Intro Log.

[awashmods]

Ding, dong, bell, Pussy's in the well. Who put her in? Little Johnny Thin. Who pulled her out? Little Tommy Stout. What a naughty boy was that, To try to drown poor pussy cat, Who never did him any harm, But killed all the mice in the farmer's barn.

ou wake in knee-deep water, cold as ice and stagnant, in a space that is far too echoey and spacious. It feels like a massive cave, but looking up... there's only one small, circular opening that shows grey sky and shines any sort of light. It looks like a long trip upwards, a small cylinder with walls of brick that's just a little too high to reach, even when jumping. Getting out is probably going to be a bit of a task, especially considering the water is more than cold enough to make limbs go numb. The dark makes it impossible to see much further, but the space seems large, all filled with water, but with no other way out, stone walls the only thing for an intrepid explorer to find. But most importantly of all... you're not alone. Welcome to Awash's first intro log, everyone! Please review the FAQ and rules before playing. Characters have all woken at the bottom of the well in the middle of the town (which seems a lot bigger on the inside, somehow), and it looks like they'll have to put in some work to get out. Once out, they'll be free to explore the various locations the Town has to offer at will. Just try not to die on any of the far-too-rickety walkways. Further information can be found here at the OOC post, and don't forget to greet your fellow players here!

Comments

[heartsteals]

WELL WELL WELL

[ this is an unexpected turn of events, to say the least - and after the altercation that had occurred only a few hours ago in the rainy depths of Isaac's secret lab, Lupin has to wonder if Finis somehow got the upper hand and kidnapped him away somewhere. That thought, of course, is quickly dismissed. Arsène Lupin doesn't get kidnapped.

Which means something else happened. And, considering the extremely large number of equally-confused weird-looking folks down here in the well with him, that 'something else' is a lot bigger than Twilight.

In the confusion, he stands up and dusts himself off as best as he can (his rear end is totally soaked; nothing he can do about that) before glancing around. The entrance is high up, but it shouldn't be too hard to... Wait. He stops, then proceeds to pat himself down all over, clearly looking for something that's not there. ]

... None of you have seen a grappling hook, by any chance, have you?

TOWN

[ this small obstacle cannot stop the unstoppable gentleman thief. Eventually, he gets out of that well, one way or another. Lupin, perceptive as ever, is quick to notice something is wrong. Just kidding, everyone can tell something is wrong, because everything is black and white. He finds this much more concerning than everything being abandoned.

He'll turn to whoever's closest to him, his brow furrowed in confusion. ]

Is everything gray for you, too? Or is it just me?

town

[parodeity]

Everythin' but us and our shit, yeah. [ it's weird. and dave isn't sure how he feels about being one of the sole sources of red? like. it's weird!! ] And I'm pretty sure it ain't just painted that way or anything normal. Not that that would be normal. But, like, this is even less normal than that? At least that would be weird normal instead of weird weird.

[heartsteals]

[ you look way too young to be saying "shit," young man. But Lupin won't comment on his potty mouth for the moment. More pressing issues at hand! ]

It's definitely not paint. I'm worried whoever took us here did something to our eyes... Though that doesn't explain why you and I are still colorful.

[ ... unless there's some crazy specific chemical he doesn't know about. Where's Victor when you need him? ]

[parodeity]

[ good, bc that is a losing battle, lupin... ]

Oh, it's probably just magic or something.

[ FLIPPANT AS FUCK. ]

[heartsteals]

Right. Magic. Of course.

[ he says, wearing his magician-ass outfit ]

That doesn't really do me a lot of good.

town

[messianic]

Yeah...

[Ultimately, Minato's just ended up leaning against one of the buildings, looking around in quiet (very quiet) astonishment. He's never seen anything like this, but given that everyone else seems extremely surprised to be here, he's assuming this isn't just an unfortunate afterlife thing.]

It's sort of like all of the color was just...removed or something. [That's not even possible.

...Right?]

Even the trees and the sky...

[heartsteals]

[ "afterlife" hasn't even crossed his mind - if he's not likely to be kidnapped, he's even less likely to be dead. Maybe he's having a weird dream. That's seeming like the most logical explanation at the moment. ]

I know... It's pretty depressing. Whose bright idea was this?

[ Lupin crosses his arms, shaking his head disapprovingly. The lightness of the action contrasts with a serious-looking demeanor; he's staying calm, but this is all alarming, frankly. ]

At least I know it's not me. I was worried I'd been poisoned.

[messianic]

[It's more relevant to some of us than others, Lupin :(

It's fine though; for now... Minato is thoroughly distracted by that.]

Poisoned...? Poison can do something like that? [Whoa.]

[heartsteals]

Well, I've never heard of one that could, but I'm not about to rule it out. If there's a better explanation, I can't think of it.

[ magic isn't REAL!! ]

Well [well... well]

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ Caramia may have been in what was quite possibly his one of worst nightmares: water and cold. People lied to you, saying hell was fire and brimstone. It was this that was hell. Yet, still, even though Caramia was soaked to the bone, desperately trying to stand up to find a wall, he still managed a sunny laugh when Lupin spoke. ]

A grappling hook? You leave that just lying around?

[ Despite that, he skimmed his eyes over the surface of the water. While he may have had the best chance of seeing something, what with being able to see in the dark far better than a human could, it was impossible to see past the murky surface of the water. ]

I don't suppose you need help getting up?

[heartsteals]

[ at least someone here's managing to keep a positive outlook here. It's nice to hear a laugh amidst all the panicked yelling and arguing. Lupin tosses him a light smile in return, shrugging his shoulders. ]

Be prepared for anything, right? It would have come in handy here.

[ and that's the only explanation he's giving. ]

In any case, I think most of us are itching to get out of here.

[ifionlyhadthecourage]

[ Thanks, Lupin, that explains so much. ]

Absolutely, but seems most of us have our own methods--

[ Caramia points to all the hub-bub around them. Some people floating, some people opening weird portals, others opting to climb. There was even some idiot who flew out with a bunch of birds, what's with that? ]

But, if you like, I'm sure I could fling you to the top. I'm confident [ Full stop? ] in my strength. [ Well, that too. That, on it's own, was mostly a joke. He was still trying to find his footing against the wall. If he could, it'd be all too easy to let someone onto his back and leap to the top. The record for the highest jump for a lion was 36 feet. Time to prove that today! (What do you mean it's a leap vertically? Nah, he can pull this off.) ]

[heartsteals]

Er... Are you serious? I can't tell.

[ tfw you have a friend that could probably throw you 30 feet back home. It figures Impey isn't around when he actually needs him. Maybe he'll show up 24 hours late, if Lupin's lucky.

And he's trying his best to ignore all the weird tomfoolery going on around them, thank you very much!! He'll try and process all that once he's not standing in 3 inches of cold water. ]

Followin the crowd with #2

[crowsigliere]

"I'm sure it's just you." Kyrie spoke without paying the other man too much mind, only sparing him a glance once he had decided it would be useful to pick others' brains for information as well.

Once he'd done so of course, Lupin was stuck with him, and he offered a small, friendly smile--if not for the sharpness to his eye that was practically an insult in and of itself.

"After all, the widespread panic and sense of displacement is likely all a ruse as well. Or are you saying you didn't receive an invitation?"

[heartsteals]

[ hmm. Lupin tilts his head at the other man. Of course, he has no reason to doubt him - he'd been the one who asked - but there's something about that expression that screams "don't trust me." He's run in the streets long enough to recognize a nasty smile when he sees one.

Only one way to find out, he supposes. ]

I certainly didn't. They dragged me here without even asking. Pretty rude, if you ask me.

[crowsigliere]

Why, it certainly is the face of someone you shouldn't trust. Don't humor him, Lupin, it'll make him want to bother you more.

"I'd be inclined to agree. I wouldn't imagine a polite host to be the type to kidnap dozens of people for the fun of it." They could at least make themselves known...

Still, he only offers a smile, perhaps a shade less malicious than the first, and nods his head in some close approximation of a half-assed bow--because frankly, introducing oneself is tedious, but if Caramia isn't here to do it for him he supposes it has to be done somehow.

"Given the chance of us running into one another again--my name is Kyrie. Who might you be?"

well well well;

[redigere]

[Naminé looks kind of miserable, trying to press against the wall to avoid the clamor of everyone around her and also soaking wet in her thin white dress. Attempting to be helpful sounds a lot better than hoping everyone can calmly leave the well one by one, though, and she shoots him a curious glance before her eyes sweep the bottom of the well.]

I haven't, but I can help you look.

[She sweeps her foot out, sloshing around the water to try and feel for anything.]

[heartsteals]

[ The poor thing looks absolutely miserable, and, really, asking about his grappling hook had been more of a way to strike up conversation with her than an actual request for help. Lupin smiles sympathetically, shaking his head just slightly a moment or so after she starts tapping around. ]

It's all right. I'm beginning to think I forgot it at home. More importantly... You look terrible, madamoiselle.

[ with a swift motion, he slips off the red jacket he's wearing, folding it over one arm and holding it out to her obligingly. ]

We'd better find a way out of this place to get you properly dried off. Until then, I think you need this more than I do.

[redigere]

[Oh. She stops sloshing the water, ducking her head to hide her flush of shame. It's one thing to know you look terrible, it's another to be told so. Especially by someone so handsome and well dressed.]

I, um.

[The red of his jacket flashes in her periphery vision, warm and inviting. But she hesitates, looking up at him from beneath her bangs.]

Is it really okay?

town.

[appraiser]

It's grey.

[ Ryoji confirms this easily and immediately, but he doesn't seem to share Lupin's concern. While wet from the well and just a little sore from being jostled around inside before people have come to make their way out, he otherwise doesn't seem to mind it, letting his gaze sweep over the town once more as if wondering whether he'd missed something. ]

Is something wrong?

[heartsteals]

[ Is something wrong...? Lupin turns to the younger man with a raised brow, looking for some sign of joking or deceit, but there's nothing. Confusion, if anything. Which makes Lupin confused, too, but perhaps he's severely colorblind or something along those lines; there's no way of knowing. ]

Quite a few things, to be honest with you. The sky isn't blue and the trees aren't green.

[appraiser]

[ Ryoji looks around once more, but nothing's changed ever since he'd opened his eyes to the darkness in the well. ]

No, they aren't. [ He says it with the same tone of confirmation, but the concern is still nonexistent. ] Why should they be?

Town

[youwillbeunequaled]

[A bit later into the day, it seemed that most people had taken to finding shelter or exploring the town.
Tonbokiri had also started exploring, and is now looking down into one of the canals of the district near the water. The surface is not far from the level of the street and when he looks in-- he's jolted from his reflection, literally, at the man's voice. But speaking to a person who is coloured is a welcome sight right now.]

Yes. That is, everything except us who were in the well. And interestingly, my horse also, who seems to have been sent here as well. But... Have you tried looking into the water?

[Tonbokiri points down, his expression clearly unsettled.
His reflection had been completely colourless, and even now he's looking down at himself, to make sure that his own colour didn't get spirited away. He can't help a sigh of relief at seeing everything still as it should be.]

[heartsteals]

Mm, I noticed that, too... Having no color must be a quality of the water itself. And everything else, of course.

[ it doesn't worry Lupin quite as much, but he tends to approach things from a logical standpoint - if the water can't show any color, then it makes sense that reflections on the water would be monochrome, too, right? There's something else Tonbokiri said that bothers him more. ]

The water aside - your horse came with you? Is it still in the well?

[youwillbeunequaled]

[That seems reasonable, but still... Tonbokiri glances down at the water once more before turning his attention to the man fully. His expression brightens at the topic, although he hurriedly waves his hands to dispel that notion that the horse is in the well.]

No, no. For some reason he was out by one of the houses. [He points in the general direction of the Flavo district, although he doesn't know it by that name yet.] Mikuniguro has good instincts- the house he was by seems to be sound enough to live in. It is strange though- why would Aruji send me into the well, and Mikuniguro to a house? It has never happened before... ah, but then, of course, I've never experienced anything like all of this, either. [His gesture takes in the colourless environment as a whole.]