TDM #6

[calderaevents]

ARRIVAL

It happens in an instant. A heavy weight in your gut, a trembling of your limbs, the world spins and you barely have time to register that you're falling before you lose consciousness. And when you awaken, it's not where you were last. Dark, unadorned oak walls surround you in a tiny room, the only furniture the bed you are currently resting upon, and the bedside table with a folded piece of parchment resting atop it that simply reads:

"The Tavernkeeper is awaiting your arrival downstairs."

As you exit you find others like yourself emerging from the surrounding rooms. You are indeed in a tavern, but there is no hustle and bustle one might think to hear in such a place. The only person down on the main floor is a humanoid figure wiping down the bar, who smiles when they see you. They're familiar, but not, and you can't quite place their face. For some reason, however, their presence is comforting and warm.

"Welcome, Visitor. I'm sure you have a lot of questions."

And you most certainly do.

Due to popular demand, the starter tavern and the drinks provided are available to in game characters via a portal accessible only to those with a faction gem.

DRINK MENU

SHADOW ELIXER an inky black liquid that seems to absorb light rather than reflect it. Grants temporary invisibility in darkness, but also makes the drinker whisper secrets unknowingly.

WIDOWS KISS A velvety red-black wine. One sip fills you with irresistible charm.

FOOL'S ECLIPSE A deep, glossy black drink with a golden swirl that never fully mixes in. Every sip tastes slightly different: sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, sometimes oddly salty for no reason at all. After one drink, the drinker's speech becomes hilariously jumbled, replacing random words with completely unrelated ones.

BLURBERRY FIZZ A deep blue liquid that constantly fizzess with tiny silver bubbles. When poured, the bubbles briefly form random shapes: sometimes a cat, sometimes a shoe, sometimes... a tiny screaming face (but only for a second). The drinker will also hiccup tiny, harmless floating bubbles for five minutes.

VEIL OF MIDNIGHTA crystal-clear vodka cocktail with shifting black, shadowy swirls that never settle. Causes the drinker's shadow to detach and do whatever it wants for five minutes.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY

As the effects of your drink wear off, the Tavernkeeper speaks once more:

"It is time, my friends, for you to find your new homes."

You are compelled to walk through the only door leading out of the tavern, finding yourself not outside, but in a deep black, seemingly endless room with five portals arranged in a circle. As the last of you leave and the door closes behind you, gone when you look back again and replaced with nothing but that black void, three of the portals illuminate:

The first portal is surrounded by an almost blinding light, prismatic rainbows shining brightly in the dewy air outside of the tavern. A soft breeze may gently caress you, pulling you toward it. The portal seems to lead to a city in the clouds, airships and winged beings of all sorts soaring through the skies. Of the little bits of visible land, much of it boasts giant waterfalls that look like clouds melting into the land below. The portal calls to those who crave independence and freedom; and especially to anyone that wishes to find the strong bond of a family not forged in blood.

The second portal is encircled by a fairy ring of spotted white-capped mushrooms, the faint scent of damp stone and rich earth wafting from within the faint green glow. Peering inside, one can see a sprawling harbor city of gray-hewn stone, a melting pot of humanoid beings going about their day, and beyond, rolling green farmland and cottages clustered in small villages. This portal is destined for those who crave stability and solid ground beneath their feet. A simple life, an adventurous one, and everything in between can be found within.

The last portal is adorned with broken shells and torn seaweed, the glow of blue around it flickering like a dying flame. Beyond it, you see a city housed inside a massive bubble deep under the ocean, its once-grand spiraling towers cracked and crumbling in places, encrusted with coral and debris from the destruction that came before. The streets are bustling, but an underlying tension lingers. Outside the bubble, merfolk swim, but some still bear the scars of battle, and the deep waters beyond are darker than they should be, as though something still lurks in the abyss. A sanctuary in the sea, one that calls to those with a hunger for knowledge and a desire to aid in rebuilding what was lost. Or perhaps it is the mystery that beckons you, the remnants of a catastrophe yet fully understood that bids you explore it.

---

Upon following the pull of the breeze through the first portal, you are thrust into the beauty of a lively city that goes by the name of Heaven's Bow. Much of this main city feels exactly as you would expect on a city below, but there are clouds surrounding every direction you look. The walls of buildings are made with light-colored limestone, and buildings are generally built up to heights made even more grandiose by their position in the sky.

The Skyfall Docks are the first thing you notice, boasting hundreds of airships sailing in and out across the clouds with shouts that accompany a typical port city. Just outside is a fantastic market with goods not only from the other regions of Caldera, but from what some shopkeepers claim are other worlds--items sold or left behind by Visitors. Almost anything can be found in the markets if one is willing to look hard enough. Transport to other locations throughout the sky and even to the land or sea can be found here.

If the docks are too lively for you, you may instead find yourself roaming the underbelly of Heaven's Bow and finding brothels and gambling parlors filled with the promise of pleasure and fortune. The guild house for the Sylphs can be found here as well, giving out quests and training to prospective adventurers and guards alike--though none of them seem concerned with the illicit activities that surround them. Perhaps the freedom the Sylphs boast of extends to what others may deem an undesirable activity.

But most curious of all, you find a shimmering opal gemstone in your hand. When placed anywhere on the body, it will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

---

If it was the second portal that called to you, you will find yourself in the busy city of Grey Ward, with its cobblestone streets and sturdy grey stone buildings. You are in the heart of the city, the Glass Market, so named for the colorful stained glass windows of the surrounding buildings. However, signs of destruction mar the once-thriving marketplace. Some windows shattered, stalls bearing scorch marks, and a few buildings reduced to rubble. The scent of cooking food still lingers in the air, but so too does the acrid smell of smoldering wood. Watchful guards keep an even keener eye out for pickpockets and opportunists in the wake of the recent chaos. Citizens go about their day, some with a newfound wariness in their eyes.

From here, one can investigate the rest of the city: the Sundown Docks, where both sea and sky faring ships transport people and goods, though repairs are ongoing in some areas. The Soot Spire, home of inventors and engineers, where efforts to rebuild have begun in earnest. The Hearthstill, the main residential area, bears the scars of collapsed roofs and damaged homes, with families working together to restore what was lost. The Downs, a smaller residential area for those with less means, has been hit the hardest, and aid workers scramble to provide relief to the displaced.

Outside the city walls, one can explore acres of farmlands to the east and west, or follow Terra’s Pass to the less settled areas, but take care. Past the Skyward Range, out in the smaller burrows and villages, the influence of the city guard diminishes quickly, and you’ll have to keep your wits about you. Bandits along the road are always a risk, and the wildlife are less controlled by regimented hunting.

In your hand is a gemstone, a brilliantly green emerald that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

---

If the last portal beckoned you through it, you find yourself within that bubble-covered city beneath the sea, the city of Salt Spire. Your ears pop with the change in pressure, and the smell of the salty sea fills your nostrils. All around you, buildings made of dark stone encrusted with coral and seagrass tower high above your head, but some are marred by cracks, with scaffolding and patches where reconstruction has begun. The backdrop outside the dome is a deep blue, but lingering shadows in the depths hint at what once emerged from below. People with gills on their necks and scales upon their vibrantly colored skin move with a determined purpose, their curiosity toward newcomers now mixed with cautious wariness. You have many options of where to visit in the city under the sea, but where oh where will you go first?

The Salt Spire Library is right before you, an impossibly large building housing thousands upon thousands of books of all genres. Fiction, non-fiction, romance and mystery and all between. You may even find books from your world and others! Oddly enough though, no Calderan history books are to be found, and if you ask for them, the librarians and locals all choose to ignore your questions.

If scholarly pursuits aren't to your interest currently, perhaps a trip to Bluetide Market would be more your style? The marketplace is host to every manner of shop one might ever need: artisans of all varieties, apothecaries and healers in the Shimmer Quarter, the most in fashion undersea clothing shops, food stalls, and all between can be found in Bluetide. There are also the Tideshore and Fogbottom docks on either end of the city. The former allows transport to the surface via large, magical bubbles for those that cannot hold their breath or make the swim themselves yet. The latter allows people to venture further into the sea. Those without their underwater abilities are offered rebreathers for travel that last for four hours before needing to be replaced.

In your hand is a gemstone, a shining sapphire that, when placed anywhere on the body, will transform into a piece of jewelry with the gemstone set in the center.

SOLEMN CELEBRATIONS

After the chaos and destruction, the people of Caldera come together to express their gratitude to the Visitors, whose sacrifices were crucial in summoning Vesper, the newly awakened star god. This event, though filled with warmth and appreciation, carries the weight of what is still to come.

In Salt Spire, the bubbled underwater city, the heart of the celebration takes place. The bioluminescent glow of deep-sea creatures lights the festivities, their soft illumination casting a peaceful glow on the gathering, even through the haze of darkness beyond. Tables are laden with treasures from all three cities—gifts of wood and stone carvings from Grey Ward, textiles and plants from Salt Spire, and intricate glass orbs from Heaven’s Bow. It’s a moment of unity, as everyone, native and visitor alike, celebrates their survival and the hope Vesper now represents.

Above the sea, in Grey Ward, a quieter but equally heartfelt celebration takes place. The city, normally known for its steady hands at rebuilding, hosts a gathering of its people and the Visitors who have come through. Lanterns hang from the buildings, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets. Music from the land flows through the air; melodies of hope, of survival, of community. The people of Grey Ward offer their craftsmanship, beautiful wood carvings, practical tools, and heirlooms passed down through generations. Their gratitude runs deep, though they know the fight ahead will be long.

Heaven’s Bow, distant and high above the rest, holds its own subdued gathering. The people here are quieter in their celebration, reserved in their gratitude. Though they were not as directly involved in the summoning of Vesper, their support is evident in the delicate glass orbs they offer, each infused with starlight—a symbol of their unwavering faith. Their contribution may be less physical, but their presence and belief in the unity of Caldera is no less important.

In Salt Spire, the people raise their glasses high. "To those who fought to protect us," they toast, their voices rising in harmony. The people of Grey Ward join, their songs and music a reminder of the resilience of the land. Even Heaven’s Bow contributes with their delicate, glimmering orbs. The Visitors, new and old, are welcomed with open arms, gifted with tokens of appreciation. No one is excluded, for their presence, newly arrived or not, is valued deeply.

VESPER'S REQUEST

But, as the celebration continues, an undeniable presence looms at the edge of Salt Spire. Vesper, a massive, shadowy knight, the star god born of the Visitors’ sacrifices, stands apart from the merrymaking, watching quietly. His form, still flickering with the remnants of his connection to Triton’s darkness, is not yet fully settled. He speaks to the crowd, his voice calm, though tinged with the weight of what lies ahead.

"I was born of your sacrifices," Vesper says, his gaze sweeping over the Visitors. "I will not forget what you’ve given me. But our fight is not over. The darkness that birthed me still lingers, and Triton’s influence has not been erased. We must prepare. I will stand with you, when the time comes. And together, we will face what threatens this world."

The mood shifts slightly, a quiet understanding passing between the people. The celebration, while still joyful, carries the undercurrent of an impending storm. Triton’s return is inevitable, and though Vesper has emerged as a beacon of hope, his power is still growing. He will need the strength of those who summoned him, those who sacrificed for him, to confront the coming challenge.

As the night wears on and the festivities continue, the people of Caldera remain united in their shared resolve. The threat of Triton still hangs over them, but for now, they take this moment to honor the Visitors—those who sacrificed so much, and those who have only just joined the fight—and to strengthen the bonds that will be vital in the days to come.

Vesper welcomes conversation, yet it does not come naturally to him. His words are brief, precise—always tethered to his purpose, the reason for his existence. And therein lies his quiet concern: that something is missing. He yearns to connect, especially with the Visitors—the ones who gave of themselves so that he could become what he is now. A new star god. The light meant to stand against Triton’s encroaching darkness.

He speaks with certainty: he is the good that Triton once was, the lost brilliance of a god now twisted by corruption. But he does not wish to be merely a reflection of what once existed. He wants to grow beyond the shadow of the past, to forge an identity that is wholly his own. And so he seeks help—not only in understanding what he is but in becoming something more.

"Find memories," he says. "And craft new ones with me."

Memories of Triton’s past linger in the world, echoes trapped in places of significance. These must be sought out, for they hold the key to understanding Vesper’s origins.

SPECIAL QUEST: ASTRAL ECHOES

Vesper seeks the Astral Echoes, shards of violet light scattered across Caldera, each holding a fragment of Triton’s past. To understand himself and shape his future, Vesper asks the Visitors to retrieve them. This special quest will last the duration of the TDM, and will reward 400 Bones when turned in.

◾MEMORY ONE: THE DESCENT:

Near Salt Spire, a Violet Crystal Shard hums softly in an ancient ruin. When taken, it pulls the mind into a vision.

Triton falls, a streak of violet fire tearing through the sky to Caldera, a barren wasteland below. He crashes, sending stardust into the air, his form radiant with light, deep indigo skin marked with glowing lines, and eyes burning violet. He touches the earth, rivers of light spread, and the world begins to take shape.

But he is not alone. Aella, the sky, sweeps through the heavens, breathing life into the winds. Cordelia, the sea, shapes the waters and the depths. Terra, the land, molds the earth, forming mountains and valleys. And in the shadows, another lingers, a distant vision, hard to define, their presence felt but not fully understood. Together, they craft the new world.

"There will be law where there is chaos," Triton says. "Light where there is shadow. Justice where there is none."

The vision fades as the Violet Crystal Shard is given to Vesper. He holds it, feeling its pulse.

"He did not come to rule," Vesper murmurs, "He came to protect."

The shard dims, its purpose fulfilled. Yet its memory lingers, a quiet ember.

"Caldera was formless," Vesper whispers, "And they shaped it into something just."

He lifts his gaze, something stirring within him—understanding or perhaps the weight of his path ahead.

◾MEMORY TWO: THEM:

In a cave deep within Ignacia's Cradle, a faint Violet Crystal Shard pulses softly. When a Visitor holds it, they are pulled into a distant memory—one of doubt and rebellion.

The world is young, full of light and order. Triton stands with his companions—Aella, Cordelia, and Terra—shaping Caldera. But in the shadows, something stirs.

A figure, hard to define, stands apart. Their form flickers between light and darkness, their eyes filled with uncertainty.

"This world was meant for something more," they whisper, voice tinged with frustration. "Why does it feel so controlled?"

Triton watches them, sorrow in his eyes, but they step further into the shadows, their form dissolving, lost to doubt.

"Maybe it should burn," they murmur. "Maybe it should fall apart and rise again—wild."

The Violet Crystal Shard pulses as the figure vanishes into the darkness, leaving only the echo of Triton’s sorrow: "They were never meant to follow the order. They were always meant to fall into the shadows."

The memory fades, the figure still a mystery, their true nature lost in the shadows of the past.

◾MEMORY THREE: THE EXILE:

On the broken cliffsides near Grey Ward, a Violet Crystal Shard lies half-buried in the earth, its faint glow drawing the Visitor in. Upon touching it, a vision fills their mind—Triton stands, his form radiant with celestial light, yet his expression is one of deep sorrow and rage.

A shadowed figure, barely discernible, is ripped from the land. The figure’s volcanic home follows, both hurtling into the sky. The moon is born from their exile, the caldera formed in the center of the realm all that remains.

"You cannot do this," Triton’s voice shakes with grief. "They were meant to shape, not to be cast away."

The figure fades into the distance, and Triton’s grief transforms into fury. "They were not yours to remove," he says, the words heavy with loss.

As the vision fades, Vesper holds the shard, feeling the surge of sorrow deep within. He breathes in slowly, understanding the weight of Triton’s loss.

"I was not meant to be a reflection," Vesper murmurs. The echo of Triton’s voice lingers: "I should have protected them."

The memory settles into Vesper’s heart, shaping his resolve. The past will not bind him; he must grow beyond it.

◾MEMORY FOUR: THE LAST STAND:

At the foot of Cordelia's tower, the final Violet Crystal Shard rests upon the weathered steps. It lies half-hidden, barely visible to the eye, as if waiting for the right moment to be found. Only now, as the Visitors approach, does it reveal itself.

Triton stands before Cordelia, his violet glow dimming as his power fades. The air between them crackles with tension, and his voice trembles with disbelief:

"You would strike me down, Cordelia?"

Cordelia stands tall, her sorrow evident but her resolve unshaken. "You leave me no choice."

With a final, desperate lunge, Triton reaches for the stars—the same stars he had once shaped—but they remain silent, indifferent. Cordelia’s blade pierces his chest, the sound of shattering power filling the air as Triton’s body cracks into violet shards, scattering across the land.

His final words echo through the vision, filled with regret: "Was I wrong?"

The vision fades, and Vesper stands on the steps, his hand still holding the shard. The weight of Triton’s question lingers, heavy in the silence.

Vesper’s breath catches, the sorrow of the moment settling deep within him. "He was more than just a fallen god," he whispers, his gaze searching. "He was a part of this world—his doubt, his pain. And it shapes me now."

The shard pulses one last time, and Vesper knows this memory is not just a reflection of the past—it is a part of his own journey, one that will lead him to forge his own path.

CHOOSE [HIS] DESTINY

When all shards are given to Vesper, he stands in silence, the weight of Triton’s past pressing upon him. Then, he speaks:

"I was born from a fractured god. But I am not him. The past shapes me, but it does not define me. So I ask you—what will I become?"

Visitors may influence his choice:

◾Option 1: Embody Triton’s Lost Virtues

Vesper embraces Triton’s virtues of justice, wisdom, and light, becoming a beacon of hope for Caldera. This choice grants him the strength of a god, with a deep understanding of the weight of justice. He will fight against the corruption Triton once embodied, drawing on the wisdom of the past to prevent its recurrence. "By standing for what is just, I will be ready to fight against what Triton has become."

Option 2: Forge a New Path

Vesper rejects the past, creating his own identity free from Triton’s shadow. This choice grants him freedom and strength, allowing him to reinvent himself as a new kind of star god. He will fight against Triton’s darkness, symbolizing the triumph of free will over legacy, and gaining the power to face both external and internal battles.

"I will not be a shadow of what came before. I will become something stronger."

Option 3: Balance Light and Shadow

Vesper accepts both the brilliance and downfall of Triton, walking the path of balance. This choice gives him the strength to wield both light and shadow, allowing him to understand Triton’s corruption and fight it from within. Vesper’s knowledge of both sides of existence will make him resilient in his battle against Triton’s darkness.

"I will fight with the strength of both light and shadow, knowing each part of me is necessary to stand against the darkness."

Once the Visitors make their choice, Vesper will stand in silence, the decision settling within him. He is no longer just the fractured god he once was, but something whole—ready for the battle ahead. Triton’s darkness still threatens Caldera, but Vesper is stronger, more prepared, and more determined.

"Thank you," he will say. "With your help, I’ve chosen my path. When the time comes to face Triton, I will bring the light he lost—or create something new to stop his darkness."

[With Vesper's awakening, shadow abilities have been unlocked for the Undine faction]

QUESTBOARD

Settled in? Good. It's time to make your way to the Questboard located in every city in numerous, easy to access locations. That is, if you want to make any kind of impact on the world or just get some Bones for anything you might wish to purchase. Visitors are given a very small stipend in which to survive every month, but all it does is keep you fed and housed. These quests will assure you greater wealth, and they're the main reason you're here: each finished quest helps the Calderans fix their shattering world.

Quests can be accepted at the questboard via magically signed parchment upon the board. Just sign your name to accept and the paper will be whisked away... somewhere. You're not actually sure. Probably nothing to concern yourself with.

Once quests are completed, earned Bones will be dropped off at the character's residence by Bonita, the mysterious artisan who has supposedly handcrafted every Bone circulating in Caldera. Please do not speak to her, she startles easily.

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Caldera's sixth TDM! All characters awaken in a strange tavern with nothing save the clothes on their backs, all of their powers stripped, and a piece of parchment directing them downstairs to the Tavernkeeper. There is a thread of all questions answered by the Tavernkeeper here, and if you have more, feel free to ask there for what would be offered ICly.

For OOC questions, please direct themhere.

To Choose Vesper's Path, please state which option you would like to choose here. prospective players are encouraged to weigh in!

The TDM is game canon and all completed quests can be carried over once accepted into the game.

The following pages have been updated:

◾Additional rewards have been added under the Undine section of the rewards page.

◾Vesper has been added to the NPC page.

Have fun, Visitors!

main navigation

Comments

Loki | MCU | Undine

[coldsong]

A Solemn Celebration

"This is exquisite," Loki appears to be genuinely smitten with the fabric he's been presented with by one of the Undines. It's the side of a scarf or shawl, clearly handwoven, and he has no idea what method was used, because the colors seem to shift like the surface of the ocean itself. "Truly, I've never seen anything like it, and I've been to over a hundred planets."

"Did you make this yourself?" The Undine is looking increasingly both thrilled and embarrassed, having not been prepared for such effusive praise. "I love it. Thank you!"

"Did you see this? I had no idea they did such weaving here!" Now you, innocent bystander, are being drawn into this conversation. "Look at the color shift!"


Astral Echoes

"Always with the magical stones," Loki complains softly to himself. "Magical rocks, magical gems, all-seeing orbs--I get it, I do. Perfect way to store power and thought.
Still, it's starting to feel like this place is trying to tell me something and I am not here for it."

"And you," his gaze snaps to the person nearest him. "How do you feel about chasing around for enchanted slivers of cosmic light or whatever the hells it is we're after this time? I suppose I'd get in trouble if I tried to keep one."

Wildcard
((wide open for any quests, conversation, or weird drinks in the tavern, just hmu! I am WugglyUmp on discord))

Astral Echoes

[utulien_aure]

It takes a moment for Fingon to answer, because his first instinct is to throw his head back and laugh. Ai Valar, where to begin with such question?

"From our new friend? He does not strike me as the sort. From the shard?" Something stills in his expression, but he shrugs. "There is a pattern in my world, when one hoards a Light meant to be shared. Madness and murder seem to follow as night does day."

[coldsong]

Well that's fascinating! Loki takes a second look at the person he's been rambling at. They have roughly the same coloring, but the elf has more than a foot on him in height. For a moment, the rueful thought that it must be like looking in a funhouse mirror goes through his brain.

"I hope he's our friend. Jury's still out." Despite his verbal skepticism, there's an almost gentle expression in Loki's eyes for a moment. He has a lot of empathy for Vesper. A newborn divinity, trying to live up to a legacy he doesn't fully understand.

He sighs. "Never mind, then. It wouldn't match the decor in my flat, anyway." If someone offered him the Tesseract, he'd be hard-pressed to say no, even now, but this world's cosmic fragments aren't meant for him. Alas.

"I suppose I'll go on the hunt anyway. At least I might learn something new about this world."

A Solemn Celebration

[holdshisown]

Though he does not feel in particularly high spirits it does lift his mood a bit to see Loki's unabashed enthusiasm at the, admitedly fine, craftsmanship. And, he supposes, he can manage to scrounge up some enthusiasm of his own for the intruiging piece of fabric despite his foul mood. He was a Noldo, after all, and his grandmother had been rightly renowned as a master weaver.

"It's very fine work indeed," he says. Looking at the scarf with obvious interest. "I wonder what technique they used to make the colours shift in such a seamless way?"

[coldsong]

Loki nods his approval at Maedhros. Yes, this is correct, to appreciate the workmanship of a kind gift. Sheepishly, the craftsman explains the color shift has to do with the plants used to make the fiber: a blend of seaweed, with a little sheep's wool added to support tensile strength. Plus some cunning work with dyes made from those tiny psychedelic jellyfish. Loki listens like he's truly interested, it's not just him being flattering, but when the artisan gets called away, he thanks them again with a gentle pat on the shoulder and lets them go.

Turning to Maedhros, he grins, upbeat about all this. "I love anything handmade, really, but it is awfully good work. Our colonies used to send gifts to the royal family, and the fancy things got boring to me after the first century. If I want jewels I would just commission my own."

Spoken like a true spoilt prince, but then he follows that up with: "I'd rather get a handful of dandelions and dirty grass from a toddler than a diamond necklace. It means more."

Of course, this fabric is handmade and genuinely beautiful, so this is a cut above.

[holdshisown]

He's a Noldo, he's always going to be enthusiastic and appreciative when it comes to fine craftsmanship. And he does listen with fascination when as they explain just how it was made. He has to hold himself back from barraging them with all the questions he'd like to ask them for he does not want to keep them overlong when they have other places to be.

"It is a truly fascinating and well-made piece. I do wonder how they managed to incorporate seaweed into it and what kind would serve best for this sort of work?" He muses with a smile of his own. "Oh, the handmade things are always the best. They have so many personal touches that make each piece entirely unique."

Well... Maedhros used to be somewhat of a spoiled prince himself, once upon a time. "As would I. But I've always had a soft spot when it comes to children, so I'd probably even take a handful of mud from one of them over a diamond just so that I get to put a smile on their face."

Besides... his father had gifted him so much jewelry back then he'd honestly not have known what to do with another piece of it. Especially when all other pieces paled in comparisson to what his father's exceptional skills could produce.

[coldsong]

"I suppose we could see him out again later, and ask where we can get lessons." Loki...actually doesn't want to learn to weave, but he'd happily collect seaweed and other materials for someone else.

He smiles a little, looking sheepish. "I like children, as well. When I started getting a reputation as a troublemaker, no one trusted me around theirs, but...that wasn't exactly fair. I might not be a good influence but I'd never let a child be harmed around me."

And he dearly wants some of his own some day.

Astral Echoes

[goethbeforethefall]

Solas regards Loki's annoyance with amused calm. The chores were indeed tiresome, but this particular quest ranked among the most necessary and vital; truly a task that should not be trusted to just anyone.

"They are memories," Solas replies, and offers Loki the example in his hand; he'd found one earlier, and pocketed it, with no real intent behind the action. Time enough, still, to return it to the heir that might inherit such things, "Fragments of Triton's past. Regrets. Victories. Moments of pride."

The shard whispers softly in his hand, light seeming to glint off it's facets in ways that bespeak the stone's intent, rather than the mathematics of angle and color. It both is, and is not, a physical object, and Solas handles it with the comfort of someone native to a world where that ambiguity is ubiquitous. It is a lovely, seductive, dangerous thing; horribly intimate, that anyone at all should be able to own and touch so private a part of one's mind. But beautiful, all the same.

"They do not belong to Vesper, but Cordelia has decreed that Triton die, and the newly-made Vesper stand as his heir. And so, we are tasked with facilitating the transfer. I have experienced in recent years a similar theft, undertaken against myself. Consequently, I am still considering my willingness to comply. As you can see."

[coldsong]

Despite his bluster, it says something about Loki's true opinion, the way he recoils--gracefully but very deliberately--when shown the shard in Solas' hand. He studies it from just out of arm's reach, and it's not Solas that has him withdrawing. No, it's not a power as ancient as the Gems Loki once handled, but it's of a similar nature.

He shakes his head slowly. "Keeping the fragments of someone else's mind too close at hand sounds like a recipe for trouble. Even for such a you."

"...I didn't actually mean it, about keeping one. I've had my fingers burnt by that kind of fire before."

There's a long pause, and then he adds: "Mind you, I don't trust her either, but it does seem as though however the conflict began, at this point it's Cordelia or Triton. Can't blame her for defending herself."

[goethbeforethefall]

"I will not deny it; there is an element of risk," He slides the stone into an interior pocket, where it continues its secret mutterings, now silenced and made private in the dark, "But I cannot say it is my first time handling such things. You may have a valid point."

Cordelia has indeed played the board well; whether she has arrived at her position by deliberate advantage or accident, he cannot say. As true as anything to surmise that she purchased this good fortune, bargaining with bones and favors against the Visitor's good will. That too, was no mean form for power to take, and in history it was wealth that spoke as often as the strength of arms.

He says nothing of his thoughts: Loki will be able to know all this, or he will not. None of it is known for absolute truth.

"Can we not?" He says, only mildly, and steps past him and further down the path, "You will need proof of your own efforts, if you wish to find out. And be paid for the privilege, of course."

[coldsong]

"Even the strongest of us is at a disadvantage around sentient objects. They do not pause for hunger or thirst. They do not weary. They'll wear you down, like water wears holes in rock." The way he says that makes it sound like personal experience.

He hums softly, gaze hovering around Solas' knee level for a moment. Not really looking at him, but perhaps through him, as he turns the possibilities over in his mind. Truth be told, Loki is feeling some reluctant sympathy for Cordelia, after seeing her so ill, previously. No amount of money or any other kind of wealth would convince him to let her have one of his memories, but he wasn't too shy to stitch himself into the tapestry of this world.

"In for a penny, in for a pound, I suppose," he says, snapping out of the reverie to follow. "I suppose we can debate whether to turn these things over or not, later."

And fight it out if they disagree, perhaps. Loki doesn't relish that idea, but he'll do it, if he must.

Celebration

[earthborn]

Shepard, not used to being considered innocent, or a bystander, takes the scarf from him when prompted. She does it reluctantly, more out of an automatic sort of politeness than any actual interest in the fabric; one thing about Panem, it would quickly numb you to vagaries of color and fabric, if you let it. She'd never been much of a clotheshorse, by choice.

"Very, uh... nice," You're a bastard, Loki, and not just in the literal sense, "Are you always this easy to bribe?"

Because if so, this could get funny. It's already a little funny, actually. She's warming to the seductive enthusiasm, if nothing else.

"Alright, take it down a notch. You're embarrassing the poor guy."

[coldsong]

He clicks his tongue. "Don't be like that, right in front of the maker! It's meant as a gift. Even if the faction leaders are flattening us up for slaughter, it's hardly the people's fault." Okay, so he is a bastard, but he's a polite bastard. Usually.

He smiles at the craftsman reassuringly. "Sour as a new apple; don't mind my friend here. I, for one, appreciate being appreciated."

That's the heart of it, really. It's not the fancy fabric, it's the fact that he's getting positive attention. Taking the scarf back from her, he drapes it carefully around his neck and shoulders and gives the artisan one last thank-yous before sending him on his way.

"It is awfully pretty, though. I expect they use sea plants for the fiber."

[earthborn]

"Hey, I'm a realist," She complains, more by way of token protest than anything with bite. But she'll smile for the guy, and wave him off as he goes.

Shot silk, her memory suppplies, an abrupt and unlooked-for recognition. That's why it shimmered like that, seeming to shift from one color to the next as the light hits it. Something Porrim had said, stuck in some corner and pinned there with her sharp-tongued accent and dark, challenging eyes. Loki's scarf was like that: like shot silk. Whatever that means.

"Yeah, it is," Shepard agrees, reaching with half her mind still lost in bitter nostalgia, to finger the edge of the fabric where it's draped and then idly, to smooth it down. Shiny-soft and shifting, just like back then— she remembers herself and looks up at him, at how close they're standing. Shepard doesn't break contact, "Pretty."

[coldsong]

"You're a cynic, is what you are." He says. "But since I usually am, as well, I forgive you."

He lets her touch him without protest, going still as she moves closer. Beneath her touch, the fabric ripples, colors going from pale gold to abyssal blue. Sunlight on the waves all the way to the aphotic zone of the deep. Loki wonders if they can make something similar in the colors of ice, just for him. He'll find that artisan and ask, another time.

When she looks up at him, he's studying her face with gentle curiosity. He can't read her; that's fascinating. He places one hand over her wrist and runs his thumb along the outside once, lightly. "And what sorts of gifts have you been collecting tonight?"

let the brain breaking ensue

[dont_ask_my_name]

Murderbot did check both those boxes: it was standing by, and it was innocent.

That was about it.

It also hated random conversation, but the Preservation team had gotten it to at least stand still and endure it, rather than just turn and walk away. Progress.

"It does shift colors." There. Simple factual statement. Socializing: successful.

[coldsong]

Hmm. All right, that's a start, Loki supposes. He raises an eyebrow but just gives the stranger a serious nod, as if that was an actual contribution to the conversation. His own enthusiasm is undampened, though, and he smiles at the flustered artisan once more. "A color shift perceptible even to the eyes of...other Visitors from gods only know where. Commendable, indeed!"

He'll just wrap the scarf around his own shoulders gracefully and thank the Calderan one last time before they disengage and flee, pleased but a little rattled.

This done, he turns to the other...individual? And tilts his head curiously. "Right, so you're clearly new. Welcome to Caldera? They're not usually this affectionate."

[dont_ask_my_name]

It was a valuable contribution to conversation, because it was affirming facts. It was being supportive. Of facts.

At some point, it would have to get used to being *seen*. Perceived. Individuated.

Horrible feeling. It does not understand how humans do it. "I sincerely hope not." Was there such a thing as 'too friendly'? In Murderbot's book, the answer was yes, and in this place it was already yes with an underscore and highlighting.

[coldsong]

He can't help but laugh at that; sorry, friend. "So they didn't recruit you for your enthusiastic networking skills. Are you an AI of some sort? You seem a bit lost in the crowd."

"You don't have to interact with people to accomplish many of the quests. I promise it won't be quite as horrible as it looks. You can dodge a lot of the parties, if you try."

Astral Echoes

[pactcommander]

Ferin hardly even faulters when Loki addresses him. How did he feel about it? Easy, it's just another day for Ferin.

"Honestly?" Stretching his back with a groan the sylvari sighed. "It's just another day for me. Back home I was constantly running errands all over the world. Elder Dragons, Gods, even just simple common folk needing help on their farms." The day was never done for the Pact Commander.

Yaaay.

[coldsong]

Loki blinks at him slowly, considering the green skin. An unfamiliar species, but that's par for the course in Caldera. It's pretty, but there is a particular acquaintance of his that it reminds him of, who he would rather not be reminded of. "Do you mean you ran errands for gods, or you ran errands fighting gods? It rather makes a difference to me, in how I proceed with this conversation."

[pactcommander]

He's used to the odd looks and doesn't seem to take Loki looking him over as anything other than curiosity. The question however brings a bit of a mischievous smile to the sylvari's face.

"Yes." Is his answer. He fought Balthazar and helped Kormir before she left, carrying out her will after she was gone. He had also killed basically the creator of the Sylvari race but...that was...a subject he didn't like to think on. Some sacrifices are too much. "I've killed a god as well as helped one or two. To be fair, the one I killed I only did it because he was causing a lot of harm to a lot of people..."

A Solemn Celebration

[makingmyway]

As uncertain about these celebrations as he is, Dorian has a weakness for fine clothing. And having been gifted a similar shawl, seeing the way the colors shimmer in the fabric, he is equally enthusiastic by the gift.

"I know! It's amazing!" Running his hand over the shawl, he glances at Loki with a grin. "And have you felt it? It's like silk."

[coldsong]

Finally! Someone who appreciates an elegant gift! Loki grins his approval. "He was just telling me it needs occasional soaking in seawater in order to retain the flexibility of the material. It's wonderfully smooth."

"I imagine a craftsman or anthropologist would have a field day studying the various types of fabric-making processes for each of the three faction regions."

[makingmyway]

"I guess that makes sense, since I believe the material is unique to the Undine area, right?" Holding up the shawl to watch the way it catches the light, Dorian then drapes it over his shoulders.

"Honestly, I'm tempted to look into it myself. I'm sure it'd be interesting to see how they work with the materials solely found in each region to make their fabrics." He picks up one of the edges of his shawl, feeling the material between his fingers. "Especially if the other two regions have anything as special as this."