hugtopia_logs | open, ota

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♥ Who: Bailey Beale & YOU
♥ Where: All around, check the prompts for precise locations.
♥ When: January 4th onward
♥ What: Arriving, settling in, and possibly tea.
♥ Rating: PG at most, I can't imagine things going that off the rails this early lmao

01 // become bailey's buddy // temple of ohma

[ Bailey brushes the cat fur from her dress as she exits the temple of Ohma with a priest-robot. They're unusual, but friendly, and she's chattering cheerfully with the one accompanying her. When she glimpses the city proper for the first time, she's stunned silent.

It's beautiful - nothing like the Neath, though the zee had beauty all it's own, just. Dangerous and mysterious beauty. This was a beauty that washed over her as a serenity she hadn't felt in a long, long time. The priest kindly gives her a moment to adjust. They use the chance to flag down a passerby - that's you - and politely request that you "be buddies with this newcomer, show her around if you would!"

Bailey turns her attention to her new buddy, eyes sparkling with joy, and reaches out to offer her hand to the stranger. ]

Bailey Beale, how do you do? [ She doesn't even wait for an answer, she's too excited. ] It's lovely here, simply astounding, please do show me around if you would? I want to see it all!

02 // havenwell hunt // network + fountain (UN: inkling)

[ Oh a scavenger hunt! But more importantly, a CHALLENGE!! A video feed pops up on the network right quick once she receives the list. ]

Is this on? Oh I think it is, wonderful.

[ Bailey smoothes her dress, beams at the camera. ]

I've received a lovely little list of tasks to complete! If anyone would be so kind as to assist me, I'd be so grateful. There's a fountain, I've noticed, that would be a grand place to meet up and start, don't you think?

03 // SNOWBALL FIGHT SNOWBALL FIGHT // anywhere, snowballs wait for no man or woman (or squid)

[ Bailey Beale does not often get to see snow in the Neath. There are pockets of it up north, but she rarely sails so far up that way, so this city is a treat. Well, it's been a treat from start to finish but it's especially wonderful to pick up the snow, feel this chill of it in her hands and...oh what harm could it do?

She can't help but lightly pack a little ball of snow. Once that's in her hand, there's simply no turning back. The not-a-winter-dress-wearing woman who looks like she escaped the 1800's (because she did) is hurling a snowball at the nearest person with a giggle and a shout: ]

Surprise!

04 // WILDCARD // anywhere

[ HMU with anything! I can be reached my PM, on plurk @ runebranded, or on discord at rad shiba#3388. Or just hit me with a wild prompt out of the blue. ]

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[The Ohma priest escorting Bailey seems to almost flinch when he makes eye contact with Dorothy. What's up with that? Well, it definitely isn't like the well-dressed young woman in the hat standing before them has earned a reputation among the staff at the temple after she slugged one of them in the face upon first arriving. Certainly not. That'd be unladylike! It's probably nothing. He sure does excuse himself in a hurry, though.

Dot, for her part, seems a little bewildered by the sudden task issued to her.]

Eh? Oh... yes, quite. I'm Dorothy Pratt. Just Dot is fine too, if you prefer. A pleasure. [She reaches out and takes the offered hand, giving a firm shake as she looks its owner over. There's something pleasantly familiar about her attire.] So...Just arrived here, did you?

"Dorothy Pratt" - what a perfectly sensible and lovely name.

[ She means that sincerely, too. A name worth writing down. This woman is dressed quite differently from the others here, although the others were mostly automatons and wearing nothing but sashes and scarves and the like. But she, too, finds familiarity in Dot's appearance and beams bright as she is put at ease. ]

Yes, just now, in fact! I must say it's a far cry from London and a bit too cold for my tastes, but this place is astounding so far.

[Quite the excitable and complimentary sort, this one. It's rather infectious - Dot can't help but smile as well.]

I knew it! [She draws her hand back and snaps her fingers, looking rather pleased with herself at this revelation. She's now 2 for 2 at successfully identifying her fellow Londoners here.] I'm from London myself, you see. [though her accent is markedly Scouse. Speaking of accents, if she didn't know better, Dot would almost swear she heard a nautical 'z' in that 'astounding'.] I could sense it right away. All told, I believe that makes four of us now!

We do tend to stick out, I must admit! I probably positively reek of the zee, too. It's wonderful to see someone from friendly shores.

[ Bailey's laugh is bell-like, clear as crystal. She's just filled with such genuine joy so often, it's no wonder Dot's catching the chipper bug. ]

Four! My goodness, this city won't be able to handle the lot of us if any more show up.

[There it is again! Unmistakable this time! A flutter of excitement quickens Dot’s heartbeat. Sure, these could just be coincidences. There are an infinite number of Londons out there, or so she’s been lead to believe. The odds of someone coming here from hers were likely astronomically low. And yet! And yet...!!

She leans in a little closer, her gaze eager and intense.]

Just now, you said zee, right? You’re a zailor?

[The deliberate emphasis she puts on the z makes her sound like a caricature of the variety liable to earn a bloody nose from a more salty zeefarer.]

Oh dear - I am, yes! I hope that's not too off putting?

[ She really hadn't considered other Londons yet. But if she had, she'd be equally excited by this exchange. Instead, she shows a bit of concern, worried that she's outed herself as someone undesirable for some reason. ]

[Dot takes the captain's hands again, holding them clasped between her own like she'd just found a precious treasure. Her face positively glows with excitement.]

Quite the contrary!! That means you’re from the Neath like me, aren't you?! [Her mind is going a mile a minute now. She pulls Bailey into a cheery little twirl.] Ahh, this is incredible! Truly incredible!! To think, here of all places!

Oh my!

[ The twirl is a surprise, but a pleasant one that she leans into, turning the little dance into a hug if Dot seems agreeable to it. ]

Are the other Londoners not from the Neath? By Salt, imagine that! All that they're missing out on!

[ What a strange concept an above ground London seems when you've been at zee for so long...In that sense, Bailey considers herself lucky to have bumped into Dot rather than having gone through the confusion of multiple Londons with someone else. ]

[It's a little bit more forward than Dot expected but happy as she is, she's certainly not opposed. She embraces Bailey like an old friend, giving a hearty pat on the back before finally pulling away, hands drifting around and coming to rest on the sides of her shoulders.]

I'm not positive, but I'd suspect not. Most people I've met seem surprised by the very idea of Falling a city. One poor young lady was in tears over it, even. [And you can hardly blame her, given Dot didn't really spare the details about how grisly the process actually is.]

So that I'd meet you here, like this, so soon after your arrival...? It beggars belief!!

[ "More forward than expected" is Bailey Beale's middle name. ]

If ever there were an argument for fate, eh? [ She laughs and clasps her hands together in excitement. ] Well! Are there any good places for tea here? I'll trade you some news of the zee for some news of what was going on ashore when you were last in London, but that sort of thing is always best done over tea.

Edited (wrong icon whoops) 2021-01-12 10:32 (UTC)

There's a cafe in town called Affurgato - they have fine tea. It's not British tea, but it makes do. [Dot chuckles and pulls away. The whole exchange has left her looking rather invigorated. She's still a little jittery with excitement, really.] Let's head over there now, shall we?

[She makes a small beckoning gesture and begins to head in the direction of the cafe] Do you have any questions about this place? I'll try to answer as best I can.

[The snowball hitting the back of his head was indeed a surprise. Gladio had been minding his own business, walking along the street, hoping to reach the cafe before his everything turned to ice.

He didn't expect the attack.

The place had been so peaceful up until now. He'd let his guard down.

The he...

[He cut himself off as he turned to find the giggling woman who had thrown the snow at him. Gladio lifted a hand to rub the back of his head and gave her an amused kind of smile.]

You're supposed to warn them before you throw the snowball.

But then it would hardly be a surprise, now would it?

[ A sane person might have seen a man as tall as Gladio and reconsidered pelting him with a snowball. (Un)fortunately, Bailey Beale is not a sane woman. She brushes snow off her hands as she approaches him. If she's going to converse, she should at least be within conversing range. ]

I do apologize, I simply couldn't resist. We don't see a lot of snow in the Neath - just lacre and that should not be thrown at anyone you don't intend to kill.

[Gladio just grinned and inclined his head in a nod. She had a point. What kind of surprise got a warning before hand?

He held off on saying much else until she was close and he wasn't calling across to her.]

No need to apologise. You didn't hurt me.

What's 'lacre' though?

A good question.

[ Bailey grips her chin lightly, pondering the question seriously. Scholars argue over what lacre is exactly - the only things really known for sure are how it appears and what it does. ]

Well it looks like snow, but it falls from the ceiling of the Neath. It's poisonous, but that's about all I know for sure. Some say it's made of frozen dreams. I could see that, I suppose.

[ She lights up again as she concludes. ]

Is lacre unique to the Neath? You don't have it where you're from?

Edited (wRONG ICON) 2021-01-06 01:19 (UTC)

Frozen dreams?

No, we don't have anything like that where I come from. [A pause] Or anywhere I've been. Might just be something from your world.

[More than likely it was. But something that looked like snow but was dangerous? That was unsettling.]

Truly, that's probably for the better. Nasty stuff. And awful for the skin.

[ There's some spatterings of real snow up North, but it's too dangerous to sail in that area long enough to enjoy it. But she'll spare him the boring details of frozen dreams that fall from the roof of Hell. ]

Snow is much more pleasant, even if it is a bit too chilly out for my personal tastes.

Sounds it... [A grin] Yeah, its real cold.

You know, there're better things to do in the snow than throw snowballs at strangers?

Is that so? No, I can't say that I'm aware of anything other than throwing snow at strangers-

[ She made a snow angel on the deck of her ship once, but then giant eels started headbutting the ship and she had to stop. But that's besides the point. ]

Oh dear, where are my manners - we are still strangers, aren't we? Bailey Beale, a pleasure, surely.

Gladiolus Amicitia. Gladio's easier.

[He grinned and held out his hand to shake.]

Snowmen. That's another way to use snow. Making an army of snowmen.

Gladio! You must be terribly tired of the "Glad-io to meet you" joke, so I'll spare you that, but know that I thought it.

[ She shakes his hand firmly. There's a surprising amount of strength behind the motion, despite how delicate her arms look. ]

Snowmen, eh? I can't say I've ever made one, let alone an army.

Thats... actually a first.

[And now that he'd heard it he wondered why Ignis hadn't ever thought to say that. He liked a good pun, after all.

As for the handshake, it had Gladio grinning. A strong woman? He could appreciate that. He never judged by looks, especially now.]

You've never made one, huh? Well lets fix that. [He looked around] Need to find an open space with lots of snow.

No one's ever made that joke to you? What a missed opportunity, that.

[ Bailey scans the surrounding area for a location that fits that description. To be honest, she's picturing a life sized snow being and wondering how in the world they're meant to animate it without shards from Polythireme, but she also suspects she may be a little off the mark with that. If Gladio wasn't familiar with lacre, he probably wouldn't be familiar with clay men, nor with the Neath in general.

She looks up at him thoughtfully. ]

How big would you say the average snowperson is?

Not that I remember.

[And Gladio was pretty sure he'd remember that. He'd have to have a word with Ignis when he saw him next. A missed easy pun? The scandel.

Depends on how high your reach is.

[A little gesture, a smile and Gladio was indicating Bailey should follow him to a little area of nearly untouched snow. It looked well enough. They didn't need a huge space, just enough snow to work with.]

So can be as big or small as you want. Depends on how much snow... [He looked around and laughed.] We've a surplus so that's no problem.

[ Bailey is happy to follow and eager to see what making a snowperson entails. Bailey is fairly short, perhaps only 5'3'' or thereabouts. She ponders her reach for a moment, looking from the snow piles to Gladio, although the latter requires her to look up quite a bit now that she's standing closer. ]

Well, I'm sure you can guess my reach is a little lacking compared to yours, but it'll be the detailing that truly counts, eh?

[ She's gonna make a snowperson with a tophat somehow. Just you watch. ]

[At 6'6", Gladio's reach was a great deal more than Bailey's, but he'd be sure to come down to her level.

Stepping out onto the untouched snow, his boot gave a satisfying crunch that caused him to grin and then he crouched down and began gathering a ball of snow into his hands, packing it tight as he did.]

How about this. You work on the bottom, I'll go top?

Alright!

[ Bailey emulates Gladio's actions, occasionally glancing over to make sure she's still doing it right. The snow is bitter cold, but she's enjoying the process. It's meditative in a way. And considering she's never seen a snowman and has no idea they are just balls of snow stacked on top of one another, it's a rather lucky break that she winds up repeating the process of "gather snow, create ball" until her snow pile has become significant enough to be called the bottom of a snowman.

She was initially picturing building an anatomically correct person, with legs and all that, but she's gotten a bit too carried away for that. When Bailey stops to appraise her work, she's a tiny bit winded and red in the cheeks. ]

Well, I've no idea how it'll balance on legs, but my fingers are just about numb so it'll have to do.

[While Bailey worked on her part, Gladio moved to another patch of snow and began rolling a ball of snow back and forth, gathering up snow as he went and patting it down to make it more solid. It didn't take him long to have a good sized ball of snow ready and waiting to be rolled up onto the base.

He stood back with a grin and looked over when Baily spoke and laughed.]

No legs needed.

[He moved closer, lifted his hands to cup them to his mouth and blew on them before he reached out and took her hands in his, rubbing them gently to get them warmed up again.]

Gloves might've been a good idea.

[ Having emerged from Diacht's temple and safely tucked the tablet away into his coat--more technology, robots aside, that he hasn't seen the likes of in quite a few centuries--he'd decided to take a look around and enjoy the place. Maybe treat it like the actual retirement vacation he means to take. Besides, the snow is nice!

Ah. Even the snow sliding down his neck collar and falling off of his chest is nice. Yep. Sure is nice.

A strained grunt chokes out of his throat, and he freezes in place to rub his neck. The tall, ornate man's usual calm face breaks when his brows raise and he shivers when shaking the melting snow out of his shirt. But he takes it in stride, and after a short sigh, he smiles politely. ]

Is that how strangers greet one another here?

[ Eheh...oops. This man seems like the formal type and Bailey admits internally that she should have looked at who she was pelting with snow before she, you know, pelted them with snow. This is not the best first impression to have of her and her cheeks flush a bit as she realizes it. ]

You mean to tell me you don't use the environment to harass potential acquaintances? Well, perhaps you shouldn't with the natives, I'd think they'd worry over rust.

[ Once the snow was gone, he couldn't help but smile and chuckle softly at her embarrassment. He couldn't count how many times over the millennia children decided to pelt him with snowballs, nor could he count how many times he may or may not have thrown some back at them. ]

Perhaps, though my methods aren't as direct as your own.

[She seemed very well meaning and gentle-hearted, so Zhongli seemed to brush it off quite easily for now. But she had better stay on her toes.

Still, being treated like a mortal among others was still refreshing in its own way. ]

Ah, them? I've noticed. While I wouldn't suggest testing it, I don't think they have much to worry about. They appear quite masterfully constructed.

Oh, are you not cold?

True enough! I've never seen anything quite like them.

[ So smooth and shiny and remarkably animated. Although she supposes after running into so many clay men, she shouldn't be surprised by animated non-flesh beings. It's just that these ones feel so full of life despite their metal carapaces. ]

It is a bit chilly for my tastes, yes. Why do you ask?

They are a marvel, and if they're as sturdy in build as I presume, then I doubt a little fit of water would ruin their chassis.

[ Were he more used to being mortal, he might have simply suggested they hurry inside. But as it were, he still sometimes forgot small things, hence why he started to shrug off his own coat. ]

Because I think you might make better use of my coat right now, if you like. You're welcome to it until we reach someplace warm enough. [ If she accepted the offer, he'd drape it politely over her shoulders, but if she refused, he wouldn't argue with her about it, and simply shrug it back up and over his shoulders. ]

You've never seen automata before? Normally I would say it's for the better, but the citizens here have been nothing but hospitable.

Ah, thank you! You are truly a gentleman. I don't often have regrets, but had I known you'd be so polite I might not have thrown snow at you. [ A mischievous grin as she accepts the pleasantly warm coat. ] Might.

[ She'd been shown around a bit earlier, so she does know where the nearest shopping district is, where they might find a café or similar to warm up in. Bailey is content to walk alongside him for now, but she may interject a suggestion of direction from time to time. ]

I've seen clay men, which are similar in that they are animated material. Quite full of life and soul. But nothing quite so sleek in design as these fine folks. You've had experience with these sorts of 'automata' before, though?

[ He bubbled with a bright chuckle, and smiled at her taunt. ]

Don't worry, I do intend to throw a snowball back, but all things will come in due time. I have no need to rush the matter.

[ His coat was silk-lined on the inside, and the ornamentation on it served nicely to keep it weighed down so any gusts of wind wouldn't so easily let drafts sweep up into the long-tailed coat. He otherwise walked alongside her, posture impeccable, and arms folded behind his back, heading towards what looked like a busier part of town. ]

I hope there's a suitable tea house here. But yes, I have had...experience with them, you could say. The ones I'm familiar with function just as smoothly and seamlessly, and have certainly withstood the test of time and duress, but I've not yet known any to contain souls. Not personally, anyway, though there were rumors.

But you've seen clay golems similarly animated to these automata?

Yes, a tea house would be lovely, especially with such brisk weather!

[ Bailey ponders the question, tilting her head in thought.]

Yes! Clay men, from Polithyreme - the 'land of the living' as I like to call it. Everything in Polithyreme lives and thinks as any human would. The main difference, to my understanding, is that these locals were flesh once. They changed the circumstances of their existence. Clay men, however, are born of clay and shards of the King of a Hundred Hearts. They're often looked down upon as lesser than men, but I've always found that very strange.

It would be my pleasure. I'm still a relatively new arrival myself, but I'd be happy to show you around the main areas of the city.

[She takes Bailey's hand and gives it a gentle but firm shake.]

Lunafreya Nox Fleuret. And this is Pryna.

[The snow white dog at her side yips politely.]

Lunafreya Nox Fleuret. What a positively melodic name, I love it!

[ Despite her thin hands, there's strength behind Bailey's grip. When she lets go, she clasps her own hands together in excitement. Many would be overwhelmed by such a wild change, but she's just thrilled to see a whole new world. ]

And I am more than pleased to meet you, as well, Pryna. Would you believe it's been years since I've seen a dog? Always loved them, but they're terribly unsuited for zailing.

[ There's an odd emphasis on the "s" in sailing that makes it sound like a "z". In fact, there's a hint of "z" in all her "s" sounds. ]

Thank you very much.

[Lunafreya gestures towards town in a silent 'shall we?' motion, though she's already so curious about Bailey's home world. It's obvious to her that the woman isn't from Eos, from her accent alone.]

Is that so? What aspect of sailing makes it so problematic for dogs in your world?

[Never mind that Pryna is no ordinary dog, but that's neither here nor there.]

Oh, zee monsters, mostly. All the dogs I've seen in the Neath refuse to stay below deck, don't want to be cooped up I suppose. But when the ship is struck they go sliding all over the place.

[ Bailey is happy to follow along - and even happier to talk poor Lunafreya's ear off. ]

The other reason is a matter of practicality, I'm afraid. A cat will keep the rats from the larder, but a dog is just as likely to raid the larder himself! Not to mention the smell of a wet dog is truly awful. No offense meant, Pryna, I'm sure you understand. But they're lovely to come home to, I think.

[Pryna yips politely, though whether it's understanding or offense taken, who is to say.]

So then, sailing for you is more of a long journey than something done for pleasure. Dogs certainly do seem an inconvenience given that context. Where exactly were you sailing to, if I may ask?

[ While this is not necessarily an instance of her working too hard, nonetheless there is something almost... tiring, about this snow, to Honerva, while keeping an eye on the outside of the Affurgato café and occasionally making sure the way in is at least, clear, so people don't come stomping in with their wet shoes and all.

So if Bailey happens to be walking by, she might have a sight of the woman--at least seemingly warmly dressed in a soft periwinkle-colored cloak, standing outside the café, while the snow in front of her seems to shift to the sides of a pathway with the forces of some kind of magical energy. Just use a shovel, Honerva... better yet ask someone else to, but she does not want to create an inconvenience for that. ]

[ The instant she heard of a café run by cats, Bailey wanted to go. It didn't matter how many times people tried to explain that the café was not actually run by the cats. She knows how cats work. She knows when someone's pulling the strings. Sigh...she does miss her own furball back in the Neath, but alas.

On approach, she sees Honerva and the moving snow and is immediately delighted. ]

Oh, madam! [ She breaks into a jog as she approaches, not wanting to miss her chance. Breathlessly, she introduces herself for courtesy's sake. ] Bailey Beale, how do you do? And if it isn't too much to ask, how in the world are you doing that?

[ Honerva glances up as the newcomer approaches, smiling to greet her as she does. And an introduction off the bat, even. ]

Greetings, I am Honerva. Is Bailey your preferred name?

[ So many people introduce with both names, sometimes in different orders, she's developed a tendency to ask. For the rest, she never quite knows how to explain her abilities; having a tendency to downplay such things. ]

This is a matter of applying energy to shift aside the accumulations. Although some would consider it more fun to simply call it using magic.

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open, ota

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OMG I mist have accidentally deleted this I am so sorry!

no worries! dw has actually been eating notifs recently, too

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3! ovo

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sorry for the delay!!

no worries! i'm a snail myself

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