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[umbralant]

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Good morning.

Or perhaps it might be more appropriate to say good evening instead, considering how it is moonlight that will rouse you into consciousness. And what a bright moon it is, half-full and clear without contest in the sky as it outshines the stars and galaxies in the backdrop. But it’s all the better to emphasize that the buildings that speckle the landscape before you are all completely devoid of any light. And by the way—do you always sleep outside?

The lack of light can be something to deal with later though, at least when you've properly gotten up from the cold, unyielding stone below you. And that chill down your spine—no doubt that probably has something to do with combination of cool temperatures and poor sleeping conditions, but it’s odd how it seems to linger.

Checking your person for any items that should be in your possession yields disappointing results, but it seems you're not empty handed (or pocketed) because you are now the proud owner of one (1) small bundle of black cloth. Unwrapping it reveals a key imprinted with a roman numeral, along with a simple note.

“Come at 6PM to the place circled on this map:”

“Don’t be tardy, dear Survivors, that’d be a bad first impression. If you don’t want your stay here to be more unpleasant than it’ll already be, you’ll want to avoid seeming careless or disrespectful. You’ll want to listen to my opening speech~!”

Finally, after an empty space that may be simulating an intense pause, there’s one last line:

“I know what you’re thinking, so I’ll say it straight: if you don’t come, you’re as good as dead.”

The news likely isn't welcome, but it's a start. And it seems you're not alone in your plight, though whether company is within arm's length or a stone’s throw away is up to fortune’s whims. For now, you're free to explore the town square and the surrounding areas as best you can in the dim light.

For some reason or another, Krakow, Poland is now your new home. That much is clear from the sign posts that you can inexplicably read, as red and white flag posts with "Święto Niepodległości" flutter lightly in the wind. While the storefronts are dark, the street lamps that scatter the town provide some measure of light, providing some solace against the layer of fog that's begun to creep in.

( OOC: Welcome to Antumbra! This intro log occurs ICly Sunday. Your MM's will be around at 6pm EST to hear your complaints. )

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Comments

[drydrown]

[He actually listens to all that. Mulls it over, turns it over in his head. Tries to figure out what he thinks of it.]

That's incredibly crass, and basic at best. There are far better and more entertaining ways to convince others to die for you, and you went with none of them. I'm almost offended. But if you'd like some advice, I'm willing to talk to you sometime.

[dude.]

So go on, do tell us how you're going to make this worth our while. Or perhaps what you've done to the place to make us cooperate! Since you're practically begging us to ask.

[soulspice]

If you have feedback come and give it to me. I'm always looking for competent advisors and political allies. The pay is good!

[She doesn't pay anyone, don't be fooled]

Well, for starters, I think I should mention just how much control I have over you all -- so you realize that if you don't cooperate, the consequences may be unpleasant. Rembrandt, if you may please explain to them?

[dominioned]

Of course, of course. [ He gives Cumore a glance like the pay is terrible, actually. ]

It is under the Lady's directive that you are all here, in addition to the modifications made to every single one of you. What you lost and what you gained, naturally. Ah, for some lucky few the scales may have been weighted more favorably.

[ He brings his hands together with a clap, the velvet gloves he's wearing muffling the sound. ]

But in short: we are capable of granting you many things beyond simple powers, consider this just a taste. Killing a single individual is hardly a steep price to pay for leave home, or whatever riches you desire, is it not?

[drydrown]

[Ah, this. He recognizes this.]

That's a little better. The Goddess of Mercy ought to let you talk more often, you're far better at this.

Of course, you're begging the question of what happens if someone takes you up on all of this. I doubt it's so simple as "kill someone, receive reward" - where do we go from there?

[soulspice]

You'll be allowed to return home with your reward. Maybe immediately, if the reward includes that.

[She gives a nonchalant shrug]

And also you wouldn't be...in danger of death, like the rest here.

[drydrown]

[...Well. That's certainly interesting, at least.]

I'll bear that in mind, then.

[...]

I already have more than I could ever want. Bribing me isn't likely to work.

Hopefully your offers are a bit less basic than your plans.

[moonfang]

Soooo... you kidnap us, and then dangle our safe return like a carrot in return for... killing one of the other random schmucks you kidnapped? Geez.

[soulspice]

Yes, pretty much. That's the gist of it.

[She shakes her head]

It may sound senseless when you put it like that, but believe me, it's the only way. Cooperate, will you?

[moonfang]

I think ya'd have had a lot more success if you had asked first, but I guess you can't be expected to think of everything. So! When can we start? I got shit to do back home.

[notbymyside]

What conditions are you placing on this? If someone were to shoot another person dead right here and now, would they get to go home just like that?

[He's not going to actually do that, he doesn't even have his gun on him. But he wants to know just how willing they are to pay out on their promises here.]

[pr159]

[ yeah i think a lot of us want to hear the answer to this one ]

[twoasone]

He does have a point, you know.

[soulspice]

I guess so. But it'd be such a shame to do so without anything extra, wouldn't it? But if you're so impatient and so itching to return home...

[She looks around, her eyes falling on Lysithea]

That one seems like a prime target. Wouldn't she be a great first target for this? [Then at Rean] Or this one, so full of...that astoundingly annoying 'I'm a good guy' attitude. Or if you'd like a better challenge... [Hm. Iago will do] He'll do. Go on, kill them, kill anyone. And I'll get you back home immediately. Right here and now.

[She raises her voice]

Surely everyone will stand aside and let you kill!

[Apparently she's already supposing how such an idea will go: someone will attack, others will defend, others will stand aside, and there's only a chance the target will die.

But apparently she's willing to fulfill her promise, if it turns out someone tries and is successful]

[psychophant]

How rude.

[...surely you weren't expecting any meaningful contribution here.]

[soulspice]

...you know...I'm sure you could defeat Sakaguchi in a fight, anyway.

[psychophant]

[...torn between bragging about his magical powers and complaining about no longer having them or keeping quiet and maybe not further painting a target on himself........]

I'm not picking fights for your amusement.

[...iago has never been capable of shutting up.]

[drydrown]

[you're not going to be too offended if he quietly tries to figure out if he could take you or not, right]

[psychophant]

[of course he's going to be offended?????]

[notbymyside]

[...hm. He's still not going to kill anyone, but he wants to see how far he can push this.]

That is quite gracious of you to offer such a reward, but how would I kill anyone here without a weapon?

[soulspice]

I'm sure some would say life is so fragile. You could kill someone even with your own bare fists.

[She shakes her head]

Is the lack of a weapon really something that'd stop someone willing to kill?

[reanbeans]

[ Even before her eyes fell on him, as soon as he heard her suggesting good targets, he glared. ]

I didn't realize how desperate you were.

[soulspice]

I'm not the one who is already wanting to kill someone fifteen minutes after I suggested it. Blame Sakaguchi, not me.

[ordealia]

[It is a damn good thing that she doesn’t have her magic. It’s an even better thing that she’s above using rude hand gestures, though she sure is thinking one awfully loudly.]

[soulspice]

[rude]

[p_q]

[There's a dismissive shrug of his shoulders, flicking her dramatic demands off like a speck of dust; they're certainly not worth addressing. But he is watching to see if anyone actually moves. 👀]