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saturations) wrote2022-03-07 11:26 am
saturations) wrote2022-03-07 11:26 am
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[It's quiet.
It's eerily silent, and dark. You feel a little like you're floating, not entirely connected to reality as you as you find yourself walking through a stone archway. Your bare feet feel the cool marble beneath you and shadows begin to peel back to reveal the tall structure before you.
It stretches far, stone blocks stacked in a pyramid sort of formation sticking out just enough that you can pull yourself up to climb. Above you, a starless sky appears with a crescent moon shining down. Below you, an endless abyss...is there a bottom to this pit? It's hard to say.
The door which you came through soon swings shut, hinges creaking loudly against the silence. At the top of the tower, you barely see a single platform with a door.
Look down. You seem to be underdressed for the occasion, don't you? Your pajamas are a bit silly to be wearing right now, but hopefully you're comfortable. You'll also find that you aren't alone...
A leopard, a falcon, a feline, and a draconian being stand together, huddled at the bottom of the tower. You feel that perhaps they're familiar to you, but it's hard to say when everyone appears to be a bipedal animal...including yourself. After all, you are one of the four of them. Do they know who you are? Does that matter to you?
Perhaps not. It seems the only way to go is up...
...will you climb?]
It's eerily silent, and dark. You feel a little like you're floating, not entirely connected to reality as you as you find yourself walking through a stone archway. Your bare feet feel the cool marble beneath you and shadows begin to peel back to reveal the tall structure before you.
It stretches far, stone blocks stacked in a pyramid sort of formation sticking out just enough that you can pull yourself up to climb. Above you, a starless sky appears with a crescent moon shining down. Below you, an endless abyss...is there a bottom to this pit? It's hard to say.
The door which you came through soon swings shut, hinges creaking loudly against the silence. At the top of the tower, you barely see a single platform with a door.
Look down. You seem to be underdressed for the occasion, don't you? Your pajamas are a bit silly to be wearing right now, but hopefully you're comfortable. You'll also find that you aren't alone...
A leopard, a falcon, a feline, and a draconian being stand together, huddled at the bottom of the tower. You feel that perhaps they're familiar to you, but it's hard to say when everyone appears to be a bipedal animal...including yourself. After all, you are one of the four of them. Do they know who you are? Does that matter to you?
Perhaps not. It seems the only way to go is up...
...will you climb?]
Edited 2022-03-08 01:02 (UTC)
[ Ty said tail for the leopard, so I'm running with it.
It is alarming to find yourself somewhere you never meant or expected to be. It is alarming to be wearing your pajamas somewhere foreign and without shoes. It is alarming to suddenly have a tail.
Roxana is cautious. She sees the others as animals, and she thinks, this might as well happen. With all the mentions of dreams with animals and all the random animals showing up, this isn't the strangest thing that could occur.
She looks from them, to the tower. ]
Are you here to help or hinder?
It is alarming to find yourself somewhere you never meant or expected to be. It is alarming to be wearing your pajamas somewhere foreign and without shoes. It is alarming to suddenly have a tail.
Roxana is cautious. She sees the others as animals, and she thinks, this might as well happen. With all the mentions of dreams with animals and all the random animals showing up, this isn't the strangest thing that could occur.
She looks from them, to the tower. ]
Are you here to help or hinder?
[Phew! Kashuu's automatically on guard because of course he is, after Yasusada vanished for an entire gotdam day and then got spat back out like a cake-covered mess. What he wears to bed doesn't offer a lot of protection - especially without the scarf and zori - even if the cover is decent, and he tucks his arms into his sleeves. ty also said cat ears so i'm running with those, nice.
Anyway he's also kind of cautious as he peers at this... weird fckin collection of animals here HELLO, and then looks up and up toward the tower. But then the leopard speaks, and Kashuu's blinking--]
—Eh? Roxana? S'that you? [Wait a second--] —What the hell happened?!
[To her specifically and not to him who is a completely normal human-shaped creature with cat ears at the moment, obviously.]
Anyway he's also kind of cautious as he peers at this... weird fckin collection of animals here HELLO, and then looks up and up toward the tower. But then the leopard speaks, and Kashuu's blinking--]
—Eh? Roxana? S'that you? [Wait a second--] —What the hell happened?!
[To her specifically and not to him who is a completely normal human-shaped creature with cat ears at the moment, obviously.]
What are you two doing?
[ Malik recognizes both of their voices, but doesn't recognize either of them. Hello? What is going on? He's apprehensive, not really sure what to make of whatever the fuck is going on here, but he knows that he's a little cold, and looks down to see his jammies. (i do not want to hear judgement about my sinful ships or we'll be here for 200 years while i try to find an image).
He sighs. Except! That's nothing compared to seeing that his hands are no longer quite human, curling into scaled digits with dark talons at the end. Are there feathers on his arms too? Probably. His sigh turns into an agitated groan HE HATES THIS ALREADY. ]
[ Malik recognizes both of their voices, but doesn't recognize either of them. Hello? What is going on? He's apprehensive, not really sure what to make of whatever the fuck is going on here, but he knows that he's a little cold, and looks down to see his jammies. (i do not want to hear judgement about my sinful ships or we'll be here for 200 years while i try to find an image).
He sighs. Except! That's nothing compared to seeing that his hands are no longer quite human, curling into scaled digits with dark talons at the end. Are there feathers on his arms too? Probably. His sigh turns into an agitated groan HE HATES THIS ALREADY. ]
[ So like, Estinien tends to just kind of tackle things head on, right. So when the archway appeared, he was like 'fine' and walked into it.
This was not what he signed up for.
His head feels heavy with the double pair of horns that stick out from it and he can only frown. What in the name of the Fury... He looks around himself and the other three, um, beastmen around him, except said beastmen have the voices of familiar people. The feline pretty much affirms for him that it isn't just his imagination.
Just a dragon in pajamas (except in black), it's fine...? Except he instinctively reaches for the lance that should always be slung over his back, only to find thin air. He didn't notice it immediately, distracted by the other new addition he got, but immediately scowls instead, a low growl in his throat. ]
For Fury's sake -- [ As he reaches up to touch what's on his head. What is this. It doesn't seem to be something that'll come off. ]
This was not what he signed up for.
His head feels heavy with the double pair of horns that stick out from it and he can only frown. What in the name of the Fury... He looks around himself and the other three, um, beastmen around him, except said beastmen have the voices of familiar people. The feline pretty much affirms for him that it isn't just his imagination.
Just a dragon in pajamas (except in black), it's fine...? Except he instinctively reaches for the lance that should always be slung over his back, only to find thin air. He didn't notice it immediately, distracted by the other new addition he got, but immediately scowls instead, a low growl in his throat. ]
For Fury's sake -- [ As he reaches up to touch what's on his head. What is this. It doesn't seem to be something that'll come off. ]
[Truly read that as "for furry's sake" and was about to agree. Anyway, so here they are. The four of them are gathered in a small cluster, stone blocks above and below them and the door out of reach from where they stand. The air here is a little chilly, and as the moon hangs above them the wind blows away a few hazy, dark grey clouds.
They can stand there and continue questioning their furry lives, but they may not want to waste too much time. The addition of Estinien's weight is enough for the blocks beneath them to begin trembling, a low-level earthquake that shivers and shakes beneath their feet. Below, a few steps down, the steps begin to crumble and marble and stone tumble far into the dark.]
"What're you waiting for? Start climbing!"
[It's hard to identify this voice as it echoes in the dark above their heads, but the tone is insistent. Will they listen? Or will they try something else?]
They can stand there and continue questioning their furry lives, but they may not want to waste too much time. The addition of Estinien's weight is enough for the blocks beneath them to begin trembling, a low-level earthquake that shivers and shakes beneath their feet. Below, a few steps down, the steps begin to crumble and marble and stone tumble far into the dark.]
"What're you waiting for? Start climbing!"
[It's hard to identify this voice as it echoes in the dark above their heads, but the tone is insistent. Will they listen? Or will they try something else?]
[ Oh, this is hateful. Roxana thinks this is hateful. ]
If only I knew what's going to happen. What do you all see me as?
[ But then the blocks begin to tremble and the steps crumble, so she runs onto and up the steps but it's not a mad dash up, just a few steps up.
She recognizes all their voices. ]
It looks like we're being spurred to go up.
[ She is too cautious to be the first who meets whatever's up there.
And also, I, Ara, think it'd be neat to find out what happens if we all fall even if I don't know if I can ICly swing it. ]
If only I knew what's going to happen. What do you all see me as?
[ But then the blocks begin to tremble and the steps crumble, so she runs onto and up the steps but it's not a mad dash up, just a few steps up.
She recognizes all their voices. ]
It looks like we're being spurred to go up.
[ She is too cautious to be the first who meets whatever's up there.
And also, I, Ara, think it'd be neat to find out what happens if we all fall even if I don't know if I can ICly swing it. ]
A leopard...?
[He only knows this because he recognizes leopard print.
BUT ANYWAY!! Yeah, he also recognizes all of these voices! What the fck is happening!! He looks down at himself as if to double-check that he is still human shaped, but his worries about furrification will have to wait for now.]
--Ugh, god. I guess we're doing this. Thanks.
[He just says this flatly in a "thanks I hate it" way, possibly to the disembodied voice. But!! He's also not afraid to take the lead even though he is to them just a little scrappy black kitty, so he'll make his way over and start climbing past Roxana. TIME TO CLIMB... He'll also keep an eye on the rest of this squad, though. Or like. Two of them. He's pretty sure Estinien can handle himself.]
[He only knows this because he recognizes leopard print.
BUT ANYWAY!! Yeah, he also recognizes all of these voices! What the fck is happening!! He looks down at himself as if to double-check that he is still human shaped, but his worries about furrification will have to wait for now.]
--Ugh, god. I guess we're doing this. Thanks.
[He just says this flatly in a "thanks I hate it" way, possibly to the disembodied voice. But!! He's also not afraid to take the lead even though he is to them just a little scrappy black kitty, so he'll make his way over and start climbing past Roxana. TIME TO CLIMB... He'll also keep an eye on the rest of this squad, though. Or like. Two of them. He's pretty sure Estinien can handle himself.]
I don't think we have another choice?!
[ Like, sorry, he doesn't want to fall to his death even if falling off of a pyramid and dying would be hilariously ironic. He figures the rest of them can handle themselves and doesn't need to say more on the matter, so up up up he goes, as fast as his bird hands can go. ]
[ Like, sorry, he doesn't want to fall to his death even if falling off of a pyramid and dying would be hilariously ironic. He figures the rest of them can handle themselves and doesn't need to say more on the matter, so up up up he goes, as fast as his bird hands can go. ]
Hmph. While death is a risk at any time with what I do, I don't plan for it to be stupidly.
[ So Estinien will make his way up too, thanks. He'll take the back of the group I guess? Since this tower is being racist and saying his 6'7" ass doesn't get rights due to being a heavy big boi :(.
Anyway, go go go. Up we go, until they see something new. ]
[ So Estinien will make his way up too, thanks. He'll take the back of the group I guess? Since this tower is being racist and saying his 6'7" ass doesn't get rights due to being a heavy big boi :(.
Anyway, go go go. Up we go, until they see something new. ]
[Very funny for all of them involved. The disembodied voice seems quiet, seeing how none of them chose to speak to it, but they can climb. As they ascend a few levels, they'll start to find that the blocks are growing a little taller, just enough that they really have to stretch to reach their arms over and keep climbing. Below them, each ending line of blocks begins to crumble and fall straight into the darkness.
Surprisingly, this is otherwise fairly leisurely if you don't consider the occasional shake of the structure as they climb and having to get used to their animal features. All of the blocks are solid for the most part, and they seem to be lined up like a staircase.
The higher they climb, the more obvious there appears to be a large door similar to the one they came through. However, as they go, they'll find it's harder to stay together. They'll have to move in a line, side by side, and about three-forths of the way up this tower they'll find their first problem.
There is a stack of three blocks in their path, higher than even Estinien can reach.]
Surprisingly, this is otherwise fairly leisurely if you don't consider the occasional shake of the structure as they climb and having to get used to their animal features. All of the blocks are solid for the most part, and they seem to be lined up like a staircase.
The higher they climb, the more obvious there appears to be a large door similar to the one they came through. However, as they go, they'll find it's harder to stay together. They'll have to move in a line, side by side, and about three-forths of the way up this tower they'll find their first problem.
There is a stack of three blocks in their path, higher than even Estinien can reach.]
[ This continues to be hateful.
She is ignoring the balance issues her tail is giving her and keeping on running. When they reach the obstacle, she stares it and then looks at the tallest.
She can be polite for now. ]
Estinien, could you give me a boost?
[ She makes a gesture with her hands where you put them together and someone puts a foot in the two hands and you basically throw them up
but it probably looks very strange from a bipedal leopard. It's fine. ]
She is ignoring the balance issues her tail is giving her and keeping on running. When they reach the obstacle, she stares it and then looks at the tallest.
She can be polite for now. ]
Estinien, could you give me a boost?
[ She makes a gesture with her hands where you put them together and someone puts a foot in the two hands and you basically throw them up
but it probably looks very strange from a bipedal leopard. It's fine. ]
[At least nothing horrible is happening yet... seemingly... It's easier to use his one tiny braincell when he's not having to think in a dangerous situation on the fly.
That said, he's definitely staring up and up at this block stack. WHO'S EVEN IN LINE FIRST, CAN THEY CLIMB ON ESTINIEN IF THEY'RE MOVING IN A LINE SIDE-BY-SIDE.]
How're we gonna get this guy up there with us if we climb up him first...
[He has a pretty okay strength stat but without his cheating sword powers, he is still just a 5'5" guy. Also a cat.
Well, if Estinien agrees and they have to rearrange themselves to accommodate him getting to Roxana, Kashuu will do his best to like. Climb/step over them/flatten himself to a wall or something. Help.]
That said, he's definitely staring up and up at this block stack. WHO'S EVEN IN LINE FIRST, CAN THEY CLIMB ON ESTINIEN IF THEY'RE MOVING IN A LINE SIDE-BY-SIDE.]
How're we gonna get this guy up there with us if we climb up him first...
[He has a pretty okay strength stat but without his cheating sword powers, he is still just a 5'5" guy. Also a cat.
Well, if Estinien agrees and they have to rearrange themselves to accommodate him getting to Roxana, Kashuu will do his best to like. Climb/step over them/flatten himself to a wall or something. Help.]
Is there another way around?
[ Looking around-- please, anything? even if they have to run to the side instead of climb. Malik isn't sure he wants to wait to take turn, either. What if they aren't tall enough and they're just waiting for their inevitable doom?
He can't help but look down when he thinks about that. Eesh. ]
[ Looking around-- please, anything? even if they have to run to the side instead of climb. Malik isn't sure he wants to wait to take turn, either. What if they aren't tall enough and they're just waiting for their inevitable doom?
He can't help but look down when he thinks about that. Eesh. ]
[ Sorry voice for leaving you on read :(.
Estinien truly wishes things weren't so weird. See, the thing is, beastmen exist in FFXIV so he's used somewhat to dealing with them. Dragons that speak like men also exist! It's just weird since he understands these people in front of him as, you know, people.
He just tries not to think about it. Here he is, keeping up with the group, focused on the immediate task. This man is like a goddamn mountain goat, he's used to climbing up on really unnecessarily high ledges and weird cliffs, so he seems to be having an alright time. He really just wishes he had his godsdamned jump.
Here, let's just... very precariously shuffle a bit... you know what, it's a good thing they got nerfed and he's not with his armour, because then this would've been basically impossible. ]
Aye.
[ Answered gruffly, but here -- he'll put his hands together for Roxane to use as a step. A boost and a toss? That's fine. Kashuu and Malik can also get in on this if they want.
Hey! Maybe you can leave him behind and we'll find out what happens if you fall off after all! Wink wink nudge nudge. ]
Estinien truly wishes things weren't so weird. See, the thing is, beastmen exist in FFXIV so he's used somewhat to dealing with them. Dragons that speak like men also exist! It's just weird since he understands these people in front of him as, you know, people.
He just tries not to think about it. Here he is, keeping up with the group, focused on the immediate task. This man is like a goddamn mountain goat, he's used to climbing up on really unnecessarily high ledges and weird cliffs, so he seems to be having an alright time. He really just wishes he had his godsdamned jump.
Here, let's just... very precariously shuffle a bit... you know what, it's a good thing they got nerfed and he's not with his armour, because then this would've been basically impossible. ]
Aye.
[ Answered gruffly, but here -- he'll put his hands together for Roxane to use as a step. A boost and a toss? That's fine. Kashuu and Malik can also get in on this if they want.
Hey! Maybe you can leave him behind and we'll find out what happens if you fall off after all! Wink wink nudge nudge. ]
[Up they go! Estinien is so very, very kind to be a stepladder for the talls and the grande, and now...they are all extremely crowded on one single block. Good job everyone, well done. While the three of them are cramped together, and Estinien's down on the bottom, they will soon hear the disembodied voice again.]
"Try pulling the bottom out!"
[This is very vague advice, perhaps, but the ground shakes beneath them. The three on top may find themselves wobbling, but not quite enough to topple off just yet. There are a few more levels above of them that they can't quite reach without stretching, but would they really just leave Estinien behind? It's also difficult to climb when there isn't enough room for all three of them at the same time.
Above them, a faint bell begins to ring, slowly and echoing.
Below them, the blocks beneath them crumble just a little quicker as they stay still.
Your next move?]
"Try pulling the bottom out!"
[This is very vague advice, perhaps, but the ground shakes beneath them. The three on top may find themselves wobbling, but not quite enough to topple off just yet. There are a few more levels above of them that they can't quite reach without stretching, but would they really just leave Estinien behind? It's also difficult to climb when there isn't enough room for all three of them at the same time.
Above them, a faint bell begins to ring, slowly and echoing.
Below them, the blocks beneath them crumble just a little quicker as they stay still.
Your next move?]
[ The bottom? Throws Kashuu down onto the ground.
Anyway, Roxana has no idea what that's supposed to mean, and she looks around at the edges of the block they're on and the blocks in front of them that they have to climb? Is there anything to pull out?
Are these smooth surface blocks? HELP that's me, Ara, not Roxana. Roxana is much more level-headed.
She is ignoring the bell. ]
I don't know if we're supposed to listen, but... we need a solution.
Anyway, Roxana has no idea what that's supposed to mean, and she looks around at the edges of the block they're on and the blocks in front of them that they have to climb? Is there anything to pull out?
Are these smooth surface blocks? HELP that's me, Ara, not Roxana. Roxana is much more level-headed.
She is ignoring the bell. ]
I don't know if we're supposed to listen, but... we need a solution.
What the hell is that...
[He is also mostly ignoring the bell but he has to comment on it, if only because mumbles about spirits and bells.
ANYWAY!! He's not leaving his sparring buddy down there, at least, and since there's not enough room for the three of them up here he's just leaning over and making a shooing motion.]
Be careful, you two! Move, move, I'm coming back down for now - it's too crowded up here. Try to find something to move, I guess...? The bottom of what...
[LEAPS DOWN. Unfortunately he has a high agility stat so he probably won't misstep and stumble off the side.]
[He is also mostly ignoring the bell but he has to comment on it, if only because mumbles about spirits and bells.
ANYWAY!! He's not leaving his sparring buddy down there, at least, and since there's not enough room for the three of them up here he's just leaning over and making a shooing motion.]
Be careful, you two! Move, move, I'm coming back down for now - it's too crowded up here. Try to find something to move, I guess...? The bottom of what...
[LEAPS DOWN. Unfortunately he has a high agility stat so he probably won't misstep and stumble off the side.]
[ Malik's stats are abysmal so he's just kind of screwed, standing there and hoping for the best.
he looks at Roxana. ] I could try lifting you up?
[ How heavy are girls, anyway? Let's ignore the fact that Malik's arms would probably break off - they have to do something since Kashuu is right. There isn't enough room for the three of them, so what are they going to do if Estinien manages to get up here? ]
he looks at Roxana. ] I could try lifting you up?
[ How heavy are girls, anyway? Let's ignore the fact that Malik's arms would probably break off - they have to do something since Kashuu is right. There isn't enough room for the three of them, so what are they going to do if Estinien manages to get up here? ]
The... bottom?
[ What the hell does that mean? The only thing he can really perceive as a 'bottom' of anything is...
... the blocks...?
You have made the actual worst decision of putting Estinien into a puzzle game, by Halone. But uh, after shuffling a bit so Kashuu can also fit on this square with him, he...
Awkwardly puts both his hands on the bottom cube in front of him? Just holding it uncertainly and waiting to see if he's told he's right, here. ]
[ What the hell does that mean? The only thing he can really perceive as a 'bottom' of anything is...
... the blocks...?
You have made the actual worst decision of putting Estinien into a puzzle game, by Halone. But uh, after shuffling a bit so Kashuu can also fit on this square with him, he...
Awkwardly puts both his hands on the bottom cube in front of him? Just holding it uncertainly and waiting to see if he's told he's right, here. ]
[The bell continues to ring, louder now and almost like a warning. The blocks underneath them begin cracking and shaking, falling away a little faster now. The blocks are smooth but there's enough to get a grip on them as needed. Think like stone column kind of material with marbled centers.
Kashuu jumps down and now they are split in half. Malik and Roxana are on this tower, the next block just out of reach by about the width of another block. The disembodied voice prompts them again, this time sounding a little impatient.]
"You can pull the blocks to create a new staircase. They'll stick together as long as the edges are connected. Quit wasting time!"
[Estinien, with his hands on the block, will feel it give a little. It seems they can push or pull the blocks as they need.
They should hurry though. The top of the abyss is fast-approaching.]
Kashuu jumps down and now they are split in half. Malik and Roxana are on this tower, the next block just out of reach by about the width of another block. The disembodied voice prompts them again, this time sounding a little impatient.]
"You can pull the blocks to create a new staircase. They'll stick together as long as the edges are connected. Quit wasting time!"
[Estinien, with his hands on the block, will feel it give a little. It seems they can push or pull the blocks as they need.
They should hurry though. The top of the abyss is fast-approaching.]
[ she looks at these blocks and back down again. ]
We have to coordinate this.
[ She jumps down since she thinks the block needs to be moved. ]
We need to push this block over.
We have to coordinate this.
[ She jumps down since she thinks the block needs to be moved. ]
We need to push this block over.
[i hate that kashuu will be the first one to address this voice directly but he's gonna]
Just give us a sec, geez!
[But!! Time to move block. He'll help Estinien if some extra arm power is needed, but he'll wait until Malik jumps back down unless he feels like hangin out up there as they shove blocks around.]
Just give us a sec, geez!
[But!! Time to move block. He'll help Estinien if some extra arm power is needed, but he'll wait until Malik jumps back down unless he feels like hangin out up there as they shove blocks around.]
[ Well, there it goes. So Estinien will try pulling this block out then! He has good arm strength but our peanut can help out if he desires. ]
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