Pulse 001

[ateratmods]

Speaking Crystal

[Mid-morning, a familiar voice rings out over the crystals.]

Good morning, everyone! We trust you've settled in well! We'd like to meet you all formally and invite you to join us in the fountain square this afternoon! We look forward to seeing you there!


Who; The Aspects (Halcyn & Athony) and YOU!
What; The Aspects welcome their new summons to Aterat
Where; The Fountain Square
When; Thursday; Mid-day
Warnings; None I can think of. Will update if necessary



The Fountain square remains unchanged from your arrival, the multiple tiers containing archways all dim save for the one from which Halcyn and her counterpart, Athony, step at the appointed time. Around the fountain, though, have gathered artisans, performers, and salesman as well as recruiters. People are looking for clerks, delivery persons, and people to run small tasks for them. There are leatherworkers interested in hiring intrepid individuals to acquire more exotic skins for their trade and various other ways to earn coin.

And then there is a larger stall built into the back of a large covered wagon pulled by two oxen. It's set off a little ways from the others, either to set itself apart from the vulgus or simply to afford it room. Two people dressed smartly stand a bit apart from it and will encourage any passersby to come speak with the clerk behind the desk. Emblazoned across the side in intricate gold leaf are the letters "MGB" and the callers will inform anyone inquiring they are representatives of the Merchant's Guild Bank, and that they are willing to negotiate investment in any business ventures newcomers may be interested in...for a modest cut, of course. They assure the contract is thoroughly negotiable and urge you to speak with the broker in the carriage.

All business dealings cease when the portal on the highest level of the fountain activates and Halcyn and Athony step through. She is tall, lithe, with flowing red hair and an aura of goodness and life that overrides any attempts to read her mind. He has a darker aura, clad in deep gray armor with a gem-encrusted sword at his hip and a formidable shield strapped to his back. The murk around his mind is just as difficult to pierce, and anyone sensative to the flow of time would sense these two seem to exist as though apart from it.

They descend the dias to stand at ground level, equal to the gathered crowd, but when Halcyn speaks, her soft melodious voice carries as though its amplified, though there seems to be no source of amplification save for a subtle vibration of magic those sensative to it may sense.

"I'm so glad you all came!" She claps her hands together, clasping them before her before spreading her arms wide. "We have so much work to do, as I've told you all already. We have been tasked with the reconstruction of this world, and we simply can't without all of you. The reason why is complicated, but I can assure you we require nothing of any of you that you are not capable of." She motions around at the square and all those gathered here.

"The people of Aterat are eager to welcome you as well, but Athony and myself will remain around should you wish to speak more privatly. Again, thank you all for coming!"

With that, the gathering dispurses into it's former form, though the Aspects remain should anyone wish to speak with them.

Feel free to post top levels to meet and greet your fellow arrivals and to explore the offerings of this strange new city.

Throughout the city, not only today, but at random times, a new rhyme seems to have been picked up by the children at play, skipping rope or playing hopscotch, or dancing in a strange circle. There's a haunting quality to it, but maybe that's only because no one's taken notice of its existence before:

Traveler, traveler, what do you seek?
Riches and fame make oaken souls weap.

Traveler, traveler, watch where you're led.
One turn left, three turns right will take you to bed.

Traveler, traveler, try not to get lost.
The dwellers in the mirk may well be the cost.

Comments

Halcyn

[ateratmods]

Throughout the gathering, Halcyn moves through the crowd with practiced ease, stopping to hold light conversation with locals and smiling warmly in welcome to any newcomers who approach her, turning to give them her full attention.

(OOC: If you would like an interaction with Halcyn, please respond to this thread as it's being tracked and I'll be more likely to see the notification here.)

[tapestryoftime]

Syeira listens and waits. It's difficult because she cannot really see Halcyn like she did others. The woman affected the cloth but she wasn't a part of it... a seamstress? Was that even possible? She wished that Mami was here to tell her if such beings existed but the proof was standing in front of her.

Two who stood outside the flow of time.

She approached carefully, the layers of her skirt swirling around her ankles. Syeira was a little embarrassed. When she'd first arrived she had gotten sick after being separated from time and introduced into a new flow. It looked as if they had gotten that cleaned up...

"Excuse me. What-" There were many answers that she could find out herself but some that she could not. "What are you?"

[ateratmods]

The woman smiles in response as she turns. From her expression, it's clear she's unsurprised by the question.

"I am an Aspect. Simply, I believe most realities would call me a god." She glances briefly toward Athony before looking back to her. "We're both charged with different things, and we've been granted the power to see it done."

[tapestryoftime]

"Then you are a god but remain separate. What of your weave? That is... your time. If it is eternal then it'd be endless."

The thought sends a little shiver down Syeira's spine. She doesn't want to imagine what it's like looking at a tapestry like that.

[ateratmods]

"We aren't part of your weave, Syeira." She smiles, comforting. "We were sent to repair ours, but it's desperately short of thread. That's where you all come in."

[tapestryoftime]

"I know. I- it's hard for me to see my weave here. I can see the city. It's simpler here." There were less threads, less futures. "Who sent you? If we are to help... what is it that you want us to do?"

[arroganceandangst]

Aragibal had listened to her closely as she addressed them all. He may not admit it aloud, but he was interested in seeing what they wished for them to do and he was looking forward to helping the people here. He had heard that there was a guild here to help start businesses and he thought he might open a restaurant - his sister and friends always said he had the skill, but it was hard to do with two kids and being on call for the saviors of worlds.

"Excuse me, Halcyn?" He hoped he pronounced her name correctly. He'd had issues with names in the past. "I'm glad I have a chance to speak with you. I wanted to thank you and Athony for going out of your way to giving us all such lovely accommodations and for doing your best to make us feel welcome. I have no doubt that you both have thought quite long about how to make our stay most comfortable." This likely would have come off as rather fake if it were anyone else, but Aragibal was being absolutely genuine.

"I do not mean to sound ungrateful, and I genuinely do want to help you and Athony rebuild Aterat and I look forward to doing so, but I must ask: will I eventually be able to return home again?" It's clear that he left something important back at home and he needs a little reassurance before he can be at peace with being here.

[ateratmods]

The Aspect smiles at his address, amused and charmed by his earnestness, though there's a note of sadness in her eyes when he reveals his question to spite maintaining her smile.

"You are most welcome, Aragibal, and I can only assure you we will do our best to see you all returned to your worlds."

[arroganceandangst]

The weight that was lifted with that sentence was visible: Aragibal's shoulders relaxed and he almost seemed to just exhale the tension of his body. He wasn't quite ready to smile, but he did look more resolved.

"I appreciate it, Halcyn." He pauses as he debates if he should ask his next question. He decides that the worst she can do is deny him an answer, so he continues. "If I may ask, what is it that happened?"

[ateratmods]

Her eyes grew sad and distant, mourning, but her features relaxed into a mask of humanity. In that instant, she appeared wholly inhuman.

"The end of an Age."

Re: Halcyn

[provokedultimatum]

Atha is unmoved, her scowl might as well have been carved from granite with how permanent the expression on her fade appeared to be.

"Right. Lovely." Her tone just as unimpressed as her expression, "Why should we bother helpin' you?"

[ateratmods]

Halcyn smiles at the question.

"Everything you do, or choose not to do, helps."

[provokedultimatum]

"Right" Atha sneers, "Well if you're gonna be vague as shit on purpose then clear this ain't that important. You can send me home to my kids then if you're going to be like that."

[ateratmods]

"I understand your frustration, I do, but your return is not in my power. You bring with you everything we need. We don't need you to do anything other than live."

[provokedultimatum]

Atha huffs, an armoured foot tapping on the floor, "Well if you didn't bring us here then who or what in the Seven Hells did?!"

[stickyflippers]

Caelan had decided, if he were going to approach either of the aspects, it would by Halcyn. She seemed a little more sociable, and Caelan wasn’t sure that Athony would appreciate his usual approach to conversations. So as Halcyn gave people a chance to speak to her, he found a moment to approach.

He smiled one of his more charming smiles, and offered a polite, sweeping bow in greeting. “Pardon? If I might have a moment of your time, Lady Halcyn?” His tone was gentle, addressing her formally to sound respectful. Generally, those in charge liked that in his experience.

[ateratmods]

"Of course." She smiled in kind. "Speak."

[stickyflippers]

Caelan straightened, tilting his head thoughtfully as if he were trying to decide what to say next. He already knows of course, he’s just putting on a good show. “You’ve put together quite a festive atmosphere today, the performers are quite talented.” He gestured to the energy that had resumed after her speech, “I admit I’m a touch jealous, they’ve got some lovely instruments. Wish I knew where they’d gotten them.”

No, he’s not going to dive in with ‘What the bleedin’ hell do you expect me to do in a place like this?’ Caelan would rather get a feel for her temperament, her patience for random chatter, and if there were any slips in that pleasant demeanour.

[ateratmods]

She watched him evening, something like a cool, impassive but friendly smile playing along her lips.

"What is it you do in your own world, Caelan?"

[soulsword]

Illyana had spent the vast majority of her time on the edges listening to what each 'Aspect' had to say about the situation. For the most part it seemed as though they had nothing of interest to say. Or at the very least nothing of interest that they wished to say. Eventually, she approached the one that seemed to be more agreeable than the other.

"Who tasked you with the reconstruction of the world?" Illyana was nothing if not direct and to the point.

[ateratmods]

To be honest, after all the pleasantries she's constantly assaulted with, Halcyn welcomes the brevity.

"The Creator." That smile of apology only deepened. "There's really little else I can say. Our cycle was ended prematurely."

[soulsword]

"And who is your Creator? Or do you not know?" Again, Illyana was straight to the point though her tone was polite enough. There was nothing sharp about it or accusatory. It was simply a question asked of someone who seemed genuinely curious. "Why can your Creator not fix this?"

[ateratmods]

"They are...the Creator." She doesn't seem confused so much as at a loss for another term. "They are known by no other name. "As I understand it, the End was too soon, and much of what was was lost before it could be remade."

[against_descent]

Cassandra's lips edged up in something that was almost a smile. It wasn't the strangest thing that the Euthanatos had seen, someone being entirely out of time. She was fairly sure that she could be perceived that way herself, back on her adopted world. She was out of time--her own time. Likely it was more that Halcyn was something like a god, so time didn't touch her, either.

But that bore thinking about later. She tilted her head up at the Aspect. "You said the reason why we're here, rebuilding this world, is complicated. You could try me."

Not that she's being flippant in the least, but there are more things here now than were in Cass' original philosophy, and that was broad to begin with...

[ateratmods]

"I could, but the technicalities need not concern you." She smiles regardless. "You are here to help, yes, but there are no actions you need to take to do so."