welcome to goldvale . intro post #1

[powergamer]

It begins with a flash of blinding light.

No matter what they’re doing, the light is so stunning that they pause to shield their eyes. Logically, it seems like such a bright light would hurt their eyes, and yet somehow, it’s not painful at all. It’s strange, but stranger still, a moment later, the ground underneath them is gone. They’re falling, and it feels like they’re falling for a long time as their eyes adjust after that light.

Yet, it’s not long at all—they’re only falling five feet or so. But as they, and others, appear in the air, there’s a shriek of alarm.

“Beryl—Go!!”

A man’s voice shouts after the scream, and as their eyes adjust, they’ll see two blurry figures, the woman running away while the man briefly stands his ground with a dagger raised before he takes advantage of the confusion to flee as well and cover her. You, and all of the other disoriented strangers, have been left alone. There might be a few bruises from the fall, but otherwise, there are no new injuries. It’s a strange lobby, but nothing about it seems helpful to reveal where you are. Following the two figures is fruitless too, since the door at the end of that hallway is sealed shut with magic—no one will be able to pass through.

So, just where are you?

JUMP TO
arrival . announcement . into the city
DISTRICTS
ironwall . tinwick . steelmount
nickelhollow . platmoor . silverbourne

Comments

[compassions]

[The girl isn't quite sure what to expect or how to react at this arrival. She ghosts her fingers over her dress, kicking her legs around to ensure nothing was sprained. Looking around, she can't find a familiar face, but she does know she's not alone. That thought right there is actually quite relieving. Still, it's disconcerting how she suddenly arrived in such a place. She follows the figures to the doors, though once they close she realizes she's trapped inside, but once more, she realizes she's not alone.

Though due to her sociability, she has no qualms walking up to anyone -- someone who might actually know something and tap them on the arm.]

Excuse me. Can you tell me where we are?

[Just knowing her location would provide a massive comfort. For all she knows, she could have just fallen into a building. Yet that makes absolutely no sense. However she has been in underground ruins before, so this may be what it is?]

[tharja]

[ She wanted to be alone. She wanted to process what was going to happen. There was not a spell in the world that could bring her back to Ylisse or hell, even Plegia. So, with Tharja eyeing the crowd, she would grit her teeth when a cheery looking girl would approach her.

The cheery girl would pick the gloomiest girl, right? ]

You didn't get the memo? Of course you didn't, why else would you be bothering me?

[ There was a pause. ]

This isn't your home. Or my home.

That's all we need to know right now, I guess.

[ Her tone remained unimpressed and utterly bored of the situation. ]

[compassions]

[There's a moment where Estelle's taken aback by the woman's words, but in the end she answered her question. So really, that did bring a bit of a smile to the girl's face, even if the information was rather vague. So they weren't in Zaphias, nor were they in the city this other girl is from.]

I see. I suppose that would make sense. Well then, we'll just have to figure out where we are!

[Opposite of the other woman's reaction, Estelle is fired up, even if there is fear welling up in her stomach. Still, she wants to know the answers, and perhaps this woman could help her with that!]

Thank you for answering my question. My name is Estellise, and I do hope we can get along!

[Get along, you know... be friends.]

[tharja]

[ There wasn't exactly clear answers. Sure, people could blab on about the castle or whatever peddling non-sense. ]

Well, what d'you know. Common sense makes sense.

[ There was an annoyance in her tone, one that was a constant thing when speaking to Tharja. She glanced upwards once the girl didn't... leave. That was going to be bothersome. ]

Yippee. Friendship. [ A pause. ] If you have to know, which I think you won't give up until you do, my name is Tharja.

[compassions]

[Do you know how Estelle greets people who appear annoyed with her? With even more glee, and with an invasion of space. So doing just that, she grabs the other girl's hands, shaking them then smiling ecstatically. Clearly to the princess, Tharja just told her they're going to be friends.]

It's wonderful to meet you, Tharja!

[A moment as she looks at the woman's attire. It's certainly... different.]

May I ask what you do? I don't believe I've seen anyone dressed in such a fashion before!

[tharja]

[ GREAT, THANKS ESTELLE. LOVING THE OPTIMISM. Tharja kept a careful eye on the girl -- it was the cheerful ones that you really needed to look out for, after all. The suddenness of her hands being snatched up by Estelle made the mage widen her eyes and huff. ]

Wonderful, sure, whatever. Do you always keep yourself cheerfully deluded?

[ Glancing down to her own attire, Tharja hissed softly. ]

I cast spells. Is there something wrong with the way I dress?

[peachbaths]

Huh?

[ Like Estelle, Kougyoku's just a princess who happened to fall into this castle. She doesn't know how or why, and these feelings of confusion and fright are leaving her very disoriented. And now a stranger is talking to her! ]

Me? Um... [ LOOKS AWAY!!! ] H-how should I know? I arrived in the same way you did, didn't I?

[compassions]

[Estelle nods at the girl's answer, but her smile remains on her face even if she's somewhat deflated. Still, it means that she's not the only one who doesn't know where they are. She brings her hand carrying her shield up to her chest as she shakes her head.]

It seems strange that we would be brought here in such a manner. Perhaps there was a sinkhole? Still, you wouldn't think it would lead to the interior of what looks like a castle.

[peachbaths]

[ Kougyoku shakes her head. A sinkhole? That doesn't sound right. ] I was nowhere near a sinkhole before this. Oh, I must return quickly or brother will get mad...

[ She glances at what Estelle is holding. ]

Are you a soldier?

[compassions]

[Even more reason to get out. Estelle doesn't exactly wish to worry her friends about her disappearance -- especially after what just happened.

Hopefully they don't jump to any such conclusions.

Then looking at her shield in one hand and a sword in the other, she shakes her head.]

No. I was traveling with my friends and given how often we fight, we're almost always armed.

[peachbaths]

[ Kougyoku's eyes sparkle. ]

Traveling... with friends? Like a band of adventurers?

[ That sounds like one of the novels she read in the imperial library! ]

[lightspins]

I only wish I knew. [Marta lets out a big sigh. One minute she was out of Cape Fortress finally, next she was... Wherever here was.] Hey, you haven't seen a blonde boy around here have you? He wears a scarf.

[Granted there were a bunch of people she was just with, but finding Emil and Tenebrae was priority. In fact, it was more alarming that Tenebrae hadn't made himself visible yet. The idea that he couldn't be here with her didn't even cross her mind.]

[compassions]

[Looking around at the slew of people, Estelle could easily tell that whatever boy she was looking for was likely not here. While the description is vague, with what she was given, well... all she could do is respond with a gentle shake of her head.]

I'm afraid I haven't seen anyone by that description. However, I will keep a lookout for him. May I ask what his name is?

[lightspins]

Emil. We were together before that... Weird light thing, so he must be here, right? [Though she's starting to have doubts...] Thanks though; I appreciate it.

[compassions]

Well, as long as we don't give up, I'm sure we can find him!

[At least Estelle is determined for the both of them. Still, given all the new people, well... perhaps they were selectively chosen? However, it'd still make sense if groups stayed together even if her group really wasn't here.]

[lightspins]

[She laughs lightly, smiling at the girl's determination. She couldn't let herself get discouraged that easily, could she?]

You're right! I'm sure he's around here somewhere.

[beastlier]

... No clue.

[ He's in a mild bad mood right now, which he considers himself rather justified in; anyone would be in this kind of situation, right? On one hand, he had been about to give up his life to save everyone - he'd come to terms with that and was perfectly okay with it, but being... well, conscious, he wasn't going to complain about it. On the other hand... Where the hell are they?

Even so, Estelle is gentle enough, and she looks as confused as he is, so he doesn't snap back. ]

This place look familiar to you?

[compassions]

[While Estelle is admittedly upset, she can easily keep such negative motions away and replace them with almost unreal optimism. Still, she can tell the man she spoke with is upset and has every right to be. In the end, he's still kind to her, and that's all Estelle honestly cares about.

And to answer his question, she shakes her head.]

I'm afraid not. At least it's not a castle I'm familiar with.

[Implying she's familiar with a castle somewhere.]

[beastlier]

I figured as much.

[ honestly, everyone else looked as lost as he felt. Half of them are dressed like nothing he's ever seen before, either. And judging by this girl's comment about castles, well... He was, at the very least, really far from home.

Apollo's quiet for a moment, mulling over his next question, but he sticks his hands in his pockets and asks it anyway. ]

Did you die, too?

[compassions]

[His comment shocks her. Did she die? She's silent for a moment as she looks down at the group, starting to fidget a little with her sword and shield in each hand. Perhaps Phaeroh went back on his word because he decided she was too much of a threat. Still, it's not something she recalls. Maybe that was his mercy... to ensure she would have a painless death.

But still uncertain, she shakes her head.]

I... I don't know.

[assiduous]

[ mako is sitting on the floor against one of the walls, knees pulled up in front of his chest and one hand curled around the other wrist in front of his chest when estelle approaches. he looks up from what appears to be a careful examination of his fine motor skills, expression flat apart from the slight frown he wears and the steely, unamused light to his golden eyes. however the heck that is possible, you know?

is he helpful? no. would he be helpful if he could be helpful? yes, but he can't.

also he is kind of stressed, his fireball throwing seems to be malfunctioning, so excuse the snippy, but still entirely true answer: ]

Not the South Pole?

[compassions]

[There's a moment as she studies the young man then decides to kneel next to him. Part of her is worn out from trying to satiate her curiosity and not getting answers, and there's also the fact that he seemed like he might need some company -- at least to Estelle. Her expression is soft, but there's still a bit of a smile on her face.

However, his answer is true, and despite her naivete, she can read between the lines that he doesn't appear to know where they are either. Normally, she would press for more answers, but right now, she knows is not the time.]

I suppose not. [Not that she really knows what this 'south pole' is. Which gives her an opening:]

Is that a location from where you're from?

[assiduous]

[ ah... she's... so kawaii and nice...

but omfg what the hell is going on with your hair, girl. pink?? watch mako think it's weird and say nothing. way to go mako, you're dumb.

his expression turns the slightest bit bemused at her second question, because how can you not know about the south pole? even he knows about the south pole and he's got the cumulative education of a second grader mixed with accounting for gang and other seedy knowledge. he drops his hand and rests his forearms on his knees as he nods slowly, ]

It's where my... [ pause. can he say this? he's gonna say this. ] girlfriend's from.

[compassions]

[Her hair is a little weird in her world too, but maybe it's a royal thing? Estelle doesn't really know.

She waits patiently for an answer, hopefully getting something useful, but the answer she gets brings a smile to her face. Ah, he has a girlfriend! Well there's something they can talk about then! After all, delving into someone else's history that she barely knows is okay, right and he mentioned her first, so-- shifting herself just a bit, she places her hands in her laps and leans in just a little bit.]

Your girlfriend? What is she like?

1/2.

[assiduous]

[ !!! ]