July Event Log

[kaisoumods]

July Event
Dominant Element: Water
Waning Element: Fire

Full Moon: July 2nd - July 4th

※
July comes to Kaisou and brings with two things: heat and rain, leaving the city a humid mess. Time to get dehumidifiers and make sure your AC works, because otherwise, you might just end up melting. The summer storms seem heavier and more frequent this year, with one occurring every couple days and lasting for several hours. All this rain is enough to flood basements and low areas. Wonderful.

Beat the Heat With the Power of Anime

Despite the miserable weather, it's still summertime in the city, so that means the city is alive with activity. With Kaisou being in America, you can fully expect the fourth of July celebrations to be in full swing during the first week of the month. Attend a barbeque or watch the firework show at the beach, which thankfully isn't rained out.

However if you want to go a little more nerd in your summertime celebrations - KaiCon, Kaisou's local anime con, is back in town! Normally, this would have been held in June, but thanks to the tornado last month, it got postponed. Held the week of July 16th, the convention brings in a ton of tourists both in and out of cosplay. There's lot of to do at the convention, from shopping for merchandise, trying Japanese foods, attending panels, entering cosplay competitions, and sitting in a ballpit. For once, those app users with odd changes or body parts won't stand out so badly!

Finally, if you're looking for a more educational way to pass the time, the Kaisou history museum is holding a special exhibit about artifacts from the ancient world. Throughout the exhibit are a collection of artifacts from the Ancient Greek era that are in remarkable condition. In fact, those with archeological training might find it a bit too remarkable, finding pieces in such a pristine condition. Those with a keen magical sense will detect energy signatures indicative of the Spirit Realm. There's even a few objects that hold curses from the Greek pantheon that could be triggered in the wrong hands.

Crystal Rain

It's never fun to be caught in a summer microburst. Even under normal circumstances, they will drench you within a minute and you can kiss any electronic device that hasn't been waterproofed goodbye. And unfortunately, thanks to the damage done to the Spirit Vein, these summertime annoyances have only gotten worse. While regular rain will still act normally, should you get caught in a microburst, you will find your limbs begin to stiffen as crystals begin to form on your skin. The longer you stay out in the crystal-inducing rain, the worse the effect will get and the harder you will find it to move around. Be careful not to let it get so bad that you're stuck as a crystal statue for a while.

Fortunately, the effects seem to be temporary. Once you get to a dry place and dry yourself off properly, the crystals will fall off and your limbs will return to their normal mobility range. While the plant life (which is still growing out of control) doesn't seem to be affected by the rain, animals caught in the microbursts do seem to be. It wouldn't be a bad idea to help out your fellow creature and help dry the crystals off their furs or feathers. As for the normal people, they don't seem to notice the actual crystalizing effect and will just blame any mobility issues on their muscles and bones not handling this rainy season well. Sure Jan.

Mysterious Fathoms Below

Blue Fish Lake has always been a decent sized lake. It's large enough to be a good place to take a take a boat onto it and spend the day fishing the healthy lake fish population. That said, it's not that big. You could always see the other side from the shore, and it's depth couldn't be more than thirty or so feet. A good sized lake, sure, but hardly one that's going to be in any record books anytime soon.

On the night of July 6th, there is an extremely heavy rain storm - one that stands out from the other storms throughout the month. Torrential rains and strong wind blast the city. Make sure not to drive through any standing water, as you might end up with your car getting submerged in water.The next morning, after the storm has cleared and people can begin to (relatively) dry off, there will be reports that not only has Blue Fish Lake flooded, but it's gotten much deeper from the rain. Thousands of feet deeper.

While the normal people in the city don't question why Blue Fish Lake is now as deep as the ocean, it's pretty easy for app users to conclude that there's no way a summer rain storm could cause Blue Fish Lake to get that much deeper. And Zodiac seems to agree, as on July 7th they send out a message over the Libra app.

ALERT: SPIRIT REALM GATE DETECTED IN BLUE FISH LAKE.
Element Classification: Water
Danger Level: High
Designation: Atlantis
Zodiac has detected a Spirit Gate within Blue Fish Lake. Early reports indicate that this may be the lost city of Atlantis and might be worth investigating. Please go to the Zodiac offices for more information.

Should you head to the Zodiac office, there's a sense of excitement in the air. After all, the lost city of Atlantis isn't something you happen upon every day. The (fuzzy) Professor is there, and he's more than happy to tell you what he knows about Atlantis: It was a country that the philosopher Plato wrote of, one that fell into the ocean thanks to its hubris. Since then, there's been loads of people throughout history who have attempted to locate where the lost city was at, though usually with no success. A Zodiac intern will chime in to add that even many paranormal-based researches suspected it to be nothing more than a fanciful story, what with how long it had been since it'd been supposedly sighted. So the chance to confirm that Atlantis really does exist? It truly is a once in a life time opportunity.

That said, there is the issue of how to get to that realm, with it being so deeply underwater. In order to pull it off, Zodiac has decided to pull some strings and use what resources they can afford. They've been able to get in contact with the Bermuda Brotherhood - a paranormal group that specializes in researching and safeguarding the Bermuda Triangle - and convinced them to loan Zodiac a submarine and crew. Black Order and POKEGO members may have heard of the Bermuda Brotherhood before. They have a reputation for being an ornery group that is extremely territorial about the Bermuda Triangle and, convinced it's the crown jewel of supernatural hotspots. Not bad people by any stretch, but could probably stand to go to shore and touch some grass. Still, eccentricities aside, there's no doubt they're experts on deep sea diving and you'll be in good hands.

Once you're done preparing, it's time to head off. Sitting in Blue Fish Lake is an old-timey-looking submarine. It wouldn't be far out of place in a Jules Verne novel. Ancient as it looks, this is everyone's ticket through the spirit gate, which is submerged under the lake. The geese are, naturally, furious about this, and can be seen swimming around it and occasionally pecking ineffectively at both it and the crew sent by Zodiac to man the damn thing. The sub is big enough to hold a decent number of people, and once everyone's aboard (after dodging any of the angry geese nearby) the sub descends under the waters of the lake.

The sub goes deeper and deeper, much deeper than any lake should be able to go. Seaweed starts to appear, jutting out through rocky outcrops as schools of fish hurry out of the submarine's wake. It's clear you are definitely no longer in a lake, but under the ocean depths. Deeper and deeper you go, as light fades from dappled rays to almost nothing. Eventually, the only lights around are those from the submarine itself, lighting the way down.

At some point in the journey a deep, guttural, pulsating call can be heard in the darkness. For a moment, you could be forgiven for thinking a whale is making the noise, but as it gets closer and closer, it's clear that this is something completely different. The lights of the sub sometimes catch a shadow on a rocky crag, before it vanishes once again. Eventually, though, whatever is stalking you makes an attack on the sub. The craft is suddenly and violently jarred to one side as something very large slams against it. If characters aren't holding onto something, they're going to hit the deck HARD. The crew starts panicking, rushing about trying to assess the damage as the sub is slammed into again, and at this point, the submarine is definitely taking on water. In a desperate attempt to save everyone, the captain orders the submarine through a tunnel in the rocks the lights have just glanced off. Thankfully, this works, and as the submarine moves into the tunnel, a current picks up the downed craft and pushes it through to the other side, where it breaks the surface of the water into a cavern. The submarine is seriously damaged, and the captain states it will take time to fix it. However, the cave does seem to have a way out, and it might well be worth exploring that while no one can go anywhere else.

The Lost City of Atlantis

Following the exit to the cave, you will find yourself entering a beautiful city. Ancient temples rise to the sky, with huge columns of stone decorating the entrances. It looks almost ancient Greek in origin, but not quite. Stranger still is that even though this looks like a city from ancient times, the people seem to enjoy many modern conveniences, magically powered by the crystals worn around their necks. The city runs in a circle, living and thriving. There are people here, who will happily welcome you to Atlantis- the first explorers that they have seen in...well, forever! If you squint and look to the very borders of the city, you can see stone monoliths holding up some invisible barrier. The ocean shifts behind it; fish and seaweed abound in an undersea world full of life. The people are excited to show you their city, though they come across as a very pious lot. If you comment on the city's beauty or vibrance, they downplay it, almost fearfully. If that strange behavior is brought up to them, they quietly point out that their pride and avarice is what angered the Gods enough to sink their city. They do not intend to incur the wrath of the Gods again.

Luckily, there is plenty for you to do in the city. You can eat almost wholly seafood-based meals from people only too happy to open their meals or food stalls to those explorers looking for a bite to eat. If you really want, you can go and get yourself a tattoo with glow-in-the-dark ink. If you request a tat of anything that existed after 1000 B.C, though, you will likely get very confused looks. Better stick to fish or Atlantean symbols. You can also get involved in crafting- though as might be expected, a lot of the crafts involve making fish spears or nets. Speaking of, natives will be glad to take you out on boats to the tranquil waters that surround the city, where there's plentiful fish and sea life to catch- you might even be able to catch your own meal! The natives will be very nervous about getting TOO close to the barrier, though, muttering that things have been unsettled with that as of late.

For the more academically minded, you can investigate the crystals all the Atlanteans wear around their necks. They are more than happy to hand one over to you to check out, explaining that the crystals were a gift from the Gods and were what allowed them to be such a thriving utopia in "the old days". For those with either an ability to sense or otherwise investigate the crystals, you will find them to be a perfect blend of magic and an unknown, almost alien technology. You will find that the crystals power everything - from lights, to starting fires, to boat engines, to even acting as a magic translator (just in case you were wondering how they speak English). You can also use them to power stone, fish-shaped vehicles, which you can ride somewhat like a motorcycle. These fly into the air, giving you a chance to view the city from above.

Unfortunately those hoping to find reading material will be out of luck. While the most important events are recorded through murals and stone tablets, scholars will explain that the humidity from being under the ocean makes preserving paper basically impossible. As such, most of their stories are pass down through the oral tradition, with storytellers and theater performers being treated with reverence. You'll be welcome to attend any storytellers performance if you wish to hear about tales of Atlantean history. If you're more interested in the arts, Atlantean theater offers a wide variety of plays- so long as you don't mind all of them being morality plays about the virtues of being pious.

Meanwhile, members of the Black Order who are keeping a watchful eye will notice that somehow they acquired an extra person that wasn't on the submarine. As it turns out, a curator from Kaisou Museum has been using one of the magic stripper poles from the Goodwill to go into different Spirit Realms and grab up relics to put into the museum. The Ancient Greek relics in his exhibit now? Were lifted from the tear Ash was dragged through last month. The curator seems to have no regard for the actual safety or origin of the items, rather just grabbing whatever he thinks would attract visitors. The Black Order will need to figure out how to deal with this man, and return any unsafe items back to the Spirit Realm where they belong.

The Price of Hubris

Once you have enjoyed the city and gotten to know the people well enough, they will lead you to the tribal council, leaders of the city who watch over all that occurs within. They explain that there have been breaks happening in the barrier which blocks Atlantis from the ocean- that leaks have been appearing, and they are worried if this continues, the city will once again sink, and this time the Gods will not protect them.

Finally, with the blessing of the elders, some of the native Atlanteans will take you to the borders of the city. You can see for yourself small cracks in the barrier, water leaking through them. Some have been hastily patched with pitch or mortar, but it's clear this will not hold forever. The people are frightened - they've been so careful, so pious. They've been sure to never let their pride overtake them again, and yet it feels like the Gods are threatening to finish the job. They will allow you to explore, explaining there are some ancient parts of the city they will not go near as they are blessed ground to Atlanteans, but perhaps outsiders would be able to go there.

The "blessed ground" ends up being an ancient cave, untouched for millennia. Ancient texts are stored here, as are cave paintings, made with the same glow-in-the-dark ink that is used for tattoos these days. While you look through the cave, it's clear that things were put here to be hidden away; to avoid, like a dirty secret. Eventually, once you put enough clues together, you learn that "the Gods" did not sink Atlantis, nor did they give the Atlanteans the crystals that they're so proud of. The Crystals were plundered from the Spirit Realm by the Atlanteans themselves. Taken and crafted for their own use, to power their cities and give them an upper hand against the rest of the world. Unfortunately, the Spirit Realm is temperamental and prone to taking back what belongs to it. When it reached out to reclaim the crystals, it took the whole city with it, pulling it into the realm the crystals originated from. It was the ancient Atlanteans' own magictech that saved them, the barriers they'd built against potential invaders sealing them safely from the oceanic Spirit Gate that swallowed them whole.

Battle with Leviathan

As you exit the cave with all this newfound knowledge, the barrier is SHAKEN by another shockwave. This time, however, you're close enough to see what's caused it. This is no act of the Gods either. A huge sea serpent is slamming against the barrier, full of snarling, frothing rage. Get close to the city and the Atlanteans will offer a terrified explanation- that is the Leviathan, a sea monster which has haunted their city since it "sank". You realize quickly this is what attacked your sub when you were coming to the city in the first place. The Atlanteans say it was only a threat to anyone trying to leave the city previously, making it impossible to explore outside their literal bubble. It's never attacked them directly like this before, and they don't understand the change in behavior.

Regardless of what can be causing the increased aggression, this needs to be dealt with, or Atlantis really will be sunk beneath the waves. The Atlanteans luckily do have a means to breathe underwater- thanks to the crystals, they have invented a breathing mask to allow you to breathe underwater for about an hour at a time. They could never use it to truly escape the city thanks to the Leviathan's presence, and they were too fearful of it to actually attempt to fight it. But now you're all here, and maybe things can be different! Maybe you can be rid of the creature for good!

If you head to the cave where you originally entered, you will find the captain still working on the sub. He explains it's not ready yet- but you have other fish to fry. Literally. Using the flying fish vehicles, you drive into the water and use the apparatus to follow the tunnel out into the open ocean again, where the Leviathan is waiting for you. You will have to be able to swim and fight at the same time, and if you're a fire user ... well, good luck. The creature puts up one hell of a fight - it's fast and it's HUGE. Easily fifty feet in length. It can churn the water around it, sending out blasts of the stuff like aquatic projectiles. It will not be an easy battle at all. During the fight, you might notice it stop to swallow a discarded crystal- it seems this is what the creature feeds on, which would also explain the attacks on the city itself. Either way, it will give no ground, and you will have to work together to dispatch it for good.

Aftermath

Once the waters have settled and the Leviathan has been defeated, the barriers will slowly begin to show signs of repair. The Atlantean elders are surprised by the revelations of what actually caused their downfall, and they will request discretion as they sort out how to go about telling their people (after all, news on this scale could completely undo their way of life). Should you ignore their request and tell the population on your own, you can expect Atlantis to experience several instances of unrest throughout the month.

Either way, the people of Atlantis will be thankful for your help. The elders will grant you permission to keep your own power crystals, should you wish. Which leaves characters with a choice. A magic energy source like this could easily give you the power you need to build your own version of the Libra app, and even break free from relying on Zodiac or any other faction. However, if not handled carefully... these could drag all of Kaisou into the Spirit Realm, just like Atlantis.

It's not an easy decision to make, so characters should probably talk it over with one another before deciding.

No matter what you decide, the submarine will be repaired and ready to go within a few days. Once everyone returns to the surface, with the waters now safer, the city of Atlantis will be available to visit for the rest of the month before it disappears back into the dark oceans of the Spirit Realm.

OOC Notes

The dominant element this month is Water! Anyone with an affinity to the water element will find themselves boosted throughout the month. This could mean a boost to their power, having more energy, feeling more inspired with creativity, having better luck on different attempts -- the boost can manifest in all sorts of different ways. By contrast, anyone with an affinity for Fire will be experiencing the opposite. Perhaps their powers will be weaker, they have less energy, they're having a creative block or general worse luck - again it can manifest in all sorts of way and players are free to play with this mechanic as they'd like.

NOTE REGARDING THE POWER SOURCE: Whether characters decide to take the Atlanteans offer on the power source will have lasting consequences in the game, as such this will be put up to a vote among players that'll be open until July 12th. The vote can be found over here.

The original OOC plotting post for this event can be found here. Another Zodiac Post will be going up July 15th to serve as an intro post for new characters and allow characters to react to developments over the network.

Comments

[blackhand]

[It's been like this since nearly the first full moon when he arrived in this city.

Garrett is not a man who enjoys being flashy. He prefers being alone, a hidden face in the dark, something that's more a shadow then anything tangible or visible at all. "Child of the shadows," the Queen of Beggars calls him, and it's a title he strives to keep even now. But it's gotten harder, quite literally, when you suddenly can't hold anything, you fall through floors, you suddenly dematerialize and re-materialize at the drop of a hat if you're startled. It makes his work hard, frustrating, his tools completely useless when he's like this, wandering being his only option until it finally wears off.

The first night this came about, Garrett had torn out of the clocktower like a bat out of hell. His mind was overridden with the need to seek out ones who had wronged others, the master thief clearly toeing the line between his own mantra and being vengeance itself. Nowadays, it's easier to control and stay in control, but that doesn't mean he likes it, or that he's not afraid of it happening every time.

"Hey, Garrett. Make sure you don't become a ghost yourself."
"I've been a ghost my entire life."

The irony isn't lost on him. Here, in Kaisou, it's just as familiar as back home, though this time- he actually is a ghost. Garrett's not sure if Basso would laugh or be concerned, and he doesn't want to dwell on it. Not right now. Which is why he'd been keeping to one of the higher buildings here, out of sight, willing himself to at least stay tangible enough to not just fall through the rooftop itself. Once daylight comes, things will get easier.

And then he'd found that he wasn't the only one there- Vash had soon shown up and sat down, causing the thief to panic and fall through the floor. Luckily he caught himself before he'd gone further into the building, but this has now become annoying if only because he has to be fast to get out of here. Garrett quietly pokes his head up into the rooftop floor, eyes watching and moving quietly as possible to try and not get any attention on him. If he can just move quickly-

It's not fast enough. Vash spots him, or at least spots the echoes of him, trying to reach for a man who doesn't have a physical form currently, hands going through Garrett's arm as he jerks back in surprise. Of course, this only makes it worse, as he suddenly dematerializes where he is, only going and re-materializing a few feet away, irritation in his tone.

While he may not exactly look like he usually does- a different outfit; red eyes, the left one flaring brightly with wisps of a faint smoke trailing upwards; any open skin appearing more like someone dunked him in black ink and then painted every bone in stark white like a partial skeleton- the voice that speaks back is familiar, reverb or no.]

Go away.

[Vash is one who worries for the people he cares about, if he knows something's wrong. That's how it's been since the master thief has met him. Any chance he's had to interact with Garrett, there's been kindness and friendliness, there's been banter and a stalwart sense of companionship despite Garrett repeatedly trying to get out of said companionship. Despite his best efforts, he cannot get rid of the plant man, and so the thief has finally stopped trying. Here and now, he knows, knows that Vash isn't going to just leave him alone. Not after seeing this.

He's fine (he's not fine). He's used to it (he's not, it still terrifies him). He's had worse and it'll go back to normal soon enough (please help him).]

[doubledollar]

[ he saw it.

He saw that.
There was something moving in the air, that, were he a human, he's pretty sure he'd have missed it. Passed the thought through their head as just 'a trick of the light', or the wind having felt weird for a second.

But he saw it. Something barely tangible, moving through the air in the shape of a humanoid. Vash's eyes bouncing in his head, pupil getting bigger and smaller as he tries to focus on what he's sure was there.

And then he hears the voice. And he recognizes the voice; his shoulders rising up as he realises the weight of the words, and ... ]

Garrett?

p yeah, no, he's not going away. The tall, blonde man with eyes that are too bright for how dead in the night it is
is staring at his friend now, angel wings spread out behind him as he almost stands there in mute shock of what he's seeing.
His friend garrett is... a ghost?

A ...

Did... ]

Garrett, what happened??

[ surely his friend didn't die, did he? he can feel panic and nausea welling up in his stomach as he shifts to move closer. oh, buddy... ]

[blackhand]

[If there's any proof that Garrett hasn't changed, even in this form, it's the scoff he gives after the question, arms crossing as an afterthought.]

Before you assume the worst, no. I'm not dead.

[He can see how Vash's face shifts between surprise and worry, concern all too familiar for the thief to notice. Better to explain first before Vash panics, Garrett well aware of what will happen if he doesn't.

He just hasn't told anyone about this because ha ha. He hates socializing, and talking to people is annoying in general.]

This started happening sometime after I came here. Only shows up on a full moon.

[The thief grumbles, the irritation familiar and also very much how he is. He'd pace, but there's no point, him hovering here outdoes that.]

Otherwise, I'm normal. Don't know what it is, but as far as I know, ghosts don't exactly act like I have.

[He doesn't know what a revenant is, and this is a far better outcome then to truly become a revenant itself- a walking dead skeleton hellbent on revenge against what wronged it.]

[doubledollar]

[ thank you garrett, because he was. he was assuming the worst, he's lost SO many friends simply because he wasn't THERE at the right time, unable to protect them when they needed it the most.

His heart drops down back out of his throat, and he puts a hand over his chest, visibly trying to calm the fuck down from the panic he just felt. ]

--Good, good. You had me scared there for a second, friend. I only recently found out ghosts were real in this world, you know? I almost assumed the worst...

[ his expression is soft, and he's backlit, eerily by the full moon that's the cause of Garrett's current... predicament. ]

Just started 'cause of this place, huh.
That's... crazy, that you can just turn into a whole ghost...

[ he's gonna come a bit closer, garrett, don't freak out... ]

...Are you okay, though? Like, does it hurt?

[blackhand]

If you think I can be snuffed out that easily, [Here, his left eye glows, and there's an amused look that crosses his face.] I've survived a lot I shouldn't have.

[And besides, the City wouldn't exactly let him go. He still needs to bring about change, after all.

The next question, though. Garrett's eyes don't quite meet Vash's.]

Physically? No. [There is a massive "but" hanging on that sentence, though. It is true that there's no physical pain, which he's thankful for. Garrett's just not talking about the whole mentality that lodges itself by force into his head every time this happens. That part is both alarming and also terrifying, and saying so to Vash will only make him worry.

...when did he actually start caring about Vash and his feelings? He doesn't care. He isn't attached. That just means vulnerability, and Garrett wants nothing to do with that.]

[doubledollar]

--Listen, It's nothing against you at all, I promise. I'm just... very used to most people being pretty brittle, you know? [ no, Garrett doesn't know. But then again, given that Vash is standing in front of Garrett looking a little like a biblically accurate angel, what with how he has feathers growing out of pretty much every part of his body, other than the wings, the man might get an idea. religious idealism aside. ] Even if the people from this world can be pretty hardy, I ... maybe worried I ...

[ He raises his hands, giving the other a 'forget it, forget it' gesture with both of his hands. That's not important right now.

What's important is the downswing of worry that falls into his gut as the master thief specifies that it's physical pain that he's currently not feeling.
Being a man who's lived 151 years and experienced all sorts of different kinds of pain; that clues into his brain and he's trying to move closer again. ]

...Garrett, if there's anything I can do to help you.

[ he's reaching out. ]

[blackhand]

I know. [Surprisingly, the master thief understands. People break easily, both physically and mentally, when things go wrong. He's been there, he's watched it, learned from it, survived as a result.] I've seen plenty of it; the City isn't exactly kind.

[Here, however. Vash offers to try and help, and it causes the other to pause. Garrett goes through a plethora of emotions in a second, the shifts subtle and easy to miss. There's confusion, frustration, surprise, uncertainty. He doesn't understand why Vash wants to help with this. It boggles him every time.

His eyes dart to Vash, then away again.]

...I don't know if you can.

[It is one of the rarest admittances he'll allow himself in this situation.

He doesn't withdraw when Vash reaches out to him. What's the worst he can do, have his hand fall through him?]

[doubledollar]

[ this city was way kinder than no man's land was. he can't imagine what Garrett's City was like--but it couldn't have been good, either. why else would someone like garrett turn the way he did? stealing to live, trusting noone but himself--it was absolutely the sign of a man who had surroundings that were cruel, so they made him grow a hard shell, as well.

His eyes flicker a little in the darkness of the full-moon night, and somewhere far off he swears he can hear the baying of some lonesome hound, and he ... wonders.
He honestly wonders if he could do anything. Coming to mind the way he'd try to resonate with other plants while they were struggling through their death knell... he wonders...

His fingers brush against where Garrett's fingers should be. the feathers that flicker and twitch along his wrist and fingers curl in, as if searching for some connection. A light glow surrounding the tips of his fingers as he ... tries to resonate with garrett's spirit, much like he would with the souls of his sisters.

A sort of musical tune would creep up garrett's mind, like he's being surrounded in it, instead of just hearing it.
it's low, weak--not at all strong as it might be were garrett a plant, but... ]

I'll keep you company till morning, if nothing else.

1/2

[blackhand]

[There is so much in Kaisou that he knows many people don't have back home. Plenty of food, warm beds, places to go if you have no place of your own. The sick actually are cared for, the lower class isn't run over like a body underneath the weight of a carriage running over the cobblestone. The leaders and heads of places in this city aren't focused on greed or profit or production as much as the Baron. There are flaws, still, but Garrett supposes no place is without them, and that makes his time here all the more interesting.

Looking at the moon behind Vash now, Garrett wonders exactly what time it is. It never mattered back home, he'd gotten used to being out by night and knowing when to return to safety back in the clocktower. But here, there's so much more light, so much more of an environment he's still getting used to. But he has connections now, a network to slowly work off of, even might have the beginnings of a fence, to boot. It’s not home, but he’s going to thrive here eventually.

When Vash puts his fingers by Garrett’s hand, it gets a very wary stare, the master thief not sure what to think. Usually, he'd be concerned, or withdraw. But it's his curiosity that wins out here, at least allowing himself to see what Vash is doing, and if he even will succeed. His friend's appearance isn't one that even shocks him, as they stand there, Garrett fully aware that if he can suddenly turn into a ghost, whatever Vash has going on now might as well be something the thief should get used to.

So when the musical tune suddenly pops into his mind, he turns his head back and forth, trying to understand. There's no source that he can see, but with how the other is reacting– it at least eases the edge of uncertainty and confusion. And yet, even after this new discovery, Garrett doesn't move where he is. If there's anything the master thief has learned and had solidified for him from this blubbering, whiny crybaby, it's that Vash would never try to hurt him.

But that’s not what’s the most surprising thing of all.]

[blackhand]

[As the notes play out, Vash will notice that they aren’t simply just his. Another moves right alongside it, quiet, at ease, with no malice, but rather a curiosity to try and understand. The notes are old, a reverberation of something ancient and wise, and very not human.

A part of the Primal, after all, resides in Garrett’s eye.

The tune leans itself into a story of sorts, a tale of a sentient city. The City. Garrett’s home. While it doesn’t provide images, Vash would be able to see the struggle, the lives lived, the harshness of the world. How there was hope and brightness even in the dark, festivities and light even then.

And then, the Gloom. Death. Mindless agony. Hope snuffed out for many.

There is no sorrow, no struggle now. The Primal gives another soft tone, one that indicates the friends and those who help the master thief. How the city itself rests upon the bones of the old, how things change and shift, how it always knows this. Understands in non-human ways.

And underneath all of that, lies the tone of gratefulness, of thankfulness without any words. It knows Garrett isn’t home, and that’s fine. This one, the one who calls himself Vash, is someone the thief needs. Kindness and thoughtfulness without being forced to change who he is. It’s a concept that would end up getting someone killed, and the Primal knows it. So it offers a tone of thanks in the only way it can, Garrett all the while completely oblivious at this entire interaction.

As this happens, he pushes his hands towards the lit fingertips of his friend, fully expecting to go through them.

He doesn’t.

Garrett blinks in almost disbelief, feeling actual contact while he stays an incorporeal being with nothing to hold him to the earth save for his own stubbornness. He opens his mouth to say something, pauses, then sighs, shaking his head. He’s already resigned to his fate as it is. There’s no point in going anywhere now.]

[doubledollar]

[ he doesn't know what to expect when he starts this. Resonating with plants was something that was a second nature to him--they all had a hivemind of a sort, just being close with them allowed them to feel, hear, and think with an energy they all shared--resonating with a human would be an impossibility as well; garrett isn't a plant, humans aren't plants, but.

As his fingers touch the very edges of garrett's ghostly hands, there's something that sings back to him. Something old; impossibly so, and it immediately makes Vash think of other Plants--but older, bigger; harder to understand, like the smallest minnow swimming in front of the world's biggest whale; in a moment he's faced with something that is daunting and yet

he isn't afraid

he isn't afraid, because it doesn't threaten to swallow him, but instead, it sings back. lines being drawn through his mind like the soft edge of a paintbrush, drawing emotions that are thoughts, memories that aren't whole. His chest aches as he runs through the song as it plays in his ears--the start of it a discordant, unhappy tune that laments the tale of a place as barren as his home desert and yet densely populated. there's no hope, and it makes his stomach feel empty.

the feeling doesn't last long as there's a crest to the song, a light in the dark, and this is the moment where the first tear runs down his cheek, springing forward and followed by another, and another as the emotions that fall out of that light are so kind
they're wordless and gentle, like a mother's embrace; a thank you that's said without using any sort of communication to say the words and yet he knows. He knows, in this moment, that he'd been doing the right thing.

He blinks again, and he's almost pulled back to reality--having not realised that he'd closed his eyes to try to hang on to every note of that sad, baneful song that the creature had drawn behind his eyelids, and his fingers move, to tightly grip Garrett's hand.

Long, light feathers curl and circle the handshake of sorts, and his second hand--the mechanical one--comes to cup over the back of the thief's hand--as if to protect it, a warm smile moving over his face.

I'll take care of him. His thoughts are just his thoughts, he isn't a telepath, and the music is slowly fading--but he can at least make this promise, and hope that whatever is hiding behind Garrett's eye can hear him. I promise, so long as I am here, he will never be alone.

His fingers squeeze, and even if Garrett's hand feels brittle under his fingertips, he keeps his grip light as if to prove it's still there. ]

There you are.
See? Everything's gonna' be alright, weird as this whole thing is.

[blackhand]

[The longer this odd interaction goes on, the more antsy Garrett feels. Vash hasn't said a word, hardly responded to the touch of his hand, and the thief wonders what all is happening around them in general. He doesn't like close proximity from most people, always does things on his own, so this is awkward and perplexing on so many levels.

And then out of nowhere Vash reacts, gripping Garrett's hand, regardless of him being a ghost, regardless of everything falling through his hands before now. It startles him for a second, not expecting the gunslinger to grab him, but what's even more puzzling is the smile on Vash's face. Is that fondness?

...Garrett is going to regret this so much when he goes back to normal, he knows it.

Now with both hands on his, he's not too sure what to do, other then just try not to fathom how exactly his friend is touching an actual ghost.]

...I'm not going to ask what that was. [Usually he'd want to know what the hell just happened, but he's had enough ridiculous things go on already tonight, so no. He'll be fine without knowing anything about it.

Still, it's not all bad. He remembers what Vash told him, after all. Garrett will have company until the sunrise. There's a sigh, but the master thief doesn't argue or pull back from Vash's touch. Garrett's resigned himself to this, so he might as well, at this point.]

Don't know when the sunrise is. Not yet. [His tone is sarcastic.] Hopefully we won't have a cloudy morning, I'd hate to have to stay like this longer then I have to.

[It's a joke, but he's still a sassy stubborn asshole all the same.]

[doubledollar]

[ if garrett asked, Vash would tell. It wasn't a secret that he felt he needed to keep from the other; it was part of garrett, after all: it wasn't his secret to keep.

But the other claims he wasn't going to ask what it was, and carefully, he lets go of Garrett's hand, if the other pulls away to himself, he'll not hold on tightly, but. He'll also let the touch linger--maybe it's comforting? ]

If you ever do want to know, we can sit down and talk.

[ the offer is there. we're friends after all. ]

Either now, or later--that's up to you.
We can find something else to talk about while you're like that.

...I'd offer to take you flying, but. I might not be able to pick you up properly, like that.