pawnstorm | intro ♚ september

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intro ♚ september

WELCOME TO Grantebrycge

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 ♟ Video Killed The Radio Star

Rise and shine, Heroes. It seems that today is filled with good fortune as the morning is very uneventful, aside from the monthly arrival of new comrades. This is the perfect time to grab your weapon, Carrier and uniform and use your time to look around Caissa. While exploring or catching up on the latest gossip, you might blow past the delivery carriages outside of the Hall of Glory, but you certainly won’t be missing the steampunk televisions and vending machines which will be set up around noon time by your lovely maids and butlers! The TVs are placed in every single bedroom as well as leisure rooms so you can enjoy your daily fix of popular cooking show Inferno Kitchen, primetime Cheoksan drama Summer Cantata or the Gammonian hit series Sport of Crowns! The vending machines can be found in the hallways and contain snacks and drinks such as canned mackin’ cheese (or as Noirs like to call it, Lovekraft Supper), Pooky, Cpt. Pepperoni, Mountin' Do, or Eight Up. You are free to come up with your own TV show or vending machine food items.

Thierry Toussaint
My dearest Heroes! I hope today finds you well, and for once I bring good news! [ he laughs a little sheepishly. he’s dressed less formally than in previous somber declarations and his hair looks windblown, like he ran here ] As you well know, our recent victories and mostly importantly, a successful alliance with Gammon has brought no small amount of blessings: we have more resources, better manpower, and the invaluable help of our Gammonian colleagues not just in war, but also in advancing our civilization!

And so it is my pleasure to unveil our new and improved broadcast technology— [ a pause, where he winks ] —do I look clearer to you? It’s a little harder to tell from this end, I’m afraid. You’ll be able to receive better, brighter and more varied content from our country’s talented producers. Oh…

[ another, longer pause. teddy looks offscreen and then laughs ]

I’m not getting paid for this, I promise. I don’t need any other motivation to be excited for my country, do I? In addition to the television programs, we will be helping with the release of newly developed vending machine technology that brings fresh and healthy snacks to the streets of our capital, and hopefully, beyond. It would be nice to have one for my office.

I’ve mentioned our Gammonian friends, haven’t I? And I’ve saved the best for last: as a token of the friendship between our countries and all that we can do for each other, Gammon has assisted us in completing Platform 40— … 42 and 5/8ths, an instantaneous portal between our very own Caissa and Cochrane. I look forward to even more cultural and commercial exchange from all the way across the Rokirovka Ocean!

And ah, speaking of exchange—the Platform has been completed just in time for you, dear Heroes. Gammon has actually extended another invitation to you: as national and international icons and users of magic, they would like you to visit their school of magecraft, Pigeonsblood, in Grant— Grant… [ … ] You will be able to reach the school easily through the Platform!

Pigeonsblood’s Headmaster has assured me that you would be a great inspiration to their incoming class of aspiring mages; I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity. Gammon’s knowledge and mastery of magic, as you may have seen during your previous visits, is nothing to take lightly! And if you like what you see, I’m told Gammon would be happy to sponsor classes for Heroes at the school. I’m sure they want to keep the inspiration flowing, hm?

Thank you once again, all of you, for making such wonderful things possible. I’m sure your achievements will continue to open doors, both metaphorically and literally, for Blanc and for yourselves.

Meet up with your chums, old and new, and head over to Caissa’s train station. Once there, locating the Platform 42 and 5/8ths is an easy feat. There are two guards standing watch and they will stop curious civilians from sneaking past them. They will only let Heroes use the Platform and as such require proof of identification. A Hero’s uniform, rank badge or a passport identifying yourself as such should do the trick. As the platform functions as one of Gammon’s checkpoints, you will need to pay a small fee of 200 colle to pass. Should you be a new arrival, the Prime Minister will suddenly show up and pay the fee.

Where’s the portal, you might ask? Take a deep breath, walk through the wall between the guards and you’ll find yourself in Cochrane! Heroes might experience some sudden vertigo or a near insatiable hunger for pork. Very minor side effects vary from person to person.

In order to reach Grantebrycge, Heroes must travel from Cochrane to Friedgood and then a little ways further. They are free to make this journey by foot, mount or train. Directions to Grantebrycge are vague but you can’t miss the landmark of the Great Face Cliff, a monument depicting the faces of the towns’s founding members. Poobin and Cemron seem especially stern as they glare down at anyone who dares to visit.

TWO ♟ Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

Upon entering Grantebrycge, Heroes will be immediately be ambushed by swarms of eager students from Pigeonsblood’s welcoming committee. This committee consists of upperclassmen from each of the Four Branches - Achroite, Prehnite, Bixbite, and Citrine, and they are dressed in uniforms in their Branch color (pictured here in the Bixbite red). Officially, they’re here to help you learn more about Pigeonsblood, give you a tour of the campus, and show you what each Branch can offer you so that you can make an educated decision about which to enroll in. Unofficially, they’re there to try to talk you into enrolling into their particular Branch and some will ramble on about how their Branch is the best while others fight amongst each other to try to get your attention.

Once the tour is finished, the committee will lead Heroes to the administration building. There, they’ll part with you to attend to other duties, leaving you with a reminder to head to the center plaza in an hour for the freshman orientation party. Heroes can enroll in classes if they so choose and have made a decision as to which Branch is the best for them. It’s recommended as it’s free, courtesy of Gammon. If they enroll in classes, they will receive their class schedule, a permit for a uniform, and a key to their dorm room. Head to the university shops later to have them take your measurements!

NOTE: The rooming and class schedule are up to player discretion. If there is an official mission the professors will allow an absence - Heroes can’t save the world if they’re worrying about their GPA, after all!

For those who choose to not enroll in Pigeonsblood, they can explore the campus some more, but either way make sure to head down to the central plaza before the party!

THREE ♟ The Part Where They Rope You in with Free Food

Stepping into the center plaza puts you in the middle of excited back-to-school buzz. Several event booths line the plaza, all eager to get your attention. Some will try to recruit you to their school club. Others are simply there to provide information, such as maps of the school and information about the Four Branches. Still others get even more specific, headed by banners marked “THE TOTAL IDIOT'S GUIDE TO A SUCCESSFUL ACADEMY LIFE” and “GUIDE TO HAPPINESS: HOW TO NOT DIE DURING EXAMS”. A few generous booths will provide you with free food like “Splotted Richard” or “Bangers and Mash” to fill your tummy, as well as school merchandise, such as Branch-specific pens, face paint, flyswatters, and other bits of merchandise.

If those don't get your attention, the freshmen running your way definitely will. They're beyond excited to see a Hero among their ranks, and approach you eagerly, yelling things such as, “Did you enroll? Let's do our best together!”, “You're my inspiration! I hope we're classmates!” and “Please let me know if you need a tutor! I wouldn't mind…” Thankfully, their enthusiasm is brought to a stop by the welcoming committee, who make their way to the center plaza and hush the excited freshmen. After a heartwarming speech about youth and school spirit, the committee flashes their new classmates a bright smile and finishes with: “And now, it's time for some fun!”

What do they mean by fun? The freshmen are more than eager to demonstrate! Aside from the fun offered at the various booths, there are many magic games to partake in. There's “Splash Tag,” where players must use water magic in lieu of touch to play tag, “Air Races,” in which racers use psionic, gravity, or wind magic to boost their movement, “Hot Potato,” in which the temperature of the potato is increased with each pass until it explodes on the loser, and Illusion-based Pictionary.

A few steps away from the commotion, near where the welcoming committee made their speech, is a tall bulletin board. Various flyers are posted here-- club announcements, dating ads, tutoring offers, and of course, Pigeonsblood help wanted ads.

INFO ♟ Welcome!

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

Remember to check out the uniform contest for ranked Heroes!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[His head tilts, gaze drawn to her profile.]

Too much pressure- to return it? [Ah, but that's not right, because, she just said she's fine caring for other people.]

What part of it makes you anxious?

Edited 2016-09-23 08:13 (UTC)

[She sighs. Sometimes, it's difficult for her to find the words for it. Her expression is blank, maybe purposefully so.]

I'm not used to kindness. It's always supposed to be conditional. Kindness, because I'm pretty, because I can do something for them-offer information, do something they can't.

And now I'm expected to just...accept it.

[It sounds like a very lonely way to live, but he also remembers that she'd told him once that she couldn't be happy. Is it still selfish that it makes his heart ache to remember?]

Does that mean your kindness is conditional too?

[It's just very...sad.]

I think too much. So perhaps...yes. It is. I don't have anything kind to offer.

Not even advice, money and time?

[His gait sways, brings them near enough to one another that he bumps her affectionately with the side of his arm.]

'Cause I don't know if you know this, but people consider that pretty kind.

[She looks up at him, startled, before shaking her head. If she was another woman, she might have blushed but...thankfully for them both, she didn't.]

I...

[She glances at him, and away, before opening the door to her dorm and walking inside.]

Perhaps it is.

[He's beaming when he follows her on in, but not in a way that screams I told you so, or even one that hints at smugness. He's just happy, and it doesn't spill out of him in a small way.]

Man. I was wondering how you were doing'attebayo.

It's been a long time huh?

[He's like a ball of sunshine. And that light is almost too bright. With a nose wrinkle, she moves to dump her share of the snacks on the shared table.]

You can dump the food wherever you like. Shinn won't mind [Since she'll make sure he's fed or something] and the other beds are unused.

[Mostly, since Potemkin and Sion have moved out.]

But you're right, it's been a long time. Since the hot springs were discovered. That was...two months ago?

[It reminds him of his own lodging, the empty beds. In that way it's strange to think that people really do come and go. That some of the people he's met here have already gone home.

Naruto settles for dumping his horde on the shared table as well, gaze moving around the room in an instinctive look for signs of personality, traces of the occupants.] Ehh was that two months? I can't decide if that feels like forever ago or not.

-And I didn't know you roomed with Shinn. I just went through a dungeon with that guy a little while ago!

[Thankfully, her empty beds are just people who moved out to get their own homes. Caren's part of the dorm was neat, with neat arrangements of tea boxes, books, and a half empty bag with cat ears on it. As if she was in the midst of taking things in and out or cleaning it.]

It might be closer to three.

[She's not sure about forever but...it has been a long, long few months. Though the mention of Shinn had her shrug.]

I met him when he woke up, after the naval battle. How was it? Being in a dungeon with him.

[Either really well or terrible, she could see. No other way.]

[Ah... she's nailed it in one.

It hadn't been a bad run through that dungeon. They'd gotten through the fights mostly okay, even if some parts had been a little weird- but they never managed to do anything without antagonizing one another.

Naruto's arms fold over his chest, a defensive frown as he grumbles out:]

He got weird about holding my hand'attebayo.

Weird about holding your hand...?

[Shinn...what did you do.

Also Naruto what did you do. Okay, she's going to grab a drink from the junk pile, she has a feeling she's going to need this.]

That's not even the weirdest thing anybody's done for mana I dunno why he had to be a jerk about it.

[If it's not the weirdest thing... then why is Naruto looking so embarrassed over it? Boys are mysterious.]

[She eyes him. Yup, she needs this drink.]

Something else happened with the hand holding, didn't it? How did it get weird?

[Because Shinn might have made it weird, or Naruto or both of them. She doesn't know what dungeon could have possibly made things worse. But she's looking forward to the story.]

It was just a mana exchange!

[That's more or less true. Naruto has certainly seen stranger exchanges, and has been part of them himself, which is why his face and ears are coloring so spectacularly. But he doesn't know Shinn very well. The first time they'd met all they did was argue, and this second time wasn't very different. Maybe it's the collision of one shounen hero crashing into another.]

Is he weird around you too? Ano... maybe it's just me...

[Without anything else to do with his hands, Naruto rifles slowly through the pile of snacks on the table.]

[Mmhmm, yup, just mana exchange. She eyes him, especially as he starts growing red. Naruto...do you not get along well with other shounens, or do you need to kiss and punch them first?

But that question makes her think, and she opens the top of her drink before taking in a sip.]

I don't have the same basis as you do; the way that most people treat me here is rather strange.

[Affection is weird. Naruto is not exempt from that.]

But I bully him and he enjoys it, in his own way.

[It's hard to describe, but talking to Caren when she isn't teasing him is actually pretty comfortable. She has a kind of honesty that makes it easy for him to settle into, she says what she thinks without side stepping his feelings. That isn't a quality Naruto would have noticed a year ago, but as time had passed and the situation at home became more dire, he became more and more aware of it- when his friends would keep something from him, trying to protect him.

Naruto opens a bag of Cream Between and starts shoving a cookie into his mouth without pausing to consider it first. He talks around it, cheek bulging on one side.]

What'd'chu mean they treat you strange?

[When she isn't trying to step on people's feelings or make them squirm, she's not terrible. Just quiet. But, she's noticed that Naruto, for all that he seems like a loud personality-and he is, she has no doubts about that-but he's more thoughtful then most people would realize.

She takes a sip of her soda, makes a face, but takes another. She's not going to waste it, even if it tastes weird.]

With...far more consideration then I'm used to. With kindness. I can take in account for some who are like that to everyone but...

Not all of them. It's strange, to be suddenly treated with so much respect, just because you're supposedly like them.

[The cookie tastes like... actually he's not sure what it tastes like, which is effectively translated by Naruto's sudden interest in the bag he's fishing them out of. The label doesn't tell him anything. He's still chewing. This might not actually stop him.]

You don't think you're like anybody else?

Why not?

[Processed sugar? Bet it tastes like processed sugar. She takes a slow sip, and considers what to say.]

You mean other than the general lack of empathy?

[...he's going to eat the whole thing isn't he. Someone isn't gonna sleep tonight.]

But you've got empathy.

[Naruto says this as if he's confused, at to be fair he is a little bit- but to the outside observer it's anyone's guess what he's confused by. It wouldn't be the first time that Naruto was over-simplified.

The cookies are offered between them.]

Maybe it's a little different, but you've still got it.

[She takes a cookie to nibble on, but she's frowning. But not about the taste.]

A different empathy? I doubt it.

[Naruto might enlighten her though. Who knows.]

[It really isn't about what he thinks, in the end, because whatever happens here they'll end up parting ways eventually.

There are times that talking to Caren reminds him of a person he'd met when he was much younger. Haku had also been kind, even if he'd wanted to be the opposite, even when he'd said that he would empty himself of emotions. He reaches for one of the cans on the table, the label flashy and bright.]

Caren? What do you live for?

My role.

[She answers automatically, before frowning over her cookie. Yeah she needs more of that drink to wash it down. Too bad it's not booze, but then again, she's a tank. She doesn't get drunk easily.]

I take the sacrifices onto myself so others don't have to. That's the only reason why I exist. I take on pain and suffering so it may end for others.

[Or...that's her role as a rook, her role as exorcist.

....but is it her anymore? She doesn't know if that's why she lives.]

[Naruto's head bows, the thoughtful cast of his eyes turned towards his feet and hands resting loosely in his lap. It does make him sad, but it's also- he can't make those decisions for her. If Caren finds happiness then it needs to be her own kind and her own choosing.]

Is it still that way here? Did you decide that for yourself?

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