gameofmana | ♪ Our house ♪ in middle of this tree ♪ our house

Entry tags:

♪ Our house ♪ in middle of this tree ♪ our house

Who: Everyone
What: The first morning of an adventure begins.
Where: Home
When: Day 1
Other: Be courteous and warn for any of the usuals in your thread subject title if it gets to that point.

You wake up to a serene and idyllic morning.

Outside, a pleasant glow from the sun fills the room including the small crannies in which the beds are tucked. All windows have been latched close, but it's easy to see a gentle breeze ruffling the leaves of branches which loom overhead. Faintly, bird song can be heard from outside. In this place, it'd be a simple matter to close your eyes again and drift back to sleep.

There's simply one problem: this is not where you last went to sleep.

Waking up properly will display not only how the picturesque and cozy little room stands out in stark contrast to where you should be, but that you are sharing this space with someone else. Depending on things, they might be very mundane or very... unusual. Either way, they seem just as bewildered as you are. The good news is that at least all the things you immediately had on you at the time are right nearby the foot of your bed along with what seems like a small gift- a small pouch of some sort of coin. (500 Lucre, although that might not be immediately realized anytime soon.)

Exploring the rest of the house shows it to be otherwise quite empty, except for some writing utensils and paper in what appears to be the study along with basic kitchen tools in, well, the kitchen. There's no food, however, and no decoration. Venturing outside onto the grounds reveals an expansive but not particularly well tended estate including another building that is fairly run down. Attempting to venture down the path from the front door out into the world reveals... well. Nothing. It's a fruitless endeavor.

However, not for long.

Hajime Iwaizumi will be the one to find what appear to be a few discarded children's toy blocks. The Colorblocks immediately seem off in some way, strange even as they should seem inconspicuous. Something about them will compel him to pick them up. The nature of this apparent toy will not be obvious until he ventures near the edge of Home himself. A sound, almost like distant bellchimes, will start to emit from the Colorblocks.

When exposed to the air, suddenly they emit a glow and shoot off into the sky with all the brilliance of a falling star. Its trail is both noticeable and easy to follow, curving an arc through the sky until it falls some distance away... and its impact bursts an aurora of colors through the distant and dimmer sky, encircling the site. As the whirlwind of color fades, what appears to be a town can be just made out...

That is the town of Domina.

Some OOC notes:
➸ Prior to the activation of the Colorblocks, the only books which will be filled out in the Study will be "Artifacts" and "Visitors".
➸ After Domina has been unlocked and some characters have explored the town, "People" and "Locations" will be filled out in the Study as well.
➸ To see who your character is initially rooming with, check the Home page. These rooming assignments are not permanent or mandatory by any means, and characters can change them whenever. Officially letting me know will be present and explained in the next mod post coming in a week's time, but for now we can play it relaxed and loose. Just don't burn down the tree in the meantime.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, with such an offer laid freely upon the metaphorical table, I have no qualms accepting. Pardon-

[Yep, there’s a kitty clambering up to find his clawholds.]

As for this land of Eorzea that you claim to descend from, I find it quite the foreign name! The place of my origin, that which I have roamed for some time now, is simply a small cluster of places floating helplessly in the lieue between them and thus called ‘Zones’.

By all means!

[Since she'd been prepared for that, it doesn't bother her, and she can adjust accordingly. Still, Sara lifts a hand to steady the Judge as she rises, just in case. Wouldn't do to have her new passenger fall to the floor, even if he was a cat and thus likely to land on his feet.]

I have never properly heard of such. Or not spoken of as 'Zones'. We posit that the place between worlds is a void, and there are a certain sort of creatures that dwell within--named Voidsent, thusly. Save you don't look like one of those.

[That said, she strolls over to the door and opens it carefully, peering out into the hallway.]

I shall have to find a saw, I think. It won't do to make you wait for me to open this door for you. If I can find one, I think I shall see about making you your own door.

[In the door to the tree, as well, should that prove necessary...]

How curious.. No creature emerges from the Zones, or, at least, that is how things should be.

[Who knows the origins of those twisted demonic beings come from. With the effects of things, perhaps there is merit in the idea. Either way, it's an answer he is well aware that he won't be getting anytime soon- whether back home or in this peculiar place.]

[As she pokes her head out, he presses his front paws against her collarbone area so that he can lean out as well.]

While I am by no means opposed to the ability to navigate freely from such a room to other spaces, that is going under some assumptions, I believe. For example- would not the landlord of this vegetative abode have some objections?

Well, usually voidsent have to be summoned...

[Which brings her to an idea. She pauses in their shared doorway, tugging a book from a pouch at her belt, and a stylus, and scribbles in it, brow furrowed.

Not that anything happens. The Au Ra frowns, and makes a second attempt. When still nothing happens, she makes a small, frustrated noise, and puts both book and stylus away.]

That's not my type of magic, but it appears I am without any magic for the nonce. Oh well, I've my bow, so I'm not entirely defenseless!

[Though that bow and its quiver are back in their shared room for the moment. The Judge's words about their potential landlord(s) gives her pause.]

You may have a point, but I'd at least save the chunk I cut out to make your egress. I suspect they didn't realize that they'd have such a diminutive tenant such as yourself, with rather specific needs. And a lack of opposable thumbs--though I daresay I've seen cats use their paws as hands when they wished!

[Let it never be said that he is not a quiet and curious observer. His ears twitch in clear fascination as she attempts to write, although the purpose is lost to him. Either way, it’s not what she is desiring at the moment, and he adjusts himself.]

It is a terribly gross oversight indeed, although I will admit my particular kind were not often a common sight even back in the monocolored Zones. Perhaps they underestimated my capabilities as an intelligent and communicative creature. Ah well, such is life. For now, in order to ascertain the purpose of our arrival, shall we endeavor further in this place? Perhaps we might see familiar faces- or the masks of such faces.

[Sara just tilts her head a little, to give the Judge a rueful smile at first. She'd shrug, but that would dislodge him, and she has no desire to do that at all. He's a nice companion in all this. Calm, even if he was distressed earlier by his own admittance.]

I think we should head downstairs, my friend. As you say, we might see someone we know. So you should definitely hold on--unless you would prefer to get down and walk on your own? I hardly mind carrying you, but I do know cats love having their options wide open. And it hardly does to presume.

While I have taken that into consideration, I find that this vantage point is a fine one, and one which I have not been able to indulge for quite some time. If at some time I should find my mind veering into the other direction, then it is kitten’s play to leap down.

[His head bumps into hers gently.]

I appreciate the sentiment in your offer, let there be no mistake.

Of course! [She leans into that affectionate head butt, lifting a hand to scratch behind the cat's ears.]

Options open, like I said. So, my friend, hang on, and I'll head down the stairs.

[Which she does quickly enough, holding on to the handrail and being careful to adjust if the Judge needs it. Maybe she's used to having something riding on her shoulder...]

If you see anything interesting, by all means call out, and I shall stop so we may give it proper inspection.

[The motion of movement beneath his paws is something he hasn’t gotten to experience for quite some time. Still, a cat never forgets. He adjusts his balance again and again as she moves down the stairs.]

Let it not be said that cats are quiet creatures when we spot an object of interest. I shall do my best to not consider every new sight in that vein. Still, for all our bewilderment, it is a comforting abode, if in superficial appearance only.

Any port in a storm, right?

[Not that Sara doesn't stop a few times to poke at a thing or three that she considers interesting, and she's not quick at the moment, so the exploratory duo are probably fairly well satisfied by the time they get to the ground floor.

But, of course the sight of a study full of books are what would draw a scholar's attention, first...]

Well. Isn't this curious? [Nor should it come as a surprise that she plucks a book from the shelf and opens it.]

Save the pages in this one are blank.

[Entering the study has the Judge shift warily on her shoulder, simply at memories. It has been a very long time, now, since he climbed up all those steps… but it’s still unpleasant to remember. As Sara plucks a book to browse, he makes an inquisitive sound.]

Once, in a land I traversed, the inhabitants possessed a library which had many books similar to this. The presence of those which were real and held concrete knowledge worried them greatly, and so false ones were constructed to reduce their anxiety.

I wonder if that is the case here.

[When she inspects some of them, and finds many blanks, well...] It might be so. There are a lot of blank books...

[Her gaze slides across the rest of the place, as she slides the book back into its slot. Resting a moment on the sproutling in its pot--though she doesn't know what it is. Not a Cactuar at least, so that's reassuring. Still, wariness has her not getting too close.]

Perhaps we ought to move on? Unless you want to inspect anything else?

It may be for the best. Do you think there is much left to discover within the bark foundations of this place, or shall we take our path to the outside?

Outside, I think. That seems like a better idea than cooling our proverbial heels within, and waiting for something to happen. Better to make things happen, eh?

[With that, she heads for the door to the study, and then continues outside the tree proper. Sara does pause once outside the door, to both look around and smell the air.]

Smells like an early morning in the Gridanian forest. Maybe not so 'old woodlands', but still woodsy and clean.

[It made her a little homesick, truly, for her little house in Gridania again. But there was no use dwelling. She started off around the tree, pausing at the staved-in workshop.]

Huh. Not certain even I could get in there, but do you want to poke your nose in the cracks?

[A low purr rumbles throughout the Judge’s feline frame as he stays on her shoulder, enjoying the scents. It’s been longer than he can say that he’s been able to take pleasure in such smells. Things for so long, after all, were nothing but stagnant emptiness. When they finally stop is when he starts to pay attention again.]

By all means, it is what I am best suited for!

[Leaping off, he starts to sniff at the debris there and tentatively tests things with one paw.]

I believe I can slip through some areas, if you would not mind waiting but a moment.

Why would I mind? The idea is to explore that place--and it's hardly exploring as a team if you go on in, and I wander off to do something else!

No, I shall wait. Hopefully you won't have any trouble within. But if you do, I can do no less than to try and help!

[She might even be able to move some of those tumbled rocks, roots or no. She's petite, but stronger than she looks.]

From my experience, the loss of a cat’s company can be most devastating to some individuals. I thought it only polite to ask!

I shall do my best not to dally.

[And with that, he starts to squeeze in through some of the holes, butt wiggling with the effort of it. It takes a few minutes, but soon, his voice pipes up from the rubble.]

I believe this hill has been hollowed out quite well, and only the entrance has been affected! Yet even my petite and agile frame cannot venture completely inside. I am afraid this is as far as I am able!

But I haven't truly lost it, you're just poking your nose someplace. [Though she's chuckling at that.

She waits patiently while the Judge conducts his explorations, until he says he can go no further.]

I expect that suffices, at least we have some information to share with any others we may come across, eh? Don't get in trouble in there, now!

[He's a cat, Sara, that may be easier said than done!]

It would be dishonest to my nature if I were to make any such promise!

[Cats gotta cat, you know]

[There’s some shuffling, claw scratching, and bumping before a certain pale rear end starts to back up out of one of the holes… only to pause.]

[A despondent meow picks up.]

[help]

[At his comment, Sara just has to laugh. Indeed, cats do have to cat, and she's not the type to dissuade a cat from doing so. But then...that meow. Oh. Oh dear. She isn't sure grabbing his rump and pulling is the best idea, but Sara does move closer, to at least put a gentle hand on his behind. She is here, she hasn't taken off and left you, Judge.]

What's going on? What can I do to help you? Are one of your claws caught?

[She hopes something hasn't caught him or is coming after him out of that hole, because she's not sure what good she'd do then...]

If one of your claws is caught, try going back in a little, that might free you...

[Good news: nothing is coming out of the hole. Bad news…]

I fear that the claustrophobic entrapments of this derelict entrance have entrapped me. To move and reach freedom seems a nigh impossible goal.

[Another sad meow. The saddest meow.]

Are you certain the maneuver of which you are suggesting has a reasonable chance of success?

[He just needs to wiggle a little, don't believe his dramatics, Sara]

I do. You're not that far in, if I can reach in and touch you. I'm a small humanoid, you know this. You haven't far to go.

[Whether or not she believes he's being dramatic, or not, she's speaking reassuringly, if firmly. It's not an outright 'stop being silly', just encouraging. You got this. Just a few steps! Well, maybe more than a few, he is a cat. Still.]

You'll be in the sun again in no time. And I dare say if you have the interest of your less erudite and intelligent brethren, I've a soft lap and said sun is still warm. I imagine we could spend a bit of time out here, allowing you to sun yourself a bit.

If you've a desire for such things, that is. I wouldn't dare presume!

I must concede that the statements you are giving do have the ring of truth throughout them, with a pleasurable outcome… Very well. I shall make the attempt. If failure claims me, then I leave myself in your hands for liberation.

[And thus, he wiggles back in a little bit before wiggling back out. Rinse and repeat… Until, third time as the charm, he pops out.]

Liberance!

See, you did it! I knew you could! I wouldn't have left, either. Unless you really couldn't get out. Then I expect I'd have to find someone large, to help move stones. We'd have gotten you out, somehow.

[Too bad she doesn't know her husband is here at the moment, he would have been the Prime Suspect. Well, he probably still is, it's Dread she's thought of, in truth.]

You all right, for all your duress?

[Promptly, he starts to groom himself.]
When it comes to remedies of frantic distress, nothing is more freeing or free as that of liberty. I must express my gratitude to you fully at a later date.

♪ Our house ♪ in middle of this tree ♪ our house

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want to end/handwave here?

indeed