aftr_stories | [MU] - JANUARY STORYTELLING / VOTING

In the solemn silence, it seems that the Storyteller has no commentary or insight to offer as to the latest developments. Perhaps they're concerned with the well-being of their fellow avatar, on Monsun. Perhaps they're absorbed in developing their security system further than it currently has.

Whatever the case, that does not mean that there is nothing to this Storytelling than the usual fare. Not so, this time.

Those of you who were with us for October's Storytelling may find this scene familiar - only, instead for four glistening pyres, it's only Three that rear out from the shadows, each glowing a different color. The strange material that domes them almost resembles worked steel, forming different patterns against their multicolored backdrops.

[ ♆ ] The first glows a deep crimson, kicking scarlet embers into the dream-night air. Its pit sphere portrays a crowd of people in silhouette, heads bowed in genuflection - paying homage to some looping, many-coiled shape in the sky above.

[ ♆ ] The second glows a deep orange. Its pit sphere is worked into the shape of a looming mountain, with what might be some sort of village or ruin sprawled at its base.

[ ♆ ] The third's flames are a rich green. Its designs are most abstract; the starburst patterns that swirl across the metallic composition of its fire pit sphere could be explosions, maybe...or something else entirely.

Beside each pyre is heaped a pile of sticks, colored to correspond to their respective flames. Hopefully it is clear that you must add your stick to whichever pyre you intend to vote for; though if you're confused, hopefully your fellow adventurers will be able to explain it to you.

This will, of course, decide your next island destination, and those abstracted renditions are all you have to go off of.

Once you have cast your votes, what happens next is purely routine.

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Shion had lost track of time a little whilst in the strange labyrinth and the trials within it but he knew it had been close enough to Story Telling for it to be no surprise that he found himself here. He was relieved to be back in his own body, what exactly that swap had said about how... physically here they were was something he would have to go over and think about when he was not at a campfire full of people.]

Doctor Ren

I don't really need to set up the scene, everyone knows that at the beginning of this month everything began to flood. I ended up in Denny with many of you and did my best to help. I had hit my head in the initial floor and Ren was concerned. I had set up a medical area in one of the corners and because Ren had been so caring and concerned I asked if she wanted to help me.

Even though she must have been frightened herself she was a very good student and a very able assistant so thank you Ren. [He finds her in the crowd and gives her a smile.]

Trial of the Mindful.

I guess that there was more than just our group that ended up in a strange labyrinth? [He had figured it was something to do with the marks on their hands and there were a few different ones. Also such things were usually widespread.] Our group ended up all in each others bodies... We didn't have their memories or personality but knowledge and skills seemed passed on. Each part of the labyrinth was a different task... Each seemed suited to one of us but the person in our body had to complete it. [It's a testimony to how long he's been away from his world that he is mostly making this sound reasonable and not complete nonsense.]

We completed each of the tasks and I guess we succeeded because here we are and we are back in our own bodies. Did other people have similar experiences?

General

[A few things become apparent during the course of the Story Telling. There are people he has not seen before, which is not that unusual but seems a few too many for just being those that did not find their way to Denny during the flooding. The islanders had been pretty good about trying to make sure the newcomers were not lost in the chaos. The second was a few stories seemed to talk about things he didn't know about, things he was pretty sure he should have noticed.

Around half way through the story telling he looked around for anyone he could quietly go up to. He doesn't interrupt the stories but during a pause he smiles, a little wearily.] It is December, right?

[He's been here long enough to know that he shouldn't assume that anything makes sense in the way he wants it to make sense.]

[There's an equally weary Gladio, shuffling over from his place beside Ignis to sit beside Shion. For as relieved as he is to see the younger man he doesn't actually reach out to him. Too many accusations, too much distrust. He simply sits close but not quite touching, hands firmly clasped to stop himself from inflicting unwanted affections.]

Nah... you've been out for... awhile. Was pretty sure you were a goner too.

Gladio! [Shion may not be the best at reading other people but even he can tell when something's wrong. When Gladio is closed off, not reaching out when usually greetings from Gladio come with bear hugs or at least hair ruffles. He sits awkwardly, not sure whether he should reach out regardless.

His words confirm Shion's fears, he had been gone. He had had no strange dream this time, just nothing for however long he had not been here.] Too? What did I miss?

Missed New Years... Got Iggy somethin from Tory. These glasses I got him they give him 6 hours where he can see went around visiting everyone while he had the chance. We'll have to make sure you're around next month when I get 'em recharged.

[Still cautiously not touching him, not letting himself get too close. It's so hard though.]

Monsun's back... all fucked up though. Taking the animals from Ziziphus over there has royally fucked everything. Trying to work out how to rebalance the island now. Been a little distracted with Ardyn and Ignis just... being fucking idiots y'know?

CT's gone.

[It's a lot to take in. Iggy had been able to see. Shion was sad he'd missed that. A time where Ignis could see that was not... Because he was being forced to see awful things.

The fact that they had somehow made everything worse with the one thing that they could say they had done good in their time on these islands did not surprise Shion at all. Nothing was ever fully good. There was always a twist, something awful to follow.

Gladio's final words pushed the rest out of Shion's mind and he forgot about being careful reaching out. He put his hands on Gladio's.] I'm sorry. She will be missed. [Disappearances are part of life, but they have never become easier. Especially when they don't know where people go. Shion doesn't believe they go home, not properly. He doesn't believe it would be that easy.]

[For as much as he keeps telling himself not to reach out, not to push for contact, the moment Shion's hands are on his his restraint shatters. Small hands settle over his and Gladio eases up the iron grip he's had on his own hands, one pulling away to slide around Shion and pull him in close.]

Thought I lost you too, kiddo.

[He knows Shion doesn't like it but he can't help himself this time, voice thick with emotion as he practically crushes the smaller man to him.]

I'm sorry... [He muffles into Gladio's side, hugging him tight. Kiddo still stings but he doesn't protest. Gladio doesn't mean to hurt him, he says it naturally like he really believes it. He sometimes reminds Shion of Reno so much it hurts. But some hurts are worth it and Shion hugs back as tight as he can. He hasn't missed anyone, you can't miss people when you don't exist but he is sad that he has worried them. That they had to wonder, not knowing if he would return.] I can't believe it was so long...

Hey... not your fault. Whims of the gods and all that shit.

[Another little squeeze and then Gladio lets his grip on Shion lessen a little, just leaning into him instead of actively squishing him.]

Cobweb's been hanging out with us... couldn't find the little ones, though...

[Whims of the gods, whims of those with power over others. Shion was resigned to the fact that he had no control, in many things but especially this. He had no power over whether he came or went.]

Thank you... [He said it and the rest of Gladio's words hit him hard. The little ones, Excalibur and Thelassa...

And he's known. He's known since he had figured out he'd missed time. Because there was no way if Aster was at this campfire he would not have had his sister flying at him. He hasn't seen her, she has not spoken. She's not there.

It felt like a stone in his chest, worry. Aster had never went to her dead world. She had been... lucky to have never disappeared from the tower. But it seemed her luck had ran out.]

I'll look for them when we wake up, they must have got hungry. [That was worrying though, very worrying. They wouldn't go far... But he refuses to think about what their absence might mean.] How long has she been gone for?

[He’s only met Aster briefly, once, when the chicks hatched but he knows what she means to Shion. It only confirms what he worried about, glancing away, a little ashamed about how long it had taken him to notice.]

I don’t know for sure. I mean, like I said Monsun’s back. We’ve been over there with Ardyn for the most part. Trying to find a decent place to stay.

Couple weeks maybe?

[He nodded, it was very easy to lose track of people here, especially when there were other islands as well as Enso.]

Hopefully she will be back soon... And hopefully Excalibur and Thelassa are alright. I'm sure Cobweb is worried, I hope he hasn't been too much trouble.

[Talking about the animals is much easier than vocalising his fear and his worry about Aster. He has no idea where she is or if she will return and nothing he can do can change that, it's a terrifying thing.]

[MU] - JANUARY STORYTELLING / VOTING

Shion OTA

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