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

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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

[bondsofsuffering]

That's what I thought. You see, the problem they seem to be having here is... well, people from other worlds appearing for some unknown reason. I'm not sure what they expect us to do about it, though.

[Philemon was the one who knew more about that kind of thing. Too bad contacting him on your own terms is more or less impossible.]

...But you didn't. Was it too distasteful for you?

[To kill someone who would not resist...

It would be easier for Hizumi if he had.]

[melodyoflogic]

That's what the mayor said. I'm inclined to agree with you though.

[He wondered if Hizumi was asking for a specific reason.... doubtlessly. Measuring him up?]

Of course. I'm just a high school student, after all.

[In reality though, Kanone Hilbert's death would have accomplished nothing. Killing him wouldn't have helped the Blade Children, even with the way circumstances were now. His options were still open.]

[bondsofsuffering]

Hinoto-Ri has its own system to deal with Travelers, but we aren't trapped there, either. It's a lot different from the situation here.

[Kanone's death would have set him on a path of destruction; one that Hizumi would have welcomed.]

That doesn't always stop people. [Ayumu is freely associating with the Blade Children, after all.] ...But maybe we should save this for a less crowded location?

[melodyoflogic]

That's probably for the best.

[No one here knew Ayumu, but who knows if this place has it's own law system?]

[bondsofsuffering]

[Meanwhile, Hizumi knows just enough people for it to be a concern.]

It'll be harder since we stand out, but...

A loud saloon might work. [It would cover their voices.]

[melodyoflogic]

Works for me.

[He shifts a bit on the crutch. While he knew one thanks to Yaiba, it would probably be better for Hizumi to lead, with him like this.] Lead the way.

[bondsofsuffering]

It won't be hard to find one, at least!

[And he'll lead the way at an easy pace for Ayumu to follow along. There was one he passed by not long ago that seemed like it would be suitable, so he makes a beeline for it.]

[melodyoflogic]

[Ayumu follows after him, a bit slow but not too badly off. With Hizumi taking the lead, he's free to use the time to quickly analyze what he's heard so far, another bonus.]

[bondsofsuffering]

[Sure enough, it's a loud, smoky saloon that smells a lot of alcohol and other things you probably don't want to think too hard on.]

Over this way.

[He gives a small wave, navigating a path through the tables that leaves a little more room for Ayumu to maneuver on his crutches. The table he finally stops at is one to the side, where people are less likely to pay much heed.]

[melodyoflogic]

[The place reeks, and Ayumu isn't the biggest fan of the stench of alcohol, but its loud and enough of a cover for the conversation they plan to have to work. It didn't smell that much worse than the first place, anyway.

He follows after Hizumi slowly, carefully navigating towards the table in question and resting the crutch against it as he braces his hand against the table.]

This should work.

[bondsofsuffering]

[Hizumi sits, waiting until Ayumu is also seated before he folds his hands under his chin.]

Based on the fact that you know my name, I'm assuming they've explained the situation to you so far?

[He's leaning forwards slightly, his voice just loud enough for the other teen to pick it up.]

[melodyoflogic]

[Ayumu takes a seat as well, quietly listening to Hizumi before responding, his voice just as low.]

They did. About Yaiba, my brother, the Blade Children and us both.

[And he knew what Hizumi's likely plan from here on out would be, as well. He couldn't kill him according to the scenario, but....]

[bondsofsuffering]

[He nods. So it was all more or less according to plan. Ayumu had been told the story, albeit missing a few key points.

But then, aside from Kiyotaka or Hizumi himself, just who would be able to explain that?]

Maybe I should have picked a less crowded place after all. You'd have an easier time, then.

[His hands shift, palms laying relaxed on his thighs. Despite the topic, he doesn't seem all that bothered.]

[melodyoflogic]

Do you really expect that? [His interest perks a bit. This wasn't what he expected. Negotiations, yes. Expectation of Ayumu to break out a gun immediately, no.]

[bondsofsuffering]

Not really.

[If Ayumu had managed to capture Kanone alive, that alone was telling enough of the other boy's disposition.]

...But to be honest, up until now I've just been killing time. If you decided to end it all here, I wouldn't be able to do a thing about it.

[melodyoflogic]

[The argument was weak. Nonexistent, even. It created some suspicion.]

You make it sound like you wouldn't even try.

[bondsofsuffering]

Would it make it easier for you if I did?

[He shifts, scratching nonchalantly at his side.]

I suppose... there's no real helping it, so I've come to accept the way things are. I might as well be dead already.

[melodyoflogic]

[That's met with a few moments of silence as Ayumu mulls over Hizumi's words and expectations.]

And that's the only option you see? You don't think fate can be changed?

[bondsofsuffering]

[The scratching stops, and he settles in his seat again.]

Are you suggesting we try?

[melodyoflogic]

All this stuff about 'Gods' and 'Devils', it goes against common sense. I can't believe it like everyone else can. But I can't not believe it, either.

[He didn't have anything he believed in, not in this scenario, not in anything else.]

But nothing is set in stone yet.

[bondsofsuffering]

It's true. It defies all logic. For people like us to exist, who no one else can kill... It sounds like a fairy tale. It's just too impossible.

[There's a very, very small click from somewhere under the table. Ayumu might not even hear it.]

Going by that, if I shot you in the head right now, you would definitely die, right?

[He could do it. His hand is fast enough; it would take only a moment for him to raise the gun and shoot Ayumu right here. The Devil would have defeated God, and he would prove that fate could be changed.

That maybe, he wouldn't have to become the Devil after all.]

[melodyoflogic]

Maybe. Who knows?

[He couldn't say for sure, but he did hear something, enough to make him wonder. His expression, though, remains neutral.]

It would prove my point. It would be the best proof possible that fate can be changed.

[And that the Blade Children could be saved.] It would be my win.

[..... The news wouldn't be able to reach anyone in a place like this, though.]

[bondsofsuffering]

They would never know.

[Not that it really mattered; even though Kiyotaka was pushing Ayumu as a savior, the whole thing was a farce. There was no saving anyone from their fates - not even Ayumu's own, of which he still had no idea.

But... if he could kill Ayumu in this world... That would mean he would be able to change his own fate, wouldn't it? He could continue to live and fight against the curse, overcoming the Devil that slept within him. No one in Hinoto-Ri would have to die at his hands, and he could carve out a life of his own. Even though it was built on the corpses of others, he could surely make up for it with how many he could save from the demons in Hinoto-Ri. He had the ability, but up until now, there just hadn't been a point.

Looking at it that way, wouldn't Ayumu's death at his hands be almost excusable?

Before he can stop to hesitate, he snaps his arm up, pointing it directly at Ayumu's forehead with a surprising speed. And with the noise and excitement of the saloon as it is, not a single person notices.]

[melodyoflogic]

You're right. [Not a single person notices, and Ayumu.... doesn't move. It was undoubtedly true that no one would know. If he died here and didn't return with no corpse to be found, there would be nothing stopping the hunters. They'd think he simply disappeared, had abandoned the Blade Children and left them to their fate. Ayumu didn't really want to die, but the most important thing....

He thinks back to the expression Hizumi wore, when he mentioned Yaiba had been here. And the easy admission of earlier when he said he'd accepted it.]

.....Do you want to become your brother?

[bondsofsuffering]

[His eyes narrow almost imperceptibly.]

By killing you, I would be proving the opposite. I overcame God where my brother couldn't.

[And yet, even though his finger is on the trigger... He doesn't pull it.]