boundlesschaos

[boundlesschaos]

In turn, Niamh mimics Emma, head tilting the other way. It makes sense to ask the question - more than anything, she's just processing the realization that Emma has regarding whether or not to eat. If she's just a little bit hungry, maybe they can just get something small to eat. She can think of a few places for that sort of thing.

"A lot of it...comes from other places, but there's breads, warm soups and beverages, salted meats..." Makes enough sense, given the lack of light down here. "There have been attempts to grow produce underground...potatoes, one of them..."

It's not impossible to keep certain livestock down here, too. But given the space, some meats are simply better if brought from the outside.

Niamh stands by the doorframe, looking back towards her room. A room that's both the first that she's had some control over the ever piling books and papers, yet cluttered from the additional belongings that have taken a temporary home. She doesn't mind it, though.

"Let's check together..." a break from them sorting things out? Absolutely. But it doesn't have to be solved in one day.

/r/boundlesslivingspace

Finding lodgings for everyone who had been staying at the monastery on such short notice is a near impossible task. [...]

[boundlesschaos]

"Really...?" There's no level of distrust in what Yuzu has said to Niamh. If Yuzu believes it as such, then she believes her. It's as simple as that.

Though believing in someone, and actually committing to it? That's a different story altogether. It is why she has her tome in case of emergencies. You can believe in someone, and still watch them fail what they set out to do.

She double checks what she has on hand again. Spell book, concoction, notebook. One of these she will save for later. But the Concoction-

She lifts it high above her head.

"Tell me when you're ready." She informs Yuzu. "And we'll start."

Eyes cold, her full attention on the operation at hand. Just as much as Yuzu required to be ready, so did she. And, given how much she's tolled on this concoction? She wanted to ensure that, at the very least from her end, things go as she predicts it to be.

She wants the only randomness factor to be Yuzu alone.

POISON (20)2!!!! (waits for applause)

mission board: restoration (reason +1)

[boundlesschaos]

There are those who believe in fate. That everything happens for a reason - that it could even be calculated, in some instances. The chance of them both obtaining the starfish, for example, may have been a 1 in 25 chance.

But it's not so simple. This would be in a world where each of the five charms had the same amount remaining before the first of them took one, and a new one were to take it's place. The odds could have been, for example, a 1 in 16 chance, if one charm had been passed out completely to the other ball goers. Or, it could be something far more complicated to solve, if they were giving them out truly at random, and each charm type had a different amount remaining...

But fate, in the truest sense, would not care about logic, would it? At least, that is the implication that those who follow it have placed upon the concept.

And so, as a last effort to prove their meeting anything but-

"I don't want it."

She returns the starfish to her belongings. Whether or not she already owns one from another is beyond Poe's knowledge. It's also beyond Niamh's knowledge, because who knows when she found poor Lambert in that cave. Maybe it's better that Poe doesn't know about Niamh's possible Boundless Chaos space-time stunt?

Her crimson eyes remain on the other. Even pocketing her charm had been done without looking away. "So you admit that it could be divine intervention. I wonder..."

"Just who it seeks, then."

A violent shake makes it suddenly difficult for Niamh to remain steady. The storm was still at it, with no clear sign as to when this boat - and it's inhabitants - will find peace.

So Are You Going To Jump Overboard Or Should I

[ BELOW DECK ] - Those who had been aboard one of the massive ships owned by the Viscount are encouraged to find refuge below deck, now introduced to the world of a sailor in a military ship...

[boundlesschaos]

She doesn't deny that Emma could sleep on the floor. In fact, she's confident that she'd be able to handle a living situation on the floor with no problem, but -

But Emma's here because she wants Niamh's assistance, at the end of the day. She makes work to remove the rest of the books from her bed, placing them mostly out of the way. Satisfied, she looks towards Emma. "...if you only have that, you should sleep here..."

She thinks upon it further. Would the Abyss have some extra bedding around? She could probably improvise something if they did. Yeah, actually, then neither of them would be on the solid floor that way, right? "...we could check and see if there's extra bedding, too..."

Another thing crosses her mind, too. It's a tad unrelated to the situation here, but something that she could keep in mind as they're out looking. "...Emma. Are you hungry...? If you're staying here, we should find something to eat, too.."

/r/boundlesslivingspace

Finding lodgings for everyone who had been staying at the monastery on such short notice is a near impossible task. [...]

[boundlesschaos]

April Activity

Skill Points 37 -> 38

Upped Sword B+ -> Still B+ (Activity)

To Claim: Dark Bishop (Drabble First)

Claimed from Ball: Fairy Dust

Niamh has a new Thread Tracker - it won't look too different on the surface, but it has the new automation that Constance's has.

For threads I owe VS not - I have a lot of asks that I sent via ball last month! If you'd like me to continue a given ask and turn it into a mini, please let me know - otherwise I'll be focusing on my current threads.

With that in mind, here's what I have tracked right now:

I owe a reply to...

POISON (20)2!!!! (waits for applause) [Yuzu]

/r/boundlesslivingspace [Feb Mission][Emma]

So Are You Going To Jump Overboard Or Should I[TOABall][Poe]

Awaiting...

to build a fire [Randal]

the source of it all [and who it is not.][Sept Mission][Randal]

Pursuing My True Self [Persona AU][Alice]

To Fly Among Birds [and Wyverns][April Mission][Minerva]

Beyond the Boundary[May Mission][Nanna]

Finders Keepers, Right?[May Mission][Emma]

If I'm missing your thread or I actually DO need to reply to you, let me know through DMing here or on discord. Thanks!

[boundlesschaos]

"What I'll write..." She had hesitated on bringing pen to paper. There was indeed a weight each word may contribute to. Would too many pull their flower to the ocean floor, forever lost? Or would too few sweep the flower out to sea, away from the garden it wished to call home?

A small, yet noteworthy, pout begins to form on Niamh's face, as she considers her options. There were so many things she could ask for, many almost...surprisingly mundane. They don't seem unreasonable to wish for, but, if something was solved for her, then what of the research that has taken her so far? No, she'd have to think about something she hasn't researched just yet...

It is then that she recognizes that not all wishes have to tie in with her occupation. Still, it's an important task at hand. The pout sticks to her face a moment longer. In a way, it's almost cute seeing her so determined about the decision, with a rare expression one might see once in a blue moon.

"...! I've got it..." She scribbles something small on her slip of paper. Once she's done, she puts an immense amount of care in rolling it up nice and neat, slipping it into one of the lanterns once she's finished.

"With wishes...you're supposed to keep them a secret..." Ever so gentle, she takes the lantern in hand, pivoting towards the waterside. Already, a few have placed their lanterns into the sea, their glow soon to overpower the setting sun with their warm light.

"But if we drop them in together...they can watch over each other. Even if the waters get rough, they'll be safe..."

She knows not of the oncoming storm, nor of the rains that will threaten to douse their dreams. But even if the world were to bring their lanterns to waters uncharted, she knows they'll find their way.

if you made a wish on me { niamh & nanna

— ( i think it would come true )

※ toa ball 2025 | first-half

[boundlesschaos]

It can be easy to forget. That between all the dangers that lurk around every corner, the times they've had to take arms in dire circumstances, there was peace, too, that could be obtained.

She recalls further back, when they traveled across the sea of worlds. When they gravitated towards the peril that'd determine whether familiar faces were friend or foe this time. Never were it the fanfare that came from the spars that happened around here.

Far more complicated, it was, back then.

"...it's an important part of these parties..." her own glass remains by her side now, focused moreso on how Randal handles the wine himself. She could, in theory, take notes of his findings. She had not considered the price of the wine to be important - though, she reasons that the cost would hint at the ingredients that may have been used. She doesn't reach for a notepad, though, nor does she pin a reminder to write it down later.

"There's dancing, talking...lots of food..." fingers tap against the glass, as she stares out into the ocean. "...it's fun. But, sometimes, it's...big...?"

A not-so-eloquent way of saying, 'overstimulating'.

"So it's important to find places like these, too..." A place away from the bustling dance floor, far from the wild array of sounds. Secret places, in Niamh's eyes. And...

"Then, I can share them with others..."

Find others looking for that same comfort. Find others by a shared curiosity. The sort of happenstance that Niamh takes joy in seeing how it plays out each year.

And the sort that this year, she's happy to share some of that comfort alongside a familiar face like his.

[ RELAX ]

-- THE CABANA IS A touch more comfortable than Randal might've anticipated. He had expected all of this to be a politicized, glorified, and overpriced school dance, but it seemed overpriced allowed for little pockets of respite.

He glances over at the line of empty chairs in front of him, bottles of wine glistening with condensation in their ice bucket. It is almost a shame- a waste of good company! All of these seats and no one to fill them.

Well, almost no one.

He tips a faux hat over at Niamh, stepping over the sand and onto the cabana's wooden planks. "Oi! If it ain't Lady Niamh, gracin' the common folk with her presence. Glad to see yer takin' a load off. How's th' weather? Warm enough? And the wine cold enough?"

He's rambling, but he's done worse. He sits himself down besides her with little plan for asking invitation.

It was, above all else, crucial for Niamh to pinpoint locations such as this. It's away from the crowds. There's somewhere to sit. She can see the setting sun, and hear the ocean waves as they sway in and out.

A recipe to ensure that, as she ventures about the venue, collecting trinkets, attempting new dance forms, and making conversation, she also has somewhere that she can take things at a her leisure. Does she know it's because the large crowds and clashing sounds make her mind spin? She's...getting there.

As she rests on one of the chairs, a familiar voice calls out to her. She glances over - it's a bit intimidating, with the spooky anglerfish mask she has. But her own voice holds no threat. "...the weather's comfortable here. It might be because of the ocean nearby..."

A wine glass rests in her hands. She takes a sip. "....depends on what you consider cold..." So, probably not frigid, but that's at least a sign that it's not lukewarm. Still, she gestures to one of the buckets. "I've started with this one..."

A gesture to offer trying it with her, if he wants.

[boundlesschaos]

[ RELAX ] - She finds her staring out to the sea. It's a beautiful evening, with the sunset decorating the cabana a soft orange - the perfect place to take a step back from the dancing and discussion that goes on about nearby. Niamh always had a habit of finding places like these. For her, being able to retreat from them at a given moment was...important, not just for her well being, but to have an easier time locating others. It's far more easier to spot a friend when there's no crowd to drown them out. "Do you wonder....what's down there..." She asks, finding a place to rest her arms as she overlooks the water as well. "There are a number of creatures you can find there, but..."

"But there could be other mysteries out there, too..."

Like treasure, maybe. But eyes tell that maybe that's not all she thinks about, too.

As she finally managed to leave the main avenue, Minerva found herself in a very relaxing place, all that walking actually did her some good: a very small and distinctive cabana was located not so farm from the main area of the ball, but that was where Minerva finally found some peace… and a friend too.

“Fishes, for sure” she paused, listening to her, while picking the glass of wine that rested on a small table beside her chair, “But like you said, I’m sure there are other mysterious objects too, down in the abyss” she sipped from her glass, her gaze was fixated on the horizon: it was evening by now, the sun was almost set, but the shore shone beautifully like some precious treasures rich of gold and gems.

“Maybe our charms come from there?” she shifted back her gaze, staring at the starfish décor that Niamh owned. “And maybe there are more”

[boundlesschaos]

She could leave her with the silent treatment - to focus her effects solely on watching. To stay wary as she crosses by her, inviting herself to sit in a place unwanted. To notice her dare venture closer, but, Niamh won't soon fall for such easy bait.

"I can blame you..." she decides to humor her. "Because The Boundless Chaos is not the cause." It's as simple as that to say. Believing her word, however? Another tale altogether. "It is not strange for weather to change. We're by the ocean....with the right wind conditions, rain can form from the south or the east..."

She brings forth a small charm. Starfish shaped, it seems. "...and...I have my own reasons for being here..."

With the masks she wears, too, one can only wonder if she had actually ventured to that masquerade, too. It's definitely different from what she normally wears.

...she could also just be wearing it for fun.

So Are You Going To Jump Overboard Or Should I

[ BELOW DECK ] - Those who had been aboard one of the massive ships owned by the Viscount are encouraged to find refuge below deck, now introduced to the world of a sailor in a military ship...

[boundlesschaos]

Portals are not an unfamiliar sight for Niamh, but they always do prove to be...dangerous, for a myriad of reasons. There is a level of uncertainty as to where they come from, who or what is willing them to exist, and what lurks beyond. Some ease is brought forth knowing that this appears to be something others have experienced, and not just her. It even sounds like there's rumors that certain beings have done this? The ones that turned her first ball's outing into something that she finds hard to forget?

Though she wants to explore, reason tells her not to do so alone. And so, upon searching the hallways, she looks for that telltale ribbon, and...

"Emma..." there she is. She's not sure if the other's busy, but a selfish part of her believes that her plans are a touch more pressing. "Have you seen them? The portals..."

"Let's explore them..." No room for a no, huh?

@shiningfalcon

Finders Keepers, right?

May Mission - Any Skill +1

[boundlesschaos]

The cacophony upstairs fails to draw Niamh away from the sight before her. No footsteps, or shouts, or crashing of waves will tear her sight from the other. None of these pose at more of a threat than she does - no, even combined, they do not meet that threshold.

"...you want to see if I've caused this." She does not define it, because for Poe, it could be any number of things that have collected in such a short time. The Storm. The boats trapped at sea. The frantic push to keep everyone below. The dangers that pose from keeping everyone confined underneath, despite their safety from the waves above.

She rests her head on her hands, letting the mask imply a level of aggression. She won't be phased by intimidation, Niamh assumes, but Niamh is not going to show any lasting signs of weakness, either.

"I wandered here, like I always do. And when the ship makes landfall, I will wander away, as I always do." That is certain to Niamh. That no matter the number of times they cross, she will find her escape.

But for now, a waiting game.

Her eyes still remain fixed on Poe's, watching for any sudden movements.

So Are You Going To Jump Overboard Or Should I

[ BELOW DECK ] - Those who had been aboard one of the massive ships owned by the Viscount are encouraged to find refuge below deck, now introduced to the world of a sailor in a military ship...

[boundlesschaos]

Niamh places a hand on her starfish charm, running a thumb along the surface. She considers the texture of this charm - was this something that was found deep below? Could the other charms come from the deep, too? What about the varieties? Were her starfish charms different from another's?

...ok, maybe the turtle charm wasn't from the ocean floor. At least, she doesn't recall the one she received looking as if it was plucked from the ocean. It's more likely heavily inspired by one. Made with objects one might find at the shoreline, at best.

"If there were more...." Niamh follows Minerva's eyes, staring out into the ocean. The setting sun is a sight to behold - and yet, Niamh finds herself closing her eyes shortly after witnessing it. She instead imagines the seafloor, covered with starfish of varying color and size. "There'd be one for everyone..." Wouldn't there?

She goes through her belongings. "But....you don't have to dive to find one..." Turning back to Minerva, she reveals a starfish charm, and gently places it into Minerva's free hand. "I've already braved the deep....and found these..."

By 'brave the deep', she means, 'came to a social gathering'. And by finding these, she means, 'the person at the entrance handed them to her.'

But with a mask like hers, one that looks like it's come from the darkest trenches of the deep blue sea, one could easily believe otherwise. That she really did dive below, and return with the goods that she hands to Minerva now.

[ RELAX ] - She finds her staring out to the sea. It's a beautiful evening, with the sunset decorating the cabana a soft orange - the perfect place to take a step back from the dancing and discussion that goes on about nearby. Niamh always had a habit of finding places like these. For her, being able to retreat from them at a given moment was...important, not just for her well being, but to have an easier time locating others. It's far more easier to spot a friend when there's no crowd to drown them out. "Do you wonder....what's down there..." She asks, finding a place to rest her arms as she overlooks the water as well. "There are a number of creatures you can find there, but..."

"But there could be other mysteries out there, too..."

Like treasure, maybe. But eyes tell that maybe that's not all she thinks about, too.

As she finally managed to leave the main avenue, Minerva found herself in a very relaxing place, all that walking actually did her some good: a very small and distinctive cabana was located not so farm from the main area of the ball, but that was where Minerva finally found some peace… and a friend too.

“Fishes, for sure” she paused, listening to her, while picking the glass of wine that rested on a small table beside her chair, “But like you said, I’m sure there are other mysterious objects too, down in the abyss” she sipped from her glass, her gaze was fixated on the horizon: it was evening by now, the sun was almost set, but the shore shone beautifully like some precious treasures rich of gold and gems.

“Maybe our charms come from there?” she shifted back her gaze, staring at the starfish décor that Niamh owned. “And maybe there are more”

[boundlesschaos]

Her decision to board the ship had boiled down to curiosity. A ship this large, capable of holding so many guests, while still serving to continue the theme of the night, was a far different take towards other parties had played out. Before, they had always set the venue close to 'home', so to speak. This year's choice to move elsewhere, on top of funding cruise ships for a trip along the oceanside?

It...could be better. This doesn't provide the same kind of distance she wants whenever the bustling crowds get to be too much. There was fairly loud music playing up until now, too. It's simply not the retreat she's looking for.

There's a click-clack of footsteps. Different from the crew that were up on deck, fighting the waves to get their guests ashore. Who told her to head below, perhaps less due to her own safety and more to keep her from interfering -

Time comes to a standstill.

It can't be her. Niamh's decisions were calculated - where'd she go next, where she would stay. She's kept quiet for all this time. So why is she here, and why now?

Was it because her companions were here, too? Was this by chance? Spur of the moment defined their previous meetings well. Two ships passing in the night...and rounding about to intercept one another.

Nails grip the seat she's in. It's not much longer that she'll remain there. But for now, she stays put, studying the other's face with a hint of apprehension. "....why are you here?"

No answers about the storm. Basics first, then she'll talk. Maybe.

So Are You Going To Jump Overboard Or Should I

[ BELOW DECK ] - Those who had been aboard one of the massive ships owned by the Viscount are encouraged to find refuge below deck, now introduced to the world of a sailor in a military ship...

[boundlesschaos]

"Watch your step, fufufu…" comes a half-hearted warning between the sound of shuffling sand.

Their positions were reversed last time, but it feels as though they have been here before, paths always intertwining either by pure chance or some affinity that leads them to explore similar places.

Sara's hand gestures at craters of varying size distributed along the beach. She draws a finger to her face, splitting her lips in the universal language for hushed secrets.

"People lose all kinds of things in the sand, and I wanted to see what I could find. Don't tell anyone, okay? I promise I won't keep anything. Some things are better left buried."

A silent gesture to remain quiet is mirrored, signalling to Sara that Niamh understands. Her eyes then draw towards the craters - and with a mask like hers? It's almost like she's hunting to see what sorts of creatures she might find in the sand.

"Objects tell a story..." she concurs, her hand leaving her lips and allowing a finger to trace along the crater's edge. "Their condition, their location...does their owner know where they are...?" She doesn't look for answers to these questions. But she wonders aloud (or, in this case, hardly above a whisper) nonetheless.

She locates a few treasures. The sort of things she wonders if they were discarded, or washed ashore after a storm. Forgotten, likely due to their worn appearance. Maybe to their owner, these were seen instead as throwaways.

But she likes them all the same.

"Here..." she takes a starfish charm from her suit pockets. "We won't interfere with their story tonight...but this has yet to have a story to call it's own..."

[boundlesschaos]

[ RELAX ]

-- THE CABANA IS A touch more comfortable than Randal might've anticipated. He had expected all of this to be a politicized, glorified, and overpriced school dance, but it seemed overpriced allowed for little pockets of respite.

He glances over at the line of empty chairs in front of him, bottles of wine glistening with condensation in their ice bucket. It is almost a shame- a waste of good company! All of these seats and no one to fill them.

Well, almost no one.

He tips a faux hat over at Niamh, stepping over the sand and onto the cabana's wooden planks. "Oi! If it ain't Lady Niamh, gracin' the common folk with her presence. Glad to see yer takin' a load off. How's th' weather? Warm enough? And the wine cold enough?"

He's rambling, but he's done worse. He sits himself down besides her with little plan for asking invitation.

It was, above all else, crucial for Niamh to pinpoint locations such as this. It's away from the crowds. There's somewhere to sit. She can see the setting sun, and hear the ocean waves as they sway in and out.

A recipe to ensure that, as she ventures about the venue, collecting trinkets, attempting new dance forms, and making conversation, she also has somewhere that she can take things at a her leisure. Does she know it's because the large crowds and clashing sounds make her mind spin? She's...getting there.

As she rests on one of the chairs, a familiar voice calls out to her. She glances over - it's a bit intimidating, with the spooky anglerfish mask she has. But her own voice holds no threat. "...the weather's comfortable here. It might be because of the ocean nearby..."

A wine glass rests in her hands. She takes a sip. "....depends on what you consider cold..." So, probably not frigid, but that's at least a sign that it's not lukewarm. Still, she gestures to one of the buckets. "I've started with this one..."

A gesture to offer trying it with her, if he wants.

[boundlesschaos]

“...it’s a fascinating mask. Did I neglect to mention that?”

If Yuzu were to be honest, she was rather focused on the task of arriving at the ball that she never observed who she was arriving with in the first place. Her own fault, yes, but…she still did not expect Niamh to be wearing a mask different from her usual grim blue one. True, there was last year’s ball but…oh. This ball boasts the same mystery mask gimmick. Now the samurai truly held no excuse…

Yuzu finds herself gripping the umbrella accessory she found for tonight tighter as she attempts a recovery. “The darkness of your outfit…is also fascinating. That’s a fair term for it, yes? Even if not, I am proud to stand here tod- tonight with a friend to match clothing with…”

On the topic of matching, Yuzu fiddles with the bracelet they were just given. She notices a different color shining off of her partner’s. “These accessories…they hosted a similar game last year if I remember correctly. I’d prefer to focus on the new during this approach but…would you mind sharing shell to star? As a fair start to the evening.”

And earlier, before she finds another companion, she had strolled in with Yuzu. There's a foreboding atmosphere tonight - no wonder Yuzu wanted Niamh to tag along. As long as they have each other to come back to and check in on one another, the daunting task of the ball shouldn't be all too scary.

(If only Niamh knew what was lurking, ready to snap when she were to be spotted).

"Above and below..." She nods with what Yuzu compliments with, taking account of her attire. "Together, we can take this on from either place..." Maybe not how the attire works, but the heart's there.

"...here..." She finds a star to part with, placing it into Yuzu's hands. "If we trade, we can be with each other even when we're not...we'll power through the night this way..."

A sly smirk then peeks through her mask. "But, we can also see who collects them first...would that be an acceptable game to play...?"

A part of her wonders if it'd help Yuzu, in a roundabout way. At the least, it definitely makes the night more fun in Niamh's eyes.

[boundlesschaos]

[ FASHION POLICE ]

"...Whoa."

Emma's quest had begun nearly immediately upon arrival. Her mission: find all of her friends! Bonus objective: trade trinkets with each of them!

She was well accustomed to searching them down, looking for familiar faces among less familiar masses. That instinct had been well and truly trained into her. But the outfits she sees on this occasion are much more out there than the kinds she saw them don on the battlefield, and so the girl finds herself stunned on more than one occasion. And who wouldn't be, coming across a tall, pale, scarlet-eyed mystery in a chilling blue ensemble and anglerfish mask?!

"Niamh, your mask is super spooky! Did you make that yourself?!" Last year she'd gone in a dress, but the suit she wears this year makes her look so... gallant! Like a mysterious anti-hero from a comic, or even a troubled villain! It always makes Emma wonder if someday, she might look like that, too. ...After a moment of looking her over, she seems to easily settle, pulling something from her pocket.

"Which thingy did they give you? I got a turtle, isn't it cute?"

Emma always had a habit of finding Niamh. Maybe it was the time below the surface, or the fact that she's visited her so much, but she always seems to be able to find her among the crowd.

...actually, it's probably because of the mask. Right?

"...I put it together..." a hand covers the masked eye, carefully running it along the sharp jaw the mask has. "...I referenced the creatures of the deep..."

Her eyes glance to the turtle. Emma's correct on her assessment. It's pretty cute. She stares quietly at the small fellow for a few moments, and then searches her own pockets. "...here...we're supposed to trade, aren't we? I have a starfish...another creature that lurks below..."

She looks to Emma once more. "But stars shine high in the sky, too..." She extends a hand out, both hands, for Emma to take the starfish in her hands. "It fits you..."

She's thinking mainly about Emma's mastery over the skies. But a hopeful, shining force like Emma...the starfish fits her very well indeed.