lostcarnival | ⇨ EDEN

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⇨ EDEN

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 79 - Day 85
Where: Eden
What: Everyone arrives in Eden with their new animals forms - unfortunately, the welcoming party is a bit more intense than expected, with a ritual called 'The Anointment.' Better get this place figured out before anything gets any crazier.
Warnings: Hopefully no ritual sacrifice!

FLAME OF INSPIRATION↴

So it begins. After everyone has been given their new animal form and have had about an hour to readjust to it, the Ringmaster begins the infiltration. You don't see a lot of the specifics of the magic - all you know is that Pru's sword, the Hand of God, is somehow involved. It alone can tear through the wardings of Eden's realm, and once that entrance is made, the teleportation is instant. Everyone will find themselves in an open grassland overlooking a dense forest, with buildings and lights poking up out of the leaves. Behind you, there is a darker place - the barrens, the Ringmaster has explained. It's were the Outcasts are sent after they're banished.

You are scattered across the area as if you've been dropped in with nothing. You've been given specific instructions - act as if you have no memory besides the vague life of being an animal. None of you know each other. You don't know how you got here, you've just been suddenly found yourself enlightened. Hopefully feigning ignorance will be what the residents are expecting, as what information the Ringmaster could find suggests it should be.

Before the beasts of Eden come to claim you, you'll see the Ringmaster once last time, in the form of a giant serpent. With a nod of her head, she slithers away towards the barrens - she'll be in touch.

► THE WELCOMING: It's not long until you're discovered. The first to find you is a pigeon, who seems rather surprised. She'll ask the first few new arrivals she sees a couple questions - 'did you just get here?' 'did you meet the great Lilith?' Regardless of your answers, she'll hurriedly say she's going to go get help, and will fly away back into the forest. A short while later, an entire welcoming party of different animals will have come to greet you, sweeping out to find every straggler and explaining that you are the newest of the chosen. After they are sure that nobody is being left behind, they will invite you into Eden.

► THE GARDEN: Eden is a beautiful place. Every street, every structure, is surrounded by flowers and vibrant plant life - every bit as idyllic as its mythos would imply. The architecture is ambitious and creative, as if the residents have been perfecting the art for thousands of years, which they almost certainly have. There is the sweet smell of perfumes and incense on the other animals are you are led into the city. This is your home now, the locals will explain. You have been chosen by the Creator to serve Her cause. You will become one of the Honorable, one of Her artisans working towards the Divine Clarity. But first, of course, you must be sanctified.

► THE ANOINTMENT: On that first night, everyone is brought to a vast cathedral, covered in unknowable writings in a shining script. You are brought in through several gorgeous hallways lit with shining crystals and blue flame torches, only to emerge in a great hall built around a circular, sparkling pool of water. There are several braziers around its circumference blazing with fire, with sets of tools hanging out of them, like iron pokers. All of the new arrivals are gathered into the grand hall, and scriptures are read in the background that you can't really make out the specifics of.

You will all be made to stand around the outside of the pool, and the local animals will gently explain to you what needs to be done. To become a new Honorable, you must be Anointed with the Flame of Inspiration - that is, they are going to brand you with the metal pokers they have heating up. If you go along with it, they will burn the mark into a highly visible part of your person (they have smaller brands for smaller animals), and then cool it off in the pool of water, where you are encouraged to bask until you are comfortable again.

There are obviously a couple concerns with this. The biggest one is that it's sketchy as hell. The second one is that the brand is definitely made of medium grade iron. While the painful difference it makes won't be super obvious from the outside, long-term veterans and those with superlative fae qualities will find it very uncomfortable, and it will blister for a fair while afterward, which is seen as unusual. If your character refuses, or tries to get around it somehow, please explain in reply to the post down below.

► THE DAYS AFTER: After everyone is branded (or isn't, as the case may be), you'll be given the opportunity to dry off and head back into town. All of the fancy structures here are communal, they will explain, and you can choose wherever you'd like to sleep. There are a few buildings that are mostly empty that newbies seem welcome to hole up in, though the locals assure everyone they will be nearby in case they need help.

In the days that follow, everyone will be welcome to explore Eden and find their bearings, and begin to discover what gifts the Anointment has bestowed on them. Whether or not you were good at a creative pursuit before, you will find yourself filled with inspiration for something - any artistic talent will do. It's like a creative talent will have been born in you overnight, or like an existing talent of yours has been boosted to near perfection. This effect will last as long as the characters are in Eden unless you are told otherwise.

You won't feel the need to eat, but there is breakfast available, if you'd like it. The locals are very courteous, though they seem a bit confused. Something about your entry seems to strike them as different than usual.

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Steven is faeblooded and also partly infused with the Blue Rose, so getting iron poked is pretty bad for him. He has the advantage of his tough Gem constitution to help but him through it, and some recent experience with soul trauma, but he does cry while getting branded and spends a long time in the water afterwards, feeling sick.

He's branded on the haunch, and will spend the next couple days limping a bit from the wound, which isn't quick to heal.

"Oh-" Reira seems somewhat alarmed that the papers are suddenly moved from atop her, and it takes a bit of looking around before she actually looks up.

Fortunately she recognizes the voice- though she was not around for Alpyhs' name, hmm. "...H'llo!" she therefore cheerfully greets instead. "...I'm reading."

Just in case you were wondering, you know.

"Yeah but it's still weird if you're that worried about someone you meet right away, isn't it?" Well, technically they were all 'born' yesterday or something, so not really.

But anyway. "That's different from ignoring."

"Indeed, we do not- though..." He pauses, thinking about where they are a moment before continuing. "...Listen close- many have sensitive hearing, and this is a sensitive matter, after all," he mutters, narrowing his squishy eyes. "One would think proving ourselves is the easiest way-" he continues just as quietly as his request for Yuuya to come near with his ears. "Indeed, for some of us, our experience with particular abilities shall make that easy. But realistically we cannot all do so. I..."

There is a pause, and he grimaces as best he can. "...I have no illusions of such success myself; do not stop working toward it. However, I feel my efforts should perhaps be focused on learning about those who have gotten near. To focus on perhaps being able to ask through that. Understand?"

If they can find a way around the matter of proving themselves artistically, or even a way to sneak about more, this will probably go much easier. But at the moment, the easiest work around seems to just be...well.

Making some friends, if anything. "To prove ourselves is one thing- to come to understand those here, even without that proof- that may be most important."

Of course, that brings him to the...next bit.

Gongenzaka coughs. "I... ...I- I shall attempt to reach out to those in the pools, at some point... ...I feel it may be best to allow the events of our branding to pass somewhat first however," he adds, inflating his mantle briefly as his own mark shines. Those reactions did Not help with rumors after all. "...Perhaps I- ...NNnnh... ...I should resign myself to this 'stutter'..."

Carly, suffice to say, is excited. "Yes~! Simply come over here, and let 'Sabathi' work her magic~" she cheers, dropping her name as easily as she can. "I just need some measurements...now, who are you," she adds, perhaps smiling a little too much for subtlety, but with all of her excess cheer it's hard to tell.

Yuya wrinkles his nose with slight offense, but creeps closer to the shore, but he's not wading out into the water to talk. Normally he'd pep Gongenzaka up, and encourage him to give it his all and he'll do fine. But they aren't really here for crafting, so...

"I wasn't going to stop talking to people. But that is really important to them, and it'll be strange if we're not as interested in divine clarity, won't it?" Especially with said rumors. Yuya's gaze flicks to Gon's mark. "Does it still hurt?"

"Hanging out doesn't mean I'm worried about you." Which he is, but companionship doesn't have to come from trying to comfort other people. "It's normal for feel bad for people hurting even if you don't know them, anyway. But we don't have to if you don't want..."

That's fine Yuuya, he can Leave the water, and will. Anyway. "Simply take care not to lose yourself," he warns, actually taking on a prickly texture for a moment. "...no matter how one looks to this... ...where we are now has a rather...Firm set of beliefs," he coughs.

It's the politest way he can think to say 'Cult-like'. It's very cult like Yuuya, they were just marked with brands, ok. "...It hurts less- sleeping within the water has certainly helped," he adds, nodding. "I, th... I have admittedly spend most of the morning gathering materials; it is difficult not to think of 'creating', at the moment." He speaks this point with a raised 'brow'- implying some emphasis on that cult point, perhaps.

"Sure, and I'm Rikbi."

Though the dog lightly smacks his muzzle in a roughly canine equivalent to making an uneasy swallow at how the name feels coming off his tongue. But they're all supposed to be only a few days old in terms of sapience, so surely such a thing would be understandable from some individuals.

He pads over and though it's entirely different for him to do so on four legs, Yugo tries to not make it look as if he's familiar with it all.

Edited 2018-07-10 17:40 (UTC)

She just blinks. "...I thought we were talking about everyone still."

Yes that does explain why she thought it'd be weird.

"...It's ok if it's just us, I need help walking still."

So she says, as if she shouldn't simply figure out the walking part.

"Rikbi..." She looks the dog over, as if thinking...'Doesn't really suit you'. But, no comment, she simply nods and starts hurriedly grabbing her measuring tape before practically draping over the mutt.

"Wonderful~! Hold still, and I'll be ready in moments!! You're the first one in, which means you'll be the first one wearing something new~"

"It's from the Flames of Inspiration--uh, that's what they branded us with. I've been feeling the same way, but it's not making me forget myself." That feverence is exactly why Yuya thinks they should play along.

"I think we'll get them to talk more if we take it seriously. Maybe make things together?" With people more their skill level, probably, which Gon and Yuya happen to be.

"Hnnn..." Gongenzaka looks as though he may have some thoughts about that- the theory that they won't get lost in it, or anything.

However the idea of working together with his friend- having an excuse to be with his friend, more like- is far too tempting to pass up. He thus nods.

"Aah, we could! If you intend to fashion teas, perhaps I- t.. Perhaps some assistance with the weaving could be offered," he coughs, muttering something about this stutter issue.

Yuya perks up, rising a little. "Yeah, that'd be great!" If they have talents that mesh together well, that's even better, right? He knows they have a job, but having an excuse to just be with Gongenzaka without having to worry sounds nice.

"How much longer do they have to dry?"

"Hnnn..." He squints at his seagrasses, peering closely. "...Perhaps another half hour or so... ...until then, perhaps we can discuss what teas you intend to work with?" He glances side to side again- though the motion is tricky to catch, with how his body even works- and adds, "....Given which of us as the 'experience', of course?"

He's referring to himself, but any listeners in should hopefully assume Yuuya is the one. Actually...

"...I- ...I have an idea, actually... ...Something we've been doing more regularly," he adds, cocking his head.

Are you up for waking soul chatter?

That would be the other benefit to working with Gongenzaka. Yuya shrugs--or tries to, anyway. "Flowering teas, maybe? But I didn't think much about the type. It'd probably better to make different ones anyway, right?"

But then Gongenzaka recommends another idea entirely, and Yuya tilts his head. "More regularly--oh! Okay, I got it. Go ahead." He nods, and that's about all he can do since it's ac once sided initiation.

"Indeed! So...I- ...I shall listen, while you share ideas for calming teas... ...Flowering teas, those shall certainly be tricky, but..."

But no more questioning that, from his end. Instead he focuses- tentacles sprawling out a bit as he reaches out. A few images of various herbs appear- hopefully Yuuya can recognize some, but these are Gongenzaka's initial tea suggestions!

As there's more yelling, Strange is able to piece out that oh, the octopus is Gongenzaka. Strange opens his beak, about to say something else, but then the suckers are tightening on him. Not good. Strange attempts to fly away yet again, flapping his wings as he tries to wriggle out of Gon's grip.

Considering that pecking the tentacle only made it grip more, there's no more pecking. However, he's still got feet, which are flailing in an awkward manner as Strange further tries to remove himself from this situation from a shitty anime that he's found himself in.

"... You are pretty small." He's not sure if that's anything to do with the walking problem, just being the size of a finger seems like a huge problem. Couldn't the Ringmaster have found a better animal for her?

"Youn shouldn't be on the ground that much anyway. Can't you fly?"

Thunk, bird slams into bird in the middle of the air.

Strange is also flapping his wings wildly while trying not to fall. He isn't able to catch an air current and start flying again, but he does an awkward little tuck and roll thing as he hits the ground. It mitigates some of the damage, but he can feel from the impact he's going to be a bruised birdy later this evening.

Hopping back to his feet, Strange looks over at Syrlya. And without even asking if he's okay or apologizing for hitting him in the first place, Strange asks, "Have you seen a skink around here?"

Focus- Focus, he can do this... As long as they're on the ground, he can put more attention on actually getting every single stupid muscle in these arms to relax, releasing the tension, the suction, and so on until various tentacles are coming off.

Erm, speaking of tentacles coming off, the pecked one almost does- he has to be quite careful with it, and if octopuses can grimace, he's doing it. "Aaaauuhhh... it would appear you have done...quite some damage, though it is no doubt somewhat deserved..." he adds, deflating.

He did, after all, presumably almost half strangle the guy. And that sucks. "Just what has you travelling in such a manner as it is..!?" he questions, gingerly trying to keep the damage to the one tentacle from growing worse.

"Yeah, really small." They're in agreement, here. "...I don't know how to fly yet. I'm still learning to walk, but my legs are all weird..." Fortunately that statement is open ended, or the slip on being upset about her backward knees would cause quite a question.

As it is, the flight is less so a point of oddity. She just needs to teach herself, after all.

Yuya recognizes... most of them, he's pretty sure? Yuya drinks tea, he doesn't read all the ingredients.

He mostly looks initially confused, partly for mysterious herbs and partly for figuring out how to communicate that without words.

"They will be, but they're more interesting to look at, right?" Pursuing beauty and divine clarity and all that. "What are, uh--do the sea plants taste like anything?"

After Strange spends a whole day looking for Ignatius with no luck, the fire skink shows up again of his own accord. He gets Strange's attention by throwing a bit of fire at him from a nearby tree, and speaking in a loud whisper.

"HEY. WIZARD."

"It varies," he answers easily, managing to maintain connection despite the aloud- speech. "Certain kelps will retain the salt water, or freshwater taste, if you are not careful...other plants are 'grassy', one could say...

There is a mental focus on herbal teas- but also splashes of colours. "If you are to make flowers, I- t...I suppose that perhaps, having a 'neutral' flavor plant to help with shapes, could be useful..." Balancing the flavors will be key- but so will making the flower look neat. So they'll need colour.

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Page 9 of 75

⇨ EDEN

STEVEN

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CLOSED TO STRANGE: IGNATIUS RETURNS (Late Day 81)

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