#emmbot plays nwa

[cathcacen]

Today, I want to talk about gaming communities + (some) Jonsa/SnS community gushing.

I’ve been in partial lockdown for three weeks + one day now. In this time, so many things have happened to me. My life has been turned upside down. My heart hurts. My body aches.

Life in the time of Covid-19 has not been kind to me, with just about every single thing I have worked for in these past three months tumbling like dominoes one after the other.

I am alone and I am exhausted, but I haven’t been half as lonely as I imagined I would be.

There are so many feel-good-stories circulating the web about people being brought together through video games. And you know what? It’s true. Because when you take away all the PVE and PVP, what you have is a community of folks who somehow end up becoming more to one another than just ‘that persona on the other end of the screen’. People who will be there for you, people who want to offer online hugs and who want to hear every single thing you need to cry and wail and wallow about. People who will always have your back.

These people had my back when I was drunk and crying over lost opportunities and various other heartbreaking incidents. And these people continue to have my back. And it’s not just me.

Every where I turn, someone is sad, and someone else is helping them out. An online roleplaying TORG (text only roleplaying game) that I play has been steadily paying tribute to a deceased player for years since his passing. This year, they’re even bringing his mom in to the game so she can see for herself what he meant to so many people, and that makes me so damn emotional I cannot even.

He was a soldier, he was kind, he was creative, and he was so, so beloved.

I never knew him. But through people I now know and love who knew and loved him, I feel as if I did, and do.

So I guess I’m grateful, even if I’m still exhausted and everything still hurts. I’m grateful I got the chance to make friends, and I’m grateful I get the chance to be a part of something really special.

Moving on from that, this sort of camaraderie is also sort of how I feel about everybody in the Jonsa (and some of my favourite people in the SnS) community. I don’t have enough fingers or toes to name every single person who’s ever been here for me through the toughest times, but I know, without a doubt, that if I sat down and cried, you would all come and dogpile me and feed me Jonsa stories and lemoncakes until I felt better. That’s just the way humans roll when they care about other humans. And somehow, that... doesn’t make me feel nearly as alone as I am sometimes.

So, if you’ve been a part of/are currently part of a gaming and/or shipping community, I know you feel this too. There is an outpouring of love and support, and you are never as alone as you might think.

I love you all <3 Thank you for being a special part of my life. Thank you, internet. Thank you video (and text!) games. Thank you, Jonsas. Thank you, SnS folks. Just thank you.

[cathcacen]

Haven't had the chance to draw this derpy girl. :3

[cathcacen]

"Ghost!”

Some days, Ithaera swears that pup is more wolf than dog. He scuttles ahead, tail brushing the backs of her calves, eager to explore, eager to chase. She groans as his ears wisp past her fingertips, barely tickling at the burns on her fingertips even as she makes to grab at him.

“OI! Ghost, come back here, you little shit!”

He turns to whine at her, soot-covered paws digging into the soil. When they’d bought the villa, the surrounding acreage had been overgrown, untended for years. Square by square, patch by patch, she’d coaxed it back to life with the genteel Mr. Bras. They’d spent their summer mornings in love, wandering the fields, laughing together and tasting fruit fresh off the trees. She’d had Sudenese roses imported from the South, and Jempekian blooms to brighten up the lot. Magnolia trees and sweet orange and avocado and olives - the fruit of Mr. Bras’ youth, the greenery with which to remind him that home is here.

Now, the land is verdant and green, and the first harvest has descended upon them in full. Soon, they will need to find good, strong men to pick apples and pears. At present, however, she has an errant dog to catch.

“GHOST. I SWEAR TO THE GODS--”

The pup whines at her, and she laughs, reaching forth to scratch behind his hears. A quick lick of his rough tongue wets her fingers. She grumbles, wiping it off on his rough, snowy coat. “Come on,” She tells him. “Your dad’s waiting.”

[cathcacen]

Barnitty + little things

Lemons | Grahhul | Intimacy | Dancing | Swimming | Cacti + Bougainvillea | Sweet treats

[cathcacen]

Man, it really says a lot about the current state of NWA that Tumblr is my happy place again.

[cathcacen]

“Our passions are fire, and our love is a clear, cool breeze. Our relationship is air that keeps us alive. Without air, the fire dies. Great sex is just the byproduct of a great relationship.”

- Me, accidentally being profound again

[cathcacen]

Darci turns to Ithaera and says, "I heard if you shake Ithaera too hard baby wombats fall out of her pockets."

Ithaera lets out a loud screech of laughter.

<Merchant> Ithaera laughs so hard she has to clutch her belly, barely able to get out the words. "Oh, gods! This rumour!" Rhialla <Merchant> What is it? <Merchant> Neina perks up "Do tell?" <Merchant> Ithaera laughs and sobs and laughs. "I heard if you shake Ithaera too hard baby wombats fall out of her pockets." <Merchant> Aleira giggles

Secretly: Neina dies laughing To Neina, you send secretly: Ithaera is also about dead.

Ithaera <Merchant> This is my FAVOURITE rumour about me ever.

[cathcacen]

Our life together is a work in progress because the best is always yet to come.

Me, accidentally being profound

[cathcacen]

Sometimes, it feels like our souls were just waiting to collide.

Ithaera Valdel-Bras

[cathcacen]

Scream for me, Your song divine; O’ little bird, O’ swain of mine.

[cathcacen]

Ithaera <Merchant> When I was younger, I was up on a cliff with some of my cousins, and they were saying "Jump, Bitty! Come on, it's just water below," and I was like, "Water and a very long drop!" And they said "If you don't do it now, you'll never get the chance again!"

Rhialla <Merchant> It does make me realise just how much I procrastinate too. Rhialla <Merchant> That's a fair statement.

Ithaera <Merchant> So I shoved the cousin with the big mouth nearest to me over the edge. And he totally got a chance to do it that day.

<Merchant> Rhialla giggles

<Merchant> Aleira laughs

<Merchant> Ithaera beams, evidently pleased with herself.

[cathcacen]

Anarei, healer             |     Ora, huntress Laori, scout                 |     Ithaera, restaurateur Deiadra, apothecary   |     Ailey, midwife

My bby girls + unglam fantasy-realm jobs

Make your own (x)

[cathcacen]

Center of Town - Darmahk

  Obvious exits: north, east, west and south.

Barnton. Winter tree.

Barnton beams brightly. Barnton says, "But first thing's first..." Barnton gives a Wood wombat figurine to you. Barnton exclaims, "A gift!"

You scream!

Barnton peers about.

You exclaim, "HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT THESE ARE MY FAVOURITE CREATURES IN THE WORLD?!"

look wombat

This carving is relatively small in size, able to fit into the palm of aperson's hand. The precision with which it is carved is, however, quite surprising - in minute details, you can tell it is a figure of a strange, plump animal on a rectangular stand. The animal has very short light grey fur modeled by very numerous, tiny spikes of wood and it looks like it is standing on its four legs lazily and peacefully looking at its surrounding. Quite a large body is supported by four short, also plump legs which end in something that almost looks like human fingers that continue into light brown long claws. The head of the animal is quite round, covered by the same kind of fur as the body is, with the two small, black eyes that seem to look at you in a strangely tranquil way. Small, pointy, triangular ears are raised, as if the animal is listening to the surrounding, but without looking threatened at all. From below the eyes protrudes a short but big muzzle that ends in round, black snout. Created at the forge by Anjelle.

Barnton exclaims loudly, "It was a wild guess!"

[cathcacen]

The best descript of coffee I have ever read

>look coffee

The drink is served in a large mug of thick dark brown porcelain, with the inside walls being dyed in snow white. The mug itself would provide an interesting aesthetic sight if you could actually be bothered to look at it - which, of course, you cannot, because the real gem is what lies inside of it. It is filled right to the brim with that so familiar dark liquid that people call  coffee. The top is covered by a thin layer of thin light brown foam, save for several patches in it that reveal that this coffee means business. For the liquid beneath the foam is dark black in colour. Totally black. More black than the Lord Dahkoar himself. Which can mean only one thing. Inside is just pure, black, strong coffee. No milk or any such nonsense. What more can you want? A tea? That is right, but if you are one of these strange people who prefer coffee, you will be happy. Created at the Chef House by Barnton.

>smell coffee

Inhaling the smell of this drink has exactly the effect you expect - it pierces through your senses, tingling each of them in turn and bringing the promise of joy and refreshment. It is characteristically strong and bitter, almost exactly as the smell of roasted coffee beans, making you admiring the purity of the drink almost completely unspoiled by dairy nonsense. Indeed  if you are drinking coffee, drink coffee. Milk is for babies. There is probably gazillion of other words you can think of when smelling the drink - invigorating, smooth, rich. What more can you want? Tea. >taste coffee

After taking a sip of this coffee, you feel like you have been suddenly brought back to life. As if you have been dying, catching your last desperate breaths and all of a sudden a good priest came and healed you completely. And vitalised you. And gained you. So you are at your full strength, your mind is so clear that you can in a minute solve the problem of the meaning of life and your legs are so rested that you could run from Gahlen to Darmahk carrying the complete Jempek on your back. The drink itself tastes moderately bitter and quite strong, providing quite rich, highly energising but at the same time soothing taste. Diluting the otherwise very strong coffee with the hot water results in the taste that is elegant, complex and subtle. What more can you want? Tea.

[cathcacen]

Kildrux <Religion> heal! Kildrux <Religion> RAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kildrux <Religion> SERIOUSLY? Kildrux <Religion> Waylumi, iffin ye could heal me, that'd be much appreciated right about now, dear lady of light.

hf kildrux 300 You seek out Kildrux and heal him. Kildrux received extra healing because of his devotion.

Kildrux tells you: thanks for being the one cleric I can apparently count on to be active You tell Kildrux: Don't thank me just yet. I'm half asleep as it were. Kildrux tells you: I'm gonna kick this faith in the ass so hard it'll go up to see Waylumi an then come back down.

[cathcacen]

I’m not saying I named Ithaera’s dogs Ghost and Lady because I’m subliminally trying to tell the entire game their masters belong together...

...but I’m also not not saying that I did it because I’m subliminally trying to tell the entire game their masters belong together.

You say to Barnton, "No! Lady and Ghost are a couple." You nod firmly. You say to Barnton, "Nymeria can hook up with Flex."

Sinon looks at dog Lady.

Sinon thinks carefully.

Sinon tells you exclaiming: HOLY FUCK, CONGRATULATIONS! To Sinon, you send secretly: Ithaera beams You tell Sinon exclaiming: THANKS!

Dog Lady whines softly, intelligent eyes scanning the room.

Dog Ghost nuzzles Dog Lady's cheek softly.

You stare dreamily into space.

glance Gahlen Tavern

   Obvious exits: west, down, north, south, northeast, east and southeast.

Merek. Male Human. Rissa. Sinon. Rusenne. Barnton. Dog Lady. Dog Ghost. Spirit totem Dragon. Chuen. Nevica. Aor. Vrael. Isra. Male Dwarf. Cinders the magical panther. Tamerlyn. Kittra. Dshyn. Terivan. Darci the serving wench. Gahrsher Rowe.

Sinon licks Lady. Sinon says, "Gooddog."

Barnton says to Lady, "You should hook up with Flex."

Sinon says to Ithaera, "They ain't as nice as mice, but they're pree alright. Good dogs." Sinon pets Lady.

Dog Lady gently paws at Sinon's foot, then licks her fingertips.

Sinon pets Lady.

You say to Barnton, "No! Lady and Ghost are a couple." You nod firmly. You say to Barnton, "Nymeria can hook up with Flex."

Leecia arrives from the west.

Barnton asks, "Who is Nymeria?"

You call out for a guard dog to protect you. A guard dog pads into area and barks to you. Nymeria follows Leecia.

Leecia moves over and hugs Nevica close.

You peer about.

Leecia blinks.

Nymeria follows you. You exclaim, "Silly girl!"

Nevica pulls Leecia close and cuddles the other woman to her side.

Leecia says, "I was going to say someone is following me."

Barnton calls out for a guard dog to protect him. A guard dog pads into the area and barks to Barnton.

Nevica giggles.

Leecia giggles.

Flex follows Barnton.

Leecia says, "She wanted to go home with me."

Dog Nymeria licks at her paw, staring placidly at Dog Flex, before letting out a keening whine.

You grin at Leecia.

Leecia giggles. Leecia presses her fingers into Nevica's hair. "How're you love?"

Dog Flex pawshakes with Lady.

Barnton peers about.

Leecia blinks. "Hmm."

Dog Lady sniffs Dog Flex in a rather ladylike fashion, then gets up and pads away to sit behind Dog Ghost, tail flicking.

You peer about.

Barnton says, "All the ladies like Flex."

You grin at Barnton. You say to Barnton, "I mean, I do, but Lady most definitely likes Ghost better."

Dog Ghost turns his head to nuzzle Dog Lady again, one soft pink tongue flicking out to lick her nose.

Barnton exclaims, "We can let our dogs fight to death!" Barnton beams brightly.

Tamerlyn peers at Barnton.

Leecia blinks and shakes her head. "Please no dog fighting. It makes me cry."

Dog Nymeria flicks an ear as she watches Barnton, then shifts limpid eyes to Flex, before emitting a faint whimper. Dog Nymeria barks and scampers off.

You peer about. You say to Barnton, "Look what you've done. Ruined Flex's chances."

Dog Flex barks and scampers off.

Barnton exclaims, "No, he went after her!"

You laugh. You say to Barnton, "To cuddle, not to fight to the death."

Leecia giggles. Leecia says, "Awww." Leecia says, "They just wanna love one another right now."