#ca open

[gentomologist]

It looks nice.... from a distance. He’s just standing by a tree of safety to observe the festivities, nervously trying to decide whether or not it’s too many people -- or if there’s at least a familiar face in there.

[idolish7center-blog]

Once Upon A Time...

In the realm of dreams, where even fantasy could become a reality, arose a vast kingdom surrounded by mountains and fertile land. The skies, the seas and the forests were adorned with fantastic beasts of your wildest imaginations, the prominence of magic giving humanity the protection and formidability they needed to survive. Though they struggled to remain at the top of the hierarchical chain, they thrived upon their craft, bringing about a golden age of culture and invention. And with those that would also abuse these boons, is where our tale begins...

Here, Riku was born into royalty, a prince living in a castle, no longer the idol center he once was in another time and place. But despite the vast changes to his lifestyle, he was unable to escape his destined bane: sickly and bedridden since childhood... But he was still happy--his family was kind and famously known for their benevolence towards the public, and the likes of his precious twin brother, Tenn, was very much by his side as his protector (what a kind, kind dream!). Speaking of, Tenn being the oldest son and birthright successor, he had become the epitome of natural genius and maturity, Riku very much inspired by his talents.

However, that lead to some meddling on his part, much to everyone’s chagrin..

Since the idea was planted in his head to become of more use to Tenn and those around him, Riku had dug his nose into the likes of magical tomes he found laying about the castle archives and the library. The Nanase family had always had a strong line of those with magical affinity,  Tenn and Riku no different, but where Tenn had learned all sorts of spells and tactics, Riku’s lack of stamina and chronic illness prevented him from practicing anything that would put too much strain on his body. Thus, he found a knack for healing and defensive magic, persisting until he was able to even save those fallen and injured from battle. 

He was praised for his selflessness and care, and because he had found some use to his power, began to study medicine as well. It would be nice if he could help others like himself, after all.

So today, Riku had snuck away from his quarters again for a short trip, tiptoeing through the halls and out into the garden, where he slipped through the finely trimmed hedges surrounding the courtyard and into the wild forest nearby.

“Those mushrooms I need should be ready by now... I’ll be back before anyone notices I was gone, huhu..”

[iburned-archived]

“you know, I think it should be called teethbrush.”

“like, you use it to brush your teeth and not a single tooth, am i right? same thing with barefoot. who’s the absolute moron that bares a foot? should be barefeet.”

[ghraidh-blog]

 Dear gods above.

 Kenna gripped her quarterstaff so hard her knuckles were white, hoping that if she held tight it would hide the shaking. She knew she probably looked as out of place as she felt, given that she could immediately tell that even her clothes were far different from everyone else’s, but she also felt like if she swapped her cloak for anything that she might break. 

 But standing there like a fool wasn’t helping her either.

 “Excuse me. Um...” She realized only after opening her mouth that she didn’t have much to say. “... Hello.” Brilliant.

[greygent-blog]

Alright, they’ve found their place of residence, thoroughly checked over their possessions, (Someone slid a decent stack of money into their pocket-- seeing as it looks completely different from what they’re used to, it’s probably viable here.) and it seems that somehow they’ve lost their healing ability.

(That’s a story involving punching a wall out of panic from seeing a hint of blond hair behind them. Since when did that make them jittery? Anyways, a shard of brick had gotten stuck in their arm, and removing it had not led to it sealing in about a second. It took a while to remember how to bandage something.)

Now that they were roughly settled in for their stay here--

“...Wonder if any of the shops around here sell sweets? Seeing what state I was in just before arriving here, I think I’ve earned the right to gorge myself on some sugar.”

[underteika-archived]

More help seemed to arrive from the sky, as several rainstorms came to quell the flames licking the parks and buildings in the green sector. Smoke replaced fire as water met it, casting the sector in a blanket of grey. A sigh of relief; not just from Anda, but the few around them who seemed to know the evacuation route by heart. In fact, a good majority of them didn’t seem phased. 

“This happens about every month or so.” “I just stay at my mother’s while the house repairs itself.” “This is the first time I’ve seen you trying to help. This must be new to you, huh kid?”

Hell, the NPCs seemed to want to comfort Anda more than the other way around (likely because of the tears...) Most were generally grateful for the help, like an elderly lady thanking a child for helping her cross a road. No casualties were reported. It was all so... heartbreakingly routine for everyone, if the ankle-deep sea of sorrow said anything about it.

As the shuttle buses came to transport the temporarily deposed, Anda joined them, hitching a ride to Vario before slouching into the sheltered bench stop. Soaked, reeking of fire, soot staining the cuffs of their jeans...

All they could do was sob there, hand covering their face, letting that agonizing pressure of keeping composure go.

[danceofthekitsune]

    ❝ Pardon the intrusion again, but I was told there would be food. ❞

[ingoldentent]

As springs starts appearing on the horizon, life starts to reemerge in Hive City. Flowers bloom, animals have babies and people let go of coats in place of lighter clothes. Yes, everything you look at, the sunlight brings new energy.

At the Ushiromiya mansion, however, winter is still standing firm and strong.

When was the last time this place was filled to brim with members of the family? Almost everyone is gone. Those who aren’t don’t give any signs of life no matter how much Battler tries contacting them. Sometimes it feels like there’s just him and Beatrice here, plus a couple native servants he’s hired. What a bleak display the mansion has become.

However, it’s as they say. Spring is a time of renovation. Why not get to himself to solve this issue. Battler has just the right idea in mind...

FROM: Battler Ushiromiya TO: All Contacts

[Text]: Hey folks, how u doing? [Text]: So, heeres the deal [Text]: My place has TONS of bedrooms and overall space that’s only be used by flies rn [Text]: Anyone lookin for a better living place is free to move in [Text]: Mansion in Sector 5, rose garden in front, can’t miss it [Text]: No rent, just come in and enjoy [Text]: And well, help with cooking and cleaning and preserving the place [Text]: Think of it as a really big roommate space [Text]: Peeps wo are already my Pieces hace priority [Text]: @headphonehitokiri @berserkerofgold @judgeofparadise @vwatch @draconislucet @ersatzsun @solarsubterrestrial [Text]: But anyone is welcome!!