Arrival

[letsplayamod]

The moment is a bit different for everyone. Perhaps you were just minding your own business somewhere, others may have been in more... dire circumstances. Regardless, you were approached by a figure you can't quite picture, and they offered you an accord; in exchange for aiding them in the healing of a world lost to chaos, you would be granted something almost unheard of. Godhood.

And each of you said yes, more or less.

A blurry hand, shifting and rippling, reaches out to you. You feel a glow of warmth, unlike anything you've known before. As soon as you think you can describe it, you wake up.

The room you're in is plainly furnished, but it's about the size of a small flat. Plenty of room to stretch your legs. Don't get too comfortable, however. On the bedside table each room has is a letter; handwritten, it's wrapped around a bronze key. The lettering could only be described as the platonic ideal of 'neat and precise'.

If you are reading this, than our deal has been made. You've awoken in a place that will surely feel strange, so I want you to take some time to acclimate. Meet with the others. Breathe. I shall be along shortly.

-A

Whatever that means becomes more apparent as you step out of your housing and behold the world around you. The building you were in, and every piece of architecture you happen across, is blatantly pre-modern. Yet, something about it is otherworldly. Stone and iron and glass as far as the eye can see.

But above you was where the real questions were. It wouldn't be right to say the sun was shining on you now, nor would it be right to say it's the dead of night. Instead, the sky is a hazy mixture of both, wrapped in suffocating storm clouds that are threatening rain. Everywhere you look, into the horizon, it's the same.

Welcome home. Take your time and explore. Nobody ever said godhood was easy.

Comments

[threeapplestall]

[There's a doll in the ruins by the cliffs, staring blankly into the sky.

Or at least she seems like a doll from a distance. Perfect. Pretty. Spotless. Lifeless. But on closer inspection, she's breathing- a human, somehow, despite the impression gives.

Eventually, some life returns to her blank eyes, and she blinks at the shadow getting in her light.]

Where...?

[stringup]

[ Velvet probably noticed and approached only because she thought it was a doll, and she wondered why's there one here?? before realising it's a girl instead.

...Which is curious and concerning for other reasons, but no time to unpack that now. ]

I'm still trying to figure that out myself.

to be clear she's not literally doll-sized she just gave the impression of a lifeless doll

[threeapplestall]

Mm...

[Mutsumi sits up suddenly, panic in her eyes.]

The live! I have to get back to the masquerade, or else... [Saki will be mad, or worse, she'd be disappointed, or even worse than that, she'd be sad.]

got it, dw

[stringup]

[ That is sure a reaction. Oh boy, how's she supposed to break the news to this girl that they're stuck here for the time being?]

Yeah, about that... You might want to hold your horses, because it doesn't look like any of us are going anywhere for the time being.

[ #nailedit ]

[threeapplestall]

[Mutsumi just... slumps, for a moment, taking on the appearance of a lifeless doll once more.]

Saki... what will I do without her...

[stringup]

[ Good job, Velvet, what are you going to do now? Think of something!

After an awkward pause, the kind that happens because someone is inwardly panicking just a little, Velvet finally speaks up again. ]

I can't answer that for you, but... Do you want to get something to eat or drink first?

[threeapplestall]

...sure.

[oh no she still looks SO depressed.]

Lead the way, please.

[stringup]

[ Yeah, she figured she's no help in cheering this child up. Hhhhh.

She gestures for Mutsumi to follow, though Mutsumi might notice there's a distinct metal sound whenever Velvet walks. ]

What's your name?

[threeapplestall]

Mutsumi Wakaba. [It's... refreshing, in an odd way, to meet someone who doesn't instantly recognize her by sight.]

And... you?

[stringup]

[ Huh. It's been a while since she's heard a name that wouldn't be out of place in her hometown...

But she quickly brushes off that thought. Dwelling on it would just be asking for trouble. ]

You can call me Velvet.

[ She leads the way out of the ruins and past the garden to head into the living quarters, where the pavilion of statues is the first thing to greet them. ]

[threeapplestall]

Mm. Thank you, Velvet-san...

[Mutsumi's eyes widen as she sees the pavilion of statues and she takes in their godly majesty.

Velvet might notice something odd, though. Mutsumi's statue, at least the statue that looks the most like Mutsumi, is faceless. The plaque is almost entirely blank, too, with only her godly title present:

GODDESS OF NOTHING]

[stringup]

[ Velvet does notice it, especially when she looks at the rest of the statues compared to this one. The first reaction inward reaction is "huh", noting this as something that might have to be looked into later, if only because of how starkly different it is.

The immediate thought that comes after is basically, oh, this probably isn't going to feel great for her once she sees this, huh. Which might be why she's trying to get them to move on. ]

Come on, the kitchen's this way.

[threeapplestall]

Mhm.

[Mutsumi, unfortunately, does notice her own plaque, and wilts ever-so-slightly, but she does her best to hide it. Just like usual.]

Can you make cucumber dishes...?

[stringup]

[ There's the inexplicable gut feeling that Mutsumi did see it, though it's hard for Velvet to say if it's because she actually had notice the wilting, or because she just tends to assume the worst. Okay Velvet maybe you should try to distract her— ]

Hm? I can try, sure. You got anything specific you prefer?

[threeapplestall]

[oh no now she has to think about her preferences]

...anything works. Cucumbers are always tasty.

1/3

[stringup]

[ Now Velvet has to consider what would be suitable... She figures something simple to make and for Mutsumi to eat will do, considering how upset she seemed earlier.

She also has a look at the stove and oven, realises she is not actually sure what the hell these things are, and decides to avoid using them this time because she'd be wasting time trying to figure them out. That's for another time.

Velvet ducks into the pantry to go grab the ingredients— ]

[stringup]

[ Wait, there's sugar here???

Okay, fine, since it's here, she may as well use it instead of honey. Extra nice treat for sad child (by her standards, anyway). ]

I am so hideously late but I wanted to tag Beepo even if she does not deserve Seymour...

[taintedfayth]

[Even before the words comes a wash of gentle warmth like a spring breeze, the effect of a Cure spell. She doesn't appear injured in any way, but with her being so completely lifeless and still, it doesn't hurt to be sure...]

Are you all right?

[threeapplestall]

Mm...

[She stirs to full wakefulness. Oh. Oh dear. Mutsumi does not like stirring to full wakefulnessin this situation.]

[taintedfayth]

[Hmm. Let's try that again for good measure, both the Cure spell and the speaking to her.]

Be at ease-- I mean you no harm.

[It would probably seem more believable if his appearance wasn't what it is, but. What can you do.]

[threeapplestall]

[Life fully returns to the doll as she stares up at Seymour, first blankly, then with growing comprehension.]

Where... who...

[taintedfayth]

[Realizing that he's pretty much towering over her given his height and her sitting position, he kneels down to be more on her level.]

I'm afraid I have no answer for your first question, but as to the second, I am Seymour Guado. May I ask your name in return?

[threeapplestall]

...Mutsumi Wakaba. [that's about all she can offer right now seymour, sorry]

[taintedfayth]

And you are uninjured?

[Certainly she SHOULD be at this point after the Cures, but he isn't sure why she seemed to have been passed out, so.]

[threeapplestall]

...mhm.

[girl use your words]