middleofsomewhere | Wings of Wonder: Start

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Wings of Wonder: Start

"Good Morning Voidtreckers, today is day 6 of the month of Nebula."
The voice echoes through the train as passengers wake up in their beds. Not long afterwards their SCA’s glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image will appear...

[Prep]

The dressing room has been opened as promised. It is mostly equipment rather than clothing. Tents in team colours, bundles of rope as well as harnesses, belay points, carabiners and anchor points and helmets in team colours. Voidtreckers will have about an hour to prepare before they reach their destination.

WINGS OF WONDER: START

A TL;DR notes version of event/prompts: (click to show)

EVENT BASICS: Voidtreckers arrive on the centre island, covered in a high grass and other plants that may have strange effects on them (make them high, give them hayfever, dizziness, etc). Domesticated animals are trapped in here, and some habitats have been busted up. There's no one else immediately around (except for a statue, interact-able only by the spiritually inclined or those who can make such contact), and bridges between floating, smaller islands have been wrecked.

Team Destinations: On their SCAs, the teams will be signalled to the islands as follows:

Reds:

Purple:

Blue:

Orange:

The four different islands they are to go to are as follow:

NORTH ISLAND:

This area will need fighters, people willing to investigate, people willing to search for sali. It will need those interested in repair work.

EAST ISLAND:

This area will need negotiators, those who can win over the sali's trust. Those with evidence of their trustworthiness is recommended.

SOUTH ISLAND:

Forever One

It will need decent fighters, those willing to work with diplomacy. Those who can deal with unsettled livestock and who can help the wounded. Those willing to help clear up.

WEST ISLAND:

white forest

Strong fighters are needed for this area, and those willing to explore and investigate. Those who can handle strong dangers, but also not exacerbate issues with force.

ARRIVAL ISLAND

ARRIVAL. "Please mind your step getting off."

The female-coded voice of the train speaks as the doors open. Voidtreckers should take heed, with the only way off being with a jump or tumble, landing in a bed of grass below. Very long grass, of greens, yellows, greys and light blues. They'll make a good dent with their drop, but they'll also find more around them, standing as high as twelve feet. Flowers, weeds and more tangle together, their scents strong and threatening to make you dizzy. Get too close to the purple flowers, and they'll offer you a blissful high just by smelling them. Or, are you experiencing hayfever, with constant sneezing and watery eyes?

It'll be a good idea to do something about this mess, just so you don't bump into each other - and the large cylinder containers spread about, meant for rainwater collecting. There are also animals lost in this mix, agitated by the wild growth. They'll need a calming hand to help them behave, and to not go around knocking into people while work is ongoing. There are pegs on the end of the ropes attached to their necks, that can be put back into the ground. ...somewhere.

•
→ Forever One interactions
•

TAKE TWO. With enough clearing and shredding, broken dome habitats can be discovered, wrecked by the plant-life. There's decent cooking pots within, utensils, bowls and other tidbits to be found, but no one else.

Outside, a reddish sky over mountains can be seen in the northwest, and over the south skies too. To the north are signs of smoke... and no easy way to reach anywhere. There are pieces of bridges between floating land, remains hanging resiliently, but not capable of being used without some repair. There are small clusters of land around, but none seem to float close enough to jump across - at least, not for anyone of average human mobility.

The Voidtreckers will need to plan how to move, and where. Flight and abilities over gravity will be useful, except those capable of such will find that their powers aren't as realiable as they should be.

Is this the case for everyone?

EAST ISLAND: HOME OF THE SALI

HOME ISLAND. Arriving from the centre island, there's signs of a clean-up job. Large masses of red and yellow grass have been flattened, creating two paths: one north, and one south.

Voidtreckers will need to continue to watch out for the thorns and pollen that persist in the overgrowth that hasn't been dealt with, their SCAs beeping to help keep them away from questionable growth. They should also mind the clusters of clear crystal stone around the terrain. They are magic, that much is clear even to those who can't sense such things. For those that can, given the weirdness that is happening with their abilities these rocks feel almost like their minds are trying to swim in jelly. As if their eyes don't want to focus on the rocks but also cannot help but try and focus. Like hearing a muffled half familiar song and not being able to place it. Focusing too long however, will make them all the more confused, delirious; others on the road will need to help drag them along.

Choose your path. To the south, the long grass obscures what lies ahead. To the north, large dome settlements can be seen at a far distance.

•
→ North trail interaction
•

TO THE SOUTH. The south trail will take explorers longer to reach anywhere. The plains are vastly wider, ascending up hilly land, but there is more wild here than just the plant-life.

Sometimes, strange striped creatures can be found - usually, if a person gets too separated from others. It goes in for the grab, fast-moving, having some expertise to expect projectiles and to dodge. It won't stop running once they have someone in their clutches.

But there is something that can stop them, other than a Voidtrecker's attack. The closer they get to their destination, the more stone monuments can be found. Nothing grows wild around them, and they seem to give off a repulsive energy that even the Voidtreckers will sense, be even affected by.

They are multiple on the long road, confusing one's mind if they get too close for long. Making them see nonsensical visions, instilling a great sense of fear that spikes their anxiety.

And the most dangerous are the smaller markers; calming, even giving off a sense of relief to be near... but that in truth, have a draining effect to the Voidtreckers.

...but also, doing so does make them start to vibrate strangely...

...and then explode, if too many people past them by.

•
→ South sali interaction

NORTH ISLAND: WEAVED IN GREEN

TANGLING PATHS. Entering the forest is much like agreeing to navigate a labyrinth with layers upon layers. Branches and roots twist and tangle every which way, offering a way up as the ground below becomes more like swamp land. Trees overtake as pathways, limbs wide enough to walk two people side by side, vines hanging like loose threads.

Has your attempt to move forward stranded you from others? Can you reach over to where you see another figure? Or have you fallen, caught in the tangle of the vines, even webs, in need of desperate help? Call - maybe someone can reach you.

•

PROWLING FOES. But those who find you may not always be a friend. Green Sprinters move nimbly, jumping from great heights to pounce upon the unsuspecting, leaping across tree paths and jumping against any surface to weave and dodge attacks. Camo Spiders make the webs that catch clumsy prey. Sometimes, they might not be near their webs - but they will always know when one's been triggered.

And for those who get the most unlucky, they may find a rather spacious opening inside one of tree trunks. Noses will catch a strange odour...an odour of death. They've entered the den of a tree bear, agile despite their bulky size that makes it difficult for blades to penetrate them. They're heavy hitters, as well as having the ability to make the tree branches move to their will.

•

HANG-UPS, HANG LOW. You start to see a sky, and if you're heading in the right direction, a rock wall. There's still a ways up, and, unfortunately (as is always the luck of a Voidtrecker), getting closer only provides more trouble. None of the creatures save the Green Sprinter appear keen to follow them too high, with the other creatures around disinclined in engaging with the Voidtreckers, there's still issues - ahead, and underfoot.

As slick substances cover surfaces to slide any foot or hand it touches, hard to remove; vines that appear safe to grab show tear marks higher up that will lead to dangerous drops if grabbed; and when they grab along the rock wall, the stone will shift, crumbling underfoot or even trapping feet in gaps narrower than when the foot first stepped on them.

Something - or someone is setting traps...

•

→ Mountain Top investigation

•

FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS. But maybe you don't end up top side. Maybe your investigations take you elsewhere, or the density of the woods has kept you inside. Is it curiosity, a desire to explore? Or just bad luck? But there's more to be found in these wild woods than just creatures. Those traps - they were surely traps, and there's more to be found, the rustling of leaves and vines that attract you deeper inside.

They don't make themselves known easily until an attack is already on an unsuspecting Voidtrecker. A throwing knife comes close to a head, feet, and then the wood is engulfed in flames that reach out and grab for you, a giant fist or like whips.

They prefer to attack and disappear rather than entering into full on combat. They use the trees as camouflage and try not to stay still enough to be caught or attacked in return. They are fast and if cornered will posture first with their horns, making them look bigger and more ready for a fight.

Talking to them will require time, patience and a good deal of diplomacy. However, those with crystals and eyes coloured red are less willing to listen...

SOUTH ISLAND: BLUE PASTURES

A MURDER OF CORN. Arriving on the South Island, Voidtreckers will find the land in a similar state as the one they started on, if with more cause for concern. Great dome buildings are visible from where they land in an obvious state of disarray, and a thin red fog with it. There's no immediate threats, but as they get closer to the settlement, the red substance in the air - while some has dissipated since they first saw it - offers headaches and unsettled stomachs, turning their vision hazy and unclear. And a feeling as if something is trying to probe their mind.

As they wade through the stiff blue stalks of a wheat-like plant, berry bushes and else, shouting can be heard. "Come out!", "Intruders!" It's difficult to figure their location, while above, the squawking of some kind of bird can be heard. The ground underfoot shakes and tremble suddenly, abruptly.

It's not the Voidtreckers those voices are after, but they may soon be, their obscured locations not staying so as the sali that slice through with sickles, with shovels, a red gemstone somewhere on their bodies, eyes the same. With a touch to the ground, they make plants grow wild and whip and grab, thorns as thick as ropes barricading their foes. Reason seems to work little with them, while others in this state - if not detecting an unknown presence - can be heard muttering about, "We're being attacked... have to find them..."

Worse is if they're found by one of the red-winged birds above-head, who fly up out of the way and spew either a red substance from their beaks, or beat their wings to cause winds that blow back even the sturdiest of Voidtreckers. They won't linger for a fight, but their smaller companions will. They use the overgrowth to hide in, speed as a means of knocking into people, to get away before they can be caught.

•
→ NPC-led encounter
•

THE FARMING LIFE. Instead of a fight wit the sali, some might find themselves at the structures seen from the distance, as tall as two- or three-storey houses. They have suffered structural damage, from the wild growth piercing them, and from something crushing them from above, leaving openings where they shouldn't be.

Inside sheet-covered buildings, there are plants: purple vegetables with the texture of carrots, rising out the ground and merging like lattice screens that block one's way; stringy blue beans that hang from above like weeping willow's, and as annoying to see through; and patches filled with brightly coloured pumpkin-shaped bumby fruits. These, with too much pressure, will burst and let out a gel-like goo that sticks to skin and clothes, making it harder to move if not wiped off.

The roof reaches high, but so do plants, some which can be climbed. It's like an obstacle course, and inside? Sali; some with red eyes, making themselves known by animating the plant-life. They send the hanging blue strings to grab and try to entangle you, or throw the goo-like pumpkins in your direction. But then there are others, some sali hiding, trying to get past people, who'll couragesly hiss "Begone!" to anyone that finds them.

•

SHEEP AND BOAR. In other buildings, it's no less chaotic. One has been flattened in half by some great force from above, but who knows how. There's animal cries that can be heard inside, trapped by beams of wood and some steel; creatures between a sheep and cow, making sounds like ducks. Some have been killed by the structure, and a sali can be found in the wreckage meeting the same fate.

But there are more animals than just them. There are rows of animal barns, some wrecked, a few luckily untouched. And as for their should-be occupants? Around. Not everywhere has been inflicted with the overgrown grass, but you may be in the maze of it, hearing sounds that could be the cow-sheeps (woolies) or even some of the tall antlered creatures that had been on the first island.

And the most unlucky meeting is a boar-like creature that's rampaging around madly, startled, and only knowing to cause a scene until it runs out of energy. Watch out, for they're as speedy as they are bulky, dealing hard-hitting body slams, headbutts that can make people flinch (from being knocked over), and even has the amazing ability to curl up into a ball and start rolling around.

Wear them out, calm them down, or get knocked out!

WEST ISLAND: STEEL TRAIL

WHITE FOREST. For those interested in what the Reds have to do, or just interested in the sight of the mountain surrounded by a mass of red mist, their destination will be the West Island. Greeting those who come here is white: white dirt you might mistake for sand, large white trees with mushroom-tops, made from very fine fibres. Some have been cut down, by the collection of wood bundled for later gathering, with their fluffy tops used as coverings. Meanwhile, birds can be heard in the distance, their destination covered in a shroud of red, the avians visible as they circle the skies.

While there may be the opportunity to get lost, stone posts dot the environment, leading visitors (hopefully) in the right direction. Yet approaching too closely to these stones have a draining, repulsing effect on the Voidtreckers, that will make them want to stay away. Which isn't a bad idea...

Or, you could try destroying them. Be warned, that most efforts are likely to make them explode in a wide area. But it's good to find out once, right?

Finally, they will reach close to the base of the mountain, with the trail they've been following leading towards a high-fenced enclosure.

•
→ Enclosure investigation
•

A SHRILL OMEN. But life doesn't stop at investigating one enclosure. Whatever the outcome of their findings, the Voidtreckers making their way around the enclosure to the east side will be led to what appears to be a mining operation, and a building beside it.

Some of the crates are empty, while others are layered with crystals, bits of stone. Inside the building, tools for mining and cleaning the gems that were dug out are inside. There's a few simple weapons along one of the walls, wrapped food rations found in containers; things that will last a decent amount of time. Dried meats and fruits. Also, jugs and flasks near blue and red liquids.

It doesn't seem abandoned completely, rather it is not being used at the moment because of the storms.

Up above the birds swarm, their cries heard. Patrolling avians will catch sight of anyone below if they aren't careful, with the Steel Wings commonly seen, and ready to attack. Their cries will alert more to come to where they are, and be warned: their feathers can be flung around like blades, tearing into tree and rock to try and crush people under the wreckage.

•

TRAILING STONE. In the face of the mountain are cave entrances, some larger than others. Each of the cave entrances leads into tunnels that work into the mountain. Most are quite large, built and used by Salis but also dark and very steep- the Salis being very sure footed, with stones glowing lights to give visibility.

Ropes and climbing equipment might be needed for those less used to sharp declines. The good news of course is the caves are free of birds, though unfortunately not free of Steel Weavers, more durable than their Northern brethen, with more than a few bullets needed to annoy them. Most of the tunnels are narrow, though there are larger cave areas, some of which have basic supply caches for the mining operation.

Gems can be found for those who go deep enough. Silver-coloured ones will explode if hit at too hard, and so battling around them can quickly turn deadly. But mostly this tunnel system is a very good way to navigate the West Island without being caught in the storm.

May this be the answer for reaching the birds? Can a path be found? But once the Voidtreckers reach them, what will they do?

Venturing on without figuring out a plan may not be the best idea.

OOC NOTES

NOTES: OOC info is here, map is here, info about powers/magic here. Ask questions here, submit shenanigans here, submit rewards here.

Mission starts Nebula 6 (Sept 11th). This log covers the first 2 days. Ongoing goes up on the 16th.

Remember that it will take time to get around the different islands. Ongoing log will give time for more active planning to deal with the main mission objective (helping the sali get rid of the birds/red storm), while allowing the different teams time to communicate and plan. This log is to help determine relations, and showing what's the state of things.

SALI ATTACKS: Sali attacking on the South Island use more land-based magic, but not all use it. and may be able to enchant people and creatures with music, to attack for them (animals and Voidtreckers) or to confuse (Voidtreckers). Mostly, they have farm equipment, save the non-infected sali. They may have daggers and and bows and arrows. Physique go from muscular to lighter framed. They have basic to decent fighting abilities up close.

Those on the North Island will have a larger variety. Fire, ground magic, and more weapons. They are also stealthy and know how to hide well, and are expert fighters. They also deal with hand-to-hand, and have high strength. However, it is a mix. Some of the same kind can be found in the West Island caves for those who want to find any, infected.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, someone here is sure looking reluctant.

Not that Alice is very surprised, considering his attitude back on the platform when she talked to him - not to mention that he must have found out by now that his precious 'internet' doesn't exist on the train.

Still, Alice looks much more nonchalant as she grabs some equipment herself, before throwing a slight glance in his direction.

"Is something wrong?"

Idia jumps a little as he realizes someone is talking to him, clearly having not improved at all since he first arrived on the train, despite Shadow's attempt at 'exposure therapy' to improve Idia's ability to interact with others. He does however calm a little when he sees who it is, recognizing her face. Then realizing who it was. Oh, the possibly crazy girl.

"Yes." He answers back softly as he looks over the gear again. "I don't do well in camping type environments." Or outside really. Just in general.

"You have survived so far without that internet thing though."

After all, he's still here. And why yes, she might sound a tad amused about it, but that's just because she was right about it not being there, huh. Even though he didn't believe her!!

"Surely you can survive sleeping outside of the train for a few nights. It is way less cramped that way, for one."

"Surviving and thriving are two different things." Idia replies rather flatly, not happy at all with any of this. No internet. No tablet. No headphones. No privacy... And even her suggestion wasn't enough to make him happy. "That's assuming being forced to camp is a better option than being inside, comfortable, but with others around." It's a tough call.

And despite his dislike for the outdoors, Idia's range of knowledge is a vast one of bits of piece here and there, "Clearly we're not just camping though, not with the climbing equipment." Even if it may be gained via video games. He may have no interesting in actually rock climbing, but he's played simulators that included it and were rather detailed.

Granted, she can at least understand that. It's not exactly like any of them are thriving on this train, but.. then again, what can they do about it? It's the situation they're stuck in, so Alice might as well see some bright points where she can.

Like going outside. She actually enjoys that, though she's not so sure if he does.

So rather than focusing on that point, she looks at the equipment in front of them.

"The mission description did mention something about a high peak," she remembers, "but that was just for one team. Perhaps other people can avoid having to use these to climb at all."

Since Alice remembers these being used for climbing, mostly, during another mission.

"Just go out there and find something that does not make you feel miserable doing it."

"Perhaps." Idia echoes, hoping that is the case. He really hadn't taken into consideration that these missions they were forced to do would require such physical exertion. Why would whoever was running this even bring him here? Shouldn't they be aware of how poorly he would fit into this all? Then again, he and Alice had already discussed how this all seemed rather random, and it was just his bad luck for getting caught up in it all.

Her next line strikes a sore spot for him, Idia's features softening slight not to something fully sad, more towards tired and almost acceptance. He's well aware he won't ever have a chance to really be happy, to have dreams to wish for... but short term enjoyment could be possible. "I could try and salvage materials to make items with." That could be a good aim, to work towards creating items that didn't come with him.

"Items?"

There's a slight hint of curiosity in her voice as Alice repeats that word back to him. Come to think of it, even though she did talk to him before, she has absolutely no idea of what kind of abilities he has, whether they are magical or not.

"What sort of items do you usually make?"

"Oh, hm," He really hadn't expected her to even ask, considering she was so disinterested in his talk of internet and similar before. Was she just asking to mock him more afterwards? Should he even bother to answer? Then again, she had been rather straight forward and to the point, but still Idia won't be surprised if this turns to insults. "A-Anything I want to make, really, normally. Depends what I feel like making at the time. Most of the time it's improving-"

Oh... "It's... it's improving Ortho's bodies." Yeah, Idia doesn't want to think about that. He can't remember the last time he and Ortho had been apart like this. He hated it. "B-But right now, I want my tablet. And my headphones. And maybe a replacement for my coat." Look, orange may got well with blue, but it's really not his colour.

Oh gosh. His tablet? Like a clay tablet?! His.. head.. phones..?

Of course he just brings more of these newfangled words with him that Alice has absolutely no idea about. And here she was hoping the answer to her question might make things a little clearer, rather than more confusing. (And yes, yes, she does think the names of modern devices are more confusing than the idea of him improving bodies, okay. She's seen people do the latter, her standards are weird!)

"It seems like you are talented." Lucky you, Idia. There's no insult. In fact, even with as flat of a tone as it's being delivered by, that's definitely a compliment. "Usually people can only make one sort of thing well, but it seems like you are capable of making quite the variety of items."

...Idia wouldn't know what to do with a clay tablet. What was the point of something you couldn't record on over and over again? What a waste of materials.

Even with that compliment Idia doesn't respond for awhile, just looking at her, waiting for the other shoe to drop and her turning it into a joke or something. When there's not much added, Idia instinctively fiddled with the edge of his sleeve. Of course, he knows he's brilliant; his work got attention even beyond the limitations of his school, but he doesn't expect others to really get his more complicated stuff.

But he would still be surprised that she doesn't get what headphones are, pretty much dismissing her earlier claims for killing the Queen of Heart. Because, really, how was that even possible? "Ah... thanks?"

There's another moment where Alice just stares at him as he replies with that awkward sort of thanks, before turning back to the equipment, sorting through it as she figures out what to take along.

But it's not like she's ignoring him entirely while she's doing so, considering Alice does start speaking up again a moment later. "A very gracious way to thank me," she says, slightly dryly. Sorry, Idia, but these sarcastic jokes just happen when you give her replies like that one.

"Do you just think your talent is that normal?"

That his way of saying thanks would be that hesitant and kind of awkward.

Idia really doesn't get people on a normal day, let alone dragged into this whole thing and dealing with... whatever shes got going on. Was it a bit on the rude side of him? Yeah, but so? Being nice didn't get you anywhere in life. "That implies that, ah, compliments," He's still not sure it really is one... but lets go with that until he confirm otherwise. "Are in fact just a need to gain approval for giving one. They're not important anyway." Certainly not from someone who doesn't even have a clue about the technology he was working with.

Then a bit of a scoff. "No, most aren't at my level. Not back at school at least." His dorm was pretty good at what they did, but still didn't touch what Idia was capable of when he had the right gear to work with.

A moment later, giving him time to decide if to try and continue this, or just leave... ugh, why was interacting with others so difficult? "What are you going to do while there?" Idia trying to turn her original question back on her, doubtful she would be as keen to look for mechanical supplies like he would.

.. what an odd guy, Alice thinks.

Then again, it's certainly not like they're lacking very odd people on the train, aren't they. This is just yet another example when it comes to that.

"Fighting." At least Alice does answer that question, if not just because the answer is very simple. What else would she be doing on a mission? It's not like there's anything else she's good at.

"After all, we are being sent there to get rid of a threat, right? And I have found that it is quite a good form of stress relief."

Fighting? Really? It's not so much a case of 'girls can't fight' or due to her size, anyone with the right skill could do so, and Idia doesn't know if she's capable of magic or something similar, so it's not that. More just... why do people enjoy fighting? It does shift her more towards 'brute' in his mindset, then again Alice came across at not caring about what others thought about her. Not that Idia planned to voice that categorizing of his about her. "Oh."

Then that realization that yes, of course there would be threats, right? Idia hadn't been keen at all at the idea of these missions, to being used for someone else's purpose, but he had been so caught up in the idea of having to do the missions he forgot to consider what would be done on them. "...is there normally fighting?"

"Oh, always."

Perhaps - no, strike that 'perhaps' - it's not the most reassuring of answers he could have gotten to that question. Especially since Alice answers it with such casualness, like he asked about the weather, or anything similarly mundane.

She might even be shrugging a little.

"It is not quite a mission unless there is fighting involved, apparently. But if you can't fight, then there are usually places for you to stay away from it." It's not really meant as an attempt to reassure him, more just to objectively talk about how these missions work, but perhaps it might have a slightly similar effect all the same. Especially after that first bombshell answer.

"It's not that I can't," Well, not that Idia ever goes looking for a fight, he would rather just avoid it from ever happening in the first place. "I just would rather not even participate in it." There were so many better things to do than... act like that.

Though that was all just part of it, wasn't it? What all the training for it at school was used for, though that was always sparring not... real fighting. But it does raise a question... "Just... what can you do?"

The question seems to surprise her - mostly since Alice isn't entirely sure how to take it at first. What can she do? Fight, of course. Does she need to specify further than that?

But then she figures that maybe he's just asking about her powers. And rather than verbally answer that question, Alice just holds out her hand, and a moment later a huge hobby horse appears in it. Though it seems more like an oddly shaped hammer than a real hobby horse..

"I can do this. Among other things."

You know. Casual. Alice says it like it's a very casual, normal thing, anyway.

Oh. If anything, Idia looks interested, blinking in shock at the sudden appearance of the weapon, then leaning in to examine it for any signs of what had just happened. "You have matter manipulation? Or are you able to teleport items to you from," He almost says 'inventory' before switching it back out for more 'normal' speak. "A storage space?" That was handy!

"Is it just this, or other items?"

"Matter manipulation?"

Alice repeats the words with a tone that seems to indicate she's never even heard the words used in such a way before - which implies that she doesn't call her own power that.

(Though really, it's not like she has ever put any label on her powers.)

And while she doesn't answer any of his other questions verbally, Alice seems to think that a demonstration will suffice. The hobby horse disappears from her hands, only to be replaced by a big knife, then something that looks like an oversized pepper grinder, and then a teapot.

It doesn't look like she's even breaking a sweat doing it.

Hm, well if her answer is that than maybe not. Or maybe she just doesn't know it from those terms. "Being able to change the form that items are in, or being able to place them into a pocket dimension for storage." You know, "Such as being able to pull something out of mid air." Like she just did again, and again, and again.

They also look like weapons... though certainly had a theme to it, one he did kind of recognize, muttering out, "Maybe you weren't lying about the Queen of Hearts." They certainly looked like items that may show up around the Heartslabyul dorm. Well... kind of. More spiky. "Can you only carry weapons?"

Alice huffs. "Of course I was not lying."

She says it like it ought to have been obvious, despite him.. having no reason to believe she was telling the truth, considering the fact that he had only just met her. But Alice seems to believe it's obvious all the same.

"But.. yes, I just have my weapons and my umbrella. I could not just randomly make something else appear that you would hand me right now." Aka, it might be a hammerspace sort of situation, perhaps, but it's a very fixed one.

Though Alice wouldn't put it in such terms.

"I am not a magician, after all."

In his defense, "It's an old story back home... and she wasn't killed in it." Idia mutters back, though it's more because he's considering what she's just shown him and he trying to figure out how it worked. Then again, magic was weird here. So many options, so many different sources, none of them fully worked together. It's both amazing and frustrating.

"Oh, that's disappointing." He relied to her answer on her limits. Maybe a good thing though so for her not to be turned into a pack mule, but what a limiting restriction, Idia still mumbling to himself, "It's like a gaming storage for weapons only..." Ignoring that she may not understand that, but he really was just thinking out loud than speaking to her.

"Not all magicians can use alternative storage, each have their own area of expertise."

Oh, Alice is definitely just more confused by the stuff he's mumbling over there. There's just way too many terms she doesn't even recognize.

Which is why she doesn't focus on that - nor on the comment about magicians. Instead she figures she might as well explain something to him, in case he hadn't found out so yet himself.

"All of us come from different worlds, even if there might be some overlap in certain cases. It means that the Queen of Hearts that you know and the Queen of Hearts that I know might be the same person, but from a different world."

Which might be a little confusing in and of itself, but it's the most direct of explanations, Alice figures as she shakes her head.

"Hence why she could have been killed in mine, but not in your world."

"Maybe... though it's hard to tell if it was just a story or a real person." It happened so long ago, and stories had a way of changing over the years, but still had to have been sourced from something, right?

Though Idia's now curious. "Is it just the Queen of Hearts you," He could say 'killed', but he guesses he should expand it. "Know? Do you know the other Greats?"

"I have never heard of the term 'Greats' before," Alice bluntly - yet honestly - admits.

Granted, she knows the word great, and she can therefore kind of imagine what his usage of the word might mean, but it does sound like he means something more than just the word great, judging by how he talks about it.

"So I am not sure if I know them. If I do, it is not by that title."

i

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This is all making me want to replay the game

as it should!! the game is so good

I need to keep an eye out for news on the new one

if you look up the creator on youtube, he regularly makes livestreams about the new game!

oh nice

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