ungratefuloz

[ungratefuloz]

November was perhaps the most frustrating time of the year for Ofiuco. The Stars were always running maintenance on the island's functionality, making sure that even in a worst case scenario there would still be systems to fall back on if things went wrong outside of their own plans. It didn't happen often, but sometimes things slipped in that they didn't intend on.

But every November the Stars performed a big backup of the island's data. It was a lot of work, and involved pausing the city altogether so that the citizens that lived there had no idea that anything was amiss. That day, in this year's case November 8th, would feel like it had happened to them. Even though it actually hadn't.

"Why does this always fall on me to do? It's boring..." Ofiuco knew the reason. Her main body had evolved past her original schematics, but her robot body within the island's setting had all of the tools installed to make the data backup easier. None of the other Stars were allowed to touch that body since it was an extension of herself.

Ofiuco wasn't focused on the task at hand like she should have been though, so she didn't notice that she had accidentally hit the wrong button. "OOPS!?" At least until it was too late. Just like that, everyone's data in the city had been wiped. "...Good thing this is why we have backups in the first place." Everyone in the city was reconstructed from that backup, but something was wrong. Something that Ofiuco didn't catch at all.

All of the character data had been reinstated but it was jumbled. Characters were recreated as if they came from different worlds altogether, which would lead to a crisis that only some were able to realize. But how long would it take for the Stars to notice?

WHAT'S GOING ON?

Welcome to our last new event of 2024, ALTERNATIVE ALLEGORY!

Ofiuco made a little oopsie that slipped past her radar and accidentally deleted everyone's character data during the yearly big backup. Good thing she had the previous day's basic backup to reinstate them!

But something corrupted the backup, and while all of the characters were reinstated, all of the data has been jumbled up.

Because of this, the characters have been recreated as if they were from different worlds altogether.

Think of this as a chance to design an AU for your character, like Lloyd Irving from Tales of Symphonia as if he were an Ace Attorney character, for example!

All threads must be set on November 9th or later. The characters will believe they lived through November 8th, but the city was in maintenance mode on that day and wasn't actually active!

This event will run until 11:59:59PM EST on Friday, November 29th!

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR DESIGNING OUR CHARACTER'S AU?

You can pick any series from the masterlist to design an AU version of your character from! You only require mun permission if you're using an original character's world instead. You cannot use a series that is not on our masterlist.

You can design an entire backstory for that character as if they're from that world, however you must abide by our fandom OC policies. This means you cannot give them direct ties to any characters from that canon.

Similarly, you can give them powers or change their appearances according to the setting but must abide by our fandom OC policies regarding what is or what isn't acceptable. That means you can't give them any powers that rival or surpass the main characters. Powers are uncapped for this event so this isn't too limiting.

You aren't required to AU your character if you don't want to! That said, if you want participation for this event you will need to write with someone who is AUed.

Whether your character realizes they have been AUed and remember their original canon or not is up to you! Do whatever you think works better for what you plan!

You can change your character's AU if you'd like! You're not bound to one for the whole event, you can have several!

To make it easier for others to keep track of what you've done, we recommend making a post describing the AU and everything that has changed.

If you have any questions about the event, please send them to the masterlist! We will not be answering them in the Discord server so that everyone can see the answers!

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀DOROTHY ⠀can't stand this place. Not just this 'Yesteryear', but the entire island. Its mere existence agitates her in a way she can't even properly explain aside from the obvious; it crawls under her skin and digs into her last nerve— and it's not the sort of itch or pain she can simply turn receptors off for. She actually came here hoping to bump into Snow White. It was ridiculous in hindsight, but she still felt somewhat... uncertain about reaching her through the phone. With some sort of girlish naivete that she thought had long been stamped out, Dorothy has resorted to an 'oh, how funny to bump into you here' approach to try and rectify their first encounter. If she still knows Snow White as well as she thinks, this is exactly where she would go. The Pilgrim has one singular purpose now, one she seems to carry out with extreme prejudice; there's no way she would feel comfortable enough around humans yet — not when the Surface isn't reclaimed, even if this Surface is perfectly fine. She half-expected to find her trying to roast something utterly inedible, perfectly at home amid these ruins, but alas... no such luck.

⠀⠀⠀All she's found here are androids, none of which resemble the Nikke she had been hoping to see. These androids were poorly maintained, if ever maintained at all. They fled whenever she drew near. They've been neglected — and that was unforgivable.

⠀⠀⠀So here she stands, stewing over yet another factor to add into her simmering discontent with the Stars — the apparent overlords of this hellscape — when a specter's voice is caught on the wind. It isn't the first time Dorothy's heard a voice that didn't belong, so clearly it's as though she could pinch the chords mid-air.    ❛ ⠀I know that. It doesn't really solve anything to point it out, though, does it ?⠀❜ ⠀She has no problem talking back to the voice, because she knows better now. Ghosts only show up when you need them, and only leave when you're ready; it makes a morbid sort of sense that she'd think of Lilith when she's troubled over Snow White.

⠀⠀⠀There's something stagnant in the air, though. She can't describe the feeling any better than pins and needles. A chill washes over her as she comes to a slow realization, body and then mind: something isn't right here. Her shoulders tense and bunch together, but even such a stiff and slow heel-turn has an air of innate grace. Her voice has lost all its usual confident air, uttering a single word awkwardly cleaved in two.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Lil—ith... ?⠀❜ ⠀

perhaps it's strange or downright morbid to find herself more at home among the ruins of a long forgotten city. maybe it's the memories of a war that this world never had to endure: smoke climbing high into the sky, the sound of bullets and explosions ricocheting off the remnants of humanity. contrary to them.....these ruins were quiet. they held a stillness that was neither suffocating nor lonely, at least to lilith.

it was as close to 'home' as she could get in this place.

so when starry eyes find a head of bright pink hair gently swaying in the wind, a form that calls to her from those bygone days, she moves without a second thought.

she's grown, lilith thinks. though only the side of her face is all she can see, the former leader knows it– her eyes hold a veiled sorrow she had only seen in those rare moments after red hood's departure. there was an air of restrained melancholy about dorothy. so different to the woman she knew back then: proud, determined, always sure of herself and her choices. ( it is what made her the perfect leader when lilith's time came).

now? now, she sees none of that and she can only wonder what has happened.

steps come to a halt a few feet behind her fellow nikke and for the first time in a long time, lilith is.....unsure of what to do. and yet, something must be said, or else she is no better than the ghosts that haunt the living and lilith was always one to speak her mind, even in times like this.

" You aren't one for wallowing in your thoughts, Dorothy."

@ungratefuloz

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Well, more often than not, yes. It was an easy sign of affection back in the day, you know... Or admiration. Gratitude, maybe.⠀❜ ⠀⠀THE ⠀human girl's shaky voice still rings in her head, an echo from the past that was clear as a bell — one of myriad memories Dorothy deemed too important to let herself purge for the sake of limited storage. Before her was no young girl, however, but a woman — likely not much younger than her own outward appearance.

⠀⠀⠀It seems like a shame that no one's taught her properly by now.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀I still remember how to make a crown— of different sizes, in fact,⠀❜ ⠀⠀Dorothy announces as she wipes invisible dirt off her dress, punctuated with a sigh as if she's taking up a task she's been asked to carry out.    ⠀❛ ⠀Practice helps, but a visual guide is better. I can show you until you really get the hang of it.⠀❜ ⠀

when the other woman didn't move, at first, and only glanced over with her eyes, L.L. almost mistook her for a statue!! ⁽ the ones whose eyes followed wherever you walked!! the sinner couldn't help but find those … creepy. ⁾ there was a bit of nervousness though as the blue-haired girl watched purple hues scan over the crown, delicate fingers brushing flowers and "fixing them" but it seems as though her gift was accepted!!

however … ❝ do you … need a reason to give other people flowers?? ❞ to give gifts?? the sinner could have sworn that people liked it when they were given things, free things at that!! the guests on the island sure loved it whenever she gave them what they wanted, or even added on extra. ❝ i am practicing though, yes!! it's a little hard, without a guide but i'm getting better with each crown!! ❞

⁽ in total, L.L. had made around … five crowns today?? three were on cabbage, the snoozing little dog who rested against her bag and a smaller ring around her finger. not bad for a start!! ⁾

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀YOU'RE ⠀so like her. It's funny— in the big ways, the important ways, Snow White actually hasn't strayed far from her original self. And yet there's these brief glimpses that throw her for a loop; the fire in Snow White's eyes is entirely her own, but that stance is the spitting image of Red Hood. Although Dorothy can't help but wonder... if that line were crossed, how far would Snow White go to correct the course ? Is that somewhere she and Red Hood differ, or have those distinct shapes become a bit more blurry with time ? She isn't so confident in her answer this time. Dorothy's fingers instinctively graze along her abdomen, as if she can still feel the ache of a grievous injury; she plays it off as smoothing out the ruffles in her dress, and even manages an airy laugh.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Hmhm— all right, ease up with the stern looks.⠀❜ ⠀I should do things differently this time around. I should say what I want to say— talk about what I really want to talk about.   ❛ ⠀I don't see us straying that far off the same path, do you ?⠀❜ ⠀But why should I be the one to do things differently ?   ⠀❛ ⠀After all, this isn't back home. The way people carry themselves here, I don't see any big crisis on the horizon. They seem... soft.⠀❜ ⠀Why is everyone else always so eager to bend ?

⠀⠀⠀—No. It's no good getting worked up over that now. Dorothy forcibly irons out her breathing, hoping she'll feel every bit as calm as she wants to look. That involves tearing her gaze away from that flower so gingerly cradled in her former teammate's fingers; if the sight offends her, she'll simply refuse to acknowledge its existence.⠀

⠀⠀Her words... are tilted. That's the best way to describe how Snow White feels about the response— tilted in a certain way that stirs a small sense of unease. Of course Snow White still wants to find the white flower of her memory— why did Dorothy ask it in that manner? Of course she wants to learn more about this island they're both stuck on, even the observation of not wanting to be complacent is spot on— why must she offer a union as if striking a deal of necessity, merely gaining an asset rather than a comrade?

⠀⠀Was she always like this? It's been so long... How much is eroded? Snow White wanted a familiar comrade. Dorothy wants a reliable asset. It's a small fracture that makes a major difference. She truly hopes that isn't the case, and that this is just an awkward meeting of circumstances beyond their control.

⠀⠀Silence settles for a brief moment, both hands now clasping at the clipped flower she plucked from the ground. Does this irritate Dorothy? Does this silent gesture of accepting the "wrong goal" offend her? Why is that the case? She keeps it close to her abdomen over the cloak, intent to remain stubborn about keeping it around even if she doesn't understand why. It matches the pure white picture that refuses to be tainted, even if the flower doesn't match to what was intended.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"— For now." She speaks up with a spark in her eyes, with no vulnerability in her stance or words. "You have your method of doing things, and I have my own. So long as they line up, we'll be fine." But what isn't spoken can be felt clear as day— she won't look the other way if Dorothy crosses a line that Snow White herself wouldn't cross. She won't compromise her mission or morals just because of the strange circumstances, not even for her old friend.

[ungratefuloz]

Thought-Provoking Headcanon Meme

Send a symbol and I’ll answer the question about my muse. (Or answer in character. Whatever works for you!)

⛔️ - How does your muse react to others breaking the law? If they would do it themselves, what is their reasoning? 🚑 - If your muse was the only person around and someone was injured, would they help? Would they have the experience needed? 💸 - What does your muse think of wealthy people? Do they resent them, or do they believe they earned what they have? 🆘 - What does your muse think of poor people? Do they think they’re a waste of space, or do they want to help them? 📩 - Does your muse prefer to physically write letters or send them online? What is their reasoning? 📢 - Does your muse have a loud personality or a quiet one? Do they enjoy being the center of attention, or would they rather watch and listen? 📊 - How does your muse feel about the state of the world? Could it be better? Could it be worse? 👨 - What is your muse’s relationship like with their father? Is it good, bad, or complicated? 👩 - What is your muse’s relationship like with their mother? Is it good, bad, or complicated? 👧 - What is your muse’s relationship like with their siblings? Who do they get along with best? 👶 - If they have any, what is your muse’s relationship like with their children? Do they feel like they’re a good parent? 👻 - Does your muse believe in an afterlife? What do they think it’s like? ⏰ - Does your muse feel like they need to do things quickly or do they take their time? ⌛️ - How often does your muse think about death? Do they think about it at all? 🔗 - What are your muse’s standards for meaningful relationships? How quickly do they form relationships like these? 🚹 - How would your muse react to losing their father? How would they cope? 🚺 - How would your muse react to losing their mother? How would they cope? 🚼 - How would your muse react to losing a child? How would they cope? 💧 - How would your muse react to losing a best friend? How would they cope? 💔 - How would your muse react to losing a romantic partner? How would they cope? 🐜 - How does your muse feel about animal lives? Do they treat them the same way they’d treat a person, or do they feel they’re inferior? 🌎 - Does your muse want to change the world? How would they go about it? 🎭 - How does your muse handle their emotions? Do they bottle them up or pour them out as soon as they start to feel? 💋 - How does your muse feel about people who cheat? Do they see a reason for it, or is it completely immoral? 🌠 - Would your muse make a wish on a star? If so, what would they wish for? 🎁 - Does your muse celebrate their birthday? If yes, how do they celebrate? If no, why not? 🍟 - How does your muse feel about their body? Would they change it if they could? 💅 - How does your muse feel about gender roles? Do they conform to them, or do they play by their own rules? 🌺 - Does your muse have a favorite flower? Why do they like it?

[ungratefuloz]

horror-inspired questions inbox memes   ♡   a series of question prompts taken from various horror media.  feel free to change anything as needed.  happy writing!

“are you okay?”

“are you scared of me?”

“why are you scared of me?”

“why did you try to kill me?”

“why are you doing this?”

“who’s there?!”

“what the hell is going on here, [name]?”

“are you afraid?”

“that wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“where are we going?”

“what was that sound?”

“what the hell is that outside?”

“did you hear that?”

"where were you?”

“where were you when i needed you?!”

“what do we do now?”

“is splitting up really the best idea?”

“if you have to kill [him / her / them], could you?”

“what if tonight’s it for us?”

“[name]? is that you down there?”

“do you think we’ll be able to survive this?”

“do i look like a monster to you?”

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Sure it is. All flowers are pretty. But you'll keep looking for the right one, won't you ?⠀❜ ⠀⠀SNOW ⠀White's response... it irks her — not just verbally, but physically. Why was she getting so worked up over a measly little flower, as if she were shielding it ? And why did it make Dorothy feel defensive in kind ? She does her best to keep her voice even, but there's a hint of coaxing in it — the slightest, inconsistent drip of honey. You'll keep searching, won't you ? Isn't that right ? It's right, isn't it ?

⠀⠀⠀However, the prickling sensation on the sides of her neck diminish the longer Snow White speaks. Dorothy's gaze remains fixed on the flower a little longer than she'd meant to, but eventually she tears it away and focuses on her fellow Nikke. It feels as though those amber eyes are boring into her, probing for something specific. … Dorothy isn't an idiot; she holds no intense malice towards the one-time Goddess, and to spurn her at this juncture would just be embarrassingly short-sighted.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀However long you've been here is still longer than me. … I know we don't see eye-to-eye on... several subjects. But you want to know more about this place too, don't you ? I can't imagine you being complacent. So for now, in this place… our goals are one in the same.⠀❜ ⠀It's not a plea for help — not really. It's the equivalent of stretching a hand halfway, the promise of darkening a doorway when it's suitable to one or both of them.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"— That's certainly less charitable than how I was trying to be about it." And she can't even claim that Dorothy is incorrect about her assessment— Snow White hasn't felt fully comfortable in this place despite the overbearing peace (or rather it's exactly because of that). She's more at ease exploring the uncivilized areas and abandoned sections of the island, not in the hustle and bustle of human civilization like this. The longer she stays here, the more time is wasted away from her mission. But with no clear way to get back... the best option is to make due with what's presented before her. Maybe Dorothy will feel the same in due time? Maybe not.

⠀⠀The snide remark about the pale flower briefly makes Snow White clench it a bit more tightly, as if to protect it from the former Goddess' spite. She couldn't explain why. This isn't the correct flower. And yet...

⠀⠀⠀⠀"... It's still a pretty flower, Dorothy. Even if it's not what I wanted..." She keeps her voice even, knowing there's no sensible reason to be defensive over the matter. This should be a happy moment despite the unseen tension— the thorns can draw blood, but the familiar pink rose still brings a small sense of relief in these troubling times. She can only hope the thorns will dull in due time. "... I've only been here a short time— just me, at first. I'm not sure how much help I can offer compared to other people here, but..."

⠀⠀She'll ask for help— won't she?

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀I see. You have an impressive memory.⠀❜ ⠀⠀SHE ⠀can't recall the source, if ever she knew it in her time as a human — but she can recognize a recitation easily enough. Flattery was one thing, but he seems far too sincere to be putting her on; it's the sort of sincerity that makes her bristle inside. However... a part of Dorothy wants to keep humoring him. Perhaps it's because his intentions aren't clear yet, if he has any to begin with (and every human does); perhaps it's because the purity of the church's silence makes even her think twice about being disruptive.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀I suppose by that logic, an angel serves as a guide — not to any real destination, but an idea to strive for.⠀❜ ⠀For one reason or another, she finds this train of thought to be appealing and makes a note to look into it further.   ⠀❛ ⠀Humans always seem to be longing for something like that.⠀❜ ⠀Not that Nikkes were all that different... Isn't that right, Pinne ?

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Have you encountered many angels, then ? By that definition, I mean.⠀❜ ⠀

"Ah...I see." Somehow, he finds it a pity.

Of course, logic tells him that angels are classified beyond physical characteristics—to judge someone for what they are based on how they look was too superficial to be accurate—but what were facts in face of feelings?

What was science in front of faith?

Perhaps the irremovable gap between both was what kept religion alive even as humanity advanced, and soared through the stars in search of paradise. Veoc's eyes trail from the woman to the book still in his hands before they brighten. Memorization has always been one of his strong points. He calls upon it now, reciting a quote from one of the pages.

"The soul at its highest is found like God, but an angel gives a closer idea of Him."

"That is all an angel is: an idea of God."

At the end he smiles, hesitant but genuine.

"I think that's closer to what I meant."

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀YOU ⠀haven't changed at all. Her shoulders release a fraction of their tension, but she hasn't yet decided if that fleeting thought was a good or bad one. A breeze floats idly by, ruffling her dress as the momentary silence begins to yawn.   ⠀❛ ⠀'Guests ?' That's a rather interesting way to phrase it. The way I recall it, this is certainly a kidnapping — and I can't imagine you're any more pleased than me to be here.⠀❜ ⠀It's always the same; as if she's learned nothing from recent events back home, she still can't help herself. Dorothy can only say the things that she couldn't care less about, the petty things that stray further and further from what she really wants to discuss.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀No, I think I'll decide for myself how close or far from Paradise this is — and act accordingly. After all, what else is there to do here ?⠀❜ ⠀She may not know much, but she knows from a mere glance that this place has never seen a single Rapture. That already leans in its favor... but the high concentration of captives, human and otherwise, makes her uneasy all the same. Dorothy's gaze flits down to the flower grasped between Snow White's fingers — and her lips press into a thin line, almost as though she's regarding each petal with disdain.   ⠀❛ ⠀What a shame. Even here, there's only patches of all the wrong flowers.⠀❜ ⠀

⠀⠀They're not here. They're not here. She keeps looking to see if she could find just one flower that matches the pattern of her memory, surely hoping that the site that honors fallen heroes would have that memory as well. But it was a foolish hope— the white lily remains elusive. It's likely there's an area she hasn't seen yet, though... She should move on and try elsewhere. But before she can—

⠀⠀That familiar voice blows past her. A voice that momentarily freezes her in a lost and forgotten past, the error soon correcting to a more recent point of time. The cloak that had flattened on the ground slowly straightens up as the soldier stands up and off her knees, the soft hue of gold finally meeting the gaze of the fellow Nikke.

⠀⠀She remains silent at first, though only briefly. She has to make sure her mind isn't playing a trick on her, that the site before her won't vanish the moment she blinks. But there she still stands, the lost Pilgrim that wishes to remain lost... having now wandered into the same strange land as the Pioneer.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"— Dorothy." She finally speaks with a calm voice, the fleeting weakness cast aside. Her left hand clutches a pale flower that doesn't match her target, yet she holds it delicately all the same. Even the mistaken flower shouldn't be discarded to callously. "... I don't know." It's the most honest answer she can give, covering numerous layers at once. There's no clear way to find out how they arrived at the island. Her goals can't be met until she leaves this place. There is no enemy to fight. The humans here live in peace. So her purpose is... uncertain.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"... It's certainly not any Eden either of us were hoping for, Dorothy. But I can't say that it's a bad one for the humans that live here. As guests, the least we can do is appreciate what they have."

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀THEY'VE ⠀lived over a century, just like her. Well — she imagines it's more difficult for this human, if they are human, than it is for a Nikke. Particularly a Grimms model like her... She can pick and choose what memories to cull for the sake of storage, but she can only assume this stranger doesn't have that luxury (and curse). This little tidbit piques her interest almost more than the city does. Of course, the city — this improbable island — takes precedence, but...

⠀⠀⠀Dorothy extends a dainty hand, transfixed; Testament's movements are a little stiff, but have a certain charm to them she can't help but appreciate.   ⠀❛ ⠀Pleased to meet you. 210 for me, so it seems we'll be housed quite close. … If it isn't too personal, I'd like to know — do you remember all of those hundred-plus years ?⠀❜ ⠀

"Not dire, but once you reach over 100 and have been through the Crusades, you learn to appreciate the small things, such as living in proximity to fairies and other forest folk." A chuckle, and they place a hand on some of the stray plants in the entry of the housing district.

"My name is Testament. Although I have had other epitaphs before, I accept this name now." They turn, putting out a hand to shake as a greeting. The movements are some odd mixture of both graceful and awkward, as though such an elegant being was still unused to social situations.

"I have been living in and protecting a forest for a long period of time. Cotes ward certainly brings a level of nostalgia to my stay here. It does seem as though we will be neighbors. Cotes 205 for me."

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀DOROTHY ⠀has grown accustomed to only seeing churches that are empty, if parts of them are left standing at all. Each time she enters one, her eyes are drawn to a pew towards the front — half-expecting Rapunzel will be there, praying so fervently one would have to assume her life depends on it. Like always, it's empty... although a different pew is taken by a human. She pays them little mind, assuming he would be too caught-up in whatever brought him here to be sensitive to an additional presence.

⠀⠀⠀She ignores the pews, opting instead for her preferred vantage point — just beneath one of the windows, sunlight warming her shoulders as she gazes out the stained glass straight across. However, her prior assumption was wrong; he rises with obvious fascination, and his question is met with silence at first. Dorothy is no stranger to flattery, particularly from humans; whether they're enchanted by Eden or appealing to its guide, they always wanted something... even if it was simply her approval. Generally, she took no small pleasure in refusing to grant it.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀— Hmhm.⠀❜ ⠀But not this time. The sincerity with which he asked it caught her off-guard; she got the distinct impression that if she messed with him, he'd believe it too readily to be remotely beneficial. No, it was amusing enough as is.  ⠀❛ ⠀That's flattering — but no, I'm afraid not.⠀❜ ⠀She lost her wings a long time ago.

The golden hour of sunlight hits the Church of Onoma in late afternoon, sending cozy rays streaming through the tall glass windows. Right now the inside is deserted: there are no services today, and the few faithful that came to pray have already left to beat the dinnertime rush in the streets.

Veoc sits quietly in one of the pews, fingers thumbing curiously through one of the holy books they keep there for visitors. The auto-translation feature has made it possible for him to read its text, though much of its context is lost on him.

A rustle of fabric makes him look up: there is a vision in pink and white by one of the windows, wreathed in a hazy glow. He stands up slowly, taking in the elaborate dress and long pink hair, and suddenly has an epiphany.

"I see."

"Are you also one of those 'angels?'"

Apparently they were fond of wandering around the city, and where better than to stumble upon one in a church?

@ungratefuloz

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Wait. You're an acquaintance of Snow White's ? I see...⠀❜ ⠀⠀CLEARLY, ⠀this bit of information overrode the rest in terms of importance. Her demeanor perked up slightly, although it ultimately meant very little; this woman was still an unknown factor. Even so... Dorothy can't help but think it makes absolute sense Snow White would find some salt-of-the-earth Commander to get familiar with. Again. Does she even remember why she might gravitate towards something so familiar... ?

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀It's very clear to me that you're a human,⠀❜ ⠀She says with all the irritation of someone asked to show their work for a math solution, having shaken off her momentary surprise. Dorothy takes a more soothing tone, laying out her interest more plainly for simplicity's sake.  ⠀❛ ⠀I'm referring to your equipment. I'm curious about it. Unless, of course, you have cybernetics to contend with as well — which would explain even more.⠀❜ 

now this was the sort of reaction Shepard was more accustomed to.

granted, 90% of the time it came from somebody she pissed off in the past or some poor asshole who thought they could buy her off, get her to turn a blind eye to their crimes. the other 10% came from the ones who only heard of her name and either looked at her exactly like this woman was or they took off in fear.

" Nikke, huh? So you're like Snow White, then."

maybe they belonged to the same squad? or, at the very least, knew of each other. it's something Shepard makes note of to ask the other later when they meet up for target practice. and possibly dig deeper into just what a Commander does in their world for her to be looked at like this from a simple introduction.

maybe she should drop the 'commander' part in the future...........even if leaving it out made her feel bare.

" No, it isn't. I command the SSV Normandy SR-2 and the crew aboard it. Think of it as a large frigate-type space ship." she doesn't feel like getting into the specifics, not when half of it would either go through one ear and out the other or the other would tuck that information away to try and expand upon at a later date. " Really? Guess I should take that as a compliment then, given how I'm just a human."

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Things back home must be dire indeed for you to feel grateful to your captors,⠀❜ ⠀⠀DOROTHY ⠀says with what can only described as the opposite of reverence — although a similar level of astonishment. It stood out among everything else this stranger said; although it was all helpful (free housing already puts it several steps above the Ark, but not necessarily above Eden — a good gauge for its policies), how wonderful must a place be to evoke that level of complacency ? … Then again, humans have been complacent within the Ark for decades — aside from the lucky few who make it to a more veritable paradise in Eden. So, by that logic... Could this place be a paradise by comparison for a lot of these humans ? Or are they simply making the best out of a bad situation ? It's a start, merely a thought, but one worth taking into consideration as she gets to know this island.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀'Cotes' was listed for me as well, so I can only assume we'll be seeing more of each other. I suppose I was too shocked to offer my name earlier — it's Dorothy. What should I call you ?⠀❜ ⠀

"I suppose so. Truly, at this point, I can hardly afford not to be cavalier about it." The hesitation is noted, but not remarked upon. Surely had they EXE Beast, or even their scythe, it may be even more understandable.

Still, they continue walking, allowing her to catch up on her own, "You are in Spirale City, on Radial Island. Things do tend to get interesting around here, but for the most part you'll simply be allowed to live your life until you're sent home. Peaceful isn't entirely the term I would use, but it's not entirely without charm."

"Mm, if anything, I'm pretty grateful to our captors this time around. I'm in Cotes Ward - one of four main wards you'll spend most of your time in." Gesturing around them, they continue walking further into the housing district. "Assigned housing. It's free, and this is one of the nicer areas. Not as much shopping as some other places, but it reminds me of home."

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Marian it is, then. It's nice to officially meet you.⠀❜ ⠀⠀SHE ⠀meant that quite sincerely. Why wouldn't she want to see the living proof of a Heretic without malice — a newer-model Nikke without NIMPH ? Just from a logical standpoint, it's fascinating — and the very nature of Modernia, or 'Marian,' makes her still something of a wildcard. The mention of the Commander, however... that shifts different gears in her head entirely. With a slight quirk of the brow, the gentility in her voice turns sweet nearly to the point of sickening.

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Sorry, but I've seen neither heads nor tails of your Commander. Although I am new here, so it could have slipped my notice... That would just be too cruel, wouldn't it ? First the Ark separates you, and now this island, too... ⠀❜ ⠀

Both of them did never met each other until Eden. Marian felt minor distrust for this one but it's better than nothing meeting a fellow Nikke from a desolated world where they belong. What does Dorothy mean by 'i do know you'? Perhaps, no clue and no idea all along.

Did she heard about 'Modernia'? Same as 'no clue and no idea all along'. Oh, she wants to know her? Nothing wrong with that. Wished Commander taught her not to talk to strangers.

"Marian..." That was it. A very simple introduction as formalities aren't taught on her. "I'm... just looking for Commander or anyone."

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀A Commander, you said ?⠀❜ ⠀

⠀⠀⠀HER ⠀brows knit together as she eyes the woman from head to toe, a distinct air of disapproval she doesn't bother to hide. It wasn't her gender that was an issue, as plenty of women were Commanders. Her age wasn't, either — she couldn't be much older than thirty, and although Inherit's Commander looked slightly younger by comparison, he's been commanding for far longer. If anything, it just made her that much more of a threat; in her world, any Commander that made it further than one, maybe two missions was already halfway to noteworthy.

⠀⠀⠀No, what really holds Dorothy's attention is her armor. 'N7' means nothing to her, nor does it hold any significance with her intel about the Ark. Likely a Commander from an entirely different universe, then... Which would explain why her technology seems more advanced. She wonders how it would measure up to Eden's armory, and how much she could get this 'Commander Shepard' to share…

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀Who — or what — do you hold command over, then ? I have to assume it isn't Nikkes. You seem more likely to compete with a Nikke's specs than lead one.⠀❜ ⠀

⤷ @solspectre.

[ungratefuloz]

THE MAJOR ARCANA

a collection of character development questions based on the arcana and their themes !! this is part of a collection of tarot-themed asks. if multi, please specify which muse(s) the question is directed toward !!

[THE FOOL] - Do they weight their options when making a decision, or do they impulsively make a choice?

[THE MAGICIAN] - Are they resourceful? What skills do they possess that help them navigate the world around them?

[THE HIGH PRIESTESS] - Do they meditate? Would they be considered "in tune" with themselves, or do they struggle with personal growth?

[THE EMPRESS] - Do they participate in or have a self-care ritual? If so, what does their routine look like?

[THE EMPEROR] - Is your muse a leader? If so, what kind of leader are they? Do they take a hands-off approach, or do they micromanage?

[THE HIEROPHANT] - What are important traditions to them, if any? Do they stay true to these traditions, or do they adapt them to fit their current situation?

[THE LOVERS] - What do they consider to be the "perfect partner", be it romantic, platonic, alterous, etc.? Is there someone like that in their life?

[THE CHARIOT] - Are they confident? If so, what makes them the most confident in themselves/their abilities?

[STRENGTH] - What are they determined to accomplish the most?

[THE HERMIT] - What does their inner voice sound like? Is it self-reflecting and introspective, or domineering and judgmental?

[WHEEL OF FORTUNE] - Do they believe in destiny/fate? If so, what do they believe their "purpose" is in this life?

[JUSTICE] - Are they a mediator, or do they prefer to step away from potential conflict?

[THE HANGED MAN] - Would they sacrifice themselves, literally or metaphorically, for those close to them? If so, what kind(s) of sacrifice would they make?

[DEATH] - What is their view on the cycle of life? Do they believe in reincarnation?

[TEMPERANCE] - Are they a patient person, or do they tend to act on impulse?

[THE DEVIL] - Which of the capital vices is your muse tempted by? (Pride, Greed, Wrath, Envy, Lust, Gluttony, Sloth)

[THE TOWER] - Are they a destructive individual (be it literally or metaphorically)? If so, how?

[THE STAR] - What is their health like? Do they consider themselves healthy, or do they feel like they could make improvements to better their health?

[THE MOON] - If they had to choose one trait to describe themselves, what would it be? Is it a genuine answer, or the illusion/persona they put on for others?

[THE SUN] - What makes them feel good? This can be happy, energized, revitalized, etc. It's all about good vibes, so what gives them to your muse?

[JUDGMENT] - What was an epiphany/awakening they recently had? Did they realize something that they've been naive to? Did they discover something about themselves? What happened?

[THE WORLD] - How would they define a utopia? What would it consist of, and do they see it as something achievable?

[ungratefuloz]

⠀⠀⠀HUMANS ⠀simply couldn't help themselves. Whether it was here or in Eden, it's always the same; they approach her, yet find themselves coming up short on what to say. Sometimes it's almost flattering; most of the time it's agitating, like rubbing rock salt in an open wound. Then again... maybe there's nothing a human could say to her that she'd find acceptable.

⠀⠀⠀That's how it would feel in a normal encounter, anyway. But as soon as she deigns to look at the human who's rather boldly sat next to her, Dorothy's thoughts jump the tracks. It's like looking into a mirror... a funhouse mirror that also makes you look incredibly warped in size. Truthfully, she's only half-listening to whatever icebreaker the stranger decided on — she's too busy trying to sift through her mixed emotions. In some respects, this is the highest form of flattery... but it can't be intentional, so then it veers into strictly unsettling. Whatever the case, she needs to know more...

⠀⠀⠀❛ ⠀... Yes, I know what you mean.⠀❜ ⠀Naturally, her disquiet is kept to herself for the time being — a pleasant smile neatly ironed and pressed across her face. ⠀❛ ⠀Almost too fantastical, even. I would think it was artificial if the proof wasn't right in front of my face. … Speaking of which... Is it safe to assume you're from 'elsewhere' as well ? I'd be curious to know where.⠀❜ ⠀

It was a moment that Mika couldn't quite put into words. Quite literally a scenario that she could only dream of happening, but she knew full well that this moment was not some fantasy being conjured up in her own mind. This was reality, and the person she saw siting on the bench all alone looked almost like a complete copy of her. Hell if someone told her right now she had a potential sister Mika might've been inclined to believe them.

"Um..." The problem Mika found herself in now after sitting down next to them was trying to think of what to say next. Sure it was sun showering like always but the individual looked almost too deep in thought just to be thinking about how the weather worked here.

"It's lovely here isn't it? I mean it's already crazy to think islands like this really do exist but a garden like this feels like it was taken right out of a fairy tale."

@ungratefuloz | s.c