intro ♚ april

[boardmaster]

WELCOME TO GRAUPERA

We’ve all had those dreams: you wake up on a table, to blurry, ominous images and the certainty that you are absolutely buck-naked in a room full of strangers. This is not quite it.

Instead, you come awake to the sun on your face. The soft burble of water nearby. The hustle and bustle of a busy street and the faint, fortifying smell of bread. You open your eyes and there’s no one there at your bedside, but there is what appears to be the end of the world happening just beyond your window.

There’s a crack in the world across the sky, the “sun” is the totally unnatural light spilling from that crack straight into your eyes, and someone’s left a neatly pressed and folded uniform at the foot of the bed that isn’t yours. Somewhere in the room, there’s a strange clatter like beads, the click of claws on the floor.

Something’s in here with you.

Also, you are naked.

ONE ♟ CAPABLANCA & AIRY

As much as Blanc’s capital welcomes its Heroes, new arrivals such as yourself won’t have much time to settle. Get dressed and pick up your weapon and Carrier, because sometime in the afternoon, all floor nannies and Carriers will broadcast an announcement by Commander Lisbrand. She delivers a brief greeting to their new members, but gets straight to the point: they will be headed for Capablanca and the open sea beyond, in order to restore the fortress of Graupera for battle with Noir looming on the horizon. All new Heroes are expected to report to the Airy at the Caissa aeroport on the 8th along with their seniors.

On the morning of the 11th, Airy alights on Graupera, an island about two hours away from Capablanca by ferry. From here, you can either help the navy with Graupera repairs or assist in Verdoni’s investigations and head for Capablanca proper. Heroes will be staying in the (in)famous Hotel Caruana: they say you can check in anytime you like, but you can never truly leave. Nobody will quite meet your eyes or tell you what it means.

Wherever you are, the Airy will remain parked at Graupera.

TWO ♟ GRAUPERA, CAPABLANCA SEA FORT

What was once a heavily fortified island rests a ways off the coast of Capablanca; it looks a little too much like one of the thunderclouds slowly swarming on the horizon. Graupera has seen many battles and withstood the ebb and flow of wars. Formerly the city’s first line of defense until it was abandoned after the Reclamation, its dilapidated condition is the current bane of the Blanc navy. Blanc needs to bring it back to its former glory before it can face a single warship, much less Noir’s fleet of magical cannons. Blanc’s government has no doubt Heroes will do a fine job at returning the fortress to its former glory!

A ♙ The great stone and iron wall facing the wide open ocean has seen better days and is full of holes overgrown with stubborn clinging vines; cannonballs used a lifetime ago litter the grounds. The vines are extremely thick and may tangle the careless beyond hope of escape, not to mention filled with a pungent sap that will seep into your clothes and hair for days. It makes a great adhesive, though? Conveniently, parts of the wall are strewn across the floor, so at least some of the cannon holes can be repaired with enough improvisation, desperation and a bit of spit. The rest need new material provided by our helpful Heroes in Option C. Furthermore, the lingering damage from a previous attack and old age have turned the floorboards weak and unstable. The wood creaks ominously beneath the mass of even a single average-sized person, so watch your step.

B ♟ You might want to get your weapon before you descend into the dank depths beneath the castle. Once you make it down the steep, slippery stairs, you’ll be meeting the gigantic, hostile rats that infest the castle cellar from top to bottom. It looks like magical residue from long-ago battles has seeped into both the foundation and its inhabitants. The cellars have become a huge warren filled with strange mana currents, and sometimes flooded with water. If you're going to start an extermination campaign, you may want to recall the magical residue: chopping off a rat’s head and limbs will barely slow it down. It will keep going for hours unless you either lop off all its limbs or pierce its heart.

If you manage to make it all the way up into the castle’s two intact towers (the other two are half-collapsed), the uppermost levels are utterly covered in bird crap. You’ll be encountering the kings of this castle: the unusually large, grey-feathered sea birds that have taken up residence here. Albatrosses, gulls, pelicans, even sand pipers: they all share nesting and pooping space here. The feathers of each bird seem to have taken on stone-like properties not unlike the castle’s walls. They’re extremely ferocious and protective of their nests, which are filled with all kinds of things: twigs, shiny things, coin money, Option C’s supplies, feathers of all kinds, and some completely ordinary tools that seem too small for human hands, and much older than anything else in the place save for the walls. If you look closely, you might be able to see a few baby rats scattered in amongst the eggs and the peeping chicks. They’re being fed, too.

You’re meant to be moving the birds out of the place, but you might have enough trouble just moving their offal.

C ♙ Don’t feel like dealing with pest control? No problem! Blanc will need materials for rebuilding and other supplies for the coming battle! Everyone knows how important it is for the fortress to remain standing, so Heroes will be provided with gadgets and weaponry that should make it difficult for enemies to penetrate the walls yet again. Word has spread that the Heroes are transporting valuable goods, though, so you might have to fend off the occasional hopeful man or annoying mouse (rat) who wishes to borrow much-needed material.

Of course, all this rebuilding will be for naught if you are not prepared to defend the stronghold! Ammunition such as cannonballs, bullets and arrows needs to be transported to Graupera en masse, pronto. Equally important essentials include first aid supplies and enough non-perishable food and water to last a small army (you) a month or two. You wouldn’t want to have to scavenge for rat meat.

No one knows just how long this battle is going to last.

THREE ♟ Training

It’s time for you landlubbers to learn how to swim! Commander Lisbrand won’t be tolerating any sinking stones on her task force. The upcoming battle will be fought on the sea so your instructor, one of Blanc’s many fine captains (when she isn’t intoxicated), will make every single individual who hesitates at the sight of the open ocean walk the plank. She’ll even give you a helpful kick if necessary! Once that’s over, she will show you how to steer a ship. However, wandering eyes that land anywhere on the inebriated captain’s assets will be swiftly and spectacularly dealt a large bottle of the harbor’s best swill right where it hurts.

Blanc has also provided training dummies dressed suspiciously like prominent figures of the Othellian underworld. Now might be a good time to branch out and learn about your affinities. Heroes who have recently been promoted in Rank might want to set some time aside for getting used to their new abilities, too. Power and responsibility come hand in hand, after all!

INFO ♟ Welcome!

Welcome to Crosscheck's April intro log! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!

Comments

[sediments]

[ She's pretty relaxed about this entire thing, and it reminds Bolin a little of Toriel (who'd disappeared!). As weird as it is to see someone so nonchalant about being plucked from everything they know and dropped into a bizarre world, stripped of all of their previous abilities, he supposes that it is a little reassuring. It makes Bolin's attitude toward the entire thing a little less hysterical as well.

He keeps his gaze on his lap, drawing one leg up so that he can rest his forehead on his knee with a yawn. ]

Yeah, I guess we'll be working together from now on. [ She's really polite; her friendliness and earnest attitude has already endeared her to the earthbender, and he smiles a little down at his lap. ] You can ask us if you have any questions or need help with anything.

[ He's volunteering Adra as well since they're practically a team now! ]

[armorial]

Perhaps I did. [ While her voice doesn't waver, there's a hint of gloom. She looks down at the letter for a bit. Despite how Fuyuki is filled with so many tragic memories, she can recall a couple that she's fond of. Either way, it's her choice. Even if this one isn't, she finds no reason to retaliate.Yet.

She perks up at Bolin's cheerful disposition. It's refreshing in contrast to Adra. ]

It's a pleasure to meet both of you, Adrasteius. [ A nod to the elf, then to the earthbender. ] Bolin.

Do rely on me in the future. [ Questions. There's so many. She starts raveling letter back. As she thinks, there's a large grumble coming from her direction. She says nothing... But she did use up a lot of mana last time she materialized. It's only natural. Also natural to stay silent and pretend it is not her. ]

[hymnals]

[ Unfortunately for Saber, Adra's hearing is beyond excellent. Long, sensitive ears. ]

Are you hungry? Because I can help with that.

[ He has pastries. ]

[sediments]

[ It's so cute. The newcomer seems to be rather serious, and maybe she's a little embarrassed that her stomach suddenly started growling. Anyway, he doesn't hear the rustling of clothing, and Adra seems to be talking normally so he lifts his head back up, vision no long blurry with sleep so that he can actually taken her appearance. ]

Adra's food is better than what they serve for breakfast. [ Especially on Mondays, but really Bolin can't say no to baked goods made with care.

He sits up straight at least, stretching his arms above his head and still regarding the girl curiously. ]

You didn't tell us your name.

[armorial]

Ah. I--! [ She was going to answer to Adra, a little timid about her growling stomach. She wanted to reassure THAT SHE IS OKAY, she can get herself food and they don't need to burdern themselves.

But she has also forgotten to introduce herself. She really woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. Placing a hand a bit above her chest, she looks for the right words to say. ] My apologies.

You... May call me Saber. [ There's some silence. In a smaller voice, as if not wanting to admit to it. ] I am famished, yes.

[hymnals]

[ Adra finally turns to look at her. His eyes are fiery green, glowing, with no discernible pupils. He stands up--already fully dressed, because that's how he rolls--and smooths down his long hair. ]

You told us to rely on you.

[ He walks over to the table in the center of the room, which is piled with neatly stacked plates of various pastries--mainly chocolate chip cookies, colorful and delicate macarons, and some glistening, sugar-encrusted tarts. Test batches for gifts he means to give later. He offers a few of the macarons--chocolate, lavender, rose--to Saber. ]

You can rely on us, as well.

[sediments]

[ He's not even struck by Adra floating out of bed immaculately dressed, it's something that Bolin has just grown accustomed to. It doesn't even make him feel bad about his own frumpy appearance: hair in disarray and dressed in the sleeveless undershirt and shorts that he'd been sleeping in.

Well, now he's got two impeccably dressed individuals to stand next to, but he continues on, oblivious and more interested in the pastries that were decorating the table in the centre of their room. ]

Oh man, I forgot about those. [ They make the room smell so good, he reflects as he falls back onto the bed with a sigh.

Saber is a cool name. ]

[armorial]

You're right. [ She's unfazed by both men's choice of attire and Adra's glowing eyes. Probably because she doesn't sense any danger, the most important part. Anyway, who is she to judge? She fights in steel boots and a large blue dress back at home. She follows closely after the elf, basically right in front of him when he offers her a macaroon.

She takes the lavender one, holding it with extreme care and grace. Though it's obvious she's hungry, she takes a small bite first as if to test the waters. Her expression stays the same, but it's obvious that her eyes are beaming with delight. ]

It's exquisite. [ It isn't meant to be heard, but she's enjoying it too much to remember to keep her thoughts to herself. She likes the crunch from the outer shell, the pocket of lavender flavor, and the filling. She looks over to the underdressed Bolin. ] You are a lucky man.

[sediments]

[ Bolin just beams at her in response, offering an enthusiastic ] I know! [ as he finally casts his blankets aside to get up and out of bed. He is pretty lucky; temper aside Adrasteius is a pretty great roommate: tidy, considerate, and not all that noisy. He also puts up with Bolin's consistent breeches of personal space rather bravely.

Now, finally upright, he enjoys a nice stretch, feeling his bones crack pleasantly before he walks over to the chest at the foot of the bed, pulling out a soft pair of pants to wear over his shorts. He'd have to change into the uniform when he's feeling less lazy.

And also because that would involve actually removing his current clothing, and he's not so relaxed that he's going to change in front of a girl. ]

Sure is weird that they'd stick a girl in with two guys, isn't it.

[hymnals]

[ His ears perk forward, a sign that he's pleased by the compliment. He brings over a few more things from the table--a fruit tart, a slice of vanilla and strawberry cake, and a miniature, savory pie--stuffed with meat and carrots, preserved til now via minor frost magic. ]

Go on--have as much as you like. I made too much.

[armorial]

I don't see how it would be "weird", Bolin. [ But she is a king--the king of knights. She has been raised to be KING rather than a girl, so she sees little to no issues about this at all. Good thing he doesn't say she looks fragile and shit or something because she would lose it.

While she isn't fond of this topic, she instantly pushes it aside when she sees delicacies being offered to her. It's almost like her little ahoge twitches (realistically hair doesn't move) as she examines the pieces of culinary art. She starts with the savory pie before touching any of the desserts. ]

Thank you, Adrasteius. I should be able to last till the next meal. [ She is willing to vacuum all leftovers, to be honest. She looks at Adra, then at Bolin, then back to Adra while chewing. ] Will you two be eating soon?

o m g i missed your tag somehow spoon ?_? RUINS THIS THREAD EVEN FURTHER

[hymnals]

[ Adra rolls his eyes. ]

That we have to share such close quarters, regardless, is an insult and a disgrace. No respect for privacy, these people.

[ He makes a dismissive gesture with his hand at the notion of 'eating'. ]

No; I'm fine.

[ Did he eat breakfast? Hmm. No, probably not. Well, not a big deal. ]

it's ok lyn.....

[sediments]

[ Bolin's a little surprised to hear that, if he's honest. Saber comes across as someone really proper, who would find mixed quarters scandalous. Besides, isn't it normal to think that way? He's been crammed into places with Korra and Asami before, but he's never actually lived with them in the same room. (He's also the only member of Team Avatar that hasn't slept with another member, so maybe the other three would be more casual about it.)

In any case, even if he finds it odd, it's not enough of a big deal that it would distract him from food. He wheedles closer to the table, marvelling over the spread anew even as he shakes his head at Adra. ]

I'm definitely going to eat. Adra, you should eat too! Or you'll stay that skinny forever.

[armorial]

[ There's no reply to what Adra says since she's rather understanding. Not everyone is comfortable!! In her case, she obviously has no troubles with this at all. It's not like she has any assets--might as well look at her like a premature man, to be honest. Neutral expression, the infamous saberface. ]

Breakfast is the most important meal of one's day. [ Agreeing with Bolin! She looks at Adra with her beady green eyes. They are filled with resolution, determination, unyielding conviction for breakfast. It's strange how she can have the same face, but can convey such emotion. ]

[hymnals]

What's wrong with being skinny--

[ Yikes. That's an intense stare from Saber--one that rivals his own. Green, even! Respect. Adra stops, frowning. ]

I really don't need much. I'll slice up a pear before I go out today; it's nothing to worry about.

[ He gestures at the table. ]

I don't cook for myself.