♥ August (Achtom) Event Log

[hugtopiamods]

August (Achtom) Event Log

The time and day are nothing special; while most native and offworlders may be expecting something strange to happen, a slurry of bizarre circumstances, transformations or adjustment of attitudes and behaviour... instead, what arrives is a rush of warm weather, clear skies, and a rallying cry from the southern part of town: All Aboard!

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❥ PROMPT I: All Aboard!

The corridor is completed, and after a month and a half of steady work progressing well beyond the barrier, and the sound of tools hammering away above the rumbling southern storm has finally lulled as well. An invitation is sent out across the network:

Residents of Havenwell,

You are cordially and enthusiastically invited to partake in the maiden voyage of the Crystallight Rapids. We are to depart at 0900 on the 15th of Achtom from the temporary southern station. Our journey will take us into the storms beyond the city barrier in search of what else may exist beyond our borders. We intend to journey as long as the tracks are viable, barring any danger too great for the train or our staff to endure. We cannot guarantee the safety of our passengers, but those with great strength or the ability to defend themselves and those around them are especially welcome. If your spirit of adventure is high, please join us!

Those who venture out to the address provided will find an extended track (looped around to meet itself, to allow for it to turn around) through the corridor and into the edges of the city proper, and a small building set up as a much smaller version of the restored station out in the wilds. Resting at the edge of the track is the Crystallight Rapids. Sparsely decorated and built to be structurally sound more than beautiful, it is nonetheless standing out amidst the familiar architecture of the city. The front engine has numerous gleaming crystals embedded throughout its construction, and a line of crystals can be seen across each side and along the top. They are the same type of crystals that built the corridor, of course, pulsing with a soft light and built to create a protective, breathable atmosphere within the train as it journeys beyond the barrier, which means that for the first time, protective exosuits aren't required. It isn't a huge train- just an engine, a handful of passenger cars, and two storage cars. Functional and safe, with room for improvements and luxuries later, if all goes well. Being something of a test drive, this return-trip journey is free for any who wants to come aboard, but space is limited, so be sure to arrive on time!

The train will depart and venture first through the crystal corridor, and then into the grim landscape beyond with little fanfare. The tracks are in surprisingly good shape, all things considered, and those watching the windows might notice a handful of grimy robotic forms scuttling slowly in and out of underground shelters, poking at the tracks before and after the train passes by. It seems that whatever ancient technology existed ages ago had a high commitment to automated railway maintenance, and the shelters were equally well-built, so they're quite durable. Sections where those robots are not found, however, require a bit of extra work. The secondary storage container includes a set of extra pre-built railway tracks, and if the tracks ahead appear to be in disrepair, the train will stop and request volunteers to help out. There are a few options on how to proceed:

1. if you can't or won't help, swing by the dining area of the 1st passenger car. A few replicators are available for self-serve, and if you're feeling generous, maybe put together some lunch for everyone hard at work outside. You can get food, mingle with your friends, and admire the... gruesome wasteland out there. Maybe keep an eye out for whatever might be lurking outside.
   
   
2. assist with track repair. Brute strength and gentle mechanic hands are the combination they're looking for. Can you hold that tool for a minute? Can you hammer that metal bit into place? Shine that light a little closer? Oh, perfect, thank you for your help.
   
   
3. search for the automated repair bots. For them to not be mending the tracks, something must have happened, and the train staff will ask for volunteers to do some search and rescue. A group will be handed a decent-sized crystal that one person will need to carry (they have backpacks available, don't worry); the carrier of the crystal should stay in the center of the group, so the light and the purifying magic covers everyone. The bots themselves are quite large, perhaps the size of a horse, so you'll likely need help to drag one back with you. Locals will be on hand to help with repairs at the train site. If all goes well, the automated bot will be fixable. If not, the map will be marked, the bot will be stored, and it'll be mended as soon as possible and returned to its duty. Be sure not to venture out too far while searching, though. It's quite dangerous still, and you wouldn't want to be left behind. When you hear the train calliope, it's time to go. Two toots, and the train's rolling!
   
   
4. guard the train. It's a wild and angry world out there still, and plenty of danger can sneak up on those at work while the train has stopped. The usual suspects can still be found out and about, but the further south the train goes, the harsher the storm, and with it brings the occasional miniature tornado, carrying within some odd-looking large shellwalkers that, when thrown loose, scuttle around in angry confusion and lash out at anyone (or anything, be it train or track or that crucial steam vent required to run your transportation) they come across with their huge claws. Sometimes they fall out of the tornadoes. Sometimes they'll try to snap you as it spins by. Sometimes, if you're unlucky, you might be picked up and carried off, in need of a rescue from an unexpected crab tornado. A crabnado, if you will. Where in the world are these things coming from? Either way, it would really help everyone else if you'd fight some crabs.

Overall, the journey will take most of the day, and in the last hour or so, those watching the sky will see something begin to shine through the storm: tiny glimmers of a bright white light, shining upwards and arcing like a rainbow, fighting its way through the clouds.

❥ PROMPT II: Welcome to Shoremere

After a good 6-or-so hours of train riding (full of stop-and-start for the nonsense going on above), the storm begins to clear, and a lull at last arrives. Entering the eye of the storm, the skies part, the clouds turn from black to grey to white, and at last your destination appears: a large rocky range, curved at the edges, tall enough to resemble a mountain. The tracks lead through a tunnel at the base of the stone, a dark passageway that at last opens up into a... city? Could it be? Above the tracks is an overhanging gateway with a barricade beneath (which is of course what causes the Crystallight Rapids to stop its movement). The gateway reads, in somewhat rusty and disused lettering: SHOREMERE.


(click here for full version)

The town of Shoremere is a moon-shaped cove, with a smattering of housing on the main shore that looks surprisingly like Havenwell's central. The buildings cluster together in collective neighbourhoods, like small creatures huddled for safety and warmth. One huge building rests in the back, opposite the train tunnel, bright blue and gleaming in the light of the open sun. A familiar statue can be seen in the town center, but instead of four figures, there stands only one: a soft-featured woman with finned arms and legs, gills on her neck, reaching joyfully towards the sea.

Ah, yes, the sea. It won't take long for new arrivals to notice it: a long stretch of yellow and blue along the inner curve of the town's crescent, where a beautiful beach of sand and stone meets open water, clean and blue for miles. On one side, a walkway stretches out into the sea, where houses have been built on sets of stilts or floating docks, Maldives-style. The other side has rows upon rows of trees meticulously planted, and a long building of semi-transparent viridian material is nearby, giving the whole area a visage of green. At the very tip of the south crescent stands a magnificent lighthouse, a windmill on one side spinning lazily in the sea breeze, the light of its peak shining for miles- those perceptive enough to have seen it through the train windows can now recognize this to be the source. The air smells of salt and sweet potential. Overall, it's lovely.

Of course, it isn't perfect. On the edge of that miles-long beachfront, the continuation of the storm outside looms loud and ugly, pressed up against the same sort of magical barrier that exists in Havenwell, ready to smother the town as soon as its protection drops. Flashes of lightning occasionally tear through the storm, giving the town something of a violent backlight that everyone tries their best to ignore. And the barricade at the end of the train tracks implies that the residents here were not expecting pleasant company any time soon.

Speaking of residents, the arrival of a noisy train at the edge of their home of course brings the Shoremere locals out of their homes to investigate with dread and curiosity, mixed. Visitors will find a mismatch greeting them: some are fully robotic like their Havenwell neighbours, but others are hybrid/cyborg adjacent. They possess the kind of animalistic features that the Havenwell natives have imagined recently, but with metallic limbs, whirring hearts, implanted eyes, hands that can interchange between fingers, tools, or weapons like swiss army knives. They keep at a distance and watch warily while their city's leader - a priestly-looking cyborg with avian-feathered hair and clawed fingers, one mechanical leg peeking out beneath his robes - meets with the lead conductor, and they speak quietly for a little while. When they part, he steps up to greet the newcomers and his own citizens alike, welcoming everyone to Shoremere and recognizing that, no doubt, they will all have plenty of questions, but so long as everyone treats one another with respect and courtesy, everyone will be free to explore and ask whatever they please. Shoremere is at their disposal, and unless someone causes trouble, they'll share and help in whatever way they can. Understandably, the conductor and the priest will have an awful lot of discussing to do, and the two of them wander off towards the center of town, leaving citizens and newcomers to fend for themselves. Maybe... go say hello?

Speaking with the residents of Shoremere will earn you plenty of questions. What is Havenwell like? Are the people doing well? How long have you been here? Are you all so squishy, still with all your limbs? Likewise, asking questions of the people here will net both similar and very different answers to what you'd get in Havenwell. Here is a shortlist of basic information about Shoremere:

• Most of the architecture is built through stone from beneath the mountain (which they mostly leave untouched ground-up as it acts as the perfect barricade protecting them from the storm) and driftwood from the sea, albeit after a round of purification and preservation techniques. However, there are some buildings made entirely from wood, thanks to the availability of swift-growing trees along the shore.
  
  
• The days begin with a dusky morning fog coming off the water, petering off into warm and sunny afternoons, and end with the cool breeze of the sea in the evenings. It's very balmy most of the time, the perfect vacation zone.
  
  
• Main industries and work done here includes sea fishing, produce growing at the greenhouse (that big translucent building to the southwest), preservation of aquatic life, and weaving from natural materials and the various plant life they've managed to keep growing here. Try not to faint at the concept of finding a real cotton shirt after so long using only synthetic…
  
  
• The people here struggle with long-term memory and history in a similar manner but for a different reason; at least half the residents opted not to go fully automated, and thus have retained their flesh bodies, outside of cyborg implants or replacements to reduce their consumption of biomaterial and keep their bodies working in top shape for longer. As such, they live and die mostly natural lives, and some parts of history are just lost to time. Most significantly: there are children, tiny flesh-and-blood creatures with adorable animalistic traits clinging to the legs of their parents and staring at the newcomers. The children, once brave enough to greet anyone, will have approximately eight million questions, so good luck getting a word edgewise.
  
  
• The lighthouse is the hub of spirituality in Shoremere, rather than any temples, and it houses the story of the demi-goddess featured in the center of town. The story goes that Shoremere struggled with violent storms for so long, that once upon a time there were essentially at death's door. One resident of town who was perfect and devout in all ways of life had over time developed the strongest relationship one could imagine with the Winged Lord, and for the sake of her people, she prayed that He might deliver their home from the darkness of the stormy seas. The two of them formed a pact, and through His blessing, she was consumed by the sea. (There is a good deal of philosophical debate revolving around whether this means she drowned herself, or was eaten by a giant fish, amongst other theories but none can say for sure which is true.) Through her sacrifice, the lighthouse was powered with a protective magic, and she was granted immortality as a demi-goddess subservient to the Winged Lord. While her actual name has been lost to history, the locals refer to her as Lady of the Lighthouse (or LoL for short). The temple lighthouse is maintained in honour of her gift to Shoremere, and it is the source of their town's magic barrier.
  
  In line with the above, the lighthouse acts as a protective tower, museum, and temple all at once. At the base of the tower sits an open basin adjacent to the main construction, where the water of the sea flows freely. It is equipped with polished stone seats where adherents can sit and commune or pray to the Winged Lord and the demi-goddess who protect their town, who wish to do so while resting in their aquatic element. The locals say that they don't exactly worship either for the most part, as the Winged Lord is long-deceased and the demi-goddess is not a proper god, but it is polite to be thankful to their benefactor, and many people have private in-house shrines devoted to other gods of their choice, so Havenwell's main four also have a place here.
  
  
• The tall blue building in the southeastern part of the arc is a vast aquarium, housing Shoremere's equivalent of Havenwell's zoo and botanical garden. Within is a preservation facility of the various species of aquatic life that once lived aplenty in their world. Large tanks house a multitude of species, some of which may seem familiar, others completely alien. There is also an outdoor area with an observation area above, and sections where visitors can walk down and interact with the aquatic creatures that venture close enough to touch. Particular species of note in the facility are:
  
  • Baemodus: resembling tiny sharks about the size of an oven tray, these are small and gentle carnivores whose unique feature is essentially "mood ring" skin, smooth grey flesh that is splashed with a sudden tie-dye effect of colour when touched. One can always tell which of them has been petted or handled recently, as they are varying shades of rainbow.
    
  • Guyro: large disc-shaped creatures that spin through water like frisbies, using intake/outtake water pressure valves to propel themselves. Once in a while they'll propel themselves right out of the water and hit visitors in the face; if that happens, their tenders politely ask that you frisbie-fling them right back into the water where they belong, thank you.
    
  • Nootjar: they are basically penguins. They have goat eyes and they shriek like potoos, but they're penguins. They waddle around wherever they want, including between your legs, onto your lap, into your luggage...
    
  • Thalassii:oh hey, it's those giant crabs. They live in the basement which there is an underground open water cove, and are very carefully contained behind reinforced iron fences. Do not pet these.
  
  Another portion of the facility of note is one section of the basement which features an exhibit of deep-sea creatures; these include pictures but no life example, most of which are about as terrifying as you imagine the words "deep sea" might conjure. On the other hand, the aquarium's whale-angler fish hybrid mascot is... unexpectedly adorable? Which is good, because his visage is plastered all over the place. There's even a cut-out to take pictures with him. Kids seem to love him, anyway.
  
  
• The northern greenhouse section of town is pretty vegetarian, as their primary source of meat in town comes from fishing. Lettuce, root vegetables (potato-adjacent), and corn-like stalks grow all seasons within the carefully cultivated greenhouse atmosphere. Outside, a subset of tree rows are devoted to the prime local fruits: Dika, the Aellyn form of mango, sweet and juicy in vibrant citrus shades, Gooba, which have a sour peeling exterior and a sweet milk-like pulp within, and Zaibe, which are heavy, hairy white shells that can be cracked open to access the fruit within. They smell like absolute death once opened, so generally their harvest is handled by the wholly robotic types who have no sense of smell, but the syrup inside is sweet as spun sugar and the soft fruit surrounding it tastes wonderfully lush either as shavings or in fruit cubes. It is encouraged that you handle with gloves or utensils, however, lest your hands smell for days.

Shoremere as a whole is quite active and easygoing, and everyone works hard day after day, but they'd be the first to admit that things have been awfully routine for a very long time. The shake-up of new arrivals is a welcome change, to be sure.

❥ PROMPT III: Let's Go to the Beach-each, Let's Go Get a Wave

If all of the above isn't enough to keep you busy in Shoremere, here's something left only briefly mentioned: the beach. The sun and sand call to everyone who ventures out of the train, and sooner or later you're bound to end up on the shore. If you neglected to or did not own a bathing suit, those can be easily purchased or commissioned by one of the weavers in town. Turns out the Zaibe outer shell fibers make for fantastic stretchy thread materials, and can be bleached and dyed to practically any shade. Swimsuits are also designed for the Shoremerans who have all manner of unusual body features, so they're used to quick custom orders and tail-or-wing based designs. The beach features a few miles of balmy, tropical water temperatures, and mostly smooth waves. Some things to do outside of swimming or sunbathing:

• Surfing: while the water is mostly calm and relaxing, there will be periodic bouts of large waves that loom on the horizon and sweep through the outer rim of the water within the barrier, and when those moments occur (generally for up to an hour each day), there is usually a rush of activity on the sand. Parents will bring their children into shore to wait it out or have lunch, while a handful of adventurous locals will grab some surfboards and rush out to enjoy the ride. Offworlders are welcome to join in the fun, and many of the locals would be happy to give instructions to those who don't know how to surf yet. Maybe you'll find your new passion?
  
  
• Fishing: a pond is all well and good, but there's something special about ocean fishing. The town has a very active fishery on the residential side, so if you're keen on giving it a shot, there's always a spare rod available somewhere amongst the community. Toss a lure off the shore, or join one of the fishing boats as they take their nets further offshore for the hardier prey. There are all kinds of strange alien fish to be captured, and the locals can teach you which are safe to eat and which are used for other things (such as lantern oil or armor scales). Those who join one of the net crew will be awarded their share of the catch, as long as they put in the work to earn it.
  
  
• Sweets: a Shoremere special! Since the beach fruits are so beloved and grow so well, they're very common in cooking, and they make for great desserts. The beachfront has a stand that is always open with a series of wonderful fruit cups, juices, and parfaits available for the thirsty beach-goers. However... well, it is the latter half of the month, so completely at random, the sweets may have some strange effects:
  
  • Dried Dika Sugar Slices: self-explanatory. for some reason, you may feel compelled to run dramatically through the waves a la Baywatch. Are you on camera? Whatever, you deserve to be on camera. Strut your best stuff.
    
    
  • Gooba Milkshake: a lovely citrus foam mixture with crushed ice. You suddenly really want to visit the aquarium and play frisbee with the Guyro. The Guyro would love it if you did. The aquarium staff would love it if you didn't. Only you can decide who wins that battle of wills.
    
    
  • Sweet & Stinky: Dika and Zaibe fresh cut bricks in sweet syrup. Nothing actually happens with this one, turns out. But the paranoia of something changing after you drink it will stick with you for like an hour afterwards, so you might be insufferable to be around for a while.
    
    
  • Trio Parfait: all three fruits mixed together with a sweet ice cream formed from Gooba's milk. You gain the ability to transform into one of the aquatic creatures of the region. That's pretty cool, right? Downside is, you can't really control it or pick which one. Maybe you'll be a badass shark. Maybe you'll be a seal. Maybe you'll be the potoo penguin and just wail annoyingly at people until someone throws you in the water. Thankfully it only lasts like an hour, so you can try another parfait to see if your luck improves. That shark is definitely gonna come to you eventually.
  
  
  If anyone questions the Shoremerans about these weird effects, they are most likely to sigh, "Does that not happen in Havenwell? Must be nice. The flavour's worth it, though." And really, it is. They're all delightful.
  
  
• Sleepovers: if you'd rather spend the night in town instead of returning to Havenwell, the locals don't exactly have a plethora of extra housing or hotels, but they do have a wealth of hospitality. Visitors will have a few choices in where to sleep.
        One: You can bunk with one of the local families (who would become your 'host' and be responsible for feeding you dinner and housing you for the night), which would be the warmest and most comfortable option, and will most likely net you a delicious meal, but can theoretically also come with a) gawking, fascinated children or doting grandma-types who talk your ear off until midnight, and b) the cultural expectation that when they come visiting in Havenwell, you'll return the favour for a night as well. This is a voluntary gesture, so no one will be housed with a local who resents their invasion, at least.
        Two: pitch up a tent, grab some blankets, and spend the night on the beach. Not the comfiest of ways to take shelter, but for those who like more privacy and don't mind the outdoors-y life, the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves can lull you to sleep quite effectively, and the night bonfires make for good storytelling or the toasting of s'mores.
        Three: have a sleepover at the aquarium! the least private, because it's still very much a public building, and there are no accommodations so you'll all be bundled together in a pile with pillows and blankets on the floor somewhere. But hey, the place has bathrooms, and wouldn't it be charming to sleep underneath the overhead tank tunnels, counting fish and imagining you're sleeping underwater?

❥ PROMPT IV: Tourist Exchange

Now that a safe route has been established, and once they manage to remove the barricade and fix the track so the darn thing can turn around again, the Crystallight Rapids will be making periodic journeys to and from Shoremere every day, once in the morning and once near sundown. The journey takes several hours, and may be subject to the occasional brief stop due to ongoing repairs (or the occasional crab crossing). Over time the journey will go more smoothly and safely, and by month's end will be at most 2 hours each way. Passengers from both towns are welcome, and after the maiden journey, are subject to a nominal dora fee for service and upkeep.

Since passage will be going both ways, that means that Shoremere locals will be visiting Havenwell, too! It will take some time for them to brave leaving town to a whole other city, but a slow trickle of visitors will gradually become the norm. Unlike Shoremere, Havenwell has plenty of spare housing, so there's lots of room for them to take up a temporary residence while they explore. Their focus will be trade for materials and tools they can't easily get in Shoremere (proper metal and metal-related tools, for example), exploring the zoo (their home has a shortage of land animals, comparatively), visiting the temples (many have never seen a full-sized temple to the gods!) and the entertainment district, which is significantly more muted back home. In short, Havenwell is being invaded by a lot of homebody furry tourists, and local businesses will see a substantial uptick in customers. It's going to be lively for a while.

Residents of Havenwell are absolutely fascinated (and smitten, let's be real) by the appearance of real physical bodies, and especially children, when some of the Shoremere families finally come calling. Some are rather grumpy about the noise and the mess, but plenty seem to activate their "doting auntie" programming and begin to spoil the kids. Said kids learn very quickly to take advantage of this generosity. Raise a glass for their poor parents. (The grumbling about noise and mess only gets louder.) The researchers in particular will be sent into a tizzy because the ancestors of their old physical forms will be here! In the literal flesh! And will probably be very annoying to the tourists, asking for samples and to study them. Their requests for research materials probably won't go over too well until they calm the heck down, though, so there won't be much progress on that front for a while.

Characters will be able to trade their resources with Shoremere in both cities- those who get apples from their replicators can trade for mangos, those who do mining or smithing can trade metalworks for wood, etc. This is a great opportunity to experience new things and gain access to resources you might have been missing within Havenwell.

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Comments

Machina Kunagiri | FFT-0

[tempusfinis]

All Aboard! Train Defense

[ It should come to no one's surprise that he's one of the first to volunteer to help. Carrying the protective crystal himself, he's alongside you on this mini-excursion to find the missing repair bots.  ]

A. Hey... Over here! I think I see one. [  There, through the howl of wind and cold, unforgiving darkness, is the entrance to one of the storage shelters for the repair robots. Setting his baag with the crystal down upon the dry, cracked ground, he begins to look at the contraption's access panel. ] ...This one's busted, but maybe the units inside are still working. Let's see if we can manually open it. [ And by "manually" opening it, he means using brute force. ]

B. [ After managing to free some of the repair bots, Machina appears to fuss over one of the bots' uneven joints. It seems he has some sort of intuition for machines and the like, a skill left untapped by being a soldier for a society based on magic, rather than the neighboring empire that focused on its technological innovations.  Whatever the case, he appears engrossed in attempting to repair the machine himself, which means he's not exactly paying attention to his surroundings. It is unfortunate, then, that his tinkering with wires and metal causes sparking sounds that overtake the call of low growls.

A pack of rive talons approaches, and it doesn't appear Machina is aware. ]

All Aboard! Train Dining Car

A. [ He's got protein powder. ] Hey....  Want some? I think we only need to mix it with some replicator fruit, maybe ice... [ ...Ew. ]  Or something.  [ He scrunched his nose. No, this doesn't sound appetizing to him, either. ]

B. [ Machina may need some good ol' fashioned hand-holding-recharging for spending most of the train's down-time outside of the train defending it. Naturally, he's been working himself ragged, and fighting against the beasts outside meant occasionally stepping outside the crystal's protective radius.  Find him sitting in the dining car, slumped in one of the seats, and if you're kind enough to lend him a hand to help, he'll take it and strike up a conversation. ] Kind of amazing how they got all of this up and running. I wonder how long it'll be 'till we get there.

Wildcard

[ Have an idea? PM this account, drinksteapots, or Jade294#6977! Most of these are train prompts! His city/beach prompts will be posted next month. ]

a!

[carbungle]

[What a relief it is to be outside and not in those stuffy suits! It's at least one factor that contributed to Noctis volunteering to assist, beyond the usual 'helping people is the right thing to do' (and nets experience, as Prompto might say). Another factor being, he's away from the goddamn train, which is giving him equal parts claustrophobic vibes and bad memories in general. Rather than be a bundle of nerves and misery, he's out here in the poison. ...At least this guy offered to carry the crystal, though.

Noctis spots the repair bot around the same time, and he leans over Machina to watch as he examines the panel.]

'Manually'... I get you. Stand back. [Time for the typical Lucian repair method, AKA smash. Once Machina's hands aren't in the danger zone, he calls out Ultima and slams it into the panel's outline, sinking in just enough to use it as a prybar and peel the metal backwards.]

Defense B!

[wakemelater]

[Nico isn't out here to help fix anything. He is 100% useless when it comes to machines or technology. But he has a sword and powers attuned to darkness. If only the darkness out here didn't also make him feel like crap. But that's a Later problem.

The Now problem is the rive talons stalking on the edge of the crystal's light, and a Machina that doesn't seem to be paying attention. Nico finds that surprising. Someone brought up to be a soldier should be more aware of their surroundings. Though, that is why he volunteered to be out here - to make sure no one working on the machines gets mauled.

He steps up behind Machina and throws up a wall of earth between them and the beasts, though one gets caught in the upheaval and goes flying into the dark. It won't hold them off for long, but it buys a little more time.]

Look sharp. We have company.

Devon Darconin | Original Character

[the4united]

Prompt I
A:
Devon hadn't had any idea what a train was when they'd been offered the ride, but he'd taken up the offer because it had at least sounded interesting. Now... well, now he's regretting that decision with every fiber of his being. It turned out trains were loud. Not only were they loud, they were also confined which meant the noise of all the people bounced around and had nowhere to go. He'd done his best to act stoic and try to ignore it for awhile, but eventually it had become too much.

He'd searched out anywhere semi-quiet on the train without luck. In the end he'd resorted to the best spot he could find: an out of the way corner of a storage car. Curled in a squat on the floor with his arms over his head, Devon struggles to hold himself together for whatever is left of the ride before he can finally get off.

B: Being off the train is a heck of a lot better than being on it. He can tell where he is in space again and can actually think! The fact that he's standing out there to combat any monsters that might show up? Doesn't bother him at all! He's leaning casually on his staff looking for all the world like he doesn't expect anything to show up. In truth, the casual pose won't impact his ability to react whatsoever. He doesn't even need his staff to protect the train if it comes to that.

Prompt III
A: There's water. Lots of water. He could feel it the second he stepped off the train and was immediately drawn there. He's never seen so much water in one place before. For a long time all he can do is stand there on the beach and stare at it. Eventually he'll slide his shoes off and let the water lap over his toes with a small, contented smile on his face. If anyone stands there watching for long enough they might notice that the water is actually swirling up his legs on occasion. Huh.

B: With that much water around there's no question that Devon is going to enjoy it. He can't quite figure out what everyone is doing with those boards, but he's more than happy to give it a try. Sans board of course. What does a water mage need with a board? He's out there enjoying surfing with nothing under his feet, and he's doing it with style. Small waves? Who needs those! He'll just create giant ones for himself and ride through them on his own two feet. He lets out a little "whoop!" of delight as the wave dies down and then literally walks out onto the ocean again to catch another. Yes, onto. He could swim if he wanted to, but eh, that's for another time.

A

[heir_of_dragons]

Tai found it almost impossible to sit idle on the train, so he'd been wandering through the compartments. It wasn't like he'd never been on a train before, but those rides were always done within an hour or so at most. They were commuter trains, not ones with dining cars or storage cars. So curiosity got the better of him.

He slid the door to the storage car open, peeking in first before entering. It was probably rude to actually poke around, so he planned to just keep going to see what car was next until he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Or, more accurately, someone.

So forget exploring further. Tai moved over to where he saw Devon curled up, kneeling down with a worried frown.

"Hey, you okay?"

III-A

[burntbridges]

Letha is equally drawn to the water - not by magic means, but by mundane curiosity. She's never been close to the ocean - she grew up on a large island, but was never allowed out of her hometown. She had only read about it, or heard tales from merchants that passed through Thornwell. Seeing it in person is... breathtaking.

She's managed to find a modern-looking sundress for the journey - she feels almost naked in it, without the pounds of petticoats weighing her down, but it's far better for wading out in the water. Which she is not currently doing, she's staying right at the edge with her feet firmly planted in the dry sand so she can talk to Devon with a bit of a shout.

"Is it safe to be out that far? No... wet monsters?"

If by 'that far' she means 'a few inches of water'.

Shinji Ikari | ota

[hedgehogsdilemma]

I
Havenwell had made a call for those who could help or defend on the first trek of the Crystallight Rapids. Shinji is not someone who is actually useful when it comes to fights against the kinds of creatures that are probably far beyond the boundary of Havenwell, and he has zero knowledge of how to get a train up and running should they need that assistance. He does, at least, have a working pair of hands that can follow instructions in a pinch, but most importantly, he has a boyfriend who is hungry for adventure. Ergo, he nervously claims a spot on the first trip out into the unknown.

He's antsy on the train. There are a lot of people and space is limited, and they haven't been told exactly where their destination might be, or how long the trip will take. It's just too much mystery to keep Shinji from letting himself get riled up, and popping in headphones can only do so much to distract him.

His group may have brought their own lunches aboard, but the suggestion to help out with food for the group hard at work getting everything up to speed is something he's capable of. Up for a sandwich from the dining area? He's putting together a few, and probably would be fine with sharing even before heading out to the working crew, though he'll make sure he's got something to step out of the train with when the time comes.


II
Oh.

The sea.

There's life out here, flesh and blood people, and the sea, it's honestly pretty overwhelming at first. It's such a drastic change of pace from Havenwell, he's not entirely sure what to marvel at first. The people? No, no, that's rude, but that doesn't make him immune to the chatterings of the local children, asking all sorts of questions without a care in the world.

Once that hazard is escaped from, though... well, how long do they actually have for this first trip before the train takes off for the evening? There's probably a lot to look at, really, but the sea... that sandy beach and those lazy waves, that's a good place to start. He won't go swimming, he won't even pick up a swimsuit for this first trip, but walking along the shore is completely doable. Just get a look at that view... You know what sounds nice? Finding a decently shady spot away from the water and just admiring this sight.

Wow.


Wildcard
[Somethin' else in mind? Throw whatever your heart desires my way or plot with me over on sandshrew Styles will be matched so come at me with prose or brackets I do not mind either way! Maybe I'll get a second top level up next month for more fun Shoremere-themed adventures instead of just first trip nonsense, ~who knows~]

1. start here

[whenyouneedme]

Musical interludes might not have done much to distract Shinji, but perhaps that adventurous boyfriend of his could be of service. While Kai was worried that Shinji was out here with him in the vast unknown, he had to admit that he'd probably be just as worried leaving him in Havenwell. This was better. He could keep an eye on him out here.

He could also greedily use him as a coveted point to recharge. Here he came slumping into their seats after running about outside the train. Here he was, he was fine. Here he was, plopping himself over to rest his head right there on Shinji's lap.

Hi.

The seaaaaa

[connectsthedots]

Dot catches Shinji from behind as he’s gazing out at that wide open blue. She’s carrying her boots over her shoulder, walking barefoot in the sand and taking it all in.

“First time seeing something like this?”

Her voice will likely come as a sudden surprise but at least the tone is soft and fond.

noctis lucis caelum | ota

[carbungle]

( I-a: i'm waving good by with two fingers for sure )

[So… trains. Trains kind of suck, for Noctis. The last time he was on one was among the worst days of his life: following the loss of one of his oldest and dearest friends, the fragmentation of decade-old bonds just barely hanging on by the sinew, the betrayal of his best friend at his hand, unknowing until it was too late, crashing the Regalia and his last precious link to Insomnia and his father. To call him restless on this journey is an understatement, and don't be surprised if you find him stalking up and down the halls of each car, always moving, unable to sit still for a second. He should probably be resting, especially between the bouts of monster attacks and rail repairs, but he won't be doing it much without prompting.]


( I-b. this is my year and i'm about to explore )

[Best way to burn off stress? Go smash some heads in. …At least, some monster heads, so as soon as the train falls under attack, Noctis is rushing out the open doors and warping headlong into the danger in a zig-zag of blue light, blade in hand and at the ready. He's fought giant crabs before, this is nothing! He's in such a rush he neglects to bring along a crystal, more often than not, so maybe someone should follow him and keep him in the bubble, lest he ends up poisoned on top of the anxiety-riddled depression.]

Bring it on-!


( II. i need a vacation why can't you see )

[The beach is Noctis' ultimate goal, so as soon as the sun rises the morning after their arrival, he's up early (!) dressed and prepped (!!) and standing on one of the docs along the beach, his rod already out and casting. He's socializing with the local fishermen, learning about what lures and bait to use, which fish are safe to keep and which to toss back. He's in his element. He's over the moon. Please come bother him, you will never see him as zen as he is at this moment. Ocean fishing is the best.

His fishing gear is always in the armory, but he hadn't known to bring a swimsuit the first day, so it isn't until later in the week that he's able to properly change and enjoy the waves beyond sitting in the sand or wading around. Normally his suit includes a spandex tank top with his shorts, but the longer he's here and the more comfortable he becomes, the sun is just tempting enough that he's willing to ditch it for once. It's more daunting than it should be for most, what with the mess of scar tissue lining his back, but… well, he's made progress, over the years here. He has less cause to be ashamed of it these days, and who can resist the heat of that sun on one's bare back?]

Breeze feels amazing…

[Yeah, this is the life. Can he move here? He kind of wants to move here.]


( wildcard: far far away, let's run away )

[Got another idea? Hit me up, Noct will be around <3]

Wildcard: Afternoon, Aug 30th

[kingkingcxiii]

[Sometime while he is on the beach during the afternoon of his birthday, Noctis will find himself approached by a strange, yet familiar creature. He's certainly seen Era's Carbuncles enough to recognize what this little guy is, but it's also in a color that he will never have seen before.

Well, colors if one is being technical, but whose got time to be technical when there is a mystery afoot? The Carbuncle is carrying a sleek, black box by its handle and sits near Noctis waiting patiently, with its tails wagging, to be noticed.]

train

[iustaegis]

Mm, Noct?

[ Ever since they stepped foot on the train, she's noticed the strain in his body. He's worried about something, or perhaps anxious, but of what, she doesn't know. Although she'd like to ask him about it, first.. a distraction might help.

And so she lifts a hand, wiggling her fingers to wave him over to her, leaning against the door to one of the passenger cars. ] I need your help with something...

birffday beach bf 😏

[iustaegis]

[ After their conversation on the train, she had been incredibly worried for him, uncertain as to truly help him, but as their time in Shoremere passes with days spent relaxing on the beach and fishing, his mood improves. It goes without saying that through all that he's been, he deserves some recreation and relaxation, time to be and enjoy himself away from trains and fate and destiny. As for Pyra, she couldn't be happier to see him happier. Indulgently, their time in this beach town has her wonder if this is what it could be like every day, if only they find a way to undo his fate.

...Which they haven't really been working on. Because, well. Beach.

But that's okay, too. ]

Mm, Noct?

[ They're walking on the shore, holding hands as they stroll. She's wearing a floral dress over her two-piece just for the occasion, which is hemmed just above her ankles, allowing her to walk without it tracking wet sand.

Today is a special day. ]

I have a surprise for you.

Prompto Argentum | OTA

[this_loser]

[ Train ]
I [The train is...It's cool. This is like, a really big deal, and he's happy he gets to be part of the train's first go-around. It's loud, in the way trains are loud, a constant rumble that should be ignorable after a while. But it isn't. The same way he thinks he should get up and explore the cars, maybe check out the dining cars, but can't seem to get up from the seat. His leg bounces with pent-up energy, and he offers a quick smile to anyone who happens to look his way before fixing his gaze out the window. The robots that come in and out of view are interesting, anyway.]

II [And when the train needs to stop to repair the tracks, he is one of the first out the door, happy to bang something back into place, or see if the skills he's picked up over the years are any good here.]

Let's get this baby back on track! [LOL]

[ Beach ]
[There's a beach here. There's an ocean. He didn't think to bring Qlulu for the train's maiden voyage - why would he? But on his second trip to Shoremere, he brings her along, excited to let her run wild in water deeper than their bathtub. While the mercat (a fishy cat, or is she a catty fish?) flips and frolicks, he wades in to keep on eye on her (there could be monsters in the water, or bigger fish).]

Watch out for fish hooks!

[ Wildcard ]
[Something else? Prompto will be all over this new town, and very definitely taking photos of every little thing.]

II

[tempusfinis]

...On... track. [ Small smirk! Okay! But now back to bsns. ] Let's.

[ And Machina is right there with him. Last time, he had forgotten to bring a tool box, but not this time! He's carrying both the protective crystal in the backpack and a small kit in his hand. ]

We should still be careful.

Beach

[the4united]

[Or there could be a Devon swimming completely underwater right up in the mercat's face. Who needs to breathe? Not him. He'll just hang out down here and inspect this odd sea creature he's never encountered before.]

i, because i live for the drama

[carbungle]

[Hello from one restless spirit to another on this train ride. Noctis is doing his up-and-down hall stalk when he spots Prompto, vibing with pure anxiety mingling with adrenaline, and it's almost tempting just to echo the smile and keep stalking than invite himself to the elephant-in-the-room party, but that feels like a dick move to pull on his best friend. It isn't Prompto's fault he's one of two people Noctis has a very hard time looking at when it comes to... train related... things. Because guilt is a beast that doesn't go away just because he apologized forever ago, not when the memories come back all angry and sharp just at the sound of a train engine rolling.

The indecision might show clear enough on his expression, but at some point friendship wins, because he splits the difference and leans against the side of the booth, facing the opposite window to watch that side. Mutual... scenery-watching. This is fine.]

Not much to look at so far, is there.

Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII | OTA | Shoremere Welcome Party Notice

[kingkingcxiii]

[Near the end of the month, those who notice things like flyers will start to see them go up all around Havenwell. Interestingly enough, shortly after their appearance in Havenwell, the flyers will show up in Shoremere too. Anyone who has dodged them to that point, though, will soon find they can't dodge them any longer as an announcement will go out on both Havenwell and the newly connected Shoremere network systems. Want to ignore the hubbub? Delete is your friend, but who really wants to miss out on a big party? Especially one where everyone is invited?

And yes, he does mean everyone--natives, off-worlders, and especially the people of Shoremere--as the party's purpose is to welcome the people of Shoremere and to celebrate the two cities being connected again. The party is during the afternoon and evening of the 10th at Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII's house.

Important notes about the party are as follows:

• Food and drink provided by the kind folks of Affurgato and Insomnia 2.0.
• Short flights provided by Deja and Vu for those who would like to see the city from the air.
  
• Fireworks and magic show provided at midnight by the Lucis Caelum clan--Ardyn, Noctis, and Regis.
  
• Guests are welcome to come and go to the party as they please while it is in process. After all, at least for the Shoremere residents, there is a whole new city out there for them to explore.

All questions, comments, or concerns can be directed to Regis via this post.]

ardyn | ota

[scourgingstars]

[ii;]

[Even with the train having been a less than perfectly reliable journey, Ardyn seemed entirely thrilled to be there. Even if he was...a little unsuitably dressed for the beach, in the usual long sleeves and under the shade of a dark gray umbrella he was carrying. He could be found all over town; animatedly chatting with the locals, wandering the aquarium in genuine fascination, gently detaching a yelling nootjar from his leg--you know, normal things.]

[All things considered, he looked unusually excited by his ordinary subdued standards. Weird, almost.]

[iii;]

[Given how much he looked to be enjoying himself, it probably wasn't too surprising that Ardyn opted to stay in Shoremere overnight. The umbrella had disappeared into his Armiger once the sun went down, and given how sleep was optional for him he'd chosen instead to sit on the beach and watch the ocean in what was probably quiet contemplation.]

[More than likely he'd be there for a while, or until the sun came up and he had to take the umbrella out again.]

[x; wildcard]

[train hijinks or anything else i missed, i'm down]

iii

[the4united]

[What's nighttime to someone who can't tell the difference between night and day? Just an extension of the daytime should he not be tired really. And why on earth would he be tired when for the first time ever he's around this much water in one place? There's just way too much to explore and enjoy.

Now not only is there something to enjoy, but he's realized that someone else is spending time on the beach at night. Not that Devon is exactly on the beach, but being in the water, or more accurately under the water, is close enough. It's time to enjoy himself a little bit. Had he been above water and Ardyn could see the tiny smile that graced his face he'd be afraid even without knowing Devon. Instead he gets no warning before the ocean water starts acting oddly. Instead of the waves receding, edges of them just stay where the were or continue to grow snake like tendrils toward him.]

ii

[carbungle]

[What's up, Ardyn. It's the nephew who was technically on the train with you but somehow dodged you the entire journey, or at least made himself a ghost any time your paths might have crossed. As soon as they're both a reasonable distance away from said train, nearer to the beach, Noctis makes himself known, striding past Ardyn to wade into the water, barefoot, boots dangling from his hand, trying to look casual as if the whole nonsense above hadn't happened at all.]

Geez, it's cold!

[iii;]

[kingkingcxiii]

[Ever since arriving in Shoremere, Regis has found it hard to stay away from the shore. Not only is the lure of fishing there, the mere sound--let alone the sight of the crashing waves--reminds him of home and how long it has been since he has been able to enjoy the ocean. Despite the urge to go straight to the beach, he holds off until he can learn more of the city and its people. As a result, it's night before he makes it there, which isn't entirely a bad thing since it means the shore should be quieter, something he will greatly appreciate after the chaos that learning a new city and people has brought.

He calls his new Carbuncle out so he can continue practicing with it, letting it run along the beach in front of him. It's bright colors catch what little light there is like a prism, casting it back out around it. All in all, it's not a bad way to spend the night.

It's several moment before he realizes that the Carbuncle has found a familiar face and now is trying to get a certain redhead to pet it. Regis can't help but chuckle as he continues forward to join his summon and his uncle.

Sorry for the fur in advance, Ardyn.]

ii - you can have this ho too, bc i thought of something funny

[necromanswers]

[What a peaceful evening. The moonlight is pleasant without being obtrusive, the breeze is soft, the air a perfect summer blend of hot and cold. The ambiance of the waves is the best ASMR one could ask for.

Suddenly the silence is broken by a thump thump thump of running footsteps behind him, and before he can do much about it a half-naked elf comes barreling past where he's sitting, wading right into the water at top speed until she's deep enough to dive into a belly-flop, disappearing under the water.

...And then her tossed, discarded tank top smacks him in the face.]

Kaito [mostly ota]

[whenyouneedme]

☾ i. Shoremere [open]
Gosh, Shoremere was a big place, huh? Maybe it just felt that way because it was something different, with a much different kind of alive going on. It tickled some far off memories in Kai’s brain of small ocean towns and places he hadn’t truly been since a child. If they had made it all the way, would it have been something like this? The thought was brief, distant, and easily swept away by the crash of a wave against the brand new shore.

In the moments where he was on his own, most of them were spent exploring. The Lighthouse was pretty fascinating, and he could be found reading some of the materials intently or asking if he could go up and see the big light do its thing. He was interested in peeking at the Greenhouse and some of the farmlands to see what he could glean to help out more back home (and also get some snacks). Surfing? Surfing. He didn’t know what he was doing. Watch him wipe out. There he goes.

☾ ii. Gooba Guyro Doo [open]
Snacks were also a hot time. Kaito was not afraid to put things in his mouth at least once, and being in a new place was not going to stop this trend. Was something weird bound to happen? Yes. Was he going to do it anway? Yes. They were delicious.

The dried dika sugar slices really seemed to hit the spot after bouts of surfing attempts for some reason, so. Enjoy that?? As the sunlight sparkled off the drips of water as he pushed his hair out of his eyes?? And his summer freckles were on scandalous display?? We are running dramatically after the surf board the ocean was stealing now??? Bark bark bark?????

The Gooba milkshake was what he was really after when he found out what was in it though. Give him that citrus. Hell yeah. He would end up at the aquarium and he would fling those sea creatures. It was imperative. He did not question it. Everyone was having a great time. “Head’s up!” Here came the discus.

Who could say if he managed to try the Trio Parfait at all. If you went to ask him, Kai was not there to ask. There was only Nootjar. Was the nootjar yelling? Yes. Was it also crawling into your lap? Also yes. Should you throw it into the sea with all the strength your arms could muster? Absolutely.

☾ ii. Camping Dates [closed]
When Shinji had gotten him that tent for his birthday, they’d all been pretty pumped for the idea of going camping in other fun places. How much of the speculation was just for Kai’s benefit, he didn’t know, but it was a far flung thought anyway. Still, it was fun to think about. So imagine the surprise that came with a new fun place to came showing up nearly immediately. Gosh! Wow! What perfectly perfect timing.

It should not have been a surprise then when he turned to each of his lovely partners with sparkles in his eyes. Did they. Want to go. Beach camping. Did they? They could go. He would gladly stow this tent away on the train and carry it down to shore. They could pick up some foods from around town and have a grand time. They could all pile together again and it would be really nice.

This time however was just for them. The grin Kai shot them when he finished securing the tent was theirs alone today.

Date Time

[hedgehogsdilemma]

Time alone, just for them...! Spending it on a trip outside of Havenwell feels faintly scandalous - it's like they're leaving Kyoko behind, even if it's only for a night! That hardly seems fair, even if he'd be completely understanding with the scenario flipped.

Even if he has some trepidation about absconding for the day, isn't it kind of exciting, too? It doesn't take much coaxing to get him out to Shoremere, out to the beach, out to setting up that tent with Kai. It's easier the second time around, there's a little more familiarity with the specificities of this particular tent, and it leaves them with plenty of time to enjoy the day. Just the two of them. What a warm thought...

"So... was there anything you had in mind for us to do today?" They could play it by ear if not, they certainly weren't strangers to taking days leisurely, but even just coming out here in the first place felt at least a little purposeful.

Vianca [ota]

[pinkmin]

✿ i. The Shore
For such a carefree locale as Shoremere, it sure did end up being a whole lot of stimulus overload for one very tiny pikmin. The adventure getting there had been a lot! A whole new place for someone that did not travel often was a whole lot! The sudden and very tangible presence of real children was… a lot! Everything was a lot and very probably too much. Vianca did not actually know what to do with herself. She might have been putting in the effort to try and be bolder than she had ever been, but this was more than she could parse alone. It was no surprise then that she’d quickly retreated to find quieter places to ruminate like the shore.

The closest Viancaever got to going into the water was when she let herself stand at the shoreline. Shoes and socks in her hands, she’d let the waves race across her toes and watch as the sand and pebbles raced away from her as the water pulled back. It was nice.

Other times she would have found a shady spot to sit, a tablet in her hands. Of course she’d found the library. Most of the times she was on her own, but occasionally there were one or two children somewhat close by. They all knew each other was there, but no one had breached the hellos just yet.

✿ ii. Shopping
Here was something that Vianca did not do often. In fact she usually did not do this at all. But she was here, staring intensely at a display of clothing. Surely the shirt that Kyoko had made for her so kindly was enough. But… a whole place where people with wings were still common…

Vianca were you going to go inside? Were you good? This staring was getting a little intense.

✿ iii. Petals & Pages
It took a lot of doing. There were many quiet visits to foreign libraries, many awkward chances on beaches. Eventually, someone worked up the nerve to get a ball moving. Questions about reading led to reveals about tiny libraries of her own back in Havenwell. If they every came visit, they could stop by. There were stories she could read them, if they wanted.

When tourists actually did start trinkling into Havenwell, Vianca made a new sign to set up in the storefront window. Storytime would be for a few hours each weekend. Anyone was free to come and sit with drinks and cookies.

Please mind the flowers and don’t jump on the couches, thank you.

I

[the4united]

[Vianca isn’t the only one who likes the quiet of the shore. Devon has barely left the beach both because it’s quiet and because it’s water.]

The waves are really nice today, aren’t they?

[Definitely not for surfing with how low they were, but it was the perfect amount to just wash over your feet while you wander the edge of the beach.]