Peace and Serenity

[strangerpeople]

[Dying hurts doesn't it? Feeling such horrible pain as you realize that you're breathing your last moments. It makes someone wonder about what would be waiting for them in the beyond. Some would say there is an afterlife and it would depend on how you acted that decides where you will stay for the rest of eternity. But is it fluffy clouds and wings or pitchforks and brimstone? Will you remember anything that was once missing?

Not in your case. There's no clouds or fire nor any of your missing memories restored. Ain't that a bitch.

When you come to, you will be lying on a futon and tucked in like you had fallen asleep there all long. You will also notice that your clothes have been replaced with simple cotton shirts and trousers (for both men and women, hey we feel the ladies can wear pants too!) for better movement. But in Vita's case, probably a blessing considering. But something will stick out about yourselves: any wounds you had on you are now gone and healed. The room itself is simple with a couple floor lamps, a floor length mirror, a window, and a dresser but there seems to be nothing out of the ordinary-wait, a window?

Yes, there is one and when you look out of it, it's sunny. Not only that but there are signs of trees and a river flowing around where you are at. So there are two big things that you will now realize: This is most definitely not near the Base

And...you're not alone.]





(OOC: Welcome to Deadland everyone! This is the overall mingle log for Round 3 and due to the nature of it, this will be a bit more relaxing than the game itself. And since the setting is different from the Base, here are the places where your characters will be able to go to:

EXTERIOR:

-The Temple: Your place of residence for the duration. Unlike the Base which is constantly in a strange futuristic setting, this has the feel of a much simpler time.

-Outhouse: Where you can go to the bathroom. There's only one but thankfully it's actually got plumbing. Just a toliet and sink to clean up once you're done with your business.

-Baths: Or rather one bath. Not many folks live here after all. However, the tub is large enough to fit several people and and there is a box where soap and shampoo is stored.

-River: This river seems to be where a lot of folks like to wash up on. It's really weird according to the one who is living here.

-Pink Pond: ...no seriously, there is some weird pond in the back of the temple with a pink colored something. Are you brave enough to take a dip or a taste?

-Vegetable Garden: A large plot of land behind the temple is reserved for growing various vegetables. You have the normal kinds such as eggplants and carrots and celery but then there's smaller trees that grow warm bread and al dente noodles. We are not joking. And they are delicious.


INTERIOR

-Strangers' Room: This is a large room where the Strangers will be sleeping in throughout their stay. There is a dresser large enough for storing things if they wish to do so but it's mainly for extra clothing. The beds here are not bunks but rather the futons they will wake up on. It's easily foldable and there's no set spaces where you are able to sleep. And yes, both men and women will be sharing this room so I hope you kids have some manners and try not to peep on the other like a bad harem anime trope.

-Kitchen: 'Rustic'...is one way to describe it. But hey, at least there's an ice box to keep things frozen, counters to chop things up, tools to do cooking in, a sink with plumbing, and a fire burning stove. Just clean up after your mess, no one wants to disappoint the person living here.

-Hallway Closet: A walk in closet where extra futons, blankets, and towels are stored. Nothing fancy.

-Locked Room: ???

-Pink Bedroom: Someone lives here and would appreciate it that no one snoops through her things.

-Main Hall: A large room that also works for meetings and gatherings. And for fighters, a good place for sparring. There's several wooden poles for training but that seems to be it.

Enjoy your stay, Strangers!)

Comments

[macherieneutre]

[Part of it. She leads them to the main hall and sits down right on the floor, gesturing for them to do the same.]

It seems that we all have questions that we want to know about. I'm alright with answering them if I know them and maybe you can tell me a bit of where you two came from?

[beguiledcard]

[ He nods, glancing to Vita for a brief moment. After some consideration, he looks back to the lady. ]

I'm Akira Kurusu. It's nice to meet you, circumstances aside...

[ Briefly, he gestures between himself and Vita. ]

For starters, we were kidnapped to a base and held against our will. [ a beat ] Whoever was keeping us, seemed to be having fun with the whole thing.

[illusionarymelody]

[It doesn't take anyone telling Vita for her to know that they should keep the murder thing quiet. Even if she failed, she still did try to commit murder and a host wouldn't want a guest like that around and they owe this kind woman much. Very likely their own lives if what she said was true.]

I'm Vita Clotilde, it is also nice to meet you and you have our gratitude for saving us and taking care of us. I truly apologize for our unwelcome intrusion into your home.

What Akira says is true. There were fifteen of us kidnapped and being held in the base. It is also not exactly a safe place. The two of us reacted as we did because we met with some of those dangers and thought we had died because of them. The same must have happened with our new arrival.

[macherieneutre]

[The woman taps her chin in thought, listening in on their words.]

To think someone would even play a game there...[Her tone is quiet and thoughtful with a hint of concern.]

Tell me, who did you see at the base?

[beguiledcard]

[ So... Vita is choosing to keep quiet about the biggest detail of all, then. Akira will follow suit - not that he thinks he should be able to get away with it, here, but... he would put Vita at risk of being found out, too. Heh... he's never... been the type to actually prefer--

Augh, you know what? Never mind. He needs to just focus; the sooner they know where they are, who they're with, and what in the hell's going on? The sooner they can figure out how to get back, and then maybe save the others.

But... hmm...

... That's an interesting way of putting it. ]

"There" ...? [ a beat ] I assume you're asking who was running the show, huh...?

[ Something bitter washes over his expression for just a moment. ]

She called herself the Commander. [ lips briefly tightening a bit ] Marie.

[illusionarymelody]

[Vita does find it interesting this woman jumped right to thinking it was a game when neither of them said that outright. Terrible people exist who enjoy the suffering of others, after all.]

She has red hair and an extremely loud voice. She's also full of herself and fond of tasteless pranks. I know I'm very worried about the twelve who remain in captivity because of her and the dangers there.

[macherieneutre]

[Fun usually includes games after all. Or that's how she sees it at least and jumped to that conclusion. But it's when she pinches the bridge of her nose upon hearing that name, it makes her concerned.]

I do know of who you speak of. The base you mentioned is that of the Red Army. They're very dangerous after all and the [Pause.] commander leads them. But only because she's under the protection of The Demon; the commander is...special.

[beguiledcard]

[ The Demon...? The Red Army...? Akira's eyes widen a little at all that, a momentary pause held that's filled with him just staring at her... ]

How do... you know all this, exactly? [ holding a blink, and then: ] Can I ask what your name is?

[illusionarymelody]

[Vita nods, she'd like to know the name of their gracious hostess. Though she is definitely more curious how she knows this and what can they do to help their friends?]

I'd also like to know where we are and if we can do anything here to help the others.

[macherieneutre]

[Nodding.]

Of course. My title here is Priest of the Sherry but I guess if you are staying here longer, then you can call me Kerri.

[It's said with all seriousness.]

The Red Army has been our enemy for the longest time, only seeking destruction of the universe. We here in the Neutral Zone try our best to keep them at bay and defend but our numbers are getting smaller. But no one is allowed to come here unless they are a part of the Order like myself...until all of you appeared in the river...

[beguiledcard]

A priest, huh... [ said to the tune of: no surprise ] It's nice to meet you, Kerri-san.

[ He's bowing his head a bit to be polite. ]

Is there no way to just... put an end to them?

[illusionarymelody]

It's nice to meet you Kerri. We're truly sorry to intrude upon this place.

Can you also tell us more about this army and the situation? Is there a war going on that the two of us and our friends have been forced into?

[macherieneutre]

Sorry? Why are you sorry?

[It's confusing. Why are they saying that?]

The Red Army...all they want to do is destroy for no reason at all. Just the senseless idea of making everything turn to ash. From what I remember, everyone lived in peace and then they started to go on the attack. No conflict or fighting, just pointless destruction. I would not know why you or your friends are involved but there is something that concerns me: your clothes say you are not from this universe, am I correct?

[beguiledcard]

[ That question has him softly blinking. ]

Our clothes...? [ tilting his head a bit ] In most cases, we were wearing what was put on us, after we arrived. Not to say we aren't from another universe, of course. Everyone was from different worlds, in general.

[illusionarymelody]

I can't speak for different universes. I found it hard enough to even understand the idea of space as some place above the sky rather than an element.

What I do know is that no one else seemed familiar with the place I'm from. But may I ask if we were dressed like him when we arrived, or in something different?

[macherieneutre]

Different worlds...?

It's just like...[She looks towards the painting on the wall. Vita will remember looking at it during her investigation.]

There is a story that we of the Order know of; a man named the Beyonder came to our universe and helped defeat the Red Army many years ago. And he left as soon as he came. I wonder because it is said that he too wore the same as you had arrived with.

[beguiledcard]

So, then... they can be defeated.

[ That's it; that's his focus. ]

[illusionarymelody]

Is he the man in that painting then? I admit I was curious if he was a historical figure or not. Would you be willing to tell the story of him?

[macherieneutre]

[Smiling.]

Of course! I would be honored to!

[She nods and claps her hands together.]

Ten thousand years ago, the universe was in danger. The two major powers were the White Army and the Red Army. One day the Red Army was taken over by a brutal king, and in establishing their empire, they nearly wiped out the White Army, disrupting the balance of things and plunging everything into chaos. But it was in that moment of darkness that the Beyonder came and with his powers, slayed the monstrous Red King and saved everyone.

The Neutral Zone back then was a little like it is now - the place where all of the universe's discarded things and trash accumulates. The only two inhabitants were our orders' founders, Crackle and Sherry. The Beyonder enlisted their aid in the final battle against the Red King, and entrusted them and their successors to the keeping of the universe and its balance. The Order of the Sherry and the Order of the Crackle have been carrying out this task to this day, especially in light of the Demon's ascent in the universe.

We always knew the Demon would strike and try and end everything, so we've been preparing. We just never knew when it would happen!

[beguiledcard]

[ This is a lot to remember, but he focuses on the smaller details the best he can. ]

And what have you guys done in preparation for this?

[illusionarymelody]

And can you tell us anything about this Demon person?

[Vita had definitely suspected Marie wasn't the head of this and just a peon who was assigned to a task that no one else wanted. But her thought when she hears the word "Demon" is of one of her Enforcers who is part demon and that's not exactly likely to be an accurate representation.]

[macherieneutre]

I never saw what they look like...everything I learned is from the other members of the Order. And no one has left any pictures or descriptions so I am just as lost.

[Then she folds her hands into her lap.]

The last I had heard from other members was awhile ago. There was some sort of lead and decided to follow...not only that but the Priest of the Crackle went to the Base but I haven't heard anything from him either.

It's just me here.

[beguiledcard]

[ His brow tenses. ]

How long ago did they go to the base?

[illusionarymelody]

I'm more curious about what he looks like. If he's not one of our group then he's either hiding somewhere we couldn't access yet or no longer there.

[macherieneutre]

He wears the same robes like me except in blue!

[That really narrows it down.]

Hmmm when he left it was...oh dear, I think about a month ago...?