prismaticrap | ▶ TDM .017

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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.

▶ Welcome to the Jungle
07/08 - 07/15 | 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.

▶ You’re as Cold as Ice
07/08 - 07/15 | Level 2, Crystal Beach | top

Summer strikes Lunatia with record high temperatures as the city is wracked by an unnatural heatwave. Residents will feel the burn the moment they head outdoors, kissing their skin pink as it drenches them in sweat. For a hot and sticky day like this, it's the perfect time to head to Crystal Beach for a refreshing dip in the water. All sorts of new stands have popped up by the shore, selling icy treats and frozen cocktails.

The morning news recommends befriending those blessed by Cordis, who can keep people cool with their magic touch. They also warn of overheating machinery and electronics! Establishments and residences may end up dealing with broken air-modulating units if they use them too much.

Having cleared their names, Suzaku and Kaya of former *BTSB fame have decided to reform as a rock band duo called The Nine Tails after leaving their boyband roots. They will be performing their most chill new summer jam, “Fox Girl Summer,” while incorporating Cordis magic of their own to keep the listeners feeling cool and refreshed.

B Those listening to Kaya and Suzaku’s summer anthem might find their beats too chill to relax and party to. And by that, we mean literally. Ice may start to form around the limbs of happy local beachgoers, filling them with unfortunate shivers that will send them running into the arms of another Prismal to thaw. Even more troubling is that some portions of the oceanfront may also start to freeze, trapping some unsuspecting swimmers inside and leaving them in need of rescue. If anyone goes unnoticed, a Prismal lifeguard will be quick to rescue them.

In a panic, Kaya winks at Suzaku, who reassures his worried partner and ends their performance by summoning a mighty phoenix above the stage. Of course, it is only an illusion for the audience as Kaya thaws the partygoers and the ocean with his magic. Suzaku might have gotten carried away with their debut...

▶ Boom, Badoom, Boom, You Got that Super Bass
07/08 - 07/15 | top

The heated beach waters have brought a large onslaught of aggressive super bass close to the shore. Needless to say, the boys with the booming system were not ready for the sudden and alarming increase in population of this particular fish. In response, the beach committee is hosting a fishing competition to see who can catch the largest super bass. They will be providing extremely durable fishing gear and sufficient bait to all worthy competitors, so come to the Crystal Pier with your best fishing know-how and try and break a record or two!

Due to the competition, job openings for lifeguards have become available. Their main task is to keep an eye on participants and the audience. They should be ready to pull them out in case they have trouble swimming back to the pier. Lifeguards will be provided official beach committee high-tech swimsuits (in the form of tankinis and speedos of your choice) that enhance their performance by allowing them to swim faster and breathe more easily underwater. In the dark ocean depths, they glow with patterns easily recognizable to the Prismal eye. They also accentuate the Moonblesseds’ assets very nicely.

C Although they are no different from sea bass in appearance, super bass are known for their monstrous strength and penchant for mischief. They like to fly in the air and slap whoever tries to catch them and their fellow fish with their tail fins. You think you like them better when they dolo? Think again. These fish will purposely grab a hold of something eye-catching such as rainbow-colored sea pearl or other treasures from the ocean and pull the unsuspecting fishers into the watery depths.

▶ Put on Your Red Shoes and Dance the Blues
07/08 - 07/23 | City of Amegahara | top

The city of Amegahara is in preparation for the annual Vulpus Astra Celebration which is coming up in a few weeks. This year is special as the foxes of Amegahara have never celebrated this occasion with the dragons of Lyestellus, making it the first time all three cities in the alliance will be celebrating together. This is all thanks to the Moonblessed, who not only healed their lands but also brought the Prismals closer.

And so for this special year, the upcoming event promises to be an even larger and more extravagant affair. In order to address the extremely high demand for traditional dress and other materials needed for the celebration, many job openings become available in Amegahara. Among these are tailors, glassblowers, florists, and dancers.

D The tailors will be sewing traditional clothes, such as lovely-patterned yukata, kimono, haori, and obi. Glassblowers will create pearl glass plates, cups, and trinkets such as hair accessories and festive souvenirs. Florists will be heading to work at Inari Highway’s greenhouses, caring for flowers and putting together flower crowns, colorful bouquets, and floral arrangements to use for street and interior decorations. It is encouraged to make use of pearl glass vases!

Lastly, dancers will be auditioning for a group of strict Amegaharan foxes who will not shy away from hurling insults if you underperform. The traditional Amegaharan dance features many layers of intricate fan work that is difficult to master, or dancers can choose to take part in the more uproarious Amegaharan drum dance. Be prepared for long and grueling rehearsals after passing auditions, where you will be forced to partner up with one another to bend each other’s bodies as flexibly as it could then dance until every single person in the room has the movements and timings memorized perfectly. Moonlacing will keep one another from collapsing in exhaustion, but your bruised ego may require more tender care.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Pandaria. What a more simple time that had been. Sometimes it's so far removed from recent days that one has to wonder if it actually happened.

Wrathion answers and Anduin mulls it over. One Horde champion and one Alliance. Not the most amount of people but it's a start and Anduin knows that it could be much worse. Meetings them would be good but as Wrathion alludes to, the priest knows he's not currently going anywhere and he sighs audibly. The dragon obviously knows how to get out of this and is seemingly enjoying himself. It would be all too easy to just stay put and wait for the music to end, but Anduin knows he'd be cutting his nose off to spite himself. That and Wrathion probably would remind him about it for the rest of eternity....]

Fine. How do I get out of this?

[ Aha! Well.

Wrathion smiles, enigmatic, and steps a little closer. ]

With my assistance. Are you aware of how the magic of this world flows?

[ With... touching! He holds out a hand to Anduin. Presumably he can see how this all fits together? ]

[ Of course. It was kind of silly of Anduin not to realise that the one way out of this would be to use the world's functionality against it. Normally one would wait for the ice to wear off when hit by a frost mage, but it would seem Lunatia had other ideas.

Anduin just isn't so keen on the whole physical contact side of it all. There had been little time for that back home and it felt strange to think that was how this place worked. That things were so dire in his own world and here he was, having to hold hands to generate currency. As if he would do more than that!]

So you're offering to help with no ulterior motive of your own?

[ Though now Anduin thinks about it he wonders if that's even correct. Both of them would generate this chroma, right? So it wouldn't be for naught.

Ugh. Anduin knows he's just stalling himself by this point and eventually he relents, holding his own hand out.]

Just this once. I swill not be caught up in such things again.

[ Wrathion's lips curl in victory, and he takes Anduin's offered hand -- eyes half-lidding for a moment at the warm surge of Chroma.

Then he crouches down in-front of Anduin, lets one knee drop to the ground for balance and raises a hand to pool flame slowly. Something to help the ice along as it melts. He smiles up at Anduin, playful yet also bittersweet. ]

There was a time you would have taken my hand without a thought.

[ Well, perhaps note entirely without a thought. With less caution than he now shows, though. Anduin had always known Wrathion was trouble, yet he had never suspected that trouble was a threat to him. Until things changed. ]

[ Despite everything Anduin can't help but be a little fascinated by what is going on. The warm feeling is not dissimilar to that of the Light back home yet even as Anduin thinks that comparison isn't quite right. The ice is melting nicely and the young priest can feel his toes again. Soon he can go back to the quarters he's been given and stay out of this wretched heat.

The comment from Wrathion causes a slight flinch. There had been a time when he would have followed Wrathion anywhere. But things changed, people changed and sometimes others just weren't who they seemed to be to begin with.]

There was a time I would have considered you a great friend.

[ Anduin regrets it the moment he says it. He knows he's lashing out again, taking all the worry over the woes back home and putting them into words. It's a very Wrynn thing to be doing but at least Anduin has the decency to look a little mortified.]

I'm sorry, that was uncalled for.

[ Said as if he hadn't punched Wrathion in the face not all that long ago.]

[ It hits home, just as Anduin no doubt knew it would.

The smile fades from his expression, and Wrathion drops his gaze to the ice -- dark waves falling forward to hide his expression for a moment as he recovers. Anduin may think it's uncalled for, yet it's imply the truth. They both know it.

He waits until the ice finishes melting in silence, lets the flame quit from his fingers and withdraws both his hands.

He should say something, he knows. Yet what is the right thing to say? He feels... frustrated, tired, resigned. He has been punished already, but perhaps no punishment will ever be enough. Nothing he do will ever be redemption enough.

He stays put on the ground, the moment drawing out before he lifts his eyes again. There's only regret now, little point in grandstanding. ]

I know this was never what you wanted.

[ This. War, death, loss, rapid ascension to a throne. This, this divide between them. This. ]

It was never what I wanted for you either, my friend, but I have kept my word. I told you we would face a terrible threat together, and we did. Whatever you think of me, everything I have done has been for Azeroth.

Wasn't what I wanted?

[ Anduin can't help the incredulous tone in his voice as he echoes those words back. No, this wasn't what he wanted. None of it. He would have given anything to be back in Pandaria at the tavern, enjoying quiet board games and discussions over ethics. Now everything is a big, painful mess. Ever since his father died Anduin hasn't been able to catch his breath, to sit down and properly grieve for everything that has happened since. His father, Tirion Fordring, all those people. Then the ever constant War Campaign, missives and spies, the Old Gods, N'zoth, it was all just so relentless and there was no way to escape it, no way to just shrug and let it be someone else's problem.

No. He didn't want this and Anduin can feel the bitterness in him rising. Right. For Azeroth. He may not have wanted things to be this way but there was no way to change it now. People needed him and Anduin knows that should be good enough. How his father managed to deal with everything in his lifetime....Well, it explained the outbursts that Lo'gosh could not.]

Wrathion. [ Anduin crouches down to make sure he's at least eye level with the other. If he wants to get his feelings across properly then it's the only way to do it.] You were my best friend, my first real friend and yet you betrayed that for reasons I still cannot fully fathom. My father died. Countless others died and most had barely begun to rebuild before the next threat loomed. Are you truly trying to tell me that it was for the good of Azeroth?

[ Wrathion watches Anduin like a hawk. His red eyes are sharp, focused, but there's also something tense. Like he's holding back. Resisting something.

His fingers flex, nails curling into his palm. ]

You have every reason to doubt me.

[ He understands that, much as he wishes he didn't. The frustration shows. He controls it by pure force of will. ]

I never intended for your father to die, Anduin. Of course I didn't! That whole incident with the Iron Horde --

[ He drops his eyes away, makes a low sound of frustration. ]

Every time the Horde and Alliance cross blades there is devastation. Each time, we must ask ourselves if the price we pay will be worth the victory we seek. I knew the Legion was coming. I thought the answer was clear, that for Azeroth to survive the gamble must always be high.

[ Thought, past tense. Sometimes, the only way to learn a lesson is to burn yourself making a mistake. ]

You think I don't know that?? Every time there was a peace summit something would go awry.

[ It would almost be a running joke if the results of such things weren't so terrible. Anduin just knows that right now the Horde and Alliance need to start sorting themselves out if they're to survive the Old Gods. Old Gods didn't care what faction something belonged to and it's all too easy to remember that vision of Stormwind in darkness when he closes his eyes and how terrible that brief glimpse had been.]

Sometimes you say things and I am loathe to admit I don't always understand them. However, I do know you never intended for some things to happen. [ Anduin pauses, taking a deep breath. He wishes he could just wave a hand and forgive everything, to make it so they could just go back to being friends again. It's somewhat lonely when surrounded by adults who were intent on winning at any cost and not much more than that. Sure, Genn was a fantastic grandfather figure but he wasn't exactly someone Anduin could have a fun conversation with most of the time.

Honesty is the best policy. Anduin knows if he lies now he would be lying to himself. It wouldn't be fair on Wrathion.]

I wish I could make this all go away. But right now when I see you, I remember everything that has been lost.

[ Wrathion feels his heart sink down into his stomach.

It's true, then, nothing he has done will be enough. He had thought --

Then again, he's always known himself to be selfish. Anduin had family, Wrathion took that from him. Anduin had trust and hope, Wrathion took that from him.

It's something he can't imagine. Wrathion learned quickly to trust no-one. Most of his family has died by his own hand. ]

I see.

[ He pushes to his feet, takes a step back to put space back between them. ]

I... regret that you feel this way.

[ Of course. Anduin isn't even sure how he expected Wrathion to take that comment. It just doesn't stop his stomach from dropping, a feeling of damaging something beyond repair too present to shake. That and perhaps it's just because there's none of the usual, cocky expression that Wrathion usually carries around with him.

Did Anduin really want to spend his time in this strange place alienating the only potential ally he could have? He doesn't know Wrathion's motives for anything these days but at the end of it all the other is stuck in this place. They both are.

Anduin gets to his feet, noting that the one step back Wrathion has taken may as well have been a hundred for how it felt right now.]

Wrathion I... It's difficult now but.... [ Anduin's words falter. He just can't seem to articulate. He wants to trust Wrathion but he hasn't had time to mourn his own losses, there's been no time to catch his breath back home! Feelings are difficult to express and Anduin simply shakes his head and moves on to another topic.]

Do you mean it? When you say that you will help us find a way to defeat N'zoth?

[ There's a strange wave of panic at the question.

On some level Wrathion understands the issue playing out, certainly it's a familiar one thanks to Chromie in truth. Yet he can't help the seed of doubt it creates. The uncertainty.

What if he was wrong? What if they'd all been tricked, been wrong? ]

It hasn't happened for you?

[ Just to... clarify. ]

What do you mean? We only just spoke before I got here. I punched you in the face and the others talked me into listening to you.

[ No, Anduin isn't even sorry about that. He's more concerned with how Wrathion is now asking such a question. Dismay skitters down his spine. Has he missed something? What now??

Anduin takes a step forwards, closing the gap between them for now. He doesn't even see their surroundings anymore or hear the music. There's just the concern over what Wrathion means by his query.]

Tell me. What has happened that I don't know about?

[ Not yet.

Anduin steps forward to close the gap and Wrathion steps back again like a wary animal. His eyes narrow a little, uneasiness bubbling through him. ]

It would seem we are from different points in the timeway, then. N'Zoth is no more for us, I lead your champions through Ny'alotha myself. It is done.

[ No more? Wait, that sounds like they....won?

Anduin stares in stunned silence, doing his best to try and digest what he's just heard. Different timeways? N'Zoth no more?

No, there had to be a catch, there was always a catch. Nothing ever happened without some kind of repercussions and Anduin only just notices that Wrathion has moved back.]

N'Zoth is gone....? Who did we lose?

[ Wrathion presses his lips together unhappily, flits his eyes away. ]

Ra-den was lost to the darkness. There was nothing we could do.

[ Something he does feel personally responsible for. The Titan Watcher had been taking action when his own overconfidence had flooded the chamber.

It is... unfortunate. ]

I'm sorry.

[ Anduin pauses, casting his mind back to what he knows about time. He knows it gets messy so easily and a part of him can't help but wonder. This means Wrathion is from a time after him?

Or is it something else?]

Thank you for telling me. It gives me hope that when I go home that there is some light on the horizon.

[ The alternative is too awful to contemplate. Dark and full of eyes.]

[ Wrathion nods, brow still furrowed.

He feels... awkward. The dynamic between them is all wrong now, and he doesn't know anymore if it can be fixed. ]

You are staying in Lunatia?

[ There's this, at least. He tries to school himself, to paint his expression back to something neutral. ]

[ Anduin can feel it too and he's not even certain what to make of it. He was all for being upset and angry at the other but now that he's said it, things seem to have gone pear shaped. If asked days ago if he would want to fix it the answer would have been a resounding no. Now faced with it all, Anduin isn't even sure.]

Yes, I am staying in the place given to me when I arrived. [ A topic change and one Anduin embraces wholly. It's easier than realising he would give anything to go an hour back, go to a time where being stuck in ice was his only main concern.]

....Are you?

Yes. I have... considered moving to Lyestellus, once I am more established.

[ A statement and an unspoken question both. If Anduin cannot bear to look at him, then Wrathion can do his best to make sure he doesn't have to. He can give him space, as much as he needs. ]

That's another city if I heard right from others.

[ So Wrathion would be living some distance away. Anduin isn't sure what to make of that information, instead studying a spot to one side of the dragon. He had wanted to hurt Wrathion with his anger, but in the end it hadn't made anyone feel any better. Anduin can't help but cringe inwardly. He knew all too well what it was like to be on the receiving end of someone else's misplaced anger.]

You have been here a while, then?

Not long. A month, perhaps.

[ He flickers a faint smile, one that doesn't quite light up his features the way it should. ]

There are dragons in Lyestellus. I've found it interesting studying the... differences between us.

They have dragons here? That is good news.

[ Anduin means it. There dragonflight business back home is messy, but even the High King of the Alliance knows that judging them before he's met them would only do more harm. As to whom remains to be seen. Anduin even meets Wrathion's gaze to prove he means it. If anyone can understand dragons and help those here bridge that gap (if needed), Wrathion would be able to do it.]

So you'll be living much further away if you decided to move there. I'm not certain what I would do here, it seems a bit strange to think that all my duties have been left back home.

[ The cool raise of an eyebrow as Anduin meets his gaze suggests Wrathion doubts the sincerity of this. His opinion has been made quite clear already, and Wrathion has accepted it. No need for... whatever this is. ]

Have they? Surely you could still make allies here. Perhaps some might return with you, eventually, or find a way to follow you to Azeroth.

[ Allies more to his taste than Wrathion, presumably. Ones who toe the line better. Who aren't troublesome black dragons. ]

[ That comment stops Anduin and his worries in his tracks. From what he'd been told everything was on hold and no-one else from home was here (with the exception of Wrathion and two others). He understood that time somewhat stood still.

Allies would be useful though Anduin wonders how it would work in the long terms. Perhaps finding them so they could all work on a way home would be better? Just because he's not considered a King here does not mean he shouldn't act like one.]

You're right. [ If he had any idea of what Wrathion was actually insinuating, Anduin would think twice.] If they can find a way to cross worlds here then there is nothing to say it won't happen back home.

Edited (cat hit enter) 2020-07-10 07:42 (UTC)

▶ TDM .017

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