Mingle Log #1: Landmarks of Xistentia

[spoofer]

Characters: All characters who opt in
Summary: A party to mark the first wave of incoming characters in Xistentia, punctuated with weird physics and an unexpected trip to the heart (or mind) of F.A.T.E.S.
Date(s): Late May 2017
Warnings/Notes: Sexual content and other potentially offensive or triggering material to be noted in headers.

Mix and Mingle

Landmarks of Xistentia

It starts with the daemons, because of course it does. At sunset, they begin to ring and beep and urge you to follow directions through the city. For those with animate daemons, be they animals or people, the programs are even more intrusive. Pushing and pawing and urging you to get up and go. The destination is not far from the first reclaimed parts of the city— a tall tower covered in overgrown moss and trees, located near the beach, the Westernmost edge of the city. Even with the chaos of vegetation growing over it, it's clear that the building is a miracle of technology and style.

"Connection is essential," the daemon tells you. "However, genital contact is not required."

You have reached the Central Citadel, and it's time to party!

EARLY BIRDS

But F.A.T.E.S. is as susceptible to peer pressure and trendy trends as anyone else! Early birds will find that the atrium lounge is a true mess at first. Birds nesting in the ceiling, thorn plants all across the floors, and the bottles and cups at the white bar are empty. As parties go, this sucks. However, within a few minutes of the first arrivals, changes begin to overcome the club area visibly. It is exactly the same as the way the city has begun to accommodate the visitors, but far more accelerated. Soon, the lights begin to power on, filling the room with ambient illumination. Plants recede, but do not disappear entirely. High above, the ceiling suddenly morphs to display the starry night sky. And most importantly of all, there's booze.


With any luck, someone around here knows how to bartend, because F.A.T.E.S sure does not. Various liquors from across the multiverse are available, along with drink umbrellas, speared olives, mixers and wedges of fruit. However, the cocktails that automatically fill the glasses vary in taste from acceptable to horrific. Luckily, the bar does not keep anyone out.

FASHIONABLY LATE

If you're more than thirty minutes late, the kinks have worked themselves out. The party is now in full swing. F.A.T.E.S. has surrendered drink mixing duty to various refugees^[1], resulting in much more palatable alcoholic beverages. Someone even found chicken fingers, which are making the rounds.

However, it appears that the invisible supercomputer is still trying to DJ. Predictably, the music ranges wildly based on the listeners-- one moment, you have 17th century lute music; the next, Trance. Blink 182 may even make a brief auditory appearance. It is not particularly easy to dance to this nightmarishly incoherent soundtrack, but it does provide a cross-section of multiversal experiences, for those of us who care about that kind of thing.

Alternatively, you can explore. The Central Citadel is filled with odd rooms. In the presence of only one or two explorers, the tidying effect doesn't happen nearly as quickly. Characters may find jungle-eaten conference spaces, computer laboratories, or even more sophisticated situation rooms thronged with vines and flowers. Somehow, the screens and monitors seem to work just fine with blossoms poking out of the harddrives. Rooms with beds are available as well, some of them already pre-carpeted with romantic roses. You might also find your way into a gym, where slightly rotted bokken and a dusty boxing ring nonetheless make for an interesting way to meet people who aren't into roses and laptops.

BONUS ADVENTURE: THE TEMPLE

Characters who meet new CR at the Citadel have a special experience. When the two (or more) individuals get to talking, their daemons both abruptly interrupt with a very important, not at all loaded question. "Do you want to see something cool?" If the daemon was too big to come inside, the question is posed via earpiece or whatever other device.

The correct answer is "Yes." And with that, the characters are abruptly transported to The Telexistence Temple, on the Easternmost edge of the city. The sudden quiet seems deafening; the darkness is almost blinding before one's eyes adjust to the lines of light running through the tall stone walls. It is much cooler here than it was at the Central Citadel, but it has its own eerie dignity.


"In the future, this is where you may access information about your worlds. Recovery information, save points, and both passive and active world entry points are located here." A beat. Possibly the daemon is watching you stumble around. "Most of the tools have been disabled in order to prevent damage from inebriated users."

However, two pieces of technology continue to cooperate. First, a huge slab of glossy black stone the height of a desk, emitting holographic Head Up Display upward, the Chronological Cartographer. Your character must touch the device. Immediately then, a bright flowing diagram of data begins to spin through the air, whirling with lines and circles and familiar names. It is a chart of the worlds your characters have lived in before and the people they have met in the past timeline. The splitting point to Xistentia is clearly marked, and your future here is a red line wavering in darkness. Toy with it a little, and you'll even be able to pull up significant dates, friendships, enemies. Moments of transformation. F.A.T.E.S. remembers it all, and it is only a quick teleport from the Citadel. (Fortunately, it is also a quick teleport back.)

Second, there is a monitor with another HUD. It displays a HUD with a single prompt: Amenities needed?^[2]

Starting the next day, the Temple will be accessible to all characters at all hours. Those granted access the night before will be able to find their way back with companions.

Footnotes

1. Some may be NPCs! Please avoid killing or maiming them without mod discussion first.
   
   
2. Go here and fill out the form, reply to that comment, if your character is going to take F.A.TE.S. up on the amenities request.

Comments

Warrior of Light (Era Ra) | Final Fantasy XIV

[astralera]

☘ EARLY BIRD

Emeraldd made sure to inform her of what 'connection' was considered to be in this new world, all the while nudging Era toward a tower whose architecture was as foreign as the rest of the city's. If she tilts her head and squints a little she might be able to see similarities to what she knows of ancient Allag and Mhachi structures, but for the most part everything is so overwhelmingly different. Different celestial bodies, different aether. Different sights, smells, and sounds. Different flora and fauna.

Era tries to be grateful for the opportunity, shifting her focus from discomfort to curiosity as best she can. Technology has never been her forté and it makes her think of Cid and Biggs and Wedge and how they would adore the opportunity to examine even a fraction of the things she can see at a glance even before it starts to come alive. Even her fellow Scions would want to explore the building for various reasons.

Experience tells her to be on her guard - too many times has she entered a derelict place only to have long-dead technology awaken to try and kill her. Emeraldd tells her she's being stupid. Era chooses to ignore her rogue summon's comment and instead fingers the outline of her daggers through her obi. The deadly weapons succeed at settling her nerves where the daemon failed. It huffs at her:

'You have an unfortunate love of weapons for someone who identifies as a master of the healing arts.'

Era clicks her tongue irritably in response (pushes down the yearning for her precious, quiet Carbuncle) and goes to examine some of the plant life before it becomes out of reach, tail swishing behind her as she goes.

☘ PARTY TIME

Like all Au Ra, Era is proud of her horns. They are sturdy, nicely sized, and allow her to hear better than any human could dream of. She wouldn't trade them for the world - especially not for small, fleshy ears like the other races have.

She is not so proud as to be unable to admit that, perhaps in some instances, having ears you can cover might be exceptionally useful.

Her music teacher Jehantel would likely be rather impressed by the range of sounds she is unfortunate enough to hear. The Elezen is a far better musician than she will ever be, and might even be able to appreciate the dissonance between the lovely jig and the strange... high pitched... metallic noises... and screeching...?

...On second thought, Era is quite positive Jehantel would not. Another fight with Nidhogg would likely be less painful than another few minutes of this so-called music.

☘ ET CETERA

{ I would be happy to play off of any other ideas! feel free to contact me via froakie }

party time; (cw drugs)

[pillz]

[a sound goes off to her right. deep, rich, vibrating. quite disgusting. era has likely visited enough taverns and restaurants to recognize the sound of a chest-deep belch from someone with a rather particular culture. or possibly no culture at all.] Pretty sure you hear it less if you drink more, [the boy tells her.

he's a skinny thing, standing on the other side of the bar. wifebeater, dark hair spiked to stand up on his head, tattoos including dream thief across his finger-bones. clearly of a different age and world genre than she is.] But don't drink this one. [he taps his finger on the rim of his own pint glass. here, you get to drink on the job. particularly-- to kavinsky's thinking-- if the job is unpaid.] Non-alcoholic. We got some IPAs, stouts, this liquor that comes out glowy green and lights up more when you touch it. Let me know what you like.

[he sets his chin on his fist and looks at her. his pupils are enormous, which is not something that alcohol typically achieves.] Nice horns, by the way.

sorry for the slow it's been like 33C here today my poor canadian body couldn't handle it lol

[astralera]

[ Given that the last time she partook in a drink served by strangers she had the pleasure of being nearly killed by poison, and so Era is understandably reluctant to indulge at the moment. She thinks to offer her thanks for his consideration - not in so many words, as she has never been one to speak overmuch save with certain people or on certain topics - but is distracted as he continues.

She eyes the non-alcoholic beverage curiously, wondering what is so wrong with it. Inebriation has always made her other senses dull in strange ways, so as a warrior who need be constantly on guard she prefers to avoid such a state. That doesn't mean she is unfamiliar with varying types of alcoholic beverages by any means. While not an expert, Era had thought her knowledge sufficient yet she has never heard of an IPA or stout before.

While the young man's offer is appreciated she politely declines with a shake of the head and slight bow. He catches her attention once more with the compliment however, and she can't help but stand up just a fraction straighter with pride. ]

My thanks.

[ Era had noticed the strange state of his pupils as she shifted her posture and it instantly made her do a cursory check of what she can see of his head, worried he may have a head wound. She has seen Hyur pupils blown wide after a nasty hit to the head or in conjunction with a toxin. Had he been a Keeper of the Moon it wouldn't have been any cause for alarm as their pupils are always dilated to an extreme not seen in any of the other races.

But he isn't a Miqo'te and so Era can't help but frown. ]

Are you ill?

you werent slow!! but i am of late (also cw mental illness)

[pillz]

[declining free liquor? who ever heard of such a thing. kavinsky gawks at the horned woman curiously, and he does not do a good job keeping the laughter out of his face when she stands straighter, looks all proud of the anatomy of her head. well why not? no reason why not. it just hearkens back to a different age, when people were

more body positive, or something. less ironic. more prone to... is that a sword? is she carrying a sword? kavinsky's eyes fall woozily to the weapon at her side, and mirth pinches the corners of his face harder. but it's okay. all things considered, he isn't being-- feeling-- too malicious, considering he is fresh out of an apocalypse and how that sort of event tends to put people in bad moods. eudio has left him with some resilience and the ability to tolerate individual differences.]

Nah. Well maybe sick in the head, [he offers.] Been off my meds like two weeks almost, but I think I'm a'ight. ['a'ight' is a subjective measure. no one can disprove it.] Why? [vanity makes him cast around for a reflective surface.] I look green or some shit?

[astralera]

(( she actually isn't visibly carrying any weapons but i am going to guess that it's possibly something to do with the mental illness and/or drugs if that works/was what you intended! ))

[ As powerful as the healing magicks in her world are, there isn't much information regarding illnesses of the mind - not beyond straightforward insanity, shell shock, or interference from a Primal god. She doesn't know how to treat a sickness of the mind.]

I am a healer. You look unwell to me, but perhaps not to others.

[pillz]

[ooc: sure! blurry eyes works well.]

Sweet. I'm in constant need of fucking healing. [kavinsky spreads his hands.] Just-- nah you're right. Not right now. This is just kinda how I look, man. [his big hollow eyes crinkle up, soullessly amused-- at his own expense, for once. but he's less prickly and unpleasant when he's high, these days. he leans back on his feet, as if zooming out slightly through a physical move is going to help him understand what he's looking at with her.] Speaking of.

[he juts his chin at her head. it's not the most polite thing a young man could do.]

What's with the horns?

[nor that, the most polite thing a young man could say.]

[astralera]

[ She doesn't know what she can say to that - she knows better than most that you can't fix everything - and so simply nods, instead focusing on the... mildly rude question. ]

I am an Au Ra. In place of your ears we Auri have our horns.

[pillz]

Auri? [kavinsky asks.] Isn't that a Jew boy name. [he is more than mildly rude most times. most places. by most measures. he could be being worse. he winds up poking a cocktail straw in his teeth, fidgeting it restlessly with his tongue and molars.

then he offers her his hand. there are words tattooed across the long bones of his fingers-- DREAM, all the way onto his thumb.] I'm a dream thief. Kavinsky. Nice to meet you, Auri. [the matching word is tattooed across his other hand, the ink stark against his perpetually unhealthy pallor.] Can you hit a guy with those things? [he juts his chin at said horns.]

dw no that is not the icon I chose

[astralera]

If you don't bother listening to the answers given, stop asking questions. [ there is only so much leeway she will afford someone's rudeness, regardless of their mental health. she ignores the proffered hand. ] I cannot say the same for meeting you.

your chosen icon is very nice (now cw misogynistic!! stupid!!!! comments)

[pillz]

[the hand stays afloat for a long, exaggerated moment, as if kavinsky is really trying to give her a chance to turn this interaction around. not that she's obligated to, of course. he's generally awful, even when he isn't trying to be. after a conversationally awkward pause, he finally drops his hand, lets a shrug knife up through his skinny shoulders. his eyes crinkle into a smile.]

Hey, man, [he says.] I'm listening. I can tell you don't dig the anti-Semitism. Horns. No ears. I got it. Put the fuse on the tampon out.

ty! i need more angry faces but alas, ps4 broke. :( tho i think only kavinsky would get them tbh

[astralera]

[ she doesn't quite understand what this man is saying, but it is undoubtedly rude. she had been working under the assumption that he would realize that no, she is not from his world and does not know what vernacular he is using. her tail flicks with irritation. ]

Perhaps you can find a mirror to speak to instead, as I am finished dealing with you.

[ she gestures to her daemon with her chin, and the carbuncle is quick to jump onto her shoulders from where it had been watching from a polite distance. the glittering trail of aether that follows it lingers in the air for a moment, then fades away. ]

Let us find some place quiet, Emeraldd.