citylogs | [open] welcome to the city

Entry tags:

[open] welcome to the city

WHO: Altria Caster (

excaliburden) & perhaps you!
WHAT: Help out a gal who just got here and is still getting used to magical city things like powdered sugar
WHERE: Across the city! Namely: a convenience store, park, subway, etc.......
WHEN: Early November
WARNINGS: N/A! Will update if necessary

a. local victorian orphan discovers convenience stores

[You're probably popping into the local convenience store for sensible reasons, like to buy a soda or to grab a few things you're missing for your dinner. Maybe for one of those hot dogs. No judgment.

Either way, you're getting interrupted by a gremlin in young woman form, who comes right up to you as soon as she makes eye contact, holding up... one of those small little packs of powdered sugar donuts.]

Have you ever tried one of these?

[She sounds awed.

There is powdered sugar around her mouth and on her fingers. She seems to have already eaten three of the five in the pack. It's a little bit like a religious experience, honestly.]

b. park break

[There's only so much walking around the city she can do before she gets tired. Even a few days in, it's still a pretty overwhelming place, and despite making many plans with many helpful people upon first arriving, she... has not acted on any of them.

So it is that even though it's either very early in the morning or very late at night, Altria can be found seated on one of the benches in the park, shoulders hunched and hands in her lap. She doesn't seem to be asleep, just... thinking very, very intently.

Of course, if she notices that someone's near, she'll immediately straighten, lifting a hand to wave--but with how deep in thought she is, it isn't hard to sneak up on her, either.]

c. subway

[Using the subway today to get across the city? That's a perfectly normal thing to do.

There's a young woman there as well, nose pressed to the window as she stares out as the train moves, even though it's, you know, underground and there's nothing to see. It's fine--she still seems amazed.

Also, if you hop back on the train a few hours later to go elsewhere, she's... still there. She might be leaning back in the seat, staring at the ceiling, or moving from seat to seat idly, or, in particularly empty times of day, sprawled along two seats at once.

Don't worry about it. Everything's fine here!]

d. wildcard

(Wanna tag in but these prompts don't work? Totally fine, hit me with whatever--or poke me over here to plot something out!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She smiles at him blankly for a few moments too long. A beat, two, and then slowly her gaze shifts from the crane to his face, and back again.

... What?]

... Huh?

You... made it for me?

[... Is he sure? Isn't it some sort of mistake? Why would anyone give anything to her, without knowing who she is, or what her role is, or anything. He has no reason to give her anything, and yet... there's a delicately folded bird in his palm, being offered ever-so-gently to her.]

[ He nods. There's no one else around. Who else could it go to? ]

Yes. It is my hope that you will give it a good home, one where it may stay warm with you.

[ One where both the crane and Altria can stay warm indoors.

His arm remains extended to her, paper bird nestled in his slightly-cupped hand. Has she never received a gift before? Fortunately, Yi Sang is patient. He glances down at the crane with a thoughtful expression. ]

Perhaps you may wish to give it a name?

[He's patient, which means that eventually, she accepts that he's not... faking it. He's just offering her this delicate little paper bird he made, and carefully, she reaches out to take it, holding it gently in her own palms so she can admire it.

... A good home? With her?]

I'll... do my best! [To keep it warm. To keep it safe.]

Thank you very much! It's so beautiful... I'll definitely treasure it!

[As for a name... she knows better than anyone just how precious names are. To faeries, they're synonymous with purpose. So if she thinks of it that way, this little guy's name should be...]

Um... I'm not good with names, but maybe... Gareth? [Her first gift, and her first knight.]

Mm, I am wholly reassured that you will keep it safe.

[ The way Altria holds it like a priceless item already tells him she'll take good care of it. It is but a small token, one that hardly required any effort on Yi Sang's part. Nevertheless, he's well aware that the value of a gift is ultimately in the eyes of the recipient. ]

Gareth?

[ It sounds like an oddly specific name; it must be meaningful to her. So he nods, satisfied with her decision. Now that she has bestowed the bird a name, it is an item that is truly her own. ]

An unfamiliar name to me, but it is nevertheless suitable.

[It's nice of him to accept the name without pressing, just as it was so kind of him to offer the gift for nothing at all. A gift without strings attached. Kindness without ulterior motives.

He truly is a gentle human being.

She keeps the crane tucked close to her chest, cradled in her palm while still being ever-so-cautious to not squish it with her fingers.]

It's a very nice name, right? Really warm and brave, like a good friend.

[She'll leave it at that, lest she think too hard about things back home, and delve into things she's not ready to face.]

... You said you have "colleagues" here, right? What are they like?

[ His smile remains, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "A good friend," Altria says. A companion. Someone had called him that in the past, though its delivery was steeped in venom, held over his head. It invokes the taste of medicine, bitter as it melts against his tongue.

...he supposes, lately, "colleague" has felt more akin to the original definition for "companion." ]

Indeed, I discovered a handful of them. One of them has an admirable sense of justice, unable to ignore the plight of those in need. A crusader for those who do not possess the strength or courage to take up their own arms, be it in the literal sense or with her infectious enthusiasm.

[ ...which lands her in trouble from time to time, but that's neither here nor there. ]

I have learned from her that we do not need to concern ourselves with food and supplies. It appears everything required is provided by the City itself.

[Her eyes on him are thoughtful, if only because the expression on his face is oh-so-familiar to her. Pointing it out, though, would be rude, especially when she knows she is always hoping nobody points it out in her.

His friends--rather, the colleague he describes--she also sounds a lot like Gareth. Is it a coincidence? Can it possibly be?

... Well, if it is, it makes Altria happy to know that there are others like her in a world, even if a completely different one from her own.]

She sounds like a wonderful fr--I mean, colleague! [Close enough!]

I've heard about that too... [Still, when she thinks about it...] Doesn't that mean that if it stops providing, though, you'll be in trouble?

[ Words like "knightly" and "chivalrous" certainly describe that particular colleague, Don Quixote. In fact, she would be thrilled to learn that Yi Sang considers her as such.

He nods, considering the rest of them. ]

Another... It seems he is uncertain of the world around him, just as a newly-hatched chick must learn to beat its wings. But he is quite capable, and I am certain his full wingspan will be quite grand.

[ Sinclair, so unsure of himself, but ever reliable at the end of the day.

And still, there is Hong Lu, who seems to sense Yi Sang's thoughts even before he's pieces them together himself. He's always near, as though the other man were a celestial body hovering within Yi Sang's gravitational field. ]

My final colleague, he... is an enigma at times, but possesses a kind heart.

[ That's close enough, he thinks.

He falls silent again upon hearing Altria's question. Indeed, he supposes they'd be in quite the dilemma if those supplies ever stopped. So he nods again, though without any traces of concern. ]

I suppose so, yes.

[ That would be pretty bad. Alas. ]

I am certain this City's residents' resourcefulness would discern an adequate solution.

... I think so too!

[It's nice to hear such confidence in the others, honestly. They could all find a way together. And Altria doesn't have to eat, so she can easily give her portion to Yi Sang too...! She makes a note of that, before focusing on the things he said about his colleagues.

A newly-hatched chick with great potential... and an enigma with a kind heart. She hopes she can meet them all, in time... and she wonders what they would say to describe Yi Sang.]

Anyway, your colleagues all sound really great. I'm relieved they're here with you, so you aren't alone.

[She's heard allusions to how this place can be terrible sometimes, but... isn't that still best handled as a group, with comrades?]

You have a lovely way of speaking about them. It feels like... you really understand them!

[ He blinks a bit owlishly at Altria. That's... true, he supposes. It's a bit of a strange feeling, remembering that there are those who can offer a small nudge at his back to push him forward, or to catch him with outstretched arms if something knocks him over.

Hm. Perhaps these people were not merely colleagues, but that's a thought for another day. ]

...I have much to learn of them, but it is not such a terrible thing to seek connection with others.

[ He nods a bit. ]

It is something I must continuously remind myself.

[ But then he frowns as a troubling thought brews. ]

...are you alone here, Altria?

[For all of their thoughtful conversation thus far, her response comes immediately, chipper and easy.]

I'm not alone! You're here with me right now.

[... And that's better than any other situation, she thinks. There are other people here, and they're kind.

What more could she ask for?

It would surely be selfish to expect anything more than that.]

[ It's such a simple response that catches Yi Sang off guard. That's... not quite what he'd meant, but it is true. The frown on his face had been replaced with a pair of arched brows, but now it shifts into a warm smile. ]

Indeed. I suppose we are both here with one another, for the time being.

[ But eventually, they would go their separate ways, wouldn't they? So Yi Sang looks over to his company with a very serious expression now. ]

Should you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to call upon me.

[ That's what ~~friends~~ colleagues are for, isn't it? ]

[Call on him if she needs any assistance...? So he's kind and giving... openly so, warmly so.]

... Okay! Thank you... I'll remember.

[Just as she'll keep the gift he's given her safe.]

And--you can call on me too, if you ever need anything. I know you have other people here too, but...

... Ah, I mean... you have other people here, so... I suppose you already have people to call upon for things like that...

[Well. She started strong, but she lost steam part of the way there.]

[ He doesn't quite understand the issue. He may have others to call upon, but there's no reason why he shouldn't be able to add another. ]

I do not see why that should prevent me from adding another person to that circle.

[ Yi Sang is very serious about this. In fact, he's so serious that he's reaching into his pocket, withdrawing his notebook again. He fishes a pen out of that pocket as well, opening the notebook to a new page. ]

Will you share with me the items that you enjoy? I endeavor to maintain an inventory of all that is of interest to my --

[ He pauses. "Colleagues" doesn't... feel quite right anymore. It doesn't quite strike the proper nuance he seeks. In that case -- ]

My... companions. Of which you may be one of them, if you so desire.

[ ...yes, he supposes that would be the correct term after all. ]

[...? The way that he just tugs out a notebook immediately has her peering over immediately, curious despite her mild embarrassment.

Things she enjoys...?]

Oh...! Well.

[His... "companions", huh? So... she could be a companion of his. And... someone he could rely on. Even though he has friends from home. That's... a nice thought, really.]

I like chocolate! And... spending time with my companions. And lots of other things that I haven't experienced yet, I think.

[...]

Oh, but I do want to be one of your companions. If you're okay with that, then... I'm glad! ... Can I ask what you enjoy too, then?

[ It's an unnoteworthy thing, bound in aged leather and paper softened from time. But Yi Sang keeps it close, jotting down a list of everyone's favorite items ever since he'd learned the company did not maintain such information. By maintaining that list, he would know how to best lift people's spirits when conflict arose, when sparks began to fly amongst everyone --

He's not sure whether he could piece himself back together if that ever happened again.

So he nods, writing down Altria's name. Underneath, he adds "chocolate" and "spending time with one's companions." He leaves plenty of room underneath those two lines, prepared to add more to Altria's list as time wears on.

His penmanship is neat, though he's prone to leave serifs hanging onto the edge of each letter.

Yi Sang shifts his attention from the paper to Altria. What does he enjoy...? ]

I...

[ It doesn't take much. So long as he's able to make those around him smile, to lift the burdens on their shoulders, that's plenty for him. It's more than enough. But Altria's question, he thinks, deserves a concrete answer. He tilts his head up to the darkening sky where the brightest stars cut through the lamplight over the pair. ]

I enjoy seeing the stars. The open sky was difficult for me to view in the past, so I never tire of witnessing them now.

[ Back then, the smog of smokestacks cast a thick shroud over the night sky. ]

[... Ah. Now there's something familiar. The stars, huh...? She tilts her head up as well, staring up at the sky and the brightest of the stars.

They're not the star she's familiar with and has been searching for, and in a way, it makes her feel bereft.

But... they are beautiful nonetheless.

And she thinks it says a great deal about him that something so simple and yet precious is what Yi Sang thinks of, when he has to come up with something he likes.]

They're really beautiful, aren't they?

[...]

Can I ask why you couldn't see them before? [Surely, it was a different reason from why she couldn't always see them.]

They are.

[ Had he never run into any of his other companions in this City, those stars would make him feel less alone. Even if it's not the same night sky that he's used to, the fact that this place has stars is comforting. ]

The District where I had once lived in was filled with factories. They were... highly productive. The facility managers frequently pushed their production loads to the maximum limit.

[ Those factories were never meant to work at such volumes. He'd done his best to design them as efficiently as possible in order to reduce work strain on the employees, but that had ended up as a justification for squeezing out more results. ]

...those factories would fill the sky with smoke, obscuring it from sight. There... were days when even the moon was not visible to us.

[ And he had played a hand in that.

...he had played a hand in many things. His heart sinks a bit at those memories. ]

[... Oh. She sees. A little like Norwich, then; factory-driven, production driven, when those who can work and produce can make a fortune, and those who can't are trampled beneath.

So much production as to choke out the stars... she can't even imagine.

What she can read, ever-so-easily, is the guilt on him. It's... a shame, she thinks, that he feels responsible for a position he was put in, for a world that follows laws that are not always so easily broken.]

... I'm sorry that you had to go through that. But I'm glad... that the stars are here for you now, even if they're different stars from back home.

I think... knowing that they're always there and can always be relied on is really comforting, you know?

[ Perhaps someday Altria would understand the extent of damage that Yi Sang's hands have caused. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Too many lives had been shattered by those who'd corrupted his work. To create things out of the desire to ease others' sufferings and to bring them joy, only to have those same items repurposed for destruction --

But right now, that is neither here nor there. Yi Sang offers Altria a sheepish look. They may have agreed to share in one another's company, but they'd only spent so long speaking with one another. Yet, here is Altria, offering her reassurances.

Again, he gazes up at the stars. They are here now. Perhaps that's what truly matters. ]

...the knowledge that they remain unchanging -- there is a certain comfort in that.

[ And then it returns to Altria, the sadness in his eyes traded away for curiosity. This girl looks to be no more than sixteen, and yet, she speaks with wisdom far beyond those years. ]

[There is. He's right about that. Her star--the star she's been following all this time--doesn't exist here. She's never felt so far away from it, and the regret gnaws at her. When she gets back, she'll finish up her task and still never truly have discovered what that star was.

... And she certainly won't find out in a place like this.

That's okay, though. Times like these, it's most important that she keeps smiling. This man has seen so much and been through so much. She doesn't know how much, exactly, but she knows he's carrying it like a burden he can't cast off.

And so...]

[... She smiles.]

Maybe we can find constellations! Even if they're not familiar stars to us, if we find constellations that keep showing up every night, then that'll be familiar in time.

And we can tell everyone else about them, too.

[ They can... find constellations? Again, Yi Sang's gaze drifts upwards to the sky. ]

Then we shall need to meet here for several nights, taking note of the shapes upon each eve's canvas.

[ He's never tried looking for new constellations before. It's an intriguing idea, and they have all the necessary tools at their disposal: their own eyes, a pen, and some paper to draw out each shape they spot in the sky.

Maybe sharing their findings would help the others feel less alone too. ]

... Oh. Is it that much work?

[Someone did not think this suggestion through before tossing it out there.... oh well! It's probably fine. He seems to know what he's doing, so they've got this covered.]

Well, that's fine. Let's meet here tomorrow night, then!

We would have to survey the skies over a period of time, as some stars may not appear consistently.

[ Fortunately, he's not fussed about the inevitable process. Engaging in a project or two will keep his mind busy in a good way.

Yi Sang nods. ]

Yes, I shall be here tomorrow night.

[ He flips his notebook to a fresh page, pen hovering just above the paper. ]

Can you see any specific shapes in the sky? Tomorrow, we shall see whether they reappear.

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picks castoria up in my hands. nothing bad is allows to happen to you ever

i'm sure her future is going to be filled with only sunshine and puppies, definitely

IM SO SCARED FOR HER... also feel free to go wild with her lie detector btw

bless I WILL NOTE THIS DOWN. he's so sweet tho help

it helps because he doesn't say half the things on his mind + no Castoria is sweeter actually

castoria just cataloguing all of the things yi sang never says... like "is this guy okay"

it's ok he used to be worse

hm,,,, even more concern

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