hello (heart)gamers. im here w some special guest stars

[finalbows]

WHO: all who dare enter angie's literal mind palace. it's OPEN HOUSE! no invites needed!
WHERE: in front of miku's salad (and yours)
WHEN: evening 73.

[ in the middle of running a perfectly innocuous miniquest, Angel Devil falls down.
His clothes have twisted away into bone-white rags, leaving a body covered over with only thick swathes of red fur, and downy feathers. His long tail is curled into a tense arc, banded fur standing on end.

The air wavers like he’s a heat mirage, not a man. He’s boiling away with absolutely stupid amounts of arcane power… and, most frighteningly, he does not seem in control of the fact that it is there and being brought to bear. It’s impossible to get any closer to him.


When he speaks, it’s quite timid. ]

Oh.
Oops.
...Thought I had... a little more time.

[ (and in a blinding flash of light, there is the sound of something breaking.) ]

~KRRSHHK~

[any observers will see, strangely see-through and superimposed on the scene, some kind of vast tree, illusionary roots twisting over and around to frame a door.  the door itself is wrought of opaque stained glass in blacks and whites and greys; a stylized rendition of Angie in that strangely ragged, feathered form, curled in on himself, eyes closed.  Angie himself is nowhere to be seen. ]

instead, a shadow . . . steps into view from behind the door.  for a moment it looks like nothing so much as a second genome – then it turns, gaining features and definition with the movement.  The monkey tail separates into three plumes; a ponytail unfurls into wings that lift up from the sides of the head.  

Teleute(?) is here, dressed in her customary black, but there is colour in her skin, and her hair and eyes are blue.  she’s frowning.]

. . . well.  This is the least I can do before I go, in exchange for the safe harbor.

[she lifts her head, nodding to any observers, and gestures at the door.]

You’ll want to head in there now if you don’t wish to lose your flockmate, I think.  Even the false-death of this place won’t be much help to him, if his soul is left to finish pulling itself apart.

My sisters and I can maintain the way into and out of it for you, but we were not made to knit such wounds by ourselves.  Have a care.

Comments

[electricflock]

Socks too! Water is nice on bare feet.

[finalbows]

[ with lots of VERY CONCRETE instruction, he finally manages his goal:

one barefoot Genome, obediently standing in the cool water. ]

[electricflock]

[stamps his own feet for a little splishy splashy]

How is it?

[finalbows]

"The temperature of the water feels colder than that of the surrounding air."

[electricflock]

Yeah, but in nice way? I like it. Is refreshing.

[finalbows]

[ the concept of "nice" isn't really big in bran bal, so the Genome just sort of... spends some time contemplating how to respond. chooses to hone in on "refreshing." ]

"If you require rest, there are beds available within that structure."

[ turns, and points toward a particular building. ]

[electricflock]

Am not tired, but thank you. Are dormitories?

[finalbows]

"All active vessels in Bran Bal sleep there when rest is required."

[electricflock]

"Vessels?"

[finalbows]

"Yes. They are potentially usable by other lifeforms. However, that has never occurred."

[electricflock]

[cool, that's what he thought! awful!]

What if never occurs?

[finalbows]

[






the wordplay is giving them a little trouble. ]

[electricflock]

What if never get used as vessels? If you all stay you?

[finalbows]

[ an eerie thing starts happening.


a completely blank, black mask begins to cover the Genome's face, resolving together out of thin air. ]

"Then... we will have no purpose."

[electricflock]

[s.swats his hand at the creepy mask like he's try to clear fog away. shoo.]

Don't need purpose like that.

[finalbows]

[ it slows down, a lil, but you can't unring a bell. they are Considering That Fact now. ]

"Then... what purpose... could my life have?"

[electricflock]

Whatever purpose you want. Could pick new one. Could have no great purpose besides being happy and healthy.

[finalbows]

[ 'want?' 'happiness?' let's focus on 'health.' ]

"Maintaining optimal physical condition is part of the purpose of a vessel... I am accustomed to it. I can... continue to pursue it."

[ it's still a creepy blank mask, but...
the one that finishes appearing on their face is white, not black. ]

[electricflock]

[chirrups]

Is good hobby. I like working out too.

[flexes his arm, see?]

Is good practice too. So I like things like eating snacks or sleeping in sunny spots, but don't do too much of those.

[finalbows]

"Your physical condition does appear beyond the basic requirements for health."

[ thinking. ]

"Our food is rationed to prevent undue strain on Terra's limited resources... nor does sunlight reach Bran Bal. However...

Sleeping outdoors is within my capabilities."

[electricflock]

Want to try? I'll nap with you.

[finalbows]

"I wish to attempt it. Please indicate acceptable standards for an outdoor rest area."

[electricflock]

Sure! Should be somewhere um, not too bumpy. Somewhere flat and mostly quiet. Light here gives me headache, so I'd nap in shade.

[finalbows]

"The light is also... uncomfortable, for us. It is the light of Gaia's crystal. It rejects... lives not born of itself.

There are shady areas... this way."

[ this way being OVER HERE: ]

[electricflock]

[whistles, wowwww]

This works! Is like roosting in tree.