[MU] - NOVEMBER STORYTELLING

[lifeaftr_mods]

After the chaos of last month's Storytelling, it's probably nice to have a little routine involved. Compared to the bombast and terror of October, tonight is downright peaceable.

Maati still awaits. But for now, you can rest and relax and trade tales of your exploits.



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.

Comments

[piercetheheart]

[Waking up at the fire again is... so disorienting. At least last time Gladio had known what happened. He was dead, he'd followed Iris into the ocean...

Now he's just confused.

He's just going to sit on the ground in front of this log, staring at the fire uncertainly, looking around for his boyfriend. Did something happen? Did Enso get attacked while he was asleep?

What else is wrong with him!?

But no, a tentative hand to feel along the neat, twist of his Altissian braid assures him that the issues with his shoulders are even fixed. Hell, the braid is even still tight so-]

What the hell?

[savedbyasong]

Gladio? [Shion noticed Gladio looking confused. He hadn't known he was back, though he had tried to check in with Ignis every day. He had been worried. But disappearing was a thing that happened and all they could do was hope that they did return.

Here wasn't great but better hear than frozen somewhere in suspended animation. At least here there was life, growth. And here Gladio had Ignis. That was important.

Gladio is getting a hug.]

[piercetheheart]

[Gladio smiles, pleased to see Shion. The hug surprises him though and he makes a soft questioning sound. Not that it deters him from wrapping his arms around the younger man and squeezing him.

Maybe a little harder than necessary but dammit he can move again.]

[savedbyasong]

[Shion is slightly squished but he figures his ribs can take it.] Are you alright? [He wriggles out of the grip just enough that he can look Gladio up and down, assessing him for any injuries.]

[piercetheheart]

Far as I know? And the snag in my shoulders seems to be fine now, too.

[And since Shion is giving the space Gladio looks him over in return.]

What about you? What happened?

[savedbyasong]

You disappeared. [Gladio seems fine, no injuries. Shion hugs him again, a briefer hug this time. He's just glad he's back.]

Do you remember anything?

[It's very worrying, even more so in many ways than when they used to disappear to their dead worlds. At least then they had memories, had an accounting of time. Not... nothingness.]

[piercetheheart]

Just me? [That's a horrifying thought. One that has him sitting up straighter, looking around past Shion.]

Is Ignis...?

[What? Is he what? Okay? Alive? Still glowing? Did he leave him here in pain and alone? Is Ardyn with him? Too many questions, too much panic. ]

How long was I gone? [Sorry Shion, he'll get back to the whole remember things bit in a minute.]

[savedbyasong]

He's still here. He's missed you. [They all have but not as much as Ignis. Shion's hand comes up to touch Gladio's arm, stroking it soothingly. He understands the panic.]

You've been gone sixteen days. [Said without even having to count back. ] Everyone will be glad to see you, Leo's been pining.

[piercetheheart]

Sixteen days?

[Oh fuck that's awful. If there was any one person he trusted to keep count of exactly how long he'd been gone it was definitely Shion.]

Oh shit. Leo must be a mess. Between- [He stops, cuts himself off. No, best not to think about the dying thing.]

Anything major happen while I've been out?

[savedbyasong]

I imagine he won't leave your side for a while. [He shook his head. Though he's suspicious, he hears that between.]

No. It's been quite quiet actually. [In some ways these quiet months are worse, because he expects something awful to happen and so is on edge all the time. Waiting.]

[piercetheheart]

He didn't want to before... poor guy's probably so upset.

[He doesn't want to think about how upset Iggy is too.]

At least no one's... I dunno, gotten attacked or anything while I was out.

[Not that he'd have been much use, as he was, but it's still a relief, regardless.]

[savedbyasong]

No not that I'm aware. People have been exploring Maati but so far no ones found much. Or at least they haven't said if they have.

[Have another hug. Shion's missed him.]

[piercetheheart]

Maati? [He tilts his head, curious.] Do we have another island already? Is Nuidan still here?

[want_to_belong]

[Hello Gladio.

Did you know someone was on top of you?

Well. Now you do.]

[piercetheheart]

[Hopefully you don't need to breathe Prompto because he's just crushing you to his chest now.]

[want_to_belong]

[Hopefully Gladio could understand what he was choking out.]

I see you're feeling better.

[And crushing him.]

Where the heck have you been??

[piercetheheart]

[Deal with it Prom. He's never letting go.

Okay he can loosen his hold a little though.]

Hell if I know?! I didn't even know I'd been gone till Shion said something.

You okay?

[want_to_belong]

[He slowly slid down as Gladio loosened his grip on him.]

Right where I was left.

...We've been worried about you.

[piercetheheart]

I'm sorry, dude... I seriously have no idea what happened. I was camped out with Tory, and I just.... woke up here?! Had a weird dream but that's about it.

[want_to_belong]

I was scared something happened again. We couldn't find you anywhere.

[And right after last time they both disappeared, too. He didn't want to look overly dramatic though. He gave Gladio a revenge punch to the chest instead.]

Next time, you've gotta call.

[piercetheheart]

[That punch gets a dramatic groan, one hand coming up to cover the obvious wound.]

Right right, I'll be sure to call you next time someone decides I need a nap.

[He rolls his eyes a little, and there's a flash of mischief, the only warning Prompto gets before Gladio shifts abruptly, reaching to put the blond in a headlock.

So about this last month being noogie free....]

[want_to_belong]

You better.

[No excuses Gladio. Even if you're napping. But that was quickly followed by a squeal.]

H-Hey!

[He struggled to break free, but being taken off guard had put him at a serious disadvantage.]

[piercetheheart]

[It's not a long noogie, at least, just a brief scrub of knuckles before he relaxes into just hugging Prom again.]

'm sorry I worried you guys.

[want_to_belong]

's okay. I know you didn't mean to.

[Thank the gods for small mercies. He could relax and plot vengeance later.]

At least you're okay this time. Not sure I can take losing anyone again.

[piercetheheart]

Hey...

[Squashing you again Prom, deal with it.]

Not goin' anywhere.