welcome to
the collected nations of struxta.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. When you blink again, everything has shifted - changed, developed, like in that blink of an eye you have advanced thousands of years into the future. Around you is a city, a technological marvel. Buildings rise up from the dirt and through the clouds, figures of all shapes and sizes buzz around you. They seem to pay you little mind - a quick glance, maybe a pause, and then they will continue on their away. Ahead, there is a low rumble of thunder, a dim flash of light. It doesn't seem to be raining, but there is an electric hum in the air. A NOTE FROM YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD WITCH
But before anything too weird can happen . . . your watch flashes again, beeps once, and on it has a new message, a hologram-sparkly image with a young woman who (to some individuals!) looks a fair bit brighter than she did a few weeks ago. To those who are new, you will recognize the voice -- Astoria, the guardian of the Temple (or, if you're a bit more pessimistic, your effervescent kidnapper).
 "Hello, my beloved travelers ♥ and new ones, too! My name is Lady Astoria the Witchess-san." The way she says it, though, it is very clearly something of a joke. "I'm so glad you are settling in, adjusting to your new powers . . . I apologize for not coming forward and greeting you all like last time. But I am feeling much more like myself, and ready to send you to a new world ♥
This one is named Struxta . . . Struxa? No, I think it's Struxta. It's very metal. I'm not sure what's wrong in this world . . . but I can feel something building. Pulsing, it's very chaotic. I'm afraid I can't be more detailed than that, I did have a headache earlier . . . Akira told me I was fine ♥" And, again, you can likely guess that Akira definitely did no such thing. Astoria clasps her hands, her bright blue eyes shining, with a bright smile. "Now! Please be safe, and please mind your manners, and tell me all about it when you return! I'll see you soon. ♥"
And, just like that? The humming in the air grows louder, you feel an odd tug in your stomach, and before you can properly adjust yourself to the sensation of being cast across the universe . . . you find yourself in Struxta. (Astoria, it seems, did have it right the first time.)
 THE HOSTELJust as it was in El Minha, it appears that upon arrival, each character is outfitted with a room at one of the largest, arguably most impressive skyscrapers in the city. Nearly two hundred stories tall, and with each floor containing nearly sixty rooms. Every floor, every room, every door is of the highest tech and the more advanced security. The watches that Astoria has given each of the Circle Members act, in many ways, like a key, a credit card, an ID, and any other form of identification the players will need during their stay.
The rooms themselves are simple - one bed, roughly full sized, with a light, a desk, a chair, and a variety of plugs and buttons. Characters are welcome, if they are able to find the appropriate plug, to charge any and all devices they may have. There is a TV of sorts in the room as well, with access to all manner of shows and news stations.
The bottom floor of the building is almost as large as a city block. It is open, sleek, and clean-cut. A kind of open meeting room, which has - upon inspection - been modified to include what appears to be a restaurant. Which, given the fact the group of Circle members who have arrived in the city are the only natural bodies around? Includes the fact you are the only members of the city who have to consume food and nutrients. Upon even closer inspection, the technology used to make the food seems a few decades behind that of the rest of the city, but it still works, and the food can still be produced. It might taste a little weird and turn out to be some sort of glorified goop, but it has some nutritional value.
The rest of the floor has a variety of seating arrangements and places to sit and chat with your other Circle members, but beyond the Welcome Committee, who is set up on the far northern corner, there doesn't seem to be many of the natives walking through.  THE SUPER CENTERHave you ever wanted to go shopping in the most technologically advanced superstore possible? Here is your chance! It appears that if you use your watch, you have been given a moderate amount of credit to buy clothing, toys, electronics, items, and anything else that might suit your fancy. You will not have enough to buy anything significant, such as limbs, organs, advanced computer technology, etc. But you are more than welcome to find a job to help collected more credits! Many of the stores within the Supercenter are hiring - greeters, cashiers, manual labor, errand runners, and everything in between!
The Supercenter is attached, as most of the buildings seem to be in this city, by a roadway of interlocking bridges and stairways- to a point that you could, if you wanted to, move about the entire city without stepping foot outside. There are bridges on every level of the Supercenter, as well as a network of pathways and semi-roadways within the center itself.
There are no restaurants or bars, but there are plenty of areas to relax and people robot watch if you so desire. Otherwise, shop, explore, find weird mechanical devices of the likes you could never imagine back home. There are all manner of stores, some art galleries, music centers, arcades, and more here. There is no limit to what you can find and what you can experience.
Everything is automated, but there are still helpful employees of various appearances at each of the stories to help you decide and browse- small, flying blocks that speak in primarily beeping noises that (thanks to Astoria's wonderful watches) you can somehow understand, completely human-appearing androids of the utmost style and elegance, and everything in between. Take your time, do a little shopping or go to work, and enjoy the pique of futuristic capitalism.  THE RACESIn the south-eastern district of the city, a large section of the city has been modified into a multi-level, vast, complicated race track of sorts. Think Tron, meets Speed Racer, meets a type of racing that is something all their own. It's fun as hell, fast as hell, and dangerous as hell. Sounds great, right?
What is simply known as ‘Racing’ here in Struxta is complicated, but at its heart is exactly what it says: it is a race. A race of cars, bikes, and everything in between through an obstacle course of everything you can imagine. It seems to all be linked, electronically, to a motherboard that decides - each race - what the drivers will find. Each race was drastically different, with dangers galore. One day you might find that the road is full of spikes, the next it might be slick as oil, there could be loops that defy gravity and breaks in the road that seem to be impossible to cross, but that's what the modifications and specialists in the garages are for, right?
The rules are simple: if you have a vehicle, and you have a driver, you are allowed to race. First one to complete the track, wins.
Surrounding the main track is an entire industry of shops, stores, garages, meeting places, lounge areas, and viewing rooms. There are robots who make entire livings on the industry surrounding the Races, without ever having to step food onto the course. Some of the areas will be cleaner, like the rest of the city, while others may air on the side of back-house garages. While there won't be any dirt or natural life forms, for the first time you might catch sight of rusted metal, oil slicks, broken down previous versions of what's out on the road. There are some practice tracks, some experimental safety sections to test out new additions, etc.
The one thing that holds everyone together, here, is the excitement around watching. The excitement around the competition. There are Races every five days, so that gives you just enough to get settled. And maybe find a car.  THE LIBRARYAs many have already come to hear, there are plenty of libraries and museums all across Struxta. However, there is one that is known as The Library, which archives anything and everything in the history of all of Struxta, spanning back its entire history, over thousands and thousands of years. The building itself is as large and impressive as The Hostel, nearly two hundred stories tall, possibly more, and as wide and long as a city block. But where in the Hostel each floor had been made up of rooms, each of these floors are large, open areas, with dark, imposing servers held behind tight, clean cabinets.
No one else seems to be here, which gives the impression that The Library is not open to just any native of Struxta, and that in fact - as members of the Circle you are being given special access to what would normally be off-limits.
In the middle of each floor, there is a small collection of tables, with large screens. These touch-screens will be your access into the Library archives. And that is the thing - you will have access to everything, but as it turns out, everything really means everything, and with backups spanning the course of thousands of years in the past, it will take a lot of time and a lot of energy and a lot of research determination to find anything of use. Not because it is difficult, just because it is so massive and so overwhelming.
The only natives you will find will be on the first floor, as a kind of secretarial position for the building. They are more than happy to try and help guide you through the search process, but they will not follow you up to any of the other floors, and there is a distinct feeling of being entirely alone when you do go up to begin your search. Alone, but watched, somehow.
Remember- if there is something that you wish to look up specifically, please ask over on the world interactions post so we can be sure that the correct information is shared! The best way to go about finding something in the Library will be going at search terms in teams, as there is so much information there is no way one person will be able to wade through it all. 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 mod questions thread back in the OOC post from before! And if you have any ideas regarding how your character will interact with the world, also feel free to check back into the world interactions comment from the OOC post from before, as well! From this point forward, the Circle has become involved with the Collected Nations of Struxta. 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 will be yours to discover, explore, and uncover. Who knows what you might find? :) |
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
acatamods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
acatalepsy_logs2018-07-11 12:02 am
no subject
the cars come to a halt — as does he. he stares at the sight, bewildered and at a loss, until the relief washes over him.
she's safe, at the very least. thank goodness.
there's a cacophony of whirring and horns, so nier hurdles over a car, trying to navigate the cracks and crevices of this bustling road. he reaches her at last and crouches down to level their heights. ]
It's alright, [ his voice is benign. ] you're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you. [ and then he offers a hand, beckoning her to grasp it. ]
Are you hurt?
no subject
And she can't even really process yet what even just happened. How had those things moved so fast? Was it a stampede?
Her equine knees are trembling in fear, legs shaking like a newborn fawn even as she finally stops trying to rise and actually realizes there's someone there. That though for now the shock is keeping her cheeks dry... there's tears threatening to spill any moment.][What just happened?]
no subject
You aren't in any danger. It's okay. [ he speaks as though he's attempting to console a baby bird. ] Can you stand up? I can carry you, if you'd like.
[ is that true? well, probably...not that he's ever carried a horse before but he will most certainly try. ]
If you want to cry, that's alright too...I won't leave you here, I promise.
no subject
[It's impossible to tell just what she might be refuting. The idea that she wasn't in any danger, that he could possibly carry her, that it would be alright to cry... anything was possible.
Konoha's gaze tears away to look past him at the street, at the vehicles still rushing by in a blur of speed and color, and then... comes back to his hand.
Her bottom lip quivers.]
I don't- I don't understand-
no subject
I don't quite understand either...this world is foreign to all of us. But we'll figure it out together.
[ his hand is fixed in place. ]
My name is Nier. What's yours?
no subject
But her fingers keep twitching, anxiously trying to overcome her temporary paralysis.]
Konoha-
[Nier is another strange name. And he's so strange colored for a human, but he seems nice... and anything odd about him is nothing in comparison to literally everything about this world.]
What- What happened- ?
[... cars happened, Konoha.]
no subject
a good question. ]
Those machines...cars? I think that's what they're called...the people of this city use them to travel through those pathways. You can't exactly walk in those areas, you see...
[ a beat. he notes the way her fingers twitch — so he retracts his hand, just to shift it and...
briskly pat her head for a fleeting moment? ]
But you're fine now. It's nice to meet you, Konoha. I know where our residence is, so we'll be able to find our way back soon.
no subject
For just a moment, Konoha stops trembling when his hand lands on her head. Lips quiver, fighting back even more tears. She's so tired- tired of feeling so helpless, and weak- of constantly being the person who doesn't know what's happening. Not just what, but how.
She can't even think of anything similar. The most advanced mode of travel she knows is by horse or palanquins carried on human shoulders, not... rushing metal ovals that make noise and...]
We really have to live here?
[Residence...]
no subject
Mm. We'll find a way out in due time...I was told that the Circle migrates...but for the meantime, we can figure this city out together.
[ slowly, he reaches forward to...pat her head again?
maybe it'll help. somehow. these things are a matter of trial and error, sometimes... ]
And if you're afraid, I'll help you through it. I'd like to be your friend, if that's alright with you.
no subject
[But she hadn't believed it. Not really. After all, if that witch couldn't return them to their homes, then why could she take them to other places? Not like she knew about sorcery or anything, but that made sense, right?
But she was going to have to face it. That nothing made sense anymore.
This time, she haltingly grabs his hand when he brings it down. Clutches. Maybe a bit too hard for comfort.]
Are you strong?
no subject
somewhat solemnly: ]
I've been fighting for as long as I can remember. If you're wondering if I can protect you, I'll do everything I can.
Strength isn't something you can put in — or prove through words, though.
[ there's a thoughtful pause. ]
If you need me to carry you back, I can.
no subject
But another wave of traffic rushes by, and her grip on his hand tightens anxiously.
Wait-]
- what?
[He was... wasn't he human? There's no way he could carry her-]
no subject
[ this is such a bad idea.
why isn't weiss here to tell him that this is a bad idea. ]
You could wrap your arms around my shoulders, and I'll hold your hindlegs up with my arms or wait...I could heave you by the side..
[ "it's just like carrying a boar...i can manage that...how bad could this be?" ]
no subject
Just for a moment.]
I would crush you-
[She's... like... half a ton...]
I just meant to- To help-
no subject
[ but like.
it was a little different.
and other factors were in play.
he's half aware he would break his bones if he tried this but that happens sometimes he guesses. ]
Help with what?
no subject
[At least, any boar she's seen, but-
Wait, that's-
That's not the point she was trying to make-]
Just... I just need your hand.
[She can't seem to find the words either, still scared close to witless, but. Konoha tugs on his hand a bit, heavy, to try and impress what she means. Ballast. Just to keep her balance while she gets her knees back under her.]
no subject
"but all of the boars i've seen are bigger than you...?"
he's silent, however, and instead reaches for his hand and wraps his fingers around her palm. ]
Here.
no subject
But... she has his hand. She has to get up. She has to get out of here. Wants to... but knows in her heart of heart that she can't. All she can do is grip his hand with one of hers, press the other to the weirdly smooth, metal ground, and begin trying to lever her heavy weight off the ground. Weight wasn't the problem so much as the fact that have her knees don't seem to want to support said weight, but-
With his help, and summoning the last of her ability to ignore the fact that cars were still rushing by... she manages to get to her feet, even though her legs as slightly splayed.
... But she still has hold of his hand, tight and quaking.]
no subject
his grip is tight — sturdy. he helps hoist her up to the best of the ability, gaze trained on hers. nier musters a brisk smile in an attempt to soothe her anxiety...fortunately, she does manage to back onto her...hooves.
he doesn't let go. ]
You can keep holding my hand, if you'd like.
[ there's a nod of the head. ]
I'll lead the way. I won't let anything happen to you, so focus on walking with me, alright?
no subject
... but she doesn't want to let go.]
I'm sorry-
[With her free hand she rubs at her eyes, trying not to tremble as another car whizzes by.]
If you can just show me where it is...
no subject
[ it's best to avoid the road for the meantime. he walks onward, hand still guiding hers with no intent of letting her go. ]
Can you tell me a little about your home, Konoha? [ this will go by faster if she's talking, he thinks. ] I've never met anyone with a body like yours before. It's very pretty.
no subject
So your world doesn't have jinba either? What about "centaurs"?
[She's learned that word was better recognized, but...
In the meantime, she follows him, hunching slightly to minimize her height and try not to force him to hold his arm at a higher angle just to keep hold of her hand.]
no subject
[ despite the circumstances, it's said with an earnest, bright smile. his grip on her hand doesn't falter. ]
A jinba...well, to me, Konoha is Konoha.
[ he's weird, please don't mind him. and ah...the hostel is visible from a distance. what a relief. ]
Is everyone from your world a jinba?
no subject
[Even though she's realized she needs to stop saying that, "of course", because nothing was any longer, she keeps forgetting. Has to keep correcting herself. (And maybe, despite the situation... she colors just a little bit. He was very pretty, and kept smiling and saying nice things-[
I mean... there are jinba and humans.
[And... he was human, right?]
And not all jinba look like me, either... there are all shapes and sizes... and colors, too... kind of like with horses, you know?
[Its not her favorite thing to do, comparing her kind to horses, but. It's the easiest way to understand right? After all... almost all humans were colored the same, where she's from. But not jinba.]
no subject
[ he has no idea what a horse is but it's too late to ask...maybe someone else will tell him, he thinks... ]
Like goats and sheep...they come in different shapes and sizes as well. Humans are no different, so I'm not all too surprised.
Oh...That means my statement still stands, then. You really are pretty.
[ and would you like at that! they've made substantial progress. the hostel is within their peripheral vision, but he doesn't retract his hand just yet. ]
We're close. [ a smile. ] I knew you could do it, Konoha.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)