prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .012

Entry tags:

You awaken amidst the darkness with only a faint light to greet you. Your body is hemmed in by shards of crystals, gently sparkling and possibly pricking your skin. The surrounding landscape is dyed in the pinks and purples of the dusk filled with crystals protruding from the ground, some as large as a skyscraper. After an hour or two of wandering through the crystal wilderness, a group of people find you worse for wear. They are the gallant Moon Knights from the planet of Prismatica. Because of the strange phenomena during the past months when scientists observed the sudden appearance of rainbow crystals in the sky, the government has been feverishly combing through the moon for more Moonblessed to be rescued. You’ll eventually be brought into Iris’s moon government center.

You all may have your usual inquiries — Where are we? Who are you? What's going on? — and the Prismals are almost too eager to answer. They tell you about their world and about the first appearance of the Moonblessed as the medical staff give you an examination to make sure you’re not carrying any viruses or biological hazards. If you react violently, you may be restrained and nerfed with a specialized neurotransmitting gun that releases a numbing agent through the top of your spine. Once the examinations are over, you’re informed that you will be provided accommodations on their planet during your stay. You will then be escorted to the docks, and led onto a large transport vessel that makes frequent trips back and forth between the Iris moon and the planet. Faces onboard vary from both old and new Moonblessed as well as the local Prismals.

The next destination: Prismatica.

▶ I am the Terror That Flaps in the Night
Iris Moon, Government Center (Arrival) and Planet Prismatica, City of Lunatia | top

Welcome to Prismatica’s hub, Lunatia, the city of your dreams! A bustling metropolis lush with bright lights, vibrant colors, luxuriant plant life, and all the conveniences of technology absent from your own world… It seems like paradise to all the uninitiated. After a quick tour of the city, new arrivals can find themselves getting cozy in their new homes.

A Settle in your new home at Level 2 to find new roommates and say hello to your neighbors! City officials will give you directions to the designated districts across Level 2 and instruct you to pick out a unit. Each apartment complex has a different aesthetic, some may look cozy, some stylish, and some bizarre. The free accommodations have a basic living space that can only fit two or three people at most in one unit.

Starter Chromaspace furnishings are provided which can be controlled with the touch of a built-in panel. Examples are color-changing curtains, transforming sofa beds, cabinets turning into tables, etc. Customizing your apartment or moving out will have to wait until you earn more chroma. Until then, why don’t you check out your new neighborhood or explore the city levels? Maybe your new roommates or neighbors can give you a “hand” with allowance for dinner.

B Your new flat is covered in a sprinkling of feathers here, there, and everywhere! They appear to be coming through the air vents. This seems to be a city-wide problem in all buildings, as many news outlets are informing people to stay alert. They believe the feathers are from the masked seraphim, King Majestas, who attacked the Elaran Amphitheater a few weeks back.

You are advised to destroy the feathers on sight. Prolonged contact with these feathers cause hallucinations and paranoia. You will feel as if winged creatures are always after you, be it one-winged angels or dark-winged ducks. Other side effects include hearing the chanting of voices in an indecipherable language out of this galaxy. These hallucinations may cause headaches, dizziness, or nausea. Thankfully, a bit of moonlacing will heal these symptoms away.

▶ Got Milk?
Level 2, Crystal Beach | top

With the Coiled Hearts Festival fast approaching, local fishermen have already begun procuring food across Crystal Beach’s clear waters to meet next month’s demands. Around this time of year, the popularity of octopus dishes dramatically rises. The Lunatians have an annual tradition to prepare flavorful octopus dishes for the romantic season, such as the much-lauded dark chocolate-coated octopus or the mouth-watering octopus braised with red wine.

Everyone is welcome to join this heart-throbbing affair. During the Second and Third months, everyone is encouraged to give your loved ones something special for a long, successful relationship. Friends, family, and new acquaintances are traditionally given a small amount of Demichroma in tiny cute cases, while lovers are given something that reminds the gifter of their homeland.

A Interested in catching your own octopus? Horned taurus octopi very frequently migrate to the shorelines to perform their elaborate mating rituals. It’s easy to find clumps of taurus octopi participating in a vigorous dance, filled with undulations and strange moaning noises that octopi should not be making. You can lure the octopi by either using a special flute which mimics their moans to gather them in heavy droves. It’s ideal to have a partner with you to scoop the octopi quickly into water containers once they’ve become entranced enough.

Play the flute carefully! If the taurus octopi grow too excited by your music, they will squirt white ink. If you are spritzed with the thick substance, you will start either randomly puking or uncontrollably secreting a milky sweet substance from any body part that secretes liquids. Luckily, the high-end boutique Prissy Polyp is nearby in case you need a change of clothes due to any sizable stains. Effects will naturally wear off after an hour.

B Come with a friend and enjoy learning some octopus recipes together. The Crystal Beach Resort has opened a seminar where several professional chefs will be demonstrating and teaching how to cook various dishes of different flavors and ingredients guaranteed to impress your date, and taste-testing is free!

One dish makes use of horned taurus octopi skin as the star ingredient, renowned for its irresistibly delectable scent. The chefs explain the palatable skin is a potent ingredient in various love potions and aphrodisiacs, so add or mix them to your dishes in moderation! The effects have a significant delay, so you may feel fine for a while, but when it hits, it hits hard. You will become enamored with every little thing — hey, you just met them and this is crazy — but that person’s smile, the sound of their voice, or the way they say your name will make you unable to resist the urge to shower them with your affection.

▶ Going Viral
Level 2, Moonlight Medical Center | top

“Help Wanted” posters can be found on virtual forums and announcement boards across Level 1 to 3. The Moonlight Medical Center has put out a call for volunteers due to a recent shortage of medical staff. The work involves filling in for overworked nurses, performing tasks such as feeding patients their meals, wiping away their sweat, changing their clothes, encouraging their spirits, and so on. Any volunteers may directly walk-in at the hospital. You will be provided a nurse uniform and any necessary equipment while on the job.

The shortage has resulted from the hospital recently taking in a severe number of patients from a nearby small village to the west of Lunatia, Port Sylvel, a known shipping and freight destination. The number of patients worryingly keeps on rising by the day and will soon fill all available rooms.

A Some of the patients are experiencing varying degrees of paralysis. The worst cases have crystallizing parts of their body. The hospital staff will stress that you should be careful around patients with crystallized limbs. Patients like these have a history of aggressively biting anyone who comes close hard enough to draw blood. Those bitten will exhibit similar symptoms as the victims, including crystallization on their bodies, and experience a steady drop in Chroma. An uncomfortable heaviness will cause you unable to move without the aid of others as well as an uncontrollable urge to aggressively bite someone.

While affected Moonblessed can cure it by moonlacing, the Prismals can only be cured by a gluteal inoculation the Lunar Scientia has recently managed to develop. The sick and beleaguered will probably hate you less if you aren’t the one trying to stabbing them with injections in the hindquarters.

B Aside from nursing duties, other available tasks to be completed include making coffee for fellow nurses and doctors, delivering flowers to patients, and general housekeeping. Specifically, disinfecting medical equipment, tidying up rooms, and cleaning the spaces around the hospital. As a result of the current situation, many crystal shards can be found decorating multiple surfaces, such as floors, walls, toilet seats, and so on. These will have to be swept away!

However, as your work day progresses, some of the shards can be seen suddenly moving on their own. These crawling shards will start clustering together to turn into elaborate, floating monolithic formations that will then begin attacking anyone nearby. Their main ability includes shooting diamond spears to impale any unfortunate victims in their line of sight. In the midst of the chaos, nurses and doctors will beg the Moonblessed to please protect the sick and wounded. The crystal formations can be destroyed by any method, though because of their incredibly sturdy composition, they require multiple hits before they shatter into dust.

▶ Questions
If you have any questions regarding this test drive meme, please ask them in the Questions thread below.

▶ As a reminder, test drive memes are for new characters only. However, current players are more than welcome to use these prompts for their own posts in the IC communities, personal inboxes, catch-all posts, etc.!
▶ As our test drive memes are game canon, feel free to keep any threads that happen here as canon for your character should they be accepted.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Red ears perk a little at sound of that sigh, scarlet red eyes taking in his expression before watching his next movements. Well, it's definitely more easier to relax oneself with the weapon set away. It gets across his thoughts from earlier- confirming Joonghyuk has no plans to direct this downhill.

Even so, there's a peek of a tail from underneath the lengths of his robes as it twitches at the feel of that gaze drawing back to him. He meets that gaze, as though it would tell him his intentions more clearly, at least more than that single word that leaves him.]

Very well.

[ it's fine if he bites, Exarch is use to it thanks to another Miqo'te. Either way, he draws closer, close enough that Joonghyuk can reach up and grab him. Being closer, he takes the time to take in the man's appearance more. He looks.. well, he's a handsome man. That he cannot deny. His appearance is quite good looking, but there's a look of him. A look of tiredness. His head slightly turns, red eyes continuing to observe him as an ear flicks with thought. ]

[ Now that the Exarch is next to him, he also looks up to examine him. He already knows the crystal features are real, but it’s different to see how it glistens at different angles. He does wonder what the other man sees in him in comparison. This body may be physically fit and healthy, but the weariness in his eyes and form should be palpable. So much has happened—accomplished, unaccomplished.

Does he look pitiable? Or does he look like a hero?

...

Joonghyuk didn’t call him here to admire him, though. He offers an open palm of his scarred hand without another word. It’s all up to the Exarch to interpret. ]

[ Well his presence does give off a strong impression. One he would take of an adventurer. ..Nay, a Warrior. Mayhaps he misses a bit of home more than he realizes when his thoughts drift back. It has been some time since he's been here. Nonetheless, he peers at the other man with continuous curiosity, though certain were the other man be standing he would be back to looking up.

When that hand extends out to him he blinks in light surprise. First, his eyes take sight of the scars littering on the expanse of skin. Given the sword earlier, he can see battle has worn out these hands, certain that were he to touch he would feel the callouses of those pads.

Which brings up his offer of it. ] Afraid I'm not entirely sure what it is you are asking of me.

[ Did he wish for his hand? Wanted him to see his own? Though, that does bring something up, a thing they as Moonblessed come across. So, he brings his own hand to set over that palm, his flesh and not his crystal kind. After all, it's the sensation of the chroma that begins to stir between their contact that comes to light. ] Chroma is an important factor of this world. Whether it be through handholding, hugging, and more other physical activities. You'll likely come across a lot of those that are willing to aid. It is the source of income here.

[ Of course, the Prismals are most focused on more grand activities so they may leave out more simple touch like this. And as he expected, the Exarch does feel the roughness of calloused fingers. His healing will not be able to rid of said scars, unfortunately but it is a fleeting thought as he awaits for the man to give an answer to his actions. ]

Edited 2020-02-10 04:29 (UTC)

[ Yes, the Exarch is right to put his hand in his and he gently cups it to show that he's correct in his choice. Joonghyuk hasn't had any chroma since he arrived despite being aware of what it is and the methods to acquire it. The Exarch is even so kind to repeat it for him—truly a good person. Having been alone, now having to get used to being alone again, only to find himself in a world where the guests or prisoners are forced to rely on each other. It's almost poetic and, if he thinks about it, beautiful.

He has only known a world with walls, real ones and metaphorical. A world where people desperately try to connect with others, but they can only hope to not be trampled when they try to tell their story. When he feels the chroma surging through his hand, he feels like he's receiving something tangible in a connection that isn't just body warmth. He wonders if such a mechanic was in his world, would he be able to understand his friends' hearts better? Would he be able to understand his comrade better?

... Was this anyone's conclusion, he wonders? Silence continues to settle over the room before he finally speaks: ]

You can take this as payment.

[ For him staying here. After checking the Exarch's attribute window, he's aware of his connection to this "Crystal Tower." ]

[ There's a gentleness to it that he was not prepared for from a man of his stature. It surprises him lightly, but his hand relaxes in that grip with his ears dipping back. The Exarch does not know Joonghyuk, he does not know what kind of adventures he has gone through back home, if anything happening here is familiar or entirely new to him. However, he does know at the very least he's been on some journey through the scars on his hand and roughness to that palm and fingers.

An interesting man. He wishes to know more, wishing to ask of his story. What kind of stories does the man Yoo Joonghyuk have? Reflecting back on the novel of Heavensward that he still has resting by the miniature Crystal Tower still connecting him to the true form back home. However, despite this curiosity, he does not ask. Instead, he brings his crystal hand to gingerly cradle the bottom of Joonghyuk's hand, being careful with the feel of crystal.

A twitch of his lips show, brows knitting before he chuckles quietly. Is that what this is then? ]

There is no need to pay me, you're free to stay here for as long as you need. [ Yet, it's appreciated. The Crystal Tower, however important it is to him and the shards back home, its toll is a great one but something he shoulders despite it. Not that he realizes it, or believe Joonghyuk knows of this of him, simply taking it for having settled in his room. ] If there is anything you need, feel free to ask me. I've been here for six moon cycles now so I've gathered quite a bit of knowledge during my stay here.

[ The ends of his tail sways languidly side to side as he discusses this fact. In terms that most come to take from that, it's half a year now. ..A strange concept when he remembers, to think it's been this long since he's been away from the First. ]

[ Unfortunately, Yoo Joonghyuk is who he is—distrustful and aloof. Despite the kind words given to him, he can't readily accept them despite not finding any ill will in the Exarch's features and body language. His hand doesn't flinch to the foreign touch of pure crystal, but he does pull it away when payment becomes nulled by the owner of this very room.

He's still going to pay him, though. Joonghyuk does what he wants and doesn't want to owe anyone anything. ]

I'm looking for a way to sever a link.

[ Initially, what he had planned was to regress and save his comrade, but... Looking up, then a bit around, he can't sense the gaze of his sponsor at all. Regression doesn't need their permission, but he can't say he's comfortable using it in a universe he doesn't know. There are too many variables that make it an unideal choice. It wouldn't hurt to seek another way, though he doesn't ask the Exarch's direct help. ]

Between the one who watches my world and a person—or a way to rewrite the foundation of a universe entirely. Any stories of that nature?

[ In some similarities, it can be looked at as wanting to separate Mifilia from Hydaelyn, but not quite the same cause i can't spoil the novel for you. His eyes travel back to his roommate, filled with resolve despite the passivity earlier. ]

[ Well, the Crystal Exarch would not be expecting much or anyone to readily trust his words upon their arrival. It's understandable given the situation but still he lays it out in the air. As that hand is taken away does his own drop, his crystal hand coming to take hold of his staff from where it rests before moving over to the miniature tower that seems to glow in response to his presence.

Sound of those words have him pause in step, one ear flicking as bright scarlet red eyes glance over with inquiry. Sever a link? There's a light sound as the staff rests against the wall, hands removing the heavy outer layer of his robes to follow suit onto the desk. Hopefully it does not draw the wrong idea, he's still wearing two more layers of robe underneath but this allows some air for his tail which shakes with the weight of the top layer gone. ]

Any stories... Regarding this world, we all have a connection to one of the moon gods, it is the reason why we are referred to as the Moonblessed. As far as I'm aware of, nobody has been able to sever such a link, nor have I met anyone that is not connected to one of the three.

[ "Between the one who watches my world and a person—" It's vaguely put, uncertain what this very connection could be. Briefly his hands raise up, as though looking for a particular story on a shelf that may come to mind but. This is not a room in the Ocular, and there's only one book he can turn to. The copy of Heavensward resting beneath his hand now with another thought. ] However, back in a world I once resided in [ the Source, he could say but it may not mean anything to another unfamiliar to the structure of his worlds ] there are powerful beings, Primals, that temper a creature's mind, binding them to their power and control.

Though blessed can have their minds protected from such a thing, however those unlucky.. lose themselves. [ Yet, despite his words, he does not think it ends simply there. ] There's a way to remove the connection, of course the matter then rises "how does one return the very person's soul to their being?" There has to be a way, some kind of power that has the ability to not just sever the link but return them as they were.

[ On the case of Minfilia, however.. a link is there, that allows young Ryne to draw upon the power. ] Were this a discussion about space and time, I may have some answers for you, but I'm afraid there are no tales I've come across that properly entail how to sever such a link.

[ Joonghyuk stares forward, only every once in a while looking over to the Exarch to see what he's doing. Books have always wielded power where he came from, enough to save him and his comrades from unnecessary suffering, sometimes even death itself. How long has it been since he touched a book? Was it when they held the fake sacred texts? He listens to the Exarch talk about this world, his world, and his knowledge, somewhat eyeing the spine of the book under his fingers.

... Heavensward. His hands come together with interlaced fingers as he leans forward with elbows on his knees, taking this all in with a pensive expression. ]

It sounds like our worlds are too different and we know too little about this one.

[ Maybe, again, he's at a place too early. If he were to come later, would there be an answer? Maybe the Exarch would have progressed in his research in reconnecting the soul to their original vessel, but these Primals sound powerful to leave a lasting mark where the soul can't return. Wouldn't they need to speak to the < Underworld >? Or do they not have that?

The Exarch's predicament is complex in its own way. ]

We'll see the conclusion we want. [ He doesn't mean to say it to the Exarch, but for everyone. Everyone that isn't here. ] As long as we don't give up.

[ ... ]

But I don't want to be here for six moon cycles.

That would be appear the case.

[ Which is said regretfully. Truthfully, the Crystal Exarch wish he did have more answers regarding this world. Even over two centuries back on the First and there was so much he could still learn. His tail stills momentarily, flicking up with thought as he continues to regard the book. A book that's a little worn as a clear sign of being read numerous times.

There are no answers there considering this particular predicament so he turns to face his new acquaintance. Catching sight of those dark eyes as they watch him, considering and observing. He blinks at the beginning statement, knowing he must mean in a general manner but it still makes him smile.

See the conclusion they want. To a sense, he did get the conclusion of his Warrior's story, to stop their approaching death and save another shard. Just as lips part to reply, there's a quiet sound of footsteps coming from somewhere in the residence. Much too small to be a person, which is confirmed as a wind-up minion comes tiptapping into the room. It pauses and looks to the two of them with a blank stare before making a beeline to the Exarch.

The Exarch watches it with a wondering look before he continues his words. ] This was a gift from a friend, who happened to come from an alternate world like my own. He was here much longer than I but he recently returned back home. [ He lowers a hand lightly as the mammet reaches up to tap a finger before wandering away. ]

I've heard it from him that time to time people are returned back to their world. It doesn't happen always, and it's a mystery as to how that comes to be. There are even experiences of those coming back after spending some time back home. No matter what it is, one thing that is confirmed is they don't remember of this place as they're back home. However, whether they remember once they're returned here is another matter. On one case, someone comes back but it's as though they're arriving here for the first time, or they awake here and remember all of their time spent here previously before their return home.

[ Returning home with no memories of spending time here among the Prismals and Moonblessed.. yet returning back and either regaining their memories again or losing them entirely. It wasn't always consistent and because of it a little worrying. ]

Edited (my fat fingers hitting post instead of preview) 2020-02-11 06:52 (UTC)

[ Those are. A lot of different results from the same exact action. Since no other context was added, he assumes there's little causation, let alone correlation, to explain why some keep their memories and some don't. Then what would be the point if he searched for an answer here, if he were to forget when he returned home? Would anything matter? Not like he can happily waste time doing whatever he wants... It's too difficult for a busybody like him. ]

There are too many variables.

[ An alternate world... So many their worlds are somewhat similar? Before Joonghyuk can ask a bit more about that and the conditions to leave or return, he sees the mammet and leers at it. It's a doll, which shouldn't spook him since Uriel hung off his shoulder for some time as a doll, but... This one that moves so naturally that it unsettles him. Once it leaves, he loosens up and processes what he saw.

Turning to Exarch, he asks: ]

Does it have a soul?

[ ??????????? Did the Exarch put a soul into the mammet like Dokja put Yoosung in a dokkaebi egg? He is pretty sure he saw something called Black Mage in his attribute window. ]

Yes, it makes things all the more difficult.

[ Again, which just makes things regrettable. However, he's determined to find some answers to the various questions roaming about. It's a bit strange as he watches the minion wander off as though with a mind of its own. Except he knows that's not the case, there's a particular pattern it has embedded in its concept.

Of course, even now he does not know what to make of it- a minion made in his name and appearance. The ends of his tail twitches until ears perk and his gaze draws back to his new roommate. ]

A soul? [ Glancing back, the small mammet disappears around a corner and entirely out of sight that leaves him giving the other his full undivided attention. ] Despite how it may look, no it does not have a soul. It's made of gears and similar gadgets that bring it to life- a mechanical doll, to put it simply. Back on the Source Goldsmiths and Alchemist guilds are known for contributing joint efforts to create fully operational clockwork puppets. Most have a basic look, but as you can see they can be creative with their designs.. using people or monsters for their appearance.

[ At the very least the Exarch has gotten use to its company here. ] Does require some aether to recharge it on the case that it gets damaged. [ But, there's not really information one needs so he doesn't continue on. He addresses the man with a light raise of his hand. ] Anything else you're curious to know?

[ At the same time, the Exarch is wondering if there's anything useful he can provide the other. It's hard to discuss what happens during moon cycles until one is aware which moon they're aligned to. At least, if it's Iris or even Sanguis he can provide information on those given his own personal experiences. ]

... Then it's like a golem.

[ Joonghyuk, despite having a lot of muscles, is quick to assess and analyze. By its design, the mammet follows a pattern. Makes sense. The next thing he notices is that it's eerily similar to the Exarch, except for the heterochromia and different set of clothing. It must be the Exarch of the other world? Those small details don't matter too much, though they rise in his mind.

The Exarch is a strange man is what he's learning over time. ]

You must have been popular in the other world-line to have a doll made after you.

[ Would Dokja have action figures? Just thinking about it makes his blood boil... That stupid idiot thinks he's an idol. It shows in his face as his eyebrows knit at nothing, but he turns away and closes his eyes like he's throwing away that thought completely. He will deal with Dokja in the future. ]

I also have experience with alternate worlds. [ Though he doesn't want to share too much. ] Unfortunately, those worlds are forgotten for the next.

Golem? [ For a moment, he considers the term regarding his own knowledge before seeming satisfied and nodding along. ] Something of that sort.

[ If you consider the golems used in Khoulsia.. yes. However, the comparison between him and the mammet gets a wide eyed blink in the man's direction. He recomposes himself shortly after with a curious smile. So, he caught on? ]

.. I would not say that. [ As humble he may sound, it's the truth. He is not someone remotely popular. (Insert the sound of angry WOLs as they gesture wildly to people of the Crystarium and the children that play the Exarch role in games.) ] From what I was told, it was merely to help fund the research of a project an acquaintance was helping out.

[ After all, were this a story.. ] I am only a supporting character.

[ This is something the Exarch has mentioned before to friends. Though he longed to follow in the steps of the main character, he is but a supporting character that will only appear briefly and soon forgotten once his conclusion was reached. A brow raises at the complex expression that takes over his new roommate's face before scarlet red seem to glimmer with the resounding curiosity. ]

Is that so? Despite residing in one shard, I could not so easily forget the faith of another's. [ Whether it be the Source or the First.. eyes briefly close before he smiles. ] At least it's a comforting thought that time does not seem to move while we stay here. There will be no one to notice your absence since in the first place you've never left.

[ Carefully, he steps around the room before sitting upon a chair nearby with an observing look. It isn't difficult to see how composed and adjusted the man appears to be. Most are lost, confused, but he's settled in quickly, as though use to something like this time and time again. Mayhaps it has to do with the very "experience with alternate worlds" that he just spoke of. ] So goes the saying. I've yet to gone back home myself since my arrival here.

That doesn't make your role any less important. You had your part in the story and it holds value.

[ Says the protagonist of a story, but that is what Joonghyuk really believes. He wouldn't be where he is if it weren't for people he seldom saw, but had a connection with... But that's what life is like, isn't it? A web of connections. When he hears the reason for the doll, his eyebrows arch, obviously doubting the popularity here—BUT he isn't going to point that out. If the Exarch dares make another throwaway comment about his popularity, he will grill him.

The mention that time stops in their world brings him some comfort, so he nods to show that he understands it's similar to a time chamber he once trained in, but he's back in deep contemplation. His gaze lowers onto the ground as he squeezes his hands, thinking about the other world-line residents and their views on his world. Eventually, they too had faith in them, didn't they? His conclusion with his comrades is the one everyone wants to see.

Joonghyuk is back to thinking on what he should do. He already knows what he wants to do, though he needs to find a starting place. First, he would need to get used to his surroundings... Explore. Maybe tomorrow. ]

What are these shards like?

[ Quiet frankly, even though he knows it's possible to meet someone similar to himself in the sea of moonblessed in Prismatica, he wasn't expecting one that shared alternate worlds. The Exarch is the closest thing to those overseers from his world just from the way he speaks about another shard. ]

[ There's some surprise that flutters on his face. If because, those are words he was not expecting from the man before him. A man with a rather intimidating stature, powerful and an almost distant feel. However, he's truly touched by what he says. The Exarch does not take it lightly. Were anyone else belittling their part in a story, he would be the first to express it not being the case.

Times like that, if only the Exarch took his own advice. ]

..Thank you.

[ A quietness fills him but it is nothing uncomfortable. The opposite, really. Shoulders dipping a little, feeling a relaxation that fills him as ears twitch now and then to the distance sound of tiny steps again. Mayhaps the minion is so use to following after Rhus that now the man is gone.. it's a little lost. The ends of his tail flicks a little when his gaze comes back to Joonghyuk and takes in that complicated gaze.

No words sound out those thoughts that plague the man's mind. Leaving the Crystal Exarch in wonder, scarlet eyes turning back as he catches sound of the inquiry. The shards? For a moment his head tilts, as though to contemplate the question. When he finally begins, he does so slowly, not for reasons of not wanting to share too much but rather that there's so much. ] The world I know of is a bit different than a world like this. There are numerous shards, having once been one now shattered into separate worlds. The First, which is where I hail from, is a world known to be plagued by Light. Beings known as Sin Eaters haunting the people there, turning them and almost bringing an end to the world.

[ He glances to where his staff rests against the wall near the miniature crystal tower. ] From the Source, there's a known hero, the Warrior of Light, who had the power to save the shard so I summoned them to ask for their aid. It provides some comfort that they've helped save the First before my being brought here.

[ There's so much he can expand on, but he doesn't want to overwhelm the man with details. So he tries to keep it simple. ] There are quite a number of Warriors of Light here, each from their own version of the Source which they can elaborate on. Some details very similar with some minor differences. Which tells of alternate versions of these shards, it's.. a bit fascinating to think of and consider. They even share memories of those I'm familiar with and knowing who I am, however they are not the Warrior I remember. It adds another layer of mystery to everything. [ Despite it all, he has not met another version of himself, which brings up more questions than answers. ]

[ Joonghyuk doesn't reassure him past that and the silence itself should be telling enough. They're of mutual understanding that supporting characters are extremely important no matter how small their "screentime." ]

... Is it really a mystery?

[ He asks, but he doesn't expect the Exarch answer. For him, his world didn't split in the same way as what he hears. There was no shatter—or maybe there was? He was never there at the origin, the first world-line, so he wouldn't know. A bunch of theories string in his head as he watches the minion, thinking of a different mystery. Are the alternate Sources these Warriors of Light reside that different from the Exarch's shards?]

A world is created and destroyed with every decision we make—one where we made another choice and tread a different path.

[ Odd enough, again, Joonghyuk has an odd amount of understanding only because... His universe has the weird alternate world phenomenon, too. Except he had the (un)fortunate opportunity in meeting other beings from different world-lines. It's more painful for him, having known that world... Closing his eyes, he can easily recount that world and its end. When he opens his eyes again, there's something he is interested in. ]

You summoned the Warrior of Light from another shard?

[ Joonghyuk doesn't show hostility, but there is some disbelief and... Lowkey suspicion. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

▶ TDM .012

a rare sight, hashtag blessed

ur not Bruno Mars

maybe not but he Can sing

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject