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Cobo Service ([personal profile] coboservice) wrote in [community profile] onlinedragonsgame2022-10-28 02:24 pm

EP.0 The Jump Event Experience

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Thousands of years ago, the Dark Elves of Elrios migrated to the Demon Realm after being shunned by their own kind. They settled in the untamed forests of the western region, nurturing the plants and spirits there and adapting to survive alongside them. Calling themselves guardians of the forest, they named their new home Varnimyr, short for Varnitas Eldimyr—a phrase which translates to "false home" in ancient Elven.

The Labyrinth of Ruin

You awake into darkness, surrounded by impossible geometry and an unnerving thrum that fills the still air. Strange shapes move in the distance, drifting between labyrinthine paths that bend and twist into an endless, senseless maze. Gravity seems to be a mere suggestion, and you'll quickly find that any surface is fine for walking on—sideways, upside down, it doesn't matter as long as you're not trying to make sense of it. In a world of raw chaos, the only rule that matters is your willingness to press on.


You're not alone in this world. There are others here, wanderers from distant realms just as confused as you are, and a few individuals who seem to know something of this place... although, they haven't exactly proven themselves helpful.

Mysterious Masked Man

Hm? What's going on? ... I thought I explained everything already, but fine, let me try again. Ahem.

Welcome to Henir's Time and Space! In this place, all timelines and dimensions are connected together from the beginning to end of the world. You can call me Glave. We weren't expecting this many guests, so you'll have to pardon the mess. It'll be taken care of soon, I assure you.

How do you get back? Are you in that much of a hurry...? Time doesn't apply here, so you should try to relax for now. It only feels like it's been five months because you keep thinking about it, you know.

The masked man's words are hardly reassuring, but perhaps it wouldn't hurt to humour a distraction or two, if you haven't already.

Breaking Point

At first, everything seems to just be falling in to Henir's Space... but overcrowding won't become an issue. As more and more outside entities pour into the realm, the strain on reality becomes too great. Cubes bow and bend, walkways collapse, and finally—

A crack.


Gravity shifts. Like a drain at the bottom of a tub, everything is sucked down into the hole. Cubes and structures unravel on the way down, leaving nothing for hapless adventurers to grab onto, and even the polygonal entities start to crumble away as the light below grows closer, closer... a blinding light that fades into soft moonlight, the sound of wind rustling through trees, an eerie pressure that settles in your chest.

As you fall away from the rift, below you is a vast sea of blue trees with a crimson-red tower and rocky wastelands visible in the distance. Above you, a dark sky with four battered moons.


It's quite a long way down. Luckily, the canopy of trees is more than thick enough to safely slow a fall, though it may not be the most comfortable landing.

Varnitas Eldimyr, the Guardian's Forest

Beneath the thick canopy is a deep, dark forest, lit by glowing mushrooms and alive with vibrant plantlife. The trees here are massive, with branches and leaves large enough to safely stand on, though you'd best grab onto something quickly if you don't want to fall to your death. If you do slip past the vines and foliage, try to land on one of the white-topped mushrooms—the blue energy wafting off is like landing on a trampoline, if trampolines were made of demonic energy.

You can hear the hum of insects, bird calls, a wolf-like howl, and... the stomping footsteps of something huge, casting shadows through the fog. Wherever this is, it's hardly more hospitable than the impossible labyrinth of Henir's Space.


That stifling pressure permeates the air, and those with supernatural powers will find that their abilities have been suppressed. Try as you might, your powers won't help you here—you'll have to rely on your body and wits to survive in this world.

Past the trees you can spy the lumbering beasts that shake the forest, though the smaller plants might prove the more dangerous obstacle. Practically everything is some amount of poisonous. Through the haze the tree trunks almost look like they're slithering. At least the water is normal.

Flora and Fauna


Vine Plant A demonic flower with dark purple petals surrounded by pale vines. If approached, it will lash out with its vines or release clouds of toxic fumes around itself. Breathing in these fumes will inflict intense physical symptoms, ranging from nausea and rashes up to suffocation and internal bleeding if too much is inhaled. Symptoms will linger, but fade after about an hour if you don't succumb to the poison or remain within the cloud.
Venom Plant A demonic flower with dark blue leaves and a mace-like pistil covered in spikes. If approached, it will release a cloud of toxic fumes around itself. Breathing in these fumes will induce weakness and drowsiness, and remaining in the cloud for too long will cause vivid hallucinations up until loss of consciousness. Victims of this plant will remain comatose until they can be pulled away from the plant, or something else decides to make a meal out of them.
Pollen Plant A demonic flower with pale white leaves and many blue filaments. If approached, it will release a cloud of toxic fumes around itself... wait, no, this one actually just releases a glowing pollen that heals minor cuts and injuries on contact. It's only toxic if you try to eat it. Unfortunately, they're almost always surrounded by the other types of plants, so maybe you should still approach with caution.
Spirit Vine A luminescent vine that hides along the forest floor and springs up if you step on it. Its thorns are filled with a paralyzing poison that can briefly stun anything that's tangled in its grasp. More annoying than deadly on their own, but can quickly turn any situation south if you’re not paying attention.
Forginay A large, vibrantly coloured flower that exudes a sweet scent. When approached, the flower will bloom... and then start attacking its prey with whip-like vines, constricting roots, and clouds of poison. Forginay always blooms in pairs, and the other poisonous plants of the forest will sprout and bloom in the mother plants' presence. If only one Forginay is destroyed it will draw strength from the remaining bloom to restore itself and grow even larger; both flowers must be destroyed simultaneously to prevent regrowth. Luckily, they are quite rare.


Dark Nephilim Enormous, house-sized beasts that patrol the forest floor. They will attack anything unfamiliar on sight, ignoring the native creatures; luckily, each Nephilim only has one eye, which is located inside its mouth for some reason. They can use dark magic to fire eye lasers or summon spears of dark energy. Incredibly dangerous and difficult to kill. Evasive action is strongly recommended.
Mata A wolf-like creature with glowing blue fur and a spiny tail. Fast, aggressive, and hunts in packs. Attacks by biting and swinging its tail.
Hati A lion-like creature with a bright pink mane and stupidly long tail. It's howl creates a faint energy field that disrupts electronics and disorients those who pass through. Attacks by biting and pouncing.
Fae Panther A large panther-like creature with black fur and curved horns. The smaller beasts of the forest will scatter if it claims their prey as its own. Dangerously persistent and difficult to kill. Claws and bites.

Looking for something to eat? Not everything here is poisonous, but it's a bit of a gamble if you don't know what you can trust. To simulate this experience, you can play a round of foraging roulette.

Roll Result
1 Vine, Venom or Pollen Plant. Inedible, inflicts mild to severe poisoning symptoms.
2 Flame Grass. Even if you douse it with water it will constantly burst back into flames. Surprisingly, it is edible even if it’s guaranteed to burn your mouth. Brews into an excellent tea that’s always warm.
3 Demon Fern. Wriggles endlessly even after being cut, cooked and eaten. No side-effects, aside from causing upset stomachs.
4 Demon Lemon. Yes, the eyeball moves. If you squeeze it too hard it cries salty juice. Despite all of these disturbing details, it tastes just like a normal lemon with a bit of salt in it.
5 Superhuman Apple. Tastes like a normal apple. Eating this will instantly restore your supernatural abilities to about half strength... for 10 seconds. If you want them for longer than that, you better start hoarding apples. Some of them are laced with aphrodisiacs instead. You horny fuckers behave yourselves.
6 Stone Apple. Hard as a rock. Also tastes like a rock. Eating this will turn off all pain receptors for a few minutes. It doesn't make you immune to injury or heal wounds, so be careful.
7 Yggdrasil Leaf. Tastes like a leaf. Bitter. When eaten, it instantly dispels all poisons and other plant-inflicted effects from the body, though you’d only know this if you made a bunch of poor food choices first.
8 Henir-Tainted Plant. Whatever plant it was before, it's now covered in the angular blue markings common in Henir's Space. Tastes like time, chaos, and whatever white jellybeans are supposed to be. Temporarily lose a random sense. If you eat it more than five times you will perceive the nature of the universe and life itself, but lose that comprehension as soon as the effects wear off. Horrible aftertaste.
9 Winter Wild Berry. Extremely cold and crunchy. If you lick it, it'll freeze to your tongue. Instantly turns any drink into a slushie.
10 Ancient Herb. The red berries are filled with a sweet honey. Delicious.
Friendly Faces

Not far from where you arrived, you can make out a human-sized shadow standing in a clearing. As you approach the figure through the mist...

Shadowy Figure

Welcome! My name is Helen. I'm selling necessities for travellers.

I'm running a bit low on supplies, so you'll have to excuse the lack of stock for now... if you could help me gather supplies, I'd be happy to help you in any way I can.

Are you interested in fishing? I hear that fish in the Demon Realm can get quite ferocious. I have a few spare rods left if you'd like to try it. You can repay me by bringing something back.

A hell of a catch!
Go fishing... in the Demon Realm! Varnimyr isn't known for it's fish and only has shallow streams and rivers, so anything you manage to catch will be quite small. Still, it's edible, right? Try to avoid the colourful, obviously toxic fish.
REWARD: Free fishing rod and as many fish as you can catch. If you bring any fish back to Helen, she'll trade them for edible plants harvested from the area.

Remember to stop and smell the flowers
Replenish Helen's supplies by bringing her edible plants. She'll also take the poisonous ones, though she won't say what she'll use them for... see the foraging roulette above for details on local plantlife.
REWARD: An equivalent serving of fish, healing potions, or any other goods she has on her. If you're not sure, ask!

Camping Essentials
So... does anyone here know how to start a fire? Make a shelter? Filter water so you don't get sick from drinking it later? This is kind of important, actually. Might wanna get on that.
REWARD: Make this camping trip way more bearable for everyone.

Rescue Numerous Goods
People aren't the only things that've been pulled into this place from other worlds. Maybe if you look closely, you'll spot something familiar in the bushes?
REWARD: One free gacha roll.
To claim this event reward, please see this thread for details.

There are others gathered here, though the masked man from before is nowhere in sight. Someone else catches your eye, a blue tail swaying behind him and sharp horns jutting from his head.

Blue-Robed Humanoid

Judging by your expression, you seem just as lost as I am. Ah – you can lower your weapon. I mean you no harm.

My name is Denif. I’ve been working on a way to get out of here, though I haven’t had any luck yet. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about interdimensional travel, would you?

…a team-up? I suppose joining you would be wise. Very well – lead the way.

Exiting Varnimyr
Apparently, you need to get back into Henir's Time And Space before you can go home. Try to find another rift so you can escape this spooky forest.
REWARD: Regain access to Henir's Time And Space, unlock access to Elrianode, and Denif will deem you a little more reliable. Also, the game can actually open.
To contribute to this epic quest, please reply to this thread.

Not-So-Friendly Faces

The woods seem endless from within, and the nephilims pacing amongst the trees create an uncomfortable perimeter. Rather than trying to escape, moving deeper into the forest is also an option. Sharp-eyed adventurers may be quick to spot the worn pathways lined by glowing mushrooms and shallow streams, though spirit vines also grow in great abundance along these routes. As the roads become more defined, so too do the orange lights flickering in the distant trees.


... Alas, this is where your progress must be cut short. An arrow whistles through the air, landing in the ground at your feet. Someone shouts down at you in an unfamiliar tongue. Should you ignore the warning, the second shot whizzes past your neck—you'd be wise not to tempt a third.

The archers are stationed high up in the trees, but you can make out the shape of a blue hood, dark skin covered by white cloth. Most of them are women, though the men's clothes are about as revealing. They're not hostile, per se, and they won't attack unprovoked, but it seems that entering this area is an act of provocation to them. Any attempts to intrude further will be met with harsh resistance.

Vigilant Sentinel

(Try as you might, they don't seem to understand what you're saying. Maybe there's something you can do to convince them you mean no harm? Sneaking doesn't seem to be an option, considering their home advantage.

Or, failing that, you could try fighting your way through... but it's going to take a solid plan if you want it to work.)


Outwit, Outplay or Outlast
Find a way into the Dark Elves' Outpost. It'd be nice if you could do it on friendly terms... but sometimes you have to butt heads if you want something done.
REWARD: Access to the Outpost, which may provide additional help, clues or resources.
To contribute to this epic quest, please reply to this thread.

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subtract: and waving goodbye (Y-0271)

Add (Mad Paradox) | Elsword + Yogen CRAU | OTA!

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-02 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
[A - Cat's Cradle]
[The last thing Add can remember is hurtling down into the trees before smacking face-first into a huge branch. Not exactly his best moment. His head is throbbing from the concussion, clothes torn, one of the chains on his coat has been ripped out... whatever happened in between, it wasn't fun, so maybe it's fine that he can't remember any of it. Good riddance.

More pressingly, he's managed to get himself completely stuck.

Did the vines save him from plummeting to his death? Yes, but. He would like to not be tangled in vines now, thanks. Instead, all his struggling seems to have just made the problem worse, and now he can barely move at all.

He can't even see if anyone's around to hear him... but he's irritated, and he stopped giving a shit awhile ago. Add sighs loudly, uncaring if some murderous animal hears him.]


Fine, whatever. Who fucking cares anymore! Not like I have anywhere else to be!


[B - Food Science]
[He does, eventually get out of the tree. Step two is... where is this, exactly? Because Henir's Space was familiar to him, but this place... hmm.

He should be trying a lot harder to solve that mystery, but unfortunately, being surrounded by so many frightening and unfamiliar creatures... is very, very distracting. So much so that he's been standing by this stream for an hour now throwing berries in and watching it turn into a weird slush. How long does the effect last after the berry is plucked? Is it affected by the ripeness of the fruit? Is it produced exclusively from the berry's presence, or is it from some unseen secretion that could wash downstream? How many berries does it take to freeze the water solid? Could you freeze someone to death from the inside by feeding them too many of these? How many berries would that take?

He has about a million too many thoughts going on right now. But to an outsider, it probably just looks like a scraggly-looking kid in a cloak tossing berries in the river for fun. As kids do.]


[C - Snack Break]
[He's been avoiding the rest area, but he still ends up settling close to it when he needs to take a break. It's... comforting, in a weird way. Nostalgic. He likes being able to watch everyone, hidden from sight, close but uninvolved. It's the way things should be. He doesn't belong with people like that.

Wilderness survival was never his strong suite, though. He couldn't get a fire going without his machines around, all the plants seem too suspicious to eat... he's tired, cold, hungry. Unfortunately, he's also stubborn. He's going to sit here in the dark and be miserable even if it kills him.

... he can at least solve one of his problems, though. Gently, he removes the small bag from inside his jacket, staring down at the cute butter cookies within. They're all shaped like little cats, complete with frosted patterns and little dotted kitty eyes. Certainly the work of a true professional.

After staring at them in silence for a long time... he pulls the ribbon loose, takes a single calicookie and begins nibbling at the ear. He's going to take his time with these.]


[D - Wildcard]
((hello friendos pls hit me up at [plurk.com profile] BlueFlewFedUQueen if you wanna do something else))

forwander: (002)

two scientists walk into a demon realm--

[personal profile] forwander 2022-11-04 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[A kid (source needed) playing food science is not among the strangest things he's seen today; he himself is guilty of a bit of that today as well, and after a bit of observing behind the cover of nearby trees, Passenger steps out into the clearing, toting a rather large machine at his side. He means no harm, no hostile intent, and he shows as much by flicking a few more of those berries in Add's direction.]

It would seem, upon observation, that your stores are running low. [To Passenger, it doesn't look like this is a kid "playing" so much as it looks like a kid that is curious. It's an idea he can get behind; he was once that kid, some thirty years ago.] Strange little fruits, are they not?
subtract: there's nothing to plan (Y-0376)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-10 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Before Passenger is even in sight, he's cautious. Add is more than a little jumpy today... but the large gun-mounted robot is what eases his nerves, actually. because robots are cool. He is staring at it so intently that he almost gets pelted in the face with berries.

... okay, one of them does pelt him in the face, but it's fine. no one saw that. shut up.

loudly clearing his throat—]
Plants are sensitive to environmental changes. It's odd to see a mutation like this in such a humid place, though. There must be a high concentration of water El close to here, or whatever the demonic equivalent would be.

It doesn't appear to be toxic, but humans are sixty percent water and human blood is ninety percent... if this affected the bloodstream the effects could be deadly... [mumble mumble, not that this matters when he's made of spacedust but yknow]
forwander: (003)

[personal profile] forwander 2022-11-10 07:01 am (UTC)(link)
[It was an accidental pelting, he swears.

Now, there are some terms he's unfamiliar with — "El" makes him incline his head curiously, and "humans"... don't really exist on Terra, actually. A joke comes to mind, something along the lines of, "And what of Liberi?" but he saves it. Another time, perhaps.

More importantly, it's unmistakable to Passenger how this child (source still needed) is fixated on his machine. He steps closer, still lugging the thing around despite its rather enormous size.]


Would you say, perchance, that eating one such fruit may freeze the body solid — cause the blood to coagulate and cease flow? Such a plant would have sold for a pretty coin in the black markets of Sargon, should that be the case.

[He'd be the one selling it. But anatomy is not his area of expertise, either; what interests him more is the opportunity to learn something new about this strange environment.]
subtract: I'll follow you (Y-0410)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-15 06:19 am (UTC)(link)
Mm... high concentrations can have that sort of effect, however, it's also true that the average human can circulate El quite efficiently. That's why it's possible to freeze a human being solid with ice magic without killing them, once their body is able to absorb enough of the energy the effects disperse. Nasods can also circulate El in a similar manner, and the demonic creatures here don't seem to be affected...

[he's still rattling away, but also... cool robot. what's the cool robot do? he finally starts to trail off as a new train of thought overtakes his brain, taking a few steps closer so he can touch the strange machine.

like any sane and reasonable person, Add's hands immediately go for the big gun barrel so he can point it directly at his face. what's inside?? only one way to find out.]


Movement appears similar to a Scout's design, but heavier weaponry... is it online? What's the power source?
forwander: (004)

[personal profile] forwander 2022-11-16 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[Passenger opens his mouth to respond to that first bit, but then Add is creeping over to his machine and— and he's just pointing the barrel at his face ALRIGHT SURE.

In his time, he's met a few dumbasses. There are a couple of people at Rhodes Island who he expects to look down the barrel of a gun and ask "how does it work?". There are a couple of people who he wouldn't be shocked to hear took a bite out of an Originium crystal. Hell, he himself could be called a fucking idiot for snapping an Originium component as a teenager and becoming an Infected by his own choice.

But also, hey, why is this kid speedrunning his death?

Passenger crosses his arms, expression completely flat.]


It is powered by Originium, but it is not "online". I use it as a conduit for my Arts, though this environment has something of a dampening effect on it and I. I cannot seem to conjure but a single spark of electricity since arrival.

Not that you should gaze willingly down the barrel of an electromagnetic regulator powered by Terra's most deadly mineral, but should you choose to dance with death, who am I to stop you?
subtract: but there's nowhere to run to (Y-0289)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-16 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Deadly in what way? [note that he is not backing away from the supposedly-deadly machine, nor does he sound even the slightest bit concerned about that detail. why would he care? he's already died, like, 20 times probably?

he's moving away from the gun barrel, at least. Passenger hasn't physically stopped him yet so that means it's okay to keep manhandling the cool robot. he's eyeing up the main body now, touching all the wires and joints. if there are any gaps in the casing he will attempt to stick a whole arm inside it, do not doubt his tenacity]


Originium isn't a material I'm familiar with. If it can power a machine of this size... something similar in nature to diceon, perhaps? Ahhh, if only Dynamo were with me, I could analyze it properly... should've brought something to carry samples...
forwander: (001)

[personal profile] forwander 2022-11-21 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Passenger cannot muster enough Give A Fuck to stop Add from sticking his nose into things. At the same time, he's glad someone else has the enthusiasm about machinery that he does. Someone who will hopefully exchange information on this "diceon" and "El" in return for his "Originium".

A smile, thin and fleeting, forms on his lips.]


Originium is an unstable mineral oft used as a power source, [he explains patiently, watching Add flit about.] It can volatilize into a gaseous state, is flammable in a liquid state, and exhibits highly explosive properties. That said, it can gradually assimilate with organic material, and should it do so, one will find themself infected by a disease known as Oripathy.

Infected such as myself are marked by crystalline structures appearing on our bodies, [with a gloved hand, he points to his forehead, where a black crystal has formed — though it may or may not look like a decoration on first glance,] and as the disease progresses, we will eventually find our entire bodies — blood, internal organs, and all — begin to exhibit similar structures. Eventually, the infection reaches a point where the Infected can no longer properly intake nutrients, and death is said to be slow and painful. At the stage where an Infected dies, their body shall experience something of spontaneous combustion, spewing particles of Originium into the air and infecting anyone else close enough to breathe it in, thus continuing the unfortunate cycle.

[Completely unbothered by all of this (seemingly, anyhow), Passenger continues,] It can, additionally, destabilize the mind or cause other psychological changes, as well as cause physical mutations such as horns to grow.

[So, uh, have fun sticking your arm into the casing, Add.]

Diceon and this "El" you had mentioned earlier are materials I am unfamiliar with. Would you be inclined to trade knowledge for my own?
subtract: you'd find the courage (Y-0336)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-12-12 04:21 am (UTC)(link)
[At some point during the long exposition, he does seem to hesitate. Slowly, Add extracts his arm from inside the machine, staring down at his hand and frowning ever so slightly. Explosive properties, infection, mutation of organic components...]

... organic material, unlikely that I still fall into that category. Henir corruption has similar side effects, but I already adapted to those... hmm, I'd be interested if it could have an effect, but I doubt it...

[He does look back to Passenger, though, to see if he might have these horns or other mutations spoken of. Are those wing-like decorations a part of his body? He presses a hand to his mouth, thinking.

Information... it doesn't sound like anything he needs right now, but. A scientist can never be satisfied with merely knowing the necessities.]


How long is the incubation period? Treatments, speed of infection, how much exposure is needed to spread? I suppose it would also be relevant to ask if it was made by organic or non-organic entities to begin with. It doesn't sound like a machine lifeform would be negatively affected, unlike organic lifeforms.
forwander: (003)

[personal profile] forwander 2022-12-20 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hm. "Henir corruption". A phenomenon Passenger hasn't heard of, but then again, what has he actually heard of that makes sense from this small child (source needed)?

The wing "decorations" are indeed part of him, and they'll sometimes emote if he has an actual emotion. Mostly, the feathers stay still, though if Add were to look very closely he might catch them flex once as a light breeze blows past. That, simply, is part of his race; all Liberi have similar feathers. The crystallization he mentions, though, is centred on his forehead in a diamond-shaped mark that may ordinarily be mistaken for some sort of accessory.

Leaning back with arms crossed, he answers all of those questions in order.]


The incubation period is only a scant few days from the first contact to the mineral, assuming it is from unprocessed sources or from particles in the air. Rhodes Island has invented many treatments made to slow the progress of Oripathy, though none have cured it, and the disease so far is always terminal. The speed of infection varies from person to person, though it can be accelerated by the use of Originium Arts. Oripathy cannot spread from person-to-person contact, rather luckily.

Processed Originium is safe to handle, for the most part, though it is still highly volatile under the correct conditions. Raw Originium itself grows across the landscapes where Catastrophes touch — essentially, large, dark storms of a nigh-apocalyptic nature. With that in mind, processed sources of the mineral are oft used as power sources for cities and electronics. I have my doubts that unprocessed Originium can negatively affect machinery.
gentilitea: (With an unsheathed blade)

D

[personal profile] gentilitea 2022-11-08 09:02 am (UTC)(link)
Good. I’m glad to see you have the foresight to save them for emergencies.

[ Especially since the food here can get a bit tricky to forage. As shown by Jakob’s exceedingly disheveled appearance. His butler’s uniform is in tatters despite his best attempts to mend them, he’s filthy and bedraggled from hard labor, but he’s also strangely…calm, since he’d first arrived in this accursed forest.

But this is merely the calm before the storm, however. He’s relieved that Add is here and safe, but if it weren’t all the trouble he’d caused—

Right, he’ll give his master a proper scolding later. There are more important things to attend to, as Jakob approaches him. ]


Are you injured? Have you eaten anything strange?

[ “Strange” here being anything Jakob didn’t make, naturally. ]
subtract: what you could see (Y-0245)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-09 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
[Add startles at the sudden voice, nearly dropping his cookie. At least the confusion doesn't last long this time. He finds it in him to relax, just a little, once he sees that it's Jakob again. He's not familiar enough with the other man to be certain of his intentions, but... against his better judgment, he finds it hard to be suspicious. This guy... sounds just like all those other soft-hearted fools. Is that so hard for him to believe? Does it matter if he's wrong?

He's still going to act annoyed about it, though. He scoffs at the question, turning around so he doesn't have to look at Jakob anymore. He doesn't want to see his reaction.]


... You still have the wrong person. Didn't "your" Add ever explain alternate timelines to you?
gentilitea: (Thou seek the dark)

[personal profile] gentilitea 2022-11-09 01:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Somewhat.

[ Jakob hadn’t really shown much interest for Add’s bizarre brand of science, after all. He wouldn’t be able to understand much of it even if Add had given a comprehensive lecture on it, anyway.

All he knows is that Add is capable of…duplicates, and he’s not the only one in the Far Shore with such a power. Lord Roxas had been capable of it too…

The fact that he’d never tried to understand any of that makes him feel terribly guilty. ]


I will have to rectify those gaps in my knowledge in my own time. For now, I suggest we head to camp. I’ve already set aside ample food and shelter, so you needn’t worry about anything.
subtract: I stand here again (Y-0418)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-10 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
[So this other Add didn't explain anything at all. Ugh.]

Useless. You're lucky I'm not here to kill you, you know. [That would probably sound more threatening if he wasn't lazing around, or completely powerless... but it's an honest warning. He is the kind of person to kill for petty, spiteful reasons. He might've tried if he was in a worse mood before. Who's to say the next Add he meets won't?

But that has nothing to do with him. Add waves a hand over his shoulder, remaining seated on his comfortable gnarled root.]


There's no "we". I'm not interested in making friends, and I don't need anyone's help. Why should I listen to anything you say?
gentilitea: (Thou seek the dark)

[personal profile] gentilitea 2022-11-10 01:43 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He rolls his eyes at the “killing” remark, since those threats don’t even mean much when you’re already dead to begin with.

But he decides against mentioning that to this “other” Add for the time being. He’s still not entirely convinced that this isn’t the right Add, but by this point, that hardly matters anymore. All it took was seeing how…alone Add had been in void space for Jakob to realize he couldn’t just abandon him.

Bastard. ]


Oh, don’t worry. I’m not interested in friendship. I’m only here to bring you home, one way or another, because you have never given me reason to believe that you even belong here.
subtract: now, now, now (Y-0399)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-12 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
[Well, that's not wrong. This is his first time in the Demon Realm, and he doesn't plan on making it a permanent stay. But to say he'll bring Add "home"...]

Whose home would that be? Your Add's? Kukuku... can't say that ended well the last time I tried it. Or am I the one who's being spirited away this time...?

[It's funny, in a fucked up sort of way. He wasn't expecting the tables to be turned so soon after his own failure. He really could just start over now, if he wanted to.

He turns halfway, chomping the head off an adorable kitty as he looks Jakob over again. Maybe...]


... If you'd drugged the cookies, you would've already had your way by now. Plan better next time.
gentilitea: (With an unsheathed blade)

[personal profile] gentilitea 2022-11-12 02:34 pm (UTC)(link)
I’m not hurting you, either.

[ He could poison or put Add to sleep or inflict a myriad annoying status debuffs on him with the right magical components, but…why bother? Besides, what sort of self-respecting butler actually drugs the food he means to feed to the people he li—serves?

But all that is besides the point. They’ve been arguing around in circles and Jakob is tired—tired of this world and tired of chasing after what is becoming increasingly clear isn’t his Add. Yet in spite of all that this Add feels so much like his Add that he can’t just…abandon him either. ]


Now, are you quite done gloating out here, or do I have to carry you away again?
subtract: today you're falling away (Y-0261)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-14 09:20 am (UTC)(link)
There are plenty of poisons that can incapacitate without killing. [because that's the problem here, obviously, you're welcome.

He did need the reminder that Jakob can just pick him up and leave at any time, though. His gaze lingers for awhile before glancing back towards the distant firelight. It'd be safer, and warmer... but it still puts a knot in his chest, knowing how close he could be to the people he ran away from. They were headed to the Demon Realm right before he left... isn't this exactly the sort of nonsense they'd show up to investigate? And if Helen saw him, she'd surely mention it...]


It's too noisy. [The answer sounds lame, but it's the best Add can come up with on short notice. He quickly goes back to staring at his decatpitated cookie.] I don't want to be around other people... but I guess I can one exception, if you're going to be annoying about it. You'll just have to move everything over here.
gentilitea: (Thou seek the light)

[personal profile] gentilitea 2022-11-14 01:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[ A heavy, longsuffering sigh. ]

Fine.

[ He’s not convinced that that’s the real reason behind it all, but he’s not really in a position to find out. And at this rate? He’ll take whatever compromise he can get.

Besides, even if that is the real reason…well, Jakob’s a misanthrope himself. He can actually relate. ]


But how can I be certain you won’t just leave again?

[ He doesn’t have a leash on him, after all!!! ]
subtract: where I end and begin (Y-0361)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-15 06:03 am (UTC)(link)
Do I look like I have anywhere else to be right now?

[He shrugs, pausing to finish off his cookie. He doesn't even know where he wants to go from here... what would be the point in running away?

Besides... having someone to talk to isn't so bad. Not that he's lonely or anything.]


If you insist on that other spot, I'll definitely leave... so, are you going to move your camp or not?
gentilitea: (With an unsheathed blade)

[personal profile] gentilitea 2022-11-15 01:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Stay where you are, then.

[ Not that he can see Add getting very far, but it’s better that he doesn’t push his luck now that Add’s willing to stay put.

Or so he says.

With a huff, Jakob turns back toward camp.

And it isn’t long before he’s set up a new fire-pit here, heating up some of the fish he’d caught over the blazing flame grass. He’s already set up some makeshift bedrolls woven out of the foliage of this place, which are undoubtedly itchy and uncomfortable, but Jakob’s still trying to figure out a solution to that.

He’s trying to figure out a solution to a great many things as he gazes up at the sky, squinting at it as though he might be able to find that hole he’d fallen in from.

Home is a long way off from here. ]


Make yourself at home, then. It appears that we will be trapped here for a while.
subtract: another silent prayer fades (Y-0343)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-16 05:58 am (UTC)(link)
[Add just watches and eats cookies while Jakob does all this hard work, of course, because he's like this. At least he stays put like he said he would.

As much as he tries to pretend not to care, he is paying attention. Every time he thinks Jakob must be done he pulls some other trick out of his sleeve. Perhaps it was too harsh to call him a "knock off Ciel"... even Ciel would feel threatened by a display like this. The ingenuity reminds him a little of Senku, too, and it's difficult to stay cold once he makes that association. By the time Jakob deems the campsite sufficient, Add has completed his gradual move from the elevated tree roots down to the fireside. This is as close to relaxed as he's going to get tonight.

"Thank you" would be more appropriate... but he offers a non-committal noise in response, staring into the grassy fire with his knees pulled up to his chest. He lets an awkward silence hang in the air for awhile before settling on a question of his own.]


Why are you a butler? [add no you cant just ask someone WHY theyre a butler—]
gentilitea: (Thou seek the dark)

[personal profile] gentilitea 2022-11-16 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He’s honestly grateful that Add is just being quiet and behaving himself. There’s a lot that goes into setting up a comfortable campsite, but thankfully he has battlefield experience by now, and even the more dangerous flora and fauna of this place can be tamed for his purposes.

But right now he’s just sitting down to mend a little tear in his jacket.

The question almost gets him to poke himself on a needle. ]


What?

[ Yes, Add definitely can’t just ask, mostly because Jakob looks genuinely confused for a moment, before sighing. ]

…I don’t know.
subtract: oh, only silence can restore (Y-0380)

[personal profile] subtract 2022-11-16 11:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[He's behaving himself... for now. Or maybe he's building up energy to cause even more trouble later. Enjoy the peace while it lasts, Jakob.

Add waits after the non-answer, expecting something more to follow... but that's really it, apparently. He makes a sour face.]


... how can you not know? The "supreme butler of the Far Shore" doesn't know why he wanted to be a butler?

If you don't want to tell me, just say so. Don't make up a stupid lie that doesn't even make sense. [he might be a tiny bit offended now, under the assumption that Jakob doesn't want to tell him something]
gentilitea: (Thou seek the dark)

[personal profile] gentilitea 2022-11-17 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
I have no reason to lie to you. I truly do not remember.

[ With a huff, he goes back to his sewing, but he can feel his fingers trembling at his next thought.

Still, if it would reassure Add some, he might as well talk about it. ]


After all, I died.

[ As if that somehow makes any more sense. ]

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