IC INTRO - JUNE '18

[phantasmods]

After the fight with the siren has settled, those characters with phones hooked to the KEystone network will get a text -

Okay, everyone, you had better come back in. There's a storm brewing just off the coast.

Even given Up's usual professionalism, it seems rather... subdued?

----

For once, there are no androids at all to greet you upon your return, or arrival, as the case may be. A shelter has been set up for the boats on the shoreline of Glitterstone, however. By the time you tromp up the lighthouse stairs to the level of the Station itself, the sky is beginning to grey with the promised storm.

There's not the typical feast outside, but there is a fairly extensive taco bar set up in the common room, left unattended as well. The room sign-up sheet and boxes of freebies are also there, complete with the Braille versions, and a note at the bottom of both room sheets reads "If all rooms are full, space has been made in the meeting rooms on the top floor. We'll have additional rooms available as soon as possible."

It does appear that someone has updated the murder counter while you were away, however, for the turning of the week. It now reads 15 weeks without murder.

Other than that, you're free to explore, including in the newly finished sections of the Annex (should you be willing to brave the storm to get between buildings). However, wherever you go, the androids are almost conspicuously absent - even in the medical bay and Down's workstation in the command center.

The meeting room they have for their own private use is securely closed and locked.

Comments

[matchmakes]

I just wanted to make sure. Some of the people here come from worlds without horses and I still can't get past that...

... The pegasus is named Catria, by the way. She's my sister's.

[makejapangreat]

Truly? I find it rather remarkable that there are so many different worlds yet most of the people here seem human... or at least look it.

Interesting. Can it really fly?

[matchmakes]

It is pretty remarkable... especially with all the differences between the worlds that are just here. Can you just imagine what else could be out there?

She can. They're fairly common flying mounts in my world. My homeland in particular had a squad of knights who exclusively fought from pegasus-back. I've never had the chance to properly ride one myself, but pegasi tend to be... picky about their riders.

[makejapangreat]

A squadron of knights?

[He looks to Robin, surprised.]

You mean to say these animals can still take flight even as a fully-armored soldier sits atop of it?

[matchmakes]

Well, probably not in the way you're thinking. Pegasus Knights--and other aerial forces like Wyvern Riders--typically wear lighter armor than cavalrymen. They're also not what one might considered fully-armored, either.

[makejapangreat]

That's still remarkable. And... Wyvren Riders? What's a Wyvren?

[matchmakes]

[Oh boy NERD TIME]

They're a type of dragon with two legs and wings. They're sturdier than pegasi, and have been known to easily survive harsh environments. They're often difficult to tame, and will only accept a rider that's earned their respect, as opposed to a pegasus, who will only accept a woman rider. Wyverns tend to be rather stubborn and proud... and somewhat temperamental.

[Spoken like someone who knows from experience.]

Some are able to breathe fire, but from what I understand, that's more commonly used by wild wyverns...

Both wyverns and pegasi have weaknesses to arrows and wind magic, but magic seems to be a vulnerability in general for wyverns while pegasi tend to be more resistant.

[makejapangreat]

[Oh. Oh wow. Okay??? He did not expect this impromptu lesson on Wyvrens and Pegasi, and yet... he's actually kind of fascinated?]

That's... really interesting. [There might be a hint of a smile?] You sound like you come from a truly remarkable world.

[matchmakes]

I'd like to think it is. The ugliness of war and everything it brings is still present, but... there's still some incredible things out there.

Wyverns are a fun topic for me because they're my mount of choice, actually. I have to admit, I'm a little jealous that my sister got to arrive here with Catria there while I'm without Melady...

[makejapangreat]

[Shido gives a little shake of his head.]

I'll admit, I don't really have much experience with animals myself. At all, really...

[matchmakes]

If I had any experience prior to two or three years ago, I don't remember it, to tell you the truth. Learning how to interact with animals... it eventually comes with being around them, I think. Horses are certainly easier to deal with than wyverns...

[makejapangreat]

I never really had much reason to be around animals. [He glances towards the pegasus.] Though it feels... somewhat calming, to watch them.

[matchmakes]

Doesn't it? ... I'll admit that's why I'm down here a lot, despite both of them belonging to other people.

[Gesturing to both Catria and the hippogriff.]

[makejapangreat]

[He looks back at Robin curiously.] Perhaps it's not my place to ask, but are you troubled?

[matchmakes]

Troubled... I suppose I am. My sister and I got pulled here during a... difficult time for the army we're part of. I'm worried for my friends, given the enemy we were up against.

... And... well, I miss my wife.

[makejapangreat]

I see... I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully you both, as well as your mounts, will be able to return soon.

[matchmakes]

Well, Melady--my wyvern--isn't here. And the hippogriff there isn't mine, that's Astolfo's.

But... thank you. I hope so, too.

[makejapangreat]

Ah— right, sorry.

So how have you otherwise been preoccupying yourself here?

[matchmakes]

My sister and I have practically lived in the library since the annex was built.

[He can't help but snicker a little.]

Other than that... training, mostly. Though I do my share of socializing. I've been practicing cooking... I generally try to keep myself fairly busy.

[makejapangreat]

Sounds about what like I do. Though, there isn't much more to do here, is there?

[A soft sigh.] Still better than my alternative, I suppose.

[matchmakes]

Well, I'm mostly avoiding using too much technology that I'm unfamiliar with... Of course, things keep being added, so who knows, we may end up with more to do.

[That's the hope, anyway.]

... What alternative, if I may?

[makejapangreat]

[His mouth presses into a thin, wry line.]

Some time ago, I put my laundry list of crimes out on the network. Among them... bribery, coercion, manipulation, forgery— the list goes on— all in order to secure the position of Prime Minister... what would essentially amount to the leader of the country I'm from.

I've deceived the populace into thinking that my competition was inadequate, and that I was the man for the job. And for my treason, I will be executed.

[matchmakes]

... I see. To tell you the truth, I wasn't looking at the network much that day-- at least, little more than trying to keep things calm.

[Robin's quiet as he considers what Shido's done, then gives the man a long, hard look.]

Why? [A pause, before he clarifies.] ... Why did you want to become Prime Minister, I mean?

[makejapangreat]

Why does anyone want to become the leader of a nation? To guide it towards greatness.

[A sigh.]

Or so it began with me. However, after a time, I started focusing more on... other goals. [He closes his eyes briefly.] Selfish goals.

[matchmakes]

[... Why does anyone want to become the leader of a nation? For the briefest of moments, Robin's mind flashes to Validar. It makes him scowl deeply before he actually speaks.]

... You'd be surprised, honestly.

[He can't quite help the mirthless chuckle.]

So, good intentions before everything went to hell. That's better than I can say for some of the leaders I've seen.