hugtopia_logs | (no subject)

♥ Who: Megaera & you
♥ Where: Out and about
♥ When: December 5th through like, the 8th let's say.
♥ What: Arriving and settling in
♥ Rating: PG unless something goes exceptionally off the beaten path of expectation.

i. buddy system; Dec. 5th

[Megaera's first thought is that it is infinitely more graceful and relaxing to wake up on a slab of stone in a mysterious temple than it is to crawl indignantly out of the Pool of Styx. Her second thought is "Master Hades is going to be livid", but she hardly has time to worry about that, considering the strange metallic - well they look like Shades crafted by Daedalus himself but - robots, they tell her, milling around and handing her things and trying to explain themselves before she gets violent. Of course, her whip isn't with her when she awakens and it's a good ten minutes or so until she's satisfied the priests haven't taken it, but she's not helpless without a weapon.

It's slow going, almost half an hour before they convince her to leave and stop demanding answers about where she is and why, but eventually the priests calm her down enough to escort her out the door. They seemed infinitely relieved to hand her off to the nearest passerby.

"Here's your guide to Havenwell! It's dangerous to go alone, so be buddies!" The priest chimes quickly, before hauling shiny metal ass out of view so that Meg can't complain. Or worse, demand more answers.

You are now stood beside a tall, pale blue woman with a lot of facial piercings and one wing jutting from her right shoulder blade.]

Blood and darkness. [She puts one hand on her hip, turns to look you up and down in appraisal.] Please tell me this is some kind of joke.

ii. Diacht answer the aggressive blue lady challenge, failed immediately; Dec. 6th

[The temple of Diacht was mostly alien to Meg, but it was the only place she could feel even the tiniest thread of familiarity none the less. Between the metal-bodied natives, the complete lack of warring mortals, and the strange atmosphere of warmth and kindness, the faintest hint of a divine presence was sort of soothing. That's why she finds herself there again as soon as she's able. She stands before the altar, arms crossed, appearing fairly calm and contemplative.

Except...the way her yellow eyes burn, it could be reasonably assumed she's trying to figure out how best to kill the inanimate object. As though it has personally transgressed her. After a few minutes of tensely contemplating trying to break it in half, Meg turns away from the altar and stalks towards the exit of the temple. She's had enough of praying and talking to inert stone.

Unfortunately she's not accustomed to adjusting her path - typically people dive out of her way - and promptly walks smack into anyone between her and the door, looking half surprised and half irritated at the interruption.]

iii. wildcard day; any time after her arrival on the 5th up to the evening of the 8th

[Wildcard prompt! You can pm this journal, message me on discord @ rad shiba#3388, or contact me on plurk (

runebranded) to plot or you can just hit me with whatever! Meg should be wandering and looking at settling into an empty home, or standing in the temple of Diacht, trying in vain to contact literally any divine entity that will tell her how to proceed. She's also liable to start exploring soon after arrival, so anywhere is fair game.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Only guesses, nothing concrete. There actually isn't too much rhyme or reason between folks who show up here- you'd think they would want more cuddly types, but I don't see a logic in that one. You've got chronic hand-holders and touch-averse types showing up side by side.

[She's gonna make a wild guess, based on the woman's expression and the attitude she's currently exuding, that handholding isn't high on her priority list.]

I've got a feeling it's totally randomized. They put out feelers and grab whoever they find, whether they're suited for this or not.

[ Well that's terribly inefficient, especially with no guarantee that they won't pluck a violent rose from the bunch and do more harm than good. Meg sighs and lets her hands drop from her hips. She doesn't quite look defeated, just. Tired. Half to herself, she mutters: ]

Well, I suppose if that's the answer, that's the answer. I don't exactly have to like it for it to be true. Fine.

[Then, to Lup: ]

I don't believe I ever got your name. Mine is Megaera, for the record.

[Lup nods in vague approval of that standpoint; the fact that she can accept it with that attitude tells her that this lady's got a solid head on her shoulders. Always good to see, especially around here.]

Name's Lup. Nice to meet ya.

Likewise.

[ She scans the surrounding crowds and buildings, which are beautiful but also completely alien. There's a lot to think about, a lot of questions she's guessing don't have solid answers. Not to mention, she has no home, no spare clothes, no income or guarantee of her needs being met. Meg hates to admit it, but she does need some help or direction. ]

What now? [ Presumably Lup didn't come out here to greet newcomers specifically, so Meg figures she's interrupting some task or errand. ] Do you want me to tag along or do you have time for a crash course on the city?

Ehh...

[She glances up at the sky to gauge around what time it is. Still early enough...]

Yeah, sure, I can tour you around. You've just seen the temple so far, right?

[What temple even is this.]

Yes, so far.

[ Meg looks up at the building, the intricate carvings and the open air design, the gradient patterns and the deep red and stark white tones. It's not as gaudy as the gem-encrusted pillars of the House of Hades, but it's pleasant to look at. Except that it makes her think of blood and sacrifice, with the red oozing over the white stone like it does. ]

The people here must be really devout. Mortals don't build temples like this unless they're really sold on a God's power.

You clearly haven't been around enough mortals. At least, not in the outer planes of existence.

[Lup gestures for her to follow, taking the most direct path to the next temple. She's been here long enough to know the good shortcuts.]

Though I guess the bots of this place aren't all that mortal anymore. Undying bodies and such.

The mortals I've experienced are fairly selfish and put their resources into their own comfort rather than any form of reverence. Most temples are either plainly decorated or already ruins.

[ Meg sighs. While some temples were lavish and at least well painted, none were quite so intricate. Especially ones for Chthonic deities. Probably something to do with short lifespans and limited physical abilities. It wasn't like anyone from Olympus was climbing down the mountain to help lift marble pillars into place. She supposes they can't be blamed. ]

Undying, huh? [ Being from the realm of the dead, she's familiar with the concept of an undying form. These locals were just shades with extra steps. ] So this place is...sort of frozen. Since there's no growth without decay.

I wouldn't go that far. The people aren't decaying, but if you take a look outside the walls, the world beyond isn't looking so hot.

[Not to burst anyone's bubble, but it's best to not have any illusions about this place, good or bad.]

Is that so.

[ That's what happens when you mess with the natural cycle, Meg supposes. Imbalance and chaos will always follow mortal meddling. Though, she can't blame them for seeking ascension. Humans always seemed to aspire to more, without any regard for the consequences of such actions.

But she keeps these thoughts private, because she recognizes they're fairly harsh judgements towards people she doesn't know or even pretend to understand. ]

What's going on outside?

Death, gloom, and doom, mostly.

[Lup waggles her fingers in a vaguely menacing manner.]

Whatever happened here, the whole area's super poisoned. Lots of decay to go around. Can't say that it's especially safe beyond the wall.