lifeaftr_mods: (Default)
The Mods of LifeAftr ([personal profile] lifeaftr_mods) wrote in [community profile] aftr_stories2018-02-19 08:51 pm

[MU] - FEBRUARY STORYTELLING / VOTING

Surprise, surprise, islanders: you're due for another lecture from your friendly neighborhood deity. An ocelot sits before the sprawling campfire on the beaches of Mu, grooming one paw - a paw that, on second glance, will prove to not be a paw at all, but a delicate cloven hoof.

"While I am not pleased with your intrusion," says the Storyteller, "it does not mean that nothing should come of it. You've doubtless glimpsed many things, most of which you were never meant to see. I suppose that's what some might call the wizard behind the curtain."

Some. Not all. They don't care to elaborate.

"Given that you're so interested in how the islands on this archipelago come to be, I will provide you with the choice," and here they stress the word with a calm switch of their spotted tail, "as to what sort of land you would prefer to brave next. I cannot promise safe travels, but I can guarantee the manner of materials those new lands may contain."

Four round dollops of sand wobble at the Storyteller's hooved feet, as though shaped by invisible hands, trembling, jellylike in the imaginary night breeze.

"The first...I have glimpsed flora and vegetation that may benefit you - for food, for medicinal purposes, for whatever you may see fit. The second bears something that I suspect can be used to fashion buildings, tools - an ore, of some sort. The third is...loud, terribly loud. A great many people live there, and they do not seem innately hostile. The fourth is full of noises, too, but of a different sort. I suspect a large number of beasts live there; perhaps tameable, perhaps docile, and perhaps not."

Their hooves have sunk into the sand, their amber gaze fixed and unblinking at some distant point on the horizon. Then, abruptly, they straighten, and the tension clenching their slim, felid frame eases.

"...cast your votes, if you wish. Whichever you choose, I will take us there."



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. Those of the nonverbal persuasion have, as of a request issued by Ren ([personal profile] catpiper), an alternative means of telling their stories if they so choose, in the form of the Chamber of Glyphs.

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.
story_teller: (He gives his harness bells a shake)

[personal profile] story_teller 2018-02-28 07:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well enough," the Storyteller replies, promptly and equally straightforward. "And yourself?"
crosslaced: (a sideeye)

[personal profile] crosslaced 2018-03-03 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
“Well enough,” he repeats back. It seems like something over the past few months might have softened his impression, given there's no sign that he's trying to pick a fight tonight. "I was merely concerned you might be becoming overtaxed, with all that’s happened recently.”
story_teller: (He gives his harness bells a shake)

[personal profile] story_teller 2018-03-03 06:01 pm (UTC)(link)
If the Storyteller is surprised by this display of geniality, they've endeavored not to show it. Their ears flick once, contemplatively, taking stock of his words and considering them for several moments.

"It has been rather busy as of late, hasn't it?" they concede. "I ask for your understanding. My intention is not to neglect you. Perhaps it may not always seem as such, but you -- your stories -- remain my priority above all else."
crosslaced: (another sideeye)

[personal profile] crosslaced 2018-03-06 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
“Intent doesn't negate something going wrong. Excuse the slight on your competence- herding mortals has been a logistical nightmare in every instance I've seen, and your purview doesn't strike me as ideal for logistics." Stories. They're retrospective, aren't they? They only exist after the fact, after someone strings the words together and tells them. A story-keeper doesn't see a mistaken choice until its effects are played out.

"At some point you could overlook something quite consequential, couldn't you? There must be worse places for us to fall into.”

This is his conspiracy theory, mods.

“As a point of curiosity, do you have any enemies?”
Edited 2018-03-06 15:04 (UTC)
story_teller: (He gives his harness bells a shake)

[personal profile] story_teller 2018-03-08 09:47 pm (UTC)(link)
The Storyteller takes this critique with stoicism; at least, there is no discernible shift in their prim and collected stature. When Laurent is finished, however, their tail unwinds from around them and rests itself informally across the sand.

"A cynic would tell you that there are always worse places. Perhaps that there are better ones, as well. Perception would matter. Stories are nothing without them."

A mod never tags and tells.

"As for having enemies -- I suppose I must, somewhere. I've rarely heard of any being with power who did not."
crosslaced: (no thanks)

[personal profile] crosslaced 2018-03-11 03:13 pm (UTC)(link)
"So gods have enemies too.” He'd believe it, but it's something he wanted to confirm anyway. There would be many differences between gods and mortals, even if he talks to both roughly the same. “Better places sound like a marvellous time, it's places like those caves I don't like. Regardless, let's be careful going forward. I don't want trouble either, you see.”

Him and ST both. Trouble for one is trouble for the other.
story_teller: (He gives his harness bells a shake)

[personal profile] story_teller 2018-03-11 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"On that," the Storyteller says, "we are agreed. Were I able to tell you which of these places means trouble, I would. But I am not able. Confer with your fellow islanders. Use your best judgment."

They pause, carding a hoof through the sand.

"Should things not go as hoped, I will keep open the way back."
crosslaced: (Default)

wrapping!

[personal profile] crosslaced 2018-03-15 02:55 am (UTC)(link)
“Time will tell.” He gets up, languidly stretching his neck and shoulders. “That's all I wanted to say. Thank you for your efforts- keep your eyes open.”