Wanderer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
featheradrift) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
citylogs2023-12-02 10:40 pm
featheradrift) wrote in citylogs2023-12-02 10:40 pm
OPEN + catch-all for December
WHO: (featheradrift) & You!
WHAT: Open post & Catch all
WHERE: Various locations
WHEN: All of December (but the prompts happen early Dec)
WARNINGS: Mentions of child death in the exhibit prompt
i. the city's machinations
[ Understanding the city, the experiments and their kidnappers has always been at the forefront of the Wanderer's priorities. He's spent all of his free time exploring the entire city, trying to find information where he can. There's both so much and so little to cover—though the overall size of the city is smaller than Sumeru, it is far, far more packed with shops, facilities and apartments. Buildings extended into the sky, standing by their lonesome, but clustered together in groups. It's dizzying to look up and see the sky boxed in by the drab buildings. It's nothing like Sumeru at all.
But he knows patience, and he knows thoroughness. He was once a schemer in the shadows, and it's that part of him, the Balladeer, that demands to know all. Then there's the nameless drifter. That part of him is calmed by the purpose, of having a direction, instead of drifting aimlessly. So he diligently explores every nook and cranny, every shop and restaurant, trying to understand the scope of resources everyone was working with, and trying to familiarize himself with the city's strange architecture. He notes specialty stores unique places, stores with goods that are rare, anything that might be useful in the future, whether for his interactions with other inhabitants of the city, or to combat their kidnappers.
It's only once he has a solid understanding of the city as a whole that he decides to finally tackle the unique structures within the city. The buildings where experiments had taken place in the past. He's experienced the draw of the art installation, and the way it twists and turns and traps people, and he isn't keen to walk into such places unprepared. But now, he's prepared to handle anything that may come at him, so it's with only a small amount of trepidation that he steps into the Science Discovery Center.
Almost immediately, he ends up wandering into the office space of the Discovery Center, which is rife with documents and information about the building's day-to-day operations, but nothing particularly special. Not until he gets to the director's office, and his curiosity is piqued by how spotless it is.
Anyone will be able to walk in on the Wanderer making a mess of the office, pulling out files and trying to understand what he can of its contents. ]
ii. the past is a canvas for the future
[ Eventually, his investigation takes him to the museum, which closely reminds him of the art installation in its choice of exhibitions and display of items. But he's confirmed that the building hasn't twisted to prevent him from leaving, and it seems that it is otherwise benign, which he supposes is a blessing, if gods could even bless this city.
But it's a thought he has far too soon, as he walks into left wing of the museum, and he's immediately hit with his past all at once. Not every item on display was related to him, but... it's unmistakable, the ones that are. How could he not know his own past, one that he had forgotten and then painstakingly recovered and made his own once more, because it could not be erased, his sins. They would forever exist in the history of Teyvat, no matter how he tries to reverse them.
Anyone who steps into the exhibit will notice the Wanderer lingering in front of one of several displays, eyes distant, and even melancholic as he stares at the art piece.
iii. even a puppet tires of dancing
[ In the aftermath of the fairy tales, he hadn't the latitude to explore the newly opened media store. It had taken a while to process all the emotions that had been agitated by the scenarios, to process his own actions and reactions, and take stock of his relationship with those involved.
Though his body would never tire, need food or sleep, the same could not be said for his mind. He was soft, even through hundreds of years of pain and anger. His true nature had been twisted and warped by his experiences, but it could never be truly changed.
Summed up, this meant that he was tired. Tired in a way he has not felt in a long time, where his body felt sluggish, and his thoughts proceeded at the speed of a hydro slime inching its way across a field. He could admit that he wasn't functioning at full capacity, but he tried to continue on as if nothing was wrong, because he was a puppet, and puppets do not tire.
But he could welcome a moment of reprieve, so after visiting the media store and discovering its textbooks, he grabbed a few and proceed to find a cozy nook in the park of the First District. Though he was wary of the park's calming effects, it was something he sorely desired, and so he welcomed the blanket on his emotions. He could take this time to learn how advanced this world was in various fields of research.
Anyone who comes upon him will find the drifter seated on a bench with his head tilted down, the textbook loose in his hands, almost threatening to fall out of his lap. It seems that he's sleeping. ]
iv. wildcard
Feel free to throw up a wildcard starter or plot with me at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
Tenkomi!
featheradrift) & You!WHAT: Open post & Catch all
WHERE: Various locations
WHEN: All of December (but the prompts happen early Dec)
WARNINGS: Mentions of child death in the exhibit prompt
i. the city's machinations
[ Understanding the city, the experiments and their kidnappers has always been at the forefront of the Wanderer's priorities. He's spent all of his free time exploring the entire city, trying to find information where he can. There's both so much and so little to cover—though the overall size of the city is smaller than Sumeru, it is far, far more packed with shops, facilities and apartments. Buildings extended into the sky, standing by their lonesome, but clustered together in groups. It's dizzying to look up and see the sky boxed in by the drab buildings. It's nothing like Sumeru at all.
But he knows patience, and he knows thoroughness. He was once a schemer in the shadows, and it's that part of him, the Balladeer, that demands to know all. Then there's the nameless drifter. That part of him is calmed by the purpose, of having a direction, instead of drifting aimlessly. So he diligently explores every nook and cranny, every shop and restaurant, trying to understand the scope of resources everyone was working with, and trying to familiarize himself with the city's strange architecture. He notes specialty stores unique places, stores with goods that are rare, anything that might be useful in the future, whether for his interactions with other inhabitants of the city, or to combat their kidnappers.
It's only once he has a solid understanding of the city as a whole that he decides to finally tackle the unique structures within the city. The buildings where experiments had taken place in the past. He's experienced the draw of the art installation, and the way it twists and turns and traps people, and he isn't keen to walk into such places unprepared. But now, he's prepared to handle anything that may come at him, so it's with only a small amount of trepidation that he steps into the Science Discovery Center.
Almost immediately, he ends up wandering into the office space of the Discovery Center, which is rife with documents and information about the building's day-to-day operations, but nothing particularly special. Not until he gets to the director's office, and his curiosity is piqued by how spotless it is.
Anyone will be able to walk in on the Wanderer making a mess of the office, pulling out files and trying to understand what he can of its contents. ]
ii. the past is a canvas for the future
[ Eventually, his investigation takes him to the museum, which closely reminds him of the art installation in its choice of exhibitions and display of items. But he's confirmed that the building hasn't twisted to prevent him from leaving, and it seems that it is otherwise benign, which he supposes is a blessing, if gods could even bless this city.
But it's a thought he has far too soon, as he walks into left wing of the museum, and he's immediately hit with his past all at once. Not every item on display was related to him, but... it's unmistakable, the ones that are. How could he not know his own past, one that he had forgotten and then painstakingly recovered and made his own once more, because it could not be erased, his sins. They would forever exist in the history of Teyvat, no matter how he tries to reverse them.
Anyone who steps into the exhibit will notice the Wanderer lingering in front of one of several displays, eyes distant, and even melancholic as he stares at the art piece.
a. A beautifully carved statue of a goddess. It's been positioned in such a way against the light of the exhibit that long shadows are cast across the goddess's face.
b. A bloodied nagamaki, with its half-melted pieces arranged in what can only be assumed to be an artistic way atop a platform.
c. A canvas depicting the burning of a Japanese-styled shack, and a child artistically depicted in the center of the flaming mass, burning along with the house.
d. A canvas covered almost entirely in red paint, rendered to look like blood. It's hard to see what the painting is depicting, but there are purple and black shadows, shattered swords and lightning somewhere in that mess. On top of it all is what seems to be a very stylized chess piece.
e. A large canvas depicting a lone blond warrior with a fairy by their side standing against the descent of a mad god.
f. A canvas depicting a towering blue tree, and a familiar drifter in front, dressed in purple and black fading away with a grin on his face.
g. A beautiful painting of a large celebration in a lush, foliage covered city, with a small child as the focal point. Unlike the other exhibits, which are cold and harsh, this one clearly exudes warmth and love. ]
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iii. even a puppet tires of dancing
[ In the aftermath of the fairy tales, he hadn't the latitude to explore the newly opened media store. It had taken a while to process all the emotions that had been agitated by the scenarios, to process his own actions and reactions, and take stock of his relationship with those involved.
Though his body would never tire, need food or sleep, the same could not be said for his mind. He was soft, even through hundreds of years of pain and anger. His true nature had been twisted and warped by his experiences, but it could never be truly changed.
Summed up, this meant that he was tired. Tired in a way he has not felt in a long time, where his body felt sluggish, and his thoughts proceeded at the speed of a hydro slime inching its way across a field. He could admit that he wasn't functioning at full capacity, but he tried to continue on as if nothing was wrong, because he was a puppet, and puppets do not tire.
But he could welcome a moment of reprieve, so after visiting the media store and discovering its textbooks, he grabbed a few and proceed to find a cozy nook in the park of the First District. Though he was wary of the park's calming effects, it was something he sorely desired, and so he welcomed the blanket on his emotions. He could take this time to learn how advanced this world was in various fields of research.
Anyone who comes upon him will find the drifter seated on a bench with his head tilted down, the textbook loose in his hands, almost threatening to fall out of his lap. It seems that he's sleeping. ]
iv. wildcard
Feel free to throw up a wildcard starter or plot with me at
no subject
[ Because of him...! Because of him!!! He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to control his temper. ]
And he wanted to inconvenience the country I was born in. Though I wouldn't be surprised if he thought it a good experiment to see how the dangerous material would perform in the furnace. Knowing him, it was all three at the same time. Tch. That damn bastard.
[ Still, there's a continuation to the story and he has to finish it, because this wasn't the worst of it. Not even close. ]
The furnace eventually started going out of control because of that method. It couldn't be approached or stopped.
no subject
... this wasn't his fault, but she needs to hear the whole story first, she knows.
An out of control furnace is so dangerous. She knows this--Ector absolutely made sure some things in particular landed when teaching her. She does not like where this is going.]
What... happened?
no subject
[ With every sentence, the story just keeps on getting worse, and worse, he knows. It's like a terribly written tragedy where the stakes keep rising and never come back down. And there's no happy end to this. Of course there wouldn't be.
He changes track for a moment. ]
There was someone I was close to, when I lived there. He was one of the masters of the Isshin Art of bladesmithing, and one of the top officers of the furnace. He was... a very kind and friendly person. We all respected and admired him.
[ ... ]
That purification device needed one more thing to function properly.
[ It's deliberate, the way he switches back to the tragedy. It's not an avoidance—there's a connection, and it's not a happy one. ]
no subject
Someone like Ector.
Someone who's not going to make it through this tragedy.
Her voice is quiet, and her eyes are on the sculpture, because sometimes (too often), she sees too much.]
... One more thing?
[It's a gentle, quiet prompting. They both know this is headed towards tragedy--but it is important he gets to tell his tale in its entirety, exactly how it happened, no matter how terrible it becomes.]
no subject
[ Not the metaphorical kind, either. The heart of a human. ]
That bastard killed him—took his heart, and put it in the device. And then told me that I had to go into the furnace with the device to absorb the corruption within. Being the naive puppet that I was, I didn't question him, and did as he said.
[ It'd hurt, being in the furnace. But he had so badly wanted to save his home that he was willing to do whatever it'd take, even if it melted off all his fingers and more. He survived intact though, for a god does not burn in flame, and the purification device shielded him from the corruption. ]
And you know what he said after, when I asked what was in the device?
[ It's here that his mostly steady voice warps, and becomes slightly hysterical. There's a grin on his face, but it's not from humour. It's sharp, jagged, and pointed straight at himself. ]
He said the heart was from an innocent person my friend killed! And that he ran away to avoid punishment! How could something so cruel have been my saving grace!?
I was disgusted. So I threw the device on the floor and left. I left them all to deal with the aftermath.
[ He gestures to the half-melted sword, and his voice returns to normal. ]
This blade once used to be called the Daitatara Nagamasa. The celebration was wonderful, the day it was forged.
But it was used to kill the person who ended up taking the blame for all this, and his commanding officer, the one who wielded the blade, threw it into the furnace after. That's why it looks like this.
Katsuragikiri Nagamasa. That's what it's called now. [The nagamasa that killed Katsuragi. ]
no subject
There's a bitter taste on her tongue again, and it doesn't take her long to place it. Ah. Right. It's disgust. Disgust for a world that could allow for such a thing to happen. Disgust for a world that would allow for the victims of such a plot to be only those who did not deserve it.
He was used for someone else's twisted game, and... it's no wonder, now. The wording he'd used before makes so much more sense now. Of course he considered the nameless boy's death a "betrayal". Because betrayal is what he's known--and what he's suffered through.
(And still, part of her can't help but think--this sword has a name, and he does not, and neither did that boy, and there's an emotion about it that she can't quite explain.)]
That's...
[She doesn't know what to say. What does one say in response to such a tragedy?]
I... I can't imagine...
no subject
(Though, if she hasn't resorted to massacre after what she's been through, than she's far better a person than he'll ever be.) ]
Don't. I don't want your sadness. I just...
...I just wanted you to know that I understand.
no subject
So she takes a deep breath in, and slowly lets it out, and focuses on what he says, instead.
He wanted her to know this so that they could understand each other better. And truly, in many ways... she thinks he's right. She's uncertain almost anyone would have been able to understand quite as well as he does.]
... Thank you. [For telling her. For understanding. For listening.
A deep breath in, and:]
We should get outta here, right? [They've been through the wringer enough today.]
no subject
(But, he thinks, if possible, he'd like to take that painting of Nahida and store it somewhere.)
There's something, he thinks slowly as he walks, that would probably help both of them after all this. ]
...I'm in the mood to cook.
no subject
Really?
[It's an invitation. She knows it as well as she knows her own self.]
Let's eat together, then!
no subject
He can admit it now, that they've grown close. Against all the odds, in just a mere month, he's grown close to someone that isn't a god he knows will stick around for years, decades, centuries to come. In this place, their connection is tenuous. There's no telling when either of them will disappear. But he can't deny that he would be upset if one day he were to realize that Altria has vanished and will not come back.
It's far too late to try to backpedal on this, he knows. Emotions aren't something one can control. If he could control them, he would have spared himself all the pain so long ago.
There's a chance, the paranoid Balladeer whispers from the back of his mind, that Altria is just a trap the experimenters have planted, somehow, they've created this person whom he can resonate with. And then, after he's gotten attached, he'll have the rug pulled out from under him, and left alone once more. He should be afraid of that. He should push her away.
No. He doesn't want to. Knowing that she might vanish soon anyway, or maybe even betray him, should she be a plant by their kidnappers... rather than run away, he accepts that as reality and decides—screw it. What's another loss to him? Nahida would tell him that knowing the future, it's even more important to enjoy the present. And it's been a very, very long time since he's found someone who understands him. ]
...
[ He slows to a stop, his mind finally made up. ]
no subject
She does realize, though, and she turns with a blink, tilting her head to one side.
At first, of course, it's only concern she feels. Was this all too much for him? She certainly couldn't blame him. Maybe it's only now sinking in.]
... What's wrong?
no subject
There's no more reason to keep it to himself. He thinks... he'd like to form a real connection with her. As who he is now, and he'd like her to remember him for who he really is. ]
Yuu.
...That's my name. It... means 'kind', in my native tongue.
[ The Traveler had said they hoped he would find the kindness he once had in his youth, that his life would be so gracious as to allow him that softness once more. He scoffed at the time, but he thinks he understands why he was given that name now. ]
1/2
His name means "kind", and behind his words, there's kindness. Really, it's not even hidden that deep--but then again, she's always known this about him. Kindness hidden behind a facade of prickly defenses and harsh words. Knowing what she knows now about his past, it makes sense why he would be that way.
But the kindness has always shone through, and now...
... He's trusting her, isn't he? After all that he said about never trusting another ever again... he's believing in her enough to entrust his name to her.]
2/2
She knows that he already knows what that means to her--that she's already told him that names are important for a faerie. Without a name, a faerie is without a purpose, and without a purpose, there lies only the worst of fates for a faerie.
He isn't one, she knows. But somehow, she thinks that his name suits him just as well for it even so.]
It's nice to meet you, Yuu.
[Perhaps it's a silly thing to say. They've known each other for a month already, and they've been progressively learning more and more about each other in that time. But it feels right, too.
And, softly, she adds:]
I think... that's a perfect name for you. [A perfect purpose. He doesn't owe anyone anything than being kind in his own way.
It's something he does well already, she thinks.]
no subject
He's not sure how to respond to that exactly, because he's always thought his name was ironic, given his personality. He knows now that it was more an earnest wish than a mockery of his attitude (he has no doubt the Traveler intended the irony though), but it's still very new to him, using this name. Even Nahida rarely used the name, and the chatterbox fairy Paimon opted to use Hat Guy instead.
It feels weird, to be addressed by it. He almost feels like the Kabukimono all over again, when he was given that label. ]
...in my world, they say a name is life's first gift to you. I guess it's a fitting one.
[ That's what he opts to say instead. ]
no subject
... She smiles back, but she doesn't think it's as honest and pure as his. But maybe someday, she can be a little more like that. A little more honest, in this world full of lies.]
I think it's really fitting! [That much, she's sure of.]
After all, all this time... you've been nothing but kind to me.
no subject
[ He wants to protest, really, but... she's right. He has been nothing but kind to her since the first time they met. He can't explain why he was compelled to be nice, but... perhaps it's just how she is. It doesn't matter now, anyway.
He can't refute her words, so he just crosses his arms and turns his head away. ]
...Well, don't expect it all the time. You know what I've been through.
[ Is he blushing? Nah, it must be your imagination.
yes he is]no subject
She smiles, humming under her breath a little, and then takes those few paces forward so that they're side-by-side again to walk out of the exhibit.]
Whatever you say!
[Despite how empty-headed she can be, she really does value reading the room--so she's not about to call him out and ruin things here and now. Instead:]
Let's go eat! I want to help cook!
no subject
[ It's an empty threat—he knows that she will keep what's important secret already, so it's just posturing on his part.
But together, they leave the exhibit and return to the restaurant in the fourth district, where the two proceed to cook food (rather, the Wanderer does the cooking and Altria does... everything but cooking properly, and no, her magic is banned from the kitchen, don't.) and enjoy a meal together. ]