august mingle

[stellafortunamods]

August Mingle
Welcome to Teyvat - a vast magical world of adventure.
Happy new year....! In Teyvat, that is. It is now January ingame, and Liyue's people go about their disaster recovery efforts with more vigour than before. After all, Liyue's biggest festival is slated to occur in the latter half of the month - the Lantern Rite!

The Rite of Parting - Rex Lapis' funeral - passes without much incident, and Liyue collectively breathes a sigh of relief. With the Fatui being chased out of the yard, it seems that peace will finally return to the harbour city as they rebuild from the storm. You'll also get to watch three million Mora's worth of incense go up in smoke, so there's that.

Eager to focus on the future, Liyue folk have begun discussing the upcoming festival. The Lantern Rite commemorates hope for a new beginning and continued prosperity, and the construction of the festival centerpiece is currently underway. This year's Mingxiao Lantern will soar into the sky amidst thousands of smaller lanterns, and it will take the shape of a fallen Adeptus to commemorate the Adepti's contribution to Liyue's lasting peace.

Unfortunately, you're not quite out of the frying pan yet. With the Fatui gone from Liyue, the Ministry of Civil Affairs turn their attention to solving another issue that has cropped up after Osial's revival and subsequent defeat. Quite a few miners have gone missing from the Chasm, and the likelihood of finding them will only grow slimmer as the days go by. Both the Millelith and the Adventurers' Guild have pitched in to search for the kidnapped people. All clues lead to Nantianmen - and it's just your luck that Geovishaps and their hatchlings have come out of hibernation at around the same time. These lizard-like beings have shells of solid rock, and they seem especially agitated at having their territory invaded. Solving the mystery of the missing miners will take more than just a day's work.

State of the World

With the Lantern Rite set to open on January 21st, all of Liyue have come to visit the harbour to set up their stalls and pitch in to craft the Mingxiao Lantern. Hopefully the miners are found before the festival begins - the Lantern Rite is a festival of reunions, after all. Not to mention the Geovishaps' increased activity will inadvertently lead to them burrowing around in the rocky mountains. There's a small, but non-zero chance of them hitting an ancient seal somewhere and unleashing a buried threat.

Unless... that was their intention all along?

Please direct all questions to August's OOC post!

Comments

Jun Kohinata | Tokyo Xanadu | Geo

[whiteshroud]

I. Lantern Making
[Make a xiao lantern they said. It'll be easy, they said.

Or at least Jun THOUGHT it would be easy. After months of studying under an Archon on how to make constructs with his geo vision and years of training towards mastery of the element of Light- he thought surely a lantern that even children know how to make would be easy.

But it seems those skills matter little in a craft that requires delicate touch. At his crafting station, there's a small but growing pile of broken snapping materials-- a pile that's just about to get bigger as he snaps another support stick]

Nn- again? How many times...

[Sounds like he's getting frustrated.]

II. Missing Miners
[Now that he was no longer required to cause chaos, he did want to help out he people of Liyue. People disappearing? Sounds right up his alley. So he signs himself up for the search.

He's quiet most of the trip, focusing on looking for clues and only talking when he notices something. He's just not a chatty fellow, it seems. So it's a little notable when he pauses as they enter Nantianmen and speaks up. ]

...Careful, there's an unusual amount of geo elemental activity here.

[In other words, monsters are probably going to pop up real soon]

III. Wildcard
[Got a prompt? Hit me up! ]

2

[killtwice]

[ This isn't their first time meeting. This isn't the first time they've come face to face either. Trevor just doesn't recognize Jun this time so he thinks it's a completely different person. Oops. ]

Wonderful. I was starting to get bored.

[ He seems a little too eager to jump into battle and start something. Jun's right though something's coming and it's not a friend. ]

What do you suggest we do?

I

[codeprometheus]

[ Louis had been watching Jun out of the corner of his eye while he was talking to one of the festival organizers. It's pretty obvious that the youth is having some trouble, so after he gets his answers, he'll walk over to the alchemy stand so that they can talk properly. It's his first day in Teyvat and the sheer number of humans around is a little disorienting. At least he's able to identify some of the other travelers from Forneus' descriptions of them. His own (noticeably smaller) Vision hangs around his neck in place of his old pendant. ]

Which part are you stuck on?

[ There's a lot of broken sticks. It seems to him that Jun is using too much force. ]

ii

[dispassionatedevotion]

I see. So, we are bound to enter combat soon.

I assume you are prepared as always.

[ Ledah's already got his Diviner out. There is no question that he's raring to go and fight; though at the very least it's probably a reassurance he's not going to rush head along. Not until he can be certain of how many enemies are on the battlefield. ]

I

[sufferean]

[Rean may not have his supernatural senses here, but he does have his abilities of being an incredible busybody. Which is to say, the minute he hears frustration, he is Activated.

Beelining to the source, he smiles a little when he recognizes it as Jun.]

Hey there. Having trouble?

[There's not a hint of judgement in that voice. But if Jun knows Rean well enough, there certainly is a hint of "I am going to help you, and you have no choice."]

lantern making

[godwords]

Goodness! Is everything alright good sir?

[ Susato opens her mouth in surprise but then covers it with her hands in an attempt to hide her shock. She didn't think the lantern would break! That was unexpected.

She walks up to Jun with a concerned and worried expression. ]

You appear to be struggling with something. I apologise for bringing it up but I simply couldn't stand by and just watch!

ii

[cranelike]

(Or maybe Jun just isn't feeling very chatty because his company for the day is Tsurumaru. Lucky him, right? Things start off lighthearted enough with Tsurumaru teasing and acting like things are fine but as they settle into their quest, his mood mellows out. He makes a few comments here and there, pointing out interesting flowers and clouds along the way but the subdued company and heavy happenings of the month have Tsurumaru feeling... Calm? Tired? Bored? Something less than excited but that works out in Jun's favor. Tsurumaru is oddly well behaved for the most part.)

Then we'll be in for many surprises, won't we? (Someone still has a love for surprises,) Ah, but if there are too many surprises then it becomes less of a surprise...

(Then it just becomes normal.)

I

[comburst]

Tch, you not good at arts and crafts or something?

[ Katsuki, of course, is managing to do them just fine. Go figure. He also sounds smug, because he deserves to be punched in the face. ]

TREVOR BELMONT | CASTLEVANIA | PYRO ota

[killtwice]

1.

[Trevor's grown accustomed to using visions and magic. Unfortunately, he's not good at blending in with his surroundings and he just happens to be very good at causing trouble wherever he goes. The locals appear to be minding their own business, living their lives every day. ]

It's too fucking quiet. I hate it, thanks.

[If you don't look like a local he'll pull you aside for a second. Do keep in mind that Trevor smells awful and most people would probably want to take a step back and not forward. ]

Something around here smells and it's not me. We shouldn't let our guard down just yet.


2.

[Today Trevor's decided that he at least wants to try and do something productive. He's just sticking posters up for the missing people and doing what he can within reason. Maybe he's feeling a little restless from doing errands like this. He's not even doing his job right. Trevor plasters a missing person poster on your back. ]

Would you look at that? My hand slipped.

[It sounds like he's not very serious with the way he speaks in a casual tone.]





COMMISSIONS CLOSED TO YU


[Now's the time to move and be productive again. Trevor's wasted more than enough days just sitting around and trying to figure out what his next action is. He's agreed to do heavy-duty clean-up in order to help with repairs and other damages. ]

I didn't think I would come all the way here just to carry rocks, but alright. You could go over there and arrange the tiles?


Making things look symmetrical is too much work for me. I'll carry a few fucking rocks.

..

[ feel free to wild card or contact me at springbloom thanks! ]

1

[whiteshroud]

[Jun knows exactly who Trevor is, thanks to their encounter last month. Unfortunately, Jun never came forward with the information that he was that shrouded figure on the roof that night.

And don't think that's going to change, he's going to play dumb as he gets pulled aside]

Gah-

[Lord this man smells. Has he been living on the streets and not bathing this whole time??]

W-What're you talking about? Sir, if it's money you're looking for...

tfw you wanna rock out but it's the other kind

[crimsonpoppy]

[Oh god. Ohhhh g o d. Yu had made it a point to not stay inside for most of the time as to not rouse anyone's suspicions. Cleanup crew? Shouldn't be too bad, she thought.

Alas, that naive thought is dashed out the window. Buuut on the other hand, no need to buy the supplies on their own as it was provided by the Ministry! Part of her-
well, a really tiny part- is grateful for it. The task they have to do? Not so much.]

I don't know much about fixing roofs either...!

[Despite currently trying to climb up on one of the houses affected by the recent events.]

Ugh, just throw me the tool when I ask for it. You can do that much, right??

2, 1/2

[sufferean]

[Rean was just out here trying to mind his own business (for once) when he feels a poster get slapped on his back.]

Gah—!

[It's not like it hurts or anything, he's just startled. At least warn a guy before you put a "kick me" sign on their back! (That isn't how it works at all, but don't tell Rean that.)

Rean turns around, looking wholly unimpressed.]

...Uh-huh. I'm sure it did.

[Maybe using teacher-voice on a guy built like Trevor isn't Rean's best idea, but here he is. With a sigh, he reaches behind him to tug the poster off, pulling it around to his front to take a look at it.]

2

[beatnest]

[ Byakuya isn't paying much attention so it takes him a second or two to realize that he's now got something stuck on his back. Brings back memories honestly, but it's OK because he's new and improved since then!

Eight "claws" sprout forth from his back, shredding the poster into jagged strips. ]

Oops, my legs slipped!

[cranelike]

(Tsurumaru trips, skipping to catch his balance when someone pats him on the back. Pats him on the back? Clearly he's being pat on the back and he turns around to see who could possibly be appreciating him right now.

He looks completely oblivious and speaks like he has no idea what just happened,)

Did it? (He sighs! Disappointed,) My... I thought you were trying to get my attention.

Well, you have it now. (He looks Trevor up and down and then crosses his arm like he's... waiting for something?) What will you do?

(He doesn't acknowledge people often! Consider yourself lucky.)

Come on, do something interesting.

(Let's go. Chop, chop.)

Rean Schwarzer | Trails of Cold Steel | Cryo

[sufferean]

I. yay festival
[So yeah, all of that last month was A Lot. So much so that Rean wasn't even technically here for it! Rean is pretty much always Tired with a capital T at the best of times, but immediately after all of that, he was definitely looking pretty worn down.

So it's probably nice, for anyone who either noticed that or is familiar with him in general, to see him in much higher spirits now that festival preparation is underway.

He's... not the best at lantern-making, but like with most crafts, he's getting better with a bit of practice. And his failures certainly don't seem to be setting him back any, as he's smiling and even humming a song he's heard Elliot playing as he works.

If anyone comes over, he perks his head up and offers a bright smile.]

Hey there! Looking to make lanterns?

II. boo missing people
[But, of course, it can't all be fun and games. And Rean is forever Rean, so the minute he hears about trouble like this, he's immediately signing himself up to help find the missing miners.

Of course, it's not easy to find missing people when your search keeps getting interrupted by a bunch of rocky, rolly boys. And it just so happens that Rean, and whoever happens to be searching with him, have been ambushed by a couple.]

Watch out!

[His partner here may well have been paying attention and seen that the thing was about to attack, but, well. Chronic Hero Syndrome over here is going for it and cutting it down. Better he gets hurt than anyone else.

The Geovishap isn't down for the count, but it is flailing around sadly on its back as Rean growls in irritation.]

Where are all of these things coming from...?

II

[fiddlestick]

[It's no surprise Elliot agreed to accompany Rean on this expedition. He was worried about the miners, but also he was always willing to back Rean up. They were a team after all.

And so, he's not even surprised when Rean jumps in with Chronic Hero Syndrome. He had seen the monster, but it wasn't like Elliot was good at close range combat-- so it's a good size]

Whoa-!

[He jumps back a little, startled, but he's recovering to help call some wind blades to help follow up Rean's attack]

Good question! They just keep popping up!

i;

[dispassionatedevotion]

... Do you need my assistance in making some?

[ Ledah is not an artist, but...he actually can handle things delicately. Whether that means he won't make a mistake from going too fast or something is still something to find out, but. ]

i !

[fortuna_tenax]

( jinx blinks for a moment before giving a small smile and sliding into a seat, chin in hands. she did get lectured for overworking herself too much the other month... and she does like art and making things. it feels like a natural 'fuck you' to her lot in life- a girl so tied to destruction and misfortune creating instead. )

Sure, why not? How does it work...?

I

[evilisnotatoy]

[Having regained an ability thanks to a wish, the woman who approaches Rean miiiiight be more than she initially appears. Not that it's a malicious deception or anything; sometimes one just gets real tired of constantly having to watch your head because nothing is made for exceptionally tall people here.

She nods.]

I thought it would be a good use of my time. [A pause, then a small smile.] That's one of Elliot's songs, isn't it?

[If he thinks about it, Rean might notice the tattoo on her forehead looks rather similar to a certain ninja's mask.]

louis amamiya | code vein | geo

[codeprometheus]

1. Arriving
[ Louis hadn't expected being in a human settlement to be so... distracting. Humans effectively vanished from his homeworld following Operation Queenslayer and the conversion of many humans to revenants, with those remaining living in secret shelters to protect them from becoming prey. That meant that the ordinary revenant would have no opportunity to meet a human... or to ever get accustomed to controlling their hunting sense when suddenly dropped in a city full of still-living humans.

It's hard when his hunting sense forces him to become aware of any human blood in a hundred-metre radius. He had planned to explore Liyue and reacclimatize to a non-apocalyptic world, but it's taking more willpower than anticipated to resist the instinct to feed. Maybe he should go to a less populated area and clear his head.

He can be found in the shade of various buildings trying to catch his breath, or on the path leading towards Mount Tianheng where few people linger. His clothes definitely set him out from the locals, not to mention the rather small Geo Vision that he's wearing as a necklace. ]


2. Searching
[ Combat still remains as Louis' favourite activity to dull his negative emotions, so he's signed up for the investigation of Nantianmen without hesitation. Being out in the wild means that there are less humans around to potentially distract him, and he would be able to practice using his Vision - there's no downside to it.

He's a quiet commission partner, only bringing up immediate concerns, if any. There isn't much time to talk once they reach the Geovishaps' territory, though - two hatchlings scrounging for food immediately approach, as if seeking a meal. ]

They're coming. Prepare yourself.

[ His Vision shines, and rock coalesces around his left arm to form a rather large claw. It seems he's the odd Geo user who doesn't focus on defense. ]


3. Wildcard
[ Hit me with anything and I'll roll with it!! ]

1!!

[crimsonpoppy]

[Oh...? While Yu hardly pays attention on who comes or goes, a brief one-over glance as she pokes her nose out of her book says it all- yeah, definitely a new face around here.

And also tired from the looks of it. Anyone normal would have probably asked if he was alright. Yu, on the other hand? All she feels is a real hesitance in asking to also be under the shade. He's (so far as she thinks anyway) a human!! But also, there's not a lot of people around this area, and her feet are getting kind of sore from walking around a lot...

After weighing the couple of options she has, Yu eventually relents to swallow her pride and makes up her mind to come right over. Putting on her best neutral face, of course.]

Excuse me, but do you mind making some room?

[fiddlestick]

[Louis stands out from the people of Liyue, enough to make him catch Elliot's eye. He must either be a foreigner visiting Liyue, or a new traveler. Though if Elliot had to guess, he'd probably say the latter just based on Louis's behavior.

Speaking of, him hiding out in the shade of a building to catch his breath is a little strange, so Elliot will address him -- while standing a good ten feet away because stranger danger in alley ways man]

Hey, you okay?

Tsurumaru Kuninaka | Touken Ranbu | Cryo

[cranelike]

1. “My Nature”

(His love for surprises has always been more complicated than he ever wants to admit out loud. It’s always been a roundabout way to cope with the grief he always carries with him and when Ookurikara disappears from Teyvat, he responds the same way he always has.



By embracing the feeling and turning it into something else. This is nothing more than another surprise; one that will only make him stronger. Because when everything goes as planned, the heart grows weak and dies.

He’s helping one vendor keep some fruit chilled which they sell to festival goers as they enjoy the rest of the festival. Of course, he gets a small discount for helping with that and the lanterns earlier but not feeling hungry, he just ends up giving his share to hungry eyed children. He always smiles, gives a pat on the head, and says something silly that makes them smile in return. And when they run off, he waves good bye and—



—frowns.)

2. New Year, New Luck


(Normally, for New Year, it would be customary to visit a shrine and pray for a the year to come. Normally, there would be a place to draw fortunes. But this isn’t Japan so he makes do with what he can.



Skilled with paper, he makes a paper fortune teller and jumps at you with something in his hands.)



— Wah! Did I surprise you?

(He holds out the fortune teller. There are 4 circles: Red, black, white, and gold.)

Choose a color.

2

[drewthetower]

[August does jump, and his raven makes the most offended noise.]

What the hell?!

Crow Armbrust | Trails of Cold Steel | Electro

[bad_crowmance]

[ This is probably the first time you've ever seen this young man walking around Liyue, but you wouldn't know it from the casual way he's chatting up various local merchants— asking about what's been going on recently, nodding like all that Rex Lapis talk makes perfect sense to him, and cracking a few jokes when it's appropriate. He waves as he turns away, but he stops when he sees someone else— maybe it's even you! ]

Hey, how's it going?

[ His tone is breezy and calm. ]

[whiteshroud]

[Jun was here, minding his own business as he eats some lunch, when he gets approached by someone familiar. Someone he wasn't expecting.

]

Uh. Aren't you supposed to be dead?

August Villareal | OC | Electro

[drewthetower]

Geovishaps

[So. You may hear some screaming from outside Liyue. Some very panicked screaming, along with some very distressed raven noises.

And if you come looking for the source of the screams you will find what is honestly a pretty hilarious scene: August has been treed by a tiny baby geovishap and Julian is screeching at it as he flies around the tree, brandishing a knife in his claws.]

Go the fuck away, you deformed piece of crap! Gods, I am going to kill Forneus next time I see him, how the fuck am I supposed to fight this thing?!

[Someone missed the memo on How to Use the Elements, clearly.]

Harbor

[Eventually, after getting down from the tree, August and Julian make their way back to the harbor a little worse for wear. You'll probably run into them at a fabric stall, the poor merchant eying this armed raven and his human.]

He didn't mention how money works here, either, but...well, I could probably do something part-time, yeah?

Caw!

And not at the fish stalls, because I can't afford to feed you that much fish.

Caw...

Wildcard

[Honestly, if you don't want either of those just assume you saw a raven with a knife or August doing something with a deck of tarot cards! Plurk is here if folks wanna plot!]

Geovishap

[fiddlestick]

[Well on the bright side, all the screeching made these two easy to find. Elliot heard them from a good ways away - not out of any superhuman hearing or anything, it's just he's got good ears and this guy is LOUD. So he's coming over to see, well, this sad scene.

Welp. Better help the guy. ]

ARCUS, activate!

[Blue glyphs glow around him briefly as he launches a fireball at the monster]