week zero: mingle

[cyclists]

Week Zero
32 in Competition

On Monday morning, the sun rises on the sleepy village, and when the first ray of light touches the gates at each corner of the village, the previously tightly sealed doors open.

The barriers around the village fall, and leave it entirely open. Each cardinal direction will have a path exiting the village, taking the curious explorers who follow it on an adventure to new territories to be explored. They’ll find that each location that they arrive in appears to be associated with one of the elements. As the Signs had explained the day before, each of the participants in the game possesses an elemental assignment, whether they are aware of it or not.

When they approach the elemental areas, they’ll find themselves more in tune with their new powerset, as if the location invites them to take them out for a spin. The new areas appear to be perfect for training and learning how to use the new skills, or maybe if you’re curious you can discover which of those listed powers you’ve been granted.

Just try not to hurt yourself while you’re out there.

In addition, it seems now that more pieces of the core are being revealed, the river that runs through the village will begin to be dotted with small lanterns floating on the water. Some of them seem to be holding small notes. Try as you might to grab one, they’ll always just barely float out of reach.

Perhaps try sending one yourself and see what results you might get?

Occasionally in the village, you might hear the sound of drums and flutes - is that festival music? - though no matter how you search, you can’t find the source… yet.



Welcome to your tutorial week mingle log! Please see all the links within the log to check out the new updates. In addition, your status page has been updated. In case you missed it, please report all item theft to this top-level where all comments are screened. Private conversations are also open and should be reported under the Week 0 top-level.

A mini-event will also be posted on Wednesday, June 5th, so please keep an eye out for that!

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Comments

[tothemaxwell]

[At his near-immediate acquiescing, her face lights up.]

Wonderful. I'm looking forward to seeing your abilities.

[She nods to his blade.] Is that yours, or did you sign out of the armory?

[unfriendliest]

[ ...This is the same person who'd demanded to know why his "item" listed on the profile was himself. Ookurikara hasn't forgotten that, and he's not any more willing to tell her the truth now than he was before. So he just stays where he is, staring her down with one eyebrow raised because he didn't stop for conversation, okay.

But it's a little obvious that it is his own sword, given how perfectly the purple color of the sheath matches the scarf around his waist, isn't it. ]

[tothemaxwell]

...Oh, could this the written-of "Ookurikara"?

[mystery solved!!]

How odd, to name a blade after yourself. Or are you a craftsman, as well?

[unfriendliest]

Did you want to spar, or hold an interrogation?

[ yeah he's not answering that, either. ]

[tothemaxwell]

[She laughs lightly, and draws her own blade.]

Understood. We can speak with our weapons.

[unfriendliest]

[ that's more like it. ookurikara draws his sword then, holding the sheath in his left as if it were a second weapon while he drops into a ready stance.

come at him when you're ready. ]

[tothemaxwell]

[Sensing that Ookurikara is waiting on her, Milla launches herself at him, nearly joyfully, although her expression is clearly serious.

When the blades connect, it's simultaneously a dangerous and considerate strike, the "how do you do" of swordplay.]

[unfriendliest]

[ that's fine. Ookurikara speaks best with his own sword, and he can see it for what it is. this one, like him, seems to enjoy the fight.

good. that means she may prove to be a worthy opponent.

after their blades meet, he pushes her back. but he doesn't wait a second time - he steps forward immediately, coming for Milla with a wide slash. ]

[tothemaxwell]

[She backsteps, then leaps to the side to narrowly avoid the slash, the joy of her expression tempered by a clear dedication to the fight at hand.

As soon as the blade whistles by, she moves, driving at him with such a force that, when they connect, it seems to propel them upwards, rather than to one side or another. It's a lot, coming from a form her size.]

[unfriendliest]

[ he has to turn with the momentum of his last movement, and just barely manages to bring his blade up in time to block. the strength of the attack seems to surprise him, and it takes him a moment to regain control. when he does, he pulls back to stand on the defensive as he reassesses her skill.

Milla doesn't look strong enough for a hit like that - but then, neither does Hotarumaru, back at the citadel. Even Kara has a tough time holding his own against the ootachi, but...

he likes the challenge. so he'll waste no more time and go on the attack again, this time with a low sweep at her legs. ]

[tothemaxwell]

[Flicked aside with the redirection of force, she flips, seemingly midair, to land neatly back on her feet, sword still well within hand.

But there is no pause in Ookurikara's movement, and it's with a grunt of exertion that she parries the sweep, her steps not as neat when she moves aside this time. It's a solid offensive push—and there's a flash of appreciation as she briefly struggles to regain balance.]

Hmm!

[It's the only warning he'll receive for a direct jab from below.]

[unfriendliest]

[ coming at him so directly - that is something Ookurikara can appreciate. it's daring, bold, and makes for a good opponent. but such strikes also have their disadvantages, one being that there was no chance he wouldn't see it coming. it gives him a chance to swat Milla's blade aside, to counter with his own forward jab, this time directed at her sword arm. ]

[tothemaxwell]

[The mutually forthright nature of their spar is completely refreshing, appreciative, and extremely dangerous. It is, in a word, ideal.

Letting out a huff at her own opening, Milla drops her arm, barely avoiding the open thrust, before nimbly hopping back to create a brief distance—and smiles. He'd pushed her back, and met her blow for blow. What a nice guy.]

You are wonderful. I imagine you've trained for most of your life.

[unfriendliest]

[ when she pulls back, he doesn't follow, but doesn't drop his stance just yet, either. if she comes back for more, he'll be ready to meet her, strike for strike.

compliments are... confusing, at best, so Kara ignores it. and though he won't smile back, there is a healthy amount of respect for this woman reflected in his eyes.

and to answer, he simply inclines his head in a sort of nod. it isn't entirely truthful, no - but he was made for war, after all. ]

[tothemaxwell]

[She nods in return—and twirls her sword back into its sheath.]

I will leave it there, for today.

I look forward to "speaking" with you further, Ookurikara.

[Taking a step forward, she gives him a short bow.]

[unfriendliest]

[ well, in that case. Relaxing, Kara sheaths his sword as well. and though he won't give a formal bow in return, he does give her one by dipping his head just so, the faintest sign that he respects her strength.

he had fun sparring with her. ]