stellafortunalogs | JANUARY MINGLE

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JANUARY MINGLE

January Mingle: A Ballad in Goblets
Welcome to Teyvat - a vast magical world of adventure.
You open your eyes to an unfamiliar sight. A cool breeze flits through rustic buildings and sunny streets, carrying the smell of flowers and wine. The very air itself seems charged with mana, the warm pulse of the land palpable beneath your feet. This is a new world, a world where the elements compose all of reality. Before you is a bubbling fountain, and a key is entwined between your fingers. And that weight on your hip? A sparkling bauble that you've never seen before, yet it feels natural, as if it had always been there.

Asking around nets you the name of this world - Teyvat - and the name of this city - Mondstadt, blessed by the Anemo Archon, Barbatos. Your new home is accessible with the key placed in your hands, though this also brings to mind another question. How will you get money? Food isn't free, after all.

Luckily for you, there's plenty of jobs available for the enterprising Traveler. Be it taking requests from the Adventurers' Guild, or working part-time at one of Mondstadt's many food establishments, Mora is to be had when hard work is involved. The cuisine of Mondstadt is best paired with its wine, served at bars or enjoyed in private with a few friends.

And about that shining gem. locals will tell you that it is a Vision, a sign of favour from Teyvat's elemental gods. With the Vision on hand, you find yourself capable of commanding one of the seven elements. What will you do with this newfound blessing? Use it for good... or for evil?

Mondstadt's liveliness doesn't diminish when night falls. Bards sing through the wee hours of the night, and the lights of the city help keep most evildoers at bay. All seems peaceful, a pastoral idyll of a life that seems more at home in a storybook. Yet for those Travelers who venture out beyond the city's walls and into the ruins dotting the landscape, they may discover hints of a bloodier past now forgotten.

Glancing at any of the calendars in the city will tell you the current date. August 10th was the day you arrived. As soon as the last minute of August 16th slips away, the world around you changes. A blink, and time itself rewinds by seven days. Looking outside, the mown lawns have regrown, the windmill needs fixing again, and the well is once again full. Just what is happening here? It seems only you, Traveler, remembers the week that never was.

State of the World

For the first two weeks of the game, IC time will be looping from August 10th to August 16th. It's currently late summer in Mondstadt, and the trees are just beginning to turn out their autumn colours. The weather is cool and pleasant, with light showers on Tuesday (11th) and Friday (14th). It's also a good time to go out gathering berries and nature's bounty from Mondstadt's forests and valleys.

These two weeks will let us trial out our commissions and regains system and craft improvements for February onwards. There will be no activity requirements for January, so all threads started during this time period can be used for regains!

For all questions regarding January's mingle and events, please head over to our OOC post.

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Mm, something like that.

[If Rean isn't going to ask, then Jun won't explain- because uh yeah he's probably not wrong about that.

He picks up on that returning threat. He knows it's to be expected, after what he just said. It's understandable Rean said that, truly. Logically as a Seal Knight, he knows this. He had to stick to his mission, even if it makes him enemies. That was their way.

Yet even so, to hear that coming from someone he watched and admired at least some form of ... it felt like a kick in the stomach. Another piece of confirmation of what Jun knew himself to be - a monster. He knows fully well what circumstances Rean would deem that necessary...and Jun can't deny they'll ever come to pass either.

He wishes he hadn't taken off his hood. He does his best to keep his face impassive, cold - but he isn't exactly looking at Rean either]

...Very well. As long as you understand.

Edited 2021-01-23 03:11 (UTC)

[Albedo has nothing to hide.]

Nothing dangerous or invasive, I assure you, and I am willing to compensate you for your time.

As all of you have been granted a Vision, despite not being of this world, I wish to observe the flow of elemental energy through you. Additionally, if you have any other powers or unusual abilities, I would like to observe those as well or know if they have somehow been altered by the nature of this world.

The tests would include manipulating your Vision's element, fighting a few slimes, and drinking a potion whose reaction will tell us if your elemental flow is normal or blocked in some capacity.

[They both understand each other, and Rean's glad for that, but... he can't say this sits perfectly well with him, either.

Rean's not a person who enjoys making threats. He's never been someone that wanted to make enemies, even though it's been unavoidable for him. And he feels that pretty poignantly right now.

They both just want to go home. There's no reason they should be set against each other here. Rean's just anxious and upset because of circumstances that aren't Jun's fault. Besides, it's not as if anything has happened yet.

There's still a chance that maybe they can just work together. That maybe they can just make their way to their goal peacefully. Rean's had a lot of his idealism beaten out of him, but this much will always remain. So, it's with that in mind that he speaks up.]

...I do. But... I do sincerely hope it never comes to that.

[And his voice softens with that, letting himself show a hint of vulnerability. Extending a hand with his voice, if not with his actions.]

It's not as if we don't both want the same thing, after all. We'll gain more ground toward that goal if we work together, I'm sure.

[If he's actually startled or not, Jun doesn't really care. It doesn't matter in the end. He'll shake his head]

I'm fine, don't worry about it.

[He'll even offer a little smile]

Well, I don't know this city...but I guess somewhere more private would be nice. So...down that alley? [he'll point in that direction!]

['we', huh.

Is that a 'we' like the one back home? Their uneasy alliance that's anything but, with Seonho acting as his father's proxy and forcing Hwi to carry out both of their commands? Does Hwi not remember that at all? What Seonho had done to him? Or does he still remember and yet... Seonho's not sure that he wants to know.

He does know what he should say. "You don't have to do anything." Or "Obey my orders." But that damning power dynamic has shifted now that they're here, in this new world with new rules. Never mind that Seonho might be more used to these circumstances, it hasn't given him the tools to deal with it any better than Hwi would. (and perhaps, deep in Seonho's heart, he doesn't want this to be like home. His father is worlds away, and Seonho no longer cares about pleasing him.)

He pushes himself off the wall with visible effort, leaving his weapons behind next to the door. If Hwi wanted to stab him, he thinks, then he would have already done it by now. Seonho leans over the bedside table to turn on the lamp, letting the light brighten up the previously dim room. Then he sits on one of the two chairs arranged near the bed,]

How much have you learned about this place?

[it's a question that would usually sound like a demand if this was back home, if Seonho didn't sound so tired. but Hwi is right in that the both of them cannot stay in Teyvat, so they might as well start trying to figure something out.

like what electricity is, or why the beds look like that, and why they both have a set of sparkly new jewelry.]

[Maybe if he ate at a table instead...

In any case, Albedo finishes a bit of shading before lifting his eyes from his paper to look at Lutha, calm and unbothered by any harshness. If anything, he's a bit disappointed that Lutha moved before he was quite done... ]

I was drawing you.

[ He shifts the notebook, turning it so that Lutha can more easily see the sketches Albedo has made.

There are three so far - the first two are less formal drawings and more gesture pieces, capturing Lutha's wary body language and a moment of him hacking at the bread, while the third and most detailed (though rather unfinished) sketch focuses on him eating it. There's a suggestion of the wall he was tucked against, and most of his body is honestly just vague construction lines, but Lutha's head has received a great deal of attention, drawn as accurately as Albedo can manage. The details of the scars (Albedo is more certain that's what they are now that he sees Lutha closer), the state of his hair, and the focus of his expression and eyes on the dissected bread. ]

[Jun hears the softened tone. Rean is trying to reach out to him. It makes his stomach twist a little, making him feel even more guilty for what he was. ]

... It's not like I want to be anyone's enemy.

[He meant to sound passive, cold, but his voice was a little smaller than he intended. He doesn't truly want to hurt anyone.]

[ He clears his throat, steeling his expression once more]

Whatever. This is all conjecture. I need more information before I can make a decision of what I'll do.

[....

Yeah he seemed to be mulling it over for a moment, but you lost him at "drinking a potion"]

Ah, no.

[TURNING TO LEAVE]

Edited 2021-01-23 03:43 (UTC)

[Bless you Rean for being so understanding of his neurotic ways]

Yeah! It kinda reminds me of a house key. We just need to figure out which house it goes to!

[in a big city! ...Joy!]

[Oh boy, one of the artsy types. Before he can ask why, the sketchpad is turned around, and despite himself Lutha is making sure it's as Albedo says and not some sort of notes. No, most of it is scribbles, the fleeting placement of shapes and shadows--

But his expression twists up sharply at the third picture.

Sorry, Albedo, he's grabbing for your sketchbook, voice cold.]

I'm not a damn animal. Find something else to study.

[If Seonho thought he was relieved to see Zhongli, then it's barely comparable to how he feels now, seeing as Zhongli recognizes him. Claude and Ochako's confusion had been strange, but Figaro's had rattled him. That was a man Seonho had interacted with for a few months, unlike Claude and Ochako's mere days.

He hadn't been sure with Zhongli -- he'd known him less than he'd known Figaro (longer than the ochako and claude), but ultimately, he'd shared an experience with Zhongli that far outstripped his interactions with the others. Having one's life saved is not a debt easily repaid or a favor soon forgotten, after all.]

...I am. [Being asked is embarrassing, yes, but... hm, well. It's nice too, in a way that Seonho isn't sure how to make of yet. (FRIENDS....)

Then his brow furrows a little as he does a little once-over of his own,]

And yourself? How are you feeling?

[Zhongli doesn't look like he's suffering from any MORTAL WOUNDS, but y'know, he does look Tired, in a way that Seonho hasn't seen back in South Sister.]

[Rean knows better than to push the matter right out the gate. But between those words and that tiny flicker of uncertainty, Rean's sure now that Jun's a good person. He's trying to sound tough and assured of himself, and Rean's happy to let him. At the end of the day, he's pretty sure they'll be able to keep things peaceful — and if not completely so, that it'll be worth it to try to pull him back.

That's all Rean needs for now.]

Well, yeah. We both do. Although, I guess standing in a random alley with a couple of things they decided to throw in our pockets and a sword you can't move on your own isn't helpful to either of us.

[Rean sighs.]

You'd think they'd bother to offer us at least some clue. ...Unless they just like watching us suffer.

[alchemicawhat]

...Well. If you cannot rely on your powers, then perhaps a more traditional way would suffice.

[Seonho holds out his hand for the kite, then holds it out so that Edward can look at it closely too. There's just a long rip near the end, it's small -- and it probably be fixed by like a piece of cloth glued over it, but maybe this would be faster if a.) they bought a new kite or b.) edward suddenly regains his alchemy.

the child stops crying long enough to give Edward a hopeful, teary look.....]

[A nod.]

Well... I think we're in some kind of economic district right now. [Which would explain the bustle of people.] If this is some kind of house key, I think we'd be better off asking around in more of a residential district.

[Not... that he knows where one is, but. They're gonna have to find it somehow.]

Stay close. It'll be easy to get separated again in an area like this, and I don't think we'll be able to rely on the ARCUS II if we get split up.

[Elliot nods a little to the plan. Residential area, that makes sense. Surely they can figure out where one is.]

Good point. This place looks even older than Legram, so getting reception's probably out...

[Also you know, we're in another world. That might interfere too. But with how crowded the streets are with new arrivals and townsfolk - and how much slower he can be than Rean, he decides ...eh might as well.

He'll go and grab one of Rean's hands that's free. JUST TWO BROS DOING THE BUDDY SYSTEM]

This okay?

[It has been a very, very long day. Rean is exhausted enough that honestly, a sidewalk looks like a great bed right about now, but he's still upright and managing to pass as vaguely functional.

Still, a man needs to eat, and Rean has avoided that for long enough. So he manages to find a way toward a tavern, drawn by the sound of music. After all, where there's music, there are people, and where there are people, there is often food and drink.

And, in this case, there is an aura of death emanating off of the guy across the street from the tavern, which just so happens to be the side of the street Rean is walking on.

Jeez. Rean's tired, and yeah, this bard is a bit... much... but is he really worth this kind of glaring? Granted, Rean's pretty used to some over the top people, so maybe he's just numb. Still, it seems like this guy could use a pick me up, so with what little remains of his energy, Rean manages a gentle smile and tries to get Hwi's attention.]

Good evening. Pleasant weather, yeah?

[It is, in fact, the world's worst topic, but Rean's not got much brain left to conjure up a better one right now. Besides, if nothing else, it's a momentary distraction. Anything to keep this man from ending this bard's bardy little life.]

[They've been in enough towns and cities to be able to at least vaguely tell what's going on! They've got this, probably.]

Yeah. ...And that's if they've even got orbal technology here. I haven't gotten far enough to check.

[He has his doubts, but that's a pretty scary thought all on its own. Shove that right down in the pile of "things to deal with later, or never."

Especially because, oh, hey, he can feel a hand slipping into his own. He looks down, blinking for a second as his brain processes what's going on, but then smiles at Elliot, squeezing it a little.]

Haha, yeah. It'll be pretty easy to notice if we get cut off like this.

[A PERFECTLY STRAIGHT EXPLANATION. IT'S FINE.

And with that, he'll gently tug to indicate they're going, and start heading toward a road that looks like it'll lead to another part of town. Does he know where he's going? Hell no. But they have to start somewhere.

Eventually, after quite a bit of useless meandering and maybe going in circles once or twice, they manage to reach a much quieter area — it looks mostly like housing here, so goal achieved! ...Maybe! Hopefully!]

Oh, thank goodness. ...You don't think there's any chance someone might recognize these keys, do you?

[That's pretty much what it is. As cold and ruthless as Seal Knights were expected to be, there was no shaking off the fact that Jun was kind, deep down.

But Rean seems to be moving on with the topic so, so shall he. Which man...considering he showed up here with no powers, his identity revealed, and having to deal with an anime character made real...

He lets out a dreary sigh that only a teenager can.]

I'd say they do...

[Like watching them suffer, he means.]

[Aw yes, handholding is approved. Elliot will smile as they start walking off. He probably should be paying close attention to their surroundings, and he is trying but also...

🎶 Handholding with Rean 🎶

It's well, a little distracting. But hey, it's been a long day so far so maybe it's not so bad to enjoy something a little.

And fortunately Rean is a slightly less useless gay that is paying better attention, so he'll listen when the other speaks up]

Um, maybe! It wouldn't hurt to ask I think.

[There are still downy chicken feathers occasionally slipping out from underneath his armor where the birds had been snuggling against Sandalphon even as they arrive at the domain.]

Fortunately, combat is my specialty. My Vision may not be the most potent here, but...

[He hefts his sword with the practiced ease of a warrior. You don't need magic if you've got a big enough stick.]

I'll be relying on you for backup, then. Let's go.

[Sandalphon will take the lead as they head into the domain.]

What on earth could something that lives here want with chickens, though? Surely there are sources of food that are easier to find.

[He's banking on it being some kind of creature that happens to be associated with Cryo—that it could be something more intelligent hasn't yet crossed his mind.]

[ Well, you know what they say. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Ledah will allow the person to almost head completely by before inquiring coldly about anything regarding the prevalence of dreams in which assistance has been asked. The guy just looked kind of confused and slightly intimidated before going to move on. ]

It looks like we have our answer.

Maybe they're just in the mood for chicken today? You can keep them around much longer in chilled temperatures as well - perfect for the Cryo thief to take what they can get and save the rest for later.

[ he trails after sandalphon, his doctor's coat flapping behind him like a cape as they make their way through the domain. the green diamonds in his eyes seem to glow as he uses his elemental sight once more to keep them on the right track, and once he can feel the temperature dropping the deeper they go in -- ]

It's right around the corner. Let's hurry.

[ and once they reach the end of the domain they'll find a cryo abyss mage cackling to itself, twirling its wand around the missing chicken as it's about to turn it into frozen goods. ]

I wouldn't do that if I were you. [ figaro muses, catching the abyss mage's attention. ] That chicken still looks underfed. Are you sure you're satisfied with that?

[ the abyss mage starts cursing them off, speaking in its annoyingly high-pitched voice that it's none of their business! this chicken is free real estate!! and the battle begins with it shielding itself with a cryo shield and shooting some ice crystals right towards sandalphon. ]

[ they're both on equal footing. they were the moment Yeon was free, and even if she wasn't here... he is done being a pawn, being used. so they'll work together - because pride has never been a vice of his, and certainly not in the face of what mattered most to him.

...getting back to her.

he watches the weary hang of Seonho's shoulders as he retreats to the... magic... light, and sits in the chairs with a casual air like all of this is terribly familiar to him... ]

Should I be asking that of you?

[ has he been here longer...? ]

[of course hwi, with those sharp eyes of his, would notice. maybe not everything, but he'd picked up on enough. Seonho hadn't bothered to try and explain South Sister to anyone else yet, besides maybe Figaro, but even then...]

This isn't the first place I've been taken to against my will, though that may be hard to believe.

[he finally says, after a brief pause.]

...It's been over three months since I've seen you, and I spent that time in a place that wasn't too different from this one. [so different, and yet, not at all different in the end.] I don't have anything on me to prove it though.

[except for maybe the word of a few others. if Hwi can't trust him, (because why should he), then maybe he could ask Ana, or Zhongli.]

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Page 37 of 90

JANUARY MINGLE

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i can't believe i wrote meat instead of meet and didn't notice until now. curse you homophones!

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🥩 curse you meat 🍖

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