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[killerwaves]

INTRO

Whoever you are, wherever you were, the last thing you remember is the salty smell of the sea breeze and a distinct tickle of electricity across your body. Enough to cause alarm perhaps, but in the next moment it all goes black, or blue to be more precise. When you stir into consciousness, those fuzzy sensations are all that you have as an explanation, though there's certainly more to experience around you.

The warm bright rays of the sun, the rhythmic cresting of the waves into the shore, the unfortunate feeling of sand sticking to you everywhere, because you're lying flat on your back on a beach without a beach towel. At least you're not alone, and at least it doesn't seem like you've been completely dumped unceremoniously, as there's orderly space between you and the 27 others who share your predicament. Whoever left you here probably could have dumped you into a pile, but they have better manners than that.

However you decide to react to your sudden vacation, you'll find that you're dressed just as you last recall and that you have at least one possession of yours on hand. Whatever else you had on you appears to be affected by baggage routing, unfortunately. You'll also find a key inscribed with a particular bird and a strange device in your pocket, ostenstibly some type of cellphone from the period when blackberrys were all the rage. A pop-up window will greet you when you turn on the device, prompting you to pick a username (this pop-up can be ignored for up to 24 hours) and also walking you through a basic tutorial on its functions. For now, it seems like the public network isn't running, but the direct message function is availiable. It ends with a cheerful blurb instructing that "For further questions and help, please contact one of the hotel staff!"

As there's nary a soul that seems to actually work here on the beach proper, it might be worth it to explore. Around the resort are robots manning the buffet, sweeping, and even making cocktails if you want to drink your problems away. While they'll answer to basic commands, provide you with a map of the island, or even be happy to tell you the weather, they're incapable of engaging in any meaningful dialogue. Any questions or demands they can't answer will yield the statement to please contact the administrators.

Whoever they may be, but they'll show their faces eventually. Probably.

((OOC: Welcome to Last Resort! Poke a mod in the discord if you have any questions. The NPC meet and greet will take place at 5PM EST/2PM PST today! ))

Locations Cabanas PCs Network Device Main Nav

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Comments

[diabolizes]

I just might be that fond of drinking, haha!

[ He absolutely is, and he doesn't seem to be offended by it either. How could he be, when it's true? ]

And no, we're not in Vasilios. We aren't in China either.

[chrysaline]

[ Since he's taking it in such good humor, she gives in and laughs too. Although she trails off after a few seconds and turns to look out at the ocean again. ]

I've never heard of China, either. How strange. You don't think... perhaps we died, or something like that?

[diabolizes]

We haven't died, I'm sure of it.

[ He knows enough ghosts to know that this isn't the afterlife. ]

If you ask me, I believe someone used some sort of magic on us to bring us here. I felt it in the electricity all over my body before I awoke on the beach.

[chrysaline]

I suppose that's a relief...

[ He seems very confident, so he must know? She sighs and takes a soothing sip of her juice. Sugar will fix the worst of this. Maybe. ]

I felt that, too. Is that kind of magic common where you're from? People in Vasilios aren't granted powers like that.

[diabolizes]

There is a similar weapon back home that emits a purple lightning, but there was no reason for me to be struck by it at the time.

[ That would have been quite the shock to his system... heh. ]

Where I'm from, magic is a lot more abstract than taking the form of fire, lightning, or water. It's largely spiritual, borne from cultivation.

[chrysaline]

I see...

[ PUN JAIL FOR ONE THOUSAND YEARS

Psyche is making the wide, attentive eyes of someone who is trying very hard to follow. ]

Um... "Cultivation"? Does that mean you can train it? That's amazing.

[diabolizes]

[ I CANNOT BE CONTAINED ]

Essentially, yes! You create magic through your own spiritual power. Once it's strong enough, you can project that power outwards.

[ He doesn't know how complicated that might sound to someone from an entirely different place, so he tries to keep it somewhat vague. ]

[chrysaline]

So it isn't strange at all, where you're from! I can't really picture that. What kind of magic do you use, Sir Wei?

[ On the confusing spectrum of "alarming situation" to "strange but whimsical story" this is gradually sliding towards the latter. ]

[diabolizes]

[ Sorry, Psyche, he's about to turn it right back to alarming. ]

I use magic involving ghosts.

[ Also fierce corpses, but he'll spare her that little detail. ]

[chrysaline]

[ ????

That gets a long stare, like she's trying to decide if he's playing a trick on her. And then an even longer pause as she mulls that over. ]

Ghosts? Speaking to them, or...?

[ She stops again, apparently drawing a blank for what else someone could do with ghosts. At least he didn't mention the corpses. ]

[diabolizes]

Having them do my bidding.

[ He smiles. ]

Don't worry, I won't summon them right now.

[chrysaline]

That's kind of you. I've had so many surprises already today.

[ She's never had to consider in her life whether she's afraid of ghosts. Instinct says people are scarier, but if ghosts are just people then maybe...? ]

...Isn't that a little sad? For the ghosts?

[diabolizes]

[ He shakes his head. ]

They already have plenty of resentment built up that they aren't sad. [ But that just sounds sadder, doesn't it? ] I've made friends with quite a few of them, but truthfully, there isn't much you can do for their lot in life.

[chrysaline]

Mm... do you think so?

[ But he's trying to cheer her up, so she shakes her head after a moment. ]

I'm sure they're still glad to have a friend. I can't promise I won't be startled. But if you summon them around me, I'll try to get along with them, too.

[diabolizes]

[ Oh... that's a very sweet sentiment. ]

I'll warn you if I do, how's that?

[ He isn't in the habit of doing so, but he can for Psyche. ]

Though, to be honest, I haven't heard a single spirit since arriving. It's unusual for me.

[chrysaline]

Then I'm certain I'll be fine.

[ Probably baseless confidence for someone who's never seen a ghost... but him being so nice about it makes her determined to be strong. ]

...You haven't? Do people usually leave behind spirits when they die? I wonder if that means no one's been living here at all before we arrived.

[diabolizes]

It depends on the circumstances of their death. In some cases, the spirit of a dead human will stay. With a peaceful life and peaceful death, however, the chances are much lower.

[ He smiles, small and not quite as mirthful as all his others. ]

So, it's possible that those that have lived here before have all passed peacefully, or their ghosts have been taken care of by someone capable of doing so.

[chrysaline]

[ Peaceful life and a peaceful death... hm. She tilts her head a little as she studies that smile. ]

I can't imagine even a small settlement staying so perfectly peaceful for very long. Maybe if the spirits had someone else to send them along, like you said... It would be a little much if someone built everything here just the group of us.

[diabolizes]

I feel similarly. What with these things... [ gestures at the robo-bartenders ] it's unbelievable that we would be the only ones to step foot here.

[ If they were, it would feel sinister. ]

Perhaps they really have had someone here to take care of the supernatural previously. It's a nice thought.

[chrysaline]

Perhaps so. Maybe they're even still here? Someone must be, for them to bring all this food here. It can't have been simple to transport all this way.

[ But all they have is the robo-things Psyche doesn't understand. She still leans over to give the one behind the bar a little pet on the top of the head as if it were a real cat. ]

I wish they could tell us more. I suppose... whatever brought us here will have to explain eventually.

[ If the note of cheer in her voice is a little forced, she's still trying. ]

[diabolizes]

[ He thinks she's right about that. There must be a number of individuals helping with keeping everything stocked and running. Wei Wuxian smiles as she reaches to pat the robot on the head. ]

I think so. I'm sure some of us will demand an explanation.

[ He pauses, considering his next words. ]

It's alright to be worried about our situation, Psyche. Try not to be so cheerful that you make yourself feel even more anxiety.

[chrysaline]

[ That was a little too much, huh... ]

I just don't want to be one more thing anyone has to worry about. And I wish I knew what was happening at home. ...But I should focus on what I can do here.

[ She can practically hear Medea's voice now. "Move forward." Her next smile isn't as bright, but it's genuine. ]

Thank you. I think I'm lucky to meet a kind stranger so quickly. If there's something I can help you with, you'll ask, won't you?

[diabolizes]

[ He understands the desire to not be a burden, but at the same time, he thinks it's better to let yourself be one occasionally. Her genuine smile is nicer to see, even if it is less bright. ]

Of course I will! I presume that you'll do the same, won't you?

[chrysaline]

Since you've said you will. It's a promise!

[ She'll keep it as long as he will. It's not quite a toast, but she lifts the cup of juice to finish it off. It makes it feel official, anyway. ]

[diabolizes]

[ He lifts his own cup too, letting out a light laugh. ]

I keep my promises, so don't be surprised when I come knocking at your door requesting your company and help!