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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I mean... I don't know what a sponge is, but. I hope he doesn't sleep on the spikes.

[She makes a few more faces at the girl until she gets a giggle out of her, only then turning back to Hank with a smile still on her face. Kids.]

Though I guess it isn't much weirder than girls being born from bamboo or boys from peaches.

[... Japan had some wild children's stories, too, she supposes.]

[Like telling kids that stuff makes more sense than Hank not thinking centaurs are real.

But Hank’s being nice. They’re not familiar enough that he can afford to not be. Small talk, not snide shit. Yeah.]

Is one of those for, uh- jinba? Those ‘where do babies come from’ stories, there one just for you guys?

[Oh... he said jinba. That was nice.]

Oh, gosh, no. That's up... the stories of Princess Kaguya and Momotaro. They were humans. Or... humans from stories, anyway, I'm not sure if they're real or not.

[She scratches a bit behind her ear, remembering being an age where the stories seemed so fantastic and magical.]

People used to say the first jinba were born from the gods... but that was a long time ago.

Guess you guys are as arrogant as we are, then. Everyone likes to think they're special.

[Hank grimaces and tries to run a hand through his hair. The gesture just reminds him that he looks stupid underwater with his hair all over the fucking place, and he gives up on it pretty quick. Was that shitty, what he just said? It just felt like an observation when he was thinking it but hearing it come out of his mouth, Hank's not sure.]

[It sounds kind of shitty.

Konoha's smile over his use of "jinba" fades away, her gaze drifting down to her hooves. Maybe this really was a mistake.]

No one believes that kind of thing anymore- especially since the wars. I wasn't bragging or something.

Fuck, that's not- that's not what I meant.

[He sighs, coughs, and deflates a little, posture sagging. Like everything else, slumping is hard to do in water, but a dedicated guy can just about manage it.]

I suck at this shit. Can we just say we had some nice little chit chat and that I thanked you for helpin me out and then we can just go our separate ways without anyone gettin their feelings hurt? Cause I think it's obvious the longer you spend around around me the harder it's going to get to avoid that.

...

[Well. That isn't what she'd expected... but maybe she shouldn't be surprised, after what had happened the last time, and the whole... kidnapping Sumo thing. Not that she'll be doing that this time, since he was blissfully entertaining a merchild, but.]

If you don't want to talk we don't have to talk, there's no reason to lie about it.

["Some nice little chit chat". Still... despite her promise to Connor, one she's starting to doubt she'll be able to manage, just a little... now isn't the time, nor the place. If he wanted to just thank her and part ways, then-]

You're welcome.

I'm not lying to you, I just don't want a fuckin repeat of last time.

[Well. So much for pretending it didn't happen.]

Is that what you want? Cause that's where it sounds like we're headed.

[Well, no. She doesn't want that. She hates not being able to see eye to eye with people, not understanding them... but there's certain obstacles she definitely can't just... convince him of. Like-]

So you still don't think I'm real? That this is all fake?

Christ.

[Hank ducks his head, rubbing his fingers into his eyes.]

That's a yes, I guess. Look, do you like feeling shitty? Is that why the whole, 'asking questions you already know the answer to'? You know what I'm gonna say. Why's it such a big fuckin deal, anyway? I'm here, we're talking, who cares what I think about why it's happening? Why do you care?

I'm asking because I'm trying to understand!

[Only the fact that... they're in the shelter, and there are kids around, prevents Konoha from raising her voice. Even she can't really put it into words, and she know she shouldn't straight out say that Connor had asked her to be nice to him, so-]

How am I supposed to be your friend if you don't even think we're actually talking?

[He frowns over that for a moment. Friends, huh? Did she mention the friend thing last time? Well, regardless, it’s a good thing he’s hearing this sober.]

I don’t know, if you really wanna be my friend maybe you ought to lower your expectations.

[A moment later his brain, already working over the last time they talked to try and figure where she’s coming from, gives him what might be an explanation. It’s weird, but fuck, what does he know about the motives of centaurs?]

You don’t have to be friends with me to hang out with my dog, if that’s what this is about. You can just - I don’t know, visit him.

That's not what this is about!

[As much as she is growing to like Sumo, who is nothing like the hunting dogs she's grown up near, big and fluffy and gentle and huffy...]

We're all stuck here together, for gods knows how long... we should at least get along.

[The minute she says it, she expects what he might say in return. It's been said to her before. How naive such a hope was. But she still has it. Still sees the value in trying.]

[Hank does frown, briefly baffled, but naive isn't exactly the point his mind lands on.]

Can't you get along with someone you don't like? I mean, it makes sense that that's not a skill you've practiced cause you're, you know. An actual nice person, but. I don't know, it's a skill worth learning, especially if we're all gonna be 'stuck together for gods know how long'. Ask Connor about Gavin Reed some time, I have to work with that asshole without losing my lunch all over him, so.

[He shrugs. His face says, 'sorry not sorry', apologetic but not genuinely. It's not a skill someone like her will probably like, but it's an important one. Might be time to learn it.]

I already know how to do that!

[Frustrated with her failure to express herself without straight outing Connor and his request, her arms cross and shoulders hunch. There were plenty of people she was civil to that she didn't... like. The monk at the temple school who'd said there was little point to teaching a beast. The men at the yard who resent taking orders from a jinba, or a woman. But that-]

But don't you try to actually like someone first?

Why?

[The baffled look is back on Hank's face. It's thinking about renting a vacation home, maybe staying for a while. God, nice people are weird. Even when he was- different, when the world around him was different, he never had really known what to do with them. He used to be able to fake it okay though and, though he doesn't really regret the loss of that particular skill, it honestly would have moved this conversation along a lot better.]

Look, I don't- I'm not saying this to be mean I'm just, I'm trying to explain where I'm coming from - I've never gotten that need some people have to just like everyone, or have everyone like them. It doesn't say anything about you that you're not friends with one sorry old asshole out of the dozens or hundreds or whatever, of all the weirdoes shoved in this fucking place. I'm not the - I don't know, the one missing piece on your mission to be a great person who likes everyone. You don't even have to not like me, we can just... know each other, you know? What's so wrong with that?

[... Why.

Konoha's expression grows softer the longer his attempt at explanation goes, arms uncrossing to instead fiddle anxiously with the hem of her kimono sleeve. Was that really what it seemed like? That she was desperate to seem like a good person, to like everyone for some weird reason like that?

She'd never tried to think deeply about the reason, but right now, in this particular instance-]

There's nothing wrong with it, but. I just thought. ... Aren't you lonely, like that?

[She liked to think that even if Connor hadn't asked her to... she would still have tried. But now she isn't sure.]

[For a second - two seconds, maybe - Hank just frowns at her, not knowing what to say.

But that's kind of stupid, isn't it. Of course he was always going to say no, probably with a side of wtf for good measure. Shit, friendly people. God love em.]

You thought what? That I was lonely?

[Well, the no's still coming. The no, Hank's pretty sure, is implied. But he got sidetracked before he could really say it outright. Does he really seem so pathetic that people assume 'lonely' right off the bat?]

[She almost just says "yes" immediately, never the type to over-analyze what words she uses, relying on instinct and her own rather individual sense of things. He seemed to drink a lot, and not... the fun sort of drinking, at banquets or with friends... and the way Connor talked about him...

But maybe she's wrong. Still... even trying to think about what she says before she says it...]

... Yeah?

[The words that leave Konoha's mouth are still the same.]

[He barks a laugh, tilts his head back and runs his tongue over his teeth.]

Well. Thanks for the honesty.

Look, you tried, okay? Pat yourself on the back, you hit your public service quota. Maybe in a couple years you can drop by the retirement home for a couple rounds of bingo. Till then I’m sure there’s lots of other pathetic fuckers around here who need your charity more than me, okay?

I told you, its not-

[Public service. Charity.

But Konoha bites her tongue, in the end. He didn't get it... and she thinks she knows the reason, thinks it's because he doesn't think she or anything else in this place or what's happening is even real, which she hopes is what's making him feel so free to be so cynical and rude, but-

They're in the middle of the shelter, and the fish women are starting to look, and they're supposed to be... the strong ones, who can help, they shouldn't be seen squabbling amongst themselves like this, and-

Konoha hates how confused she feels and how nothing is working like she hoped, but she does like how being in the ocean means you can't really tell how upset she is.]

... Fine. If that's how you feel.

[Sorry, Connor.]

[He looks away, lips twisted unhappily. This sort of thing is always, uh... Well, it's always a lot of fun and makes Hank feel great about himself. Yeah. That's it.

He signs, not meeting her eyes.]

Yeah. It is.

Thanks for your help with the kid.

[Yeah.

They both feel great, it's decided.]

... You're welcome.

[He stands there for what feels like a lot longer than the couple seconds it actually is, then aims a deeply uncomfortable little smile at her.]

I’ll just, uh... be getting back to Sumo now. Uh. Good luck with everything.

[It’s a lot harder to feel like you’re just leaving like a normal person, instead of running away, when you have to fucking swim for it. If he gets out of this place he’s never fucking swimming again. But just now it gets him where he needs to go - that is, away from this conversation.

So, that’s it. And that’s fine. She’ll he happier being friendly at other people, anyway.]

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PHASE TWO of AKVOS (Log #2)

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