[OPEN LOG] Welcome to Cape Beryl!

[theharvestmods]

Who: Everyone!
When: Spring 2nd - all day.
Where: All across Cape Beryl.
What: You've splashed down into the Harvest Goddess's sacred pond, pulled yourself out - or perhaps been pulled out by an out-of-breath and soaking stranger, shaken off the worst of the shock of the cold and the unexpected trip underwater, and likely by now noticed that the little silver piece of jewelry that put you through this seems to have found its way around your neck.

Now you ought to get your bearings. Leave Goddess Grotto whenever you're ready, take the path out along a beach and up the cliffs to a village - see where you are, maybe if you can get directions. No matter what, you're going to realize that you're somewhere new - but maybe some of the Bower Village townspeople will be willing to help you get sorted out. If nothing else, maybe you'll be drawn into talking to anyone else you might catch sight of wandering the village, disoriented, soaked to the skin, and with a silver heart-shaped pendant around their neck. Depending on how you see it, you're not all alone - not any more than everyone else, anyway.

Headers for open interactions in example locations will be posted - but by all means, start threads wherever and with whoever you like!

Rating: Expected K-PG - subject to change as appropriate.



It's a cool, early spring day - the air and the breeze may not agree with anyone with wet clothes. But apart from that, the atmosphere is pleasant and peaceful; distant chirps of birds can be heard from the mouth of Goddess Grotto to Mt. Throne. The trees and grasses are pale green and flowers are budding in the meadows - not to mention the garden at Florist Lilia and de Sainte-Coquille Park.

And the town at the top of the cliffs is somewhat drowsily at peace. It's far from deserted - stabled behind a house on the town's east side is a healthy-looking mule, and a pair of chickens and a goat hang around in a pen behind an inn, the town's brightly-dressed mailwoman is out and about, as is the town watchman, who will likely be ready to approach anyone with an unfamiliar face before they can approach him, if he happens to catch them on his rounds. However, although anyone may freely knock on any of the doors in Bower Village and expect a polite "come in", no one is prepared for company, and whoever is inside might jump at finding themselves talking to a clearly displaced stranger!

Comments

GODDESS GROTTO

[theharvestmods]

Kanji [Open!]

[topgun_textiles]

He was a strong swimmer, but he didn't anticipate a force that sucked him down and brought him in like the one that got him back there. After going so long without air, he was glad to remain on the shore on his hands and knees, gulping in air like it was going out of style. Hair that was slicked back his hung over his face, dripping like the rest of him, and with a growl in his throat he realized he seriously hated the feeling of wet clothing against his skin.

The 'blond' hadn't yet noticed any others, that sound of his heart pounding in his ears beginning to subside as he shook the water from his hair, clenched his teeth and forced himself to his feet. At six feet in height and soaked to the skin, he was a very grumpy, rather intimidating-looking individual.

Or perhaps that didn't bother the person approaching more than nearly drowning did...

[flowersinherhair]

Seventy feet of hair wasn't exactly light as a feather on its own. Douse it in water and it made for a difficult time. Rapunzel still hadn't drawn it all out of the water when the young man broke through the surface. Normally, her sudden courageous streak would've allowed her to talk to him without much problem. However, she was stuck in a strange place without anyone familiar around and right now she was starting to believe everything her mother had told her.

Her instincts kicked in and she bolted for the nearest tree, flinging her hair over a branch like a makeshift rope. She pulled herself up, desperate to put some sort of distance between her and the stranger. She did not, however, take into account the long trail of hair leading up to her hiding place.

[lasttrumpcard]

In any other situation, Ace himself would question about Kanji's appearance, especially how he wore his clothing. To be quite honest, they were rather similar to his own world's, minus the obvious cape and/or mantle on their shoulder. Still, he was quite as drenched as hell as well, albeit his expression still stayed stern and rather-mature like always.

One moment, and Ace might have already came in contact with Kanji since as a soldier, he still had his constitution, although it was not exactly the best. The usually cold stare on his eyes was not reflecting, instead it was an inquisitive stare at best as he stared at Kanji, and their current situation.

"Are you alright?"

He didn't really know this guy, but it was clear that Kanji was actually troubled. And it was more than enough reason for him to lend a hand.

[notsocool]

Zed was a strong swimmer, but fighting the strange, supernatural current in armor had left him more tired than he could remember feeling in a long time.

And he'd still set to searching the Grotto in a mad frenzy upon realizing that his sword was missing. So the sopping wet demon was standing in the shallows of the lake when Kanji came surging out of it - with a yelp of fright, he staggered back, groping for a weapon that wasn't there any more.

In desperation, he broke a branch off a nearby tree for a makeshift sword, managing it just as Kanji stood up.

"I see I have been followed!"

Memo to Self: Learn how to swim

[detective_shirogane]

Naoto, on the other hand, didn't know how to swim. And she had came to realise rather quickly that this was indeed a rather large oversight in her list of skills.

The force in which she was dragged into the water, and pulled along with the current frightened her-- even when she fell into the pool finally, her arms and legs flailed, breaching the surface for a desperate gasp of air and a gargled "H-help!" before falling below the water again.

Oh god, if she died like this, she'd die of embarrassment first-- better to be killed in the line of duty then drown like a rat in a pond...!

Ace ♤ Open

[lasttrumpcard]

To say that Ace is not taken aback by the situation was the wrongest statement to make over here. Screw that, he was actually pretty shocked. He had waken up for a bit, and after that, he already tried what would usually be his main asset to survive.

And sadly, nothing worked much for him. He tried throwing his cards against the wall, but they didn't even stab the rocky surface, let alone destroying them like how it should be. He tried using his formation of cards for Giga Burst and healing both, and nothing came out. Furthermore, he tried casting healing magics on himself, yet everything was still fruitless.

The only thing he could do over here was to step out of the grotto, though Ace did notice that he was wearing some sort of necklace. Was this something that his savior, or kidnapper, gave to him to shove Ace the weirdness of the situation he was in? If it was the former, he would thank whoever did so. If it was the latter? He would give him/her the ultimate payment later on, for real.

Letting out a small groan that screamed his frustration, the young blond calmly stepped out of the place, letting the most peaceful of the atmosphere surrounded him. It was definitely the nicest change of pace to his almost-in-war-everyday one, indeed. But that didn't mean he would stop here for his personal preference.

After all, he got his duty to fulfill. He got his responsibility.

[kamikaze_kaito]

As soon as the boy stepped out of the grotto there was a flash of pink light from the water behind him. Unseen deep below the surface a certain magical thief had just transformed back into her normal self. The magic of her world apparently was not as compatible here so when she crossed from one plain to the next the magic faded in dramatic fashion.

Barely a heartbeat later the surface of the water exploded as a brown haired girl surged out of the spring and grabbed at the rocks surrounding it. Her sudden gasp of air was easily loud enough to be heard. She choked and spluttered as she held on to the edge of the pool just trying to collect her breath and figure out what had just happened.

She had just been in an amusement park, what was this place?

Joan of Arc [Open]

[saintofstoic]

Joan had struggled onto shore and then promptly collapsed there, soaked to the bone and wearier than she had ever been. Her armor did nothing more than weigh her done once she had plunged into the water from seemingly nowhere and despite swimming lessons, she had struggled.

So she laid there on the bank, panting against the grass several long moments. When her breath did eventually begin to quiet, it wouldn't be that strange for someone to take her as having completely passed out.

Until she began to struggle up with palms pressed against the ground, the metal circlet around her head a little lopsided.

[healium]

Jane had just about reached to poke the girl who just dragged herself to shore when she started moving. Having just hauled herself out as well and was still drenched to the bone, this time she wasn't about to just stand -- or rather sit -- by when the other girl is buried in armor.

Reaching and gently moving to help her up, Jane tried to drag a smile to her face, ignoring that weird feeling with her hair soaked and plastered to her forehead and her hood clinging to the back of her neck. Ughghhh weird feeling!

"Hey, are you alright? Need a hand?"

open

[healium]

Hauling herself out of the water with a coughing wheeze, Jane struggled for a moment with her hood stuck to her face. Thank god there aren't any pieces that hang over her nose and mouth, who knows how she would have made it otherwise, but these god tier clothes are sticking in all sorts of uncomfortable ways. Are they even washable? Who even thinks about these magic pajamas as being washable?

Flopping on her side and finally flipping her drenched hood back, Jane coughed a bit and worked on getting her breath under control. While outright drowning hadn't been something she was expecting, she only just died less than five minutes ago from giant explosions. Death needs to wait it's damn turn, she needs to do more than oogle Jake's ridiculously sculpted legs before she dies again!!

With that thought in mind, Jane smacks herself tiredly in the face.

"Why do my thoughts always go back to that dumb oaf.. ughhh!!"

[whiteserenade]

It wasn't everyday that she experienced such a change; from lacrosse field into a lake. Not exactly the worst thing indeed, but that didn't mean that it was a good thing. In fact, she was never the best at sports, only certain numbers of sport. And sadly, swimming was never her best department.

Fortunately for Deuce, though, she was able to escape the downright drowning. It was cold and uncomfortable, okay! Not to mention that her uniform was anything but dry, soaking to the fullest. She would try to dry herself before anything else, if not for the fact that she noticed another... person.

She was a bit hesitant at first, but after a moment, she decided to approach Jane. Just because she seemed like she needed a quick help.

...Well, she actually needed one herself, but she would save it for later.

"Are you alright, miss?"

Bonus point since Jane seemed like she was in the same situation as Deuce herself.

[vintage_magic]

Resurfacing in the spring, Lily coughed and blinked the water out of her eyes, relieved that whatever had been dragging her down had stopped. But why was she still not floating as much as she normally did? The witch didn’t have to struggle to keep her head above water but her body no longer acted like a cork. And more importantly, what in tarnation just happened? As far as she knew, there weren’t any underground streams or waterfalls in the Presidio. So where was she?

She caught a glimpse of a statue, a woman she couldn’t identify. She was in some kind of grotto? But something else wasn’t right. Sunlight was streaming in through the grotto entrance when it should have been the witching hour. Had the water spirits pulled her into their realm or… Lily bit her lip. She hadn’t sensed malevolence from whatever pulled her down but could she have actually drowned and moved on to the next dimension? Was this some strange afterlife?

Get a grip, Lily. At least, try to figure out where the heck you are before declaring yourself dead!

But there was one problem with that plan. She still couldn’t swim and was in the middle of the spring, all dry ground well out of arm’s reach. She thought she heard a voice as she flailed uselessly, her soaked white dress ironically making her resemble the very demon that had tried to drown her a couple of months earlier. With a Texas-accented voice, she called out, “Hello? Is anyone here? Help!”

BOWER VILLAGE

[theharvestmods]

Zed [Open!]

[notsocool]

[So, armor is not terribly convenient for landing in lakes.

And a strange necklace is a pitiful trade to make for his sword.

It's a shivering demon that walks into town, obviously frowning, obviously suspicious, and occasionally tugging irritably at the chain on his neck. It never breaks.

The last time he was on his own in a human settlement, it was shortly before it was destroyed. Zed is fairly certain that Alzahad is dead...but, you never knew, with him. Some mysterious power brought him here - he certainly doesn't remember falling into a lake, and this obviously isn't anywhere in Filgaia he's ever been with Rudy and the others. It's far too nice.

So Zed sets to work exploring. He tries to be surreptitious about it - peering quickly into any open windows he comes across, watching any people he comes across from a hopefully safe distance, and occasionally leaping up onto the rooftops of any of the taller buildings just to try and get a better look at the area.

Nothing helps. Nothing makes this place look any more familiar to him. And he feels on edge and helpless without Doom Bringer - it's a good thing Alzahad is dead, because he'd kill Zed for losing it in a lake.]

I hope they are not stupid enough to think I am helpless without it.

[He catches himself wishing for a change of clothes.]

[lasttrumpcard]

[Luckily, Zed is not the sole victim of that situation. Heeeeeere's Ace, who is actually pretty frustrated with his fighting abilities and magic gone to the lowest of degree.

At one point when Zed's around one of the building's roof, he would meet the other youth who appears to be in the same situation: Soaked clothes and all. Ace himself doesn't seem to be able to hold his question when he notices that Zed's condition looks pretty similar to him. After all, someone who could climb up to a rooftop would at least provide even the smallest of information, right?]

Excuse me, do you mind if I ask you something?

[Of course Ace heard what Zed muttered and the tinge of curiosity is blooming inside of him, but first thing first... this.]

open ♪

[whiteserenade]

For those who decided to ask the villagers directly, it was more than plausible that you might notice a certain Deuce, soaked from head to toe. She had asked many NPCs about her predicament, and unfortunately, their answers weren't even remotely close to being clear. Still, the brunette would muster a small smile and a polite bow whenever she had done talking to them.

Again, Deuce lived up to her name as the epitome of optimism. She never stopped walking around to ask the people around. Maybe if she was lucky, she would find someone that knew the answer...

...Or at the very least, someone who suffered the same fate as her. Stuck in this world without any knowledge about the place.

HERE WE GO

[lasttrumpcard]

Ace had resorted to play things a little secretively compared to her. There was one occasion where he spied things from the rooftop, and there was even one occasion where he eavesdropped the villagers' conversation. Not that they actually gave him what he wanted. Sad, but that was just how things actually be.

So now, he tried another form of approach: The direct one. Still, he was still a bit paranoid of things around here, no thanks to the stripping of his abilities. Hence why Ace only approached those he considered harmless, and it was only a handful of people. Once again, though, it was still fruitless. No one of them gave him the answer of his question.

He was in the brink of frustration when he... noticed the familiar back at afar, conversing with one of the villager. Albeit the figure looked a bit wrecked than how he had always witnessed, she was still the one that Ace had always remembered. That regal chocolate hair, that uniform that resembled his, and... that red mantle that was tied around her neck as a scarf.

There was no mistaking it. It was her.

He didn't even tried to call her. Instead, he made his beeline to her as soon as possible. Hell, Ace couldn't even hold the relief when he saw Deuce. A quick tap on her shoulder was everything that he performed when he was just behind her.

[notsocool]

Zed had so far only encountered the innkeeper, and only then because it was one of the bigger buildings and he'd been sick of dripping wet and shivering.

The man had actually been quite decent. It had gotten him a room, and the name of the place they were all stuck at.

He hadn't quite managed asking random people on the street, though, or knocking on doors, especially that he couldn't shake the lingering worry that this town might soon be due to be wiped off the map. Which made Deuce rather fascinating because she was going at gathering information with gusto.

The fact that she was sopping wet was a good clue that she was in the same fix that Zed...that a lot of people apparently were. He still had to approach to see if she was wearing The Necklace that they'd all gotten stuck with.

So he'd follow for a street or so, before he was sure.

THE AERIE INN

[theharvestmods]

Maron | Just outside the Inn | Open

[kamikaze_kaito]

Maron walked down the street, stifling a sneeze behind her hand as best she could. She was still wet and confused from the drenching she had received by coming into this world through that watery pool but she had heard there might be a room at the Inn.

It was a bit cold out and though she hated to think about it there didn't seem to be a way back home right now. Maybe getting a room, just for the night, would be the way to go.

As Maron reached the door of the Inn she placed her hand into her pocket to pull out her money... only to... discover that... She reached her hand into her other pocket before exclaiming.

"Don't tell me I dropped it!"

No money. Oh, now what was she going to do? She couldn't pay for a hotel room with nothing. Maron stood there, considering her options, and sneezed.

[notsocool]

In reply to her sneeze, Maron would find herself with a towel being flung in her face, courtesy of Zed just coming down off the roof.

"Dropping newcomers in a lake...I have met many rude people before, but these are the most impolite and thoughtless."

Meeting Cliff, however, had gone well. The innkeeper had really been too friendly to blame for their immediate situation, and Zed had found himself being given a room - a "free boarding room", just so long as he didn't stay for long, which he didn't plan on at all. In fact, what he'd mostly wound up being interested in were the sheets and towels to dry off with.

Upon circling back to the room after a bit more exploration, he'd heard Maron panicking outside. One look at her - specifically at the stupid necklace - told Zed that she was in the same fix he was.

TOWN HALL

[theharvestmods]

Lily | Outside Town Hall | Open

[vintage_magic]

An occasional drip of water still fell from the hem of Lily’s long white dress—thank goodness she’d worn a slip!—as she made her way into the town square. She gave her long wavy hair another wring as she stopped in front of the important looking building on one side of the brick-paved square and read the sign posted outside: Bower Village Town Hall.

“Where in tarnation is this place? I’ve never heard of any Bower Village near San Francisco,” she said, a Texas twang coloring her words. Admittedly, she had only been in California for a few months and didn’t completely know her way around yet but still…

She eyed the building’s front door with a frown. Maybe, there would be a map inside? Or, at least, someone who could assure her that she was still in the same dimension.

Naoto | Wet, Pissed off outside the Town hall | Opened!

[detective_shirogane]

She was soaking wet down to her shoes, wrapped up with Kanji's jacket on her shoulders, and not looking too happy. After having separated from her team mate to try and find some information, Naoto had headed straight to the town to find some answers. Specifically, town hall.

Alas, answers didn't seem to be what she'd be getting, only more questions. At the very least she knew where they were--Some place name Cape Beryl, indicating they weren't even in Japan anymore-- but other then that she had nothing. No idea how they'd gotten there, no explanation for the charm necklace she wore around her neck that despite her best efforts, she could not remove. She could see that the Mayor was well meaning, but honestly did not know anymore then she did.

Which left her all the more frustrated.

And so Naoto stood outside Town Hall, soggy and grumpy. Now what...?