roleplay-abiogenesis2 - Tumblr blog

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

Even without the feeling of hunger, the woman's food had managed to occupy his mind for all the time it'd taken her to eat. Hardly a challenge, when just about nothing else was there to provide a distraction to his mind... or his nose. That meal she'd made smelled like nothing Sesshomaru had experienced before. Time and again, the young great demon had to admonish himself inwardly for feeling curious on the matter. But of course, he did not cave to these childish emotions.

Sitting in the shade with arms crossed inside the sleeves of his kimono, he didn't utter a word until the sky was dark and his presence was betrayed only by the golden shine of the campfire reflecting in his eyes.

Humans were so demanding.

"... There is a creek." It wasn't far, but the distance bothered him all the same. Sending her on her own didn't sit well with him while they were out on in the open. Begrudgingly, the man stood from his chosen seat and pointed himself in direction of the distant rustle that reached his sharp hearing.

"Bring your waterskin and follow me. We will not make this trip twice tonight."

KIKYO WATCHED HIM QUIETLY, observing his expression as he spoke to her. As predicted, he did not react kindly to her words, however, his voice lacked the anger for which she had prepared, which both surprised and pleased her. ❝I see.❞ Her reply was gently whispered into the night, and the priestess did not comment on his explanation or on his refusal. Her arm simply extended and carefully placed the bowl on a clean patch of grass, ❝I have already poured you some, so I shall leave it here, should you change your mind.❞ Without so much as a glance in his direction, Kikyo started eating her own food, all the while using her powers to assess the area around them, searching for other demonic presences.

AS EXPECTED, SHE FOUND none. Between her holy aura and Sesshomaru’s youki, she doubted any demons would dare approach them. The sounds of the forest soon became louder, and Kikyo wondered if she would be able to find anything to hunt in the next morning. She would need provisions sooner rather than later, for she chose to travel with little food in order to avoid carrying too much weight. A thought struck her as she finished her bowl and started cleaning it with a piece of clean cloth.

❝IS THERE A RIVER NEARBY?❞ Grey eye searched for golden ones in the dark, hoping he would deign to answer her instead of leaving her to talk to the trees. ❝I need to get some water before sleep.❞

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

What strangely specific scent do you give off?

coffee while sweets are being made.

you're the sort of person who shows up exactly when you need to, no sooner no later. you don't stay for long, moving from place to place, but when you are there, when you actually stick around long enough to truly meet a person, it's something that changes you for the rest of your life. you're the soft touch on someone's shoulder when they're crying, you're the rest of the drink that hasn't gotten cold, you're the savory taste on the back of their throat when they've forgotten what something good actually feels like. all while you sit there and remain, in silence, while they talk about their day. and you wait. (and you wait.)

Tagged by: @eternalbxtterfly (thanks!)

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"But then, I wouldn't be myself anymore... would I? Are you sure you'd prefer me to be someone entirely different?" Cyno asks back with a challenging tip of his head. Arakan could speak as quiet as they wanted; their voice always found its way to the General's ears one way or another.

"Besides, I'm a man who always needs new heights to conquer. I might have won over your heart. Next, I want to see your smile."

IT IS TIMES LIKE THIS, Arakan thinks, that are the reason why they so rarely open their mouth — while actions are worth a thousand words regardless of the day, they have no desire to be a victim of Cyno's lacking sense of humour for longer than necessary, the amount they adore him be damned. For a moment, they wonder if they have become just like any lovestruck human.

They discard that thought mere seconds later.

❝You know very well that you don't have to try hard to win me over.❞ They murmur, if only because honesty is something he has earned by now & there is no point in poking thorns into hands that are so gentle with them. ❝In fact, I'd rather you stopped trying. You might have even more success that way.❞

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"I'm not much of a musician, but when it comes to humor we may be two bards of a feather."

❝How crow-vient for you, I found your jokes rather sqawking.❞

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

Silken woven strands... if Candace's vision was true, could it be that said threads were made to guide one into the realm of dreams? The longer he laid there, feeling the warmth of her presence through that gentle touch, the more Cyno could believe it.

He does not notice her flush; his eyes had closed at last, and would not look up for a while now. In the slow descent of his own slumber, Cyno's final words were but a soft murmur.

"I never meant any of it... I acted that way because I worried that you'd think I was...."

What had he meant to say? The Guardian would be left wondering for now. The General had fallen asleep.

"If the sun is the golden eye of the sky, then the moon's light are silken strands woven to guide one's way."

While he does not fade into slumber just yet, he does not appear as tense as before. Significant progress. Candace traces his features with her fingers as though trying to commit them to memory, patiently repeating the paths she took so that there is predictability in her caressing. Perhaps being able to get accustomed to her touch could help him relax?

The latter of Cyno's explanations drew warmth to Candace's face, having not expected such tenderness from him in return.

"Since when have you learned to become this charming? To think we were both once children who teased each other about cooties. Look at us now."

@roleplay-abiogenesis2

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"It is very late," a cool voice speaks in the darkness just behind Tighnari. "Even the Rishboland Tigers have gone to sleep."

A little hiss into the air with the strike of a match, and soon a little flame casts a small halo of shy light before Cyno's face; creepy shadows push to the edges of his hood and under the arches of his brow. They give him the appearance of a dead man's golden skull.

"I know this because I just saw one in its paw-jamas."

Dual-toned eyes scanned the pages of his text, fingers lingering on the upper corner to slowly turn the pages as he read in silence, cheek propped against his opposite hand. He would remain this way for hours, undisturbed and completely caught up with what he'd been reading, unaware of just how long he was sitting.

The only other movements given were when the wick of his candle finally burned out, burned all the way to the end and the flame swallowed by wax; His ears flicked upwards, eyes blinking in realization before he sat upright, stretching out his back with a small whine.

"Mmm, guess that's a sign I should get some sleep," Tighnari sighed, reaching for one of his bookmarks to tuck away into his book before closing it.

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"I don't wan-" The boy's voice was so quiet it was completely overridden by the ferocious grumble that emerged from the pit of his tummy. His eyes widened in startle and his hands quickly moved to cover the offending area as though to silence an actual mouth that had just opened wide to give its uncalled-for opinion. His face felt so hot. "..."

That was not what he had in mind, but now that he thought about it, Cyno couldn't even remember the last time he'd eaten something. And if he did not take this opportunity, when would the next one present itself?

This was the kind of situation all the ghost stories told children about. And now that the kid was all but thrown into one himself, he started to understand why the protagonists often made decisions that to him seemed reckless and stupid. The truth, clearly, was that sometimes the stupid choice is the only one that seems good.

"... Is it... meat made from people?" He asked with a pout. It was a silly question; of course even a Jinni could lie about it to fool his victim. But a part of him hoped that he could somehow see through the face of a liar, if this guy was one.

And if he was a liar, then he definitely was not the same person as Cyno.

Celestia above-

"You don't want me cooking this first?" The audacity of this petulant child coming into his house and making demands of him! Cyno doesn't remember ever being like this as a child, though he can see why the kid is suspicious of anything and everyone, especially an adult who looks identical to him.

He stares at the bowl of rice though, zero clue what to say next. One one hand, he could ease the kid's concerns and worries by eating the rice, but on the other hand, Cyno refuses to eat raw rice.

"I have a better idea." He takes the bowl from the child and moves toward the kitchenette. "Why don't we make a meal out of this?" He suggests. Cyno tries to offer a smile, but he's aware the expression falls flat -- he's not the happy type of person, and his smiles usually scare people more than reassure them. Though, if this child is him and he is this child, then surely the same can be said of him as well; the smile will probably actually make sense.

"Have you ever heard of Duel Soul?" Cyno asks. "It's a richly flavored dish, with meat and rice and yogurt, and it is the best kind of food you will ever need. Perfect, for when you're out in the desert."

At the very least, Cyno hopes the child will agree to this. If not, he'll probably sit on the floor and crunch on one disgusting grain of raw rice at a time until the child is satisfied.

Blegh.

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

So I've been contemplating this some more this morning and here's what I concluded:

If I go the paladin > viper route, I need to explain why my character gave up the armor and shield to become a viper.

If I go the ninja > viper route, I need to explain why my character gave up ninjutsu.

Both are kinda tricky story-wise, BUT I found a third option. I think I might go what I call the "Reverse Raubhan" route, if you follow:

This means going Gladiator/Paladin > Viper, BUT I can use glamour to make the shield invisible and turn all my tank armor into light leather armor to sorta style-match scouting armor.

So my character would be a gladiator who once wielded a single sword (and no shield) and eventually evolved her style to wield two of them.

Which is the opposite of what happened to Raubhan.

Reverse Raubhan!

(I know, I'm hilarious)

Saru-mun\\

//opinions needed on FFXIV character concept:

considering a character who becomes a Viper at lv80, from what other job would you see the most reasonable and smooth transition when it comes to weapon technique?

Right now I'm conflicted between

- gladiator/paladin to viper (single sword to double swords), and

- rogue/ninja to viper (double daggers to double swords). in the first case, the weapon technique feels closer (swords being the weapon for both, and the battle style being similar) but the armor type is entirely different (from tank armor to scouting armor), in the second case, the armor style matches (both ninja and viper use scouting armor), but the battle style feels entirely different (viper would not be able to use ninjutsu or throw knives).

Thoughts?

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"... Huh, they've hit you there. That's a funny spot." Cyno noted, casting a look at the Traveler whilst hoisting himself back up on his feet too. A sore strike on his arm that was promising to bruise soon, and a rather painful throb to his head he hoped some rest and water would dispel were the most concerning remnants of the scuffle on his body. If asked, the General Mahamatra would dismiss any severity, but the General Mahamatra was also known to severely underestimate these things when it came to his own persona. A certain Watcher would attest to that.

Nonetheless, his friends always came first, and soon he was by Aether's side, offering to support his walk.

"We'll be there faster if we work together. Lean on me."

@roleplay-abiogenesis2 Has Asked: ❛ that was a close call, wasn’t it? ❜ - For Aether, from Cyno~

"You can say that again."

He was panting as he put his sword away, having to catch his breath after the ambush they had just experienced. It was strange to find Fatui out here. He shouldn't be this surprised by now and yet...

He held his side, having taken a small blow before making sure the coast was clear. He pointed a bit aways to a little shelter that looked abandoned.

"Let's catch our breath there."

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"... Rowers. Not swimmers. The dead men row the river on the golden boats loaded with their achievements and virtues." Cyno leaned forward, speaking with the calm and methodical tone of a teacher imparting his lesson. "And there is no struggle, for the boats follow the current. That is why we all get there, in the end. It isn't a force that should be fought."

Such was the fate of all that was mortal; that which was not mortal was cursed, or the divine. Cyno couldn't fathom anyone who'd wish to become the first, nor anyone who could become the latter. Gods seemed to simply be, above the laws of time and the earth. Surely Arakan did not believe to fall in this category? That would be incredible hubris.

But Cyno considered he could indulge their fantasies, if only for the sake of this conversation and getting to some form of mutual understanding.

"... If anyone outside of this boundary existed, one that is neither God nor mortal... maybe I would be afraid for their soul. An eternity without rest sounds like a cruel fate to have."

THEY ARE NO VESSEL — while that had been their dear mother's intention, they had been a failure, something closer to an inhuman abomination than a mortal or a suitable vessel for her power. They have not dared to think for even a moment since then that they were capable of having a soul, regardless of Ei's intent in the creation of the inhuman abomination they were.

( a monster that could never change. a sinner that could not be redeemed. )

The river of life, as he so eloquently seems to put it, matters not to those who will live an unknown stretch of time as vast as the faux skies of Teyvat. They wonder, briefly, if he is aware of this fact & simply does not care, but those words seem far too genuine to be anything other than a true devotion to his beliefs. It would be interesting, Arakan is sure, if they actually cared for the attitude mortals held toward death.

Unfortunately, it seems they will be forced to listen regardless of whether they want to. Perhaps this is their true punishment from Nahida: to mingle with those they once despised.

❝What makes you think I'm afraid?❞ They counter, exaggerating the way they cross their arms as a mark of annoyance, if only to ensure he gets the message that he is bothering them — that may be the point, regardless of whether he thinks he has good intentions or not, but they have no interest in entertaining the idleness of humans.

They don't have the time nor patience for such a thing.

❝Just because someone sets themself aside from others doesn't mean they fear the death. I'd welcome it with open arms, personally, if it came to me.❞ It almost had, once, back when they had been a different, crueller person. Before Nahida had taken them under her wing as she did all those within Sumeru, endlessly more benevolent than the god they would have become. It almost makes their failure hurt less.

❝Maybe I should be asking you questions. What makes you so afraid of those who don't fit into that neat little box of mortality? Not everyone is in your little river, some walk beside it & watch the swimmers struggle.❞

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

How much of a sinner are you?

"That... that is not mathematically possible!"

How will the scale even be able to measure this!?

Tagged by: @eternalbxtterfly (thank you my dear!)

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"... Don't say her name too many times. You don't want to risk summoning her." Cyno had almost nearly jumped out of his own skin when Signe had spoken. She thought he sounded like Lisa? The two could very well pass as relatives in his eyes.

"... How long have you been listening? I didn't see you come through the door."

Signe is intent on listening to every word, studying each point diligently. It's not new information; she's heard it repeated to her before. But hearing it from Cyno somehow feels unexpected, and perhaps a bit refreshing.

"You sound just like Lisa," she notes mid-lecture. "I feel as though next you'll be telling me that you'd like to take a mid-afternoon nap or something."

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

@storiedocs

Even he takes notice of the refined handwriting. It's impressive work, almost overzealous compared to the rest, but by no means not something to scoff at. His mind even takes a moment to consider that someone like Tenten would find it particularly interesting.

It is just a moment however, for his mind cannot go to one team member without instinctively thinking of the other. And was that guy not the very reason why he was here right now?

"Soba noodles, then. But not too hot." He takes his pick in the end, returning the menu. If the fish was herring, that'd be a stroke of luck for his preferences, but what mattered most was avoiding some things instead. "No spicy toppings, or pumpkins."

Before the advent of the Shokudo's call-in delivery service, shinobi hadn't exactly been frequent patrons of the little diner. Largely their clientele were civilians: salarymen and factory workers coming in on their lunch hours for a good, hot meal at a budget price. But a chance mis-dialed catering call for an Akimichi Clan party seemed to have put the tiny shop on the map. Now, a week didn't go by without someone in a Leaf hitai-ate dropping in.

This fellow--close in age to Chitose herself, if she had to guess--had the sort of expression of someone not easily impressed. The quality of his clothes and prominently-placed crest on the shoulder suggested that he was from one of the more important (and well-off) clans of the village. It was unlikely that he would be here--in this low-brow, pedestrian shop--by choice. A dare, maybe? A training exercise?

Well, that just meant that she had to work extra hard to provide quality service.

"Of course! Here you go," Chitose chirped as she laid the single-page, handwritten menu on the table. The elegant calligraphy of it (like the kind more common at high-end establishments) was at odds with the atmosphere. One of the employees probably did shodo as a hobby.

"Today's set meals are the chicken curry set and the cream stew set--all sets come with the meal, unlimited rice, soup, a side, pickled vegetables, and your choice of coffee or tea. The soup of the day is red miso soup, and the seasonal special is oden stew. But if you're spoiled for choice, you can't go wrong with hot soba noodles on a cold day like this."

Soba noodle soup was one of those deceptively simple meals that transcended gender, age, profession, and class. Nutty buckwheat noodles in a simple but flavorful fish-based broth, with just a few toppings of the customer’s choice (green onions and some sort of tempura item were the most popular), freshly cooked and piping hot—a meal of few ingredients where each one had ample room to shine. It was dishes like that where care in preparation became of the utmost importance. And Granny and Grandpa Kaigetsu took food preparation very seriously indeed.

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"That should be obvious..." Cyno said, stepping forward while his right hand swiftly moved to the back to take something out of... somewhere on his person. Too quick to tell where, exactly.

But this something was a card... a Genius Invokation card, of all things. And on the front side of this card was no one else than the Conqueror of Demons. Ethereal-looking and beautiful in his frame of dazzling green wind gusts.

"When I heard that it takes but the sound of your name to summon you to this place, I knew I had to take my chances. Every champion in my collection must bear the signature of the real person who inspired the creator of the game. I am here to ask that you indulge my wish."

"A general.."

Xiao mused to himself as Cyno continued on with his introduction, feeling more at ease with the confirmation of Cyno's involvement with the traveler and Paimon.. They only kept good company to his knowledge, trusting in their judgement upon seeing it for himself on more than one occasion.

Cyno's praise did also not go entirely unnoticed.

"I see.." He paused, allowing the moment of silence to rest between them, "You have a commendable approach, and my apologies for suspecting you of holding ill intent. You could have easily stated that my story is known far and wide even beyond the reach of Liyue, but to disclose your source as someone I find agreeable is appreciated." It meant Cyno was trustworthy, at least.

However, one question seemed to linger more heavily in his mind. Perhaps to most, such a meeting would simply continue on with idle conversation, but Xiao wasn't simply some 'common' man sought out on the street.

"But now I find myself curious, General. What brings you to Wangshu Inn? If you were only hoping to partake in the festivities of lantern rite, you'd have far greater luck in the harbor.. but you seem to have something else in mind. Having a companion in common is also not entirely reason enough to seek one out simply to meet.. Cyno, what is it you seek from me?"

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"You could be. But this is where you are, in the end." No such thing as destiny or fate deciding for you anymore. It was the hard lesson he'd learned through humiliating defeat by the lowest, blackest horse in the race. No path was paved before you to walk on. One's way forward needed to be carved with one's own hands.

"So if everyone you see seems stronger than you, maybe it's because they are." He says, finally turning to look back at Uchiha. "If that is an answer you don't like, I don't mind giving you a chance to prove yourself wrong. Lead the way."

His pale eyes narrowed more pointedly.

"Unless your neck is too stiff for a friendly spar."

"Am I supposed to see someone stronger?" Sasuke's bitterness is spilling out a little too much, he can only feel anger when looking at Neji. And as a result, the sarcasm flows a little too freely from his mouth. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Sasuke knows it's not exactly a great look; Neji is sure to look down on him for stuff like this.

"You're insightful," Sasuke continues, turning his head from side to side to feel the hardness of the wall he's against. It's not painful by any means, but the discomfort is enough to keep Sasuke in place, both physically and emotionally. Something else, too. Something, something, keeping himself grounded. "So why don't you tell me what I'm supposed to see when I look out at everyone else?"

There's a derisive snort. "Even Sakura is improving by a good margin. If she can even keep up with me, then what does that say about my own skills?" Does Neji know what Sasuke is trying to achieve? Would Neji even care? He doesn't know much about Neji or his family in general, but judging from the way he and Hinata are constantly at odds with each other, there may be some tension there. Perhaps Neji might even understand why Sasuke is bitter.

"Unless I'm just wasting my time with you, when I could be off training somewhere." As he says that, his curse mark stings again. Not as strongly as before, and he's able to refrain from grabbing at it, but Sasuke is tugging his collar up, as though he can hide it from the world.

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"We all have our own trials and challenges to overcome in life..." Cyno crossed arms over his chest, throwing the sage a sharp look of admonishment.

"For the times my height impeded me, I have learned to jump higher. I did not punish the world for being taller than me. You too must find ways to overcome your physical disabilities so that your friends do not get hurt over a simple act of fondness."

"Fool, it's a hug... it's not my fault you are within chest level." Maybe he just wanted to pester the general somewhat with his advances,maybe.