acatalepsy_logs | WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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WORLD JUMP # 1: EL MINHA.

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welcome to el minha.

It will happen at random- you could be asleep, or wandering the Temple, or a variety of other options. It will feel a little strange, like a sudden warmth spreading across your skin, and then your bracelet will light up and a semi-familiar voice will be heard.

I hope you are able to help the people of El Minha! And oh- in case I didn't mention it already, water is very, very valuable here.

And then you will blink, and it will be bright. Bright, and warm, as you are standing just inside the grand walls that protect the impressive city before you. At your hip there will be a small bag with a few bits of coin - nothing too crazy, and definitely not enough to last you the entire stay (which...you're not exactly sure how long it will be), but enough to get started. Your presence brings a couple of glances, a stare or two, but overall the city seems to continue on with its day.

Welcome to the Red Desert, the city of El Minha.

THE PALACE

After a few hours of being within El Minha, the King has heard that a large amount of travelers are now wandering within the city limits. An audience is called in front of the Royal Palace, and King Kathashun steps out onto the dias. He is dressed rather plainly, for a monarch -- a purple robe, with some gold bangles and bracelets, but no ornate crown or anything like that. However, when he appears, the natives around you grow quiet, at the presence of their King.

“I understand that there are a lot of new people, within our fair city. Welcome to El Minha, the Jewel of the Red Desert. Enjoy our culture, our people, our wares; we welcome you, and hope you enjoy your stay.”

There is a pause, though, as King Kathashun seems to weigh out what he wants to say.

“I normally do not spend my time greeting tourists to our city, as our Crown Guard typically handles educating our visitors on our ways,” he continues, folding his hands behind his back. “But the heart of our city has been heavy, in recent months, and I feel it is my duty as King to be clear, to be honest, and to speak the truth. Recently, we have been attempting to hunt down individuals who wish our city harm, who have harmed my family, and my people. The Syndicate has been active, as of late, and I warn all of you who are not familiar with El Minha to avoid certain areas of the city should you wish to keep your pocketbooks.”

There’s a slight quirk of his lips, as he says that, before he tilts his head in a polite gesture of greeting toward the crowd.

“Please, enjoy El Minha. And should any of you garner any information concerning the Syndicate, please do not hesitate to contact me.”

For the duration of your time in El Minha, King Kathashun will be within his palace . . . or so the Crown Guard says, should you ask them for an audience. That being said, you might be lucky wandering the streets. The King of El Minha tends to mingle more with the common folk than the Crown Guard would lead you to believe . . .

THE GRAND MARKET

Welcome to the heart and soul of El Minha - a massive outdoor market in the center of the city. Covered by fabric stretched between the buildings, this market feels almost like a city, or living soul, in and of itself. It is constantly moving, constantly evolving. Anything you could imagine is for sale here - spices, jewelry, weapons - whatever you’re looking for, anything at all. While you won’t necessarily find specific items from your home, you can find any matter of similarly made or crafted ones. Think cheap knock-offs, or unnecessarily well-made versions, because they can vary widely. There can also be items of some level of magic, though nothing particularly strong or overly impressive. (feel free to ask the mods on the previous ooc post about if an item is too over-powered to be found in the market - and also know that there’s always the chance you could find it in the underground. It just depends on how determined you are to track it down.) Stalls can range from cobbled together boxes and goods to grand, incredible stands - it all depends on what you’re looking for, and how long you’re willing to look. There is no map here, so tread lightly!

The merchants that work in the market are experienced, practiced sales people. They know how to sell to anyone, but especially tourists. Barter to your hearts content, but it will take a little more than a ‘please’ to get those prices down. They have expert eyes and will not take pick-pockets or thieves well. However, as experienced and watchful as the merchants may be, that won’t stop young kids on the streets targeting the tourists as well - so keep an eye out on your pockets!

As long as you have coin, water, or something to trade you are welcome as long as you’d like to stay here in the El Minha Marketplace. However, if you loiter for too long, you might get a swift kick in the ass to either get moving or buy something - they’re not giving away anything for free, and that includes the shade.

THE SPARKLING SAPPHIRE

As the announcement from King Kathashun comes to an end, all members of the Circle will be communicated - in one way or another - the direction to the Sparkling Sapphire. Free housing, you’ve been told. All you have to do is go, give them your name, and let them know you are part of the group that King Kathashun has directed here.

Here, as it turns out, isn’t too shabby of a place. A large building with plenty of rooms, it is clean and fairly busy, with a bustling tavern area and rooms upstairs. You can pick up your key from the older woman behind the front desk, and are directed to the staircase in the middle of the establishment. The rooms are clean, but plain, with one or two beds depending on your preference.

Downstairs in the tavern you can find food served for both breakfast and dinner, which is included in the room. Otherwise, there is a small fee for food or drink, and the servers are talented and experienced and very, very friendly. It is in the tavern that you can find the hookah, and some strange liquor as well, but it’s up to you if you choose to drink it. The food is incredible, beyond incredible, and they can make almost anything that you’ll like, though it may come out a bit creative.

The main room is comfortable - with a roaring fire but without the suffocating heat. There is a bard in the corner, who will sing or tell stories or simply play, depending on the feeling of the room.

Have a drink! Or a meal! While most of the people here are indeed Circle members, there may be a couple of natives mixed in as well. Take a load off, relax, and enjoy the hospitality that only a King’s Coin can bring.

THE FIGHT RING

The ring itself is somewhat on the outskirts of town - a colosseum-esque collection of buildings that watch over a pit-like arena. The buildings protect the Fighting Ring from any outside eyes, or any unwanted attention, as this area is solely under the command of The Syndicate. Anyone is allowed inside, as long as you don’t cause any problems and don’t start any trouble. There are a number of what you can assume are Syndicate-employed figures that are constantly canvasing the area as well, so don’t expect to be able to sneak in unless invited or allowed.

The Fight Ring is open for volunteers at any time, and once you’ve been checked for any fun business and told the rules (no magic, only weapons allowed are the ones provided, the fight will end once one side relents or is taken out of commission). If this still feels like your cup of tea, you are invited to take a spot in line. Perhaps, if you’ve shown yourself promising enough, The Champion may appear to protect their crown. Otherwise, you will find plenty of adversaries around.

If you are looking for a less aggressive route, there are plenty of seats open to watch, as well as many other members of the city taking a break to watch the fights, and they certainly wouldn’t mind sharing some of their favorite stories of matches or victories. The Champion is the resounding favorite, but the stories shared will vary to the point that almost no useful information can be gleaned.

Join in the festivities that surround the ring! Pick up some food, bet on some fighters, enjoy the competition, and maybe you’ll be lucky and catch a sight of The Champion, or any of the other legendary figures of the El Minha Fight Ring.

THE GOLDEN PHOENIX

The Golden Phoenix is the central location of the Syndicate . . . and locals will make absolutely no effort to hide that fact from the Circle members. However, people don't seem to be afraid to go, though you definitely need to have coin to get through the door.

There are multiple tables where various dice and card games are being played, as well as old slot machines. There are multiple employees in dark uniforms wandering around, offering drinks to all those who are spending coin on the machines, free of charge. If you loiter too long without spending money, you will be asked why you're there -- not in a threatening way, of course. But the relationship between the Syndicate and the King isn't all that great, as of late . . . can't be too careful with spies.

In the back of the Golden Phoenix, there's a tiny racing ring in the back where small lizards are being raced in a little track set on a table. You can place bets on any of the lizards and, who knows? You may win a prize, including a little lizard! How cute! (Be careful, though: they nip.)

But out back, there's another lizard racing ring, though these ones are . . . well, they're certainly not tiny. In fact, people seem to be riding on them akin to horse racing . . . and jockeys are a dime a dozen, in El Minha. Fancy yourself the next Triple Crown winner? Step right up, step right up, and take a spin on the track outside!

Additionally, please feel free to write up and work with your own prompts! These are presented as jumping off points for your characters, not limitations. The idea of this world- as with all the others- is to explore. There will be some NPCs interacting with characters as well, so keep an eye out for those as well! If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask them back on the mod questions thread back in the OOC post from before!

From this point forward, the Circle has become involved with the political stasis and climate of El Minha. What your character finds out, decides, and does from here on out will affect the future of this city- one way or another! But what you do is completely up to you. What you discover, explore, and uncover in this city will be yours to discover, explore, and uncover. Who knows what you might find? :)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[His drink is a rich ruby red with odd threads of gold liquid chased through it. It almost looks like a gem. He catches Keith's eye as he takes another sip.]

Yes, but we'll do what we can. So long as we do that that's all Astoria can ask for. It's not that different from what Allura and I do when we forge alliances.

The difference is we have more knowledge and political influence of our own. Especially Allura. But this is the trickier and more exhausting part of our jobs and now, Circle life.

The difference is we're coming in with nothing. At least back home the Galra empire made for a pretty clear common enemy. That unites people pretty well. Here... this is a city that's at odds with itself.

[And they're outsiders. Hopefully mostly well-intentioned outsiders, but still. Shiro is right though.] It is going to require that sort of diplomacy though. Your experience will probably come in handy.

[Keith's experience is a great deal less diplomatic and a great deal more sword-based.]

He really doesn't stand on ceremony or formality. So don't worry about that whenever you meet him outside of his formal self.

[Much like Keith never stands on either. The thought causes his lips to quirk in a half smile. He's really missed having his closest friend around.]

...the first thing we need to do is find out the structure of the city's people. We know there's a King and the Syndicate. It's a question of what goes on among the people who are living with that system.

[His fingers tap on the bartop as he builds a plan in his head.]

And you're right. There is no clear enemy here. Just a lot of threads to untangle. We'll need people like you who can see through them as much as we'll need diplomacy. Sometime soon I think the Circle should have a network discussion of all we've learned so far.

...good to know. I'm not exactly talented at that anyway.

[A shade of a grin.] But you knew that.

[Shiro has to be intensely aware of that. Last time he had to be "diplomatic" he sort of took that Olkari leader hostage for a second or two.

Keith watches Shiro closely. It's like he can see the gears turning and things materializing in his head. The older man is extremely good at plans and tactics. It's always been impressive. Even Kolivan has noticed.]

I think that's a great idea. The more information we have, the more information everyone has, the better. It'll give us a clearer picture anyway. Hopefully.

I imagine it will. With so many different approaches we'll have at least a decent pool of leads to consider.

We can discuss what we've learned and decide how to approach this situation from now on. Together. [It will be good to continue offering avenues to talk. Astoria needs to know what's going on and they...they need a place that's safe from city eyes to chat.

He sets his drink down on the bartop between them and looks Keith in the eye.]

...And while you're not the greatest at diplomacy. You're not terrible at it, either. It's not about dressing words up, Keith. It's about treating possible allies and friends with some respect in hopes to build a mutual trust between you.

[Keith hadn't been wrong in what he said to Astoria. Rude but not wrong.]

It's true not everyone sees it that way. The trick is seeing through the words to the intentions behind them. That is where your talent lies when you're focused.

Edited (wrong icon) 2018-05-20 09:37 (UTC)

[There goes Shiro, managing to turn this around to his strengths, somehow. The fact that the other man always manages to see something more in him than Keith sees, than Keith expects anyone could.

But he'll grin a bit as Shiro points out the when you're focused part. He'll take that fairly gentle instruction for what it's worth. Focus. He's still working on that, bit by bit. His time with the Blades has helped in many ways. But there's still a part of him that feels lost, even if he doesn't want to admit it even to himself.

The fact that the last moments he remembers before he got dragged here was him staring at his mother's face for the first time he can remember. Those thoughts get pushed back like he's been so desperately doing since he arrived here.]

I think you give me too much credit sometimes.

[Too often. It's part of what had led to Shiro entrusting him to take over in his absence. And what Keith had failed him so fully at.

But well,] ...I'll do my best though. Not to let you down this time.

[He reaches out to lightly grip Keith's arm. There it is again. That talk of letting him down. He doesn't understand it. Doesn't like it.

He doesn't want to be source of his friend's pain.] Hey.

I've made my share of bad calls before. Everyone has. We all make mistakes. It's important to look at how you can fix what you can and not at what you couldn't.

I don't know all the details. But if you need to find yourself first before you come back to the team. I don't like it but, I respect you and your choice. [He leans into his space, his arm moving to sling around Keith's shoulders as he says softly,]

Take as long as you need to find out what you need to keep moving forward. There's a home to come back to. We will be waiting as long as it takes.

But here, you're not letting me down and we're going to get through this. [His brows come down as he adds, a touch of the stern tone coming into his voice as he lets go but gives Keith's shoulder a light shove.]

Now, that's enough of talking about credit. Voltron wouldn't be where it is without you to save me. Save the others. We can save ourselves for little while. That's what family does, Keith. We help each other or give each other space when it needs to happen.

Edited 2018-05-22 04:13 (UTC)

[Part of Keith -- the part that has become so expertly talented at holding the world far from him, at pushing even those willing to chance being close to him away -- wants to scream at Shiro that he's wrong, that he's making a mistake being this forgiving, for allowing Keith the chance to screw up again and again, for still being willing to welcome him back, welcome him home. It would be easier to push that all away, to deny it and retreat into his solitary choice, to only risk himself and his life and not have to worry about getting the people he cares about hurt.>/small>

About not being there for them, like he should.

Anymore than he already has.

But he can't. He's lost Shiro too many times, and he needs the older man in ways he's never allowed himself to need anyone else. It's probably too much to ask of his friend. Keith knows it. And yet here he is, staring at Shiro, leaning into him when that arm comes around him like he's drawn by some magnetic force he can't fight anymore, eyes falling shut to just soak up the moment, the proximity. He doesn't want to fight it anymore. Family. Home. Is he really allowed that?]

Shiro... [He starts like he's going to argue. But instead something in his posture just eases, deflates, like all the energy he'd have to fight against things he wants to believe so desperately has left him entirely. Is it really okay?] I don't know what I needed to find. I just know I needed to be... better. Before I deserved to come back. Or maybe that's just what I told myself to make it feel less like I was running... [He admits, chancing a look over at him.] But I'm getting pretty tired of having so much space. I missed talking like this. I've never had a family before you... and the others. [Though as he says this, Krolia's face flashes in his memory and his brow furrows again.]

[He keeps silent until Keith is finished. It's clear that he has to tread lightly around the subject of Keith leading anything. He'll find a better way to approach the subject. If he looks back he had tossed that out while uncertain just where they stood. Keith had been keeping secrets and he had no idea why. He meets his eyes, his own softening.] I missed our talks. I won't invade your space...but if you want to have less of it you won't find an argument here.

[He smiles in a lop-sided manner, eyebrow raised. They need a little humor or this will get too close to the lecture of a leader to a second. Instead of best friends on equal footing.]

We are roommates right now. You snore, [Bullshit, Keith doesn't make much noise. Neither of them do. If something dares make too much noise it probably will get a horrible surprise from a burning hand and the edge of a blade. Maybe he should get a sign, Knock first.]

But as far as friends and roommates go I couldn't ask for better.

[Right up to that edge that Keith isn't ready to jump over yet -- isn't ready to try to explain to Shiro what happened, the tension between them, the way that he'd taken off to the Blade -- and then back down. But Keith will take what Shiro has said to heart and think it over. It always seems to work that way. The things Shiro says tend to bang around in his brain long after they're spoken.

And Shiro offers an avenue for the subject to lighten and Keith makes a face before stretching a leg out to kick at Shiro's chair.]

Hey! I do not snore.

[A defensive huff because how dare you, Mr. Shirogane. He sleeps elegantly like a fairy tale princess! ...okay maybe not that.

Keith smiles though.] Yeah, well. You're not so bad yourself.

[He lets out a laugh and and fends off the kick by blocking it with his own leg. It only mildly stings. His smile grows wider. Even if they're both somewhat different in all the right ways they're still the same.] Good. Glad we have that established.

[He slowly settles back in his chair. Prolonged contact in this heat will just suck. Even if he's glad to have it again. Shiro taps his fingers on the bar.]

So, [He has a pleasant buzz by now between the easy conversation and the slightly stronger than planned drink. He resolves not to drink the rest of it.]

Tell me a little about what it's like being a Blade. [It's something small. He can learn a little more how to be there for Keith if he understands the structure of the Blades.]

[Keith leans forward, arms against the bar, looking over at Shiro. His posture and expression have eased, and even at the change of topic now, back to things back home, the tension remains absent.]

It's... really different.

[Which is true, but vague, and Keith continues, thoughtful.]

The mission matters above everything. More than any operative. If someone falls behind... doesn't make it out... they get left behind.

[The way Keith's lips press into a line after the words is pretty telling of his opinion of that, the way he struggles with it.]

And it's not that they don't care about each other. I'm sure they do. Kolivan doesn't want to lose his people. But... they've been in this war for such a long time, all on their own.

[He draws in breath and his own lips press into a line. He doesn't like it. But he understands it.]

...it's still risky like that. If that operative left behind gets captured there is the potential for an information leak. [Shiro draws a few lines through his mind and there's a lot he can see at a glance. Oh they could talk. If they didn't die first.

His eyes narrow just a fraction.]

There's no easy way to keep an organization like that safe. I can see the logic there but...

[He leans on the bar and stares straight ahead. If they had operated like that they'd be going through Paladins like water.

But his mind is on twelve names listed as criminals.]

The Coven wasn't like that. We went back for our own.

Yeah. It's... I can understand it too. But it doesn't make it easy. ...and it doesn't make it right for every situation.

[And doesn't make it absolute. He remembers the sheer confusion when Krolia refused to give him up, though maybe that situation is unique in its own way given..

A shake of his head. Not the time to walk that mental path. Shiro is talking and Keith is so curious.]

Yeah well... I'm trying to imagine you willingly leaving anyone behind, and I can't. So... sounds like you guys at least took care of each other. Even if that other witch sounded a hundred times worse than Astoria.

[He catches that head shake but he doesn't know what it means. More details that paint a different Keith than the one he had seen fight in the trials.

Quieter, closer to sounding as much the leader as he knows he can be, and yet...there's something there in him that worries him.]

I won't defend her. She put us into high risk situations with zero intel. And I agree with you, every situation is different. I can understand and respect the Blades but...

[Shiro continues, his voice lower and still just as casual.]

...You and I don't operate that way. You'll fit in just fine here. You're among like minded people. And despite how cryptic Roy can be, he's extremely capable.

I trust him and Riza. They kept it together when we really needed their skills.

[You and I don't operate that way. The words strike him harder than he expects. In his memory he hears Kolivan reminding him not to let his emotions get in the way, remembers his own vehement knee jerk reaction that he wouldn't doesn't didn't and Kolivan's calm rebuttal that he had in the past. ...and Keith knows he will again.

He's not a Paladin anymore. But he's not entirely a Blade either, not fully, not yet, and he is sure Kolivan is aware of that. After he'd tossed out the mission entirely at the Kral Zera when Shiro had appeared, it's kind of obvious.

So he ducks his head.] I'd be okay with fitting in, because of that.

[A pause.] ...that Roy guy kept talking, you know, turned the conversation private. He got less cryptic. ...And I kind of bit his head off for a minute, but... we cleared that up too. I like him.

I like him too. I'm glad you worked things out. [He smiles a little. Yet he'd seen Keith's reaction to what he said. He doesn't know what it means. Not yet. He decides to leave it alone and not think about it for now. And he can gently change the subject for their sake.]

If I remember right I think he showed up on the Hub island after we came back from the water world I'm forgetting the name of right now.

...yes, [Shiro nods to himself.] That's when I first met Riza. With the Qri there was no central point of arrival like Astoria has. We had to go find them before anything out there on the island would.

...or suddenly have new roommates like Shehui... [He frowns, and shakes his head.]

The hub island was larger but had clear boundaries. The sea dropped off into space. Only I could fly its edge. It also had a weather system. A massive storm happened and we had to send out search and rescue teams. Instead of letting herself be rescued, Riza immediately started assisting the teams in getting people to safety.

Edited (wrong icon) 2018-05-28 05:22 (UTC)

[Keith listens closely. He'll take whatever details of what Shiro has been through in this Coven as he can get -- both because he's sure he can learn from them, in what they're facing here. But more than that, he wants to know what his friend has been through in that time.

And what he's learning here is that Shiro has a few allies and friends that he's made that he can rely on. Which is good, a relief really.]

So you've got people you know you can trust here. That's definitely good. I met Riza too, at the game... thing. She's nice.

Met Geir yet? [He raises an eyebrow. He's curious how the pair of them would react to each other. Geir's endless careful questions and seeking understanding and Keith's straight forward manner might...mesh really well or really not.

He can't tell.]

He's very hard to miss.

No, I haven't. I think you mentioned him before though. I think you said he was a dragon, and I pretended that was a totally normal thing for someone to say.

[A hint of a smirk at that. Do you remember when their lives were vaguely normal, Shiro? It's been a long time. That said he does want to meet this dragon.]

It took a while for that to be normal, you know. [He shakes his head as his shoulders shake with silent laughter.]

About as long as it took to adjust to turning into the Black Lion. [He swirls the drink in his glass, watching the red and gold twist together but never mesh. He looks up and smiles.]

I'm a little relieved you don't become a lion too. I remember how difficult it was me to learn to fly. We don't have the engineering help I had.

Weird how things wind up seeming normal, isn't it? Remember when aliens were science fiction stuff?

[Okay technically the irony of half-alien Keith saying that is not lost on him but still. He never knew. A pause...] ...is it weird that the lion thing already seems kind of normal to me?

[It is. His best friend turns into a huge but still miniature version of the Black Lion of Voltron, and Keith has completely wrapped his head around that to the point where it makes perfect sense. That said,]

I'm relieved too. I mean.... not like I even pilot one right now. Red is Lance's. [And Black has always been Shiro's, despite Keith's stint flying her.]

[Thin. Ice. He has to tread carefully here.]

It's less about which one you would be and more about what it does to your senses and how long it takes to adjust.

There's no guides. You have to rely on your own instincts and impressions from your time piloting the Lion. You could do it but this way you don't have to. And no, I don't see it entirely as weird.

Most people get used to my shifting in about a week or so. [He smiles as he adds, casually. It's a bit of a joke and a bit serious.]

And you've ridden me twice. That had to have helped.

[His drink is left the hell alone. No more drinking or he'll joke too much and this is a subject that needs more gravity than he'd give it if he were too buzzed.]

You're certainly my preferred rider. I didn't feel like I had to worry about you at all. I trusted you to handle yourself and could fly as I needed to.

I suppose that's a point. It's tricky enough getting the hang of flying using my own body.

[Though Keith is a quick study and has always been more at home in the air than he is on the ground, so he's gotten the hang of it pretty well by now.

A snort of a laugh and he shakes his head.]

And I've ridden you twice.

[He repeats because that, too, should be weird. And yet.

WEIRDER STILL is how pleased he is to hear that he's Shiro's preferred rider. It's a definite compliment so far as Keith is concerned, one that has him perking up visibly.] Yeah? Good. ...I think I just know how you fly. It's not that different, you know. [They've been in battle together enough, fought as one unit while forming Voltron enough. They ought to be in sync pretty well.]

...it feels different to be the lion. My senses are distorted and I can do things a pilot would never think to do.

[He gestures with one hand. For the first time he's talking to someone that would get it. That feels better than he ever thought it would. It makes him brighten up as he talks, his voice subtly lighter.]

When I was being chased by aircraft once I went straight up. I got up high and cut my thrusters entirely. I let myself fall past them. It wasn't easy but I twisted so my feet to face the ground and fired everything back up.

I think a good pilot could do it but, it's a whole other world when its your body.

Edited 2018-05-31 10:32 (UTC)

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