❧ 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

[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.

[wind_of_reason]

Oh, I see.
Fascinating... A fire demon? I wonder if that's like a fire spirit. Can you do fire magic because he's with you?

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie frowns, curious] No, I'm afraid not. You can get very strong magic by making a contract with a fire demon, but it's not very wise. What's a fire spirit like?

not very wise- lol poor Calcifer XD

[wind_of_reason]

Mmm. We never got to ask Clef much about it, but they are essentially spirits that help you work magic through the power of your belief. The wind spirit chose me, and I did end up making a contract of sorts which allowed me access to more power.
So perhaps they are not too different.

It's true!

[fortune_sought]

[she's surprised to hear that] Then...does that spirit have your heart, Fuu?

[wind_of_reason]

Have my heart? ... That is a good question. He asked for proof that my heart was worthy so I could don him.

[She closes her eyes a moment, turning her attention inward. In Tokyo she cannot hear Windam like she can in Cephiro. But where was he in her heart...]

I use magic based on the power of my belief and my heart. The spirit is part of my magic. So I suppose I could say the spirit has a part of my heart, yes.

[fortune_sought]

Oh... [Sophie frowns, trying to compare that to the magic she's used to] That doesn't sound quite the same, but...similar, I suppose.

In any case...you didn't happen to receive a message on your CAT, did you?

[wind_of_reason]

[Hoping that frown is not a bad thing...]

I'm afraid I did. And with it, all my memories of what happened to us. It seems rather surreal to be speaking to you from my home in Tokyo! [She shakes her head, a determined expression replacing her light smile.] I have no intention of being caught again, but if it happens, we will just escape again.

[fortune_sought]

[it's more that Sophie finds this confusing, considering Fuu doesn't look like she's missing her heart the way Howl used to be. but she lets it go for now--they have more important things to discuss]

Yes, that happened to me as well. [and she nods in agreement at Fuu's declaration] Yes, of course. We-

[but Sophie is cut off abruptly as a door slams open elsewhere in the room, and the CAT picks up the sound of a man shouting angrily and not at all politely. he's actually swearing in Welsh, but unfortunately, the CAT translates it for Fuu's benefit. and then abruptly he cries:] Calcifer!

[green flames flare up behind Sophie] I see it, too. About half a day away, and coming fast.

[Sophie's eyes widen, and she turns away from the CAT] What is it? [but after seeing the look on Howl's face, she turns back and hisses to Fuu:] I'm sorry. I'm afraid we'll have to talk later! [and as the Welshman starts to speak again behind her, she reaches out and shuts off the CAT]

[wind_of_reason]

Ah--

[And she's staring at a blank screen worriedly.
Something bad a half-day away? She hoped they'd be all right...]