AUGUST INTRO LOG: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

[asgardmods]

Who: EVERYONE
What: the August intro log and first god house competition, More Than Meets the Eye
When: August 8
Where: Gladsheim Palace for breakfast, around Asgard for the game/curse
Rating: PG-13; please take anything higher than this to a private log!

morning: a warm invitation

Everyone wakes up to a friendly invitation to breakfast at the castle with the gods. For most of you, this comes as a message on your bracelet, reading:

Join us at the castle today to welcome some new Wanderers into our midst. Breakfast will be served and a lively game will be available to all of our guests, both new and old.

New Wanderers are curious on their own, and this is the first there's ever been mention of a game. Perhaps it's enough for you to make the trek to the castle, to see what all the fuss is about, or maybe even to see if there's someone you know. Perhaps you want to learn more about the game, or maybe you just want the food.

For our new guests, this comes as a bit more of a surprise. Wherever you were before in your world, without even realizing it, you wake up in a strange new place. No time or space inbetween, just an awareness of There and then Here. A matronly figure tries to explain your circumstances with a sympathetic smile, but ultimately invites you meet them all for yourselves: the Gods of Asgard, and the Wanderers that arrived before you.



The sight that greets you on the castle grounds is a rather festive one, regardless of where you're coming from. Colorful streamers and flags are draped above large tables with room for several guests. Natives bustle about, cheerfully offering food and drinks to anyone that wants some. Everyone is welcomed to mingle and greet the new Wanderers on this bright summer morning.

the game: a friendly competition

Among the brightly decorated tables are ones highlighted in a specific color for a specific god house, and most of the gods themselves can be found sitting behind it with a few of their district's natives. They are here to welcome the new Wanderers into Asgard - but they're also here to explain the rules of today's game. There are coins hidden throughout the city and disguised as mundane items, and the god house that returns the most of their coins will win an upgrade to their god housing! No hints will be given, but the natives are excited to help facilitate the activity and happily invite you to wander through their districts to find what you can.

But you don't have to know about the rules to be playing the game! The coins are already hidden throughout the city, and no one knows what they are until they've been picked up. Whether you're banding together with friends to find as many coins as you can or blindly stumbling over an unpleasant surprise, the game and the curse are in full swing!

evening: a fair prize

At sundown, all of the coins in the city disappear at once, whether they're in your pocket or still disguised as a bowl. Points will be tallied and a winner will be announced (OOCly, on August 17) - but Asgardians are keen to celebrate regardless of who wins a rather inconsequential game. The same colorful display of tables and chairs is still spread across the castle grounds, although now they twinkle with fairy lights haphazardly blinking throughout the air. Snacks and drinks are made available, as well as more dinner-shaped meals for those that request it. Mostly the natives simply want to bask in the strangeness of these Wanderers from other worlds for a moment longer - but they're also eagerly listening to any stories from the day's mischievous game. Relax, enjoy yourself, or again, just stock up on some freely served food. Whatever suits your needs today. Welcome to Asgard, dear Wanderers.

[ OOC NOTE: This is the intro log for August, as well as our first god house competition/curse: More Than Meets the Eye. You are free to play with the curse prompts and searching the city in any way you want! If you would like to submit a map to earn points for your god house, please check out the rules to learn what to do. We will accept maps until August 17, at which point a winner will be announced and members of that god house will be allowed to vote for an upgrade to their god housing. As always, please let us know if you have any questions or need any help on the mod contact page. Enjoy, friends! ]

Comments

Morning

[momsboy]

[ Seeing how it was a really warm, sunny day in Asgard, someone wandering around covering themselves ended getting Peter's attention. He was carrying a crate with metal parts in them, heading towards the park in Skadi's district, and his familiar Sandy was trailing behind him in the shape of a corgi dog. ]

New here?

[demonicbeauty]

[This must be what it feels like to actually be Human, instead of just pretending. Humans can't pick up scents. They don't hear heartbeats. They can be taken by surprise.

If it were happening to anyone else, Ariadne would be fascinated.

But it's happening to her. It almost feels like the very meaning of "be careful what you wish for.

All that to say, she whirls around in surprise at the sound of another voice, the clumsy blanket falling off of her head to reveal skin the color of the underside of a maple leaf, hair like blue candy floss.

Ariadne's never really shown her real form to a Human before. And it scares her enough to take half a step back, ready to run at a moment's notice.

But she doesn't run. Not yet. Not until he gives her reason, anyway.]

I...yes?

[Quickly:]

My lord.

[momsboy]

[ Peter takes a step back after her startled reaction and doesn't mover further to show that he means no harm. His reaction to her skin colors is...mostly a non reaction as if it's no reason for alarm. Which there isn't, to him, but his eyes do get a little brighter with recognition.

Zehoberei like Gamora are thought to be extinct and while is possible that there's still some around the Galaxy, they're not easy to find. It's certainly not a species Peter expected to see in Asgard. ]

Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. [ He gives the woman a gentle smile and then it turns into a really happy one when she says 'Lord'. Alas, it's because he's misunderstanding her politeness. ] Oh, you've heard of the Guardians?

[demonicbeauty]

[Not an aggressive posture. That's a good sign. Although Ariadne does find it a little puzzling that he seems so nonplussed. People are usually a little more violent--or at the very least, surprised--when they see an Alastrian.

Then again, this place has been full of contradictions so far. Ariadne pulls the blanket back over her head, protecting her hair, all the same.

His apology seems to convey no ill will. For the time begin, anyway. If only she could hear his heart to know if he was being deceptive...]

Guardians?

[The term itself is familiar enough, but his use of "the" makes it clear he's talking about something more particular. At least her language skills can still be relied on. Somewhat.]

You mean knights? Of course, my lord.

[momsboy]

[ Peter has seen a lot of unusual looking people after 30 years traveling around the galaxy, and even if he didn't, he's not prone to react violently without reason. Sandy is looking up at Ariadne from the ground, nose sticking up and head tilted to the side, but the familiar stays near Peter's legs in case the girl doesn't like dogs. ]

Yes, the Guardians of the Galaxy. That's why you said Lord, right? For Star-Lord?

[ He looks so honestly pleased with the idea, clearly he's very proud of his team. They're his family and Peter has been missing them all like crazy. However, when she repeats the word, it dawns on him she's being respectful. ]

Oh, no it's...nevermind, don't worry. I'm Peter Quill, some people across the Galaxy knows me as Star-Lord, that's why I thought you were one of them. What's your name?

[demonicbeauty]

[She can tell she's made some kind of misstep. But he doesn't seem too upset about it. At least, he's not going for her hair, so that's something.

Ariadne dips into a slight curtsy. It's more a bounce than anything else. The way she moves, she acts like gravity is just barely holding her down.]

Ariadne, sir. But you can call me "Airy" if you like. Most people do.

[momsboy]

[ He's a little disappointed but that's not new in Peter's life either. She's been nothing but nice to him and he likes to walk to newcomers, Peter has no reason to be mean.

The way she moves does get his attention but Peter doesn't really know what to make of it for now. ]

Okay, if you want. There's no need to call me sir, really. Are you a Zehoberei? You look very similar to someone I know and she thought her species were no more.

[demonicbeauty]

Zehoberei?

[The word means nothing to her. Not in any language. But then again, he seems to use different words. "Guardians" instead of "knights." The idea that someone could look like her, though...

That's...nothing small.]

I...don't know? My kind is so scattered...

[It's possible. Maybe.]

You know someone like me?

[momsboy]

Yes...? Green people from outer space?

[ The level of confusion they're both reaching during the conversation is probably showing on Peter's face. He soldiers on an answer the question because maybe Ariadne is from Gamora's home and doesn't know it. ]

I do, my girlfriend. She's green like you but has dark brown to red colored hair.

[demonicbeauty]

[She has no concept of "outer space." Not even a little bit. But her fingers run along the length of her braid for a moment, considering.]

One of my sisters had red hair. She died in a...

[Maybe don't talk about that with a virtual stranger. Even if he does seem rather pleasant.]

She died. When we were little. I've never heard that word, though. "Zehoberei." And I've never heard of a Human being friends with someone green before. Girl or boy.

[A pause.]

I'm sorry. Are you? Human?

[momsboy]

[ Since the misunderstanding continues and peter is aware that Thanos murdered most of Gamora's people, his lips turn into a thin line at her reply. He offers her a sympathetic look, rather regretful. ]

I'm sorry, you don't have to give me details or anything but...I know how it is to lose someone important to you. Maybe if you meet Gamora you two can figure out things, I don't know, you just look very alike. Where have you been living before waking up here?

[ Maybe knowing that will help make everything clear. Peter is just as confused as he was a moment ago if no more. At the new question, he makes a face. ]

Yes, well..half. My mom was from Earth, my dad was a planet-god...something called a Celestial.

[demonicbeauty]

[Well, this man is officially interesting. Not that Ariadne divides up the world into "interesting" and "not interesting" like some of her kind. But still.

At the very least, she's no longer afraid of him. Her body language warms, along with her voice. In fact, she even offers him a little smile.]

I would like to meet your Gamora very much.

But, tell me. Are you a demi-god? I've met two before, but you aren't like either of them.

[momsboy]

[ Being called 'interesting' would certainly be better than what people usually label Peter, which usually is 'weirdo'. Not like he generally cares much, he's learned to roll with the punches and keep doing his own thing.

The change in her demeanor doesn't go unnoticed and he's happy to see Ariadne relax, quickly giving a smile in return. ]

She's the only other green lady in this city, as far as I know, I'm sure you'll see her eventually.

[ Gamora's assigned God is Heimdall but peter knows she values her privacy so he can't share that with Ariadne. The city isn't that big, they will end meeting sooner than later. ]

Me? Oh no,no...I gave that up. I'm just a regular human now. Those demi-gods you know, are they int eh city too?

[demonicbeauty]

Oh, no. At least, I do't think so.

[She would be able to pick out Lady Adriana and her giant, sulky brother.]

Actually, I haven't seen anyone I know here. I'm starting to suspect that makes me a little...

[There are far too many words to complete that sentence. But in the end, it all boils down to "alone."]

I'm not sure what I'm doing here...

sorry for the delay! Hiatus and then RL :C my apologies

[momsboy]

New people show up here at random, doesn't seem to be a pattern to the arrivals, so maybe they will appear one day.

[ Peter's best guess is that the magic of the city, of Yggdrasil, is still figuring itself out. He gives Ariadne a kind look when she doesn't finish. The first days in the city is the most confusing and stressing, he won't push her to figure out her own thought if she needs time. He cant' tell if she feels lonely or relieved that the other aren't here. ]

None of us is. We simply arrived and now we're trying to live normally and find a way back to our homes. But this city isn't too terribly...I've been in far nastier places.

No worries!

[demonicbeauty]

Me too.

[It's easy to admit that. Especially with the Red Dragon closing in around her on all sides. Compared to that, this place feels liberating.

She looks around.]

There's a wildness to this place that reminds me of where I grew up. My parents settled there just before our father birthed us. It was peaceful. For a while.

Thanks ♥

[momsboy]

Then I'm sorry we have that in common.

[ It's sadly not a good thing but miserly loves company. Peter was going to ask some more about her family when his brain backtracked and caught on a particular part of the information. Maybe he's heard it wrong. ]

You...your father gave birth to you?

[demonicbeauty]

Well. Yes.

[She's used to that being a known fact.

Then again, she's also used to pretending to be Human.]

I know Humans have it backwards. Or, at least, the other way around.

[momsboy]

[ Ariadne will have to forgive him, Peter is still thinking of her in terms of being a Zehoberei like Gamora and his girlfriend never mentioned this to him. Maybe she didn't think it was important, he realizes, and he should have asked. ]

Yes, on Earth is usually the other way with humans and most animals. Some are hermaphrodites, though like snails.

[ He knows it's different for alien species, a lot even lay eggs instead of carrying the child, but since Zehoberei look so humanoid he wasn't expecting the change. Peter doesn't look particularly bothered, just utterly confused. ]

But the child...how does it get out once it's time? Actually, how does it even get inside the male...?

[ It's out of him mouth before Peter can stop himself. He makes a face after that, looking like a man who wishes the ground would swallow him up. Sorry, that's probably a too personal question. ]

[demonicbeauty]

[Fortunately for Peter, Alastrians have never been too prudish about things like reproduction. His embarrassment is only meant with a slight furrow in her brow of confusion.]

After a female goes into heat and bonds with a male, the hatchlings gestate for about a month or so in a sack on his back. The sack is naturally permeable.

At least, that's how it was explained to me.

[Oh, wait. He's a Human.]

Of course, that has nothing to do with...intercourse. If that's what you're thinking of.

[momsboy]

[ Lucky indeed. Some people might have tried to stab him already for being offensive. The explanation only raises a whole lot more questions in his mind, green eyes blinking at Ariadne as she goes on.

He manages a soft 'Yes, I was thinking that' before going silent again for a few seconds. There are a lots of things to think about and ask Gamora later once they are in private. He know he's lucky that Ariadne has been so patient before but can't help but keep asking. ]

And when a female goes into heat, uh, what does that imply? Do you require anything special? To be taken care for? Or do you get violent...?

[demonicbeauty]

Oh. Well.

[She looks a little helpless at that.]

It only happens when she chooses a mate. And I don't have one so...

[Ariadne shrugs.]

I'm told it's unpleasant.

[momsboy]

Ah, I see.

[ He offers a small smile in return, understanding. This is the last of his questions, promise. ]

For who? Her or him?

[demonicbeauty]

Her. I know it lasts a week. You can survive it without bonding with your mate, but it leaves you a little more than cranky.

[Ariadne holds her hands up, palms facing each other.]

The bond works like this.

[She touches her palms together. And then shrugs, dropping her arms.]

But I've never experienced it myself.

[momsboy]

[ Peter considers the words and looks far more worried than Aridane might be expecting. Not for his sake, but Gamora's, even if maybe he's worrying too much about things. They had a lot of ups and downs lately, caused by others, and now that things are calming down and they're picking up the pieces, Peter frets constantly. ]

Thank you for showing me, Ariadne. And sorry for all the prodding. Where you going somewhere when we met? I could show you around the city if you want.