UN: Zodiac | Happy July!

[kaisoumods]

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: Libra App
WHEN: July 1st
WHAT: Zodiac Network Post
WARNINGS: None!

[As June comes to an end, so comes the heavy rains and thunder that indicates the arrival of the water element month. You can't see the spirit vein through the thick clouds and deluge of water, but it's shifted into shades of blues. Everyone's devices will emit a soothing wind chime sound as a new Zodiac post appears. The chime will sound even if you have your phone turned off or on silent, and will not stop until you read their messsage and comment to it.]


Fidelio and Basilio have left the app.

[The post then continues on.]

Hello and thank you for using the Libra app.

Happy July everyone! I hope everyone had a wonderful Pride season and a good summer so far! I myself had a wonderful month, as I decided to take some time off - which is the real reason for my absence! [It was not, she was in the office every day] All and all, I'd say it was a wonderful start to the summer!

Anyway, enough about me- time for some announcements! The Kaisou Anime Convention will be happening at the Civic Center this weekend! The convention will be taking place every weekend, and there will be several family friendly panels sponsored by Zodiac- so dress up like your favorite ninjas and animes and check it out!

Also, this friday please come check out the firework show in Blue Fish Park! Zodiac is one of the many sponsors and we're excited to light up the night sky for the holiday! Please don't let the weather forecasts of heavy downpours all weekend be enough to discourage you! You gotta try to think positive after all!

Well, that's all for now! Try to stay dry and have a wonderful week!

[Note, no matter how much positive thinking you do, the firework show will definitely be rained out]


This post is sponsored by the Papa's Omniria! Try out our special Starlight Spangled donuts today!

[Users will have the option to choose their own display names and userpics if they haven't already. If nothing is chosen, the app will use their real name and a quick photo taken of them from their camera's phone.

Please note that there will be no city log this month, with the next event log being posted on the 15th. As such, players are free to make their own posts and mingles regarding city events. If you want more details on what's happening the city this month, it can be found here.

If you haven't responded to AC, you still have until 11:59am EST today to do so! Once you do, you'll be removed from this post. ]

Comments

[loupmorque]

Ah, I see. You do have impeccable taste. I like being able to choose my own temperature for meat, so we're in agreement.

But, to answer your questions:

It's simply the way the Coupon Cafeteria in Meropide works. When you eat here, you eat for completely free--but the two caveats. You can order as many meals as you'd like so long as you waste nothing. You have to eat everything you take; wasting food that people have worked on is frowned upon. But the meals you get are completely random. You could get a delicious rack of ribs made by yours truly--or a bowl of soup that's been salted just a little too much.
The people who live down here often work at the cafeteria for free to provide meals for people who are residents and visitors alike--so sometimes you'll get a dish that isn't quite up to standard.

...it can be fun, so long as you're a good sport about it.

And two; yes!! [ ...the duke never uses two exclamation points. thank god lycaon cant see him, his tail is wagging just a little now. chains that've been tied around it clinking. ] Jun is a very good friend of mine, and was one of the first to come live down here. He's a very important part of the community down here.

[paraselenic]

[Lycaon reads the explanation from Wriothesley, and a familiar lurch in his stomach and ice grips his heart. It did sound like a nice way to have a meal--there's always a little excitement with leaving something to chance. However, his previous employment had a coworker who...was very eclectic with her cooking. He may or may not have had to stomach something that was emitting purple smoke.

But as Wriothesley continues, his fear starts to dissipate. So it was just amateur cooking as opposed to actual eldritch abominations. That was comforting.]

That is not a problem. I am not one to waste food [Unless a certain phantom thief peer pressures him] as a rule to myself, and I will certainly not turn it down for something as simple as lack of skill.

It's not something I'm entirely proud of, but I have gained somewhat of an iron stomach from previous experiences.

[But his tail is also wagging. You like Jun too???]

It is not surprising he is well loved down there. He has been nothing short of essential in helping me with a variety of questions and made me feel welcome on this app. I'd been asked to visit, so now that you are saying this as well, I have even more incentive.

[loupmorque]

[ oh no, who took this perfectly good dog and traumatized him? he's been food traumatized. the worst kind of trauma for a good bupper. It's okay Lycaon--the worst food you might get down in Meropide is arguably the Archon Loaf, which is just a dense hunk of dry bread that tastes like a particularly bland sponge. ]

Ah... having an iron stomach usually is a hint towards something terrible that might have happened. I'll save you the explanation, unless you'd rather have that chat over tea sometime.

Jun is like that. He helped me out a lot when I first arrived in this world, too. [ casual confession that he's an from another world; nbd ]

--This has been rude of me. I didn't even introduce myself.
You're new to the app, yes? My name is Wriothesley, but you can just call me 'The Duke'. My name is admittedly a mouthful.

1/2

[paraselenic]

[Ah, how rude of him as well. He hadn't introduced himself either.]

My apologies, it seems that manners have escaped me as well. I am Lycaon--it's nice to meet you, Duke Wriothesley. Whichever form of your name is most comfortable I can adapt to.

And a chat over tea? How relaxing. [When was the last time he could just sit and enjoy tea with someone? Usually it was just at his house alone.

...But he feels like he should provide a prelude for his experiences, and sends a few photos he collected from his ex-coworker's Instagram.]

2/2

[paraselenic]

[Wait. Hold up.

"Arrived in this world".. What did he mean by that?

He has heard the term used to imply immigration. Is he from Europe? Asia?

New Jersey?]

You are not from around here, Duke?

[loupmorque]

Hey, there's no need to apologise. I was the one who approached you and engaged conversation without bothering to introduce myself. Usually I'm a little more tactful than that, but it seems this subject got my brain going before my manners.

And yes, over tea. I find that's usually the best way to get to know someone.

[ he's... looking at these photos with almost audible disgust. oh god. lycaon tell him you didn't eat this... ]

How about this; you tell me you didn't actually eat any of the things in this picture, and I'll in return tell you where I'm from.

Part of the reason I spoke to you here wes because your name is new on the network. I have a habit of talking to newcomers--and some of them, like yourself, aren't aware that people like me exist in this world. It's best to learn early so it doesn't catch you off guard later.

[paraselenic]

[This man is a like-minded soul. He too likes to learn more about a person over a cup of tea, and perhaps some edible snacks. Keyword being edible.

Lycaon...will come forth about those photos honestly.]

She was rather eager to show us her culinary skills, and my coworkers and I wanted to support her. One was sent to the hospital, and I was fortunate enough to merely make it out with aggressive food poisoning. My youngest coworker, a part time waitress, could stomach it, though she did not like the taste. We then made a pact, that we would dispose of it whenever she brought food. Where she could not see, of course.

...It handled pest problems quite well. [Comforting!]

[The more Wriothesley talks, the more otherworldly it sounds. And he has a hunch that's not just vibe alone.]

I see. So we are speaking more on terms of..interdimensional travel than a mere plane or ship ride.

[loupmorque]

[ high tea was the most important meal of the day. tea with cake or finger sandwiches was one of the duke's favorite times of the day, and it is best shared with more people. he welcomed guests in his office for just that. ]

...I see. That's both very supportive of you as a friend, and yet very safe for you and the rest of you. 'Aggressive Food Poisoning' doesn't sound like something you should have a repeat incident for. You're lucky to have survived the first time...

[ whoever the person was who stomached it... she must be insanely strong. he would quietly commend her while shaking his head. ]

You got it in one. I arrived in this world rather suddenly. I was home, and then suddenly, I knew I wasn't. I walked through a maze of a place that should have been destroyed long ago, and I met someone ...very powerful who pulled me through into this world. He let me know it was a rare, but not unheard of occurrence for this to happen. People getting stranded in this world from their own universes and dimensions, without any clear way of getting home.

...I've been here for almost two years, now.

[paraselenic]

[Once a dog learns the food gives him a tummyache, he definitely doesn't go for it again. RIP to any future victims.]

I can see that being quite disorienting. It says something about your character that you have been able to thrive in an alien world and even become assimilated into it. [While he has a lot of confidence in himself that he would do the same, he can't guarantee it would be a smooth transition.]

Though from the way you spoke of Meropide, you have gathered some close friends and allies. One could not ask for more.

[loupmorque]

[ there's.... something in the others' words that makes him smile, despite himself. ]

Meropide is an enigma. It's... a structure that's wound up in this world from my own. It's where I grew up, the place I'm the most comfortable. As if it followed me here.

The fact that so many people call it home now. ...It brings me a lot of comfort, I think. Perhaps in a way, were it not for this place showing up when it did, I'd be a little more lost.

[paraselenic]

[Places can isekai too, it seems. Maybe the universe felt it would be too cruel to send one alone, so Wriothesley received his home to make the transition easier. His head could ponder this for hours.

But the way Wriothesley talks is heartwarming in itself. Lycaon was a wolf, and thus knew the importance of a pack. Strength, comfort, support. Those who can help you through suffering and can share in your victories. It's something he hasn't felt in a long time, despite looking to the horizon for it.]

Would it be too bold of me to say it sounds like you've found family?

[loupmorque]

If I'm honest with you, I have no reference to what a family feels like. [ he's never had a real family--but. ] But I very much think that if I were put on the spot to what a family is, I'd call it the folks who live down here.

It's not bold at all.
Now, should I accuse you of being a psychic, Mr. Lycaon?

[paraselenic]

I have never known the ties of blood relatives, myself. I was abandoned at quite a young age. But I have known the joy of companionship, and I would like to think that it is just as precious and irreplaceable, perhaps even more so than blood. [He has also seen the darker side of blood family, but ah...now's not the time or place for that.]

[He smiles at that last statement.]

You give me too much credit, Duke. Instincts are no match for psychic abilities, albeit being just as mysterious.

[loupmorque]

Looks like we have some things in common. [ he's not going to elaborate, but ] And I think you're right about that. There's something special about having a family that you chose.

[ bonds you make yourself without obligation... there's something about it. maybe its his bias about families, but... ]

Haha, instinct is something I understand. I'll let you off easy, in that case.

Let me know when you'd like to get together for that chat. Getting used to this city can take a while, so if I can help in any way, I will.

[paraselenic]

[Wolf truly meeting Husky right now.]

I will let you know once my schedule clears. I'm just coming off of a chain of reservations for cruise lines that I bar tend for, so I must get accustomed to my standard routine again.

[But his tail's wagging. He's looking forward to it.]