❧ Off-Season 2

[luministimods]

[For a long time now, he has remained silent, moving quietly from place to place, and observing. Always observing. He is the one who watches the watchers and knows, somehow, when things do not go the way he wishes them to. And he has gotten angry many times in the past, oh yes, but has yet to raise his voice even once. He doesn't need to. His associates' guilt and fear of him has kept them in check for a long time, but after too many disappointments and loss, he has no choice but to do everything himself. As he should have done from the beginning.]

[His presence, however, has not gone unnoticed. The other has been careful to mask its own presence, but has been hasty in past months. Then again, who else could break what he has created? This added difficulty has made him cautious and slow to make repairs, but now...he's almost ready. A test is what he needs now. He smiles, awaiting their reactions, and using a system he helped create, he sends two lines of text to those whose lives he can still touch, even from afar...]

[So, no matter where you are or what you are doing, a familiar device will chime. Perhaps you didn't even know you had such a thing on you, but for some reason, kept it on you at all times. Or you might be one of the lucky few to retain ready access to your memories in exchange for not being able to return home yet. Nevertheless, everyone with a CAT receives the same message at the same instant across the various worlds and universes:]

Soon, you will be returned to me. You will not escape again.

[The text remains on the CAT's screen before it saves itself to the device's text directory and replaces the top screen with the Town of Luministi directory, a list of familiar names and pictures suddenly displayed before you. What will you do now?]


❧ Plot Details: Off-Season 2

And so, we meet...well, perhaps some of you know who this might be, or might have an inkling--or might have no clue at all. You will be seeing more of him in the future and in the proper season, so think of this as his way of saying, "Hello!" Which is fitting since we're saying "hello" to Dreamwidth!Luministi! I hope everyone is settling in okay. It's gonna feel a bit weird for a bit, but hopefully, things will feel right again soon~ (And if anyone needs help with things like layouts and stuff, I can see what I can dig up.)

But like the cut text said, this is open to all game members. Anyone who is still on the taken list can participate. Those who weren't active in the end, we'll say you went home at the end and kept the CAT (more end-game information from the second season can be found here.) Also, I...was a silly thing and through weird and stupid circumstances, managed to make the previous Off-Season entry disappear from the listing, BUT! It still exists! Just...not in the normal list for some really weird reason. It can be found here, and lays out Nathan's plans and what the others will be doing. (And provides a snapshot of the universe surrounding the Luministi Labs.) Hopefully my mistake can be fixed...

Anyway, in this open post, most of you won't be able to do in-person threads with each other (unless you're in the two teams doing off-world stuff), but the video, audio, and text functions all work perfectly, so you can communicate with anyone and ask what the hell is going on, etc.

Oh...and two more things. For those who went home, as of now, you have full access to your memories of Luministi at any time, dreaming or awake. How your character deals with the sudden set of memories (or confirmation that hey, those dreams were a little too vivid) is up to you. Also, the CATs will only be able to connect for a "day" to those in other worlds--but don't think this entry is only open for a literal day; I only mean ICly, in-game terms.

Let's see what else... Oh, keep an eye on the OOC comm for more updates regarding things I will need from you all to update the mod journal (I still have quite a bit of work to do updating all links/coding and such), as well as the dates of the open 4th wall event in March. I haven't quite settled on one yet, but I expect it'll be at least a month before I open apps/reserves in April.

In the meantime, have fun! And if you have any questions, you know how to reach me~ ♥

Comments

[video]

[fortune_sought]

[in the video image, Sophie is eyeing the CAT. and she's holding it just far enough away for it to be clear that she's very pregnant at this point]

Oh my goodness! I didn't even realise... [she trails off, shaking her head. then she pulls the CAT closer to her face, squinting at it suspiciously] Hello? Is anyone else there?

[video]

[painlessfighter]

Sophie!

[He's waving, and smiling a bit. ♥]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie's eyes widen, startled] Natsuo! But what are you doing there? [she tilts her head, trying to see behind him] You aren't back in Luministi, are you?

[painlessfighter]

[He shakes his head.]

Mm-mm. I'm home! Where are you? [He leeeans closer to his own CAT, trying to see where she is.] Is that your home?

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie sighs in relief and nods, pulling back from the CAT] That's good to hear. And yes, I am.

[even Natsuo probably can't see any more than a clean floor and a bit of a hearth, a crackly voice calls from behind Sophie:] Who are you talking to?

[hastily] Not now, Calcifer!

[painlessfighter]

It looks small. As far as I can tell.

[His ears perk up a bit at the sound of someone else's voice.]

Neeeeh, who's Calcifer?

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie frowns at him] Now that's a very rude thing to say about one's home!

He's our fire demon. [she glances behind her, probably giving Calcifer a firm look because he doesn't say anything else--yet]

[video]

[bonnypiperlad]

Look, I'm telling ye, I've not ever done anything like that with him. And I've no intentions of doing so now. Good night!
[Jamie shuts the door behind him, running his hand over his face.]

Och, I don't know why I bother. It's not as though... [He blinks, realising a bit belatedly that the CAT's switched on - and a familiar face is squinting into it. His own breaks out into a wide smile.]

Sophie!!!!

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie smiles right back, quite as surprised] Oh my! Jamie! Is that really you? But...you stayed didn't you?

[bonnypiperlad]

Aye, I have. Xion and I are with the Doctor at the moment.

[Not in the same room, though, apparently, as Jamie seems to be alone. He peers into the CAT, trying to get a good look at Sophie's surroundings. Surely they've not taken her back to the town, have they?] Hey, where are ye, anyway?

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie is in the main room of the castle--small but clean, although Jamie will mainly just be able to see the floor and a bit of the hearth behind her] How strange... I'm at home, Jamie. And I've no idea how the CAT is here with me!

[a crackly voice from behind her sounds curious--and a little annoyed at Sophie's lack of explanation] Where are all those voices coming from?

[bonnypiperlad]

Ye remember me, too. [Which he didn't think was supposed to happen, and he's about to ask more, but that crackly voice distracts him.]

Who's that behind ye?

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie nods, her expression serious] Just now, all of a sudden. Perhaps it's because of the CAT...

[she glances behind her] Hush, Calcifer. I'll explain later. [turning back to Jamie:] That's just Calcifer--our fire demon.

[video]

[desertdaggers]

…Sophie! [smiling, best not to worry her at this stage] Seems we're all meeting up again, somewhat.

[fortune_sought]

Mr Hawk! [Sophie smiles back] So it seems. I hope you're well?

[desertdaggers]

I've had better days, really. But some sleep should help! [get you prepped up for the next big fight]

[fortune_sought]

[she frowns] I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm afraid we've all had better days, if that message is anything to judge by... Did you receive it, too?

[desertdaggers]

That we'd be 'returned'? Yes. [he purses his lips] I don't like it at all… but maybe we'll manage to get to the bottom of all of it this time.

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie sighs, not looking particularly inclined to] Then you think it's true--that we'll be brought back there.

Re: [video]

[wind_of_reason]

I am here, Miss Sophie!
How are you? That is, it looks like you'll be a mother really soon-!

[fortune_sought]

Oh my goodness, Fuu! Is that really you?

[but she can't help a smile at that question] Yes, I will be. And I'm quite well. But what about you? Are you at home as well?

[wind_of_reason]

[Miss Sophie a mother. Amazing~]

I'm so glad to hear you are well! I am home, which makes this conversation all the stranger, but things are going fine here also, thank you!

[fortune_sought]

I'm glad to hear that! But I have to admit, I'd rather not be having this conversation at all. Did you receive a message, too?

[a crackly voice is whining behind Sophie] Sophiiiie, when are you going to tell me who you're talking to?

[wind_of_reason]

I did- ...I'm sorry, is that Mister Howl?

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie turns behind her] Later, Calcifer! [to Fuu:] Hm? Oh, goodness, no. That's our fire demon, Calcifer. Howl's in the yard, working on a spell for the king.