#▍✶ EVENT : MISTIFIED (rerun)

[isolaradiale]

This is an event rerun. For more information on how to participate, please check our EVENT RERUN GUIDE! If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask!

Anticipation falls over the laboratory, blinding lights reflecting in the glasses that a finger taps gently upon the rim of, lips pursing as she takes in the details which rest upon the screen before her. Another moment passes before a nigh pleased hum escapes her, and she settles herself into the wheeled seat not so far from the myriad of machines. Several data files read across a few monitors, all while the cursor resting behind the final calculation blinks in solemn silence.

“So you’re finally ready to begin? The stress test, as the kids would call it these days.”

"Ready as I'll ever be, I suppose. Everything's all in order, mmhm."

“Well, I suppose that’s better than some recruits in my time,” the blonde muses, fingers lifting to adjust her glasses before leaning back into her chair. “I look forward to seeing how this all pans out, mm? Oh, in regards to your lovely project in this all. And come to think of it… would you care to do the honors, Caelum?”

Swiveling her chair partway, her lips turn into a scarce smile at her fellow Star, all before green eyes turn to the keyboard with the last modifications placed in. One in particular glows an eerie red, the words sprawling across the screen reading plain as day: DISABLE Respawn_System.

"Aha, this isn't my first rodeo, not to worry!"

Although his words were strained, as if he had to lift them to sound lighter. Contrary to the grin on his companion's face, the corners of his mouth were in a tight line, and the hands that gripped his cane bore white knuckles. His greying hair almost reflects pink in the sanguine light of that one line.

Less to Pleiades, and more to the subjects beyond the veil, he murmurs.

"We're counting on you all out there. I pray you overcome this, too."

Pleiades watches as the screen flickers to life in silent agreeance, a few blips processing forth from the machine. One she has come to know well enough — the consciousness of Janus drawn in, sent away to the personal computer tucked to the wayside of Caelum’s space. The other is the sign that the machines would find the briefest respite, the final murmurs of fans as they come to a slow decline, all before the screen bleeps those final, lonely words:

REVIVAL MODE GONE. NIGHTY NIGHT... (ᴗ˳ᴗ)

"Good luck, and godspeed."

Silence, too, reaches through the streets of Spirale, with none so aware of what was to come. Those who slumber would find naught to stir them, lest it was another or the happening of coincidence. Those who take to the evenings would carry on their night as they would any other. Perhaps it was the trick of one’s eye that causes them to turn their gaze toward the perimeter of the city, where mists have long since lingered as a reminder of where they remain, only shifting whenever newfound areas were unveiled. Before long, a tendril of fog would unfurl in, breaking the barrier of the very city which most have come to find safety in.

And then another, snaking its way through the edges, creeping along the streets as it begins to pour in, as if finally freed from the confinements that kept it from finding its way to those inhabiting the city at long last. It begins to flood the streets, blanketing the buildings in a whitened haze.

Should you run?

But... where would one run where it cannot follow?

Only a few paths remain, a promise of sanctuary where all paths lead from Spirale toward where the murky white walls once loomed. And for those who found themselves washed over by the creeping mists, they would also be greeted with the haunting view of a never-ending eclipse stained crimson amidst the obscured skies; as if it were looming in wait, watching their every move...

welcome to the next event renewal: MISTIFIED! this event will run until MARCH 17TH, 11:59PM and will count toward your rankings. the event is a bit of a read due to its nature, but we hope that once you get through it, you'll be able to have fun with it in a lot of ways you can take this information. and if you have any questions that aren't answered in the following, the inbox is open for you!

SO WHAT’S GOING ON?

we’re glad you asked! the short of it is that the two stars, pleiades and caelum, are implementing a project of sorts. this project, or “stress test” as pleiades has called it, involves activating something within the mysterious mists that's usually meant as a proximity to keep people from venturing too far out. as seen in the event premise above, this takes the form of the mists beginning to slowly flood into the city, blanketing it all to cover everything up.

while it’s overrunning the city itself, the outskirts of the city seem to have several branching areas that aren’t filled with mist, allowing people to escape out of spirale and into radial island. these paths are more focused and narrow, with some leading into dead ends, while others carry on endlessly the further along you go. one thing that should be noted is that people will find that, oddly, the locals don’t seem to be phased at all at what’s happening as they carry on with their lives, as if there’s nothing to be concerned of at all.

whether people decide to take these open paths or instead venture into the mists is entirely up to them, as there’s really no wrong way to go about it.

WILL WE FIND ANYTHING ON THE PATHS?

you will, yes! those who’ve chosen to wander the paths provided to them at various points of the city outskirts will note that the scenery is similar to most land they’d find on the island thus far. however, on their travels, some might be surprised to find that they’ll stumble upon various things from their worlds. things such as general vegetation, specific flowers, or other natural scenes might pop up and can be plucked or touched as if they were actually native to the island itself, as well as some harmless wildlife that are native to their worlds.

WHAT HAPPENS IF WE ENTER THE MIST?

wandering into, or being engulfed, by the mists will lead to a lot more complicated reactions than the trails provide, much like if someone were to do so when the mists hadn’t invaded the city. only this time it varies compared to the usual consequences you’d feel the further you venture out from the center point of spirale.

to start, there’s still the risk of the usual pain and transparency that comes with going into it the further you go, to the point that you might entirely disappear as you normally would. while that’s the case, some might come to experience something else entirely in other areas of the mist, such as their weapons manifesting at their sides, or even the entirety of their powers being returned to them despite not having been fully unlocked. likewise, people who have some, or all, of their powers returned already might find that they’re now stripped of them either fully or in various degrees. their weapons may also disappear or flicker out at a moment's notice, too.

these are all fairly alarming alongside the ominous eclipse that looms overhead in the foggy sky, but even more so are the data imprints that people may come across.

DATA IMPRINTS?

traces of “data” which can be either residual or even sometimes sentient.

RESIDUAL DATA IMPRINTS will manifest in ways such as scenes of the past being played out that others can see. these particular scenes can come from the character’s time in spirale itself or even from something that happened to them back from their own world. and just as scenes of the past can be played and seen, ones from the future are also fully possible to encounter! scenes like these can also be ones from future plots you might have that will come to pass in spirale or even characters witnessing what they’ll experience in the future of their own worlds. it’s also possible that if the series your character comes from has branching paths, they could even catch glimpses of scenes that have happened in those branching timelines that may differ from your character's own experiences and routes.

SENTIENT DATA IMPRINTS are a lot more dangerous, plainly put. rather than scenes playing out as if it were to be watched, it will manifest in the way of creatures or people your characters may know, as well as behave eerily as if they were really here and brought to the island. whether it’s a pet you haven’t seen in ages, someone you want (or don’t?) want to see, monsters you’d find roaming in your world, or even yourself, anything is possible to manifest in this state! remember that they’re just as physical as you or anyone else here, so it’s possible that they can even harm you.

WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THEM?

honestly? the sky’s the limit with this one! you can take these concepts and apply them to your muses as you see fit. if you want a sentient data imprint of your past self to show up so you can duke it out with them, go for it! want them to see a future situation they haven’t encountered yet within canon without updating your canon point just yet? absolutely fine! just be mindful of fellow writers and make sure you get permission from them if it involves a character already on the masterlist if it goes beyond just witnessing canon events.

SO UHH… THE RESPAWN SYSTEM?

gone. kaput. no longer something your character can rely on.

with the respawn system being intentionally taken down, your character will actually die without returning back to their beds like usual. the characters themselves won’t know this is in effect until they experience it or witness someone else die. needless to say, they won’t be waking up in the spirale they currently know for a long while...

THEN WHERE DO WE GO WHEN WE DIE?

anyone who dies during the event will find themselves in a new place until the end of the event, actually! don’t be fooled, though. while you’ll wake up with some pain at first, it's obvious that you're actually "dead" and you can't leave this zone. consider it like purgatory! you’re able to move around and walk just fine, but the scenery itself is very hazy and ethereal for right now. you might see distant shapes of buildings or other structures and maybe even bump into others who suffered the same fate while the respawn system is down. you can also find screens across this zone that actually relay what's going on in radial island in real time, allowing your character to see what's going on in some places while in this zone if they choose to watch! otherwise, you won't be able to contact anyone on the outside of this area nor can they make contact with you.

[firstclassrookie]

Starter call for the Mistified Event! Leon will be with a data imprint of the President's Daughter, Ashley Graham, trying to protect her from harm.

Uncapping this, but I might be selective!

[spiderstaff]

OK I'm caving-- here's an event starter call for Kay! Most of these will probably be with her dads -- Jim and Peony.

If you'd rather, though, I also want to do things with alternate route Mirror Kay-- (though I'd prefer this to be with people she's already met!)

Leaving it uncapped but selective! Leave a preference in the comments or dm me if you want a specific scenario, otherwise I'll choose at random !

[idolshand]

MISTIFIED STARTER CALL & INFO- Kikimora

Late getting this thing out, but I couldn't really think of a lot of stuff for this little shit. -v- Either way, putting this out as an uncapped event starter for her! Info on her data imprints below.

RESIDUAL DATA IMPRINTS:

Pre/Early Coven Days: Kiki's early-life self is for sure going to be going around as a sentient imprint, but won't necessarily give the full context of how things were for her before then. These memories popping up may well be just what's needed to explore why she's so very...her.

The Day of Unity: The most important, traumatizing day for nearly everyone on the Boiling Isles. The day Kikimora realized everything she’d worked for her whole life was a lie. A day…that, looking back, was little more than business as usual in the Emperor’s Coven for her.

SENTIENT DATA IMPRINTS:

Pre-Coven Kikimora: While she was still a firm believer in Emperor Belos’s authority, Kikimora hadn’t yet been exposed to the treacherous, toxic environment of working directly under him. She’s a fair bit more nervous, actively concerned with doing things to please others above her, with no authority of her own to swing around just yet. Not hostile.

Terra Snapdragon: Head Witch of the Plant Coven. A rather bloodthirsty old woman with whom Kiki had a rather frightful encounter on Coven Day. Without the Emperor’s plans to worry about anymore, she may just feel tempted to carry out the punishment she was denied giving out that day of her own accord… Hostile.

[fallenconstellation]

@divineshadows

"Hey, Emil... where are we?" The mist around them had shifted, giving way to a space that, while sort of unfamiliar, felt eerily like he had been here before.

He's careful not to fall as they advance, taking a few steps ahead of his companion.

'We've heard that a new tree has been born.'

"Is that... me? And look, Emil, Richter's up ahead!" He keeps walking, then hesitates, looking back toward his friend.

"I don't remember this happening, so, it must have happened after I was brought here, right?" He closes his eyes... it feels like he's got a headache coming on.

"Tell me the truth, OK? Is that... you?"

[animasend]

   “What on earth are you talking about?” it’s impossible to mistake, the pure offense at the other mage’s clear insistence that her father was not around no matter what the young girl had said. she was not blind nor was she stupid. olga marie knows who she saw and even upon calling out to the adult did he pause to glance her way before continuing on. she was close, so so close, but then this supposed mage had blocked her path. talking as if he knew her, asking her about people named reines and gray. both unfamiliar names to the girl and, quite frankly, she could care less as to just why he asked or who they were.  

            none of that mattered. but he wasn’t listening to her and there’s only so much she can be adamant on before giving up entirely.

  “ My father-- Director Marisbury-- is here. I saw him. And you’re trying to tell me that he isn’t? Why should I believe what you’re saying? ”

@keiisho​ -- mistified 

[twohundredpower]

Against the opaque fog of the mists, a memory seemed to be playing throughout it-- of a man and a woman smiling together, while they held up their child by his hands. Swinging him back and forth, the child laughed; a bright, bubbly sound that filled the trees of the forest, almost bringing life to the dark, frightening atmosphere. 

Though, somehow.. the child in the memory seemed to also be watching it pass by; a boy no older than three unable to tear his eyes away from the happy moment he once shared with his parents. It was so real! Was he having a dream again? Or did his parents come back from him, after they both went away..?

Lifting a tiny hand, Lloyd reached out to the silhouettes of his parents, their backs facing him-- but as soon as he tried to grab the hem of his mother’s skirt, all of them slowly started to fade away, leaving the boy all on his own.

“Mama..! Papa..! Wait!”

“Wait..” tears filled up the browns of his eyes, squeezing them shut as they began to slowly dribble down his cheeks. His legs felt so, so tired, and he stumbled as he tried to chase them; falling to his knees as a sob broke through his parted lips. “Wh.. why did they leave again..? I wanna go with them..! Come back..!” 

[badluckgoboom]

@baddestdangerboy

As piercing as the sound of rapid gunfire was, almost as striking were the lights accompanying them. Every percussive shot flashed with a pinkish-white light, visibly swiveling around even through the mists, almost seeming to chase another light- this one a bright green, streaking around through the air. Two voices could be heard amidst the noise- one masculine, the other feminine, both strained and aggressive. The green light seemed to grow bigger, a silhouette quickly coming into view-

WHAM! A force would smack into the bystander from the side, the distinct sound of bullets shattering concrete heard where he stood a second earlier. He was swept up into the air and into an alleyway. The person who'd grabbed him- a young man, holding the hoverboard that emitted that light- looked to him incredulously.

"What are you doing?! She could've torn you up out there- if you can't fight, run!"

[anneitsnobigdeal]

"Ugh, really hoping they'll be able to clear out these mists soon. I'm kinda tired of this city being even more mixed up than usual..." Anne had initially taken every measure she could to stop from wandering into the mists, but soon learned she'd need to face them head-on if she wanted to keep hitting up her favorite coffee shops. (Rain, shine, snow, reality-warping vapors...nothing kept those places shut down it seemed) At the very least she wanted to go around with someone else whenever possible, just in case she stumbled upon something she couldn't handle alone. She wasn't sure of her pal Donald's combat abilities, but he was at least willing to go places with her! Having someone to protect if she had to would probably bring out the best in her abilities anyway, if it came to that.

Of course, it had yet to come to that. All it had come to was having to trek through some scorching desert, then a barren frozen wasteland, and now a humid, swampy forest. The mists would throw any manner of weird world at them to slow them down, it seemed. "Really makes you wonder what sort of messed-up script-flipping "event" they'll throw at us next, huh?" she snarked, looking to her feathered friend with a wry smile. "The Stars sure do know how to make you feel at-"

The sarcastic remark trailed off as her eyes came up to look behind him, then around, her pace slowing slightly. "...Wait, I...I know these woods..." Looking off to the right of where they stood, Anne began to walk...then hurried up into a light- then more intense- jogging pace. The end of the path would come out to a wide open swamp, upon which there was built a small town, houses and stores wearing the trappings of medieval architecture. There was a larger building near the center- town hall, perhaps- a more ornate building with a sign reading "Stumpy's" on the front, a small rolling section upon which a house was built into a tree...out in the skyline, an occasional insect could be seen flying, much MUCH too easy to make out given how far away they should have been. Anne was frozen where she stood, her eyes starting to shimmer and prick up with tears.

"It's Wartwood...the city brought us to Amphibia...!"

@theunluckiestduck / EVENT THREAD: MISTIFIED

[wolfofthewisps]

@moraypower // MISTIFIED

The thick mists draped over the city created an uncomfortable, ethereal atmosphere. It was as if they had been dropped into a strange dream, the familiar streets and buildings seeming alien and otherworldly. Even more bizarre was the shift in environment in some areas, affected by the very lives and memories of the cities’ extradimensional residents. The city and some who lived here were no stranger to this phenomenon, but it was still enough to put anyone on-edge.

Such was the case with the lone figure that was pacing through the streets of Cotes. Their silhouette betrayed an alert nature, head kept on a swivel as they moved about, hardly able to see five feet in front of themselves clearly. Any groups of people were actively avoided so as to avoid any trouble. Their surroundings were unknown to them, after all, and it’d be best to keep to themselves while they were searching for their objective.

Of course, fortune can’t always be in one’s favor. They’d ducked between two buildings to try and take a shortcut, but as they rounded the corner out of the path between them, they nearly collided with somebody. A quick step was taken back to avoid the impact and fall into a combative stance. Though vision was a bit hazy all around, their face would be familiar to the other party, and the voice they spoke in as well. 

“Watch where you’re going. It’s easy to bump into people in conditions like this.”

[troubleisafriend]

MISTIFIED STARTER CALL & INFO- Jester Lavorre

This one was supposed to be small ;_; But then...well, you'll see down below. Anyway, this'll be an uncapped event starter call for the Mistified rerun! Details under the readmore about what you may encounter with this leetol blue tiefling. Beware of spoilers- aka

XAV DON'T LOOK

RESIDUAL DATA IMPRINTS:

The Lavish Chateau: A very upper-class bordello in the coastal town of Nicodranas. Jester grew up here! You’re bound to see an even more adorable and littler blue tiefling running around the memories here.

The Xhorhaus: A quite comfortable mansion in the Sun-bereft city of Rosohna; this place was gifted to the Mighty Nein for their deeds performed for the Kryn Dynasty. You may even get to see some of them around here, though probably not to interact with…probably…

SENTIENT DATA IMPRINTS:

The Traveler/Artagan: The archfey who became Jester’s first friend and the deity who provides her with her powers. Not hostile, but very mischievous and kind of condescending.

Marion Lavorre: Jester’s mom! (has got it going on) A beautiful red tiefling with a beautiful voice and nurturing presence. Not hostile.

The Gentleman: Jester’s dad! A handsome perpetually moist water genasi who exudes a suave demeanor and works as a crime boss, though the composure can be swiftly dismantled by his daughter. Not initially hostile, but can be made to be.

Isharnai: An old, creepy hag(literally, not as an insult)who enjoys dealing in others’ misery. Was tricked by Jester, who stays in friendly contact with her, into undoing her friend’s curse and is very interested in meeting her again because of it. Potentially hostile.

Avantika: An elf pirate who Jester and her friends ran into on their adventures. Worships the leviathan Uk’otoa (Uk’otoa…) and is very disliked by Jester for her relationship with the tiefling’s friend/crush Fjord. Comes in living and undead flavors! Likely hostile.

The Mighty Nein: Jester’s friends!! The brave, morally-ambiguous adventuring party she traveled with, the people who she would die and kill for more quickly than almost anyone else in the world. Brief summations:

Caleb Widogast: Human wizard. Quiet, bookish, and usually kind of dirty(literally, not as in attitude), but very curious about the arcane. Has a cat familiar named Frumpkin. Nott the Brave: Goblin rogue. A kleptomaniac with a drinking problem, quick to shoot first and ask questions later, but deeply motivated to protect the family she has. Beauregard Lionett: Human monk. A brusque young woman, distrustful and kind of a showoff, but stubborn in the face of adversity and determined to root out corruption wherever she finds it. Fjord: Orc warlock. Handsome and charming, he’s quick to take the main speaking role for his party, though seems to have had some trouble adjusting to actual leadership. Yasha Nydoorin: Aasimar barbarian. Physically imposing in height and muscles, as well as her pale skin contrasting with her black-to-white hair and sunken eyes, but outside of combat is very soft-spoken, sweet, and kind of socially awkward. Mollymauk Tealeaf: Tiefling blood hunter. A charismatic, colorful character, he’s drawn to the weird and theatrical, and seeks to better the world around him even through deceptive means. Caduceus Clay: Firbolg cleric. An incredibly insightful, soothing presence, sure to offer you some tea if given the chance. Spaces out from time to time. Easily keeps the rest of the group grounded. Essek Thelyss: Drow wizard. A hardworking loner, not very good at interacting with people. Time with the Nein has helped him open up, though he’s still likely to be terse around strangers.

Not likely to show up all at once bc let’s not act like the person writing this is going to be RPing six to eight other characters at a time. Not hostile, though they can be a bit abrasive in their own ways.

[isolaradiale]

Data runs rampant, not only within the mists that crawl through city streets and shadow kissed forests, but upon the illuminated screens of technology that both Stars peer into. Every reaction was duly noted in the glimmer of Pleiades' glasses, much as she assumes it is for Caelum, likely keeping vigilant eye on his own respective area of interest. Before long, she offers an almost contented hum at what she sees, head tilting as she shoots a glance from the corner of her eyes toward him.

"I think this is more than enough data for my purposes. Is it enough for you, though?"

Part of the scientist attempts to smile, though it comes as more of a grimace.

"Well, it didn't turn out how I expected. Certainly not as much carnage as I thought. But I think that overall, they were able to connect with themselves a little deeper. So if they gained any knowledge from that... hm. I suppose that's good enough for me."

Emeralds linger on her fellow scientist, finding herself in agreeance the more she thought on it, moving to stand from the seat she'd been in. "They've learned quite a bit, I think. Perhaps next time we can put you in charge of our next little test? Maybe you can think of something more... ah, murder-y to tune everything up? There are always opportunities to see them raise from the ashes, of course," she shrugs almost leisurely at the suggestion, reaching over to input a few keystrokes.

To that, it seemed he finally relaxed--perhaps a little too much--he wobbled a bit on his feet. Now seated, his one good eye turned to the other.

"Something about that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Maybe I'm starting to like this place after all, hm-hm~"

Slender fingers tapped on his cane as he chuckled.

"...We'll have to see. Maybe that won't be necessary for a while."

Pleiades' expression hardly shifts, her smile growing, if anything, as she finally places the last inputs in with silent acknowledgement. Everything was set up, the last of their experimentation to be silently swept away with but another click of a button, thrusting everyone under their gaze back into a sense of normalcy. Or, perhaps, as normal as one can find themselves after the trials and things they have faced until now.

"Oh, but I do wonder if our darling subjects have come to notice the reality of themselves yet," she muses, hands shoving themselves into the pockets of her white coat, all before offering a speculative smile. "No, allow me to correct myself: if they've come to understand what they actually aren't一"

"--Pleased with our antics, I imagine." Came a cheeky little laugh.

"Well. I'll take care of the ones stuck in Purgatory if you take care of our surface-dwellers."

A gentle roll of her eyes in turn. "Very well. Then, let us begin..."

And with one click of a button does it all begin to return to how it once was. Where Caelum works upon his Purgatory tenants, her fingers are swift to realign the way mists swarm the perimeter of the city, peeling it back to release any still snared within their very own data. No longer does the crimson eclipse watch their every breath, returned once more to an innocent moon that lights the streets as if nothing has changed at all, before the mists finally settle at long last as a looming reminder of what had transpired.

All except for one opening, a new path to be taken, toward an area of Radial Island that was once blocked only a few days ago...

and that concludes our event rerun for MISTIFIED!

to start, there are a few notes on clarification: compared to other times when your muse returns to life, this time they'll discover they aren't being manifested into their homes and waking up in their bed anymore. instead, they get the unique experience of walking out of where they were kept during the event for the very first time! going forward, this is what you’ll expect if your character dies in isola, with the echo being the point of origin for post-death situations until they leave. for more information on this, refer to the 'exiting abyss' section of the echo's branch page!

we'd like to thank everyone who participated in this rerun. when we first ran this event, it was when we introduced THE ECHO and SKY-STREWN ISLES to our list of locations. you can still find them over on THE MAP, of course, alongside the other branches listed!

we're also happy to say that those who participated in this event will be receiving a FLAT REWARD as a prize for it! this means that so long as you participated in some way with the event and show us, you'll be able to redeem a small unlock without any other strings or word counts attached! some examples are:

one weapon unlock

one small power unlock/upgrade

500 stars

however if your character has already participated in the original mistified run and received an unlocked weapon or ability, you may only claim the stars reward! we have records of what was given out during the last run of the event, so do not try to claim an unlock if you already have. we will know!

all you'll need to do is go to THE GALAXY inbox and send in a request with what you'd like and your participation. much like the requests for housing, you'll have between MARCH 20TH until APRIL 3RD, 11:59PM to redeem this if you qualify!

once again, thank you all for your participation, and we'll see you in a new event in april!

[firstclassrookie]

@reversedpsync

'LEON! HELP!!!'

"Shit!" Leon runs in the direction of Ashley's voice... damn this mist...! He can't see well enough to get a clear shot. She's been carried off by one of those cultists that came out of the fog, but he can't risk her getting caught in the crossfire...

When he nearly runs straight into someone, he nearly shoots, thinking it's another cultist, but...

"Ryuki!" He quickly lowers his gun. Ryuki's in law enforcement, isn't he? Maybe...

"I don't have a lot of time to explain, but do you hear that girl shouting? I have to save her. Do you think you can help me corner the guy? I don't want to shoot blindly into the mist and risk anyone getting hurt."

[spiderstaff]

@lalaluuz

"Ah, pardon me. Miss?" Jim adjusts his glasses, one hand in his pocket as he smiles down at Luz. "I was wondering if you'd seen a young girl around. Dark elf, about this tall?" He motions to about Kay's height.

"We seem to have gotten separated in the mist. She'd be with a blond, human man." After a pause, he puts a hand to the locket around his neck, unclasping it and offering it forward to show her the photo of the three of them inside. Hopefully that might clear up any suspicions about his intentions...

"She's my daughter, you see. It's very important that I find her."

[herbalremedied]

THE mist reached infinite, a path paved in monochrome grey seemingly stretching endless. Footsteps persevered, carrying the doctor toward a destination of nowhere—to someplace that wasn't here, that only showed itself in the distant, echoed sounds of the ocean, chattering of merchants, the croon of cranes at the shoreline. His body weighed heavy, each step like moving lead, but something kept him moving; the itch of one's brain as it tried to recall why it had walked into a room. Another foot forward brought buildings climbing into view. They reached skyward from the ground itself, his vision suddenly thrown into the orange and reds of the Harbor at sunset—and Baizhu recognized the path he was on. This was the route he'd take back to the pharmacy after returning from a house call to Hongdou's residence. The visit sat fresh in his mind as though it had only just happened. Little Hongdou lay bedridden, her mother perched woefully at her side. Doctor Baizhu came bearing medicine for the girl, medicine he had tirelessly spent the night adjusting upon hearing of the worsening of her condition. Medicine Hongdou had not wanted to take, for no amount of Sweet Flowers could bury its astringent taste. But he had smiled, tempting her with the promise that were she to take it she could sooner be at play again. And Hongdou finally smiled back, fond of the thought of no longer being bound to her bed, and complied as she always did after her protests. Baizhu stayed 'til she stabilized and fell asleep, checking her vitals before setting off into a sundown sky. Exhaustion made the trip back a blur. He would blink, and he was climbing up the grand stretch of stairs of the pharmacy, holding poise with every bone in his body. Another, and he was in the lobby, walking past Herbalist Gui as he spoke words Baizhu did not parse. The next he was standing over his mortar and pestle, cold with sweat and lungs ablaze. Hongdou's medicine would need adjustments to continue keeping her symptoms at bay. If only he could do the same for his own... It was growing much harder to stay upright.

______

❝ You're here to see Doctor Baizhu? ❞ Asks the young man the at counter, his dark robes to his ankles, hair cut choppy and short. His expression is uncertain as he looks to the area beyond the front desk, where the boss of the pharmacy had disappeared not a moment before.

The man has a tentative quality about him as he gives this unknown visitor an inquiring glance, as though aware of some fact he assumed the other was not.

❝ Are you an acquaintance of his? Doctor Baizhu isn't seeing any more patients for the evening... That said, if you're a visitor I can pass the word of your arrival to him. ❞ @originskey —— mistified.

[necroticrose]

@gleamknight

"Zelos. Been a while-- how's Lloyd feeling?" It surprises Lilith that Zelos passed her; normally he's pretty good at evading her sneak attacks.

...and her attempts to get a few digs in at his expense.

She leans against a wall, dexterously spinning the knife she'd taken from the forge in her hands.

"Heard he got into a pretty nasty accident a while back." She clicks her tongue, smiling. "He should really be more careful, don't you think?" Sure, she knows she's playing with fire, but it can be fun to rile him up. After all, anger is the easiest thing to sense in a person.

And there's nothing more frustrating than someone she can't read.