Tourn RP Archive

Mallon has unlocked: DINING HALL! Oh thank god....... (rip) On the north side of the starting area, above #kitchen and #right-pine-forest, a new area opened. It was a black slate building much like the others already present, but unlike the old ones that just smelled like smoke and sadness.. A delicious aroma was wafting out from this building. Inside there was a long dining table with enough wooden chairs to fit everyone currently on this side of the maze. A plate was set in front of each chair, and in the center of the table was a buffet of different food to choose from. As soon as any food is taken, it is instantly replaced. Every timeskip the meals served in the buffet will be changed. Enjoy, and say thanks Mallon!

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 pinned a message to this channel. 2/21/2024 9:48 AM

Current food available: Roasted turkey with gravy, cheesy scalloped potatoes, fresh baked sourdough with lots of butter and jam, baked mac and cheese, salad, and a bowl full of fruit. Drinks include water, lemonade, raspberry tea, and hot chocolate. Is this breakfast..? Feels like Thanksgiving dinner.

Tsubari just stands here. It's not like she can eat any of it.

(hi tsubari)

Nathan is in here and out of the cold and miserably drinking hot cocoa.

Dante had been scuttling around the area, and stumbled across the new building. "WOAH! Gosh, this all smells delicious, much better than that accursed fish.." Dante smiled as he stepped to the table. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Fish..." Tsubari repeated mindlessly. She never actually considered what everyone else was eating. And to be honest she was still in her feelings. What feelings, wait a minute- @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Yes, the fish from the river! They were aplenty, but.. After eating them for a month and a half, I believe we're all through with it.. And that's one less thing for me to do! As long as this food is infinte.. I'm not so skilled at cooking human foods." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Human foods?" Tsubari stepped towards the table, scanning the contents. "And what would... not human foods be?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Bugs! Lots of bugs. I was a bit of a bug chef in the jungle." Dante tore his eyes off of the food to look at this new person. He only smiled and waved his hand ever so slightly. "And judging by your lack of smells, I'm guessing you're not human either? What do you eat?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Bug chef? "Oh, I... don't eat. I don't even taste." She answered, finally looking over at Dante. "They couldn't figure out those senses. What was bug chefing like?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"You don't taste? Well, that is sad! Tasting is one of life's few pleasures that I get to indulge in, since it seems I will never feel the touch of a beautiful newt woman.. And bug chefing is similar to human chefing.. I'd assume. With food and fire and lovely spices!" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Tsubari nodded along, but stopped in her tracks in the middle. She blinked like that white man she saw on the internet once as her braincell noticed a discrepancy. "Whe, huh, what was that last part? Before the foody spices thingie-" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. The kinds of chefing are similar? Or my depressing search for a suitable mate..?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"The second one." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh, well as a young newt male, and the sole surviving offspring of my mother, I must find a mate to give my spermatophore too! This is quite a vexing task for me, especially here! But even back home, it seems I drive women away.." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

9:35 PM

this is necessary anyways- Tsubari just stood there. Usually when someone talks about driving women away on the internet it usually doesn't bode well. At least based on reactions to said talking. Maybe this is just a masculine newt urge or something. "How does one even drive a woman away?" You think Tsubari would know the answer having internet connection. "To be honest it might be the fact that you say spermatophore alone." (edited)

9:35 PM

fuck

9:35 PM

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I do not know why women do not like me! I do not have any close male newt friends to give me advice.." Dante sighed. "And what do you mean saying 'spermatophore' makes newt women leave? Do heterosexual humans not say the same thing?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Do you have any friends?" Tsubari asked without thinking. "Even in the cesspool that is the internet, which is my sole source of knowledge outside of Atanasio and mothers, I have never heard of someone outside of a scientific setting say the word spermatophore. Especially in reference to humans. It gives people the ick methinks. How do you speak to newt women anyway?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. No, not anymore, but friends do not matter if I cannot reproduce! I will die anyway." Dante said. "I do not know what the internet is, but have you considered that maybe he doesn't speak about spermatophores because he's not a newt? This is normal! And when I see a newt woman, I'm very nice! And I offer her many nice things, and do many hard tasks for her!" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

(sir that is textbook incel behavior)

(Yeah that's him)

10:03 PM

that's it that's the post just this gif manifest @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

10:03 PM

(interpret that how you will)

10:33 PM

"What's that face for..?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"You know... just because you're nice to them doesn't mean they wanna mate, right?" Tsubari asked. "It's giving incel, honestly." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"... Yes, I'm quite aware that they don't want to mate when they leave! Gosh, I'm not that oblivious! I don't even know what an 'incel' is, that's not a species of newt I'm familiar with." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

(what)

(Is that about the thread)

(yes)

(Agustín's the one that stole junos organs after his fight)

"It's not a species. It's a cultural subgroup of men who think they are entitled to women, and the subsequent mating rituals that come with said women purely because they go out of their way to do the bare minimum and treat them nicely." She explained with just a bit too much thought considering her track record. "Cringe behavior on a human scale. Maybe that has bled into newt mentality. You want to continue your bloodline, but maybe everyone else wants a meaningful relationship that could eventually help continue their bloodline. Either way, taking care of children is becoming more of a burden on societies of all kinds. It could also entirely depend on your delivery if none of that is an issue at the end of the day." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Dante listened along, but it was clear that the longer he did, the more confused he became..

9:00 AM

9:03 AM

"I.. have learned that humans have a different reproductive model than us newts, and they only have one child at a time, and I'm not sure you can equate me and a human male based merely on our pursuit of a woman! Nearly no newt woman wants a long term relationship with a man, we mate and move on! Most men don't even get their chance to mate, since there's a nine to one ratio of men to women and we can only reproduce once.. Each couple can have ten kids, and then they get adopted out! Child care really isn't an issue.. I think I need advice from successful newt men, and not you, I'm afraid.." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Tsubari shrugged. "Fair enough. But you're still cringe." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well, maybe you're cringe, ma'am!" Dante huffed and crossed his arms. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

A cup of unfinished hot cocoa sits at the end of the long table. Whoever was here last seems to have had one too many cups of it. (Six, to be precise.)

3

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well, maybe you're cringe, ma'am!" Dante huffed and crossed his arms. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

@Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

(oh did you want a response i assumed tsubari zapped away in the middle of that)

(If you wanna be done we can)

(i have an idea gimme a moment)

1:49 PM

Tsubari was struck back into the room, caught a bit off guard by... everything. Her vision was still adjusting from the explosion that happened during the fight, but she could see that Dante was still standing there with his armks crossed. Long time to be doing that honestly, that fight lasted a while. "Oh, you're still here." The Vtuber looked deflated, very different from her bold stance prior to the fight. She was lowkey hoping that Dante had already left. "Uh... maybe I am cringe after all... but that still doesn't change that you are. Maybe just... don't come on so strong to everyone you meet that could potentially lay eggs. Or jkust be honest with them from the get go. I don't know... isn't there amphib tinder or something? Maybe that'll help if you're honest on there." She was very out of it, her heightened intelligence very much gone by know. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Dante had, in fact, been standing there irritated for the past two hours! "Good, you're back. And you had some time to think! And now you're sad. Does the realization that you're cringe really make you feel that sad?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Sad? No, that has nothing to do with you!" She pouted, looks like her toggles are at it again because png tears are there and they're not like... flowing or anything. "It wasn't even the fight. Miss Calamity.." Tsubari stopped herserlf. "No. I don't have to tell you nothin!" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Miss Calamity..? A woman...? Perhaps a newt woman....?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Try a demon woman. God, you really are desperate." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. a demon woman? I've never heard of that species?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"She's not really a species. She's a demon. Like.. from bible." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. The bibble?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"No that's a barbie cinematic universe character." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"... What..?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

3:16 PM

Yeah she just shows Dante this gif. (edited)

3:16 PM

fuck

3:16 PM

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"... Why is that little creature on fire? Is that the Bibble..?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Yes that is Bibble. The bible is religious text. Demons are supposedly religious creatures but they're real sooooooo." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

".. Would Miss Calamity like to talk about the Bible?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"I don't know!" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"But you're the one who has met her!" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"She's never mentioned it before! I doubt she even reads it on the reg. Why do you care if she's read it?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"It's just something to talk about with a woman besides mating!" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Well not everyone believes in the bible! Especially not a demon!" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Wh-.. I'm confused.. You just said demons are religious creatures. Why wouldn't she read her own book?""@Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Maybe it's not accurate, I don't know. I just met her why don't you ask her???" Tsubari crossed her arms and pouted, her expression toggling to an angy one. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"I will! What does she look like?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"She's pink." Tsubari was upsetti spaghetti over the fact that they were still talking about Calamity. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Hmm, there can't be that many pink people here, I shall find Miss Calamity and ask her her opinion on the Bible!" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"Sure, go ahead I guess. I don't particularly care." She trailed off, wanting to leave this moment. So she will. "You still got no bitches-" She is leaving now, goodbye Dante. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Neither do you, I presume!" Dante ran to leave the building faster than her. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Oh fuck you Dante it's Nyoomin time.

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

used /r

# 4
Details:[d20 (4)]

@Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru beat that

Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

used /r

# 16
Details:[d20+2 (14)]

fuck you dante

11:42 AM

you beat me to the roll i was looking for the modifier

(

)

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Unfortunately, Dante was not as fast as he thought he was, and he made it out the door very much second. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Into the cold no less. Tsubari doesn't feel cold so haha loser. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Well, here Jymaiyri is. She made it to the dining hall with suprisingly little trouble. She got herself a big plate of mac and cheese and salad (no meat, that still seemed gross to her right now), as well as a cup of tea, and sat down by herself to enjoy her meal. As much as she could. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle shivered as she arrived in the dining hall. Oh my god they have a buffet. What the fuck. This side is so much better. Without thinking, she grabbed a plateful of food. The last thing she ate was ice cream after all. "Ms. Jymaiyri. I see you're on this side as well at the moment. How are you holding up? And.. where is your baby?" Isabelle can only assume she is aware of where her child is, but she was a bit confused to see her here alone. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri looked up to Isabelle, and managed a weak smile. "Oh, hello, Isabelle. Minerva's with Agustín at the moment. It's too cold for her to leave the buildings right now, but I needed to get something to eat." She sighed. "I'm doing... as well as I can be. How are you? Enjoying the weather?" She says that last bit with a hint of sarcasm. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle did not know who Agustin was, but she's trusting Jymaiyri's judgment. "I see. You do need the energy." She chuckled dryly at the question. "I'm fine. Never been on this side before. Not exactly my strong suit, but this side has the favor of winners so who am I to complain." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. I'd take the heat over this, personally." She shrugged. "But there does seem to be more here. There's this place, after all. Won't complain about good food." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"In any other circumstance, I would as well. But you have a baby to consider." Isabelle sighed. "It's nice to have something other than morbidly themed ice cream to eat. I never did check the farm out. Do you mind if I sit here?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Morbidly themed ice cream?" Jymaiyri repeated, incredulously. "Oh, sure, you can sit here." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle nodded, sitting down. "I forget what side you were on when it happened. Someone opened up a room with an ice cream place inside. But the flavors of ice cream were themed around people who... aren't around to enjoy it." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh. That's- definitely morbid." Jymaiyri poked around her plate. Of course, her thoughts went to Yeonaixho, but she wasn't going to ask Isabelle what flavor of ice cream they'd chosen for him. "Yeah, I think I would've remembered something like that. On this side we've got this place, and I think there's some sort of area with phones, where you can call people... was thinking about checking that out." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle was in the middle of poking at her own plate when she stopped at the mention of the phone. "W-what?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"This girl I know, Nora, was telling me about it. Apparently you can call anyone in the universe- though, she tried to call Yeonai and it went to some weird version of him. That was... before everything happened." She sighed. "It could all be a trick, but... it's worth a shot. A way to contact people back home. Tell them all that's happened." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle fell silent. There was a way... a way to let him know. But.. there had to be a catch. She needed to think on this. But one thing was certain, she needed to make that call. "I-I see." She started eating, maybe to distract herself from the conversation she needed to have. She knew how he would react. And how there was nothing he could do. But he would listen, and that's what mattered. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Once I'm done eating, I'll probably head over there. If you want to come." Jymaiyri offered. She wasn't exactly sure who she was going to call- at least, not yet. It would be Han, wouldn't it? Who else would she tell? Yeonaixho's absence stung entirely. She couldn't tell him about his own death. Even when he was the only person she wanted to talk to. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle seemed hesitant to answer, but she nodded. "I.. I'll take you up on that offer." Based on the little I know about Juno, cult Juno probably doesn't think he's capable of even dying. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. I wanna finish eating first, though." Jymaiyri shrugged, and got back to her meal. yum. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. I wanna finish eating first, though." Jymaiyri shrugged, and got back to her meal. yum. @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

@Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

(a shit ) Isabelle nodded. "Better to take care of business on a full stomach. I've learned that lesson the hard way." Tbh... the food is probably mid to her. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. I haven't eaten much since... everything happened." She confessed, and nonetheless tried to enjoy her meal. It wasn't the best thing Jymaiyri had ever had, but it wasn't as if a bad lunch would make this day that much worse. Once she had finished eating and cleaned up her dishes, Jymaiyri turned back to Isabelle. "Well, I'm ready to go if you are." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

That wasn't good but Jymaiyri didn't need to be told that. Isabelle simply finished up her food. "Well if you ever need someone to go on a food run for you, although I can't guarantee it'll still be hot by the time it gets to you. Don't know if there's anywhere to even prepare food. Either way, I'm ready to go. Lead the way." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Eh, I'll be alright. I've been camping out in the kitchen, anyways." Jymaiyri shrugged. "Let's go." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

New menu: The current spread of food had many different vegan options to choose from- mainly salads and tofu dishes. Drinks included lemonade, water, and juice.

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 pinned a message to this channel. 3/27/2024 11:03 AM

Following Isabelle through the snow, it takes…a while. Nothing to do with either of them being slow necessarily, but as far as Kenji can tell, they end up trudging across most of the main area on the way. Nothing seems particularly out of the ordinary, at least that he notices. When they finally make it, it’s a relief—something definitely smells good. Ducking inside, a sigh escapes him as the wind finally dies down. “This is.. This is d-definitely better..” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Isabelle shook the snow off. "You can say that again. Looks like they changed the menu from what it was last time." This was definitely much better than the freezing cold. "I won't stop you if you'd like to grab a bite to eat, I'm not hungry at the moment." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Kenji’s stomach chooses that exact moment to growl loudly, and with an embarrassed duck of his head he hurries for the table. It’s definitely not what he would prefer right now, but it’s better than nothing and frankly he finds he doesn’t care all that much anyways. Felt like it’d been a while since he’d had a genuine meal. After a moment of hesitation he sits down at the table to eat instead of going back to where Isabelle was standing, but nods an invitation over at her. “Surprised they’re not trying to— to starve us out o-or something,” he mumbles half-distractedly, staring down at the plate of food in front of him with a sudden strange apprehension. He’d forgotten about the scarf covering his mouth, for a moment. (But.. if Isabelle had known another him, maybe she would be okay with it? He isn’t sure.) @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

It didn't bother Isabelle that Kenji's stomach grumbled. She could only guess when the last time he had eaten was. "Something about it not being fun if I recall correctly. Not to mention what happens when we die before Rakin could reach us. Kinda ruins the plan if they're not there to catch it." She arrived at the table and sat down, not even paying any mind to the scarf thing, but noticing the hesitation to eat. (Isabelle has literally watched Rin split in half before it's probably fine) "You alright there? The food isn't poisoned or anything, although allergies are a thing-" @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

(Isabelle getting Madison in the dining hall flashbacks)

(i did have that flashback mid typing the post)

“That..makes sense, y-yeah.” He probably should have expected that. Kenji hesitates again before replying, “No, I… I didn’t think so. I-I, um, don’t usually..eat around o-other people a lot..” He can’t exactly be picky about the situation here though. Slowly he pulls the scarf down to his neck. The best way to describe it is almost a torn patchwork, or an amalgamation, of scars and old wounds. With the Kenji Isabelle knew, it’d been jagged and unplanned. These, though, look not necessarily purposeful, but at the very least, intended. Frankly, some miracle he hadn’t lost the ability to speak like his counterpart did. He doesn’t say anything about it, gaze still pinned to his plate, but he does slowly start eating. It’s a bit of a chore, but he manages better than he used to. “Y-You mean the whole stealing powers thing, right?”Kenji asks after a moment. Okay sure just move on like that king. “I know— I-I know about that, and a bit more..” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Ah. Isabelle understood the hesitation now. Not that she cared. Again, she's seen worse. "That's perfectly fine." Isabelle didn't say anything more on the subject in an attempt to make Kenji feel comfortable. "Yeah... not even stealing the whole power.. just part of it. I'm not entirely sure how it works. What do you know about it, Kenji?" @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Well, here we are at the dining hall! Yeonaixho, Jymaiyri and Sovran had all stuck pretty close to one another on the trip over. "Huh. Smells nice." Yeonaixho commented. "I'm gonna help Yeonai get some food first," Jymaiyri said to Sovran. "And then I can help you get some, if you want." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That sounds great to me, thank you.” Sovran grinned. He took a seat at a table, relieved to give his arms a rest from the crutches. “You two take your time, I’ll be here.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri took Yeonaixho over to the buffet, and helped him identify and pick out a whole plate of food. He seemed pretty pleased that it was all plant-based. When they returned to the tables, Yeonaixho sat beside Sovran, and Jymaiyri handed Minerva to Yeonaixho so she could sit in his lap. "Alright, we can get some for you now, if you're ready." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’m ready,” Sovran grabbed his crutches once more and stood up. He stepped closer to Jymaiyri. “Appreciate the help, thank you.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Of course. I wouldn't want you trying to balance a plate and yourself, when I can just help you out." Jymaiyri hummed, and got a plate for Sovran as they neared the buffet area. "If you see anything you want, just tell me and I'll get it for you." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Definitely would’ve struggled tryin’ to do that,” Sovran chuckled. He would’ve hit the floor before he ever made it to the table. “I’m not a big tofu person, but I’m willin’ to give it a try again.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yeonai likes it a lot. He'll probably let you try some of his, or we can get just a bit for you to try." She hummed. "They've also got a lot of veggies and whatnot, if you don't want tofu." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ll try a little bit,” Sovran hummed. “Maybe I’ll like it.. Decently enough. I’ll definitely take some vegetables, some leafy greens for sure, please. That’s good to help replenish blood.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm, definitely." Jymaiyri plated up a big serving of salad for Sovran, as well as a smaller side of tofu. "Got any favorite veggies?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Potatoes are great. So're tomatoes and carrots." Sovran said. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, technically, tomatoes are a fruit." Jymaiyri said, "but we can definitely get you some." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran squinted slightly. ".. Is it really?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Yup." Jymaiyri nodded. "They're actually berries. They're from the plant Solanum lycopersicum, and they're related to chili peppers. Which are also fruit." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Huh, ya learn somethin’ new every day,” Sovran nodded his head. “What’s your occupation, if you don’t mind me askin’? Most folk don’t know the scientific names of vegetables.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, I'm a botanist." Jymaiyri laughed. "Knowing the scientific names of plants is a good portion of my life. I'm a dendrologist, specifically, so I mostly work with trees, but I know enough about fruits and flowering plants. More than the average person, probably." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Wow! That’s impressive, Maiyri,” Sovran grinned, thoroughly impressed with her. And, maybe even a bit more attracted to her. Homegirls got a big brain. “Must’ve done plenty of school and hard work. Congrats on everythin’.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Hah! Thanks, I'm actually a doctor." She smiled proudly. "I wrapped up my doctorate a few years ago. Was there anything else you wanted to get, while we're here?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Well, Dr. Jymaiyri,” Sovran mused. “I’m all good. I think I’ve had enough for now, thank you.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri smiled brightly. "Well, then let's head back to Yeonai, then." Yeonaixho was letting Minerva try some of his tofu when they returned to them, and he smiled at the sound of their approaching footsteps. "You're back!" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Yup, didn't wanna keep you both waiting for too long," Sovran grinned as he took a seat at the table. He gave Minerva a little wave. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Minerva had a hand and a mouth full of crumbly tofu, but waved her little arms out for Sovran. "I'm gonna run back to the buffet and grab something for myself." Jymaiyri said, before quickly leaving the two men alone. "What did you get for yourself?" Yeonaixho asked, helping Minerva clean her face off. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran chuckled quietly at Minerva. God, he loved that baby. “Jymaiyri helped me get myself some tofu, a salad, and some vegetables,” Sovran smiled. “I ain’t a big tofu fan, but I figured I’d give it a try again since I’m seeing how much you and Minnie are enjoyin’ it.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Ah, that sounds nice." Yeonaixho nodded. "I do like it a lot, and so does Minnie, though I can understand why you might not. It's got an interesting texture." He hummed in thought. "I'm really glad it's all vegetarian here, at least right now. Since, well, I don't eat meat." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“It ain’t too bad, but it’s exactly that, the texture of it. Maybe I’ve grown out of that and I’ll like it this time around.” With that, Sovran took his fork and took a good amount of tofu. Maybe he’d like it, maybe it’d be scrumptious and he was just over dramatic- Oh. Oh. That first bite and the texture had him feeling like

6:27 AM

6:29 AM

“.. Maybe it really ain’t for me,” Sovran forced himself to swallow the tofu. He wasn’t a coward, he’d swallow. “I’m glad they got all these options for you, though.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho couldn't help but laugh- while he couldn't see Sovran's face, he could hear the disgust in his voice. "Ah, that's okay. It's not for everyone." At that point, Jymaiyri returned to the table with a plate of her own, at sat down across from them. "So, how's it going over here?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Least I can say I gave it a shot,” Sovran chuckled. As Jymaiyri returned, Sovran smiled. “Well, I found out again that I really, really don’t like tofu. Don’t think I’ll ever be a fan.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"That figures." Jymaiyri chuckled. "Minnie seems to like it, though." Yeonaixho smiled. "She does. Maybe she got that from me." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Wouldn’t be the only thing, she definitely got your smile, that’s for sure,” Sovran commented before he could catch himself. He grew slightly flustered and started to eat part of his potato. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho laughed, clearly caught off guard by the compliment. "Oh- uh, thank you! I guess that's true. Jymaiyri, does she have my smile?" "Mhm, she does! And your eye shape, too." Jymaiyri hummed. She glanced towards Sovran. "You doing alright?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Mmhm, doin’ just great,” Sovran flashed her a thumbs up once he finished chewing his piece of potato. Yum. Ignore the pink to his cheeks. “Just great. How’re you doin’?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well," Jymaiyri laughed sloghtly under her breath. "I'm doing pretty good. Nice to have something to eat." "Mhm. Me too. I'm doing pretty good, all things considered." Yeonaixho nodded. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Good good, glad we’re all doin’ great.” Sovran’s cheeks grew slightly pinker at Jymaiyri’s laughter. “Bet Minnie’s doin’ great, too.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Minnie was currently fascinated by the amount of different foods on her dad's plate, all within grabbing distance. She seemed to be doing pretty well. "Mhm, we're all doing good." Jymaiyri hummed, in a tone of voice that might've indicated something, though Sovran wouldn't be aware exactly what. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran glanced away for a moment to let out a soft huff of air. They both were killing him, absolutely killing him. “Yup. So good.” Was all he said. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Sooo..." Jymaiyri said after a bit of eating in silence. "You already know what I do for work, and Yeonai's an occupational therapist, but what do you do, Sovran?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Well, I ain’t doin’ too much now an’ days with my occupation,” Sovran admitted. “But back home, I was a caretaker. I helped take care of children of all ages, particularly those with powers.” He smiled as he recalled those days. “I used my Replicate to copy their abilities, and I’d train with them on how to use it once I got a better understanding of the power myself. Then, the other caretaker who’s the original Nullify user, would cancel out the ability of the children if it became too much to handle. Together, we worked to help out the children.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Oh, really?" Yeonaixho's eyes widened, clearly impressed. "That's a very nobel career, helping kids navigate their powers. I'm sure all the kids loved you." He hummed. "Minnie sure seems to. Is that how come you carried vengestone on you, before we all got abducted?" Jymaiyri had her own question, though it was a bit forward and she hesitated a bit before asking it. "Is there a reason you don't do that anymore? Did something happen?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"Thanks, appreciate that," Sovran grinned. "I got along good with all the kids, they were all sweethearts. That is why I carry Vengestone with me. Sometimes during my recent travels, I'd bump into parents with children who can't control their abilities, so I'd lend them a hand and give 'em some Vengestone to help them out with their little ones." At Jymaiyri's question, his smile flickered before it settled into one that was fake. It didn't quite meet his eyes anymore. "The Nullify user and I had some- Disagreements 'bout some things," Sovran cleared his throat. "Things got complicated and.. The best option for me was to leave.." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. I suppose Jymaiyri and I fall under that category, what with the little handful Minerva is shaping up to be." Yeonaixho laughed, affectionately holding his little baby. "Ah, I see. Sounds like a shame... I'm sorry things got sour between you two." Jymaiyri frowned. She wanted to know more, but didn't want to push Sovran beyond his comfort zone. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"I'll admit, she's the youngest kiddo I've had to get Vengestone for," Sovran chuckled. "She's definitely going to be a little handful." "It's.. It's okay," Sovran sighed. He looked at his vegetables with little interest. "Leavin' was the best option for me, though I did miss home and the job a lot." The man paused for a moment before he spoke up once more. "Back home, as soon as you're born, you're tasked with a Role. Whether it's somethin' small or mundane, or something' complicated, it was what you were meant to be. My powers made my Role solidified as a caretaker. Which, I didn't mind. I love kids, and I always wanted to be a father, so I was fine with it. I just-" He paused once more as he ran a hand through his hair somewhat stressfully. ".. Didn't want to feel trapped at home. I wasn't allowed to leave the premise no matter the occasion or reason. It- Started to feel like a prison after a while." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Yeonaixho laughed. "Mhm. Minnie, you hear that? You're a little bundle of trouble, aren't you?" He kissed her forehead, and she giggled. His gaze saddened as Sovran went on. "That sounds... awful. I can't imagine being locked in a role from birth... I can understand why you left. Though, I'm sure it must've been hard." "It's not a good feeling, to be trapped." Jymaiyri said, and gave Sovran a look that signified that, at least on some level, she understood. "You'll do anything to get out... even if it means leaving behind those you care for..." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran smiled sadly at the father and daughter. He missed those days of tending to infants and children. Briefly, he wondered if any of them actually remembered him, if he made a positive impact of some kind. The thought of otherwise made his heart ache. "It was hard, but I suppose I had some motivation in a- More negative way," Sovran sighed. He met Jymaiyri's expression with a saddened smile. "No matter how much it hurts, you gotta leave, you gotta think of yourself, you gotta think of what's best for you." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. Absolutely" Jymaiyri hummed, and nodded. "You have to take care of yourself. You shouldn't stay in a place that's hurting you." She paused, briefly. "Are you happier now, that you've left?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

"You can't get better in the place that made you sick in the first place," Sovran sighed. He took a pause of his own as he thought that question over. ".. I think I'm happier now that I'm gone from there. At least, I'm learnin' that I can and deserve to be happier. It's a slow process, but- One that I'm workin' on each day." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You do deserve happiness." Jymaiyri affirmed. There was a fondness to her gaze, suggesting those words were meant, specifically, for Sovran. "If anyone does, it's you. You've brought a lot of happiness into our lives. It's only right you deserve some of your own." "Mhm." Yeonaixho nodded. "I hope you're able to find as much happiness with Jymaiyri and I, as we have with you." He paused in thought. "Forgive me if I'm overstepping but... your partner, the original nullify user... were you two close?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran smiled lightly at Jymaiyri's words. They truly did touch his heart and bring warmth into his chest. He felt comforted by them, he felt as though they were the truth. "Thank you, Maiyri," His voice was soft as he spoke. "That means a lot to hear, really." A sliver of doubt rose from the back of his mind. Behind him, the dark blue of a Remnant momentarily flickered into view. It was simply for a mere second, but enough for Jymaiyri to get a good look at what appeared to be a young man in his early twenties. His hair was short and swept to the side, brushed and parted to perfection. The Remnant's smile was small, yet sweet and infectious. His eyes were a brilliant blue. The Remnant's hands appeared to be on Sovran's shoulders in a hold that seemed rather- Possessive than loving. Haunting. The appearance of the Remnant seemed to be lost on Sovran completely. He didn't seem to notice that it had appeared for a few moments, nor did he notice the warmth of it upon his shoulders. "I've found plenty of happiness with you two, more than I have with anyone else," The words left Sovran's mouth in a truthful manner. He genuinely meant those words. "And- There's no need to worry about askin', I felt like it'd come up at some point, but- Yeah, we were close." The man fidgeted with his fork. "Real close.. We weren't just partners for our Roles, we were- Romantic, and in love-" A small, ghost of a laugh escaped his lips. "At least, I thought we were." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Jymaiyri's gaze flickered to the remnant, only for a moment, and a look of doubt and concern flashed over her. She quickly refocused to Sovran, trying to hide her worry. "I'm glad, that you've found that kind of happiness with us." She put a hand over Sovran's. "I really am." She thought over her words carefully. "He was your other, wasn't he? The one you were telling me about before?" Even though he couldn't see the remnant, Yeonaixho could hear the doubt in Sovran's voice. "You.. thought you were? What was your relationship like?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

A trembling hand rested on top of Jymaiyri's. Sovran gave her a more genuine smile. "Thank you. I really do appreciate that. Didn't think that happiness still existed for me." "Yeah, he was my other, the one I spoke of before." Sovran took in a deep breath and let it go slowly. "Our relationship was- It was that of a young, first love, where everything is new, excitin', liberatin'- Made me feel alive in a way I had never felt before. It was everythin' that you'd expect out of a normal relationship." "And like normal relationships and first loves, they tend to- Come to an endin' that ain't so sweet for either parties." Sovran's smile faltered. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri welcomed the embrace fully. "Of course. I hope, really, that nothing but more happiness awaits you in the future." Both she and Yeonaixho listened intently as Sovran explained his past. The welcomed his vulnerability with the soft, gentle ear of close companions. "Mhm...." Yeonaixho was the first to speak after. "I'm sorry it ended so roughly between you two. But, the thing about first loves... they're only the first. Jymaiyri and I weren't each other's first partners, and we still found each other. I suppose, what I'm trying to say, is that there's still people out there for you. There's still love to be had." He gave Sovran a hopeful smile. "And I've found, at least, the older you get, the gentler love becomes." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I hope that there’s nothin’ but happiness that awaits the both of you in the future, too.” Sovran managed out in a quiet voice. “‘There’s still love to be had,’” Sovran repeated Yeonaixho’s words softly. “That’s somethin’ I keep.. Tryin’ to remind myself of. Maybe there is a gentler love for me, it’s just-” Sovran let out a tired sigh. “When the person who you entirely love, doesn’t entirely love you back, and tells you that ’you’re not enough, you’ll never be enough,’ it’s a bit hard to keep that hope for a gentler, future love. It- Makes you doubt if you’ll be enough to be deservin’ of bein’ loved, of bein’ a partner, a of bein’ a husband, or bein’ a father.” He chuckled dimly. “It’s why I try to ‘be enough’ in every way. For you two, for Connie, for Kian, for everyone an’ anyone who crosses my path. It’s why I insist on repaying you back for what you’ve done for me, so maybe I could be enough..” Once more, the Remnant returned. It lingered for a longer period of time with its hands still rested on Sovran’s shoulders, which the man was able to feel now. His eyes grew wide as his body became tense. “.. I-I simply would like to be enough.” Sovran’s voice was that of a trembling whisper, one that easily could’ve been carried by a gentle breeze with how quietly he had spoken. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

1

"You are enough," Was Jymaiyri's immediate reply. She moved her hand to cup his cheek. "No matter what you were told before. No matter who told you that you weren't. You are enough. At least for Yeonai and I..." "You're more than enough." Yeonaixho chimed in. "You're one of the most trustworthy people I've met here, not to mention ever, outside of death tournaments. And you do deserve love. I wouldn't shadow you in the affection I do, if I didn't care about you." "We care about you, Sovran. The both of us do. And there's plenty of people here who care about you too- there's Connie, and Kian- I don't think anyone who got to know you wouldn't love you. And you deserve it all." Jymaiyri smiled, pressing her hand to his cheek. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

3

“You are enough.” “You’re not enough.” “You’re more than enough.” “You’ll never be enough.” “We care about you.” Their words started to overpower the ones that had been engraved into his mind, his soul, his heart. Words that had kept him up most nights, that kept him from pursuing genuine relationships- They were slowly being pushed into the far corners of his mind. Sovran found himself resting his head slightly against Jymaiyri’s hand. Warm, soft, and safe. God, he was safe and enough for them both. Sovran’s vision grew blurry. Tears he had suppressed for years came rolling down his cheeks. They burned with shame and heartbreak, but also came with the liberating sensation of relief. Hope. Their words were true. “Th-thank you,” His voice remained as a shaky whisper. “I n-never thought I’d be enough for- Anyone, m-much less two extraordinary people like yourselves, I-.. Thank you.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Jymaiyri kept her hand on Sovran's face, gently wiping away his tears. "Shh... shhhh... it's okay to cry. Let it all out." She comforted, her voice as gentle as it could be. "Of course." Yeonaixho smiled, and leaned over towards Sovran so he could rest a hand on his shoulder. "I'm very grateful to have you in my life. I hope you know that." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“Haven’t cried in- Quite some time,” Sovran admitted with a watery chuckle. His tears continued to roll down his cheeks. As Yeonaixho put his hand upon Sovran’s shoulder, the Remnant removed its hands from the man. It took a step back, but lingered. Sovran visibly relaxed. “I’m-.. Mighty grateful to have you both in my life..” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"All the more reason to let it all out now." Jymaiyri offered Sovran a kind smile. She continued wiping away Sovran's tears, and would continue til there were no more tears left to dry. "And I'm glad to hear it." Yeonaixho smiled. His hand over Sovran's shoulder was gentle and soft- supportive, rather than possessive. "I'm very, very glad." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“If I d-do, I don’t think I’d be able to stop,” Sovran managed out a small chuckle. His tears were beginning to slow down to a stop. However, he didn’t want Jymaiyri’s touch to leave, not yet, not when it’s been so long since he’s had such a gentle and loving touch. “I.. I think I’m good.. I think I’m good now.” At Yeonaixho’s hand on his shoulder, Sovran reached up and rested his on top of the other’s. He gave his grasp a gentle squeeze. ’Thank you.’ The Remnant took another step back from the three of them. With a short bow, he dissolved into small slivers of light that disappeared within seconds. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (edited)

Both Jymaiyri and Yeonaixho kept their hands over Sovran, even as his sobs subsided. "Oh, Sovran..." Jymaiyri laughed. There was a kind lightness to her voice. "You don't have to thank us for caring about you." Her gaze drifted from Sovran's to watch the remnant disappear, and then she returned her gaze to him. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I do,” Sovran chuckled quietly. The last of his tears rolled down his cheeks. He cleared his throat. “Not many folk care ‘bout me anymore, so- Thank you both for carin’ ‘bout me.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Of course." Jymaiyri smiled. "When it's you, it's not effort to care." Yeonaixho replied. They remained there, in embrace and blissful silence, for a good long while. @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I feel the same way ‘bout you two.” Sovran hummed softly. He definitely seemed lighter in the way he held himself, it truly was as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Or, perhaps it was just that he was that comfortable with both Jymaiyri and Yeonaixho. For the moment, he simply enjoyed being with them. He enjoyed their warmth, their sense of safety, the sense of being enough for them. God, would he ever truly believe he was enough for anyone? .. Maybe Jymaiyri and Yeonaixho were the only people who mattered when it came to that. Maybe their opinions were the only ones that truly mattered to him. Based on how his heart continued to beat warmly in his chest, he believed it. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

Minnie had been enjoying being generally included in this big hug- still being in her dad's lap- but the sleepies were catching up on her. She began to cry, first softly and then louder. Tell-tail signs of an overtired baby. "Oh, I bet Minnie needs a nap. It's been an eventful day for her." Jymaiyri hummed. "I can go take her back to the kitchen, if you two want to stay here. Or we could all go back, but we'd have to stay quiet while she rests." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“We’d better not keep her from her rest,” Sovran chuckled. He gave Minnie a gentle hair ruffle. “I don’t mind stickin’ around here to finish up my food, if you two wanna head back.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm, I'd actually like to stick around out here with Sovran, if you don't mind." Yeonaixho hummed. "Maybe explore a bit of this side later." "Hm. Alright." Jymaiyri nodded as she got Minerva back into the sling. "Actually- Yeonai, I wanted to talk to you about something." "Oh?" Yeonaixho said, and followed Jymaiyri over to a quieter part of the dining hall. Their conversation was pretty brief, and all Sovran would be able to tell was that it involved a few glances towards him from Jymaiyri, and a few nods from Yeonaixho. Yeonaixho returned soon after, and sat back down next to Sovran. "Well, Minnie and I will be off, then." Jymaiyri waved. "Good luck, you two. Don't get lost out here." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Sovran.. Had no idea what that conversation was about, but he used that time to quickly finish his meal. “You two get some rest, we’ll be safe and careful,” Sovran grinned. He gave them both a wave before turning to Yeonaixho. “You wanna do some explorin’, huh?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm, yeah." Yeonaixho smiled. "I want to find out what else is on this side, other than this place, and the kitchen, and wherever it was we spawned into, the room with the glass. Would you be up to look around with me?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’ll up be up for it,” Sovran smiled. “I heard that the new room that opened up was a sauna. How does that sound?” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"A sauna? Sounds... relaxing." Yeonaixho smiled. There was a flicker of... something behind his pale blue eyes. "We should go check it out." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I haven’t been to a sauna in such a long time,” Sovran chuckled. “You’re gonna love it. I finished eating, so we can head over now.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm, I'm ready to go now." Yeonaixho hummed. "I can't remember the last time I went to one... probably when I was a teen. They're not very common where Jymaiyri and I live now, since it's so hot all the time there..." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“‘Bout how hot does it get there?” Sovran asked with a grin. He pushed himself up to his foot and grabbed his crutches. “Back home for me, it was cold, so we had a few saunas available. It really was probably my early twenties since I last tried it.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"You know how hot it was on the other side? It gets like that in the summers." Yeonaixho laughed, and offered an arm to help Sovran up. "Mhm, that makes sense. It's colder where I grew up, too, so they were more common up there." @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“That hot? Well, damn,” Sovran laughed. He took the offered arm and got helped up. “I’ll have to get used to the heat- If I come by- To visit, of course.” Sovran cleared his throat. “Thanks for the helpin’ hand up, Naixho.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm. It took me a few years to get used to it, and Jymaiyri still makes fun of me when I complain." He laughed, and flashed Sovran another smile. "Of course. Should we be on our way, then?" @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

“I’m sure I’ll be made fun of too,” Sovran chuckled. At Yeonaixho’s smile, he returned it with one of his own. “Yeah, let’s head on over there.” @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm, I haven't a doubt in my mind that you won't be." Yeonaixho laughed again, and headed with Sovran out to the sauna... @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu

Connie was back in here again! Still vegan food, yum. She stood in sacred grounds, unaware of anything that had happened prior oo yum more fried tofu. Shoot yeah. Sovran and Lykos didn't seem to be here- maybe they were elsewhere? Connie picked up a little square of tofu, nibbling on it as she looked around the relatively empty dining hall. She didn't seem to keen on leaving already though. It was still pretty chilly, and she left her jacket on the other side in her haste to find Sovvy and the wulf. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Wandering off from the phone room, almost aimlessly, Kenji finds himself trudging back to the dining hall after a short while. He’s still feeling pretty shaky, so maybe sitting down for a bit will help. Stepping inside and shaking the snow from his boots, he’s faintly surprised to see someone else here. He’s not quite sure what her name is but he does remember seeing her announced as one of the previous few fight winners, one of the kids who had to fight. He hesitates in the doorway so he doesn’t startle her too bad, if he does. “H-Hey there. Food hasn’t changed yet?” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

The stranger catches her mid swallow, and Connie responds with some sort of strange, garbley noise. "Mrrbbrrly." Wanting not to choke on her tofu, she swallows, and responds better- "prob'bly. M'pretty sure it's the same- unless the food changed and changed back in like, the past hourish or so." Connie doesn't seem too surprised at their appearance- neutral, if anything. She finishes her little tofu snack, watching them curiously. She didn't recognize them, but then again, she didn't really recognize a lot of people here. "...have you been on this side for a bit?" she asks. "Um- 'cause of your scarf." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Kenji’s lucky he can hide the small laugh that slips out. “Man. I was hoping for a-a change but guess I can’t be too picky about it.” He takes a seat on the opposite side of the table from her, picking out a few of the options for himself though he isn’t all that hungry at the moment. It’s not that he’s bothered by her watching him, exactly, but hey. Teenagers can be mean. “Not really,” he says to her question. “I was here for a bit at— at first, but I just hung on to all my winter stuff until I got sent back m-more recently. I’m Kenji, by the way.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Connie's never mean- she's the sweetest person you'd ever meet! Unless you're another vaguely purple-themed guy, but that's neither here nor there. She snags another few fried tofu cubes, munching away at them as she watches the scarf guy get their own plate of food. "That's smart," she says, only slightly muffled this time. "I kinda left all my stuff on th' other side when the sides opened up, and uh, forgot it was cold here. I'm Connie!" She extends a only kind of crumbly hand. "Nice t'meet you, Kenji." @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“Nice to meet you too,” Kenji says with a smile visible in the corners of his eyes turning up. If Rei had ever mentioned the Kenji she knew or if he’d ever been around, this Kenji would probably seem vaguely familiar. He loosens the scarf just enough to be able to carefully eat around it. “I, uh, I heard we c-can switch whenever now so— hopefully you can get it back? Not— Not sure how safe it is here without anything..” It’s still snowing and windy outside, though not as bad as it had been. “How come you came over here?” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Perhaps Connie had heard about a Kenji- maybe Rei had talked about it before, in stories, retellings of the tournament she had been in- but in this moment, she couldn't remember a thing. Still, he sounded kind of familiar...from an echo flower maybe? "Um- I was looking for my friends- Sovran and Lykos, if you've seen 'em around!" Connie explained. "Sovran, he's big, kinda bulky, like a bear? One leg now, he has wooden crutches, and uh, mirroring? Memory powers. And Lykos- they used to be a wolf, but they're a human now, bit shorter than me, lab coat, kinda scruffy looking?" Connie paused to take a breath, nibbling some more on her tofu. "But, um, I'm looking for them- I was with them before I swapped sides, and I wanted to look for them again," she added. "I'll probably go back to the other side if they're not here, but it's kinda big here. I'll just zap from one place to the next to avoid the snow and wind, I guess." Nom. Down with tofu piece two. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“I, um, I don’t think I know Sovran,” Kenji says slowly, trying to think and also hoping his slight grimace about the idea of ‘memory powers’ doesn’t show past the scarf. “But I do know Lykos. Er— Doctor Lykos, sorry. I’ve heard he was around here but we haven’t talked again.” Connie’s description actually sinks in, though and he pauses. “Wait— They’re not just a wolf??” Wild. Though maybe he should’ve been able to guess that. He finishes some more of his food, subtly picking apart the bits he doesn’t like. “I could help you look if you like? Things are pretty spread out now..” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

If Connie notices the wince Kenji makes, she doesn't mention it. She just keeps chewing and chewing, watching Kenji with pale yellow eyes. "Mmm, Lykos isn't a wolf," she eventually says, breaking eye contact to fish for another tofu thing. Maybe crisps? Maybe. The fried tofu was gettin' to her. "Uh, I'unno if it's in my position to say why, but uh- after their fight, they came back but, not as a wolf anymore. You can ask them if you want? But I'm not the best one to say. Yeah." "Um, it's alright if you don't know Sovran! But um, if you could help me find them, that'd be really helpful!" she grins. "Lykos usually has a lab coat on now- uh, and Sovvy- well you don't know Sovran, so I'll look for him instead!" Yum, lemonade. She grabs a tiny cup of that first. "Where was the last place you talked to Lykos on the other side?" There was an ice-cream place there, and a food place here...so stuff had to match up, right? @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“…..Gotcha.” He does not gotcha. But that’s a for-later kind of clarification. “Hopefully the lab coat’s enough to tell. But uh, yeah, I can look around for them.” “On the other side it was— Oh!” Kenji straightens up suddenly, as if just now actually processing the possibility of voluntarily switching sides. “There’s a, um. A TV room on the other side. There’s a—“ How had he explained it before? “It’s..well. It’s important. We think. But I bet they went back there. I can give it a shot.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Yeah! Uh, they're a little shorter than me, just a bit, though. Hopefully that helps?" Emphasis on hopefully. "Ooo, a TV room- hey, there's a phone booth room-place-section here!" So the places had to match up! Kinda! "They kinda match! Um-" Where would Sovvy be? Argh, still no clue. "But- but that's helpful, really, it is! I might check it out after checkin' around here!" Connie downs the cup of lemonade, her eyes scrunched shut as the souriness kicks in. "Eeehgbffpht. Uhm! Er- the teleport room is about...there?" She points in a direction past the door. "It's this like, room? And there's clouds and stuff in the floor. Kinda spooky, but once you touch it, you just get zapped over to the other side!" @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Kenji chuckles at that. “A little bit, yeah.” “I, uh.. I came from there a bit ago, actually,” he says, voice quieting just a little bit before redirecting. “But— But maybe the sides do match up more than I thought. I’ll give the teleport room a shot then.” Connie’s energy is almost infectious, and he can’t help his smile. She really does remind him of Eris. Gods, they’d probably get along like a house on fire. “Hey, I have an idea before we split.” Standing up, he shrugs out of his winter coat layer—the sweatshirt beneath should be okay enough to get him out to the teleport room. “If you’re gonna look around on this side you can borrow this if you’d like,” he offers, “and I’ll keep an eye out for a stray coat on the other side.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Connie loves houses on fire! Auntie Rei set a few houses on fire on accident before! Connie gasps as Kenji hands over his jacket, and takes it carefully. "Aw- aw, thank you!" she gushes. It feels really nice! "Um- my jacket might be too small for you, but there's some gloves there? It should be fine! Um- oh, and a scarf! The jacket's like, cream yellow? And the scarf is blue! The gloves are also blue, yeah!" A pause. He has a scarf. "You can just use the scarf for some extra stuff if you want!" Yup- she's practically drowning in the jacket when she shrugs it on, but her eyes are all bright and shimmery with delight. She flails her arms to hear the scratchy noise of the fabric. "Thanks a lot, Kenji! Really- I'm gonna be super toasty. I'll give it back to you, I promise! Um- maybe I'll find you? Or- or leave it in the teleport room for you! That could work." Right, Sovvy! On the hunt! "If you see Lykos, tell 'em I sent you!" Connie grins, waving at Kenji as she disappears out the door. "Byeee, thank you so much!" Here in a flicker, gone in a flash. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

He laughs again. “Cream yellow, blue scarf and gloves. Got it. Don’t worry, we can trade eventually. I’m sure Lykos would want to see you again anyways since you’re looking for him so I’ll be back around.” Kenji barely gets a moment to wave before Connie’s disappearing, calling, “Bye!” after her. Time to see what this teleporter is all about. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Kiran peeked in. Nobody here. Suspicious... Hm. Well, they couldn't really think of a reason the other contestants would want to set a trap for the lerava specifically... So, the stepped in cautiously. After looking around vigilantly and spending some time waiting, they relaxed, and started eating.

11:18 AM

(Anyone can freely interact with Kiran ✨ )

Aaaaaand the team swooped in! "Huh. Not too many people here yet.." Aldreda mumbled. How were they the first people to get here? @anti alrai alliance

“Not many people left,” Kenji mumbles, quickly letting go as soon as they land. The decay doesn’t seem to have followed him inside, but better safe than sorry. “We should keep the sound up and running regardless.” @anti alrai alliance

Kian, with Cansu in hand, followed Subaru all the way here. Yay! (I just got off work so I'll be off still for a second so yall can continue without me!) @Vanessa| Sovran+Zora+Cansu @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

Very epic Tsubari bolts the second they walk in.

Connie sticks the landing! "I got my totem here if you guys need it!" she says, patting her overalls pocket. "Um! I'unno how you got the sound in it, but, yeah!" "Oh, um, and here's your jacket again!" Connie shruggs off Kenji's still big jacket and holds it out for them to take. "Thanks! It kept me pretty warm through that whole fight!" @anti alrai alliance

"Cool cool cool, more people are getting here." Aldreda placed her totem on the table, where the screeching continued. "My totem is for memory powers, so I think it's the only one that can make the noise, sadly! But welcome new people! Uh, how should we be checking for imposters here?" @anti alrai alliance

Isabelle and Taylor shuffled in during the imposter conversation.

Kiran lifted their head and eyed everyone suspiciously when they arrived. They kept to themself as they continued to gulf down tofu. (still open for anyone to interact with if anyone wants them

)

He waves awkwardly to everyone as they shuffled in. Looking around to see who else was here. His ears perked a bit at the mention of imposter's. "What if we marked ourselves? Sorry- if I interrupted. " He stumbles through his words.

Kenji takes his jacket back with a small smile, then holds out hers. “Glad it did. And I found yours over on the other side.” It morphs into a slight frown, though, at Aldreda’s question. “Hopefully the sound is enough. No one here seems like they’re reacting?” The newcomer’s insight sounds good, but there’s just one thing. “We’ll take all the help we can get,” he replies with a small nod. “That could work. We’d just need to make sure Alrai Pin isn’t able to copy it if it does try to come back.” @anti alrai alliance

Connie beamed, taking her jacket into her arms and taking out the totem with Moses' powers. "Thank you!" All her stuff was jammed into her pockets, so that was good- maybe she'd just keep the scarf on her during the little fight. Big fight. Big fight. Really big fight. "Aw, that's alright! Memory powers, huh?" Probably what the owl lady had. Made sense! "My, um, totem has crystal powers?" she added, not quite placing her totem on the table yet. "I- I used it once before, but um, that's about it, I think? I think I can make shields for people, though!" Connie lifted her hand over her head, and a small, slightly angular shield made of crystals formed. "But like Lykos said, I'm probably better off helping the healers and stuff. I could kinda shield for them? And- and zap Rakin if he gets too close!" Even though he took her frickin' powers, that jerk. She turned her attention to the newcomer, the shield dissipating above her. "Like...drawing something on ourselves?" she asked. "Maybe on, um...our arm? Somewhere Alrai Pin might not be able to see at a glance?" @anti alrai alliance

Lykos, Yeonaixho, and this bloody fish person were here now! Good, the sound was playing. It was beginning to become comforting to the doctor. “We have arrived.” Only a dozen or so people were here, but Subaru wasn’t back yet.. hopefully she had found more people. “Aldreda, how is the plan coming along?” @anti alrai alliance

"Oh wow okay, hey Lykos, hey new people, aaaaaand good ideas Connie!! Aaaaand Horn guy, I do think the sound is a good way to tell, but maybe when Alrai Pin is pretending to be someone else the sound doesn't effect them as much? And HEY monkey guy over there, you're not a suspicious imposter right??" @anti alrai alliance @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran frowned and lifted their head. "No. And I'm not a 'monkey.' I'm a lerava." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

"Okay, then are you gonna join us? We're gonna go kill Rakin." Aldreda asked. "And sorry, Lerava guy." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Taylor gestured for Poppy to push the scalpel - that she likely stole the infirmary when he wasn't looking - back into her torso. Stitching it quickly shut again before anyone could see. He had forgotten that most people tend to bleed if they're cut. He just stayed quiet and listened to everyone else talk. Yes. That was probably the better choice.

The cult family has arrived! They should not say the family name out loud! Nathan was still carrying Minerva in the baby sling, and was quietly humming the Ninja's theme song. @cult family @anti alrai alliance

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Okay, then are you gonna join us? We're gonna go kill Rakin." Aldreda asked. "And sorry, Lerava guy." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran shrugged. "If the chances are in our favor and not his, perhaps. I'm nor sure how good I'm at killing, though."

“There has to be some way to tell for sure,” Kenji insists. “Connie, did anything stick out to you about when it was pretending to be Lykos? Anything that felt off? O-Or anything you could tell was different,” he says to Lykos themself. Hesitantly, he admits, “When I’m not in control, my.. my eyes turn a different color. Something as small as that?” @anti alrai alliance

“Looks like there’s a few people already here,” Zora noted. She continued to hold onto Nora’s hand, her grasp tightening slightly. Her heart began to pound in her chest. Oh, things were definitely starting to feel a lot more real now..

"Well can you heal or.. Provide moral support?" Aldreda asked. @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Eh.." Kiran shrugged. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Mmm." Connie fiddled with the totem a bit, brows pinched together silently. "...I...I'unno," she eventually admitted, quiet. "Nothing big. Just small stuff. It said 'Gods', and- and it said it ate oranges before, but Lykos hates tofu stuff, she likes more meat and stuff." "I guess...I guess they can't mimic people really well? And their voice sounded. Off, somehow. I think I just believed them because they...they looked so real. J-just like Lykos." She peered up at Kenji, head cocked slightly to the side. "Not in control?" @anti alrai alliance

1:36 PM

"Yeonaixho," Nathan called, making their way over to the man. Great, that...fish guy was here, too. "The sisters and I just got here." Their voice sounded a bit...stilted. Hesitant, even. "And Sovran's here too. I have Minerva and the baby sling." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (. did the cult family want to be here for this i forgor)

'Okay Taylor, you can add to the conversation like a normal person. Just... a lot of people. You are used to talking to just one or two at a time but this is fine. This is fine' He internally was trying to hype himself up. Just... offer another idea like a normal person. He wasn't saying anything still. Dammit.

Yeonaixho had been standing around, clearly very uncomfortable with the Alrai-repellant noise. He turned towards Nathan when he heard their voice, and managed a smile. "Oh, Good! I was hoping you would get here." He held his arms out. "I'll take Minnie, now. God- what is with that noise?!" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"Mmm." Connie fiddled with the totem a bit, brows pinched together silently. "...I...I'unno," she eventually admitted, quiet. "Nothing big. Just small stuff. It said 'Gods', and- and it said it ate oranges before, but Lykos hates tofu stuff, she likes more meat and stuff." "I guess...I guess they can't mimic people really well? And their voice sounded. Off, somehow. I think I just believed them because they...they looked so real. J-just like Lykos." She peered up at Kenji, head cocked slightly to the side. "Not in control?" @anti alrai alliance

Lykos piped up. “No, light and sound clearly still harm it, and it cannot create that awful silence when it is mimicking us. The sound should be enough to tell, we could create a code word, I suppose.” @anti alrai alliance

Nathan carefully handed Minerva over to Yeonaixho, along with the baby sling, and stepped back. "Not a single clue," they sighed after a moment. "I should have asked around, but I figured I should give you Minerva. It might have something to do with this plan of theirs." A pause. "Again, that I know nothing about. Just got here." At least he seemed to be doing a bit better than he was back in the kitchen. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Well, as long as you don't get in the way you're free to join! None of us want to leave you here to die, unless you're secretly the imposter." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Yeonaixho took Minerva and the sling, and held the baby close to his chest. "Mhm... maybe I'll ask around. It's... just awful." He sighed. "Eugh. Anyways, thanks for looking after Minnie, and for getting her back to me. I appreciate it." He nodded. "I just got here, too..." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Well, as long as you don't get in the way you're free to join! None of us want to leave you here to die, unless you're secretly the imposter." @Twig | Kiran + Riki

Kiran nodded, and continued eating.

"No worries. She was great, sleeping most of the time. Got a bit fussy, but she was alright again." Nathan snickered a little bit, head tilted slightly. "I think she likes how my powers smell, but I can't tell for sure." "...are you doin' better?" Nathan eventually asked, their voice dropping slightly. "You were kinda freaking me out back there." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Cool, you're in! What's your name, soldier?" @Twig | Kiran + Riki

"Kiran." @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"No worries. She was great, sleeping most of the time. Got a bit fussy, but she was alright again." Nathan snickered a little bit, head tilted slightly. "I think she likes how my powers smell, but I can't tell for sure." "...are you doin' better?" Nathan eventually asked, their voice dropping slightly. "You were kinda freaking me out back there." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"I'm doing... fine. Sovran talked me through it all." Yeonaixho hummed. "I'm... sorry I freaked you out. I didn't mean to, really. It's just... a lot, right now." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Kiran approached Aldreda. "Hey, uh. Lykos said I should try and record that sound so I could also use it. That okay?" @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos piped up. “No, light and sound clearly still harm it, and it cannot create that awful silence when it is mimicking us. The sound should be enough to tell, we could create a code word, I suppose.” @anti alrai alliance

“Okay, so voices could be something. Maybe it.. Maybe it can’t do voices too well because of the sound weakness? I dunno, but it’s something.” Kenji bites his cheek, somewhat regretting breaching the topic, but better they find out now than if he loses himself during the fight. “I’m… I’m the h-host of a goddess of death.” Yeouch, That bandaid’s ripped off now. “I-It’s a lot to explain but s-sometimes she’ll.. she takes over. Her powers are tangled with mine. S-So I’ll make— make sure to keep my distance when we fight, I-I promise.” He swallows, staring at the floor awkwardly, but grasps at the redirect from Lykos as soon as he can. “But. Um. A code word could..work? That, uh, that might be hard while fighting though..” @anti alrai alliance

"It's alright." Their voice sounded a little lighter than before; a little more at ease. "I get it, it's...it was a lot, what y'went through. And it's pretty stressful to unravel it all at once. We're gonna stop their stupid ritual thing, and you can beat Rakin into a fine paste as much as y'want." Googoogaga. Babies can't read or...understand. Words. Big words. "I'm glad Sovran helped you through it, he's pretty great. Helped the kids earlier too with some nightmares." "It's good t'have you back with us, Juno. Just don't lose yourself too much in the moment, alright?" "And...I've been meaning to ask," Nathan eventually said, watching Yeonaixho's face carefully. "You and Sovran, you two are pretty close, huh?" @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Mhm... I just don't want him to get away with all he's done, to all of us." Yeonaixho sighed. "He'll get his just desserts soon enough." "Thanks. It's good to have you, back, too. Even though I never saw you go. I won't loose it too much, I promise." At the question about Sovran, his face flushed warm. "Wh- I guess you could say that. He's just- he's a good guy. Admirable, kind, handsome-" He cut himself off. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"It's alright!" Connie chirped, after listening to Kenji speak. "We trust you and your powers! But if you wanna keep your distance, that's alright! I'unno what...group you're in? But we trust you and your powers- uh, your mysterious goddess of death powers!" "How about...uh. Hm, Triple A? 'Anti Alrai-Pin Alliance'? I mean, 'cause we are kinda an alliance! And it's a short 'n easy code word, we can ask, like, uh, 'hey, who're you', or something? And the call could be, 'Triple A'! Or. Something." Connie had never been in an alliance before! This was kinda fun, death and fighting aside! @anti alrai alliance

"Likw the batteries?" Taylor replied, more questioning than anything. It was at least a good idea that he wasn't totally sheltered from everything technological.

"You're justified in wanting to kick his ass," Nathan reassured. "Everyone here wants to, he sucks. And thanks, it's great to be back, too. Feels warmer and less...cold." Nathan raised an eyebrow at Juno's rather interesting comments. (

) "Yeah, Sovran's a pretty great guy," Nathan snickered. "Don't worry, I won't judge. I guess I'm snoopin' too much. Nosy. You two weren't exactly the most...discreet." Teleportation room. "Guess I wa just curious, that's 'bout it." "You should talk to him, though. Before the fight and everything. I'unno if you're going to be like, on the front lines or anything, but uh, I'll keep an eye on you if you are. Or Sovran can. Sovran could prolly help more." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

2:53 PM

"Yeah, like the batteries!" Connie liked to steal those from Rei sometimes and snack on them, much to her utter horror!

"Mhm. I'm glad to have him in my life." Yeonaixho smiled. "It's- it's alright, we weren't being discreet. But, uh, don't tell the girls, please? It's okay if they find out on their own, but... I think I should be the one to tell them. Things are just... weird right now." "I do need to talk to him. And I will. I... don't think I'll be on the front lines, I'm a healer, so... Zora and I will probably end up working together. We'll have to coordinate with Lykos more." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"....I have no idea what wasn't being discreet." Taylor was either hyperfocusing on something or dissociating that honestly, he didn't even know most of their names. "But uh. Yeah. I'll do what I can to help patch anyone up too." He didn't want to fight. Didn't want to use the not as nice ways he could use his powers. But he could help any healers that were in their group. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

@innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 (iunnae if ymeant to ping em too but ya!)

Lykos smiled proudly at Connie. It was wonderful, the sort of thing only a youthful spirit would come up with, and hopefully hard to guess. “I love that, Connie. Triple A, that’s our code word. Do not think about it, or any part of the plan without the noise, understood?” @anti alrai alliance

"Eh, I won't tell the kids, promise. What's between the adults is between the adults, uh, me not included," Nathan shrugged. "Take your time. It's your guys' relationship, not mine. M'just glad that you two are happy, 'n that's all." Nathan turned their attention to the newcomer- someone that, yet again, Nathan did not know the name of. "Ooo, you heal too? Good t'have you here. I might not be part of the healer group 'cause of my powers, but I think you three can sync up- uh, being the healers. There's another healer here...Celena." Eeeu. It felt strange. "She's uh, my sister. She's with her sister right now, too." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

“Thanks,” Kenji replies after a moment, slightly choked up as relief relaxes his shoulders. “I’ll be i-in the attacking group. I think that’s best. I can drop back to defend the healers if needed, but..uh. Healing and d-decay don’t mix very well..” A code word can work. A code word can work, as long as they don’t make it obvious. Hopefully it won’t come to needing it, but Connie’s idea is solid. “Got it. Make sure you pass it around to your group.” Speaking of groups… “Until things go down we should keep the groups mixed as much as possible. Keep everyone balanced so hopefully we don’t get caught off guard.” He glances over to Lykos. “Not really sure if we can do anything unless they come to us, though, and that’s…risky.” To say the least of it. @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"I'd appreciate it. It's just... a bit too complicated to-" He startled at the voice of a new person. "Oh, uh, who are you?" He asked. "Having more healers will definitely be helpful. Maybe we should split into different groups- cover more ground that way." @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"I'll let the healers know!" Mmm, battery. She was actually kinda craving one now, really. Connie's gaze roamed over the rest of the dining hall, her attention landing on a rather...familiar contestant. Eh, she could wait until the conversation tapered off. "So, we should avoid keeping like, all healers in one place, all attackers in another, right?" @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos stared at Kenji, curiously. So that was why he was so hesitant about his powers.. “Hm, I believe it would be best to lead with a strong frontal force, and then have a back up team with any healers that can also fight. Then furthest back we keep our healers that cannot fight and anyone with defensive powers to protect them. Connie and Aldreda can quickly move anyone severely injured to this back group.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

"Huh? Oh, Kiran yeah go ahead! The more the merrier!" Aldreda nodded. @Twig | Kiran + Riki "And triple A, I can remember that. Aaaaaand yeah I can go move people in between kicking butt." @anti alrai alliance

"Oh uh. Sorry. Taylor. Sewer. That's what I do I mean not that it's my last name. Sorry." He awkwardly clears his throat. See? He knows how to person. @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Nathan raises the same eyebrow a little higher, but doesn't say anything else. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Taylor," Nathan said, looking back at Juno a bit. "This is Yeonaixho; he does healing and the like, and I'm Nathan. I don't do healing and the like. I was about to drift off to find my sister- the other healer here." Damn, wait, they only had three healers? That should be. Fine. "How exactly do you heal? Can it be ranged, or does it need'a be up close? Oh, and uh, what're your powers? I don't think I've seen you fight." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"Good to meet you, Taylor. Taylor the tailor, hah. I'd offer a handshake, but my hands are full at the moment." He laughed, and adjusted Minerva in his arms. "I need physical contact to heal- skin on skin. I think Z- Celena can do ranged healing, though." (edited)

4:54 PM

@Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @Barry | Taylor + Kevin

"My powers are just about useless thanks to Rakin. But I'm more than capable of fighting. Not to mention that I have Madison's powers." Isabelle had already taken a seat, leaning back in the chair. "I'm fine with the code word, but was the not human who clearly hates humans that convincing as a humanoid person?" @anti alrai alliance

"I.... er. Can do something in case I would need to if a person is dying. But I'd rather not without permission. B-but anyway I don't know how useful I could be with what I can do. I can make dolls and such move. Besides that I mainly know how to stitch and sew up do- th-those that need it." @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺 @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

"I mean, I think it has to do 'cause Lykos is a human now," Connie helpfully added, shuffling over to Isabelle. "Um, they used to be a wolf before! But Alrai Pin sucks and now Lykos is human. I guess that made it easier for it to pretend to be them, 'cause Lykos is! Yeah!" "You're Isabelle, right? Were you at a tournament? On Chen's Island? You tried to burn down a kitchen, or a dining hall or somethin'. I'm pretty sure it was a dining hall." @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

5:10 PM

"Any help is pretty helpful," Nathan reassured, humming slightly. "So we have two contact healers, and one ranged healer. We should be fine. I think they're talking about like, hauling the injured guys over to the healers, so that should make it a bit easier to heal." "Hopefully we won't have to heal anyone, but knowing Rakin, he's gonna do something scummy." Maybe it had to do with the amphibians disappearing? Or was he moving them out so they wouldn't get hurt? "But anyways, we should be good on healin'. Thanks for joining the group." @Barry | Taylor + Kevin @innsjo | juno🌻/jymaiyri🌿/minnie🌺

"...That makes sense I suppose. Alrai Pin picked his first target well then. It's the only one that wouldn't be the most suspect." Isabelle hummed. The mention of the tournament took her out, but the fire just confused her. "Wait... what? How did you-" @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡

Connie was just standing there, holding the little totem in her hands. "Auntie Rei told me," she simply said. "I, uh, kinda got distracted during the first fight. Um. But I kinda pieced it together because...um. Isabelle. Madison. And also your powers, mirrors and technology." She fiddled slightly with her scarf. "Um, sorry about Madison, by the way. I didn't really know her, but um. Yeah. You guys were friends." "Do you have a battery?" @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru (edited)

"I'm going to pick up stragglers! Keep that sound goin!" Aldreda picked up her totem and hurried outside. Thankfully there were some other people inside capable of reproducing the sound now, so they were all safe. @anti alrai alliance

Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Lykos stared at Kenji, curiously. So that was why he was so hesitant about his powers.. “Hm, I believe it would be best to lead with a strong frontal force, and then have a back up team with any healers that can also fight. Then furthest back we keep our healers that cannot fight and anyone with defensive powers to protect them. Connie and Aldreda can quickly move anyone severely injured to this back group.” @Kipology | Nathan 🏺 + Connie ⚡ @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒 @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽 (edited)

Kenji offers a wave to both Connie and Aldreda as they split off, they turns back to Lykos. “We’ve got a plan, but that’s all assuming we end up in the same place,” he sighs, staring down at the table. “How are we supposed to do anything against them just— teleporting us around at will?” There’s another thing that’s been bothering him too. “And we still don’t know where they go when they’re not here. We can’t bring the fight to them.”

“Hm.. a fair concern. I have been focusing mostly on the sound of the static, but there is the light aspect as well. Subaru can change her shape and colors, perhaps they could create an overwhelming light to block them from seeing us? That might harm us as well, though..” Lykos fidgets idly with their coat as they think. “…hm.. Perhaps the room they used when we were first brought here is their base. The only problem is getting there, yes. I… I would imagine they need us for some part in the resurrection ritual, and they need us alive, likely.. perhaps that can be our moment of attack? It is hard to say… hmph. Do you have any ideas, Kenji?” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“It’s a nice idea, but..stopping it from backfiring on us probably takes more coordination than we have,” Kenji replies. This… This strategizing, it feels…. Strangely familiar, yet he can’t put his finger on it. It feels older than it should feel. “As long as we can all tolerate it the sound is our best bet for blocking them right now.” His hands subconsciously clench, then unclench, trying to shake off the feeling of chains around his wrists as he tries not to look too nauseated at the straightforward mention of a resurrection ritual. “That’s a lot o-of ‘ifs’,” he finally manages. “I.. I think it’s dangerous to assume they need us alive. The whole reason they brought us here is to— is t-to die. For our powers. And all of that’s happened in the arena, no one— on one we know of’s died outside of it. That has to mean something.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

All good points. “Hm… I have seen the amphibians be brought into the arena stands by others, perhaps Rakin would be unable to separate us if we, er… held hands or something. Ugh, something that won’t let him get us alone. As long as we’re together we should be able to handle them.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“I brought Isabelle into the stands with me before. So I guess that’s true.” Kenji frowns, eyebrows furrowing above the scarf. “We don’t exactly have enough healers to buddy up, though. And honestly I think the last place we want us all to be is the stands. There’s no way out of those except for Rakin, and they know we’re plotting something now. They could just trap us in there. Our best bet might be luring them here somehow.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“True.. Although, the first fight he brought everyone in easily. Perhaps targeting everyone is easier than individuals.. I doubt they will let us stay here, especially if they are planning something that requires all of us- they’ll likely corral us into the stands to make things easier for themselves.” Lykos thought for a moment, moving to sit at one of the nearby tables. “Hm… I doubt Rakin will enter the stands with all of us there- we need to solidify our groups and have them stay close together then.“ @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

After a moment of his own, Kenji sits down as well. “What makes me nervous is that we haven’t faced any punishment yet. We attacked Alrai Pin and surely they can see us right now but still nothing. Either it meant nothing to them in the grand scheme of things, or they have something else in mind. Neither of which is good.” He glances around the room briefly, carefully scanning the people gathered. “Aldreda’s not back yet and I think I saw someone else leave too, but I don’t know how much longer we have to wait. People can split themselves easy enough, but we’re gonna need an announcement of some kind.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

After recording the sound, Kiran was now playing it out loud, experimenting with the volume. They held their mouth slightly open to better let the sound out. (edited)

em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

After a moment of his own, Kenji sits down as well. “What makes me nervous is that we haven’t faced any punishment yet. We attacked Alrai Pin and surely they can see us right now but still nothing. Either it meant nothing to them in the grand scheme of things, or they have something else in mind. Neither of which is good.” He glances around the room briefly, carefully scanning the people gathered. “Aldreda’s not back yet and I think I saw someone else leave too, but I don’t know how much longer we have to wait. People can split themselves easy enough, but we’re gonna need an announcement of some kind.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“It would be a waste of time to punish us now, they have a ritual to prepare for. I’m sure reviving an entire species is no easy feat..” Under any other circumstance they would’ve loved to observe it… “I’m sure our punishment will be however they plan to sacrifice us. We simply will not allow that to happen.” (Insert great team plan that is good and makes sense and will totally not get screwed up lol

) @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

2

Kenji’s knuckles whiten with how tight he’s gripping his own arms. “Sacrifice,” he repeats, the word dry in his mouth. “You’re.. You’re probably right.” Forcing himself to take a deep breath, it ultimately really doesn’t do anything to calm him down. “I just— This sitting around and waiting to die is awful.” At least before, when they’d taken him, he knew what was coming. @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“I appreciate the warning,” Ko spoke, walking inside. Lo and behold it was loud but she supposed that was a given with how many people that were gathered. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Aldreda closed the door behind them. "Yep. And Alrai Pin can shapeshift now apparently, so we have a code word, triple A to identify each other." Aldreda said. "I think that's all I have to talk about.. I didn't hear much of a concrete plan yet, but keeping everyone together is probably our best shot." @Shae | Ko

(Also Lykos told everyone the code word <3) Lykos looked Kenji dead on, a determined look in their eyes. “Steel yourself, Kenji. We are preparing ourselves for battle, not awaiting slaughter. They are overconfident, heartless bastards. We are low on our numbers, but together we are powerful. Do not forget this. We will have our freedom. We will have our peace.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“That’s concerning,” she spoke glancing around the room, “I’ll keep an eye out for anyone who seems out of place then. Or just hope the code word is enough and he hasn’t learned about it somehow.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

— “Oh, it’s fine,” Julien hummed as he followed Subaru into the dining hall. “Is here a suitable place to discuss plans?” @Gab | Ip🪩 + Subaru

"The sound going on in here should keep the shapeshifter at bay.." Aldreda said. "What powers did you get from your opponent? Anything useful?" @Shae | Ko

“His powers were magic related in some way but I’m not sure if that was more to do with him or with the cards he carried. In any case I only got the orb and I haven’t exactly tried to use it yet,” she admitted. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"Oh yeahh, the cards.. Hm. Wait, Calamity used one of his cards during her fight! She grew super big and tall and strong." Aldreda said. "It might be worth checking out." @Shae | Ko

“I know,” Kenji sighs, leaning forward to balance his head in his hands and his elbows on the table. His voice is slightly muffled when he continues. “It’s… Some bad memories stuck. S’getting harder and harder n-not to think about it.” “But also, I just… We need to be thinking about more than just the fight. That’s the real part that’s got me worried. We could go through all this and still not end up h-home..” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

"Rakin has a universe hopping device in his chest!" Aldreda chimed in. @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“What?”

@Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

"That's how we can get home! We just need to get it out! I dunno, I heard Zahara and Agustín talking about it before they got raptured!" @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Lykos titled their head curiously. “Bad memories? Hm.. you said before that you were in a different tournament like this. Is this related?” Lykos looked to Aldreda with a surprised look. “Universe hopping..? Ah, so that is how he brought us here.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“You’re right,” she admitted. As off putting as it was to have control over another’s powers after their death she had to admit wasting the potential advantage using the powers would give her would only be a detriment. With the abilities she’s seen so far from their host she’d need every advantage available. It was this though that had her pulling out the orb. Holding it in her hand as she reached toward the same place within herself when she used her own powers, but this time she tried reaching into the orb. @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Aldreda watched with anticipation... But nothing happened as Ko tried to activate the orb. "Oh, lame! Man, looks like you didn't even get to keep the card powers after.." Aldreda pouted. "Rakin must have took them." @Shae | Ko

Subaru nodded. "We've got the static going, and there's food! Not to mention it's warm. What better place is there?" It turned to the greater room. Looks like most of the gang is here. "Hey I found Julien!" It announced, not so much that it disturbed anyone, but enough to inform people who wanted to know. @anti alrai alliance

Okay, so that’s one problem…semi-solved? Hopefully. Maybe. “I guess that makes..sense,” he says finally. “Isabelle, she told me that she knew a, uh..version of me, but I don’t know her. So we know we at least mostly got brought here from different universes…” He drops his head lower, hands running through his hair, before he finally picks his head up. “Surprisingly, um..no. They didn’t… They didn’t want us dead there. B-But, um, this isn’t my first experience with— with s-sacrifices.” The scarf gets pulled tighter over his face. “It’s— The f-fighting helped, weirdly, but— it’s a l-lot.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

“Hm.. I understand your stress. …there is not much I can do to comfort you aside from assure you on our victory.” “…..you are allowed to ignore my question, but you spoke before of hosting a deity. I assume it and this.. previous sacrifice are related? Again, ignore it if you wish.” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

“He definitely took something from the orb after my fight. I tried to barter with him over it but that didn’t get me anywhere,” Ko explained, “makes me wonder what these orbs actually represent if he didn’t get powers from it. Since he told me that he uses the powers to maintain this place but if the orb doesn’t have anything there must be something else to it.” @Mads|Madison📱+Aldreda🔥+NPCS👽

Kenji shudders involuntarily at the question, but nods. “When— When I was sixteen, there was… My hometown w-was attacked. We were expecting it to happen but we never…” He takes a deep breath, and continues. “They grabbed my little brother. I chased them down. S-Saved him. Then— Then the next thing I knew I w-woke up on an altar.” He isn’t sure why he’s saying all of this. Maybe it has to do with the whole looming sense of death, and whatnot. Maybe it’s just sat inside for too long. “I was alive when they tried to cut my tongue out of my mouth. S-Said I was screaming too loud. Then I died.” It’s clear there’s some details being left out, but the blank stare he’s fixed onto the table says enough. “When I woke up they all— they were all disintegrating. And I-I knew it was me. Or. The me that was h-her now. I just had to watch.” Still he doesn’t look up. “What— What I said earlier about not being in control. If… I-If that happens when we fight. Me, you, Rakin… She doesn’t care who suffers. O-Only that someone does.” @Sauce | Nora🧶+Lykos🐺

Nathan had been pocketing croutons while most everyone else seemed distracted. Meanwhile, Connie had been squinting at him from across the room. Crouton thief.

Lykos was quiet, their face softening slightly as she listened to his story. “Hm… Yet, you are in control now. You are strong to resist a deity’s will. Powerful indeed.. I see why you are hesitant to use it.” Lykos shifted their gaze away from Kenji, their expression turning to a slight scowl. “…The power of a deity would likely give us the upper hand, yet it seems it is as helpful as the deities I am more familiar with- fickle, loyal only to their whim, and uncaring of the mortal lives uprooted by it. Tch..” @em | mallon 🎣 + kenji 🌒

Connie had also begun pocketing croutons of her own at a different section of the room. These ones were basil and not garlic, because garlic sucks and basil croutons are much better.

The clattering of crutches hitting the ground could be heard as Sovran was zapped out of the dining hall..

"Shit- ah, everyone stay together!" Aldreda held her totem tight as she was zapped out...

"What the fuck."

5:32 PM

"WHAT THE FUCK,"

Newt and V-tuber

Stressed Woman Brunch

All Around me are Familiar Kenjis (2)

The Start of Something Beautiful

Connie and Kenji

Anti Alrai Alliance