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aftr_stories2018-05-19 08:34 pm
lifeaftr_mods) wrote in aftr_stories2018-05-19 08:34 pm
[MU] - MAY STORYTELLING
In the wake of what has occurred on Ziziphus, the Storyteller has not appeared for this night's sharing of tales. The campfire is ever-present, but a morose air hangs over the flames nonetheless.
There will be no voting this time around either. It seems the Storyteller is due for a break - and so are the rest of you.
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 (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.
There will be no voting this time around either. It seems the Storyteller is due for a break - and so are the rest of you.
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 (
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.
OOC || FORM
Remember that those who have already undergone one Storytelling cycle must tell a story of their time in LifeAftr in order for it to count. Newcomers may tell whatever stories they like!
MYIA
Character Name: Myia
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
- Myia tells an unflattering story about how one time an "ugly sideburns man" refused to eat her offer of grilled fish and then yelled at her. She fails to mention what the yelling was about, nor that it was not so much yelling as it was horrified demanding that she not eat any of the jormun or other islanders.
- Myia tells a more flattering story of the time a "nice girlchild" gave her a bunch of fruit, and then gave her even more fruit when she said it wasn't enough. She hypes up the girl and namedrops Ren and tells everyone to treat her nice.
- Myia tells a vibrant, detailed tale of the time she was the Queen of Bugtown and everyone loved her more than anything else. She goes into the roles of all the people from home that played a part in this fantasy, such as her butler Carmine and her apparent-courtesan Emet and her treasure-gatherer Maybel. She neglects to make any note of the negative aspects of this story, namely being that it was a fantasy and that it was killing her.
Public/Private: Public
MERLE HIGHCHURCH
Character Name: Merle Highchurch
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
- Merle tells a thrilling story about how he was on the run from a reality-eating entity known as the Hunger for 100 years and then forgot all about it. But he made friends with the Hunger first, even though the Hunger killed him "like 55 or 56" times. It's not an easy story to follow, and Merle tends to ramble and get off topic, mentioning random details of different worlds he visited.
- Merle tells an exciting tale about the time he took on the persona of The Owl and participated in a Battlewagon race, and how he was absolutely essential to them coming in first place. He wasn't really that essential. There's a lot of unicorn riding in this one, and a lot of killing other contestants? Whoops.
- Merle tells an excited story about how, after Arboreali were discovered on Ziziphus, he went out on a team up adventure with Lup to get one. He plays up the fact that the owls are obviously "a sign from God" since owls are his signature animal and plants are his signature deal, being a biologist and nature cleric. He mentions he's still deciding on a name.
Public/Private: Public
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Character Name: The Hunter
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: Two
Offering(s): The first story is about the Hunter's fight against the Cleric Beast. The Hunter's storytelling abilities are not the best and his speech is slow to start with, but he's able to detail the fight against the beast and, although he died a few times, he was able to fell it in the end.
The second story is a simpler one and by this point the Hunter has an easier time talking. It's about a nameless man wandering an endless path, which was his dream during the event. The Hunter will tell this story like it's a fairy tale, however, and it ends with the man falling into a deeper sleep - somehow - and waking up. Don't ask him to explain the difference the Hunter probably couldn't tell you.
Public/Private: Both are public!
no subject
Character Name: The Knight
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
All the stories are illustrated and told through large, detailed circular murals. It looks like the Knight is putting a lot more effort into making their illustrations ornate, as it takes a long time to draw them all. Perhaps they're homesick; it resembles the glyphs of their own language.
- Meeting someone else who can speak with hands, and who had a strange helmet. They mention that this person is called 'Shiro', and named them 'Rei'. They spell out the name proudly. They seem excited about the meeting.
- A story about following Muffet around the island of Ziziphus. She appears to be riding a Spindlank (the Knight has seen enough of them to accurately draw one, in some detail) with what look like threads. They have illustrated themselves leaping over her. The mural is surrounded by little smiling faces.
- A story about a dream in which they briefly became part of the Drifter's world. They draw themselves, as they remember themselves in the dream, and the Drifter, who looks happy, and they draw in as much of the dream as they can remember - buildings, people, a clear pool. They hesitate for a moment before sketching out a vague wobbly form, scribbling it in, chalking out an arrow between it and the Drifter.
(They don't know what the Guardian looks like.)
They frame the picture with vines in various states of decay, and then slash marks all over the vines.
This one is a sad story, it seems.
Public/Private: Chamber of Glyphs, so public??
Kravitz
Character Name: Kravitz
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
- Kravitz' first story is about his escapade into Ziziphus before the event and getting jumped by the vines by the coast, though he carefully omits the reason he and Taako were out there alone. He does take the time to warn people about the octonettles, though.
- The second is about some of the dreams he found himself in during the event, though he's less focusing on them being good or bad, but more of the interesting way he could see other people's worlds or concepts from their own head. He also rails on Myia a little bit for making him into a literal bird. He will absolutely be making eye contact that whole time.
- The third is public, but not verbal and mostly for the Storyteller's benefit, as added into the Chamber of Glyphs. He's not the best artist, but it's a retelling the Storyteller should know well- of the first time they met in person, when Kravitz came to his temple. It's less realistic and more geometric in nature; the way someone might leave a token of history for a god. This month's been rough, and he knows the meaning and weight of death- he intends to pay his respects.
Public/Private: All public, though the third is drawn.
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Character Name: Ren
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3 (1 for LupNet upkeep)
Offering(s):
Story 1: How could she not talk about her birthday? She starts off almost nervous, rambling about warm elves and nice friends and a kind hearted man who played hide and seek with her, gradually growing more excited as she talks about playing with people, having them smile at her, finding treasures in their hands, getting hugs and how fun it was to 'get old'. She points out it's okay to celebrate this 'kind of thing' and she adds that anyone who doesn't know how to get older should go to Tim because his special talent is figuring that out for people. Her adoration for everyone involved is clear and, especially so when she talks about the warm elves and nice friends. She tears up FOR LIKE A SECOND. It's fine. She's not dying, you're dying, shut up.
Story 2: The picnic before everything Went To Hell. She talks adamantly about 'a weird game' where you don't use your hands, there's no blackjack and you have kick the ball past sticks. It's fun. Super fun. What's better about hitting a ball over and over until you're too tired to move? Nothing. Everyone play soccer immediately.
Story 3: About the riveting game of tic tac toe she played with someone over the rock. She details how they both managed to win, even with the extra row. It's incredible. She makes it sound like the superbowl and clearly can't wait for their rematch.
Public/Private: Public
no subject
Character Name: Tim
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
Public/Private: First one is public. The other two are private.
no subject
Character Name: The Drifter
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: List character's number of offerings here. A maximum of THREE STORIES can be told each Storytelling.
Offering(s):
Public/Private: All public, using the Chamber of Glyphs
no subject
Character Name: Laurent
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 2… and one freebie for the ST
Offering(s):
Public/Private: Public, except the third.
no subject
Character Name: Mira
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: Three
Offering(s): 1. She tells of her garden, and how she's worked hard to cultivate the seeds she'd received weeks ago. She talks about how she works hard to make sure she's growing them well and taking care of them, and why she's so dedicated--she wants to see others' smiles, and make sure they have food (since our resources are waning, rip).
2. She talks about how she had gone on an exploration alone, and suffered the consequences. She'd ended up temporarily blinded, but because of Ignis's kindness, she was taken care of.
3. She talks about how angry she is at Bliss for taking advantage of them all, and how she was glad to see them burn. :')
Public/Private: Public
Gladiolus Amicitia
Character Name: Gladiolus Amicitia
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
Public/Private: Public!
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Character Name: Nari Nishitani
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
- Nari will tell about how she came to be willing to use her abilities in front of others since they were actually rather useful in her time on a murdergame show named Airlocked, which was set in space.
- Talking about Homare Nishitani, the man she took the last name and occupation of yakuza from. She'll even show off the Kijin lapel pin she attained during her time on the show Airlocked.
- Nari will talk about how she's surprised at the helpfulness of strangers in a place where they have the freedom to walk away after falling from the sky.
Public/Private: Public
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Character Name: Shion
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3 one which goes to the upkeep of Lupnet
Offering(s): 1) A monthly report, this month is vague... a lot of it is not his story to tell. But he talks about falling islands, exploring and very vagualy about Bliss. It is subdued but in a thoughtful way rather than like in the aftermath of Ai'Tuoh
2) A rambling piece on the centre of gravity and what he learned, it concludes with the fact that he didn't learn much and further experimentation is needed
3) Exploring with Seto and Ren, finding octonettles and the attack by Bliss, before the final push. This story focusses on how courageous Seto and Ren were during the attack
Public/Private: Publicly
no subject
Character Name: Ignis Scientia
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s):
1st Story: It's always an exciting time when new arrivals show up, but apparently someone thought there needed to be some extra excitement when they arrived this month. Does anyone know how irritating it is to ask what is going on only to be told the sky is falling? Really, really irritating! Fortunately, Ignis' meeting with Futaba is much less irritating, though he does seem ashamed and apologetic that his little trick to get her to come down out of her strange Persona...craft...thingy...upset her so much. He obviously feels bad that they got off to such a rough start and hopes things will improve in the future.
2nd Story: Learning how to use the new showers that Gladio so kindly built them doesn't seem like it should prompt a private telling, but it very quickly becomes apparent why Ignis decided not to tell this story in public. What begins as an innocent enough meeting quickly becomes emotionally heated between Ignis wanting to help his friend and Gladio not being ready to open up about the pain he's suffered during the 10 years of darkness that Ignis hasn't lived through yet. A literal heating up occurs when Rory mistakes the tension and a push gone wrong as an attack toward 'her human' and attacks in kind. Thankfully, Ignis is able to get her to back off and heals the burns Gladio took shielding him from the flames. The whole time Ignis tells the story, it's obvious he is very worried about his friend and wants to do nothing more than help him heal--something made more difficult by the fact that the older version of himself is responsible for several of the wounds Gladio is carrying.
3rd Story: Ignis has wanted to see the Healer-King side of Ardyn again ever since Monsun sunk under the waves, but this isn't how he wanted to do it. It pains him so much to talk about how he had to tear that perfect dream world apart form the inside out as soon as he realized it couldn't be real. How many times is he going to be forced to say goodbye to the side of Ardyn that he's given part of his heart to without knowing when he will see him again? If nothing else, it's probably a good thing that breaking Ardyn, and then later Prompto, out of their dream worlds took so long because otherwise Ignis would have exhausted every bit of life and magic in himself to make sure Bliss burned to ashes.
Things are hard enough right now without gods dangling false happiness in front of their faces.
Public/Private: 1st story is public. The 2nd and 3rd are private.
Muffet
Character Name: Muffet
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: Three.
Offering(s): The first is a description of what the glitches were like for this month's batch of new arrivals, in keeping with Muffet's usual habit of telling stories she thinks will be helpful for people to know in the future.
The second is a light and happy story of spending time with a good friend on her birthday, something sweet and cheerful to raise the spirits of others.
But the third... is a little unusual for her. Save for the very first Storytelling, Muffet has always kept to the habit of telling stories from the relatively recent past, keeping up with current events. This time, though, she tells a story from the very first few days of their arrival on Enso.
She tells them about meeting the Storyteller.
She doesn't know if they're listening right now, but if they are she hopes it helps- something to ground them, and remind them that they, too, are remembered here. They matter as much as anyone by this fire, and all those who've left it since.
They're part of this, too.
Public/Private: All three stories are told publicly.
no subject
Character Name: Lance
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3!
Offering(s): - His first story is about the time he accidentally crash-landed onto a planet covered in ice and helped save the inhabitants from an evil, brainwashing snake-plant-monster-thing that was eating them. He makes sure to name drop his Incredible Friend Hunk and how neat it was helping out mermaids.
- The second is more of an ensemble story, and I hope you're ready to hear about ALTERNATE REALITIES - like the time him and the rest of Voltron ended up flying into a different reality, where the Alteans didn't lose the war against the Galra but that didn't really make the universe better because they were kind of also brainwashing people? It was awkward and bad and Shiro was there but with a funny accent and a different name? The moral of this story is alternate realities seem to be consistently the worst. Also they found a comet made of material capable of crossing the bounds between realities and that got stolen. Oops?
- The third story is about the time Voltron's PR manager took space worm pills and lost his fucking mind. "The Voltron Show" was a great episode and really, what more is there to say?
His stories are told with an incredible amount of flair and maybe a liiiittle bit of embellishment, but most importantly he...doesn't really explain anything he probably should? He assumes that between Keith and Shiro, everyone already kind of...knows what Voltron is and what's the deal with Lions and Paladins.
Public/Private: They're all public!
no subject
Character Name: Connor Murphy
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 2
Offering(s):
- Who I Am: A incredibly quiet confession that's half a story about his father and half an abstract chalk drawing in blue and black. It's vaguely shaped like a human heart, and he doesn't bother to explain how it's connected to the other half of the story.
- In A Dream I Dismember: His Bliss dream sucked, but he's fucked up over it because it was way better than reality.
Public/Private: Technically the art he did is public, but the stories themselves are private.no subject
Character Name: Damianos
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 2
Offering(s):
1)
2) . . . oh yeah and also that whole bliss thing happened. Damen's much more somber about this - it's a very factual, almost militaristic report of what happened and the following battle. Just, uh. Just so the Storyteller knows.
Public/Private: Public!
no subject
Character Name: Lup
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 3
Offering(s): Lup tells the story of going plant owl hunting with Merle on Ziziphus. Her old buddy is kinda into owls, and hella into plants, and she affectionately drags him for that for sure. But it's clear that she was happy to help him score an owl because it was so important to him, and she's glad the island offered him this confidence boost. She makes sure to detail the island's flora and its beauty in the early morning light, and how good it was to get some quiet time with one of her family that she's missed a lot. It's also weird how... he really believed the plant owls were a sign from his god? She never really got his willingness to rely on and trust in a god, but like... maybe there's something to it. Wow this got weirdly introspective MOVING ON
To the next story, which is just a baller dragon fight with the ol' IPRE squad (...and Kravitz)! Lup has a great time detailing all the rad stunts and scathing one liners they did on those tree dragons' asses, how they all worked together seamlessly, all the Railsplitting and Fireballing and Tentacles-- until she seems to realize she's going on about fiery destruction of plant-based life over on Ziziphus, at which point she kind of wraps it up. It was really cool though lbr.
And who doesn't love a good story about her two best goblins? She describes how Chara (name used freely, though she doesn't say it's Kidwun, people just need to keep up) gave Ren a bubble blower for her birthday, leading to the two kids spinning like lil whirlwinds among rainbow bubbles in the camp. Then shit got real when Ren invented a game of popping bubbles? And Chara posed some existential questions about like, fucking bubble souls? When Ren solved this dilemma by MURDERING THE BUBBLES WITHOUT HESITATION and also noscoping Chara's ability to deal in any way, Lup tells it like Ren had scored some kind of touchdown. Oh yeah, she and Taako were definitely watching this whole thing quietly shoutcasting it to each other and making bets on whatever charmingly incomprehensible tomfoolery would happen next. These kids are a gift, shooting the shit with Taako is a gift, it was one of the best days on Enso ever.
Public/Private: Public
Taako
Character Name: Taako
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 2
Offering(s):
1. Taako tells the thrilling saga of Ren on Tour, aka Ren's birthday extravaganza. There are some detours, like how it's even possible to make fantasy German chocolate cake under these dire circumstances, and how he didn't have to Levitate anyone into the ocean at all, not a single time. It's a pretty impressive list of accomplishments all around, in Taako's opinion and kinda to his surprise. Everyone done good. People literally worked together to make a good thing happen. What the fuck even is that.
2. You know those really unfortunate coworkers who tell you a dream they had and it's not even interesting because it's just real life stuff but kinda Off in a typical dream way? Taako is that guy. What are you even supposed to say in response to the relating of this dream? Nothing, all you can do is suffer, which is exactly what he wants. This is, of course, the closest he's getting to talking about the whole Bliss thing publically.
Public/Private: Public
Commander Shepard
Character Name: Commander Shepard
Character Journal:
Number of Offerings: 2, one of which is to be used to fund more stones of far speech for new characters!
Offering(s): Her first offering is a pretty hilarious description of the glitches she went through earlier in the month. She tells her tale with an air of incredulousness, completely baffled that that all happened to her and she's not, somehow, dead.
Her second offering is a little more somber in nature. She doesn't want to mention how Bliss died, no, but... she gently describes the lovely world that Bliss made for her. She knows that it was an attempt to kill her, all in all, and kill everyone else on the island but she admits that she hasn't felt that good in a long, long time so in one way she's grateful to Bliss for having shown her that. And quietly, she hopes that somewhere, out there, that world she saw is real. She knows it's probably not, but it doesn't hurt to dream.
When she's done with her story she looks to where the Storyteller usually sits and whispers that she's sorry for their loss.
Public/Private: The first story is public, the second is private!
IC || STORYTELLING
The Legend of the Immortal
In Lucis there is a man hailed as being Immortal. Overcoming what all others had deemed impossible, surviving against insurmountable odds. He served his King with the kind of unwavering loyalty other men never dared. Loyalty that led him away from danger in his King's hour of need. That left him alone to guide the forces of a country devastated by war, to teach and to lead and to suffer the tragedy of carrying on while his King lay dead.
I was privileged enough to have this man as my mentor, my friend, my companion. There are lessons he taught me that, even now, I still have yet to fully understand. Without his king he devoted every waking moment to his last task, protecting the people of Lucis. Against all odds, against unceasing darkness, against despair. Even as the people fell to the ravages of disease, for years upon years as darkness swallowed the world.
One small city left illuminated against the darkness, the entire human race limited to the refugees able to scrape a living out under the shadow of a power plant barely able to keep up with the demands of so many people in so little space. The rest of the world dying around us, plants, trees, animals. Food becoming harder and harder to come by as the land itself lost all hope of producing anything edible.
Despite it all we carry on, we fight back the daemons, fallen friends, those we couldn't save, mutated by disease. Hoping against hope that the True King will return before the last of the light fails us, before the desperately limited supplies run out, before our hands are forced to chose who to save and who we must sacrifice for others.
[A slow breath, trying so hard to weave the tale without letting himself get too invested in it. No names, no real connections, just a story, nothing more, perhaps that way it wouldn't cut so deeply.]
Return he did, welcomed with open arms, hope restored to so many. And when the time came to fight, to reclaim the Dawn, the Immortal soldier stood beside his prince. Faced the Accursed - [A fleeting glance at Ardyn, a strange mix of guilt and uncertainty in his expression.] with a kind of determination that even the King and his Glaives had to admire, take heart from.
And when the King's Shield failed him... [His voice shook but he forced himself to continue, to finish the tale despite the weight of his shame.] the Immortal, seemingly so invincible, felled by a blow meant for his prince, the King, the Chosen One who would save them all. Even standing there burned and bleeding, knowing his time was come to an end he spoke only of hope, of victory... standing to face countless hundreds to buy the King time to face the- [No, he would not say it again.] face his fate.
There was nothing I could do.
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Not terribly long ago, I received a remarkable gift. It came from a wish I had made, a wish to be able to provide for the people on this island. Our resources are running low, that is true... but with the gift I received, I like to think I can help in even a small way. What I received were tools, as well as a wide and large variety of seeds: herbs, vegetables, fruits.
It was more than I ever thought I could receive.
[ She pauses, and her smile becomes sheepish. ]
Truly, the rewarding part of this project is not that we have more resources... though, that is certainly part of it. What makes it truly worth it is the smiles of the men I have delivered food to. I had not realized that they would treat them as treasures of their own, and it is for that reason that I intend to open my garden up for anyone who wishes to receive what I have grown. If you wish to take me up on this offer, please find me on the southernmost cottage on the southernmost islet.
two.
[ This story finds her more somber, and she's quiet, staring down at her hands for some time. In the light of the fire, the scars around her eyes are harder to see, but they are there nonetheless. ]
Not long ago, I embarked upon a foolish quest. I explored a part of Ziziphus on my own, and it was a decision I regretted. I found only danger, and it was far from worth it. There are... creatures I found, quite large octopi who do not take kindly to being disrupted. They produce ink, which burns and blinds if you are unfortunate enough to receive a face full of it.
I warn you all, to do something you likely know already: Do not explore alone.
[ Here, she bows her head. ]
But even so, it was the kindness of another that helped me through this. I was blinded for the day and exhausted, unable to use my magic to heal myself, but Ignis took care of me, even as I was too frightened to do much of anything. I... am not entirely sure I can ever repay him for his help... but I am glad for it.
three.
The last is a story we likely know all well. Bliss--they took advantage of us. For me, I saw my parents, alive and whole and happy. We were all happy, and my home was flourishing and free of oppression and wrongdoing. Had I been able to stay there forever, with no consequences, I believe I would have. Yet... it was a lie, and a cruel one. I've no doubt you all feel the same, as you should.
[ Her expression is hard, as well as her voice. ]
I was glad to see them burn. They deserved it, for their foolishness.
[ But there's something about that thought that disturbs her. ]
ooooone
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