I thought I knew what was happening. That a should have been a SURE sign that I didn't. Sorry. Carry on.
*Ferelith looks up from a book she's reading on the floor* Ferelith: Oh, hey there! I almost didn't notice you guys. It got pretty quiet in here, so I thought I'd look through one of these random books I found.
Chloe: It's quiet alright. (*chew chew*) Too quiet. (*pop*) Be ready. (*Sound of shotgun being adjusted*)
Seeker: *a child that eerily looks like young anakin skywalker appears faintly, an ethereal glow around his head* I have always been here. Truman: *suddenly appears as if he's always there* That's because you're an Eternal pocket calculator. Seeker: ... Truman: *rolls his eyes* Oh, fine, Seeker is a manifested AI. I'm Truman, former Trustee in Full (Seeker's boss), and former Tyrant Administrator of the Unified State of America. Well, formerly Truman. I'm a conscious simulation within Seeker. *mutters* because he couldn't keep a promise. Anyway, I just popped in for a whiskey! Watch this. *holds hand up and a glass appears and begins to fill. He shrugs.* I guess you already know about the free refreshments? Seeker: I most certainly did keep my promise. I let you die as you requested.
*Part of the floor turns into water. Seconds after two mermen pop their heads above the surface. One has hair, eyes, skin and tail in various shades of blue while the other has a much darker complexion. They both look around with growing confusion.* Ren: (the blue one) What is going on here? This isn’t what the surface looks like. Neres: (the dark one) I’ve heard of a place where the strangest things happen and where you can meet an endless variety of creatures. I didn’t think it was real, though… *They notice everyone else in the room.* Ren: We are not alone… Do you know any of these people? Neres: No. But I don’t think they mean us any harm. Ren: How can you be so sure? Can they even understand us? Neres: Only one way to find out. *addresses everyone* Hello. I hope we’re not interupting anything important. My name is Neres, and this is Ren. Ren: Hello. Um, I have no idea how I even ended up here, so does anyone mind telling me what the rest of you are doing here?
Avani: I've got no bleedin' clue where we are, or I'd tell you. Cool to see mermen again, though. It's been a while since I encountered any of your kind. Saelith: Holy hells, those are mermen. Kali'vareth: Your talent for stating the obvious is truly unmatched. Saelith: Didn't ask you, Kali. Anyway, we can understand you--I can only assume there's a translating spell of some kind active, because I wouldn't expect to be able to understand most of these folks. Sarelia: Truman, I understood approximately half of those words. I would ask for clarification, but I feel like I don't really want to know. Gods, this is weird. Nelis: Maybe they haven't got minds, and that's why you can't read them. Sarelia: Entirely possible. I doubt it, though.
Ferelith: Wow, more people! Hi everyone! For those of you that are new, I'm Ferelith, and this is my friend Solvi. Solvi: Uh, hello. Agnes: *glances around the room* I— What?! There's more of them? Looks like it's time to make my exit— Ferelith: Wait, Agnes! Why don't you stay and talk for a minute? It could be fun! Agnes: ...Ugh, fine. Maybe I'll learn something interesting from this lot.
Truman: *to Sarelia:* Apologies. Perhaps I can clarify the half you do want to know? Maybe you fail to read our minds because we exist outside of time. We came here, long before. Some part of us remains in every place we touch. From where did you arrive?
Sarelia: That makes...a bit of sense. I can still hear Saelith's thoughts, so I can at least be confident that my telepathy has not left me. We come from the land of Astrinar.
Ren: I'm not surprised at all that you don't see merfolk often. It is way too dangerous at the surface, with humans hunting us. It is nice to know that we all can understand each other though. Makes it easier to talk. *smiles* Ren: You have powers? *moves away with a flip of his fishtail* Then you are witches? Neres: I'm not so sure they are witches, Ren. I've never heard of this land of Astrinar before, so things might be different there... May I ask where it is located? Neres: *looks around* Dark? Looks okay to me... Anyway, hello, and welcome. My name is Neres, and this here is Ren. Ren: Hello. Who are you and where do you come from?
Avani: Humans hunt you? That's just barbaric. That's illegal in most of Astrinar--merfolk are civilized beings, and though I won't pretend our world is one devoid of discrimination, it's generally one without legalized murder. Sarelia: I do have powers, yes--I am psychic, mainly telekinetic and telepathic. I am no witch, though. I'm unsure of how to answer your question--Astrinar is not located anywhere, it simply is. It is the world.
Avani: You're a fae, aren't you, Ferelith? Your name sounds elven, but...well, I can just tell. I think it's to do with my own fae blood. Kali'vareth: It would be. It's said that fae have an instinctive-- Avani: Shut up. Anyways, just to be preemptive, you cannot have our names. Sarelia: Isn't that, like, super illegal for fairies to do these days anyway? Avani: Yeah, but when has legality ever stopped people? Saelith: ...often? Nelis: Oh, sweet summer child. Saelith: You're eighteen! You're a sweet summer child! Well, not sweet. Or particularly summery. Ugh, you know what I mean.
Ferelith: Well, in my world it's not illegal, but I guess it can be dangerous. A lot of other fae I've met have seperate names that they use if they need to, but I'm not worried about it.
Chloe: Meh, names. I'm Athena Moonblossom Damask Rose but most people call me Chloe on account of that's how it's spelled on my ID and my birth certificate.
*A group of people in black uniforms with small differences between them appear* Woman wearing a headscarf: Uhhh... where are we now? Man with red tie and vest: Captain? Woman with cap and jacket hanging from her shoulders: ...I don't know Woman with short hair and a belt of flowers: W-what? But you always know something about where we are. Like what path do we need to take next or how to come back... Nothing? *The Woman adressed as captain shakes her head* Man with long hair and eyepatch: (smiles) I like this place. Man with red tie and vest: Good for you, Eclipse, but I disagree. I think I heard voices coming from somewhere? Woman with short hair and a belt of flowers: I think I do too, Tzaaid. I should go talk to them. Maybe we get a job. Tzaaid: Wait, Lán! What if they're dangerous? Lán: Then you'll just have to watch my back, right? Don't worry, Zid. Ahem. Hello there? We have only good intentions coming here.
Lán: No, no. We're a team of black knights from the Rednow Islands. If you have any needs related to braving supernatural dangers we'll gladly discuss it with you. Woman wearing a headscarf: By "discussing", she means our prices. I'm not trying to discourage you if you need help, but we're busy with leftovers from our last job, the money of said job is running out and we're five mouths eating from this. Six, if you count Tzaiad's mom. Tzaiad: Leave my mother out of this, will you Jamie? Eclipse: Forget all about that. Do you have any idea where we are? Is it true what those creatures that call themselves mermen say? If so, what kind of magic is used in this place? How does it work?
Sarelia: Like I said, we've got no clue. Seems like a translating enchantment of some kind is used here so we can all understand each other, though I don't think it works on members of the same group--I still hear Kali speaking with a Vynasi accent. Kali'vareth: Perhaps it merely-- Saelith: Nope. Quiet. This is weird, but it's cool, so don't ruin it. Avani: We can handle our dangers, thanks. It's just that I used to be a pirate, and I was hoping maybe you were kindred spirits.
Tzaiad: Pirate? So, a criminal then. I don't have any proof to arrest you so, if you're interested in redemption... Jamie: Not again... Tzaiad: ...Would you like to hear the Teachings of Titania? Captain: Tzaiad, no. Eclipse: Well, it's a shame we don't know the specific magic of this place, but how about yours? You mentioned a translating enchantement. That exists in our Islands but I have a feeling that they work differently. Lán: Sorry for how forthcoming they are, we spent most of our time with each other and I'm usually the one handling conversations with other people. Still if you ever need help, you can count on us! Jamie: For a price!
Chloe: "I dunno what y'all are on about with these spells and enchantments and voodoo mumbo-jumbo but whatever language you're speaking is coming through just fine on my app." Waving her cellphone. If she's noticed that this makes no sense whatsoever, it's not showing. "Come to think of it..." Slinging the shotgun behind her back and tossing the phone to her dominant hand. "...are any of you weirdos packing a sword? There's something I've been itching to try."
