acatalepsy_logs | PHASE TWO of AKVOS (Log #2)

PHASE TWO of AKVOS (Log #2)

I ▫ main	IV ▫ premise			XI ▫ applications	XIV ▫ activity
II ▫ logs	V ▫ rules	VII ▫ bestiary	IX ▫ canon updates	XII ▫ taken	XV ▫ drop/hiatus
III ▫ ooc	VI ▫ faq	VIII ▫ setting	X ▫ mods	XIII ▫ reserves	XVI ▫ players

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!

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[ He sure is doing this! Let it never be said that Prompto is above some good, old-fashioned emotional manipulation. It's a sign that he trusts her and is comfortable around her, really! ]

You only keep me around to look pretty...is that it?

[ He sticks his bottom lip way out. ]

[ wow look how far out that lip is, he's gonna get it caught on something if he isn't careful!! alisaie's grin only broadens, which is probably pretty intimidating with all of those weird dolphin teeth.. ]

Well, you do do a fine job of it..

[ even if his underwater 'do has truly been a work of art ]

[ ...Yeah, a dolphin smiling at him isn't a sight he ever needed to see! It's less striking than a shark smiling at him, but still. Yikes...

But it's not enough to throw off his pout-game. ]

I see how it is! I'm just your trophy b-boy —

[ He catches the word in his throat before it leaves his tongue completely. He's not her boyfriend!!! He's not. They weren't going to define this.

So he attempts to course-correct with: ]

Boy...who is also a friend. Trophy fffffffriend. Y-yeah! That's it.

[ Nailed it. It doesn't even occur to him that she probably doesn't recognize the term "boyfriend" to begin with. ]

[ .. yeah she is not familiar with the term tbh so she has no idea why he's acting strangely. he's going all red!! alisaie's dolphin face screws up with mild concern, she's not so sure that he is Okay. ]

.. Aye, that you are.

[ a boy, who is also a friend. ]

What is wrong?

[ Of course she's asking about it...and there's no good way to explain without tripping over himself. For better or for worse, he's pretty used to tripping over himself, so. ]

Ohhhh, i-it's...it's just...

[ While it was only his face that was red before, now it seeps into his ears and shoulders, and he can't quite seem to make eye contact with her...

...especially when she's looking at him with that dolphin face!! ]

L-look, I feel kinda weird explaining this to Dolphinsaie! Can you change back for a sec?

[ wow!!! she looks super offended. what's wrong with dolphisaie!! she's the same!! alisaie rolls her eyes with an UGH of disdain, but complies nonetheless. at least they have made it to the palace by now, so she can.. take the rope from her mouth to tie it to a tether. ]

I do not see why that should make a difference, but very well.

[ Look, maybe she'll understand once he explains, but for now, he's just glad she humors his request. Though maybe it would have been better if she stayed transformed, so he had an excuse to not explain. Now that she's transformed, he has to honor his end of the deal.

Winding his arms over his chest, he turns to face her, though he can't quite meet her eyes. ]

Y-you see...it's just...back where I'm from? When two people are, uh, y'know... [ He crosses his fingers, as if this somehow illustrates what he means. ] Together, they call each other g-girlfriend and...boyfriend.

[ And he isn't sure if he should...call her that. ]

[ yeah... yeah maybe she should have stayed a dolphin because this isn't a thing she wants to talk about, even though they totally made out in an ocean cave and she definitely just kissed him on the cheek earlier in this thread. words make it too real!! her face flushes red. prompto is bad at explaining but she gets the point. ]

I.. I s-see.

[ ...

.......

she would shuffle nervously, but they're underwater, so. ]

[ ...Ah.

Well. That's all she says in response, and so it's time for Prompto to die now. ]

S-sorry, I-I know we said we were just gonna see how things went. W-we don't have to put a label on it o-or anything!

[ But as long as he's confessing his sins: ]

Alsoooooo, I might've calledyoumygirlfriend so a mermaid wouldn't try to kiss me.

[ HE'S THE WORST!!! ]

Edited 2018-12-30 07:15 (UTC)

[ sorry prompto, look, she still wants to kiss and stuff, she's just allergic to these buzzwords!! let thinky, more makey outey.

except now she's enraged. ]

What?

[ she doesn't want to go putting labels on things but she's still allowed to get inordinately angry about prompto kissing other girls!! mergirls!! nevermind that he might not have done it. ]

Why would a mermaid be trying to kiss you?

[ not even together yet and he's already cheating!! men is all the same. ]

[ Immediately, both his hands fly up, palms out defensively in front of him. What is she getting so mad about?! He just said he was trying to get the mermaid to not kiss him! ]

I-I dunno, she was bein' really weird when I asked to borrow a light to go into the sinkhole! But I didn't do it, I swear! It didn't feel right...

[ Aside from the fact that Prompto also lacks the gumption to kiss pretty much anyone. Except Alisaie, apparently. Even if they weren't...whatever it is that they are, he wouldn't have done it, but that's besides the point! He was faithful. To his not!girlfriend. ]

I-I-I — I only wanna kiss...you, Alibae!

[ His delivery on that could have been much smoother. ]

[ well

all right!! that's a good answer. she's 100% being unfair, but just the mere thought of prompto maybe sort of wanting to kiss another girl makes her stomach knot up uncomfortably, though she cannot put her finger on why. or.. moreso, she does not want to voice why, even to herself.

biting her lip, she clasps her hand. ]

W-well.. good.

[ a beat. ]

What did you call me?

[ Alright, she doesn't seem like she's about to kill him, so...that's good. Prompto relaxes slightly — slightly — as he chuckles through his answer. ]

Um...Alibae. Thought it might be a kinda cute nickname for you...b-but I can stay away from cute nicknames too, if you want me to! Whatever's clever, girl!

[ But he's such a sucker for cute nicknames. :c ]

[ he looks all gooey about it and certainly happy with himself, but given her vacant look, alisaie doesn't quite get it. it just.. sounds like her name mispronounced..

tbh i can't even remember if he's called her alibae or not in acata, all our threads blend together, but either we're sweeping it under the rug if he has, or she's just forgotten. anyway, a crease appears between her brows. ]

I-I.. um. No, 'tis fine, I only.. well. Whatever you like, I suppose..

[ weird boy.. ]

[ I'm pretty sure this is the first Alibae occurrence since he only just dared to call her babe for the first time, but honestly, given her reaction, he's probably not gonna bust it out again anytime soon. This is so weird...and he has no idea what he's doing here. Sure, they, uh, made out and she kissed his cheek earlier, but maybe that's still...that is, if she just wants to be friends...

Friends that sometimes kiss each other...

Ugh, he's so bad at this. ]

O-okay. Uh. Anyway...the. Supplies.

[ He reaches into the cart and starts to load up his arms. Anything to distract him from how awkward he's made this. ]

[ he's not the only one bad at it, she is too. they're both bad at this. it would probably help if she knew that "bae" actually meant something, but alas. she is ye olde.

anyroad, she hates this, it feels like she's young again, with no social skills whatsoever, and no idea how to interact with others. amazing to think that she's actually got some of those skills now, it's all the more testament to how terrible she was back then, given her social abilities still aren't stellar, but comparatively.. ]

Right.

[ a hard exhale. nothing dispels awkwardness as well as setting your hands to a task! alisaie follows suit, gathering several cages of crabs into her arms and turning to swim into the palace. ]

[ Oh, man, he's totally messed this up, and he knows it. Should he have said something else? Should he have insisted they talk about it? No, probably not, but not talking about it at all is also...weird. He and Alisaie have had plenty of awkward encounters in the past, but this one is somewhat different. Their relationship has changed in so many ways, but he doesn't know what to define those changes as and he isn't sure if that should even matter.

It shouldn't. Probably...not, anyway. And yet, it does.

But he doesn't like the silence that falls between them, either. He's never been good at letting silence rest without filling it with something, and this instance is no difference. So he starts to run his mouth, in some vain attempt to backpedal, as they swim with the cages into the palace. ]

I mean, not that it's super important what we call each other, anyway! Like, we're just, uh, Prompto and Alisaie, right? Sooooo there's nothin' to get up in arms about! — I-I mean, I'd totally, like....call you m-my girlfriend if that's what you wanted, but it's super okay if you don't, i-it's not like I've taken you on any dates...d-do you want me to take you on dates? I mean, this is a bad time for dates, b-but i-if you want to, I could, uh, figure somethin' out...w-we could call this a date! Delivering...crabs. Super romantic. Get it together, man!

[ ...Now he's just talking to himself, wringing a hand over his forehead. ]

[ ah... why this....

unlike prompto alisaie loves silence, and while it might be awkward silence at the moment, it would have smoothed out soon enough - they get along well, and it would have taken no more than a few moments of idle chatter for them to slide right back into their usual patterns.

but prompto just could not help himself. she knows she shouldn't be surprised. ]

Prompto -

[ she starts, a little more firmly than she would like, then softens her voice. ]

Everything is all right. Just.. um. Let me think about it.

[ He nearly scatters his armload of cages at how sharp on her voice his name sounds, but manages to keep them gathered. Still, he looks like a chocobo caught in the headlights, even after her voice softens. She's going to think about it? What does that mean?!

Girls are so mysterious sometimes... ]

Y-yeah. Okay. [ And then hastily: ] Sorry. It's just, y'know, I've never done this before...I don't wanna mess it up.

[ She already knows all this, but he still feels compelled to explain himself. ]

[ she's going to think about whether or not she is okay with the girlfriend thing!! it is not that complicated. girls are mysterious tho..

she averts her eyes. ]

It's.. all right. N-neither have I..

[ not that that should come as any real surprise, she seems to be no better at this than prompto is, after all. ]

[ It's kind of complicated! But he's still doing his best, because he wants to make this world, bumps in the road along the way and all. ]

...Right. Heh. Let's just...drop these off, okay?

[ And he'll try to keep his blathering to himself if it threatens to crop up again. ]

[ she would also like to make this world, whatever that might mean. but prompto is backing off a little, and alisaie exhales slowly, offering him a warm, easy smile. ]

Aye.

[ before these crabs pinch their fingers off. ]

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PHASE TWO of AKVOS (Log #2)

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