( intro log # 1 )

[acatamods]

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 temple of beginnings. we're all a little mad here. Needless to say, the Circle has been out of sorts as of late. Fortunately, the weather has stabilized — residents will find that they are no longer plagued with snowstorms or heat waves. However, it appears that the flora and fauna have...come to life. Vines may wind around your feet and legs, entrapping you in a vice-like grip. They will eventually let go, but it seems like you need to speak nicely to them first. Bizarre, but it'll get the job done. Mushrooms have also sprouted and now sing at you when you pass by — they aren’t particularly good singers either. Trees extend their branches to poke at you from behind, but when you turn around you’ll find that no one is there. ...And worst of all, the flowers seem to be especially privy to your thoughts; when you’re close, they’ll blab out whatever is on your mind at the moment and will only be silenced once they are picked. Best of luck surviving in this more, er, animated environment! Perhaps even plant-life can be reasoned with…? Or destroyed. That’s always an option, isn’t it? oh my god they were roommates. It isn’t a proper welcome until you’ve picked out your room! In the hallways, you may find a table or two offering cookies and tea as you survey your newfound surroundings. They seem to be left by invisible people . . . weird? The Unseen Servants seem to be playing a bit more nicely from your arrival, and seem to be apologizing for their antics with sweets! (These cookies, neverfear, are not magically cursed. They are just normal cookies.) These rooms are a bit magical, you see — should you decide to room with another person (or multiple people), you’ll find that the room itself will accommodate your needs and expand accordingly. They look the same for the most part, so some might say that it would be wise to make your decision based on what your neighbors are like. Say hello or potentially someone else’s room by accident; it’s a bit of a Russian roulette. Regardless, it seems that this is your new home in sense of the word. Make the most of it! wildcard. The Temple is a pretty big place! The Forest of the Fey stretches on endlessly, Lake Dona (and the resident Nessie) is free to explore, and there are plenty of creatures who are curiously inspecting the new arrivals. The wyverns seem to be particularly precocious today, given the singing mushrooms, the psychic flowers, and the new people checking into new rooms! They are relatively harmless (as are most of the creatures in the Temple), but can be pretty annoying . . . especially if you have something resembling a snack in your hand. At any rate, free to explore the rest of the Temple, the Forest, or the Lake at your leisure! Unless otherwise designated in the bestiary, everything is free to play/free to explore. :)

Comments

[guiltycharge]

I don't mind splitting the blame. [No, this is not how guilt works. He knows. He says it with a straight face anyway.] But you came in here first, didn't you?

[metalcrusher]

[Mettaton didn't even think that he would be accused of the same crime. He's always been above the law, for many reasons! He taps the metal next to the corner of his screen thoughtfully at this, his screen blinking between yellow and red.]

... I DID, YES. I AM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES... BUT FOR YOUR SAKE, I SUPPOSE WE COULD SPLIT IT.

[His screen rests on the color yellow as he raises a finger like he's come to some agreeable conclusion.]

WHY DID YOU ENTER THIS ROOM, ANYWAY? RESTLESS AND ADVENTUROUS?

[guiltycharge]

[The answer is so obviously yes that Mettaton actually gets him to look sheepish, although if his smile was any fainter he'd just be his brother.] In case someone left anything useful in here.

[Spoons. He is thinking about spoons.]

I only found you, though...

[metalcrusher]

[Wow... amazing. This incredibly subtle burn that Mettaton detects instantly. He swings himself off of the bed, keeping one hand placed on the mattress for stability while his screen turns red.]

I FAIL TO IMAGINE ANYTHING BETTER THAN FINDING YOURS TRULY WAITING FOR YOU INSIDE OF ONE OF THESE ROOMS. [The light behind his screen shuts off.] SINCE I DON'T QUALIFY AS "USEFUL" TO YOU, I SUPPOSE I COULDN'T ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING SOMETHING YOU THINK IS?

[guiltycharge]

[subtle is for cowards, he's thirteen years old and what is this

He takes a reflexive step back when Mettaton moves, just because provoking a glorified calculator until it flattens him would be a very embarrassing way to die, but he's reluctant to get out of the doorway altogether.]

Probably not. It was a long shot to begin with. But I heard that people don't expect to spend long in this place, so better soon than never.

[Refraining from sneaking around other people's rooms was, of course, not an option.]

What about you? Are you learning what you wanted to?

[metalcrusher]

SINCE THIS IS NOT YOUR ROOM, I HAVE NOT LEARNED ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR SENSE OF DECOR. THEREFORE I CANNOT GATHER ANYTHING ABOUT YOUR PERSONALITY FROM THAT. BUT I HAVE NOTICED THAT YOU ARE VERY GOOD AT DISTRACTING ME, KAGEYAMA-DARLING.

[It's not such a bad thing. Even though Ritsu is refusing to view his company as the treat he thinks it ought to be, he's enjoying their banter. He'll give him that. Mettaton's screen turns yellow again at the thought.]

[guiltycharge]

[Ah.] I wasn't trying to...

[And he means that at least 60% sincerely. It's not like the room he chose to sleep in has anything more to hide than he does, besides the spoons.]

But, like I said, you can't blame someone for not rearranging their entire room when it's just somewhere they have to sleep for a little while.

[metalcrusher]

HM. HMM HM.

[That's a compelling point. Mettaton hadn't thought of that, since he's not entirely clear on what goes on under Astoria's guidance. When do they leave? When do they return? He wants some binding contracts that outline terms of recruitment, Astoria. Not that he would read them. But if Ritsu's bringing it up, then he must have more of an understanding about the nature of their "missions." Still, he imagines Ritsu's drab room and thinks about how un-lived in it would feel to reside in each time they're intended to return from their "missions." He doesn't like it, and he crosses his arms.]

...VERY WELL. I CONCEDE THAT YOU MAKE A GOOD ARGUMENT AGAINST PERSONALIZING YOUR QUARTERS. THEN I SUPPOSE I HAVE LEARNED THAT YOU ARE PRACTICAL AND THOUGHTFUL... BUT! YOU ALSO DO NOT PRIORITIZE YOUR OWN COMFORT IF YOU RATIONALIZE THAT IT IS FRIVOLOUS. DARLING, JUST BECAUSE YOU'LL BE AWAY FOR SOME UNKNOWN PERIOD OF TIME DOESN'T MEAN YOU WON'T BE BACK! IT IS YOUR SPACE TO DO WITH AS YOU PLEASE. EVEN IF YOU NEVER RETURN TO IT.

[guiltycharge]

Sure, we'd all have more time for interior design if we didn't sleep... [Congrats! Unlike merely catching him trying to raid someone else's room, Mettaton's commentary made him feel self-conscious enough to externally look annoyed! If only in a vague, faint way.] Do you even sleep?

[metalcrusher]

[Curious. What did he say...? Mettaton's screen displays a random assortment of yellow and red, intrigued and perplexed at suddenly evoking annoyance in Ritsu; but that light's back on, thanks to his interest.]

A SIMPLE QUESTION! I LIKE IT. I DON'T NEED SLEEP. I'M A ROBOT... SO SLEEPING ISN'T REQUIRED, NO. BUT I DO REQUIRE TIME TO RECHARGE. I, TOO, ENJOY PRACTICALITY, SO I SLEEP WHILE I CHARGE.

[There's nothing practical about sleeping while charging when he doesn't need sleep...]

[guiltycharge]

[The impracticality is not lost on Ritsu, who is so pragmatic he keeps cutlery nearby at all times. He cocks his head slightly.]

In other words, not really... although you could still die.

[He continues to be very good at this small talk thing, too. Yikes.]

[metalcrusher]

[Mettaton takes pause only for a moment. Then he's back to being animated as ever, gesturing toward Ritsu while his screen blinks to solid yellow.]

DIE? KAGEYAMA-DARLING, ARE YOU FANTASIZING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ME RUNNING OUT OF BATTERIES...? YES, I WILL CEASE FUNCTIONING IF I LOSE MY CHARGE. [He raises a finger.] BUT THE REMEDY TO A DRAINED BATTERY IS A SIMPLE FIX!

[guiltycharge]

Oh, so that's how it works. [There is literally no need for him to sound this disappointed.] But if you didn't have a power outlet you were compatible with...

[Why yes, he does think the room he picked out is fine the way it is. It's functional. It has a drawer to put things in. And a bed.]

[metalcrusher]

YES, I AM PRESENTLY LACKING SUCH A THING. THIS WOULDN'T BE THE FIRST STRIKE AGAINST ASTORIA'S CHARACTER IN MY EYES, HOWEVER. [Mettaton waves a hand dismissively.] I'LL BE FINE. NO NEED FOR SUCH A MELODRAMATIC DISPLAY OF CONCERN FOR MY WELL-BEING. THIS IS ALL BESIDES THE POINT!

[Indeed, Mettaton has become distracted. Or maybe he really enjoys talking about himself. He wheels over toward the wall and raps his fingers against it... a heart shape manifesting on his screen.]

UNLESS... OOH, DARLING! ARE YOU, BY CHANCE, PLANNING ON INSTALLING AN OUTLET FOR ME AS PART OF YOUR EFFORTS TO SPRUCE UP YOUR SPACE?? IS THAT WHY YOU WISH TO KNOW WHAT SORT OF SOCKET I AM COMPATIBLE WITH?

[guiltycharge]

[Ritsu's mind instantly goes as blank as his expression. What is the strange, ethereal, yet eerily familiar feeling that suddenly gripped his chest just now? This internal voice singing a high note in his ears? Could it be...?

Yes, it is. It's a minor panic attack.]

No. Never.

[metalcrusher]

WOW. THAT WAS CONCISE. NOT EVEN A WORD OF... ...

[Mettaton's screen turns red and the lights shut off, his arms dropping to his sides. He doesn't detect the panic attack, but Ritsu's blank expression isn't reassuring. He hadn't been incredibly expressive before, but it's rather sudden. Is he... here? Are we... connected?

Unhelpfully, Mettaton raises his hand and waves it.]

KAGEYAMA-DARLING? YOU LOOK AS THOUGH YOU'VE SEEN A GHOST... WHEN YOU'VE ONLY SEEN ME. I'M PLENTY UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE OUTLET THING. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING ISN'T A SKILL JUST EVERYONE POSSESSES.

[guiltycharge]

[Ritsu shakes his head distractedly. He's gone a little pale, but he's fine... more or less. The mental image of this smug box popping up in his room back home was just... momentarily overwhelming.

He takes a step back.] Y-Yeah. Well... I hope you end up learning everything you wanted to.

[Then another step. Several steps. In fact, he'll just back out of the room altogether.]

[metalcrusher]

[Mettaton nearly responds with enthusiasm, pleased to see that Ritsu's color has returned to him somewhat, but he freezes to rotate his body while he follows the boy's retreating figure until he's out of sight. And he simply lets him.

His screen puzzles through colors.]

...WHAT A PECULIAR HUMAN. I CAN'T FIGURE HIM OUT.

[In this room, we talk aloud to ourselves before resuming our business. Important business, like waiting for more possible occupants.]