acatalepsy_logs | PHASE TWO of AKVOS (Log #2)

PHASE TWO of AKVOS (Log #2)

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the tides shift.

Darkness has begun to spread, rapidly, throughout the entirety of Akvos. Different areas of the Kingdom are plagued by different instances of terror, but one thing remains clear: the Circle does have the available tools to help . . . of sorts. Many of you have discovered different areas of Akvos to focus on, but by and large? There are no shortage of people to help, of people to fight, and of creatures to save.

Hurry quickly, Circle members. Akvos needs your aid.

SHADOWS IN THE DARK.

Shadow creatures have begun to multiple en masse in the Depths of Markolos, and are spreading to every which corner of Akvos. They will be at their highest density in the Depths, and take the form of terrifying creatures with massive claws and gnashing teeth. They seem to be impervious to non-magical damage, so some unique tag-team action may be necessary in order to actually kill the things.

As the monsters multiply, mermaids from across Akvos will fall prey to their attacks, drifting listlessly in the currents of the sea as they fall unconscious, the life-force drained from them by a shadow creature. In order to wake them again, the shadow creature that drained them of their energy must be killed. Act quickly, and you may be able to rally the native forces necessary to stage a proper fight back. But the more you fight, the more exhausted you begin to get.

Those who cannot fight will not find themselves of a shortage of ways to help, though. Shelters are being set up within the Palace of Wahine, a fortress unto itself. Children are corralled there, the injured are kept in the impromptu hospital beds that are guarded by the Royal Guard that are still conscious from the onslaught. They will desperately accept help to care for the children whose parents are unconscious, or to console parents who have lost their children in the mayhem of the sudden attack upon their city.

Food still needs to be gathered, supplies still need to be run from door to door. People need to be evacuated. And from each area of Akvos, there are "runners" of powerful merfolk who have set up caravans drawn by dolphins to quickly whisk people from place to place. Each caravan is under threat of attack from shadows, though -- sign up for the evacuation committee, keep your heads down, and fight back as much as you can to protect these people from whatever the hell is going on.

THE SEVEN SEAS OF WHY.

In addition to the shadow creatures, each area is plagued by a different onslaught of dark magic. Each area has different needs, and each area will require your attention. Focus your energies where able, and do your best to stem the flow of chaos before it is too late. (Check here for a breakdown of types of effective magic.)

The Palace of Wahine is facing an onset of red algae, blooming through the alleyways and infecting mermaids rushing to seek cover. Inhaling the algae doesn't seem to do much to you, in small doses, but it causes violent coughing fits with the mermaids, preventing them from breathing properly underwater. Getting into contact with the red algae will turn your own skin a brilliant shade of pink, and it will cause it to itch uncontrollably (something that is, apparently, impossible to alleviate under the water). It will wear off within a few hours, but the same does not hold true for the mermaids. The healers in the community say that certain herbs in the Fields of Akvosia can be harvested in order to help cure the illness, but they are notoriously hard to find . . . and in the middle of the sharpest parts of the coral reef, naturally. Tread carefully, and be careful not to anger the shadow creatures in your quest.

The Depths of Markolos is the hotbed of chaos, and seems to be where the majority of the shadow monsters are lurking. In addition to the shadow monsters, ice is cascading out of control from the western wall of the depths. Melting it will do the trick, or controlling it to move it out of the way, but it seems to persist. Some of you may find your way to the far back wall, to discover what appears to be the source of whatever this ice seems to be . . . but it will be tough going, and will require some teamwork to make it there. The ice, too, seems to fight back against your forces, and may curl its way around your legs, your legs, to freeze you into place. Hopefully you have a buddy that can get you out of there, before you become a frozen popsicle under the sea.

The Fields of Akvosia's beautiful coral reef is quickly dying, and the mermaids are working as hard as they can to curb the death by harvesting the essential food sources they can before it is too late. Schools of fish desperately flock from reef to reef in search of shelter and food, and soon meet their demise the moment they settle in to a new habitat. Working to cure and reinvigorate the coral reef will be met with great relief from the merfolk, who are desperately trying to cure what they can. Beware the shadow monsters, here, and be on the hunt for herbs that can assist the merfolk falling ill in the Palace of Wahine. Caravans of dolphin-pulled carriages will be whipping by to refill supplies, too -- jump in and help guard them on their way back to civilization.

The Thunderdome has a fresh stock of weaponry that is particularly effective against the shadow monsters, electrified with old runes that the merfolk will happily give to the Circle free of charge to fight back against the monsters. In addition, the jellyfish of the Thunderdome are darkening at a rapid pace. Electricity seems to do the trick in reinvigorating them, but touching them will still turn you a brilliant shade of blue . . . so tread lightly, in that regard. The electrified weapons will do the trick to jab the jellyfish into feeble light in addition to magic already gifted by Astoria, but the mermaids are a bit busy trying to fight off the shadows that are growing increasingly prevalent in the Thunderdome. Help wanted?

THE WHISPERS OF KEA.

Throughout the duration of this battle, investigations taking place by members of the Circle will begin to unveil certain . . . clues. The Princess is still missing, but members of the Circle are getting close to unlocking where she is. King Kathashun, at the beginning of this journey, indicated that she was the key to stopping all of this, and while most of you have no idea who that guy is, he seems to be genuine. (Right? Right.)

But where is she? The Queen is unavailable, for the duration of this event, and who knows where this mysterious "King." is. But as the Circle battles for the life of Akvos, certain messages begin to pop up through your magical watches. Riddles, if you will -- pleas of assistance, begin to trickle through, popping up on your watches in a series of nonsensical words.

The only problem is that the messages seem to be all scrambled up.

lktmohidionl.

hsdpepelgnyeiaior.

herywaeoleeahhthpyveneto.

ehdtetirviarcaeshrasmaohmitnrn

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. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask them back on the various threads back in the OOC post from before!

NOTE: The Princess' messages will unlock a hint to their meaning (if they aren't solved by the time this happens) once this log hits over 750 comments. :) We are pretty sure this will happen well before the End Log for Akvos happens in January, so we won't be putting a time limit on it. ;) Have fun!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ they're already so close, leaning into each other, sharing intimate space and body heat, that when he touches his lips to hers it feels like a natural extension, something so simple and easy and natural that she hardly notices it as anything unexpected. at least not right away. her sluggish mind is slow to interpret the meaning of what he does, only the action itself, which is warm and sweet and and welcome, however brief and soft.

alisaie's mouth curves into a gentle quirk of a smile when he begins to stammer uncertainly and, relieved of her capacity to overthink, rather than answer him she instead smooths her cold hand along his jaw, her opposite tightening in his shirt, and she pulls him in again.

there's an easy certainty to the way she kisses him, their mouths meeting seamlessly, her chin tipped up an her eyes closed. she does not hesitate.

like all the rest of him his lips feel chilled and chapped, but there it warmth beyond them that she finds, the nearness of his body and the press of his mouth enough to kindle a heat in her. though she still aches all over, the distantly familiar touch of his kiss has a warmth surging into her core that begins to slowly sink into her frigid bones, trickling like hot water from the top of her head down, down her body, to the frozen tips of her fingers and toes. ]

[ Well. If this is how she chooses to warm up again after nearly freezing to death, then far be it from him to deny her.

He isn't expecting her to tug him down and kiss him again, and her lips meet a soft sound of surprise on his own. But it's hardly unwelcome — far from it, and cold as their mouths may be, there's still a heat to it, helped along by the way his heart pounds clear and loud. He doesn't stop to think about what it might mean, what it could indicate. They've both just survived a pretty traumatic situation. If she wants to kiss, then, yeah, they're gonna kiss.

Even so, it takes him a moment, to figure out how to lean into it, to let it happen naturally while not forgetting to breathe or actually move his lips. Their first kiss had been brief, over in a handful of moments that didn't require much thought, but this is different. This is...longer, a kiss that isn't necessarily progressing towards a set ending, and it asks more of him, of both of them. He breathes against her mouth, then hesitates a moment without breaking this kiss, eyes flickering open for just a moment.

This is...should they be doing this? Is this what she wants? Well, okay, she probably wouldn't have pulled him down if it wasn't what she wanted, but still, he isn't...she's just a little out of it, and...

...But he seems to think better of whatever has given him pause, and then his kiss renews, lips parting just so over her own, the cool texture of her mouth sending a shiver down his spine. ]

[ she is out of it, but not so out of it that she isn't control of her actions or thoughts, just enough to take the edge off of her fear. right now, the terror that he will disappear right from under her cannot control her as much as it usually might, and the lovely warmth of his kiss is far stronger than that apprehension. without being pulled down by worry she can rise into what she wants, accept it, allow herself to feel it.

and gods, does it feel nice.

alisaie does not know what she's doing any more than he does, and their kiss on his birthday was wonderful, memorable, but this one is more, it's deeper, and that is terrifying but exciting. alisaie is nothing if not bold. so when his lips part over hers, demure and uncertain, she does the sam, parting her lips for him and tilting her head so that they fit more closely together, like two halves of a whole. a quiet, plaintive sound escapes between their mouths, and her tongue carefully darts outward, tracing his lower lip, her cold fingers slipping up into his damp, messy hair. ]

[ Okay, he might've been the one to deepen the kiss, but he still isn't expecting for tongue to get involved. He just barely worked up the courage to get to the open-mouthed kiss level, and here she comes with a new tactic of kissing depth, and it's like a jolt to his system, blooding running hot and cold through his body. He gasps, a soft exclamation bubbling into the quiet space between them, and his eyes snap open wide, searching for her own.

Did she mean to do that? It wasn't an accident? Her fingers in his hair hold him close so he isn't going anywhere, but this is still completely uncharted territory and he's gonna mess this up and probably gross her out and how does he even do this —

Of course, he knows things would probably be much easier if he would just shut his mind up and kiss, but, well, he's not as out of it as she is, and this was not a hurdle he was expecting to jump today. He hasn't broken their kiss, but neither has he pushed forward again. Not until he measures his heartbeats to make sure he isn't about to pass out. Okay. He can do this.

Widening his lips further, he dips his tongue into her mouth — tentatively, at first, darting back as it brushes her own, before seeking forth once again, exploratory as his breath trembles against her.

This is happening. ]

[ his surprise is evident in the way he jumps in surprise, like she has delivered an electric shock, and in the way he snaps open his eyes, and spills a little cry between them.

part of her worries that she's done something wrong - she'd only been following her instincts - but a stronger part of herself cannot help the quick, quiet laugh that bubbles up against his mouth. he's like a spooked chocobo ready to bolt into the wilds at the first sign of danger.

but before she can ask if he's all right, if she has gone too far, his mouth is meeting hers again with a little more assurance, the touch of his tongue like a hot poker to her belly. now it's her turn to breaths a whine of surprise between them, but it lasts only a moment before her grip on him is renewed and her head is tilting to better facilitate him, carefully exploring her mouth as he does hers.

it seems like it would be disgusting, what could possibly entice her to taste inside another's mouth? but it isn't disgusting, it is.. thrilling, exciting, it fills her with a vigorous heat that urges her to seek more of this feeling, to chase it, to learn it entirely. ]

[ Yeah, it's...definitely far from disgusting. For all Prompto is a sensitive boy, led by his heart, there's no denying that this just feels great. Terrifying, sure, but in the way the most rewarding of chances usually are. It helps that they're both complete novices in this, that she is learning right along with him, that with every breath they grow more and more comfortable with this. Were they doing this to get warm? Because now he's hot from head to toe — blood on fire, really, his heart pounding like mad in his throat as he tastes her, acquaints himself with her in this new and thrilling way.

It's deliriously good. So much that it makes him dizzy, his head spinning with starlight, until he breaks off, drawing in a shuddering breath. He doesn't realize until then just how tightly he's been holding her, his fingers bunched in the back of her dress, his weight sunk comfortably against her.

Oh man. Talk...talking. That's...another thing he can do with his mouth. ]

U-um...y-you feelin' any warmer now?

[ If the red color of his face is anything to go off of, then he certainly is. ]

[ he breaks the kiss at last, pulling back just enough that she can see his eyes, and his freckled cheeks, but still near enough that she can feel the warmth of his breath. the taste of him still lingers on her tongue, her lips tingling with sensation, her stomach fluttering when his eyes find hers.

she's never felt anything like this before. this heat. this longing. this.. contentment. getting close to people is so difficult for her, but here, holding to him, clutched into his arms - she feels comfortable, at ease. had she looked into her future to see this, she's sure she would have expected it to feel awkward or strange, or that she would want nothing more than to wriggle away and escape. on the contrary, there is nowhere else she would rather be right now.

maybe she's still a little out of it.. ]

I.. I am.

[ she stammers, biting her lower lip through a smile, her thumb drifting over his cheek, her fingers still slipping in his wet hair. ]

And.. y-you?

[ For a long moment, he considers just jumping right back in and kissing her again, because that was unreal, and it seems like a far better thing to do with his mouth than actually speaking at the moment — but it's probably...good that they're slowing down, that the adrenaline in his veins is starting to burn off and the exhaustion from his efforts begins to seep in. Even so, he's quiet, almost pensive in the way he looks down at her in the dim light, at her dark eyes and heavy eyelashes and yep, there's her lips again. She's undone him.

He might seem a little out of it himself, but to be fair, he kind of is. This is his first time making out with someone. It's a lot to take in! ]

...Y-yeah. I'm good. Better than good. [ He laughs a little breathlessly. ] You're...really good at that...

[ Okay, maybe he doesn't have any prior experience to base this assessment off of, and he would have been easy to please, given the subject at hand. Still, the yearning deep in his gut still burns, the memory of her mouth immediate on his lips. Needless to say, he enjoyed himself. ]

Mmmmmaybe I can make an exception to the whole...savin' you thing.

[ If these are the kind of rewards it will net him!! ]

[ you're really good at that, he says, and it's enough to more or less set her face entirely aflame. she's no more knowledgeable than he is at this, okay!! he's probably just being nice. though it was definitely.. very nice.. that much she cannot deny. if she's good at it, then he is, too.

a-anyway!! she smiles almost shyly, even through her bright flush. ]

You are welcome for the opportunity. My hero.

[ she's being too gross!! time to switch gears. she sits back a little in his arms, her hand falling from his hair to his shoulder. ]

I was worried; thank the Twelve you are all right..

[ They are being positively disgusting, but Prompto is okay with it. He's really never seen this side of Alisaie before, and she's welcome to call him her hero any time she likes, even if it makes his whole face burst into flames. Gods, she's so cute...

He adjusts when she does, allowing some slack on his hold around her as he lifts one hand to her face, dragging his fingertips carefully, cautiously over her skin. This is okay, right? They still haven't defined really at all what their relationship is, but they're holding fast to one another, they just made out, and it doesn't seem like they're going to let go of one another anytime soon. Sooooo, a little face touching is probably okay... ]

I was worried, too. I tried to contact you, like, a billion times! But I knew if anyone could take care of herself down here, it'd be you.

[ Even if the last time they were in water together, she almost drowned, and this time, she almost froze to death...never mind!!! ]

[ LOOK.. he wasn't doing particularly well down there either okay, he just happens to have superspeed!! whatever, she's got a very special talent, which is nearly getting herself killed and yet somehow surviving. it's incredible.

back to her face on fire, though - it burns further at his gentle touch, but she does not shy away. after the rousing game of tonsil hockey they just played, she can't really be put off by such a tender touch, even if it makes her chest tighten up. ]

Yes, even though I would have been far worse off had you not stumbled along..

[ she can admit it, okay!! ]

What were you doing down there?

[ she asks, not a hypocrite. ]

[ His mouth tugs up at her admittance. He knows it's not easy for her, so he'll take that as a win as he drags his thumb along her jaw, her skin still cool and tacky from the water. ]

Lookin' for clues, I guess. Seems like the bad juju is comin' from the sinkhole, so I thought it was worth another look. [ He flicks a finger playfully over her ear, not thinking anything of it. ] I'm just glad I got to you before the sea monster did!

[ 'Cause if she didn't freeze to death, she might've been swallowed up by the kraken...just saying. ]

[ his reasons were no different from hers, then, which is to be expected, she supposes. but she also supposes that they probably should have brought backup.. what did they expect to do, up against whatever darkness is spawning these monstrosities?

well, neither of them are particularly well known for making wise decisions.. ]

You aren't the only one..

[ being a frozen elfsicle doesn't seem a particularly glorious way to die. also, wow, the ear!! she shies away, face flushed bright; that tickles!!! in a sexy way!!! do not. ]

Guess you didn't count on becomin' an Alisicle, did you?

[ Look, at least he'd already been down there before and sort of had an idea of what to expect! She has no such excuse. He isn't expecting it, though, when she flushes after he touches her ear. It's happened once before, and he hadn't known what to make of it then, but that was before they were...dating, or whatever it is they're doing right now.

He arches a brow, still kinda...confused. He's still new to this whole playful flirting and touching thing, he can't interpret all these reactions yet! ]

Uhh...w-was that a good reaction, or a...bad reaction?

[ Should he try it again?? ]

I-I -- I don't know!

[ WHY IS HE ASKING HER THAT DIRECTLY, how is she supposed to answer it?? alisaie looks pointedly away, swallowing a thick lump in her throat. she's not about to tell him that it tickles in a sexy way. ]

I-it is just - a s-sensitive spot, that's all!

[ she says, defensively!! this is common sense isn't it!! ]

Are your ears not sensitive, too?

[ ...Well, maybe? He doesn't have giant elf ears, but he's never really stopped to consider this before.

Perplexed, his mouth screws up into a thoughtful little frown. ]

Uhh, I dunno...give it a try!

[ He's not trying to be coy, he's just a dumbass. ]

[ honestly, that's kind of worse. if he were trying to be coy at least she could be coy back, but when he's being stupid she's stuck on the side that knows Too Much and is far more aware of the effect he is having on her. there is no winning side..

but all right, fine. at least it's dark enough in this cave that he hopefully can't see how on fire she is when she frees up a hand to.. carefully touch his weird, tiny, round little ear, while watching him expectantly. it might be smaller, but.. it has to be just as sensitive, right? ]

[ ....Oh.

His reaction may not be quite as extreme as her own — he doesn't have as much ear real estate as she does — but he does shudder pleasantly, heat spiking beneath his skin as he breath catches. Ooookay, so there is something to that, go figure!!

And, yeah, thank goodness it's dark, because his face is as red as a ripe tomato now. ]

Igetyourpoint. [ He says all in one exhaled rush. ] G-good. Um. To know.

[ They're such idiots. ]

[ she can't really see his blush, but boy does she still feel him shudder, and hear the way his breath intakes like that, sharply, sweetly, in a way she viscerally recognizes.

wow, i-inappropriate!! alisaie's touch lingers curiously a second more before she's quickly snapping her hand away. see, she knew it!! ear real estate or not, they're sensitive!! but she's embarrassed them both thoroughly just to prove a point so honestly, she isn't sure it was worth it.. ]

R-right.

[ ...

what now?? ]

I.. I suppose we should, um - return to the others..

[ or just stay in this cave forever, his choice. ]

[ Is she sure it wasn't worth it? It did feel kind of nice...not that, uh, Prompto is still thinking about it. Nope! He's moved on, and they should, too. Physically, that is. Being in here alone is...a thing. ]

H-heh, y-yeah. Probably so.

[ Loathe though he is to let go of her, Prompto pulls back at last, relinquishing his hold and suddenly much colder for lack of body heat. But it was nice while it lasted! It was...very nice. ]

Guess sssssomeone might be wonderin' where we ran off to.

[ Gods, imagine if her brother had found them, wHAT WOULD HE EVEN DO, he would have to throw himself right back into that sinkhole and let the depths take him. ]

[ she doesn't even want to think about her brother right now oh my god, do not even bring it up prompto, she will die. alphinaud can never know of this, or of anything at all, he must only think that alisaie and prompto are very good friends. or cousins. that is all!! no smooching!! no making out in caves!!

even if, yes, it has been a very nice stay in this underwater cavern, with its low dim lighting and clear rippling water. ]

A-aye..

[ she sort of, um.. slides away from him as best as she can, which is not easy when he's literally holding her, and it draws a lot of attention to that fact, but she will endure. ]

[ Wow, he let go of her in the last tag!! But he probably still, like, had an arm around her or something, and there she goes. It feels weird to not be touching her after doing so much of it in a short amount of time, but it's...probably good they have a little distance from one another physically, after how intense their reunion was.

A hand lifts to his hair and smooths over it before it drops to his neck, and he moves over to the shoreline, expression wilting somewhat at the thought of returning to the water yet again. ]

Y'know, I'm actually startin' to miss how hot and dry El Minha was.

[ And this is coming from a guy who moisturizes. ]

[ okay well whatever, even if he let go she was still like, in his lap or something, so!! anyway!! alisaie moves toward the water's edge at last, ready to hop back in, though she glances toward him first. ]

Worry not, your hair will survive.

[ she says, while reaching to gently tousle a lank, wet lock of his hair. it's definitely been looking.. interesting.. lately, that's for sure. ]

[ Wow, called out! Except that she's totally on-point. Prompto has been extremely concerned about the state of his hair since they arrived, this much salt water can't possibly be good for it. What if they go back to the Temple and he goes bald? Will she still think he's cute???

He shoots her a baleful look when she reaches for his hair. It's so gross and crusty! How can she want to touch it right now? Gone are the days of his silky smooth locks. What a travesty... ]

I dunno if it will! I might need to borrow some of yours.

[ Girl's got a lot of hair! ]

[ ah, she shouldn't have brought it up.. now there's so much bracket introspection about the woes of the state of prompto's hair. there is truly nothing more important to this boy than his coif. ]

We shall see about that..

[ you couldn't rock an ahoge like her anyway, prompto.

anyway, she shoves him into the water. ]

PHASE TWO of AKVOS (Log #2)

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