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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
To...help you find your cat?
[ his entire expression is just Head Empty levels of confused. ????? ]
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The last boy who helped me save my cat asked to touch my breasts. Do you want that also?
[ (power voice) I don't know what humans want as rewards ]
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[ the speed and deadpan of this response,
anyway, he shakes his head after denying that. ] I don't need anything out of it - I just want to help, if I can. What does your cat look like?
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...He is a white cat -- with a black round spot, on his forehead. [ She points a finger on the orange cat in her arms, showing the exact spot. ] He is bigger than this one... and very warm.
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[ it's heartening, to maybe be able to actually help someone. xie lian hasn't been able to do that in what feels like centuries. finding a lost cat shouldn't be too difficult, should it? he lets some of that confidence bolster him a little further, and then nods! we got this! ]
You said his name was Meowy? Let's try and look in some of the buildings, maybe he's tried to get out of the rain. Where have you already looked?
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Yes, because that is the sound he makes. [ Simple, yes? ] I've looked around the streets and the boulevard with the ratty children, Cagne -- Cigare -- Cigazze, or another. Meowy is not afraid of the rain... at least when he has me.
[ Slight wilt. But it only lasts a second. ]
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[ it is! it's simple and very cute. xie lian's never had pets before, or ever really wanted one, so he can understand the logic! his own daemon chitters and resettles around xie lian's neck now that they've got somewhere to go, looking up as if to also help find this meowy. ]
Then, let's reunite the two of you quickly! I believe most of the buildings are unlocked, so... it should be alright to make our way in. At least if we knock.
[ no one lives there xie lian. it's fine. anyway! ] Shall we?
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[ The nicknames begin. But very well, she will adjust her umbrella in her hand and the cat makes it way to balance on her shoulders. Lead the way! ]
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...Right. [ hairbun... ] Oh - my name is Xie Lian. [ and with a little gesture to his ferret scarf as they start walking out towards the buildings - ] And this is San Lang. It's nice to meet you, miss.
[ theyre really gonna tear this whole town apart looking for this cat that is not here ]
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[ She doesn't sound derogatory about it though. She's just eyeing the ferret. She has never seen such an animal before!! ]
My name is Power!
[ It's okay maybe they'll manage to find out other things about this city while at it (WILL THEY). ]
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[ xie lian sounds a little bemused as he repeats it, but also a little delighted? what a cute name. that is what he is, yes! a furry noodle!! he laughs; san lang chitters a little and stands up on xie lian's shoulder, then puts his tiny little ferret paws in front of himself and bows his tiny little ferret head in greeting. extremely cute. ] Yes, something like that! He is called a ferret, I believe - though he has taken two other shapes in the time we've come to know each other.
[ thus the name - san lang, third son. ] It's very nice to meet you, Miss Power. Does this orange cat of yours have a name as well?
[ i believe in them. time to go knock on doors and poke around houses. ]
power's cat crimes
[ Even though it was but a tiny furry noodle comment. But she's listening when he explains. ]
Hmm, a ferret? That's new. I've seen cats and dogs and rats but never something that looks like a weird mix of all three.
[ ...But it's cute... cats are still better, but this one is acceptable. But then she's asked about her own cat and she harrumphs, petting her cat on the head. ]
This is Ritty!
[ Don't mind as Power commits casual home invasions because she won't knock. ]
power your nyas
Ritty, then. [ it may not be... uh, meowy, but at least it is also very cute!!
xie lian winces a little bit when she just busts into the houses but at least they are empty.... he will step ahead of her every now and then and knocks on doors first just to make sure, and then heads inside, calling out for meowy. here, kitty kitty... ]
nya nya nya
Yes! Ritty is ... hmm, well. Ritty is very important also. In a different way, but I am glad to have him too. Though I've never had anything like him before today.
...Is it the same for your animal?
[ Unfortunately she can't take a hint and won't stop just opening doors and walking right in. The few positives of an abandoned city. ]
no subject
[ and how strange that is. san lang settles again, snuggling back up tight against xie lian's neck while he makes sure nothing gets destroyed as they hunt for this cat. ] I've never had a pet before, let alone something like this. It's quite strange - it feels as if he's a part of me, though we've only just met today.
Certainly something magical, no? Have you seen yours change shape?
[ in one of the houses, as they're searching for meowy, xie lian looks under a moldy couch, and, cannot see anything. so, he just... picks it up like it weighs nothing. ] See him?
no subject
Pet? Oh, right. I suppose that's what humans call them. [ Meowy is, in every aspect of the word, indeed a pet. It's just a little bit unique. ] Though, that's the same for Ritty and I, that feeling you have with your animal.
[ She just glances at the cat, who mrrows and then jumps down from her shoulder, light -- and shifts mid-leap into a black fox, ears sticking up straight and looking at Xie Lian with a subtle pride in itself. Before it pads off, looking under sofas, whatnot. Pspsps. ]
He can do that. It's strange, I've seen things that can change shape but not like this.
[ She just opens a fridge (??????????) and closes it, sullen. That's an unspoken no about seeing Meowy. ]
no subject
anyway, his own daemon looks curious when ritty transforms into a black fox!! he's still sitting on xie lian's shoulder, but after a moment, san lang shifts form too - he perches now on xie lian as a small white rabbit, nose twitching as he looks down at the fox. ]
As have I. The creatures here are quite curious - particularly since they've simply appeared. [ normally, if a shapeshifter started following xie lian around, he'd probably be a little weirded out by it or at least check it to make sure it wasn't spewing resentful energy? but this one just... feels like him. very strange.
he sets the couch back down after he picked it up, with no sign of meowy. ] Hmm... onto the next house, I think.
If it's not too rude to ask - are you not human, Miss Power?
no subject
Of course not! I am no human, I am a devil! And I will rule the world and make humans suffer!
[ Such blatant statements in front of a baby god. ]
no subject
hm ]
...Why would you want to do that?
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[ Like, doy, buddy! ]
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Have humans been cruel to you?
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[ She scritches Ritty, though, as he comes back closer, and shifts back into cat form as if reading her mind. ]
I can only get along with cats.
no subject
... ] ...I suppose so.
[ devils, huh.
but, as they're finishing up with this house, xie lian shares a look with san lang, and then returns his eyes to power. ]
...Well...you and I are getting along alright right now, aren't we?
no subject
[ Anyone who likes cats can't be that bad!!! So yes, they are getting along right now, probably. ]
no subject
thoughtfully: ]
What if what I want is to become your friend?
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