| Without warning, the silvery light that appeared to bring new people from other worlds and old items from home appears once more, and this time it lingers, forming portals as tall as an average human near each of the three Ingress shrines. The location does not appear to be a coincidence; this time, the portals are translucent, revealing the destination on the other side. Instead of taking Avagi's residents to the future, it will take them to another world.
If they step through the portal, travelers will find something far different from where they've been living this last month: Kaittos, a peaceful world containing one large land mass and a scattering of lived-on islands across a clear blue ocean. On the mainland, a large city-state occupies the central region and southern coast and resembles what some travelers from some versions of Earth might know of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Bustling and lively, the city is clean and well provided-for due to the temperate climate and the bountiful natural resources found on its northern side; orchards, farms and forests extend into the distance, butting up against a small mountain range. The technology level is low compared to Avagi, with carriages and candles in place rather than cars and electric lights, but the craftsmen of the world have managed some very impressive mechanical feats.
Kaittans, the local residents of the world appear somewhat humanoid, but the bipedal race has hooves rather than feet, silvery skin and three eyes with vertical pupils. Although there is no sign of any other sentient species in the world, the locals are nonetheless excited to meet their guests, rather than suspicious or afraid; for some reason, they are not surprised that aliens exist, merely that they are here.
In the weeks to come, the stabilized portals will provide a respite from the more confined lifestyle aboard Avagi. Travelers are warmly welcomed and encouraged to explore the land. Some things they'll find include...
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With all their material needs taken care of, the civilization on Kaittos has come to highly value cultivation of the mind. The city itself is full of what can only be generalized as culture. Theaters, art galleries and sizable libraries can be found on every tier, but what they offer is not contained by their walls. Street musicians appear on every other corner, artists are easily found sketching at beautiful viewpoints or interested passersby, and people are as likely to find themselves pulled in to participate in a scene or improvisational performance as they are to witness one. Public debate and rhetoric are also valued, with credit given for style and clarity as much as substance. At the center of the city, a large conservatory teaches lessons in many fields to anyone who cares to study.
This love of culture is so encompassing that visitors who wish to acquire items or resources will find that culture is also the main form of currency. To get something, they will have to give something. Those with skills that fall into traditional arts and culture could offer a piece of art, a music lesson or participation in a debate with other philosophical scholars, perhaps. But visitors will also find that the locals have a deep hunger for information and wish to learn about other worlds; if they can offer nothing else, sitting down with a scholar to record a tale of folklore or an adventure from their own. Lessons in whatever skills they possess are likely to be eagerly sought after, although the aptitude to learn them may not be there.
For those who wish to gain resources or make purchases, a bartering economy does exist to a degree, but it is difficult to break into, as there is little that the locals would truly need from their visitors. The exchange of knowledge is much more prized. Keep in mind, though, that while the Kaittans are not ungenerous, they have an eye for value—the more precious something is, the more travelers will have to offer to earn it, and individuals have their preferences. What might be just the thing desired by one could be pooh-poohed by another.
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While many on Kaittos see food as the fuel that keeps their bodies going so they may better cultivate their minds, others see cooking itself as an art. This is especially prevalent in this section of the city, located deep in the heart of the city, where chefs toil over new recipes and experiment with new ingredients, serving meals free of charge—unless you consider sitting through a lengthy survey afterwards to be a payment, of course.
Although some meals are unpalatable or even dangerous to human bodies, most can be enjoyably consumed. However, around one in five chefs make extensive use of a particular herb that is incredibly delicious—and somewhat addicting. Those who begin to develop a dependency will visit again and again, and the more they consume, the more they may not want to leave at all...
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Spoken of in hushed voices, this section of woods is regarded with great caution. A space of around ten acres is home to many natural springs that form natural pools between copses of trees, many of which hang dropping branches with deep blue leaves over the surface of the water. If asked, the locals will say that this place is where some very old Kaittans—which are an extremely long-lived species—who have decided they've studied everything available in the world and mastered every skill they can, go to "renew" themselves. They prefer to speak of it in vague terms, as specific discussion of this choice is seen as something of a faux pas. If greatly pressed, it is possible to learn the details ahead of time—but difficult.
The truth is that the water of the springs, when mixed with a chemical secreted by the fallen blue leaves, represses memories of those who drink it. Not to the point of complete amnesia; a sip might do away with the recollection of a particular book that was enjoyed, while multiple glasses might hide the memory of a longer period of time. However, there is no control over what is forgotten, or how much is too much. The Kaittans who grow too frustrated with what they view as stagnancy drink to forget so they may have the joy of learning all over again, but the lack of control makes it a risky choice—and some continue to return to drink after they otherwise would have, as they have forgotten what they wanted to forget.
(Of note to those of the psychic persuasion: memories affected by the spring water are not utterly obliterated, but merely deeply sublimated. It is possible to retrieve them, but it would be a challenge, especially if the placement of the memory gaps are not obvious.) |
| While Kaittos’ architecture and culture includes plenty to admire, a few points of interest stand both literally and figuratively above the rest. Three large pyramids tower over the landscape, shining the brilliant metallic blue of a local ore. Over the coming weeks, these structures will be adorned with temporary murals and hangings—apparently, a yearly celebration is approaching.
What kind of celebration? The kind, fortunately (?), that visitors are welcome to join in! November 23 marks the anniversary of what they call the Great Awakening: a visit by a powerful spirit that opened their people's awareness to worlds and cultures outside their own. For the next few weeks, the temples offer welcome to anyone who wishes to participate in their trials. On the day of the Awakening, all who succeed will experience a remnant of the spirit's gift. While descriptions of the process vary, all center around heightened awareness: of each other, and of worlds and places far beyond their shores. Those who decide to make this attempt may choose which temple—and which trial—they would face.
Trial of Life
A test for warriors and scouts, this trial is not recommended to the casual. On entering the temple, participants will find themselves in a maze of obstacles and passages, struggling for survival against dangers both mobile and environmental. To succeed, they must pass inside with no more resources or weapons than can be carried in two hands, and survive for a period of five days. The attackers and hazards within the space are phantasms generated by the temple: solid enough to harm or kill, but prone to re-appearing even once a region should be cleared.
Needless to say, extensive warnings will be given to those expressing interest in the trial. Most who attempt do so in groups, and teamwork among participants is readily encouraged. Those who need to leave early are welcome to do so, but fleeing does count as a failure.
Trial of Communion
The inside of this temple is divided up into a series of open booths. Participants are assigned a station, and will be approached by members of the local population with various disputes that require arbitration. The purpose of the trial is twofold: to assist others with their problems, and to test those making the attempt—in patience, debate, and their skill at resolving conflict through the use of words.
No authority is granted to those taking this test. None of those who come before them are obliged to listen. The participants will be presented with conflicts that have been saved up through the year, and required to work out a solution. This can include anything from property disputes to marriage arguments to literal children's squabbles. Breaks are allowed for food and basic rest, but otherwise, those taking the trial will need to spend five days in continual discourse for the sake of others. Those who give up on any problems brought before them or resort to violence in solving them are considered to have failed the trial.
Trial of Healing
The third temple presents no dangers, whether to one's life or to one's sanity. Instead, it serves as a medical center. Those stepping inside will experience a strange peacefulness and sense of comfort—one the full-time staff confirm has helped many patients to recover. While this temple is open throughout the year, the weeks preceding the Awakening are nonetheless a time of gathering: when healers of all disciplines will come together to assist those in need.
While doctors or healers are welcome to share information with their peers, no special skill or training is required to attempt this trial. Instead, participants are asked to spend a period of ten days doing whatever work is required to assist the sick. While most of the ailments brought to the temple are longer-term in nature, it also functions as a triage center for those harmed in the Temple of Life. |
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thisavrou_log2017-11-09 08:50 pm
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Waistband. Invest in a sheath and belt of some sort. Tuck it in your shoes. There are myriad possibilities, really.
[And that should probably alert him to the fact that they have more than a little experience regarding the care and feeding of weaponry of this caliber. Assuming that wasn't, you know, glaringly obvious before now.]
One can't take it off you if they don't know it's there.
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(It was already plenty obvious to Eddie, yeah. He didn't need any more confirmation, though all that certainly was it. Eddie looks at himself and awkwardly puts the shiv into his belt. He frowns at it, moving his leg up and down to see if it'd stab at him. At his hip, it didn't, but he definitely didn't want to keep it like that.)
Well that's gonna have to wait til I get something better.
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[But there, see? He's adaptable. Resourceful. Most humans are, assuming he is one. They feel reasonably safe in making that assumption; they could be wrong, but at the present time, they doubt it. Too much of him resonates with what they understand humans to be.]
One must be inventive if one wishes to endure in the long-term, after all.
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I'll try my best. Maybe I'll even look for a baseball bat.
(...That reminds him a bit. He doesn't know too much about Chara generally speaking- but he does remember those red eyes. So he cautiously tests the waters of his own curiosity.)
Do you know what baseball is?
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Yes. I am familiar with the concept of baseball. Though the only aspect of the sport of note is the fact that a bat makes a formidable weapon.
[A pause, before they add, almost as an afterthought:]
Particularly when one adds nails.
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(It's the first time Eddie's heard of such a thing and yet, he instantly brightens. Now that was something he could visualize almost at once.)
The sport itself is pretty fun. You take the baseball bat and you hit balls with it and then have to run around a giant diamond and make sure that the other team doesn't get you out with the ball if they manage to get it in time.
(It was a pretty poor description. As a rule of thumb, Eddie isn't very athletic, but he...Does really like playing games. He looks a little excited, maybe, but it's hard to tell since he also looks kind of nervous.
Eddie, you caaaan't! Your lungs can't handle it...!)
I can always show you if you want. How to play it, I mean. It's something to do.
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[Their tone might be difficult to define, largely because they’re trying for the same crisp disdain hey so favor and ending up more in the realm of utter bemusement. He likes baseball? Of all things? Is that a boyish thing to do? They assume that it must be. The sheer unexpected nature of the offer is enough to withhold what doubtless would be some sort of scathing commentary.]
[Maybe they’re curious. Vaguely.]
Where would you assume one would obtain that number of interested players?
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(He wasn't about to say 'you seem otherworldly and demonic' because that was A) not particularly polite and B) not entirely true. Inhuman, definitely, but Eddie wouldn't use the word 'demonic' simply because for him, 'demons' meant something very particular. It was the same way in that he was reluctant to use the term 'monster' for Sans.
Eddie wouldn't say he liked baseball the way a lot of other boys did. He sure wasn't competitive, but the general concept of throwing around a ball, running around to get it, was just kind of pleasant to Eddie. It sort of reminded him of the things he wanted to be good at too.
His mouth opens and then shuts and Eddie looks a little embarrassed.)
Oh uh. I don't actually know. I always figure you can play most games by yourself or with only another person or two- even if it's a game meant for more people. I don't play with too many kids.
(Or rather, none at all as far as Eddie's memories were concerned presently. At least back home. Here, he had Laura, but that was still only one kid.)
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Neither do I. Can't imagine why that would be. [Added with a sharpening smile, as if that might take the mortified edge off his admission. They can both be relatively friendless by way of children their own age, look at that. Only that isn't exactly true in their case either, now, is it?]
There is an impressive number of children here, all things considered. That impressive number being "more than two," in case someone happens to be taking a survey.
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Which might be pretty naive of Eddie. He knew plenty of normal people were horrible. But still. Instinct was instinct and his gut never told him Chara was something to go running from.
He rolls his eyes and actually gives Chara a shove. It's playful and barely a touch, but there it is, something bold and oddly familiar. Like they've been pals for a while.)
Probably because you're a dumbass who tries too hard.
(Too hard at what, Eddie doesn't specify.)
I know you and I know Laura. Counting me, that's three, unless there's more I don't know about. I know a lot of teenagers though.
1/2
[The child’s expression blanks for an entirely long time after the initial brush of contact, slight as it is, before their shoulders snap into something taut and unyielding.]
[Its fair to assume he didn’t know. Unfortunately, that isn’t exactly their concern.]
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Do not touch me again.
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He gives a shaky little nod, his eyes rolling down to his shoes.)
I'm sorry.
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[They're breathing. Their limbs are intact. No one has grabbed at their shirt collar or hooked fingers into their hair. No one is attempting to envelop them in a poorly rationalized embrace. No one is near them.]
[It's fine. He's sorry. It's fine.]
[Torque it. Torque it because they can and they must. Turn it into a strength.]
You'd be surprised at how little some adults take that into consideration.
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Take what into consideration?
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[That'd be pretty ridiculous, would it not?]
That not all children are starved for touch.
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Now that is something Eddie has never quite heard of before.)
Starved for touch?
(Please explain. It seemed pretty common sense maybe at face value, but Eddie didn't always like jumping to the conclusion. He knew he was fine with touching his buddies, but the idea of wanting to touch was foreign to him still. Needing to touch...Well, that's a completely different ballgame than just touching and wanting to touch.)
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[They'd been too startled, too caught up in their own personal crisis of uncertainty regarding friendship and deviations thereupon, to fully grasp the entirety of what he'd been doing the first time. Now, though - now they've the wherewithal to address it.]
My...roommates, [a word delicately chosen, make no mistake] are of that variety. In a sense.
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He looks up then, blinking away his unsettling thoughts.)
Well, I'm sorry anyway. I'm really used to that sorta thing with my friends, which I guess doesn't make it out, but still. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.
(His earnestness is less afraid this time and far more genuine.)
I'll try to remember in the future. (He pauses, looking at Chara.) Who do you live with?
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[Surely that will end well.]
An absurd number of people. Three of them children, if you were curious.
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I don't have any roommates. It's kind of cool.
(Except when he had The Dreams and then suddenly it wasn't so cool. He was glad for it only because being alone in his room meant no one listening to him cry like a baby some nights.)
Our age?
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More or less. That sort of thing is difficult to discern out here. Does one still adhere to years when one no longer lives on Earth?
[Does one still age when one is dead? Ha ha.]
[A little joke of theirs.]
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Sometimes, Eddie thought squinting at Chara, Chara was a little hard for him to understand. What kid talked so advanced?)
Uh. That's a good point I guess. I hope so though because I really want to turn twelve in like, four days. (November fifteenth. Whenever that technically was.)
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Four days, hm? Congratulations. They put a mental note of...that. Four days. That's enough time, considering the amount of unwanted everything they have on hand.]
I'm not honestly sure any other child can put a number to their age anymore. Time does not always flow regularly. [By which they mean it sometimes FREEZES FOR YEARS ON END, APPARENTLY.]
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...So...Wait. Are you serious? I'm not going to stop growing am I?
(He was already way too small. He wanted hair on his body at some point. He already was distressed the last thing he needed to be was a wet eel at 5'3 for the next God knows how long.)
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