(no subject)

[ateratmods]

Who; Everyone!
What; Pulse log; REMEMBRANCE
Where; Throughout the City
When; August 8th - 15th
Warnings; Will update when and as necessary


In the days leading up to August 8th, the city is abuzz with activity. Businesses in the Merchant district have posted notices they will be closed the following week in observance of something called “Remembrance”. The Aspects are absent this week, though that doesn’t seem particularly out of the ordinary, and it’s easy to get caught up in what is quite a celebratory time in the city. Harvests and meats are being brought in from the outlying farms, the main square is being cordoned into stalls for food, drink, and performances. The guard is more present this week, keeping a close eye on the organization and watching for any miscreants.

As the time of the festival approaches, a quiet excitement seems to thrum through the others here, young and old alike, and on the evening of the 8th, a commencement parade makes its way through the market district.

The procession, filled with musicians, dancers, jugglers, and the like, make their way from the fountain square to the center of the market district, where a crude stage has been erected in the square at the center of the market district, in front of the guard headquarters. It’s nothing fancy, but it does serve the purpose of bringing to the attention of those gathered those who stand atop it.

A tall man in a Guardsman’s blue uniform climbs the stairs, steel plates glittering in the midday sun. He has a stern countenance, and there’s a stiffness through his shoulders that suggests he isn’t overly fond of public speeches. He takes a steadying breath before clearing his throat.

“People of Aterat, those of us who were risen from its ashes and those of us who have been gathered to kindle its flame,” he pauses here for a moment, giving his address an air of gravitas. “Welcome. I am Captain Orson Khannar, of the Aterat City Guard. I was a guardsman before the Fall and I can tell you we stand as a shadow of our former selves, but we do stand. Two years ago, today, the Aspects descended from the Fountain, all that remained of our once proud land, they saw the ruin wrought upon it, and they began to weave. There was little of us left, but what stands was reassembled because we Remembered.” A cheer rises from the collected locals, along with a few scattered cries of ‘bless the Aspects’ and ‘long may Halcyn reign’. Captain Khannar raises a hand to still the crowd and after a moment, their cheers and raised prayers quiet.

“But we did not remember enough. This year, the Creator has provided, and we welcome among us memories from other worlds. This Remembrance, do not forget their sacrifice.” His tone changes then, and his piercing gaze moves across all those who have come here from elsewhere. “Outlanders, I expect nothing of you, but I offer you a warning: we are not your captors but we are your neighbors. As such, we will hold you to the same standards to which we hold ourselves. I am the Captain of your guard, and it is my sworn oath to keep this city safe from miscreants. That said, those of you who are willing and able, I would welcome your aid. Surely by now you have seen our fair city has its share of problems. My office is just there across the square.”

And with that bit of business handled, he directs his attention back to the crowd. “A Happy Remembrance to us all!” The crowd cheers again, though less enthusiastically, as a few look around at those gathered from other worlds, uncertain if they share the Captain’s willingness to welcome the aid of ‘Outlanders’.

The rest of the week is a city-wide party. The taverns are overflowing with merrymakers, there is wine and food for all, music at all hours of the day and night. Performers come out in droves, there are artists, artisans, and the like. If you can think of a festival occurrence, it happens at some point, though all the shops are closed for normal hours. It seems it’s quite the holiday, and you are welcome to invent whatever you'd like for a scene.

The Captain remains true to his word, and the Guard HQ in the Market Square seems to be the only place operating normally. There are regular patrols throughout the events, but Captain Khannar can be found most days in his office, upstairs in the HeadQuarters, should anyone like to question him.

Comments

Around - Jacob Miller [OPEN]

[brotherofagod]

PRE - AUGUST 8TH; AROUND & GRAY BUILDING

Jacob had no idea what he'd gotten himself into. This world was strange and unfamiliar but he was willing to take things in stride. He hadn't decided if this was good or bad. It was just another fact. Similar to the structures of the city itself; it just existed and there was no refuting that existence.

He just had to figure out what to do with the information he'd been given.

Jacob spent the first week wandering around aimlessly, exploring and people watching. It was unique but stressful. Each night he returned to his room in the Gray building and found himself sitting on the short windowsill to continue his inquisitive stare at the city streets.

It didn't offer him any answers or secrets but as the day's passed, Jacob decided that this was just another city and he'd have to find a way to live, just as he always did.

As the 8th approached, Jacob stopped and offered his help at the different businesses that lined market street. He was fairly skilled with a hammer and had the muscle definition of someone who regularly performed labor intensive tasks. Party way through the day he would tie his t-shirt around a belt loop of his pants but he didn't stop working until the sun had begun to set. Jacob wanted to spend as much time as possible helping the populace set up for the upcoming event.

AUGUST 8TH - AUGUST 15TH; AROUND

Now that the event was in full swing, Jacob didn't know what to do with himself. A lot of the businesses were closed for the week and while he'd made some friends among the city population, he couldn't find a job until businesses were opening back up.

He wandered around the various performances and found himself staring, watching, and listening to the music that played. He loved music and it made him miss his IPod. Once he found a performer he really liked, he'd find a comfortable place to sit and close his eyes to immerse himself in the song. Jacob didn't mean to wall-flower but he kept to himself and didn't look too ostentatious except that he was wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

Jacob could also be found at a few of the tavern's, drinking by himself and watching those around him. He liked the jovial atmosphere because it lifted his spirits and made him feel like he was somehow apart of the celebration.

More than a few drunks, men and woman, approached him to flirt or eagerly converse about the holiday. Jacob was polite but he didn't look entirely comfortable with these encounters. He looked more relaxed the more he drank though he always stopped and wandered home before he got too drunk to find his way.

POST - AUGUST 15th; HARBOR

Jacob took a seat at the end of one of the docks, staring down at the water as various thoughts fought for his attention. The sound of the waves lapped against the wooden dock and calmed the tension he felt knotting his shoulders. He hadn't grown up next to the water but he'd spent a lot of his free time by one of the nearby lakes.

It took him back to a time that didn't suck.

He fidgeted uncomfortably and would cast glances back at the nearby roofs of the buildings lining the water. He didn't know what he was looking for, maybe a masked stranger out to save those who didn't deserve what was coming to them or maybe he was looking for answers or maybe... it was nothing and he was finally going crazy.

He turned back to the water and ran his fingers through his hair. "What the hell is wrong with me?"

Jacob didn't want anyone to answer but at the same time, he wanted something concrete to hold onto.

post

[soulsword]

Illyana had come out to the docks specifically to get away from the festivities and crowds. More than anything she simply wanted to be alone. Between the shared living quarters and the sudden outbreak of celebrations she found herself more than slightly out of place. She could not remember the last time she had actually joined in a party of any kind. In truth she could not quite remember how to actually have fun like that and in a way it frustrated her. Perhaps even pretending to be a real girl would not be possible for after all.

After the pieces of her soul had returned she had believed that she would have been whole. That she could have been a real girl. Yet she found herself feeling nothing as she watched the dancing and laughter of the festival. It was for that reason that Jacob's words actually managed to ping her attention. Too often in her life she had wondered those exact words about herself. Even now she found herself wondering what was wrong with her and if she was still just a broken copy.

"You are alone on a dock talking to yourself," she said in reply to his question with a hint of a smirk. He clearly had not actually been looking for an answer, but she felt like saying something. "Some say that talking to oneself is a sign of insanity."

post

[brotherofagod]

Jacob's mouth tilted into an involuntary smirk. "It's only insanity if I answer myself." He turned towards the source of the voice and his smile grew. "Ah. It's you. The one I spoke to over the phone." He waved at the dock next to him, openly inviting her to join him.

There was a moment's pause as Jacob focused on the sounds of the waves lapping against the dock pylons. It was calming and it lulled him into a light meditative state.

"So, what are you doing out here? This isn't on the common thoroughfare. I'm pretty sure I'll be mugged on the way home."

[soulsword]

"Is that what they say?" She gave the smallest hint of a smirk herself in response and gave him a nod in response to his recognition of her. In the back of her mind it occurred to her that perhaps she should offer a name or something. Socialization still seemed foreign to her though and so she simple came closer and looked out at the waves with him. At least it was a bit more quiet here.

"Escaping," she said bluntly. "A mugging would be more familiar than the celebrations. Perhaps it would be a refreshing break even."

[brotherofagod]

He shrugged. "It's what I choose to believe. Otherwise I'd spend a lot of time in silence." He really missed his I-pod.

Jacob tried to relax but it was awkward with someone standing beside and slightly behind him. It made him feel like he was under watch, even though he was sure that she was staring out at the water.

"If you don't mind my company, you can sit here. Save me from any mugger since I'd probably just hand over what little money I have." He really wasn't much of a fighter. "Sides, then I can talk out loud and feel like I'm talking to you instead of myself. You don't have to answer of course."

[soulsword]

"There are times when silence is appreciated," she replied with a roll of her shoulders. Usually those times were when she was surrounded by the younger mutants who refused to stop speaking for any amount of time. How they had so much to say was beyond her.

She hesitated for a few seconds before taking a seat next to him. "Do you have no skills in self defense that you would just surrender so easily?" There was a hint of judgement mixed with amusement in her tone. What a simple life he must lead to not have been forced to accumulate at least some training. In truth she would be rather envious of having such a life. It would certainly be preferable to what she was given instead.

"If you said something worthwhile, I would answer," she turned her head to him and grinned.

[brotherofagod]

Jacob shrugged. "I've never liked silence. Can't always trust my thoughts." He had flooded his world with music to handle the torrent of pained and confusing memories but now the world was silent. It was a slow and steady weight but present and terrifying.

He'd much rather be annoyed than trapped in the uncertainty of silence.

"It isn't that." He replied simply. "I know enough to defend myself against another human but I'd wonder what drove that person to feel like they had to steal. What if they're hungry or they have a family? I don't know. I can always earn more money. I just need enough to eat. Anything else..." Jake shrugged. "I don't mind giving it to someone who needs it. It might save their life and the life of whomever they were going to mug in place of me."

Around - On The Wandering Home

[skyward_eyes]

He's familiar. It's been a while since Nida had seen the other man, but he's familiar. And lucky Nida, here he was walking back to the dorms himself, but from business other than drinking. He didn't dare risk the bottle these days.

Still, seeing Jacob, and knowing where he's come from, Nida can't help but follow. Not immediately, but definitely follow for a bit. Doesn't want anything to happen to him.

One has to wonder, though, if the man would even notice.

Around - On The Wandering Home

[brotherofagod]

Jacob didn't notice Nida trailing behind him. He wasn't looking at the buildings or people that made up this odd city but focused on the unsteady walk back to his apartment. He didn't usually drink this much and he honestly hadn't meant to get drunk but he was used to drinking light beers and the drinks here were much stronger than Miller Light.

He stumbled and paused at a building, pressing his forehead against his fist as he leaned against a wall. He wasn't going to get sick but he wanted the world to stop tilting.

If someone wanted to mug him, he'd gladly just give whoever it was all of his money to get them to go away.

[skyward_eyes]

People like this? They're likely to get themselves hurt. Nida heaves a deep sigh and moves toward Jacob. His hand moves lightly to touch the other man's shoulder.

"You need help back to your place?"

[brotherofagod]

"Huh?" Jacob turned to look towards Nida and for a brief moment, he had trouble recognizing him. "Oh." He shook his head, regretted it and closed his eyes to regain his sense of balance.

"Maybe. This wasn't the plan." Not that Jake really had a plan.

"I'll be alright in a moment."

Hopefully.

[skyward_eyes]

Geez, the guy was in a bad way, wasn't he? Nida sighs. He doesn't have many of these, so Jacob better be thankful.

Nida pulls a vile from his pocket, filled with a blue liquid that, when the cork was pulled out, would smell like soil and cloves, and would takes like cool spring water.

"Here. Drink this. It will help."

[brotherofagod]

Jacob wrinkled his nose as his fingers loosely plucked the vial from Nida's hands. "What is this?" He'd never seen a liquid like this before but it looked like something Micheal might hand him.

He didn't wait for Nida's answer but trusted the man and downed the blue liquid.

His fingers moved in front of his mouth but he kept it down.

Around - Sorry for the late!

[stickyflippers]

Hopefully Jacob wouldn’t mind one of the performers approaching, violin in hand as he breaks away from a group he’d jumped in to and tagged along with for a while. Caelan felt much better to be able to join them instead of watching all the time. It gave him a chance to observe the crowds, watch for anything interesting.

He found this whole festival rather interesting, and the new information on what was up with this world was helpful... but he decided he really didn’t care much for the captain of the city guard. It was just an occupational instinct more than anything else, plus some of the way he’d put things were... irksome.

Still, he’d spotted Jacob being harassed by some particularly friendly drunk folk and decided it was time for a break. Caelan was pretty sure he hadn’t seen the guy since his first day here! So he approached with a bright grin, “Well if it isn’t my lucky charm.” Sorry, Caelan hadn’t forgotten that (and wouldn’t), but he was only teasing. “Ya enjoying the festivities, Jake?”

Around - <3 I am late too!

[brotherofagod]

Jacob felt his face warm at the greeting. "Oh. Caelan. Hello. I um... am." His voice fell over itself as he tried to absorb the chatter of the drunks demanding his attention, the sudden arrival of this cute acquaintance and the soft hum of conversation around them.

He didn't spend a lot of time in bars or socializing like this. His sisters would be proud of him.

He turned to the drunks and politely interrupted them. "Excuse me. I need to catch up with my friend here." With that, Jacob slipped away before any protests could be voiced. He grinned at Caelan and exhaled a tired huff. "Hey. How are you? I see you got a violin. Was that you playing?" He was grateful for the escape.

[stickyflippers]

Caelan grinned lightly at Jacob’s expression, glad to provide a little relief from the noisy drunks that were so insistent on the lad’s company. He was pretty good at dividing his attention, focusing on one person while keeping his ears open for other important chatter. It was an occupational hazard, had to stay a step ahead of whoever else might be watching.

He did give the crowd a little wave (expression just a touch cheeky perhaps) as they walked away, before turning his attention on Jacob properly. “I’m as grand as one can be in this place, I expect. Finding trouble to get into, or trying.” His tone is joking, but he hasn’t forgotten the new guard guy’s comment on miscreants. He definitely counted as one in his own world, so that would be fun if it came to him being one here as well. “What about you, find anything worth doing yet in all this mess?”

The selkie held his violin aloft a moment later, pleased to show it to his friend. “Indeed, it was. Got this a little while back from that Raimon fellow. So, at the very least, I’ve got something to do in my spare time again.”

[brotherofagod]

Jacob glanced behind him, catch the gaze of a few of Caelan's new fans. He hadn't been paying a lot of attention to the specific players but if the bars reaction was any indication, Caelan was incredibly skilled, or perhaps a touch flirtatious. Jake didn't feel as if he knew him well enough to identify what it was.

"Mm?" He turned back, his light hazel eyes reflecting more of a seaweed green hue. "Oh, yeah? Is there a lot of trouble to get into? This place seems pretty low key to me but I probably haven't gotten around as much. That is- exploring. You seemed to like that."

He was a little more relaxed thanks to the alcohol but not entirely. It was hard for Jacob to relax.

"I haven't found anything yet. No cars, so I'll have to fall back on carpentry. You think the guy who got you your violin might be able to get me my ipod... and a magical charger?" That existed, right?

[stickyflippers]

The safest bet where Caelan was concerned was to say it was both and be done with it. He used both skills to his advantage more often than not, a tool to use and to gain some sort of upper hand over a mark. The genuine flirts tended to be followed by disaster despite his confidence, so they were a little fewer. “Not the sort of trouble I’m accustomed to, but enough for a little excitement now and again. Joined a group for something to occupy my time a little while back, called the Gullwings.” He shrugged a little, “They seem like a good enough lot so far.”

“I’m sorry to hear you couldn’t find what you were hoping for. It can be frustrating to have to fall back on other options.” Conforming and fitting into a new situation was bad enough without that. He was still trying to figure it out, as lucky as he was to at least find a group he got on with well enough so far. “I don’t expect you’d have trouble finding work as a carpenter at least, there seems to be plenty that needs that kind of expertise here.”

Of course, he still wasn’t really sure what an iPod was... But given how much time he had spent around Holly since arriving, he was getting used to hearing word that he didn’t understand. “Well, I don’t know what that is specifically... but if anyone can get it I expect it’d be Raimon? When I stopped into his shop about the violin, it was the very next morning that this was on my doorstep.”

[brotherofagod]

"Sounds like fun." Jacob leaned against the wall once they were a decent ways away from the hum of the crowds. He had hoped they would find a back table but the bar's were packed and there wasn't a place to sit and talk without standing close or rising their voices to be heard.

It wasn't bad but it was an atmosphere he wasn't used too.

"Really? I'll have to ask him. Not sure if I can though. An I-pod is a device that has my music on it but it'd need to be charged. Not sure how that would work here. If I do manage to get it, I'll show you. I'm not sure how much of my music you'll like." He had varying tastes.

His expression broke into a grin when he saw the violin. "It's amazing. You playing, I mean. I'd love to hear more." He didn't care for the sound of silence and not having his I-pod meant that he didn't sleep very well or for very long. It was starting to wear him out.

Pre 8th August

[provokedultimatum]

Jacob wasn't the only person who was helping with the construction, Atha had been putting her not-inconsiderable strength to good use hauling lumber and a wide variety of other extremely heavy and unwieldy objects.

"Mind yer head!" Atha's shout should have given Jacob enough time to duck before five large beams of wood sweep across the space where his head was previously located.

Pre 8th August

[brotherofagod]

Jacob ducked before turning to look at the person who had nearly decapitated him. "What are you doing? Watch it. Whoa!" He stepped up and steadied the other end of the beam for her, hoping to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. He wasn't overly strong, as much as any human, but he was used to lifting heavy objects.

"Where you heading? Let me help."

There was a gleam of silver around his neck where a simple cross rested against his clavicle.

[provokedultimatum]

Atha scowls at Jacob as he steadies the ends of the timber, "I'm doing the job I've been given." She snaps as she re-adjusts the timber on her shoulder and pauses.

closing her eyes Atha clearly forces her expression to even out from a scowl, "Sorry," She mumbles, "I'm taking them over to that set of stalls there, thank you for yer help."

[brotherofagod]

Jacob was taken back by the fierce snap but he didn't pull away. As angry as she was, he didn't want her to accidentally hurt or damage something. It was reckless and construction wasn't a place to be reckless.

"Yeah." He wasn't sure what else to say. He walked over with her, letting the silence hang awkwardly between them before finding something to say. "You okay?"

I am free from lesson planning hell to finally respond

[provokedultimatum]

Atha's shoulders hunch as she looks anywhere but Jacob, combined with the red tinge of a blush creeping across her cheeks, the woman practically screams embarrassment.

"Anger issues," She mutters, "Been trying to work on it but I've still got a lot to learn. I shouldn't have snapped when you were just trying to help."

<3 we can just be slow forever lol

[brotherofagod]

Jacob just smiled. "It's okay. I'd rather be yelled at than have someone get injured." It was an easy trade for him to make. "I do think you should try smaller tasks if you're opposed to working with others though. A lot of this stuff is working together. Don't want to put you in an awkward situation."