α΅α΅α΅Λ‘ "β±Λ’Λ‘α΅βΏα΅ α΅α΅ΚΈ" α΅α΅Λ’β±ΚΈα΅ (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thavnairian) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
kaisou2022-01-07 11:56 am
thavnairian) wrote in kaisou2022-01-07 11:56 am
Entry tags:
video; un: riftdancer
WHO: Everyone
WHERE: Network
WHEN: January 7th, a few hours after the Libra intro post
WHAT: Amal has been tasked with explaining. Narrative magic usually assigned to silent protagonists need not apply.
WARNINGS: None so far, let me know if I should add some.
[He wrestles with how to approach this for some time, but finally in the evening, he comes to a conclusion: simple is best. Honesty is best delivered face to face, so fuck it-- he sets up the video option, tests it out, and somehow manages to get himself in the frame. Centered? Not so much. Slightly tilted, the camera is full of both his face and mostly bare chest against someone's clean, nice living room, and could use some better lighting.
He looks very out of place, all things considered: wearing barely what you'd call a vest, tattoos all over his skin, and fiery hair and eyes & big elf ears for those who are able to notice such things. His light accent is vaguely reminiscent of India, but not quite.]
Hey there. My name's Amal. Since the cat's out of the bag in a big way, certain people in this city have decided it's time to be honest, and for some reason they chose me. I can't say I'm the best candidate to explain what's going on. All I have to offer you—that is, the people who have been living in peaceful ignorance all this time—is my own personal experiences with it.
[He spreads his arms.] With what, you might ask? Well...
My story begins about half a year ago. I was minding my own business, preparing for what I thought would be a relatively normal journey across the ocean. Making sure I had all my weapons, the supplies I needed, a few changes of clothes... But I never made it there. Before we could even get the passports settled, I woke up in a maze with my things scattered everywhere.
I grabbed what I could and found my way out, since it's not my first time in a weird haunted maze, and ended up face down in the middle of a park. Here. In Kaisou. And I'm not the only one. Someone I know has been here a year, so it's at least been going on for that long.
We're not from this world—none of us transplants are. We're adventurers and... other kinds of people, with magic and without. All stripes. Zodiac approached us and warned us to be quiet when it came to people who weren't aware of the [air quotes] weird stuff going on, and they even offered us a job and a place to stay. Some of us work for them full time, some of us only help them out occasionally, but everyone who's stuck here is pretty familiar with Zodiac... as familiar as you can hope to get with a shadowy organization anyway.
[He rubs at the back of his neck.]
We never really wanted to deceive anyone. It's just that, ah, talking about where we're really from makes us sound totally crazy to you. And I don't blame you—it's hard to wrap your head around new knowledge when it contradicts everything you've ever known. I've been there many times myself.
Some of you might ask for proof, and I don't have a good answer for that. I feel like my ears are proof enough of what I am, but it seems like most people don't mention them for some reason. I can show you my weapons, but they're not super special or anything... And I'm not able to throw fireballs or summon things, since I'm not that kind of fighter.
All I've got is my word. Take it or leave it; it doesn't change what we've endured to get here.
The strange sensation that this might be bigger than you care to understand, the dread of the unknown—all that is natural and to be expected. But if you want my opinion?
Keep an eye on Zodiac. Things are bound to get even weirder from now on.
WHERE: Network
WHEN: January 7th, a few hours after the Libra intro post
WHAT: Amal has been tasked with explaining. Narrative magic usually assigned to silent protagonists need not apply.
WARNINGS: None so far, let me know if I should add some.
[He wrestles with how to approach this for some time, but finally in the evening, he comes to a conclusion: simple is best. Honesty is best delivered face to face, so fuck it-- he sets up the video option, tests it out, and somehow manages to get himself in the frame. Centered? Not so much. Slightly tilted, the camera is full of both his face and mostly bare chest against someone's clean, nice living room, and could use some better lighting.
He looks very out of place, all things considered: wearing barely what you'd call a vest, tattoos all over his skin, and fiery hair and eyes & big elf ears for those who are able to notice such things. His light accent is vaguely reminiscent of India, but not quite.]
Hey there. My name's Amal. Since the cat's out of the bag in a big way, certain people in this city have decided it's time to be honest, and for some reason they chose me. I can't say I'm the best candidate to explain what's going on. All I have to offer you—that is, the people who have been living in peaceful ignorance all this time—is my own personal experiences with it.
[He spreads his arms.] With what, you might ask? Well...
My story begins about half a year ago. I was minding my own business, preparing for what I thought would be a relatively normal journey across the ocean. Making sure I had all my weapons, the supplies I needed, a few changes of clothes... But I never made it there. Before we could even get the passports settled, I woke up in a maze with my things scattered everywhere.
I grabbed what I could and found my way out, since it's not my first time in a weird haunted maze, and ended up face down in the middle of a park. Here. In Kaisou. And I'm not the only one. Someone I know has been here a year, so it's at least been going on for that long.
We're not from this world—none of us transplants are. We're adventurers and... other kinds of people, with magic and without. All stripes. Zodiac approached us and warned us to be quiet when it came to people who weren't aware of the [air quotes] weird stuff going on, and they even offered us a job and a place to stay. Some of us work for them full time, some of us only help them out occasionally, but everyone who's stuck here is pretty familiar with Zodiac... as familiar as you can hope to get with a shadowy organization anyway.
[He rubs at the back of his neck.]
We never really wanted to deceive anyone. It's just that, ah, talking about where we're really from makes us sound totally crazy to you. And I don't blame you—it's hard to wrap your head around new knowledge when it contradicts everything you've ever known. I've been there many times myself.
Some of you might ask for proof, and I don't have a good answer for that. I feel like my ears are proof enough of what I am, but it seems like most people don't mention them for some reason. I can show you my weapons, but they're not super special or anything... And I'm not able to throw fireballs or summon things, since I'm not that kind of fighter.
All I've got is my word. Take it or leave it; it doesn't change what we've endured to get here.
The strange sensation that this might be bigger than you care to understand, the dread of the unknown—all that is natural and to be expected. But if you want my opinion?
Keep an eye on Zodiac. Things are bound to get even weirder from now on.
no subject
Now all of Kaisou knows I'm crazy. I would rather have done something cool to make them think that, but oh well.
[His tone is airy, regardless. It seems he's not really mad about it.]
It hit me while I was talking that Zodiac probably told us more about why we're here and I just wasn't paying attention.
no subject
It's fine, it's fine! We'll back you up if people starting getting all weird about it.
[Ana will, at least.]
And huh... I don't think I really paid attention either, honestly. I thiiiink it was an accident?
no subject
Thanks, Ana. That means a lot. [He's being honest here!]
I mean, I sure as hell didn't go tripping through a rift on purpose. ... This time.
no subject
Being genuinely thanked is New, but she still smiles easily through it.]
We gotta stick together and all that. [Even she knows that much, despite how she's Violently Herself all the time.]
And I don't think they meant for us to arrive here either. We just got dragged in, I think.
[Pause.
Wait a minute.]
What do you mean "this time"?
no subject
Either way, it sounds like we'll be here for a while longer. I bet my friends are worried sick. If I could just send them a letter or something—"hey, Amal here, I'm totally fine, I just tripped through a portal and ended up in another dimension, see you guys in a year or so"—there wouldn't be any problems. But instead I have to worry about how much violence there'll be when I pop up again.
[He runs his hand through his hair, fluffing it up more.]
Well, the last time I tumbled through time and space to get somewhere, I'd actually agreed to help someone out.
no subject
Mmm, yeah... There was a lot going on back home, so I'm really worried about my friends. I'm sure they'll be fine, but it's like you said - there will probably be a bunch of violence when I get back too.
[Which usually she's fine with but. Not towards her friends!!]
I... see. I'm both impressed and wondering if you need a vacation at this point.
no subject
I can't blame them for being protective after the last couple of adventures, but if my sorceress friend finds a way here and blows up their headquarters, well... I called it.
[LMAO]
I guess it looks that way, huh... I wouldn't say no to a tropical getaway somewhere.
no subject
[Because that sounds awesome, not gonna lie.]
Yeaaaaah, it's really starting to look that way. Maybe you'll be able to squeeze in one here between all the weird shit going on.
no subject
[He knows better than to doubt how stubborn those two are.]
If I knew more about how to, uh, exist out there I might actually try it. But guys like me have a hard time going anywhere without being stared at, let alone allowed into places, y'know?
[His tone softens.]
When you called me a criminal before, you weren't too far off the mark. Usually people see the tattoos and their imagination runs wild.
no subject
[It would certainly be a funny sight to see.
But ah... Hmm. As Ana listens, the smile fades as she hums under her breath. This is something she does, at least, take seriously - her usual cheer and teasing fading into something more sombre.]
Yeah... And even if you try to convince them otherwise, their minds are usually set the moment they see you. You shouldn't have to cover yourself up either.
[HMMMMM]
Maybe we should tell Zodiac to give us a private beach or something. We've done a bunch of shit for them, and we're probably gonna get waaaay busier, so they can do something nice for once.
no subject
[For all the mean girls-ing that goes on in Ana's corner, Amal gets her very well. He feels a little bad for bringing the mood down, though.]
Oh... believe me, [he says, flipping up the collar of his vest,] I don't. [COVER UP? LMAO. He would never. And maybe that's a problem in January, but it's fine.] The gods allowed me to live another day and that's everyone else's problem.
[A pause.]
A beach? Hey, that's a good idea! It would be great to cut loose without having to worry about terrifying the locals. We should keep that one in mind for when it gets a little warmer.
no subject
And I'm sure there's a few of us who're grateful you don't. [Ana's libido is deep down in the negatives, but playful teasing/flirting? She can do that. A mean girl she may be, but even they can have their nicer moments.
Besides, she does rather like Amal.]
Exactly! I'm not much of a beach person myself, but it will definitely be nice to have an actual break. Even if we can only get a few days, at most.
[Pause.]
For now though, I'm hoping you're not gonna freeze out there. The "frozen solid" look wouldn't suit you.
no subject
She reminds him a bit of Y'shtola, but a little more flirty and slightly less scary. So basically she's catty without being a cat. She's also gorgeous, which helps; Amal isn't a completely shallow person but he does like being in the presence of beautiful people. Helps the morale.]
I'd take a brief vacation over nothing!
[He rolls his tattooed shoulders in an easy shrug.]
Eh, I spent time in Ishgard. It's cold, but nothing I can't deal with. I just ignore it unless it's one of those days where you go numb for sticking your face outside... then I just don't go outside!