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! ]

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...

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?

[killtwice]

[ It's true that he hasn't bathed in a few weeks. At the very least, Trevor has changed his clothes frequently. The stench from him is somewhat alarming to the regular person. He's gotten used to his own smell so that's unfortunate. ]

I'm not looking for money. I'm looking for something else.


....

Breakfast.

[ That's a clear enough answer. ]

Where can I find an affordable breakfast??? I'm not wealthy and I certainly can't burn three million's worth of mora.

[whiteshroud]

Breakfast...?

[That's what he pulled him aside for? Well. Whatever]

Wanmin Restaurant is probably your best bet for that. They even have outdoor seating ... which would probably be best for you.

[whiteshroud]

Get ready for a fight.

[He states plainly]

I can't tell what they are, I just know they're burrowing underground near the surface based on the elemental energy movements. They'll probably come to the surface when we get closer.

[killtwice]

Breakfast!!!!! Some days I go without it but those days end up being the worst. Just the fucking worst.

[ They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. ]

A restaurant with outdoor seating? That's even better. Where do you usually eat? Indoors?

[killtwice]

That's easy enough. I can't sense shit. Oh well!

[ Trevor gets out his whip and takes on a battle stance. In his opinion, whips are better for fighting demons and swords are better for fighting men. It looks like a typical monster in this case. ]

Don't tell me you forgot your weapon.

[ He's a simpleminded person deep down. Trevor isn't going to overcomplicate this.]

[whiteshroud]

[ 💧 ....]

I'm just using a skill anyone with a Vision can learn....

[So don't sound so proud of not being able to sense shit you dumbass!!

But don't worry, he didn't forget his weapon. He holds out his hand and a bow appears in his hand as the geo vision on his belt glows. In other words, not using the sword he used that night. ]

Nope. I'm ready when you are.

[whiteshroud]

If you say so...

[Like many things in life, Jun is ambivalent to the concept of breakfast. ]

I don't have a preference. But with how much you smell, I'd imagine the other patrons wouldn't appreciate you sitting in a closed room with them.

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??

Oops

[killtwice]

[ Trevor seems too preoccupied with a bunch of rocks and clearing rubble to respond to her immediately so there's some delay to his reply. ]

I could literally throw them at you or I could walk over and hand them to you like a normal person.

[ not this. Why's he gotta be like this. Trevor has always been somewhat difficult to deal with in some ways. He can cooperate with others except....behaving this way. It's too much to expect him to be normal. ]

[killtwice]

Sometimes I crawl through sewers and shit holes so of course I smell like garbage. Just look at me. I'm practically broke and have no real standing.

[ He doesn't even deny it. Sometimes he would chase a monster all the way into the depths and leaves him smelling funky. ]

I got kicked out of a few buildings. They're the assholes, not me. I'm a paying customer so I'd just like breakfast and then I'll leave.

[ There's a pause and he looks at Jun curiously. ]

You need to eat.

[killtwice]

You know one time I tried using my vision. It's Pyro. Nearly burned down the roof and made a huge fucking mess. I'll stick to usual methods of combat, thank you very much.

[ Nothing wrong with a good old beat down. ]

Do you hear that monsters??? We're ready to fight?? I'm going to go get a head count. See how many bastards we have to deal with.

[ He's just surveying the area to get an idea of what they're dealing with. Surely enough a monster appears. ]

[crimsonpoppy]

[s q u i n t s omg trevor why!! Is she ever gonna get used to him... spoilers: eventually]

I'm about half-way there, you might as well before I'm well and truly up.

[old grandma harrumph because she can]

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!

[whiteshroud]

Right, that's unfortunate, but...you should've gotten a place to stay from Forneus. The teapot? [...] Have you not used it yet?

[He looks confused at that last part. Where'd that come from?]

Er, I do?

[whiteshroud]

[ What kind of idiot tries using a PYRO vision for the first time inside a building? He'll think that, but not voice it. Better to fight the monsters than with each other. So instead he'll not respond and prep his bow.

Sure enough as Trevor gets closer and makes a racket, there's a rumbling before two young Geovishaps come bursting out of the ground. They aren't going to bother with a staredown, rather moving into ball form and rolling straight at Trevor]

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. ]

[whiteshroud]

[He glances over at the guy who approached him. It's not someone he recognizes, nor does he look like a Liyue local. Another traveler Forneus recruited, or simply someone from another nation.

He'll figure it out eventually. Right now, he goes back to focusing on his lantern]

Trying to get the frame to curve and cover the fabric. It keeps breaking on me.

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. ]

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. ]

[whiteshroud]

Mm, probably as soon as they sense us approach.

[He gives a nod as he summons his holy sword. No point in holding back his power with Ledah around. ]

Ready when you are.