[MU] - NOVEMBER STORYTELLING

[lifeaftr_mods]

It's beginning to become an awful habit, turning the beginning of these nights into an information session.

Still. It is rather effective.

Borzoi may not usually come in pitch black; but then, most canines do not have the pitch black of their eyes. The Storyteller sits patiently by the fire as you, dear adventurer, do what the dream asks of you. Settle opposite, and listen.

"I can only imagine that you are as ready to leave this island as ever. Whilst we have yet to find a permanent solution, I believe there is potential for a new chapter to begin on stranger shores." In a rather rare display of indulgence, the Storyteller opts to sprawl out on their side, long tail thumping against the ground. "This is, of course, voluntary. In a few days I will be capable of transporting those who wish it to these new shores- however, coming back will be decidedly more difficult.

"These lands do not belong to me. It will be your first interaction with the avatars of the islands; gods whose domain is inherently the land they have chosen to call home. As any guest is expected to do, you will be subjected to their rules- please do attempt to be polite."

They're not going to tack Ardyn, Jaune, Lup, and Newt onto the end of that sentence-- but they're definitely saying that wholly for their sake.

"I feel that it is worth mentioning that these lands have their own laws- you may find that they have an influence beyond what you have experienced thus far. I can assure, at the least, that these influences are not inherently dangerous. But take it into consideration, should you wish to join those intent on being the forward party."

A final wag of their tail, and the Borzoi pushes back into a sitting position.

"I will be here for the remainder of this dream, to address any questions you may have. Please use this time wisely."

---

It is time, once more, for you to tell a story. The setting will be familiar for oldcomers, and newcomers will recognize it from the introduction they received in their dreams. This too is a dream, and the ink-black dark is illuminated only by the bonfire surrounded by log seats. And seated around the fire are your fellow islanders, many of whom doubtless know the drill by now.

One by one, you will each have the opportunity to share your stories, as stories possess a certain undeniable power. Newcomers can tell whatever tale they wish, but for those who have been in LifeAftr for at least one Storytelling, only stories of their time in LifeAftr will count down the road. The story need not be long, or conventional, or even verbal; as long as the Storyteller knows it has been told, it will qualify.

If you prefer to keep your mouth shut, that's always an option, though you're more liable to benefit if you do. Perhaps you'd rather not relive any of your history, varied and variegated as it must be. Or maybe you're something of a compulsive un-truther, prone to embellishments and long, fanciful tangents. As long as the core of the story is true to its spirit, you are free to spin your tale however you like.

So choose well.

Comments

[prettypurpleparlor]

I'm glad to hear it. My main question concerns something that you asked of us earlier- that we be polite, or at least attempt politeness, while in the domains of other gods.

Having met people from very... disparate backgrounds, in recent months, it occurs to me that standards of politeness vary quite wildly by culture. What is considered polite to one people may be the height of rudeness to another society, and vice versa.

Given that I have had little personal experience with gods before coming here, I thought it best to ask if there was anything in particular we ought to avoid, if we wished not to give offense, any habit or custom that we would do well to be aware of.

[story_teller]

A wise question indeed.

[They look at her thoughtfully, shifting their paw to rest it on the cover of their tome; the faithful companion that remains ever present.]

My advice remains as simple as ever- much akin to the many variety of worlds that you all have come from, keep in mind that gods are as different to you as the humans you have become friends with. Misunderstandings will happen. Insult will also happen. It is the difference of custom and habit.

But an offering of some sort never goes awry in making a good first impression.

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Muffet nods, considering their words thoughtfully.]

That makes sense, yes. What exactly qualifies as an offering, in this context? If I were visiting you, I would assume a story would be the best choice, but since they likely have different natures...

[story_teller]

Perhaps try for something more neutral.

[Because really, why would they tell her to offer her stories to anyone else?]

All gods can appreciate a gift that has been created with unique skill. Baking is a craft you possess- I cannot imagine it would be received poorly.

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Muffet smiles, thinking it over.]

It's something of an old tradition, isn't it- bread and salt, the sharing of food and drink to show a stranger you mean no harm.

[Sacred hospitality might be a less common concept to modern humanity, but there was a time when it was once the height of importance. And just as monsters can have much longer lives than humans do, their culture sometimes has a much longer memory for such traditions.]

Yes, I believe I can come up with something along those lines. Thank you for your advice.

[story_teller]

[A low, amused rumble of agreement.]

There are those who would tell you that the way to a man's heart is through their stomach. It is a rather universal trait.

[Even for gods. After a moment, they look to her, eyes doleful over the length of their snout.]

It may no longer be my place to inquire, however...

Do you fare well, miss Muffet? After the disastrous repercussions found underground?

[They ask, as if attempting to imply they do not already know. It is... a work in progress, a tentative attempt to extend an olive branch towards what others may, or may not, be willing to allow.]

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Muffet laughs lightly, agreeing with them, but her expression grows solemn again at their next question. She answers them... honestly, as best she can.]

Relatively well, I think, yes. It was a deeply unpleasant experience to say the least, but I came to no physical harm and the return of the dead has... eased the less literal hurts, that they might heal more cleanly. Still painful, I won't deny that, but I believe I will move on from it in time.

[Things aren't instantly better just because they're impermanent- they don't work that way, they can't. But it gives her just a little less weight to carry, and what's left is a burden she can manage to shoulder, even if she would have much rather not had to carry it at all.]

I'm more worried about the others, truth be told- both those who died and those who didn't. I hope that this wound will heal for them someday, as well- but there's no way of knowing if it will.

[She pauses, looking at them, and adds gently:]

It does help, that you ask. It doesn't fix things by itself, nothing really does, but it helps at least a little, to see that you care enough to ask. Being shown things clearly like that, instead of having to guess, it reassures people.

On the subject, if you don't mind my asking... how are you faring, after recent events?

[When she said she was more worried about other people, she didn't just mean her fellow castaways.]

[story_teller]

Some wounds never close entirely, my dear. The horrors that you were all subjected to certainly sit within that realm of irreparable.

[Whether she means to assure herself, or to assure them; they will not be blind to the damage they have caused, the extent of it. There are those who had little reason to trust them before- those who did. All have been shaken. And forgiveness... is reserved for mortals.]

You will have to forgive me- as I have said before, this is a new endeavor for me. There are many things you all may expect that do not come so naturally to myself, but I will always hasten to respond as honestly as I may to your inquiries.

As for myself, I... [A notable pause. They look away from her, down to the tomb at their feet, and place a gentle paw upon its cover.] I realize there is still much for me to learn. Just as many of you seek to adapt to this space, so must I adapt to you.

If any lesson could be taken from this miserable occurrence, it shall be that.

[prettypurpleparlor]

Mm... not cleanly, perhaps- splitting open again under stress or aching when it rains- but I think all wounds do close. They may not heal, exactly, but we're too mortal to survive a wound that never shuts at all.

[She follows their gaze down to the book, nodding quietly. As it happens, she doesn't have to forgive them, and both of them know that- but she chooses to anyway. If forgiveness is for mortals to receive, is it not also theirs to give?]

You didn't ask for this whole mess of a thing, for us to be here, any more than we did. It's been difficult for everyone, learning under such tense conditions, with so much at stake.

[Everybody learned from their mistakes, it the end- it was just how people worked. Most of the point of organized learning, schools and childhood and the like, was to give people a place to make those mistakes where they wouldn't have very large consequences. Learning when your mistakes could cost lives was much more difficult.]

What I mean to say is... thank you for trying.

[story_teller]

[They are silent, processing her words in their own, quiet manner as their eyes stare into the fire. Do they agree upon every little thing she has said? Perhaps not. But her message is honest- far more honest and far, far more than they deserve.

But monsters... monsters are weird, one might say. It takes very little, but they come to love others, very much.]

Thank you.

[For believing in them.]

I shall...continue. To try. For all of our sakes.

Probably wrapping soon.

[prettypurpleparlor]

[Maybe it's not always a part of their nature that works to their advantage, but Muffet doesn't regret her monstrous tendency towards fondness and trust.]

And I will continue as well. Please feel free to come and speak to me, if you ever have something you wish to ask.

[She's not able to answer for all mortals, she knows, especially with the human majority here. But if they have the desire to hear from a more mortal perspective, she's at least closer than they are and willing to talk things out step by step.]

[Persistence and patience aren't exactly the same virtue, but they can sometimes overlap.]

no problem!

[story_teller]

Of course.

[They shall do their best, to remember to do so.]