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Entry tags:
INTRO MINGLE
cittàgazze: week 0 intro
the city of magpies
the city of magpies
40 Remain
Whatever you were doing previously, wherever you were, you come back into yourself very abruptly, after going through a haze. Quite literally, as it turns out. You and your daemon are left to wander through a thick, cloying fog, where sights and sounds are muffled. All attempts to call out don't result in much, and your voice is just swallowed up. At least you're not alone—no matter their form, you know who and what they are, and they stick close to you, just as without answers as you are. How unfortunate.
But your feet carry you until, finally, the actual fog clears—at least, enough to let you see the street you walk along—and now your surroundings are a little more apparent. Even if you're far from home, maybe in less than ideal condition at the moment, at least you're not alone in this? Turns out it isn't just the two of you. As if they've walked right out of the fog, themselves, there are others on this long boulevard lined with palm trees, breathing in the stormy sea air, just like you.
Hard to say where you've wound up, and just when in the day, with the storm overhead. It's not night, that's for sure, and it's some sort of city, though it looks a little... worn down. Abandoned. Weird. Where are all the people, besides you? There's movement, occasionally, but whoever it is skitters away and disappears before you have a chance to get a closer look—at first, anyways. Maybe you can catch them after exploring a bit?
... though, maybe you want to change, first? ( 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ) Wow, you're really dressed up for... well, what sort of occasion would warrant this...
Some further walking on the boulevard leads you along storefronts of various kinds, but one in particular stands out. Looks like there's a message that's been posted up on a shop bulletin board, standing out due to intent. Just pinned in place, after the rest of it was obviously cleared out in a hurry, with some pages having been torn off and leaving corners and bits behind.
- The note's colors seem to change dependent on the angle you're looking at it from, either shimmery gold or silver, with a faint sheen of another color that varies depending on the penmanship.
In handwriting that barely seems legible will read the following: I hope you enjoy my gift!! And don't worry you're ALL beautiful. ;)
In loopy but legible handwriting, with little hearts for the dots over their I's: We'll try to get some answers for you guys, since I'm sure you have a lot of questions. For now, check out the shop for some bags! I'm sorry that it's not much, considering the situation, but if there's anything else you need—there's plenty of other shops around the city. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!!
Just below that in neat handwriting that almost looks straight out of a text book: I know it might be scary to find yourselves in a new place, but I promise that things will be okay. We'll make sure it's okay. Maybe there's something here that you can find out before we can get to you. Try to get along the meantime—we'll talk to you as soon as we can.
And in bubbly handwriting at the bottom: Sorry we can't welcome you in person yet, but we'll be there soon! We're trying to work out some things right now, like how to get your stuff back to you. You're in a safe place, though, so try to take it easy and stick together until we get there, okay? See you soon!
Inside the shop, it's as the message says: there are bags neatly lined up. There's something... enchanted about them, almost, that leads you to the one that is apparently yours, and prevents anyone else from picking up someone else's. (Literally, like they weigh a ton, even if you're normally capable of lifting said ton.) The enchantment wears off once you've claimed your bag. Each one contains:
- ★ a travel size first aid kit, with bandages, gauze pads, and a little tube of antibiotic ointment
★ a small dessert box of edible sugar flowers
★ a coupon for a meal at the Hotel Nido di Gazza
★ a golden coin, specific to you and your daemon alone
At present, a thick fog and threatening thunderclouds have encased the city. Rain is intermittent, as are the flashes of lightning, but it's a rather oppressive atmosphere to welcome you in with. Any attempts to leave the city walls, or to step off of the boulevard into the unknown (even if you can clearly see the sand of the beach, hear the waves beyond, see a beacon of light cutting through the thick fog), will be met with a feeling of dread and your steps turning you back around into the city proper again. Your daemons may even tug at your clothes with a self preservation instinct that kicks in for the both of you. Isn't it safer here?
welcome to cittàgazze
Hello, everybody! Welcome to the start of the game—please enjoy the weekend zero intro to the fullest, as we get everyone settled in, and feel free to explore the setting to your heart's contents. Additionally, please note two things of particular interest as your characters familiarize themselves with their new home away from home:
The first, of course, being that IC profiles are not ICly available yet. Once they are, we'll let you know. Just make sure you're filling them out this weekend!
The second is that your character does not have their item from home or canon changes of clothes yet. If you'd like to change out of the clothing that you've been so graciously given—why? They're nice, aren't they? Don't you appreciate them? But I guess you can raid the homes and shops of the city, if need be, until further notice. Clothing styles are 90s function over fashion you might find in a humid climate like this one, though there are some... outdated, if simple, trendier styles available.
Let the mods know if you need anything, and enjoy!
full navigation
private conversations ✨ murder proposals ✨ curfew ✨ daemons ✨
private conversations ✨ murder proposals ✨ curfew ✨ daemons ✨
no subject
Cultivator? Does that mean something like farming?
no subject
[ sometimes it means farming.
... wait. he shakes his head, and then puts his hand gently against his own chest. ] In our realm, a cultivator is one who trains in both martial and mystical arts in order to perfect their craft and eventually achieve immortality. I...
[ xie lian trails off for a moment, and then frowns. ] ... I have known many of them, and was one, for some time, but it appears I can't use many of my abilities in this place, even if I try. How strange...
no subject
no subject
he looks thoughtful, for a moment, chin in his hand. ] ... Hmm. I'd thought perhaps some sort of high level demon or ghost - it is not uncommon for them to create large illusions to trap people in. But, the kids here don't have the tells of those illusory or disguised places - you can clearly see the detail and definition to them in ways you wouldn't be able to otherwise.
[ at this point, he's at least going to start looking for clothes to borrow, also. please god no more sexy nun. ]
...Though - when I spoke with a group of the children, they mentioned something called 'spectres'. Supposedly, these 'spectres' are why any adults left this place. Then, supposedly, after these spectres arrived, there was this storm that has caused these weather conditions... and at some point during the storm, some of the children claim to have seen figures like those on the tower. The winged ones?
[ angels, ]
...I was wondering if perhaps those are those who may have written us those very same notes. The children I spoke with said these winged figures told them to be careful, and they had things to take care of. Similar to the wording of those notes, don't you think?
no subject
. . . What did these spectres do to them? To the people here?
no subject
xie lian shakes his head, though, expression pulling into a frown. ]
...That, I don't know. They wouldn't tell me much beyond that. They said that the spectres only go after adults, though, and leave children alone.
no subject
But then. . . many of us may be in danger as well.
no subject
[ his thinking precisely. ]
I suppose all we can do right now is wait for those mysterious figures - whoever they are - to return, and do our best to protect ourselves as a group until then.
[ ...there's a beat, and he glances down at his uh. outfit, and then huffs a little. ] ...and certainly exchange our clothes for something easier to move in, just in case. Have you found anything...?
no subject
[Grabbing a large jean jacket from somewhere after a bit of rummaging.]
Things like this - it will likely keep warm, but I shall feel a bit silly.
no subject
I think perhaps we'll feel silly no matter how many pieces of clothing we pick through, here...
[ but the material of this little outfit is very scratchy and also it's incredibly revealing, so, that's probably okay. ] The warmer the better, though, yes? I'm the same - there's not a thing here that could even begin to compare to a set of robes...
[ rooting around, he pulls up a jacket made of swooshy material and then frowns at it, shaking it. it continues to make that swooshy noise. ]
What is this...
no subject
[No.]
no subject
[ no ]
Ah, but, I always wear white, so... perhaps not for me. Do you want it? [ holding it out!!! ]
no subject
[It's definitely pretty big on her, though, if it would have fit XL.]
If you prefer to wear white, we must find you something to keep warm. How about -
[Oh, she found a white jacket]
no subject
I've worn clothing with all sorts of decorations before, but never anything quite like this... [ the jacket has so many fringes. it can't be any worse than the god pleasing prince costume though, so. ] I think it will do, though. Thank you, Miss Susato! This was very helpful indeed.
no subject
You're very welcome. Is there a reason you only wear white. . . ?
no subject
oh!!! also white. xie lian looks very grateful for that, too, taking these absolutely wild pants from her, and then tilting his head a little at the question. ]
Mm... well, there used to be. Now, I suppose it's just a habit. [ a terribly boring answer. ] But, now I think it would feel strange if I didn't. Do you know what I mean?
no subject
Yes, of course. You must simply do what feels right. I myself have never become used to dressing in western styles, even in London.
no subject
[ O:!!!! genuine curiosity!!! he's also pulling out a couple new pieces of tacky 90s clothing as they talk. what are these ]
no subject
London! Yes! It is the capital city of Great Britain, which is one of the most wealthy and powerful nations in the world, and renowned as a center of science and literature. My country is quite eager to learn from their way of doing things, so from time to time students are sent to study there and report back on what they see.
I am a judicial assistant - I have trained to be able to assist a defense attorney who practices in the courts in Japan. So I was approved to join him on a study tour of the British court system.
no subject
...however! he listens very intently to susato's story, nodding along with her. it reminds him of his own travels, which feels like ages ago; xie lian smiles, face lighting up as she describes. ]
How fascinating! A study to an entirely different nation - is this "Great Britain" quite far from your Japan? You must be a wonderful scholar to do such things.
no subject
[But at the compliment, she gets a bit sheepish.]
Oh, not at all. Kazuma-sama was the one who was a great talent. And he had accepted me as his assistant, so I was invited to join him.
no subject
he nods, though. ] And this Kazuma-sama is your defense attorney, yes? What does a defense attorney do, if I might ask?
no subject
[That's a slightly complicated and sad question, so she moves on to the second part of it.]
A defense attorney stands up in court for those who are accused of crimes, and attempts to prove their innocence.