From One City to Another [Open post event info and start]

[stringmods]

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Who: Everyone (guests and non-guests alike)
Where: Geartopia
Summary: Event in City start!
Warnings: Cowboys and Gears
EVENT INFO: Read about it here if you're a new comer!

The Mayoress keeps her word, and the Visitors are whisked away and changed into more suitable clothing for this world, free of charge. As they step down from the portal -- a stark contrast to the last time it was used, a giant man standing easily over eight feet tall and resembling a mammoth takes out a piece of string and measures everyone for their complimentary hat, vest, goggles and boots, as a small team works nearby to adjust the sizes of the materials they already have. It's rather interesting to see them at work, cutting with iron scissors - a spiderlady using her own silken string along with a robot aide to patch things up. Before long, you are given an outfit that's been tailor-fit for you.

Hopefully you aren't too arachnophobic, she's a nice old lady.

Once that's all done, the Mayoress speaks up.

"Come with us, please!"

Robotic horses and chariots draw them into the middle of the town, as a small map is given to everyone, but it's overly simple at best.

As they arrive in the town square, a look around reveals that the people here seem to be a mixture of humans, humanoid animals that have evolved, and robots. The feeling is very Old West, but with it all kept at a simple level despite the advance technology present. Compared to Hinoto-Ri and its lights, bright city and atmosphere, Geartopia feels like it falls on the opposite end of the spectrum. There's barely anything that would make you think of a modern city.

Which is why those that don't look like they belong stand out even more than you do.

Confused people from various worlds, not meant to have landed here... but currently with no way to go home, are stuck in Geartopia, violently torn from whatever they had been doing.

"We ain't sure what happened," she tells the Visitors, shaking her head. "But the past three days have been nothin' more than a giant mess! And they keep pilin' up. We need you to help us figure out what's happenin’!"

As they continue towards the town's center, she gives a bit more explanation: Once, long ago, Geartopia was built by aliens visiting the planet that granted intelligence to some native species. That includes her kind! The giant black obsidian monoliths humming precariously outside of town are an example of that. Normally the rocks only work when they need to contact other worlds. Three days ago, they started to glow, and that's when others began to appear here. People that had not been planned for. And they were still coming in, too...

The technology the elder aliens left them allows them to contact other planets during times of distress, but otherwise, there is nothing futuristic going on - the aliens wanted it this way and for the most part, the population respects this. Most of the area is dry and arid, with very tiny grass and shrubs growing over the hill, and, strangely enough, an area from town that is densely populated by forest.

They'll need your strange and powerful manpower in the upcoming days… just like twenty years ago, when the previous mayoress had called upon great heroes for aid.

[OOC Info about Geartopia:

- Saloon and bars of all sizes. Most are comically named with an object and a color. You can find all sorts of them across town. The shadier ones can be found at the far end of the west.

- There are hotels with gear-driven pianos playing wistful tunes as you drink hard liquor made from cactus juice, honey and barley. The honey wine is especially prized and costly.

- There is also a small carnival with a steampunk and old west fair, sugar and cactus fruit pies, whole animals roasted over open pits, musicians, and a single wooden coaster. It's not much, but the food is excellent.

- Be careful, however. The cactus fruit does cause stomach aches for most people not native to this world.

- There are farms around here, if you feel like having real food and doing honest work.

- The general store has steampunk items for sale, but most of them are much too expensive for the visitors at this point. You can try to barter.

- Oh, and news travels fast. Cause problems, and the rumors will travel to the mayoress fast enough.

- Start posts with Open or Closed depending on what you want to do!

RP VISITORS NOT FROM STRINGS: Here’s your own situation: Your character showed up here anytime from the 4th to the 16th and they have no idea why. They just popped out from their own place and popped in here. HAVE FUN!]

Comments

[canwaitforthis]

[It was warmer than he expected it to be. But he wasn't entirely sure what he should have expected after apparently entering another world. After dealing with phenomena like a hidden hour filled with blood and a green-hued sky and a whale that shed feathers, Akihiko wanted to believe that nothing could faze him anymore.

Not that his belief meant much in the face of a complicated world. Or a complicated other world, for that matter.

He tilted his head and looked at the fireflies around, a gloved hand darting out to catch one. As he focused intently on trying to see if the insect indeed looked like a normal firefly from back home, he failed to notice other fireflies descending to alight on his silvery hair.]

[tetsuwan_atom]

"You've got a bug on you," Atom said helpfully, figuring that Akihiko would want to be notified of the insect-load statistics of his hair. "Right here. Actually, they seem to like you a lot!"

Atom had somehow managed to procure a jar, in which several fireflies were now safely ensconced. Little holes had been poked into the top, just in case.

[canwaitforthis]

"Huh?" Akihiko looked up at the voice, cupping his hand a little bit around the lone firefly sitting on his palm. He blinked at the boy in confusion, taking a moment to process his question. "My hair?"

He released the firefly to bring his hand up and run it through his short hair, a little startled to see a few flitting away from his hand as he brought it back down. "...That's definitely a little different."

[tetsuwan_atom]

"Well, this is a different planet and all," he said, screwing the lid carefully back on to his jar.

"Say, you're a human, aren't you? You should watch out of the cactus fruits around here."

[canwaitforthis]

The question was met with another slow blink, followed by a more careful look. Right, another world. Had to keep that in mind while looking at people, too -- not just the environment.

"The way you say that, it's like you're not human yourself. What's wrong with the cactus fruits?"

[tetsuwan_atom]

"Oh, I'm not," said Atom, as if this was a common source of confusion. "But anyway, a couple of people I knew tried 'em out and got indigestion. It's not dangerous, exactly, but I guess it's kinda rough on you if you're not used to eating it."

He slipped his cowboy hat back up onto his head, adjusting the brim with one hand. "You know, I'm glad to see this place looking so well. I guess things turn out for the best, after all."

[theimmortalhalf]

[Care to have a blast from the past?

It's getting dark, but Akihiko isn't thinking about going back to the orphanage. There's still so much to see. All the delicious-smelling food makes his little tummy growl, but he doesn't have money to buy them. Still, he's having fun just taking in the sights. He isn't going to leave without Miki and Shinji, anyway.

When Akihiko spots the fireflies landing in the older man's hair, his mouth falls open a little in awe. What a neat trick! Can he get fireflies to land in his hair too? Then maybe Miki won't be scared of the dark anymore!

He trails after the man, but doesn't say anything to really give his presence away. He's much shyer at this age, more unsure of himself, especially without Shinji around to back him up.]

[canwaitforthis]

[Even if he was a police chief in name now, Akihiko was no desk jockey -- not by a long shot. His senses are sharp from countless bouts with Shadows and human opponents, so he does get the feeling that he's being followed as he continues to wander and take in the carnival sights.

He's nearing some of the game attractions when he finally stops and addresses the person who's following.]

It's rude to follow people and not say anything, you know.

[theimmortalhalf]

O-Oh! Um...

[Caught red-handed! Akihiko shyly looks down while respectfully listening to the man scold him. He knows better than to misbehave when he's right in front of an adult.]

S-Sorry, mister... [He lifts his arm and points, forgetting that it's a rude gesture.] I saw fireflies in your hair, and... C-Can you tell me how to catch 'em?

[canwaitforthis]

[So far, Akihiko has mercifully been turned around and not looking directly at whoever had been following, fairly confident that there wouldn't be any trouble in such a public place. When he hears a kid's voice behind him though, he turns his head slightly to glance at him.

And almost pulls something in his neck when he tries to jerk his head further back to stare.

It had been a long, long time since he had seen that younger version of himself in a memory within the Abyss of Time. But this... This is...]

Wha...?

[Inarticulate. This is inarticulate.]

[theimmortalhalf]

[Akihiko looks up and blinks at his shocked expression. He doesn't know what the man is thinking, but that's... probably not a happy look. He pulls his arm back and presses a small clenched fist to his chest, fervently wishing for Shinji to suddenly show up and save him. Like he always does, for both him and Miki, whenever the other kids are picking on them.]

A-Am I in trouble?

[He's not going to cry or run away... He wants to be strong and brave, just like Shinji!]

[themortalhalf]

[It is pretty damn hot. That might be why he was persuaded to leave his coat behind when they had arrived. Or maybe because he gave just enough of the damn to care about blending in some that he had decided to meet the people running the place halfway, if only so he didn't have to be stared at longer than he had to. Still, keeps his typical wear besides. Long-sleeved turtleneck, boots, and jeans. His hat. The only thing that's changed much is the vest that doesn't have pockets deep enough for him.

He's lost track of where the others went, but they can keep track of themselves. And this place doesn't make him feel ill-at-ease like that shitty tower had. It's different in that this world isn't acting like it fully intends to kill you. So he wanders around, keeping to the edges of wherever he goes so he can get a look around without drawing much in the way of attention because he doesn't want it. (Even with just the vest on, he feels ridiculous without his coat, like he's lacking something, and everyone else can see it just as well as he can.)

Then, as he strides up a path, distracted somewhat by the glow of fireflies, his eyes immediately latch onto something familiar, a shock of silver and a face that's different—older—even though he recognizes with ease.

Aki?

Shinjiro stares ahead for a few seconds more, pace slowing. He's sure, but at the same time, he knows better than to expect things to be true upon first glance. ...Though if it wasn't Aki, then that was some copy.

He's not sure what to say, exactly, as he walks closer—it's been seven months for him—but he has at least the benefit to understand the shit that comes with timelines. And the fact it might not even be Aki at all, even if it looks a hell of a lot like him given a few more years.]

Hey!

[So he says little, voice a sharp almost-growl. And if something isn't true or how it should be, he can walk away and leave Aki's eerie doppelgänger behind.]

[canwaitforthis]

[Food was going to be an issue, wasn't it? The thought hadn't occurred to him until he was walking around the carnival and caught a whiff of some sort of food -- sweet, so probably some sort of sugary snack if this place was similar in that way. He was used to doing his own shopping, and it had been years since he had traveled out into the middle of nowhere and lived off the land (and a large bag of beef jerky).

...Where was he going to get his protein around here?

He almost doesn't hear the call with such an important thought on his mind, and it takes him a moment to wrench himself out of his thoughts long enough to look in the direction of where that call had come from. The familiarity of that voice doesn't register; even if the years had not affected his memory of his best friend, he better remembered those times when his voice wasn't so harsh and almost bitter.

But he remembers that face. He could never forget that face.]

Shinji?

[themortalhalf]

[Whatever tenseness had been building up in his neck and shoulders in the ensuing seconds fades away in a slow coil, no longer rigid and protective like wire and steel, as soon as he hears the recognition. It's easier, then, to let his shoulders slouch a little more, and let his hands uncurl from the shallow pockets that are still goddamn insufficient.

Shit. Should've just gone out with his damn coat. Stupid vests are Aki's thing. ...Or were, anyway.

There are years on him. And perhaps it's because of the happenstance of dates, coupled with the Aki he sees now, that makes Shinjiro be more tuned in with time and distance, but it suddenly feels like he hasn't seen his friend in a very long time. Which might be true for Aki, but it's been only seven months on his end. ...Which is, granted, longer than he can ever remember not seeing him. That separation felt more foreign than anything he's experienced yet. Though it's meant less fights and less nagging. And less... a lot of things. Though he can't say less quiet.

He nods then in assent, looking less surprised at than he perhaps should be (though Aki looking this much older is certainly a surprise).] Yeah.

[Shinjiro then looks him over, eyes sharper, like he's looking for some crack or chink in him that'll tell him Aki hasn't eaten anything remotely resembling a balanced diet in years. (Had Aki been pulled from his wilder years and without a shirt, he might have had more vocal complaints to chew on.) He had always wondered how Aki'd turn out after he was gone, even if, in Shinjiro's personal timeline, he just might last longer than he should.

His voice evens out to something less harsh, taking on a subtle, teasing edge to it that might be more obvious if his voice hadn't the habit of keeping carefully level.]

...Guess you finally decided to grow up, huh?

[canwaitforthis]

[Distracted as he is by his shock, Akihiko still manages to catch some of those wary movements, something awkward about it all that made it that much more believable that that is actually happening. If this was a dream, there would be that warm haze that smoothed over those little details, leaving him with elation of some kind.

He releases a breath he didn't realize he was holding when he hears that confirmation. This place ... was really strange, to grant him this kind of opportunity. It takes him a moment longer to deal with the surreal element and actually feel happy, suddenly feeling like a foolish teenager trapped in a body so many years older.

So much for never being fazed by things. His mind is officially blown.]

It's been a long time. [...That was vague.] Ten years.

[themortalhalf]

[It's a reaction he's used to getting by now. Coming back from the dead is always an awkward experience, and one he'd rather avoid, because, in the end, the emotions are the same and he doesn't like to see it or guess at it or wonder what's going through the other person's head (even if he's been on that other side once). He never thought he'd have to deal with all the bullshit that came after the dying part.

And now that he's had to it always tends to make him feel guilty—and he's felt enough of guilt to want to keep from it like it might cripple him just as fast or faster than anything else, if it hasn't yet. He'd rather not deal with it and forget it, but he can't, because he still doesn't know how to do it.]

Yeah, I can see that.

[The smile's wry, but yeah, he can see it. He can see the years there, the lines in his face that've aged him, and lets him see what the decade has done to the appearance of the person he remembers. Ten years is too damn long. That's nearly half his current lifetime, and that went by quick.

He'll take the teenager or what Shinjiro can get of it from him (minus the stupid recklessness). It's the version of Akihiko he's used to. Though Shinjiro guesses at eighteen you ain't much of a teenager anymore, but Aki was just a big kid then anyway. Now he's... twenty-eight and clearly less of one. Not sure he thought that would be possible in anything save looks. Maybe he was stupid in thinking Aki would probably always stay the same and not lose much. Though it's a bit early to be making assumptions, but...]

Ditch the fireflies you've got on you and maybe I'll see it more.

[greatseal]

[Minako should be watching where she's going, but there's a lot to see - and the fireflies are a bit distracting. She's trying to walk and catch one at the same time, which just results in her running backwards into a stranger. Akihiko is probably unharmed, but Minako will end up falling over unless he manages to catch her.]

Oh- I'm sorry! That was my fault!

[canwaitforthis]

[The pressure against his back is heavy enough to trigger the instinct to dig his toes into the ground and swivel his ankles, his weight shifting as his hips swing to face the potential threat -- enough that he can bear the girl's weight when he shoots out an arm to catch her.

He blinks at the unfamiliar girl when he realizes it's a simple mistake.]

You should take it easy. It's getting a little crowded.

1/2

[greatseal]

[She laughs sheepishly, trying to regain her balance.] I know, but I-

2/2

[greatseal]

[Wait. That voice.]

Akihiko-senpai?!

[Now she tries to swivel to get a look at him.]

[canwaitforthis]

[Akihiko has to lean back a little when the girl whirls around to look at him, and he again blinks at her with some confusion -- this time at the familiarity in her voice and the particular way she had address him.

He hadn't been called something like that in a long time.]

Yes?

[greatseal]

[now she just stares. It's definitely Akihiko, but -
He's older. She can't be sure how much older exactly but he's definitely old enough to have graduated university by now.
...Then there's also the pesky matter of him clearly not recognizing her at all. Wherever and whenever this Aki had come from, it 's apparently not her timeline.]

Um... sorry about that. [she apologizes again.]
You're Akihiko Sanada, right...? I'm Minako - Minako Arisato

Okay I'm ready for this heartbreak.

[helenchanted]

As much as she didn't want to be here after what had happened in Animus months ago, Miki had followed Minako and Shinjiro into this world. It was warm, which was nice. She had never been a huge fan of cowboys, but the place did have an interesting charm and it was welcome after living in the city.

When night had come, mercifully free of creatures, the 13th or the dark hour, she realizes just how different it was, as fireflies had filled the night sky.

It looked amazing and serene. She had forgotten what nights were like without the extra hour when the world turned upside down and monstrous. Like a small child, she ran towards the bugs, watching them scatter. Some of them flew into her hair, but others still went to the other nearby civilians. Like the hair of someone close by, and she follows them, only to take a step back when she realizes who the silver hair belongs to. It's not quite like she saw him in Hinoto-Ri...

Why he looks just like...but he wasn't...but older....and....?!?

"N-no way...that can't be..." Maybe her mind is playing tricks on her, but even now, Miki already knows that's not right. She continues to stare at him, trying to close her mouth in surprise, but finding herself unable to do so.

Haha. I apologize in advance!

[canwaitforthis]

The fireflies kept returning to his hair. It had taken a few comments before Akihiko started making a real effort to dissuade the fireflies from landing in his hair, and he was quickly approaching the point at which he would just put on the hat he had received -- even if he would prefer to go without the hat.

But he couldn't find it in himself to be particularly annoyed; fireflies were something of a treat after so much time in the city.

He lifts his head and turns to watch the latest bunch of fireflies flit away, blinking when he catches sight of a flash of silver hair. He turns to look at the girl who stood in front of him, and then gives her a polite nod in greeting as he speaks.

"Am I in your way?"

No don't, I'm the one who should be for even playing her

[helenchanter]

"I..." Every single time. Every single time she had met an iteration of him, she had found herself tongue-tied, unsure how to react. What to tell him. This one, however is even more difficult for her to speak at all. She's sure it's him now, there's no way it's not with that voice.

He looks almost regal, with the fireflies in his hair. She's so glad to see he's grown so well even if she still thinks he's too short than what she thought he'd be.

"N-no...you're not." She looks down at the dirt for a few short seconds, trying to think of what to say exactly. How do you even begin telling your brother that you're alive somewhere else thanks to him? Miki can feel a few tears streaming down her face and is powerless to stop them so she just looks away. He'll probably notice anyway with all the light from the bugs. Yet she can't bring herself to tell him, reverting to the shy personality she had as a child. "Y-you're not in the way at all!"