Something about Character Building

FairyoftheMoon's roleplaying and development blog.

[not-the-usual-suspects]

“Don’t speak your mind. At all.” Mikah sounded a bit bitter when he said this. “They hunt down individuality.”

“Mikah, please,” Iris chided. She let out a small sigh before she looked to Jin and Feliks. “Unfortunately… he’s right. You’re free to do what you want within the law, but speaking out about how things should be run will get you into a lot of trouble.”

“Not to mention, Adelaine has her new general out and about,” Forte warned. “From what intel we’ve been able to gather on that, it seems to be pretty ruthless.”

Serenity was a bit silent as Forte spoke, almost as if she knew something no one else did. “What my mother taught me,” she finally chimed in, “was to smile, keep your head up, and never speak ill of the Machines. It’s worked for me insofar, so there must be some merit to things.”

“And we can teach you about the rest of the laws as we go along,” Iris added in. “But main thing is, curfew is at seven–”

“Six. She pushed it back an hour.” Mikah was quick to correct her, but Iris nodded in response. He continued, “You have to make sure you’re indoors before curfew.”

[delveintoinsanity]

The more they heard about this, the more both the dragons frowned. Feliks was frowning more in concern while Jin could feel the familiar hatred from long ago bubbling inside. This was going to be hard. "Be inside at six, and pretend I'm happy to live in a life crushing society." Jin said with a nod.

He turned towards his friend, his face softening up slightly. This was going to be harder for Feliks than him. His hands started to move. "We will stay out of sight. You can't be as friendly here." This just made Feliks look a bit sad.

"I suppose the next question is where shall we stay?" He said. "I wouldn't want to intrude in your home..." Especially when it was so full of people already.

[not-the-usual-suspects]

“Part of the way we know which rifts lead where is, not only because they tend to spawn in a similar fashion, but also because we have people study the way the rift exists,” Serenity explained. “On more than a few occasions, it’s almost led to a few unnecessary arrests, mainly of Rebellion members, but we’re incredibly careful with who we share information with.”

Forte frowned at the other question Feliks proposed. “We have some members of intel and recon working on a way to set up portals on our own, but it’s been a very slow process. Though that’s no fault of our own.”

“When we say Adelaine is strict and paranoid, I mean any kind of disturbance that is repeated will be looked into.” Serenity shook her head. “If we try to experiment too much, then we’ll be flagged under her scans.”

[delveintoinsanity]

So making their own rift wasn’t going to happen. They were stuck there as long as it took for another rift to open up. Which meant they were going to have to blend in. Jin obviously didn’t look happy with this thought. They had people that would miss them in their world.

This wasn’t including the annoying task of staying in their human forms. It could be done but it would be tricky, especially if the weather got too extreme for either of them. “Alright. I suppose we better set up our lives for the moment.” That meant a more important task. “We’ll need to know anything important to survive this world. Other than obviously we can’t be in our dragon forms fully.”

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

“Well, I don’t think it’s so much as we don’t know you anymore,” Iris said, mostly to try and comfort Feliks. “I think something else has happened, though.”

Serenity looked over to the man, a hand on the back of her neck. “Yeah, Forte, I… for some reason something feels off? Like they’re telling the truth.”

“I’ve researched into this with the rest of the intel sector of the Rebellion,” the man, Forte, assured her. Though he didn’t take his eyes off of Feliks for a while. Almost as if to assure himself that the other wouldn’t be a threat. “It has to do with the rifts that sporadically appear in our timeline. We’ve taken to calling it a ‘rift drift’, but haven’t settled on an actual term for it.”

“A… rift drift?” Even Mikah seemed confused.

“Essentially, what’s happening is that the rifts are connecting to a random world and timeline whenever they appear. And since our timeline has been isolated for so long, memories of past interactions have faded over time, or drifted away. Once those connections are back up, however, the memories start to come back. And with visual, audio, and other cues for the senses, the memories come back faster.”

Iris frowned a bit, then looked over to Jin and Feliks. “That would explain why I felt like I knew you two when you first approached us.”

“That doesn’t sound like magic.” Jin mumbled to himself. He had brought a hand up to his chin in thought. This didn’t sound like any magic he knew unless it was something ancient. Maybe something only the universe would know. “I generally wouldn’t go messing with anything related to time travel. That causes a huge mess usually.”

This time however wasn’t exactly done willingly.

Feliks seemed to be in his own thoughts for a moment before gently reaching out towards Iris. “If memories return, you will remember something hurtful on one of your visits.” He wasn’t going to sit there and wait for her to remember without a warning. “You came to us injured once. It had been an accident from your mother.” He gestured to Serenity.

“Jin didn’t like you very much.” He signed to the older adult. “Got protective.”

“Are those creatures that closed our entrance responsible for the isolation?” Jin asked. He didn’t mea to interrupt Feliks, and even glanced at his friend when the ice dragon gave a huff. Jin just hadn’t been paying attention to Feliks’ signing. “This is important, Feliks. Not only for them, but for us. We might be trapped here for all we know.”

[not-the-usual-suspects]

At first Forte and Serenity seemed confused, but Mikah knew what they were talking about. “Oh, the Snipers? They’re Machines created by Wily, and just follow orders. So if anything, whoever commanded them to close the rifts when they show up is at fault for our isolation.”

“Which, would have been Adelaine to start this whole mess,” Serenity said with a frown. “Woman’s more paranoid than I am - and I can be pretty paranoid.”

Iris rolled her eyes at the statement, but kept her mouth shut.

“Regardless,” Forte interjected, “you two are basically stuck here until another rift pops up. Rebellion has a pretty good sense of when they pop up and where, based on patters they’ve observed over the past couple of years, but it’s never a concrete thing. But we’re usually the first to know if one does show up.”

[delveintoinsanity]

Jin gave a hum as he learned a new name. Adelaine. Sounded like the person in charge here. The person who was responsible for the dreadful atmosphere of the city. There was something more concerning though.

"How will you know that rift is from our world though? I assume if it can open to our world it can open to others." They could be stuck here for a very long time.

"Can't we make our own rift?" Feliks asked.

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

“Well, I don’t think it’s so much as we don’t know you anymore,” Iris said, mostly to try and comfort Feliks. “I think something else has happened, though.”

Serenity looked over to the man, a hand on the back of her neck. “Yeah, Forte, I… for some reason something feels off? Like they’re telling the truth.”

“I’ve researched into this with the rest of the intel sector of the Rebellion,” the man, Forte, assured her. Though he didn’t take his eyes off of Feliks for a while. Almost as if to assure himself that the other wouldn’t be a threat. “It has to do with the rifts that sporadically appear in our timeline. We’ve taken to calling it a ‘rift drift’, but haven’t settled on an actual term for it.”

“A… rift drift?” Even Mikah seemed confused.

“Essentially, what’s happening is that the rifts are connecting to a random world and timeline whenever they appear. And since our timeline has been isolated for so long, memories of past interactions have faded over time, or drifted away. Once those connections are back up, however, the memories start to come back. And with visual, audio, and other cues for the senses, the memories come back faster.”

Iris frowned a bit, then looked over to Jin and Feliks. “That would explain why I felt like I knew you two when you first approached us.”

“That doesn’t sound like magic.” Jin mumbled to himself. He had brought a hand up to his chin in thought. This didn’t sound like any magic he knew unless it was something ancient. Maybe something only the universe would know. “I generally wouldn’t go messing with anything related to time travel. That causes a huge mess usually.”

This time however wasn’t exactly done willingly.

Feliks seemed to be in his own thoughts for a moment before gently reaching out towards Iris. “If memories return, you will remember something hurtful on one of your visits.” He wasn’t going to sit there and wait for her to remember without a warning. “You came to us injured once. It had been an accident from your mother.” He gestured to Serenity.

“Jin didn’t like you very much.” He signed to the older adult. “Got protective.”

“Are those creatures that closed our entrance responsible for the isolation?” Jin asked. He didn’t mea to interrupt Feliks, and even glanced at his friend when the ice dragon gave a huff. Jin just hadn’t been paying attention to Feliks’ signing. “This is important, Feliks. Not only for them, but for us. We might be trapped here for all we know.”

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

“I’m… sure if the tots were old enough, they’d be fascinated,” Mikah said. He was still a bit wary of the both of them now that the revelation had been made. “I just… don’t know if Adelaine would appreciate it as much.”

“No, I think she would,” Iris countered with a small frown on her face. “Just in the ‘thank you for making yourselves available for live dissections,’ sense.”

Mikah paused for a moment, seemingly trying to think of a counter, but then let out a sigh. “Yeah, probably right.”

“Okay, explain to me exactly what’s going on?” The new voice caused Iris to look over, but Mikah was more concerned with the strangers in front of them. Serenity had come back with a male that was taller than her, shaggy blonde hair that countered his tanned skin. But the moment he saw their visitors he stopped in his tracks, a mask of indifference on his face.

“These two say that they know us, but–” Serenity stopped once she recognized what was going on as well, and was more shocked than anything. “What… the fuck am I looking at…?”

Jin’s ears flew back at the idea of anyone trying to take apart either him or Feliks. He tried to grab onto the name Adelaine to remember it for later before turning his attention to the new face and Serenity. Quickly his dragon features fell away, moving as if to step protectively over Feliks.

“We were trying to see if Iris would remember us better.” Feliks signed. Jin gave a shake of his head at his friend, not even looking to see what was signed.

“Something strange is going on.” Jin stated. “My friend Feliks and I have accidentally slipped into your world. Last time we spoke it had been in our world and you knew of us.” That was the fact he knew so far. Minus the fact Iris hadn’t been very vocal before and was younger.

“You two don’t know us anymore...” Feliks looked so sad at that.

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

It didn’t take long for Mikah to notice the changes with Feliks at all, and quickly stood up to back away simply out of a reflex habit. He wasn’t sure what to make of the change, but he knew now that they came from a different place entirely. “What the–”

Iris watched the transformation with a much different reaction, however; she didn’t seem surprised, more… intrigued. Though once it fully processed in her mind her eyes widened a bit, and her hand fell down from where it had been against the back of her neck.

“…… Feliks?”

Feliks gave a smile towards Iris. “That’s me!” He signed. He glanced over at Jin, who seemed to have his eyes trained on Mikah for a moment. They didn’t know Mikah after all. He was a stranger. So was the infant but out of the two of them Jin knew it wasn’t the baby they needed to be worried about.

It was a moment before he glanced at Feliks, making eye contact before sighing. His gaze landed on Mikah again, as if daring the human to do something as his own ears shifted completely, and horns came spiraling from his head. He didn’t have wings, but he didn’t dare shift his tail so it didn’t take up so much room.

“Feliks and I are dragons. Most kids find that... amazing.” There was a small smile on Jin’s face.

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

The couple moved to join them in the living room; Mikah sitting on the arm of the couch while Iris put the infant in the crib. Mikah was quiet for a moment before a curious look formed on his face. “What you really are…?” A small pause. “So you’re cyborgs or something?That’s… not that unusual.”

“No, it wasn’t that,” Iris said as she moved to sit down next to Mikah on the couch. “It was something else. I don’t quite remember what exactly it was, though, but it wasn’t that.”

Mikah frowned at her words. “So… they weren’t cyborgs, but you don’t remember what they were?”

She rubbed the back of her neck again. “Yeah…” The motion didn’t go unnoticed by Mikah, and he let out a small hum of acknowledgement.

Interesting. She seemed to have an inkling of knowledge. Something there at the tip of her mind. Jin’s hand seemed to twitch as he wondered if there was any magic involved. He heard of people placing amnesia spells on others, although he knew it was rare. He wondered if he would be able to sense traces of it with his own magic.

Feliks however was thinking of other things. His hands moved to sign. “Dragon.” Then his fingers turned to claws as his ears grew long and tipped with blue. It was a moment before Jin looked slightly alarmed, watching as Feliks seemed to shake his wings into life. The wings of course moved to stay tight against his back so he didn’t knock anything about.

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

For a moment Serenity was confused, but Iris quickly explained the situation. “So they say they know me from somewhere, and they seem familiar to me, but I can’t figure out why that is.”

Mikah shrugged. “I thought they were gonna jump us, but nah.” He glanced over to them with something of a wry smile. “They seem harmless enough.”

Serenity was silent for a while, a frown on her face, before she started to rub at the back of her neck in a similar manner to how Iris had done. “I mean… I don’t know why they would know you. I’ve never seen them before…”

Mikah frowned a bit. “I don’t like that hesitation.”

She was silent for a moment longer, then handed the infant off to Iris before she held up her hands. “Just… hang on a minute. Let me go and fetch Forte. Just have them wait in the living room for a bit.”

Before either of them could protest the redhead had turned and started down the hallway. They were silent for a moment before Mikah sighed. “Well… come on in, have a seat somewhere. I’ll fetch you guys some water.”

Jin wouldn’t consider either him or Feliks harmless exactly, but they definitely had no intention hurting anyone here... this time. They were just as confused as everyone else. Gently he placed a hand on top of Feliks’ moving ones to stop his signing. Feliks’ hands trembled a bit as he glanced at Jin with the biggest puppy eyes he could muster in his human form.

The fire dragon gave a sigh. “It was awhile ago, but I thought she would’ve remembered us.” He said before he grabbed Feliks’ hand and moved to the living room. “We met you, Iris, a couple of times. I remember you being... silent.” She didn’t speak, but not because she was like Feliks completely. “You and Feliks bonded immediately over it. He’s mute.”

Something she either forgot, or perhaps something else was at play. “...I also recall you being excited over what we really are...” Did she remember what they were?

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

The walk back was uneventful, aside from a few odd glances from people who were just a tad too paranoid for their own good. But the natural dread surrounding the citizens seemed to fade away a good deal as they made their way to a much more lavish part of the City. It was almost as if the people here were more taken care of, for some odd reason or another.

Mikah made his way up to the steps of one of the mansions that lined the streets, seemingly unfazed by the looks he got from others as they made their way past the group. Once at the door he made sure to hold it open for Iris as she silently stepped inside, keeping her head down mostly out of confusion of what happened earlier today.

“Kids? Is that you?” Another woman’s voice rang out from the living room, followed by the squeal of a very young child. “What took you guys so long to get back?”

“Sorry, mum,” Iris said as she shrugged off her jacket. “We got caught up with something important.”

The silence that followed was heavy; Mikah made sure to secure the door once their guests were inside, and wasn’t surprised at all to turn and see the red-haired woman standing in the entrance to the living room with the infant in her arms, a confused look on her face. “Okay, what the hell is going on?”

On the way to their next location, Jin was highly aware of everything around him. He tried his best to not look paranoid in his own way as he made sure to keep track of what was going on around them. He had to considering he didn’t exactly know how safe they were currently.

The mansions threw him slightly off however. The change in atmosphere from the location him and Feliks started at to here were completely different.

That caused him to hesitate slightly as he and Feliks entered the building. His thoughts were dragged away from this however as he heard a familiar voice. For a moment a rush of anger came to Jin, as he suddenly remembered the interaction between him and the woman. He remembered how protective he had been over Iris when the incident happened that caused the girl to get hurt.

The subtle anger subsided however as he felt Feliks’ hand rest on his arm in comfort. This wasn’t the time for anger. As it is, Feliks was absolutely in distress about the whole thing. Perhaps Iris had forgotten the pair due to her being a young girl at the time and was now a woman. But Serenity surely couldn’t have forgotten the two of them after Jin’s threats and hurtful words.

And yet the look on her face said otherwise. Feliks didn’t hide the look of confusion and upset, scales starting to slowly appear on his face now that they were hidden from public eyes.

“That’s what I want to know.” Jin growled. Before he could continue, Feliks’ hands started to fly.

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

“Okay, I’m lost. What’s going on?” Mikah cast a confused look to Iris, and wasn’t reassures at all when she shook her head.

“I mean… they’re saying they know me, but I don’t recognize them at all,” she explained. Again, she rubbed the back of her neck. “I mean… I kind of do? But… I don’t know.”

He was silent for a while, then let out a sigh. “Well, it’s certainly not safe to be talking like this out where Watchmen and Snipers can see us,” he finally insisted. “We should all head back so that we can talk in secret. That, and see if anyone else knows anything about the possible memory loss you have.”

Iris was silent for a while, then nodded. “Yeah, that’s the safest plan right now.” Then, to Jin and Feliks, “Just follow us, and don’t look suspicious.” She let Mikah take the lead, in case anyone else tried to stop them, then started to follow him a few paces behind.

Jin’s normal frown grew deeper at Iris’ words. Something wasn’t quite right here, and sharing a glance with his friend showed that Feliks felt the same. Surely she didn’t forget the fact she had met two - no three - large dragons when she was a child? Maybe she believed it was a daydream or fantasy?

None of this was reassuring to the fire dragon. They were in a strange place, surrounded by strange people, and the one person they had recognized also seemed strange.

Feliks couldn’t help the worry on his face, although he gave his cheeks a few gentle slaps as he started to follow after the other two. He knew he couldn’t freak out just yet. He didn’t need to be sprouting scales all over his body in a panic. Jin gave another glance around as if to take in his surroundings before following behind.

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

Mikah took it in stride, and shook his head with a small smile. “Nah, it’s cool,” he said, though he did watch how excitedly the other started to quickly sign. He didn’t understand sign language all too well, but knew it meant something, at the very least. “I’m just far too used to being jumped from behind.”

The woman, on the other hand, frowned at the signing. She could feel a small stinging sensation at the base of her skull, and rubbed the back of her neck for just a moment.

He looked to her and noticed her expression, and his smile fell. “What’s wrong, babe?”

She took a moment to call her thoughts back to the present, then - with her hands out of view of anyone passing by - responded in sign language herself. “How do you know my real name?”

Jin gave a frown as he stared Feliks down before turning his gaze to the woman. He hadn’t been paying attention like his friend had been, and was now only taking her in. He had no idea how Feliks picked her out of everyone, but it wasn’t like Jin was surprised at that fact. He was more surprised at the fact in front of her wasn’t the little girl him and Feliks had met. Had it really been long enough for her to grow so much?

Feliks smile fell slightly, confusion on his brow as he continued to sign. “We are friends. We met when you were young.” She seemed so different. Feliks forgot how fast humans grew at times. That wasn’t what was bothering him though. “One time you came to us hurt and we helped you.”

“It’s probably been awhile, Feliks...” Jin mumbled, which meant Feliks didn’t hear him at all.

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

For a good while it didn’t seem like the couple noticed either of them following behind them. But after a moment the male turned his head back to confirm that he wasn’t just being paranoid, and let out a sigh before he stopped in his tracks and turned to face them. “Can we help you at all?”

The woman stopped as well, and seemed just as confused, as well as a bit worried that they had been followed.

When the male turned, Feliks scrambled to a stop, giving a small look of guilt. Perhaps it was a little rude to be following people. His attention left the male however as his eyes stared down his companion, even after Jin moved to stand beside his friend and waited a beat for Feliks to answer. When the ice dragon didn’t seem to, Jin started.

“Apologies, my friend really likes meeting new people-” Jin paused as he watched Feliks’ face light up slightly and start to sign. “Feliks... Feliks that’s too fast I can’t understand what you’re saying!”

Feliks paused before he waved at the female. “Iris!”

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

Fortunately, as they moved towards the center of the City, it seemed to be doing much better. More effort was put into the upkeep of the main areas, so no one really had a reason to complain about things being inappropriate for living.

Still, the entire air of the City seemed to be full of a strange kind of hopelessness, as though it were an infection that needed to be dealt with as opposed to ignored. But even despite all of that, multiple people walked by with a smile on their faces, more than content to be alive.

“Mikah, can you at least try to keep up?” One of the younger women walking by stopped to turn back towards a male that was taller than her, though both seemed distracted. “If we’re late again, I’m pretty sure mom’s going to have a conniption.”

“Or some wise words,” the male replied with a frown. “I didn’t think another rift would open up that soon.”

She blinked, then looked over to where the Snipers continued to walk. “Oh… You think it’s becoming another epidemic of sorts?”

Mikah shrugged. “Maybe. Who knows.”

It was a relief to leave behind the rundown area they had been in, but the presence of people didn’t exactly comfort Jin. He paused in their journey, glancing at Feliks who seemed anxious still. “Take a moment to calm down. You need to clear your face.” Jin said. There were scales still littered on Feliks’ face. The ice dragon gave a small frown before nodding, taking a few moments to relax and hide away the traces of his dragon features. As his friend focused on that, Jin turned his attention to their surroundings.

This place was strange. There was something hanging in the atmosphere of it that wasn’t quite right, not that Jin was sure what it was that made it all wrong. After a small sweep of his surroundings he turned back to Feliks who looked much calmer, although a couple of scales seemed to be lingering. It was good enough for now.

They started to walk. That portal was their entrance and now they had to figure out how they were going to exit from wherever they were. Maybe the answer was within the city? Maybe they should follow those strange humanoids and see if they could lead them to-

Feliks pulled on Jin’s arm, startling the fire dragon from his thoughts. “Feliks.” He hissed before he turned his gaze on where Feliks was looking. A couple had caught his eye. “We’re not here to make friends.”

Feliks gave a huff as he released Jin and quickly made his way to follow them. Jin gave a gentle shout before giving an irritated sigh and following after.

[delveintoinsanity]

not-the-usual-suspects​:

The surrounding buildings were rife with broken windows and missing sections, and the damage seemed to seep down into the ground below as well. It was as though maintenance hadn’t been a forethought for some time with the architecture. Almost as if no one had even bothered to live in this particular area for several decades.

Further down the empty streets, a pair of men in green armor walked side by side, deliberate in their steps as though they had been sent on a mission. They moved past the dragons’ hiding place to continue towards a large portal hovered in the air.

Then, without saying a word to each other, they set up four small boxes at the “corners” of the rift. Once set up they were turned on, which caused the rift to slowly waver and ripple as though it were physically being disturbed, until it finally petered out of existence.

As silently as they had set up, they took down the boxes, turned, and headed back towards the center of the City, seemingly unaware of the two strangers just out of sight.

Jin’s eyes started to inspect their surroundings, a frown planted on his face as he took in the damage. This place had to be the far parts of the city, or at least the parts that were least cared for. He only turned his eyes away from it all when he heard someone moving towards their direction, and felt Feliks grab his arm in worry.

The fire dragon carefully moved to watch the two men, noting the way they walked and acted made it easy to know they were security around here. It was when they were setting up did he finally spot the portal. That’s what they must’ve went through. It gave off a feeling similar to magic but it wasn’t exactly like it.

A small weight seemed to settle in his stomach as he watched it blip out of existence. That was probably their way back from wherever they were. This was not good. As they started packing up he moved back to be hidden, watching the two pass by again before turning to Feliks. His friend’s face was littered with small blue scaled and a wide-eyed look. “Let’s go figure out where we are.” Jin signed before the two started to move, quietly.

[delveintoinsanity]

Both dragons had been walking into the city, which was the only reason they were currently shapeshifted into humans. Feliks' hands were moving as fast as usual, having conversation with his companion as they walked. Jin would immediately get upset at himself for not paying attention as they entered the location, because as soon as they entered the air seemed... different.

There was a different smell in the air, and Feliks immediately paused in his words as he realized the shift in atmosphere. Something changed while they were walking to their new location.

Jin would give a deep frown as his eyes glanced around, shifting closer to his friend. "Something like magic just happened." He would sign to Feliks.

Neither were sure what changed, but it certainly put Jin on high alert as he moved the both of them to a more covered area to be a little less out in the open.

[ @not-the-usual-suspects ]

[delveintoinsanity]

Anyone up for an rp?

[froyo-ocs]

Hey, can y’all rb this if it’s okay to send you messages asking about your ocs, cause on god I wanna interact with y’all but I am terrified of being annoying lol