balance_logs | Lunar Interlude 3

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Lunar Interlude 3

	What a mess.
	NAVIGATION

1. NEW RECLAIMERS

A. WELCOME WAGON

For the 14 of you who will be arriving today, the story is the same: though you may not remember it, there was a moment where you were living out your life, at home or wherever you were ... and then there was the moment the Hunger came. And amid the television static that is your memory of that moment, a hand reached out to you, beckoning your escape as the tendrils of darkness destroyed everything that ever existed about your world.

"Would you hurry this up, please? Your world no longer stands a chance. Come with me, we are the last bastions of hope for all universes everywhere. And we're going to need you."

And then, unceremoniously, you are dragged through the universal wringer and plopped down on the soft, though not quite cushioned, grass of the Moon Base Quad.

You're not alone, either. Along with the newest members of the Bureau, in a fashion probably not unlike this, there are people waiting here for you. People who wanted to see the heroes the Director has managed to bring in this time.

People who are excited to see what you're capable of.

You have a few minutes to talk with each other — or maybe lob a few questions at the impromptu welcoming committee, or any of the older Reclaimers who may happen to be nearby. But before long, you're whisked away to a different area of the Moon Base.

B. THE VOIDFISH

The 14 of you are quickly divided into three groups, and brought to the easternmost geodesic dome, to an elevator in a well maintained, but sparsely landscaped field. There's nothing particularly ominous feeling about the space — in fact, the two guards who greet you at the elevator entrance seem pleased with your arrival. You are, after all, one of the few chosen by the Director, the few who will reclaim what the Hunger has destroyed.

And in a few moments, you're about to find that out for yourself.

After a tightly packed elevator ride, your group is ushered out to a rather grand looking hall, banners of the Bureau of Balance adorn both sides of smooth metal walls. And inside the Voidfish's chamber stands a tank — impossibly tall, and soaked in a black ink that obscures whatever the tank may be holding.

You may notice a melody, someone playing the violin. It's a bard, on his third round of introducing Reclaimers to the Voidfish.

When he's finished, he pulls out a few pieces of paper — sheet music — opens a drawer at the bottom of the tank, drops the papers in, and shuts it.

And suddenly, it seems you've forgotten everything that may have been ironic about that melody.

If you seem alarmed, the bard takes notice of it.

"Yeah, man, like... don't think too hard about it, it's like that every time. I'm guessing you're here to be inoculated? Just a heads up, you might want to, like, seriously, hold your nose while you drink it down. It tastes wicked gross, man."

You sort of get the sense that he's said this speech once or twice in the past. It's well rehearsed, much like the stories you'd expect a bard to be able to recite.

"Anyway, I'm supposed to tell you that you have a choice. If you drink the black stuff, you'll be able to hear through the, uh... Huh, how do I describe it? Through the [TSHCSCHTSHCHSC] sound. You guys like, hear that? Anyway, it's all about knowledge or something. I don't know, I'm just here to, like, feed the thing. We call it the [TSCHHSCHSCH], by the way.

So, like. You get a choice. You can drink it and understand stuff, or not drink it and then hear that crackling noise all day every day. If I were you, I'd drink it. But, hey man, I'm not like, your dad or anything."

The bard takes five cups and draws liquid from a spigot connected directly to the basin of the large tank. Stormy, muddy looking ichor is drawn into them, one by one. He offers each of you a sip.

Drink it (he wasn't kidding about what it tasted like), and you're inoculated to the wisdom of the Voidfish. You try to remember the song this bard played a few moments ago and the melody, the meter, every octave, all come back to you. And if you think back to your arrival, some of the things you may have heard other people in the Quad say, that simply sounded like static, are suddenly clear. Bureau of Balance. Grand Relic. Reclaimers.

Yet you still can't remember the Hunger or what it had done to your world. And as you look back to the tank in front of you, the water has become clear. There's a jellyfish, as tall as a building, floating within. You look into the body of the creature and you can almost make out a beautiful, tiny universe floating within it.

2. THE TEST OF INITIATION

With your new knowledge on the Bureau of Balance and your purpose here in tow, you are led without hesitation to the Arena, where the final phase of your initiation into the Bureau will be held. You are partnered up, whether it is with someone you drank the ichor of the Voidfish with, or perhaps even a veteran Reclaimer, who either stopped by to help, or simply out of curiosity.

After the proctor confiscates your weapons for the test, the room you are placed in is stark white — it sort of gives off the vibe that it was supposed to do something other than look so sterile once upon a time, but for whatever reason, that function is lost. With a sound similar to an airlock, the door is shut behind you, and the outline disappears, the lines of the door frame magically filled in with the rest of the wall.

Your task here is to escape. You are provided with the following tools:

○ A small flatware set from the café. Two forks, two spoons, two butter knives
○ A popular Faerun children's toy: "It's Elementary, My Dear Brewer: Chemist Set for the Discerning Beginner." It's essentially a simple chemistry set.
○ An inflatable hammer that plays one progressive note of a jingle a lot of you probably hate by now with every hit.
○ A wooden toy sword.
○ A plate of spaghetti — hear us out, though. Thanks to a Reclaimer who came before you, and thanks to the robot that's making your food, it's the kind of spaghetti that grants you extra strength for an hour after eating.
○ A crowbar, with a note attached to it: "DO NOT USE CROWBAR."

Seriously, don't use the crowbar — the purpose of this test is to assess your ability to find a solution outside of the most obvious one. The purpose of this test is to determine if you are capable of resisting the call of a Grand Relic.

Use your wits. Use the path actions granted to you when you arrived. Use any ideas your partner has. But do not use the crowbar.

3. NEWBIES AND VETERANS, AROUND THE MOONBASE

A. I'M YOUR BIGGEST FAN

The Reclaimers were already sort of elevated to a certain level in the Bureau, as The Director's chosen few, the ones who were ultimately tasked with saving everyone, and the ones the rest of the Moon base is charged with assisting. And now that the Reclaimers have successfully brought home two Grand Relics, they're ... starting to become something of household names. Moon Base names?

The next time you wander into town — an old Reclaimer veteran or a brand new face — you may very well be accosted by a well-meaning, if curious admirer. And they have questions: Did you get to hold the Grand Relic? Is it true that you took out a sandworm by tricking it into tying itself in a knot? Can they see your weapon? Would you spar with them sometime? Maybe they're not quite this annoying. But still annoying.

You may need the assistance of another Reclaimer to escape from this wholesome new Adoring Fan of yours.

B. MALFUNCTION

Resting on the Moon Base is your time to catch up. Maybe there's someone you didn't spend a lot of time with in the Netheril. Maybe you're new, and you're still working on meeting as many of your fellow Reclaimers as possible.

Which is fair. These are the people you will have to cooperate with for the foreseeable future, so it's best that you get to know them as well as possible, right?

And then, one day, your Bracer buzzes with a message:

Hello!

Not all that curiously, the message appears to come from a username that you recognize. Whoever it is, it's another Reclaimer — one that you know well.

Much more curiously, the message is followed by an odd beeping, and a perhaps familiar two-toned sound of something shutting down. And when you try to message your friend back, you may find that:

For the next 24 hours, your bracer's translator feature is broken. You will not be able to understand Common — and when you speak, you won't be translated into Common. Have fun with that!

And yeah, that probably wasn't actually your friend messaging you. Add another mystery to your list of weird phenomena that needs addressing.

C. POWERING DOWN

This is meant to be a few weeks of rest while the rest of the Bureau prepares for your next mission. The Director, however, believes that this free time should be used to better oneself however they might see fit, and she certainly won't stop anybody who'd like to spend time in the areas they've visited previously — and any new Reclaimers who would like to learn a little more about Faerun.

Grab a pal and try these options, both on the Moon Base and beyond, on for size:

○ Stop Dying 101: Also known as Fatalistic Fauna, and Danger Sense to channel your inner barbarian. This is a class that was introduced after the first field mission that offers instruction on basic survival strategies when up against the more inhospitable areas of Faerun. The class is open to everyone, but if you have died at least once during the course of Balance, attendance is mandatory (Unless you're an old bird who was talked into teaching a class instead). Yes, that means you, Komaeda!

Curiously, the simulators for this class seem to be working just fine. Neither the Director nor the instructor are going to question it. The monster of the month you'll be facing is the Tarrasque (scaled down to size, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying) — are you cunning enough to escape the simulation? Or are you going to go against the point of the class and try to fight it?

○ Winding down room: A small room filled with the kotatsus brought back from Vista Virs, board games, books, and other quiet activities for one of the days where you're feeling a little more restful. At the front of the room, a keyboard and other instruments are waiting — unnamed Bureau members will offer a few quiet, soothing performances throughout the day, but you're welcome to play as well.

○ Visiting New New Aspen: You may have noticed that there's an enormous tree (You say Christmas, we say Candlenights) jutting out past the atmosphere, nearly touching the Moon Base itself. This was the site of the first field mission, and the tree stands as a monument to the Reclaimers first success in recapturing a Grand Relic. At the bottom of the tree, a peaceful town that cherishes the ornaments it makes sits. The mayor of New New Aspen, Matthew, will greet you warmly, and invite you to any number of ornament carving classes, or to dinner with his Aunt Laurel (She's a giant spider, by the way), or to even just spend some time with the giant cats that protect the town.

Perhaps worringly, though, the cat captain of the guard, Bread, is missing.

○ Visiting Vista Virs: A town in the middle of an unforgiving desert that was left completely destroyed. If you choose to return, expect to be put to work — you'll be gathering supplies, helping rebuild homes, or just comforting the Needlers, a race of catcus people who inhabited the town, who have lost everything.

D. THE MOON IS YOUR SPACE OYSTER (WILDCARD)

There are plenty of other locations around the Moon Base that you can explore at your own discretion. Feel free to refer to the Settings page for more ideas on what shenanigans you can get into.

Additionally, we'll be fielding Bender rolls again this month! If a food item was destroyed in a failed roll previously, you may roll to try to fix it. Bear in mind, of course, that you may make it worse.

Successful food rolls will stay in place at this time, and can be utilized how you like. Keep in mind that only one magical effect can be in place at a time.

blurb code by photosynthesis

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sayori takes a contemplative pause, which is apparently something that she's capable of.]

That would be harder to show your friends, huh? A stranger probably wouldn't know what it means at all if they don't know anything else about you.

[With this perspective, his opinion on sharing poetry makes sense.]

[It really is something similar to what she thinks. With strangers, he's used to performing and not being understood. If he showed someone Loki, they might be able to tell there is something off or a little freaky about him but as long as Akechi continued to act with a smile, they would probably brush it off. Unfortunately, he knows people closer to him can see everything reflected in Loki.]

That's correct. Well, depending on how it looks, maybe strangers could make guesses but in the grand scheme, they wouldn't know compared to someone who knows you. Even if you act differently in front of them, no one has a perfect act. It's a powerful asset but also one that requires... certain strengths, I suppose.

[Certain strengths. Sayori laughs bashfully.] Yeah. That's really cool! I don't think I could ever do that. [She writes her feelings, but she's at least crafted her act well enough that her friends don't question what it might really mean. Or if they do, they don't do it to her face.]

What legend is your Persona? [A beat.] Wait, is that too personal? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to!

Oh! [He smiles and waves his hands.] No, it's fine. I have two, actually, which is uncommon I think? [Minato and Akira can. He doesn't know about Shinji. The other Phantom Thieves couldn't. Who the fuck knows.] One is Robin Hood. I don't know if you've heard of that story?

[Two? But if a Persona is a side of yourself you hide...

Interesting. Sayori files it away in the part of her brain people think she doesn't use, and smiles on.] Yeah, I've heard of Robin Hood! Take from the rich and give to the poor, right? [She does not say "superhero" again, thankfully for all of us. But there is a small teasing lilt to her voice.]

[He laughs a little, quite pleased that she recognises him.] Yes, that's right. I can't seem to summon him here, though. It feels like there is a wall between me and him.

As for my other one, that would be Loki. [He doesn't know if she'll know him but if she doesn't, he'll have to think of a nice way to describe him.] I can actually summon him here, though his abilities are mostly locked for some reason.

Loki... [Hm, that sounds like something she should know. Maybe something Yuri would talk about? Her eyebrows furrow in thought, trying to conjure up the memory, but she shakes her head.] I don't think I know about that one. I guess I haven't studied enough, ehehe.

[Now he has to think of a neutral way to describe Loki. There is a chance she'll look him up later. That's fine. For now, he just needs something a little less worrying.]

Loki is a Trickster God of Norse legend. He was a famous shape-shifter who played quite the variety of roles depending on what story you read.

["Shape-shifter" and "variety of roles" go into that same little file as the aspect of multiple Personas. But that doesn't have to mean something bad. She smiles.] I guess that means you're really flexible!

[Figuratively, not literally. Though maybe literally? Do shapeshifters have to be flexible to shapeshift?]

[Someday she's going to read about Loki straight up ushering in Ragnarok and wonder about that. For now, he smiles.]

I like to think I am, yes.

[And now it's time to show-off, because that is just who he is as a person, so he takes a very short run forward and rolls into a handspring off the ground to land perfectly on his feet.]

[Figuratively and literally!] Ooooh!

[Sayori claps excitedly. A proper round of applause!] That was so cool! Can you do other stuff like that?

[This is not the best time or place for this but Akechi started it and now he must commit.]

[The applause earns a bright smile and drops into a deep bow with a flourish of his wrist before crossing his arm over his chest.]

Thank you! [He straightens up with a smile.] Haha, naturally I can do more, too. Do you have any requests? I'd be happy to try.

[Sayori knows nothing about gymnastics, and hits a momentary blank. She eventually settles on the most basic answer.] Can you do a backflip?

[If she got too complex he might not be able to do it and that would defeat the purpose of showing off. Instead, he beams.]

Yes, of course. Let's see...

[Hopping back twice gives him enough push to jump off the ground and flip back, sticking the landing.]

Well? Did it meet your expectations?

[Judging by the delighted way she giggles and claps again, yes, it did.] Amazing! I think I'd just hit my head if I tried to do that! [She can't even pick up crayons off the floor without hitting her head.]

Did you learn all that when you were training with your sword?

[His cheeks flush with joy. There are just some things he'll never tire of and being praised tops the list. Even if they're fairly simple tricks for him now, he did work hard—he's always working hard. Just having it acknowledged this much feels nice.]

I did, yes. I always thought swords were elegant but cool. Although, I prefer less conventional swords to Japanese ones. But any sword will do ultimately, as long as it feels light enough. I really can't do two-handed ones.

[Well. He would try his best to if he had to but no thanks.]

[If only he knew how smart he sounded to Sayori.] Whoooa. [Just kidding, it's super obvious how smart she thinks he is just from her tone of voice.] I don't know anything about swords, ahaha.

[A pause.] Am I going to have to learn how to use a sword? [Bards seem like they're supposed to be helpers, but it seems like a lot of people here expected her to be able to fight.]

[He gives her a reassuring smile as he shakes his head.]

Only if you want to learn it. Bards aren't usually frontline fighters. You have more of a support role. But, naturally, battle can be unpredictable. It's important to be able to defend yourself, so you'll need to at least be able to do that.

[Another laugh, though this one is more obviously nervous. She's been trying to breeze through this on her usual act, but it's becoming clearer that the stakes here are a lot higher than performing well at a school festival. What is she going to do when the Director realizes what a mistake it was to bring Sayori here?] Yeah, haha, you're right! I don't want people to have to protect me all the time.

Does Fantasy Costco sell big shields?

[Her nerves are palpable.]

They do. There are entire disciplines that can be learned surrounding just the shield. It isn't as absurd as you might think to use a shield and only a shield.

[But he pauses them outside of Fantasy Costco.] Ah, forgive me if this is a little rude but... you're probably a pretty normal person, right? I don't mean it as a bad thing but I mean that... this must be a great deal to take in. It's... overwhelming, when your world changes into something supernatural. I've been in your shoes before.

[Sayori's smile doesn't falter, but it does become a bit sheepish and perhaps even a little sad.] Yeah. I don't mind all the magic and stuff. It's amazing! [She has adjusted unusually well to that part, really.] But I think most of the people here are more prepared for something like this than I am.

[Hm. Too sad. She brightens her smile and gently knocks a fist against her own head.] I can't even do my homework on time, ahaha!

[It doesn't surprise him that Sayori feels so out of her depth. What should he do to comfort her, though? While he doesn't want to make her feel too anxious about the upcoming mission, he also needs to make sure she has some semblance of footing before they start it. He can't baby her but he can't push her, either.

Smiling, he offers his hand to her.]

Then stay near me, all right? After all, I am a paladin. It is my duty to protect and assist. I still remember what it was like when I first awoke my powers. I promise I was painfully average before then. And certainly you aren't the only one here who was 'normal' before all of this. You'll figure things out with time.

[Sayori regards his outstretched hand with curiosity. Thoughts flit through her head, poetic thoughts, little airy concepts of this gesture being metaphorical, symbolic. A life ring in a sea of unfamiliarity. A friend. Maybe she'll write about it later.

After a moment, she smiles softly and takes his hand, giving it a squeeze.] Goro... Thanks. I'll try not to get in your way, ahaha.

[Smiling, he nods. Even if it's all he can offer right now, he hopes it helps enough. So far, he doesn't dislike her company, so he doesn't have any problems promising to stay with her, either. He leads her into Fantasy Costco, still holding her hand for now since going in the first time might be overwhelming.]

Now then. Do you want to shield shop first or clothing shop?

[He really was serious about the shield thing.]

[It feels nice to hold someone's hand, probably for no reason related to how isolating and strange arriving here has been!

For a moment, she's captivated by the size of the...warehouse? That is the concept she links most closely with the experience of this place, but wow, it seems big even for that.] Whooooa.

[Wait, he asked her a question.] Um! Maybe clothes first? I know more about clothes than shields!

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