WEEK 5

[killerwaves]

WEEK FIVE

21 Vacationers

The weekend sure was something, wasn't it? Tempers flared, explosions burst, and some were treated to an immersive sand bath experience. Come Monday at least, things seem quieter though not in the unnatural still way—the distortions on the islands have receded sometime in the night (with some impressive firework-like booms that may have stirred your sleep, at that; and the waves seem a little higher this morning) and the various amenities on the island have been made orderly again. Though, as always, some traces remain in the landscape; the waterfall looks like it has seen better days, though it's no longer in danger of coughing up debris on your head if looked at wrong.

This week like the rest brings new locations for you to explore, on Kakapo's Nest though it seems like only one of them really fits the vacation vibe. Hope you like snow!

!

WEATHER ALERT:

Bulletin:
Starting Monday morning and continuing throughout the week, pollen counts will be elevated. This is expected to last until late Thursday

!

TASKS:

Breathe Freely:
Enjoy the great outdoors with a fellow vacationer! It's never too late to appreciate nature.
(REWARD: RARE!)

(( Yes, only one task this week which is memshare with someone else. Have fun!
REMINDER: Task submissions are due Friday by 9 PM EST/6 PM PST. ))

(( OOC: Murder proposals are due by Tuesday at 4 PM EST / 1 PM PST, for the current week's murder, which is the last week of standard murder, week 6 being endgame!!

Also, as always, your admins can be contacted for a chat. ))

MONDAY • TUESDAY • WEDNESDAY • THURSDAY

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[dupiety]

...I'd like to see it sometime.

[It's no place for a human, he's sure. But when has he ever let something like that stop him?]

[passetemps]

[ ah. zelkov watches this curiously, noting the way merlin refers to fou here. the name means nothing to him, but it's interesting that a small animal like that apparently has a second, more formal one... and that it appears like it may have been around for quite a while. between this and its apparent role in sharing these memories, he may have been underestimating this little creature's importance.

he follows along as the memory continues, looking over to the girl in black himself, and silently appreciating her sense of style. ]

[necrotiem]

How do you keep your attention on them long enough to get to the bits that interest you? Oh, I'm sure I'd throw the book against the wall before long lol

Is the love in those stories the kind of love you want for yourself?

[mysticpowerbroker]

[ Quite a good question, isn't it?

It appears that Merlin's words have stopped her completely; while it is true that neither of them know one another at this moment, he knows the amount of magnitude his say have. After all, as a mage of great renown, it is well-known that his prophecies, his words of warning...

They are all rooted in a truth that can't be denied. Not when he is speaking them earnestly, even if a playful smile can be easily read upon his face. If he presents one, it isn't with a sense of light-heartedness.

Nor is it a matter of simplicity. It just is how it is.

But at the same time, these words are not something Merlin must have given to her. Unnecessary, in a sense. At the heart of the matter, he doesn't consider them to be spoken out of any concern for a stranger. He is a creature who feels nothing truthfully for anyone; emotions belong foremost to humans, not something like him.

At least, this is his own thoughts, intent on running away from the thought of personally investing in anyone. It is a truth he'll blind himself to however long it'll be. As it is, he's already thinking of departure day from this, certain that he'll be awaiting another potential worthy person. The question is, will he speak the very same words if another candidate so happens to present themselves?

"No."

Merlin blinks as he's busted straight out of his own thoughts. Still startled, he can only ask, "Are you sure?"

He can already see it. Those who will impetuously rise their blades against their rightful king in a distance future so far off. But, he doesn't, not truthfully.

She just simply nods, determined written across her face.

'A king is one who kills the most in order to protect everyone.'

Merlin doesn't have to wonder if that is a thought running across her head at the moment. It is surely certainly something she's thinking right about now. But, it's not the only thing, unbeknownst to him.

That drive...

There's a sudden change in their surroundings. The sound of metal scrapping against stone—

With a smile of her own, the soon-to-be King draws the sword from the stone, holding it proudly in her hands as the wind ruffles their clothing, and stirs the grass in the gentle breeze. Merlin plays on looking annoyed, turning his head away briefly as he sighs, asking rhetorically, "Ahhh, you’ve drawn the sword? You've chosen the painful path, haven't you?"

Yet, he's actually more than happy in the end, that she has made this choice at all. This sort of outcome is something he hasn't foreseen, so it's also entertaining, or rather, quite interesting to him. Indeed...the path forward is something that will be full of trials and tribulations. But only one she can forge ahead.

Still, he's here as well. So, what can he do but offer her something else as well?

"...Even still, miracles require a necessary price."

Merlin's expression shadows as it becomes unclear what he's talking about. The sword in the stone? Her future ahead? Something else...?

But then he asks, "O, King Arthur, would you trade for a miracle what you hold as the most precious?"

It is without question that this young woman, who will take on the role of King Arthur, will give up what it means to be "human" and be reborn into the Once and Future King. So, right away, the other woman opens her mouth, to answer in the affirmative...

This is the start of the legend, and he will guide her from beginning to end. No matter what happens.

No matter the consequences.

...And just like that, the memory comes to an end. ]

[necrotiem]

[Just a little bit of dissociating with friends on this fine day!

In her opinion, it's less awkward like this. All they need to do is make eye contact and move swiftly on with their days! It beats the worse vibes of being apart, possibly even having to pretend to have seen nothing at all.

This way, it's less a game, but also less of an inconvenience.]

Yes, so I saw.

But they must like having you there, too, I suppose, hehe, or they wouldn't budget for the food. ...What was it that had the little blue one so invested in this series, anyway?

[chrysaline]

I see it, I see it! The ears are a perfect touch.

[ the horrors persist but the little faces are adorable ]

I hope you don't tire yourself out like that. But if you really mean it, maybe you can explain some of the devices here to me sometime? I'll repay you however seems fair!

[chrysaline]

Mm... [ She gives a glance around that encompasses the entire mess. ] You're right. I'm sure everyone will need to hear about this.

[microtransactions]

Oh, don't worry about that! I won't explain it here but I am using another reagent when I do that so it's not like I'm pulling directly from my own reserves or anything like that!

◢(｡0ᴗ-)◣✧

But sure! I'm available ... well, most of the time here! I don't mind meeting up for a chat whenever you like if you have questions about something, though I can't promise I know how everything here works.

[idologue]

[ After surfacing from her own version of this recollection, Lacus involuntarily finds herself looking towards the sky. It's blue and beautiful as always, of course. Thank god. She exhales and then turns to Billy with a nod.

So he's the one who got this one, huh? ]

They're all doing fine, thankfully. The damage was minimized by efforts to break the colony wreckage up into smaller portions - and they landed far enough away that the damage to our own town was limited to resulting waves crashing inland.

[ Other regions were hit much harder. Lacus feels comparably lucky. ]

[dancing_flames]

In a sense.

[The look on his face now is a wry one.]

I wanted strength, and I thought that was the way to achieve it. Haru taught me otherwise.

Like you, it was a path I chose for myself. I'm not proud of it, but I can't say I regret all of it, either.

Wang Lu - divorce danger forecast

[chrysaline]

Did you really have an argument with His Highness?

[ You sit at a dressing table before a mirror as a maid frets around you. Lyn, your only ally, the spy planted by your best friend. Anyone else here would be fishing for information on Eros' behalf. Lyn's confusion may actually be genuine. ]

We didn't have an argument. We broke up.

I don't think that's what he thought. What happened?

[ You are not interested in answering; what can you explain about it, when your healing is more than a state secret? "He never loved me. He wants to kill me, and wrest the spark of divinity from my dead body." Even if you don't begrudge Lyn, others are listening. If you're silent they will tell Eros that you were fretful and regretting your impulsive decision. Medea would likely advise you that that would be for the best, tactically. It would appease his ego and might make him more measured in his next approach.

You don't feel like being tactical in the least. You draw your hair over your shoulder, running your fingers over waves that fall past your waist. You remember years ago telling him that you wanted to cut it. It's something you'd never done; the choice was never yours. But he frowned minutely and wound a strand around his fingers, told you he liked it long. And it seemed like such a small thing — for the one who gave you everything, who brought you up into the sunlight, surely you could repay that by making him happy in these little ways. You let the thought go.

Lyn is still talking, more to herself than anything, as you pick up the scissors. Her words break off into a yelp, a "my lady! that's dangerous!" You ignore her. Your hair clenched firmly in one fist, you bring the scissors closed in a decisive chop. It feels wonderful.

It still feels wonderful the next morning. The servants seem to assume you've returned to docility because you allowed them to clean your somewhat overenthusiastic efforts on your hair into a neat cut just above your shoulders. You smile prettily at Eros' envoy (arriving too early, Eros is showing his desperation more than he means) when the man bows and ushers in a veritable tower of gift boxes. ]

I've come bearing gifts from His Highness, Lady Psyche. He seeks to apologize for what happened yesterday. He hopes you will forgive him.

[ You're very sure he does. And you're very sure he doesn't know you well enough to doubt his success. You lift the first extravagant necklace in your hands and the messenger begins to extol its rarity, its value. He's too preoccupied with his efforts to question why you're making your way over to the window. What on earth do they imagine? That you want to study the gem in the sunlight? The thought makes you smile. You draw your arm back and hurl the necklace out the window.

The outcry behind you is too late. You're still beaming as you turn, your dressing gown swirling around you, and beckon them over. ]

Now... let me see the other presents. [ Next. Next. Next. ]

[passetemps]

...That is not a mindset to which I have ever been able to relate.

[ he doesn't like fighting and really doesn't care at all about strength, so long as he has enough to carry out his duties effectively. that way of thinking is much more kagetsu's thing than his. ]

But if you have been able to use it as a stepping stone toward becoming the person you want to be, then I'm glad that has been the case.

[townmusician]

yeah but what are you gonna do about it? haunt me?

[mysticpowerbroker]

[ A curiosity within the Mage of Flowers follows its way to be voiced into a question, which he speaks into the night, "What's wrong, Ana?"

Not 'are you alright', because after all, the situation they're in, fighting day by day, and sometimes night by night, ensures that such an inquiry is more or less superfluous; or thoughtless. There is no in-between. Yet, even as the young lady glances briefly back at him, she simply says, "Nothing. I'm just getting some night air."

But...Merlin gives a soft 'hm' that is inoffensive, and Fou runs lightly down Merlin's shoulder before hopping onto part of the wall to sit by Ana. Truthfully, Merlin's thoughts run in doubt, and it is plain to see that he isn't wrong, even as he places his staff against one side of the stone wall nearby. Though, the mage does turn around before he says, "From the look on your face, that doesn't seem to be the case."

He hears her sigh and then say, "I was just thinking...if it was too late to let them know what's going on."

Ah, that's right.

A potentially grisly truth that Ana has an intention of revealing, hm? A picture of how she plans to deliver her revelation paints itself clearly in the mage's head. So, testing her resolve, he asks, turning his head back to her, "Oh? Are you sure? I think it might even freak out Fujimaru."

"But even so..."

Merlin then says, "It's not good. Not good at all. Emotions in general, are usually something to be discarded. So, when you have a hold over them, it'd be a waste not to cherish them."

Seems almost unrelated, what he's saying, but he knows that line of thinking very well. What she intends to imply by saying those things, a truth she is hesitant in unveiling. So he continues to speak, "You're keeping your distance from humans not because you don't like them, but because they scare you. You're afraid they'll find out who you really are. You're afraid they'll hate you. That's an emotion hard to come by.

You could call it the conscience of the divine being you truly are. The conscience, or its lack, is the greatest difference between you, and...her."

After all, Ana certainly has no intention of wiping humans out with a level of thoughtlessness. Yet, if she speaks that truth, she will make no distinction. Doubtlessly trying to throw away those emotions without holding them close to her chest.

And so he finishes with, "To toss it aside would be a waste!"

A moment of silence for Ana's struggles. At least, Merlin thinks he's showing quite an incredible amount of generosity, even as she inquires, "So, you're telling me to keep quite and hide it?"

Merlin doesn't even hold back in his answer. "Yes. That's the smartest thing to do. What's wrong with a non-human hiding her inhumanity?"

A pause on his end this time, before he offers with a wry smile, "I mean I say that, but I'm no different."

Then, Merlin reaches out with his right hand...and there is a small pink light drifting from two individuals who are fast asleep, which are then drawn to his hand, dispersing upon contact.

"Because I have no emotions, I can feed off of people's dreams...and intake those emotions as energy. The reason I can keep on being so kind is because I'm expending the emotions I've gathered up to this point as fuel."

Otherwise, he'd truly be a being carved from utter despair, wouldn't he?

Ana point-blank states, "Merlin, you are inhuman."

Fou takes this moment to run back up Merlin's shoulder, as the mage speaks again, "That's right. We are literally inhuman. But there's no rule that what's inhuman must be an enemy of humanity, right?"

Ana blinks and then looks down as she admits, "That's true..."

"You're allowed to side with them because it's fun. Whether they love you or if you can love them is an entirely different matter."

Another moment of silence as the other asks, "Do you love humans, Merlin?"

Such a question asked isn't exactly wrong. But the hopeful note that she asks such a question with, as if ready to suddenly reappraise her impression of him. As some kind of good-doer, who looks out for people with an altruistic view, even if it's "humanity"...to that, he only has one answer.

"Of course not. As you know, I'm an awful person."

Fou looks at him like that, as if judging, but says nothing.

It's true. What he does isn't out of the benefit of anyone but himself. Time and time again, he's done unspeakable things for humans to persist; for those who he has served to seize victory at the end of day. So, any thought of perceiving him in a positive light at a time like this in such a manner, well. Merlin can't help but correct it.

"But even if I were to hide that fact, do you think Fujimaru would really care?"

"That's..."

"He will just accept things for what they are. That is, the fact that you and I stand by his side. So, there's no need to disclose your true identity."

That's right. This has just been about her, in order to not necessarily force her to his own opinion, but to choose a choice that doesn't end with her regretting her actions.

In the face of this, Ana can only say, "It's humiliating, Merlin. Having to hear you say this to me is the biggest shame of my life. I think in the end, I'll have to kill you."

Merlin just laughs, not at all bothered by this. If anything he continues talking, nonchalantly saying, "Your existence would be the vital point the Goddess of Demonic Beasts didn't expect. If there's a time for you to reveal it all, it'll be done in an instant."

And then, it will be over for Ana.

Accepting this, she answers, "Alright."

Merlin does seem to think about what he's said for a moment. Unable to keep from adding, "Though, amongst all this foreshadowing it's worth mentioning I don't want that kind of ending at all! Because that would be boring!"

That's right. It wouldn't be entertaining to him at all. In fact...

"Sad partings aren't my style. I prefer to deceive and disparage the enemy, and emerge as the victor unharmed. So, let's do it like the humans do!"

She sighs. "Disgusting. You only say what's the most convenient for you."

That's right. That's all he ever does, do what he ever wants to do for the sake of himself.

A small pause as Ana adds, "But...I guess I don't mind putting in some effort to make that outcome a reality."

Yet, he also thinks something else after hearing that answer:

That's right...a reality where they had no more casualties in this battle, where that other side was trying to crush humanity. Where no one else had to die who shouldn't—that is something Merlin would like to witness as well.

A fundamentally good ending for the humans (and those he might care about.)

Too bad it won't be that easy. And yet, it is with that this memory too fades away. ]

[necrotiem]

Hm, I wonder. [she takes it in, how her numbness and his numbness feel and lean together, or at least perhaps how they don't.]

You can only really choose to live for yourself, so you won't change what you do to fit the desires of others...But it's because to do that would be to compromise on what was lost to bring you here. Am I right?

[He doesn't want comfort, not from her. But what she can give to him, sitting on this lonely island post-dissociating, is something that doesn't flinch.]

[idologue]

[ Lacus is watching Ibuki carefully, but her outward demeanor is kept pretty carefree as she helps set up the gaming space. ]

When I arrived here, I barely had an idea on how to hold a controller...

[ Feels like a long time ago now. ]

But I'm very confident in my skill now. You're going to have to give it your all!

[diabolizes]

[ Wei Wuxian watches on, fascinated. This is a very different side to Merlin from what he saw before he passed, and honestly? It's quite regrettable that he won't get to know this Merlin, prophetic and inhuman.

He sighs, speaking aloud just on the off-chance Merlin is hanging around. ]

Merlin... how could you leave me with a memory like this but no opportunity to discuss it? Perhaps we can when I bring you back as one of my own personal ghosts.

[hearnoplague]

[ Where... Was he?

For a moment, he wondered if he had gotten stuck in one of his own memories again, but none of these creatures below him looked familiar. And since when did he ever have wings...? ]

Begone... Beasts... [ No, where are his weapons? Is he even armed? Surely some ritual must have granted him some extra strength to fight them. Defend himself from them. If he is trapped here, if this pain is his prison, then these four must surely be here to send him to death.

It's too late to beg. He has no choice, does he? ]

Ggh! You... You four shall learn your place! Heed my warning and stay away!

[ Is he able to summon anything? The jumping attack crabs of Anchordeep are the first things that comes to mind, followed closely by the exploding jellyfish. Is that what comes to attack the four? ]

[dancing_flames]

You're giving me too much credit-- I'm not there yet.

[Not until he surpasses Gale. Until he carries out the promise he made, he can't truly say he's done that.]

But maybe it's for the best that you can't relate. It takes all kinds, after all. Someone needs to be the voice of reason for the rest of us.

[passetemps]

Is that really what you consider me to be?

[ in spite of accidental maxeta crimes ]

[idologue]

I read outdoors, so the nice breeze is reason enough to sit still for a while.

[ Maybe the books are entirely secondary, actually... ]

And it's certainly what I wanted when I was younger. Life doesn't follow the same narrative structures. Sometimes there is something twisted that may not ever be resolved, and that's alright too.

[dancing_flames]

In most cases.

[MAXETA CRIMES ASIDE. We still don't talk about your son, Zelkov.]

Surprised?

[diabolizes]

earnest in a bad way probably! lol

[passetemps]

[ considers this cast.



... ]

...I suppose not.

[finalmix]

self-confessed that you hadn't been paying attention to this thread hee hee