middleofsomewhere | No Place Like Home: Outside

No Place Like Home: Outside

NO PLACE LIKE HOME: OUTSIDE

HOME SWEET HOME

You find yourself not on a wide station platform, in the clothes you last remember, holding what you were when you went through the glas door. There's no longer a train behind you, no sound of its whistle, with no other passengers around you in similar style of clothing to your own.

You're somewhere familiar, or just - the last place you remember being before your life became tethered to the Voidtrecker Express. A field, a city, a kingdom, or perhaps even a space station. You should be nowhere, yet you find yourself somewhere, despite all odds.

People - if there are people - don't at first notice you; but attract enough attention to yourself, and that will all change. Friends, family - are they near, a phonecall away? It's either everything you wanted or everything you imagined (for good or worse), and it could seem unbelievably real. But it is real - you're off the train, back somewhere you know.

Finally - the journey is over...

...If only.
You're moving away from where you arrived, for whatever reason. Who wouldn't? You may be far from home, have business elsewhere, or want to go sightseeing. It's time to return to - and live - your life, and that doesn't include sticking to one place.

But you'll find that when you reach a point, the world becomes...foggy. A fog that you hadn't seen in the distance before it appears, and when you walk through it, you'll find yourself in a place some have already found themselves in.

Because for some passengers, there was nowhere for them to return, and so the barriers lead only to fog, and then straight back onto the platform. The Voidtrecker Express may be stationed, or there may be a blanket of fog where it should be; sometimes, it can be caught trying to leave the station, only to come back a few minutes later. The doors are shut tight, and the windows are obscured, showing nothing inside.

Those who came from somewhere can go back, should they go through the turnstiles again. And if they want, they can take people along with them, too...

But sometimes, they go to a world no one knows. They go through the barriers into nothing, a black emptiness. Not space, for those that know space, and it doesn't seem to be the void either. But it is a void, devoid of anything at all. Just a darkness so complete they will not be able to see anything at all, they will only know their companion is there through touch and sound. How they are breathing, how they are living at all, is a mystery; one probably answered only by the SCA on their wrist.

Being there brings an unease deep down inside them. This place is not natural, not somewhere that they should exist in. Not a place that should exist at all. Luckily they are never there for more than a few moments before they return once more to the station, fog covering them like a safety blanket.

A DIFFERENT CORNER: LOCATIONS

In the first couple of days (whatever that means, when time doesn't match up between most places), the only way to move to another's tethered location is by them leading another there. But after that, individuals will show up in other locations when they reach close to the distance limit. Indeed as time goes on everything gets a lot less stable. They may know their five miles perfectly but still one step to another leads them back to the platform. Attempting to return to their world leads them somewhere else entirely.

And there's quite a few places to end up.

SETTLEMENTS

Buddhist Temple, China ( Koumyou Sanzo | TL )
Rebel Camp, Lothal ( Hera Syndulla | TL )
Homestead, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ( Nell Ingram TL )
Capsule Corp ( Trunks | TL )
School Grounds, College ( Idia Shroud | TL )
City Ruins, beach ( Najaran | TL )
Hakkei Palace, Tai ( Taiki | TL )
Gusu Lan, mountain sect (China) ( Lan Jingyi | TL)
Lotus Pier, riverside, China ( Jiang Cheng | TL )
The Endless Abyss, Hell ( Shen Qingqiu | TL )
Hyrule Castle Town ( Zelda | TL )
Haven Palace ( TL )

COMMUNITIES

Spaceport ( Yondu | TL)
Mobile Station Base ( Kiyoiri )
Arkwood, Town (Ryo | TL )
Techstead, Town ( Devero | TL )
Tatsumi Port Island ( Ken Amada )
Mor Dhona / Town, Mountain, Lakes ( K'zeka Tai | TL )
Hyrule Field & Lon Lon Ranch ( Link | TL )
Ishigami Village, Japan ( Senku Ishigami | TL )
Aether Paradise/Artificial Island/Natural Preserve ( Katsuya Jonouchi )
Nautilus ( Spark/Clef TL Clef | TL Spark )
The Underworld, Hades ( Zagreus and Thanatos | TL )
Sanctuary ( TL )

CITIES & KINGDOMS

Saillune City ( Zelgadis | TL )
New Mantle, City ( Ruby Rose | TL )
Brooklyn, New York City, USA in 2017 ( Jake Peralta | TL )
Azabu-Juban District, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan ( Usagi Tsukino | TL )
Hau'oli City ( Eva Iden'no | TL )
Gauig City ( Little One/Buttercup | TL )
Kyoto, Japan ( Masumi Sera | TL )
Shinjuku, Japan ( Yosuke Otoha | TL )
Kingdom, Evermore ( Roland Crane )
Garlemad, Kingdom ( Zenos | TL )
Kingdom of Knothole ( Mina Mongoose | TL )
Domino City ( Yugi Muto | TL )
Amnity Park ( Danny Fenton | TL )
Garlemald ( TL )
Lothal ( TL )
Los Angeles ( TL )
The First - Crystarium and Lakeland ( Elidibus | TL )

OOC NOTES

OOC post. Ask questions here.

LOCATION TOPLEVELS: Since it'll be easier for players to engage with settings presented by those offering them, when we see a toplevel for one of the above locations put up, we'll add it to the list! We've also included the OOC comments for settings to the side, so any questions can be left with the player, as well as extra details. Please always speak with the player first if you intend to do anything drastic to the setting!

A REMINDER: Time of log is Poi 22-25, but time within worlds can last up to a maximum of two weeks. Minimum is whatever you want it to be.

During Poi 22 and 23, characters will need to be led to a location to be able to access it. From Poi 24, people will show up in locations regardless of invitation.

The second half of the event will go up during 20th to 25th February (Poi 26-28). But as always, play around in here and do as you like!

If your character's setting isn't above, link us to it in the Questions post, along with your toplevel! We'll add it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"It was," Thanatos confirms. He disappears for a moment, shifting to grab a towel for Idia. He returns just as quickly and holds it out for him. The bloody footprints will be cleaned up soon enough by Dusa. (She'll probably be confused by their existence but will clean them all the same.)

"Most mortals don't plan on coming here when they do." It's a poor attempt at a joke. "Are you otherwise all right?"

There's a mumble of a 'thank you' from Idia as he takes the towel, not that he thinks it will do much with the state his clothing is in. Ugh, damnit. He slips off his hoodie and toes off his shoes, leaving them to fall to the ground. Sorry Dusa. As he wipes himself down the best he can, he actually lets out a soft 'heh' at the joke, mumbling, "I guess." To it, since Thanatos was right about that.

The question was a little difficult to answer though. "I mean... I'm in the-" Needing to pause to take it all in again. "I-i-in the Underworld..." Or he guesses. "Or a Underworld." A longer pause. "...its really red." Yes, he's still grasping onto that, it was easier than everything else that was going on. Though despite this all, "I'm glad I found you..." Idia has no clue what he would do if he hadn't found Thanatos!

Oh, also, "When did you get married?" It's the first he's heard about it.

"... What?"

Whatever else Idia was saying is promptly pushed aside and forgotten. Thanatos has heard some crazy things about what mortals think of him (or Lord Hades or Lord Ares or... Lord Eros... in place of him), but this is beyond the strangest.

"I'm not married."

Even Mort squeaks his confusion. Thanatos wouldn't get married without telling him!

Idia points back to where he had came from. "The sleepy, talkative guy, he said you and Zagreus were married." Something very clearly has gone wrong with this line of information communication.

"I didn't even know you were dating." It's kinda of mumbled out, Idia not really aware of how awkward this may be for Thanatos, too occupied with wiping himself down as much as he could. Was it bad to keep Styx on him? Was he going to just drop dead at a random time? That's not good... "Is this dangerous for me to have on me?"

"Why does Hypnos... Nngh, don't listen to him. He has no idea what he's talking about," Thanatos says very plainly. Great, he's going to have to talk with Hypnos and attempt to straighten things out and hope that it actually sinks in. He does not want to think of what chaos Hypnos may stir up from this false belief.

"Normally, the Styx waters would be harmful to mortals like you, but I think the SCA protects you here like it does on other worlds." Maybe demigods would be okay, like Achilles, made invulnerable to the parts bathed in the waters, but Thanatos wasn't completely sure. The Styx pulls upon souls, and if mortals could just swim across without issue, then Charon would be out of a job.

"Maybe." Idia mumbled in reply before giving up on trying to clean himself, it just wasn't going to work until he got a chance to shower or something, ughhh. He would question if it's physical damage or soul damage though. It would make sense it's soul damage, and their souls are.... questionable right now. Hell, so are their physical states. Maybe these bodies were made tougher than their normal ones. Or maybe some of Idia's magical shielding helped protect him too. That would need more testing to know for sure and... he really doesn't want to risk that. He has no plans to come back here.

Dropping the towel to the ground, he let out a sigh before making himself move on. "So, um... did you managed to catch up?" Idia knows Thanatos has been worried about how his world had been without him.

Thanatos isn't a scientist, so he wouldn't be able to really help. Besides, he has more important things to focus on.

"Far from it. I cannot reach the surface, so it's up to Charon and Hermes to bring the shades to the Underworld." Thanatos sighs, and Mort climbs to his shoulder to nuzzle Thanatos's cheek. "They can be fast, but the sheer number who should be dead is... unthinkable."

The work had really, really piled up since his absence.

"Oh, yeah, I guess that fog would do it, huh?" So it was happening here too, weird. The train really screwed up.

It's not the only thing screwed up though... "The fact there's no back up for you is an oversight." Look, clearly Thanatos is the best, uh, person, for the job, and in theory Death shouldn't just vanish from a world, but you know, clearly this was an issue! All good procedures should have back ups. Then again, how could they predict for Death to vanish? Was that even something to be considered in the first place? '...I guess there was no way to guess you would just vanish." If you had something you considered a foolproof system it's hard to imagine it breaking.

...you know what, screw it, he's already wet, he may as well try and get the... well, Styx off him, especially if it could be hurting him. Scrunching his eyes closed for what is to come, Idia hesitates before a wave of his finger to his computer, and a douse of water pouring over him with his water magic. Ughhh, yeah, this was equally miserable... but at least he was 'clean' now, Idia peeking an eye open and checking himself over this way and that. Then a shake of his head, more to get it off his face than his hair. "Ugghhh." He guesses this is better.

"One would think...." Thanatos says bitterly. How many times has someone on the train told him the same after finding out Death had been stopped once before? He had also asked this of his mother and Lord Hades. The work falls on him. No one else has that same aspect of his domain.

However, Thanatos's expression changes at Idia's shake of his head to rid himself of water. The gesture, the motive behind it, is so familiar in a way that is... very strange. It reminds him of Zagreus (and Cerberus if he's honest). And instead of fiery feet, Idia has hair of fire.

"You asked me about Lord Hades once," Thanatos starts. After Persephone, this is no longer such an absurd thing to possibly ask. "Are you related to him in some fashion?"

Idia's not a god, but he's no mere mortal either.

"I guess you haven't vanished before though." Idia mumbled as he considered if he could dry himself off with his fire magic... or just set something on fire. Then again, wasn't Zagreus always on fire in a way? Maybe they were used to it here.

However that consideration was instantly shook with that question, his gaze snapping up to Thanatos, "W-w-w-what do you mean?! H-how could I be related to H-Hades? He's one of the Greats!" That happened a long time ago! Sure, the Shrouds go back a long way... but... "I-I-I don't even thing he had any kids... at least I don't think so in his legend..." Seriously Thanatos, don't stress him with such questions! What's wrong with you?!

Maybe Thanatos should be grateful that Idia doesn't know about Sisyphus. It means there's a chance the Thanatos of Idia's world has never been trapped. Good for him and his world.

"The gods above didn't know Lord Hades had a son either, and you do share some similarities," Thanatos says plainly. "However, you're more likely to be the child of an Olympian than Lord Hades. As far as gods go."

"That's totally different!" Don't ask him how, Idia doesn't have the brain power to come up with a reason behind that right now, he's too freaked out that this is even a line of conversation Thanatos would even go down with him. "W-What do you even mean 'similarities'?!" Was he getting too loud? Was Achilles starting to wonder what that sound was from his position down the hall? Was Desu floating around near enough to take note? It didn't matter, Idia really didn't care about being noticed right now, far too concerned about Thanatos' clearly insane suggestion that this is even possible!

Stop talking crazy, Thanatos! Mort, stop him!

Mort thinks the crazy one right now is Idia. Thanatos makes a good point. He also sees the similarity. However, Thanatos winces a bit as Idia gets louder, but he answers the question. "The fire and how you shook off the Styx."

Achilles does look their way, but he seems more puzzled by Thanatos reacting to someone else and seeing and hearing no one.

"Would you rather have me compare you to Cerberus?" Which isn't a bad thing since even Thanatos thinks Cerberus is the goodest boy, but Idia might take offence to being compared to a three-headed dog. "Forget I said anything. It's just an observation."

He'll get a headache if he has to listen to Idia yell about how he's not related to the Lord Hades of his world.

Oh gods... he was loud then, wasn't he? Ughh, no one notice him! Please. He can't even use his hoodie to automatically hide in since he had taken it off, Idia nervously reaching for his hair instead. Then stopping as Thanatos brought that up.

"Don't talk about something you don't understand." He mumbled out softly, but steadily, one shaking hand holding tightly onto the wrist of the other. "And I don't deserve to be compared to Ceberus either." Cerberus was the ultimate security system, he was known for that for a reason. Idia couldn't compare to that.

"Fine," He finally spat out after this all, standing their silent for awhile... before his brain started back up. "...you said it was the SCA." That's what protected him, right? That explained it. Although... "What does the Styx actually do? It has something to do with souls, right?" If it had to do with souls... and maybe 'damned' ones... could blot be considered being damned? Hmmm...

You know... "Shame I can't take some with me." Idia's inner scientist taking notice to this all. It could be interesting to experiment with.

Thanatos just stares at Idia for a good long moment with his eyes narrowed. He was making a comparison, clarifying that comparison, and stating what he knows. How is any of that talking about something he doesn't understand? Especially when he is dating the son of Hades and has Cerberus as a coworker.

Idia's lucky he's not like the gods who would smite someone talking to him like that. Instead, he turns around and looks at his growing piles of parchment work. Mort noses the nearest roll.

"You are not experimenting on the River Styx. Show some respect," Thanatos finally says quietly but firmly. Answering Idia's question set him off earlier, so why should he attempt to do so again? He picks up a quill and dips it into some ink. "If you continue in one direction long enough, you should be able to return to the platform. The House of Hades is near the edges of my tethering point."

...he's not going to go in to it with you, Thanatos. Or anyone if he can help it. No one here needs to know.

Also he's come to learn that Thanatos isn't like that. Maybe Idia has gotten too comfortable with Thanatos over his time here... but... Thanatos seemed more cool than Idia would expect of the gods. He imagined most wouldn't take the time to even talk to mortals, but all those on the train seemed fine with doing so. It's almost easy to forget that they are in fact gods.

And even with that tone it doesn't quite strike Idia that, yes, he is talking to the god of Death, more feeling like he's being scolded by a teacher or similar. He's able to bite back a comment about the progress of science and all that... and instead moves on. It was only an idea anyway, and it's not like he's got the right computers here to do real tests. Maybe one day though... "Fine." It's a rather short answer as Idia collects up his hoodie again.

Although... attitude aside. "So... back that way?" Pointing back towards the main hall, as this one didn't seem long enough to take him out towards that cloudy edge to their worlds.

Thanatos would have been more god-like were he still the same person (or lack of one) when he was first taken. Worry about his homeworld and experiencing the absence of his powers are humbling experiences.

"If you continue that way, there are some other halls you can take." Ones that ~~may not appear in game but must exist~~ will take him to the less public facing parts of the House. More offices, records, personal rooms, and so on. Thanatos was able to reach his room, which is a small distance away from the main traffic of the House. However, going beyond that to some of the store rooms had sent him back to the platform.

"Won't even have to jump out a window and into Tartarus fully."

"...Ok," Idia mumbled back, then his lip curling up in annoyance at that follow up comment. "I'm not going to yeet myself out of a window..." Don't insult him like that Thanatos, he shouldn't remind you of Zagreus that much... Idia has more common sense than that, thank you.

...plus Idia has already come crashing back onto the platform once, he doesn't want a repeat of that. How was he supposed to know the broom he was on would vanish from underneath him?!

"...good luck with the paper work..." There was always paperwork... and if Idia was in a better mood after this all, and he would think anyone here would care, he would suggest to digitize it to make it easier... but right now he wants to get out of here, maybe even back to Night Raven and hide in Ignihyde for a bit to recover. Laters Thanatos, Idia shuffling off to vanish down the hallways.

It was meant to be a joke, Idia. (Thanatos knows his jokes aren't good. Death isn't a laughing matter.) Besides... what is a "yeet?"

And the problem with digitizing this Underworld's records is that the technology doesn't exist. Their best resource (even if it's not enough) is the ever-increasing workforce of shades. That doesn't really help the poor upper management who have to do all the important stuff.

"Thank you," Thanatos says with fatigue in his voice. "The way things are going... probably see you back on the train." He watches Idia go, and then puts quill to parchment again.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No Place Like Home: Outside

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