asgardchrysalis | AUGUST INTRO LOG: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

AUGUST INTRO LOG: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

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! ]

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[ Naminé has the good excuse of not ever really having been provided with the time or the opportunity to so much as regularly access a kitchen prior to coming to Asgard. But a lot of things have changed for her lately, and the more that they do the more she begins to feel some measure of obligation to make the most of it all. For the moment, however, she looks very mildly perplexed by the question. ]

I've never thought about it before.

[ There are a lot of long-term things she's never thought much about. It's hard to worry about what you'll be when you grow up when you're stuck trying to make sure you grow up at all. ]

I... suppose it might be a good idea to learn. [ Hesitant though she seems, she actually does enjoy the notion, now that she's thinking about it. ] … Yes, I think I would like to do it. If you're willing to help, I'm sure you'd be able to teach me a lot that I don't know.

[ No matter how uncertain Naminé is about infringing further on Chizuru's generosity. ]

[ She patiently waits while the other seems to figure out her thoughts through her progressing answers. Chizuru isn't even surprised that it takes the girl a bit to arrive at a definite answer - Naminé just seems to be thoughtful like that. ]

Of course I'm willing to help as long as you want to learn! [ She smiles, seemingly pleased that Naminé ended up agreeing. She wasn't sure if the girl would be interested, but now Chizuru is glad that she is. ] Some people just see it as a chore, but I actually think it's kind of fun to do. Especially with company.

[ Hence why the idea of cooking lessons seems fun to her. ]

And it's also a nice skill to have for when you ever want to do something nice for someone else. Cooking a meal can mean a lot.

[ It's all too true that the blonde tends to take her time working through her thoughts. Carelessness is not her way; taking caution has been an important part of her life from the beginning, whether for her sake or for the sake of those around her. ]

Well, if you think it'll be fun - I hope it is. For both of us.

[ She spends the next few seconds letting the notion sink in, appreciative of the relatively novel opportunity to plan for the future. A small 'oh' passes Naminé's lips at that last portion of Chizuru's words, shaking the blonde from her thoughts. ]

That's true. I could help everyone that way...! [ Being as the 'everyone' in question is mostly a bunch of teenagers, and goodness knows they're probably not very conscious about their diets. ] I think some of them might need it more than others. And-- it might help with the ice cream, too.

[ Or at least with the requisite mechanics of cooking in general. ]

See, maybe you'll end up solving the ice cream mystery for all of them.

[ Her smile grows a little warmer at that. It's just cute to see teenagers being teenagers together! Chizuru has never really had the ability to participate in any of that herself when she was Naminé's age (or, well.. you know, physical age), so it's kind of like she's still able to see a bit of it through them. ]

Your friends will be so impressed with you! [ As they should be, anyway, in Chizuru's opinion! Naminé is such a sweet girl, who wouldn't be impressed by her? ]

[ The way the girl reacts, it isn't hard to tell she's terribly unused to receiving encouragement. Optimism may not be one of her talents, but that might only make her appreciation for it greater. She falters noticeably, cheeks beginning to color, and it's all she can do not to stutter in her, ]

Maybe...!

[ It's meant more for that first suggestion than the second one, but it probably applies to both. Naminé may not believe it outright, yet she's learned by now to let a happy thought be what it is, rather than trying to dampen it with reality. ]

Even if they aren't - it's enough to be able to do something for them anyway. I... owe them that much.

That's a very sweet thought. [ That just being able to do something for someone else is nice. It's a thought Chizuru herself very much understands. After all, it's what she herself clung to desperately when she first got to know and live with the Shinsengumi.

It seems Chizuru has lead them back to the starting area, where a lot of natives are still busy trying to take care of the new people. It's the most likely place anyone would have something to dry people off with, and when Chizuru asks one of the natives bustling about for a towel, they immediately nod and go to fetch one.

In the meantime she turns back to Naminé. ]

Have your friends done a lot for you..? [ Really, she's mostly asking to assess whether or not the girl genuinely owes them something or if she just imposed that feeling upon herself. She seems so shy and unused to all these social interactions that Chizuru can't be sure. ]

[ It's one of those principles Naminé has had no choice but to live by; that doing something for someone else's sake is all the incentive you need. To hear it called sweet, though, brings a hint of color to her cheeks. Voice quieting in her bashfulness, ]

It's only the truth.

[ Helping them is worthwhile all on its own. As the two girls come toward the place where the event began, Naminé lingers next to Chizuru with a subtle yet palpable sort of carefulness, as though she might step behind the other girl for cover at a moment's notice. The blonde doesn't, of course, because those days are long gone, but she hasn't spent quite enough time speaking to strangers to be entirely comfortable with it. Her eyes follow the native as they depart, only to shift toward Chizuru as she speaks. ]

They... [ Her answer comes to mind immediately; it's only shaping it into the proper words which makes her pause. ] … Have, yes. I owe my life to one of them. And another one, I-- have a lot to make up to her.

[ It sounds like somber business if her tone is any indication, but there's a matter-of-fact-ness, too. ]

[ Judging by her tone, it really does sound like something serious. And probably something unpleasant, judging by the fact that she owes her life to one of them. Chizuru honestly can't help but be curious what must have happened to Naminé that she'd have to say these things at such a young age.. but she's not the type to pry, no matter how curious she is. It'd be rude. Not to mention that she doesn't want the other to have to talk about sad things.

So instead.. ]

I'm sure you will be able to do it. You seem so kind with everything you say.. I'm sure your friends already appreciate just having you by their side. [ Chizuru already likes talking to the girl, after all, and she doesn't even know her all that well yet. ] There were people I owed a lot to back home as well, and in the process of trying to repay them I really found out how much it can mean to just be by someone's side.

[ There are an awful lot of implications to be sure, and none of them very nice. Naminé is already braced to answer the questions she assumes Chizuru might very well have, and yet - the blonde seems confused when they don't come. Her lips part faintly, then press together again, and despite herself they begin to curl bashfully at the unexpected assurances. (Yes, Naminé likes this outcome better, she thinks.) ]

I... [ The compliment itself stills her words in her throat; she can only get by responding instead with, ] … hope that they do.

[ Because it would be awful, wouldn't it, if they didn't want Naminé with them? As unable as she is to have full confidence in her own welcomeness, she'd like to at least think that her presence is a benefit to them, rather than a burden. Rather than lingering on that, however, she seems to grow curious at Chizuru's description of her own life. Perhaps paying back in kind, Naminé doesn't ask about that debt, but, ]

Did you... become close with them?

[ That question, at least, she feels compelled to ask. Her tone is almost-- hopeful, in an odd sort of way. ]

Yes.

[ She answers easily, barely even seeming like she has to think about it. Chizuru is rather glad that it's the honest answer too - she'd hate to give any other reason when Naminé sounds so hopeful when she asks it.

Sure, things in Chizuru's world.. didn't exactly end up great. But at least this aspect of it is true, and hopefully she can reassure the girl with it that things might end up for Naminé. ]

They became my precious friends. [ And now they're dead, but.. ssh. That's not appropriate discussion material in front of a girl who already seems so vulnerable as Naminé. ]

Actually.. [ She laughs softly. ] One of them ended up being the man I love.

[ The blonde sucks in a little breath, surprised by the immediacy of the response. But it's a pleasant surprise, to be sure, and her smile comes nearly as quickly. Her should sink with it, as if relaxing. ]

How lucky...!

[ It's not herself she's thinking of when she's glad to hear of what went well for Chizuru. Her own future may well turn out as nicely, but it's worthwhile enough to her to hear of someone else's successes, even without the whole story. That doesn't quite compare, however, to the soft, subtle sort of awe in her expression at the last bit. ]

So there's someone very special to you. [ Naturally, once she's wrapped her head around that-- ] Does he know that he's the one you love?

[ It doesn't occur to her right away to wonder if that's prying; her curiosity's gotten the better of her, considering how rarely she's spoken to someone who actually has that sort of relationship. It's been far less common in her own life than in most people's; she doesn't even have parents, after all. ]

[ Judging by how easily Chizuru speaks on, it seems that she doesn't mind the other's prying in the slightest. If anything, she almost seems a little giddy. Chizuru has never had anyone to really talk with this about before, after all - she couldn't even imagine discussing it with one of the other Shinsengumi men. ]

I think-- no, I know he does. And I think he feels the same way about me too.

[ Her voice slows down a little at that last part though, remembering their last conversation. Even now the words still echo in her head - "I can't make you happy."

Something about her smile turns a bit more melancholic, but Chizuru keeps smiling all the same, if not just since she doesn't want to suddenly seem sad about this in front of the girl when she's actually trying to make her feel more hopeful. ]

He's just.. still trying to figure out how to deal with those feelings.

[ Chizuru's willingness precludes Naminé from considering that she might have overstepped, and she listens with rapt attention to the answer, expression growing thoughtful. There are very few things that slip by her, even small cues, and she doesn't miss the change in the other girl's voice or in her smile.

Lips flattening together, Naminé's head tilts a minute number of degrees. Now she hesitates to ask more, and yet feels oddly compelled to. Clearly there's some manner of complication going on with this relationship, and even in a few sentences Naminé can tell as much. Concern doesn't quite make it onto her features, but it lurks somewhere nearby them all the same. ]

Is he someone who usually has trouble with his feelings?

[ Because that would be understandable enough; no matter her lack of real world experience, Naminé knows hearts well. Some of them are... more open than others. ]

[ Something about that question actually makes Chizuru laugh a little, at the very least. Not at Naminé, since it's a completely reasonable question as a reaction to what she just said, but just.. because it makes her think of Hijikata, and his moments involving some very, very creative cursing. ]

Not with all feelings. [ Anger, for example? That one seems pretty easy for him. ]

He's just a very important person. And I think that because of that he never expected to find himself in a situation where he would have romantic feelings for anyone. So trying to balance his duty and those feelings seems to be what's complicated for him.

[ Especially under their dire circumstances, but the girl doesn't have to hear about that. Chizuru is careful to keep the worst sides of all of this out of the conversation. ]

[ The blonde's brows raise at the laugh. At first she thinks perhaps she's guessed correctly, because that amusement certainly came from somewhere, but Chizuru's explanation proves otherwise. Contemplative, Naminé listens carefully. ]

Never? [ she repeats, expression a mix of subtle emotions. That's an unusual way to feel, she's come to recognize, even though-- ] I see. I... think I can understand that much.

[ For so long she'd considered herself heartless, after all. How could she ever hope to love someone, that being the case? Circumstances have changed, it's true, but the concept is still painfully familiar to her. ]

But what is it that he does that's so important? [ Because she has to wonder, really, what amount of responsibility to cause that sort of issue. At last she falters, however, with an, ] If-- you don't mind me asking.

[ Naminé understands, huh.. She can't be sure if the girl means that she understands the idea or that she can actually relate to it, but for a moment while Chizuru thinks she can't help but hope it's just the former. It'd be an awfully sad thing for someone still so young to think.

She doesn't point anything out about it for now though, instead focusing on answering the question. ]

He's the head of an army. [ It's a little more generalized than the truth, but she doesn't expect anyone here to know of the Shinsengumi.. so it's easier to explain it in broad terms. ] And before I showed up in this place, the country we live in was in the middle of a war.

[ Naminé doesn't appear to think that she's said anything that might sounds odd, but-- she rarely does, does she? More important to her is what Chizuru has to say, and with the explanation the blonde breathes a soft, ]

Oh.

[ Well, that would certainly explain it. ]

I'm... sorry. [ Her sympathy is genuine, even if she's not quite sure to express it. She can't help but observe, ] It's strange - so many of the worlds people come here from seem to be in trouble. Mine have been, too.

[ Which is a bit of an aside, really, and after a moment she shakes her head as if to clear it, then looks up at Chizuru with an uncertain kind of consideration, like Naminé wants to be encouraging but isn't quite sure how. ]

… But... wars don't last forever, do they? Some day it'll have to end, and then...

[ Maybe Chizuru's... important person will have an easier time figuring it out? ]

.. Yes, you're right. [ Chizuru smiles softly at the girl. It's really endearing how hard Naminé is trying to comfort her by trying to find the positive in that scenario, and she can only hope the the girl can do the same for her own situation, with how meek she seems.

But she knows it's not that easy. The Shinsengumi is on the losing side of this war. And even if they were winning, who knows how much longer Hijikata had to live now he's a rasetsu.. There's so many things that will still complicate matters for Chizuru in the future.

But she smiles anyway. ]

Before I showed up in this place, I was about to head over to him and properly tell him how I feel. And that I'll stay by his side no matter what happens. It's just that showing up here kind of interrupted all of that.

[ The irony of it is that Naminé never has quite managed to learn to take a rosy view of her own circumstances. The truth, ugly as it might be, is an old friend, and in her life a somewhat pessimistic sense of realism has become natural to her. But the way she deals with herself and the way she deals with others are two entirely different things; she knows, for instance, that other people benefit from encouragement, and in her desire to help those around her, to comfort Chizuru, it seems like the right course of action to take. Besides, most people have better luck than Naminé does. To her, there's no reason she's yet aware of that anything she's said to encourage the other girl is wrong.

But it feels like it is, somehow, and Naminé can't quite put her finger on why. Something in Chizuru's smile, maybe, or in the details between the words that Naminé can sense more than pull facts from. The blonde swallows the questions that rise in her mind, however; a feeling is just a feeling, after all, not something to base careless assumptions on.

And besides, the rest of what Chizuru said is perplexing enough. Just imagining it makes Naminé chest feel heavy with a mix of sympathy and secondhand nerves. ]

Really? [ It's hard to imagine being so bold herself. But to be interrupted - oh, that sounds terrible. Wilting, ] And he's not here with you...?

[ That, at least, seems like a safe assumption. ]

What was it that made you decide to tell him? Why - right then?

[ Chizuru shakes her head, truly unable to keep the sad edge out of her smile as she does so at the question. No, he isn't here.. She searched the whole city on her first day here - heck, even on her first few days, just in case she might have missed him somehow. But surely she would've known it by now if he was here. ]

I realised.. since he's fighting in a war, things could be over at any time. [ That's a safe statement to make without giving away that things were getting pretty dire for his side of said war, right? Even when you're on the winning side, an individual soldier could still be struck down at any time. ]

I wanted to make sure he'd know before that would happen. Of course I want him to live, more than anything, but.. just in case.. I really wanted to make sure he'd be able to pass on without regrets or thoughts of "what if" if something did happen.

[ She releases a breath, trying to smile more airily. ]

Sorry. This kind of talk must be kind of heavy, right?

[ Since Naminé.. probably.. wasn't involved in a war? Chizuru hopes so, anyway. No child should have to endure that sort of thing. Not even this depressing talk of it. ]

[ It's clear from Naminé's face that she suspects just how deliberate that smile of Chizuru's is. The blonde knows a thing or two about faking smiles, to be sure, but right now - she does not do the same herself. Her concern is evident, though Naminé doesn't speak of it directly. The soft breath that leaves her throat like a sigh is a sympathetic sound all on its own, as well as an agreement; all those who fight so regularly stand a risk of losing, and for the consequences to be irreversible.

The girl looks as though she'd like to say something - more than a few somethings, maybe - that could help, but what is there to say to that? The reasoning is sound, as sad as it is. Those in Chizuru's position have so much to lose by not speaking up. The shift in her smile does nothing to convince Naminé, who recognizes some part of the truth already, but the younger girl makes the effort all the same to lessen the sadness of her own expression. That's the one thing she can do, isn't it? ]

… Yes, it is. [ She admits it after a moment, although this time she manages a wan sliver of a smile. ] But that's alright. I would rather think that you had the chance to talk about those sorts of things than that you kept them all inside. Even if I can't help -- I can still listen.

...

[ For a moment Chizuru just stares at the girl, and then she slowly starts to smile in a way that's more genuine, even though it's still kind of soft. She tries to push her own worries aside for now - nothing will come out of worrying in this place, anyway, where she's completely unable to do anything about the situation back home.

It's more important to focus on the things she can do right now. For the people here. ]

You're a very sweet girl, Naminé. Thank you.

[ So young, and clearly already burdened by so many things.. And yet she still wants to listen to others and help them out. Chizuru has real admiration for that.

Just then, the native returns with a towel. Chizuru smiles and thanks them with a slight bow before holding the towel out to Naminé. ]

Here. Now you can finally dry yourself, that should make you a bit more comfortable.

[ Naminé stares back, almost as if she doesn't realize she's doing it. The silence, momentary though it might be, tugs at the blonde's natural concern, and her lips part slightly with an uncertainty that has the potential to become worry, eyes switching carefully between sides of Chizuru's face as the Nobody tries to ascertain the source of the other girl's quiet.

She has a hard time settling in her mind that the compliment has anything to do with that pause, but it matters little; Naminé is caught enough off-guard by the words that bashfulness makes her falter, one hand curling against the lower part of her own ribs. ]

I-- [ The air catches in her throat, the clear sign that she's stopped herself. 'I don't deserve that,' while her instinctive response, would do neither of them any good, would it? So she wills it back down, swallowing the words with the flutter of a blink as she readjusts. ]

… You're welcome. [ The words feel odd on her lips, a question mark hovering unbidden near the end of them, but there's a gentleness that makes clear she says it for Chizuru's sake. Easier is the softened, ] And... thank you. For saying so.

[ The native's arrival distracts Naminé sufficiently for her hand to fall again without her thinking about it, and despite her care around strangers she offers a quiet word of genuine thanks to the native as well before reaching to take the towel from Chizuru. With... the hand that had been holding onto the other girl before, which Naminé only seems to realize a moment late. ]

-- Oh!

[ They're free...! Naminé straightens, looking almost excited - though on a girl like her that's on the subtle side of it. ]

When did that happen--?

[ Whatever the case, she really ought to dry herself off; she realizes this not long thereafter and begins to do so in spite of her curiosity. She can listen and get cleaned up at the same time, after all. ]

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AUGUST INTRO LOG: MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE

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