely, Miss Asha, but I do not take you insulting my family lightly. I would like if you could restrain from doing so," he said calmly. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha stopped a step after he did, and looked up at him with her arms crossed. She looked just as serious, if slightly more ticked off about it. "I was insulting. I was just stating what is true: taking in charity cases only benefits a few. I'm sure there were plenty of orphans with tragic upbringings that would have appreciated all of your hard work. Whatever happened to her when she was an kid- does it really justify her being so difficult all the way in to adulthood?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis sighed, a more evident frustration to his tone this time. "Miss Asha, if you are not going to listen, then perhaps I need to be more direct—I do not care what you have to say about my family, or me, for that matter," Persis firmly replied. "If you cannot respect me asking you to not insult the people close to me, then you are not welcomed within my presence. That is all." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha didn't feel like she was insulting anyone- it was just the common sense thing to do, right? Help as many kids as you can, and if one is taking all your resources and time and not changing at all.. Well, you need to move on. Maybe giving up would have made her realize that she was being impossible. Nothing would get done in the village if she had to wait until every last person was in agreement and ready to work together. You had to help those who wanted to be helped first, then if you have time go back and try to help those other people. "I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, then." Asha said, keeping her arms crossed. "I won't talk about it anymore, as long as you don't bring up Roque either." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis shook his head, and continued on walking. "I have no reason to mention your cousin beyond our prior conversation, so you do not need to be worried about that, Miss Asha," Persis replied, short and cold. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

After a brief pause, Asha continued to follow, still crossing her arms. "Good, so there's nothing to talk about." Asha replied in the same tone. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Ace woke from what felt like an incredibly deep sleep, to find he was outside. He was in the shade of a stony ruined structure. It was midday, and the air was thick with humidity. He was back in the clothes he'd been raptured in. The ruins around him were unfamiliar, and just beyond their crumbling walls were the small buildings of a rural village. Mountains toured all around him. His powers were also suppressed- not entirely gone, but not entirely there. He'd feel as if they were there, he just didn't have the strength to use them. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Stupid. Why would he wish he were a better son when all they wanted was a daughter. Ace laid there in the shade, blinking sleep from their eyes. It was quiet. It felt...thick, not quite nice, but nice enough. Their sweater itched against their skin, a familiar feeling he'd grown to love over the years. He'd forgotten how much he missed that. There he was, alive one moment, gone the next. Jason Lao, age thirty-seven, cremated and to be thrown to the winds. "puk gai," he curses, and his voice cracks. He digs the heels of his palms into his eyes, and yet the tears persist. "Damn. D-damn. Dammit Jason, you- stupid, stupid, useless-" Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. He- he wanted to- he was too slow, too sloppy, he wasn't used to running, he was too slow and he di- hhe. He- Jason grits his teeth as he exhales sharply, his breath wobbling into some pained sob. God- Gods. He wouldn't cry. He wouldn't cry. He was stronger than this. Why- why was he so useless now? ...Mmh. There was no reincarnation here, no atoning for past sins. Just ruins and mountains and the broken noise of weeping.

There was a slight rustling sound, and the rhythmic tapping of a cane against the dirt ground, as someone entered the ruins.. It was a very tall man, wearing a simple outfit. His wavy, blond hair was cut in a rough bob, with two long strands at the front. His eyes were a cloudy blue, and he didn't seem to notice Ace at first.... @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace didn't know how long he laid there in the midst of the ruins. He just knew he felt absolutely awful and. Boneless. The mere thought of being here in this place made him feel absolutely nauseous, and the thought of his body burning into ash just- ugh. It was not a sight he wanted to envision. Ellie; was she alright? And Nathan too- he was here, wasn't he? It felt...a bit relieving to know he was well. Ah. There was so much he still wanted to tell them, so much to do. Their gaze shifted from the pale blue sky to the noise nearby. They...did not look like any of the contestants. With a quiet groan, Ace pushed himself up to sit properly. Mm. His head hurt. Dizzy. (Was pain a concept here in death?) "hh- hello?" he asked, wincing at how badly his voice cracked. "h- who are you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

He turned to face Ace at the sound of their voice. "Oh- there you are. Were you the one crying?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace winced a bit, somewhat. Embarrassed that someone had heard him. "ah- mm. y- yes, yes i...was. apologies." ...Huh. Cane, cloudy eyes. That...could explain a few things. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

He righted his cane so it was parallel to him- he wasn't really planning on going anywhere just yet. "You don't have to apologize. Are you doing alright?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace couldn't help but let out a humorless laugh at that. "am I doing alright? i- i think i'm the furthest thing from 'alright'." "i- i died. in some- some scheme that i wanted nothing to do with," he groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "i did- i tried so hard to help and then- just died! useless fucking- i was too slow to get the damn bracelet, and just-" Poor stranger probably had no idea of what he was prattling on about. "a- and my kids are- ugh. shit-" Alone. Ace just sort of. Buried his head in his arms. His eyes were starting to sting again. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh- uh-" He sat down on the grassy ground, and laid his cane out across his lap. "You... think you're dead?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"it sure felt like i died." Ace blew a strand of hair out of their eyes, propping their chin up on their arm. "it sure felt like. like dying. like not living any more." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"But... You're here now. Dead people... typically don't go on living." The man countered. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"In any other instance, maybe. This is the realm of the dead. Where the dead go." His voice was coming back, slowly, steadily. Talking about things seemed to help. "This? This isn't living." "If I were living, I would be back with my family. I wouldn't be doing- I wouldn't be here." Mm. He was dead before he hit the ground. At least he didn't feel that disgusting carpet. [Was he a contestant? No.] @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well... I don't rememver dying. But I don't remember a lot of things, so maybe you're right..." He sighed. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace glanced over at the stranger, a slightly sympathetic look on his face. "Mm- I...I'm sorry. On...ah. I suppose it's nice to not remember death. But not when it comes with...forgetting many other things." They sighed, laying back down against the dirt. "I, ah. Don't think I've seen you around before," he sighed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't really mind. I can't miss what I don't remember." He shrugged. "Well... not if you've just shown up here, you wouldn't have. What's your name?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I- ah. That's true. But I haven't seen you around in that...tournament. Either." Ace was sure he remembered everyone who, ah. lost. "Mm. Being unable to miss what you've forgotten certainly seems like a blessing." Personally, if he forgot his death- his death. What a phrase. -at the cost of forgetting parts of his life as well? He would not take that risk. "M-my name?" A pause. "Um." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Tournament?" He repeated. At Ace's pause, he tilted his head, a smile forming on his face. "Oh, don't tell me you've forgotten yours too!" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace couldn't help but let out some. Sort of laugh at that, more out of embarrassment than anything. "I- no, no, I remember my name- too? Ah-" "R...right. There's...this death tournament that the Lifebringer is hosting. Those who've lost their fight are put to the death. Um. Like- like me." It was frustrating. Very frustrating. "There's this- this huge convoluted scheme that I don't think I have the energy to explain now. S-sorry." They sucked in a breath from between their teeth. "Ah. My name is Ace. Ace Lao." A coward choice for a coward. Perfect decision. "And, and yours?" Another pause- "Ah. Well. What do you go by? Since you've...forgotten." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

The man's expression contorted with worry and confusion as Ace went on. Not only was this a preposterous idea in the first place- it felt like he could only make out every other word Ace was saying. Like something was keeping it from forming in his mind. "Oh... wow...." He replied, pretending he understood what Ace had said. "Yeah.... that sounds... bad." "Oh! Nice to meet you then, Ace. You can call me whatever you'd like, I don't really care. The townspeople here call me the hermit, and there's a woman who thinks my name is... Juno, or something, but anything's fine with me." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"It...is. At least the death is painless," they mutter. Not dying would have been much preferred, though. "Mm- the hermit?" they considered. "Well, if it's what the townspeople call you, then I suppose I will, too. It's nice to meet you." Two dead guys with poor vision sitting in the ruins. "I, ah- hadn't...realized there was a town in here. Or, well, expected it, either," Ace said after a moment. "How...long have you been here?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. Is it? Painless, I mean..." He mused. "Fine by me." He shrugged. "Good to meet you. And welcome to Shairoun Village- the town isn't actually too far from here." "I've been here for... a few years now. What with all my memory issues, it's a bit hard to keep track." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Mm. I thought so, at least," Ace shrugged. Mm. The lingering feeling of Naiyta's touch made their skin crawl. "Ah, but I digress." "Shairoun Village?" They certainly haven't heard that name before. "I...see. I assume it's a bit of a welcoming village, if there's...newcomers like I arriving every so often." A few years? Ace's face melted into a sympathetic look, though he wasn't sure if the Hermit could tell. "Ah, that's unfortunate. Are you unable to retain current memories as well?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hm. I hope mine was as painless..." "It's as welcoming as these sorts of rural towns tend to be. I wonder why there's so many newcomers all of the sudden...." He was lost in thought for a few moments. "Hm? Oh- it really depends. Sometimes I can remember what happens to me, sometimes I can't. And apparently, I'm of a frailer mind. I'm insane. They say I hear things that don't exist." He laughed. "Silly, isn't it?" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace opens his mouth to speak, but he shuts it soon after. Ah, right. His memory issues. That sentiment could be true for, well- all of his statements. "There's a tournament happening," Ace gently reapplied, before continuing. "Mm. I wouldn't say it's silly, but it does seem...interesting." "I can't...say that my memory's particularly poor, but it happens to some. Sometimes memories are simply...harder to remember at times. And harder to form, too." They tapped lightly against the dirt as they spoke, and thought briefly for a moment. "What sort of things do you hear, if you don't mind me asking?"

12:50 AM

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, right." He hummed. "I don't really mind my memory being bad- I remember the important stuff, usually." He sighed, and leaned back. "Oh, all sorts of things. Voices, sounds, sometimes music. It's very difficult to tell what's supposedly 'not real' to what is. But the Lifebringer talks to me." He shrugged. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Hm. Voices, sounds, music- all things that auditory hallucinations could manifest as. Ace didn't respond, only listening to the Hermit as he spoke. But. Eh- well. "...The Lifebringer speaks to you?" Ace asked, looking up at the Hermit with...concern. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, yes, she speaks to me all the time." He nodded affirmatively. "Usually it doesn't make any sense- sometimes she apologizes to me, sometimes she tells me what to do. Usually she's very, very angry with me. But I don't know why..." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Ace frowned, unsure of what to make of all this. Being apologetic made...'sense'. But giving orders? Being upset? Well- "Why would the Lifebringer give you orders here?" they asked, a little moment of realization dawning on him. "Ah- are you helping Albanes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"What? Helping her?" He frowned. "I don't think so. Usually she just tells me things like 'make some soup for dinner'. 'Make sure to weed your garden soon it's getting overgrown'. That sort of thing. She tells me not to try to remember things, so I don't." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Huh," Ace says. "...Does she give you the soup recipes, or do you just make some soup for dinner?" Despite the light tilt to his tone, he's more confused than ever. Does. Does Albanes do this to everyone? [He can see why the townsfolk think the Hermit is...peculiar. Are they aware of the Lifebringer as well?] @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, I already know how to make soup. So she doesn't need to tell me any recipes." He said proudly. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Is it good soup? What crops manage to grow here? Ah- do crops grow here, somehow?" Ugh. He doesn't know why he's still trying to figure stuff out when he's already dead. Maybe it's just out of pure curiosity? It's not like he can do anything to help with Roman's plan. [Roman. Not Naiyta's plan. Fuck them.] @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well, I grow my own vegetables in my garden, so I make it with those. I usually have cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic and onion... even potatoes!" He started rambling. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Mm. Potatoes were good. "You have your own place?" Ace asked, momentarily- and pleasantly -surprised. "Well- well, you did say you've been here for a while." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah- yes, I live on the edge of town. It isn't much, but it's enough for me." He smiled. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Finally, Ace forced himself to sit up again, and looked over the edge of the ruins they were in. There- not too far beyond, was the town that the Hermit seemed to be talking about. [If he squinted hard enough, maybe he could make out the Hermit's house?] A town of the dead in the realm of the dead. For some reason, that only made the fact he was truly dead ache even more. "How many...people are here?" he asked, looking back to the Hermit. "Aside from us, ah. Newcomers." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ahhhh.... I'm not sure? I only know a few." Sorry Ace you're talking to the most unhelpful man in the fold. @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"Ah- that's alright," they sighed. Sorry Hermie. You're talking to the nosiest man alive. Dead. Dead? Nosiest man dead. "Do you know...what else is in the town? I know you said you lived on the outskirts, but-" Some vague gesture of the hand. "Where do the few that...arrive. Go?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Well- it's a farming town. It has houses and a few businesses and not very much else." He laughed. "I... really don't know what to tell you. I don't know where people have been staying." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

A farming town? There probably was a point to be drawn between cultivating life in the realm of the dead, but he didn't have the energy to do that now. "No, no, it's alright," Ace reassured. "It's- it's helpful, what you've told me. I know...more about this place than I did before." "You said there were...businesses? Do they sell crops to...ah. Other towns?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

"I would think so? I don't really sell what I grow." @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

Mm. It seemed like the Hermit really didn't know much about this. "I see," Ace said, and finally pushed himself up to stand. Dizzy. "It's, ah- alright you don't know much. It's still been rather helpful." Along the walls of the ruins are reliefs cracked beyond recognition- and further beyond the ruins laid...a completely unfamiliar place. It'd be terrifying being here alone. How much exactly laid before him? Was this his home now? Home. He missed home. It had all his stuff, all of Nathan's stuff, all of Ellie's stuff. Would they be returning to another quiet apartment? Well, there was nothing he could do about that now. "I think...I'll go down to the village," he quietly said, uncertainty in his voice. "I- I hope to see you around...?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh- alright." The hermit said casually. "I hope to, ah, 'see' you around too! Good luck out there!" @Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I- oh, hells-" Good choice of wording! Really good choice of words! "I- r-right, sorry. I- I'll 'see' you around, Hermit." Ace stood there for a moment, shuffling around slightly. "Thank you. I hope you, ah. I hope you'd do well." At that, he left, carefully picking his way through the ruins. Maybe he'd stop by the Hermit's place when he had the chance. [He had all the time in the world to do so.] @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Kip | Ace 🏹 / Ellie 📷

"I- oh, hells-" Good choice of wording! Really good choice of words! "I- r-right, sorry. I- I'll 'see' you around, Hermit." Ace stood there for a moment, shuffling around slightly. "Thank you. I hope you, ah. I hope you'd do well." At that, he left, carefully picking his way through the ruins. Maybe he'd stop by the Hermit's place when he had the chance. [He had all the time in the world to do so.] @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The hermit remained in the ruins, content as ever....

asha and persis investigate

ace wakes