ZincAboutIt

Lita, Hathsin, Mistkeep “It’s nice to get out of the office.” Laurelai’s voice had gained an edge of tension, the relaxed joy on her face rearranging itself into practiced calm. Lita felt some of her own joy evaporate, though she did not let her disappointment show on her face. This again, she thought, bracing herself for hours of awkward eye contact and stilted conversation. Should she have simply brought someone else? Was there any way to get her friend to relax, to soothe some of her anxiety? Lita felt a sudden smile touch the corner of her mouth, and she reached out with a hand to spin Laurelai in a playful spiral. As she did so, she touched off the new metal within her, burning brass for the first time instead of tapping or storing into it. Then, she reached out with a very small, tentative thought to take away some of Laurelai’s tension. Just a bit - hopefully. The last thing she wanted to do was artlessly wallop her friend and tip her hand. But just enough to give them both a break, maybe? Enough calm to make coming out worthwhile? That seemed almost courteous. ”Yes,” Lita answered, smiling wider. “Yes it is. We spend far too much time indoors. Or…wherever it is we actually are. Indoors? Outdoors? In a separate dimension? Who knows.” ——————————————— Vivica, The Cauldron The thought of the rest of the city failing to recognize Nox’s kindness regarding the Forgery made Vivica pause, and she felt a little frown crease her brow. Not even his kind compliments fully erased the indignation she felt on his behalf. “This city is full of terribly impolite people, Nox,” she said, continuing to eat her ice cream and feeling relieved as he caused the other cones to disappear somewhere else. “Don’t they understand what you did for them? What you did for us all? What you continue to do? I just don’t understand it. Why can’t they see how much you care for this place? Why wouldn’t they say ‘thank you’?” She stared somewhat suspiciously at the people passing by them where they sat. How many of them had cursed at the mention of her beloved’s name? How many loathed, rather than revered, their dark and wondrous god? How many took advantage of everything he and the Dark Alley built and maintained, while at the same time wishing they did not exist? Vivica turned her eyes back to Nox’s face, and she could not help but smile. There was nothing about this moment that she deserved, and yet, here she was, within it. Within arm’s reach of him. She lifted a hand, placing the tips of her fingers against his arm. The solidity of him was almost overwhelming. ”I’ve been thinking about your beautiful earrings,” she said, reaching up and touching her one ear, where the copper spike returning her insanity nestled inside the newer flawless garnet from Nox. “I want to wear both, but I can never seem to heal my other ear back again, no matter what I try. Perhaps you have some idea of what I should do? It is a terrible thing not to enjoy the fullness of your gift to me.” @Voidus

Verity sighed, then turned to Cobalt. Both shared a look, and then the Lady spoke. ”We are not intentionally hiding things from you,” she said, voice somber. “The things that prowl this house are varied. Some are unique, and Cobalt will attempt to lead you away from where they are known to frequent. The most common visitors are impossible for us to describe, since we have never seen them. No one alive has seen them. They do not appreciate being seen; anyone who turns to look at them has met with immediate demise or disappearance.” ”That feeling that something is behind you, following you - you surely know it. We have all felt it once or twice. In this place it is not mere fancy. If you feel something is following you, do not look. Do not give in to that temptation. There is something following you, and it will kill you for your curiosity. If you can manage to avoid looking, they do not seem to molest you beyond the increasing discomfort. Bright light tends to dissuade them.” @Ookla the Nerdy

We love fun here! Both options sound lovely. A spren character is always an interesting concept.

Mmm, this is a quandry. I shall give this some thought.

Cobalt had been watching and listening for the last half hour, assessing the group and their capabilities. It will do, he thought. At a nod from the Lady Warren, he stepped forward. ”Some of you are understandably confused - we will not be returning here by sundown. Likely we will be spending several nights throughout the House. Each night we shall attempt to make our way to the nearest window-line, but it is not guaranteed. The House will certainly change around us. It is unavoidable.” He met the eyes of each one in turn, then continued. “I will lead you through the portions that I know. There will be much I do not know - that is the nature of this place now. I am an Awakener of the Fourth Heightening, and before that I was in the army in T’Telir when I lived on Nalthis. Provided behind me are packs of provisions needed for one week. If anyone is running low, you must tell me immediately and we will attempt to return. It is wise, however, to leave before sundown. You will all wish to watch the change as it happens, I am sure. The first time it can be quite a sight.” @ everyone

Awesome! We’d love to RP this recruitment with you if you’d be interested. It would make the most sense, I think, if you were to get looped into a subset of the Acquisitions Dept under their Containment division - hunting down and recapturing dangerous escaped creatures or experiments. This seems like the best fit, as the DA doesn’t really have dedicated “hit men” the way other organizations might. Basically all members are very good at killing people if needed

Hello! You say you want your character to have DA connections. What type of DA denizen do you think your character would have a connection with? Researcher? Someone from Acquisitions (spike gathering, subject luring, etc)? A spy? This will help us give you some suggestions!

Lita, Hathsin, Mistkeep Lita let herself sublimate slightly into the wash of warmth and music as she and Laurelai moved through the crowd inside Hathsin. It was still late afternoon, and there weren't too many people here yet - though more than could be expected on a typical afternoon. But, this was anything but a typical day. She caught all the admiring stares thrown Laurelai's way, the appreciative look-overs, and smiled. That should please her. Indeed, the blonde was smiling within moments, and Lita felt herself relax too. Laurelai had spent too much time on-edge lately. They both had. "Drinks first or dancing do you think? Or would you prefer to avoid that given your recent... piercing." Lita looked to her friend, a surprised, but very pleased, smile quickly spreading across her lips. Dancing? Lita had not expected Laurelai to suggest it herself; she must be in quite a good mood indeed. "Dancing sounds wonderful." Lita grinned, speaking decisively to avoid giving Laurelai room to back out of the suggestion. "New jewelry should pose little problem, I rarely dance so vigorously before I've had anything to drink. Though nothing a little pewter burn can't fix, anyway." She took Laurelai by the wrist, the motion drawing a slight bit of deja vu as she pulled her towards the dance floor, conjuring up a version of Lita that both was and was not true. A shake of the head cleared it away, and she stored the tiny burst of warmth from her cheeks into one of the brass cuffs on her ears - more out of habit than anything else. It wouldn't do to embarrass Laurelai too much so early into the evening. She had just started to calm down, after all. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Vivica, the Cauldron The ice cream was perfect: sweet, creamy, cold. It was everything she'd daydreamed about. Of course, the real Vivica had eaten ice cream plenty of times. In the Alleys, she could eat whatever she wished. Usually, that was cake. But the Forgery still felt so near, pressed up so close against her other memories. Recollections of isolation, of being trapped in her room, forced to watch the rest of the world live and laugh and move about the city, haunted her thoughts. Don't think about that, she told herself, forcing a smile as she licked a drip of almond ice cream off the back of her hand. Had she ever tasted anything so nice? She looked up at Nox, admiring the way his hairline curved perfectly around the back of one ear, and felt a deep warmth color her cheeks. Yes, perhaps she had. But the ice cream was still lovely. The only problem was how on earth she would eat all of it. "I'm not sure how I shall eat all of this, Nox," she said, voicing her concern and looking over the six other ice cream cones he had bought, in addition to the one he was now eating. "But it was so wonderful of you to get it for me. I think the man with the cart was very happy with the Atium. Perhaps he needs it for an experiment?" She swung her feet below the little park bench on which they sat, living the daydream she'd so zealously treasured during the six months of the Forgery. It was real - he'd said it was real, and so it must be real. Vivica smiled, watching Bennington swim an easy circle around the two of them, his body somewhat bigger and longer than it had used to be, but still a cheerful violet. "What do you think this meeting will be about, Nox? I do hope they don't blame you for anything that happened - that would be most unpleasant of them." Vivica frowned at this thought; people did not seem to appreciate Nox the way he deserved. But maybe the heads of the guilds would be more sensible than the ordinary people of the city. Surely, they would be, right? @Voidus

Lita, Mistkeep A slight unease crept over Lita at Laurelai’s question. Had she inquired about her bar idea with the Dark Alley’s “highest authority”? Being a Department Head now, there was only one true higher authority to check with, and Lita has rather been putting off a meeting with him. Voidus. Laurelai’s father, the one who had killed the Stranger. She had seen him reach into the Spiritual Realm to pull his old friend into the Cognitive. She had watched as the two had battled, blinding light against inky endless nothing. He had featured in plenty of her restless nightmares and pensive dreams. It was not a meeting Lita was looking forward to having. But of course, not checking beforehand could lead to something even less pleasant. ”Next on my list,” Lita said, hoping that her voice sounded lighter and more confident than she felt. “Seemed little point in asking him if I didn’t first get the most important opinion on the location.” She smiled knowingly at Laurelai; flattery always set her more at ease, and nothing seemed to fluster the blonde like talking about her father. Lita could understand - having a god for a parent sounded mentally exhausting. “Now,” she continued, pointing up the street to an old Survivorist church. “I would consider this our closest competitor. I’ve come here a few times and the ambience is quite spectacular. Always gives a little flavor, that taste of blasphemy. And who doesn’t want to drink in church?” As they neared the building, one could see the word arching over the doorway in gold metallic letters: HATHSIN. Moody, deep light seeped out the stained glass windows, and the sound of conversation and music spilled out as someone else opened the door to exit. Lita grinned at her friend. ”Shall we?” —————————- Vivica, The Cauldron “What is something you always wished to do while we were in the Forgery?" Vivica glanced upward at Nox as he spoke, breaking out of the reverie that had quickly swept over her when he had put an arm around her, stepping out of the Alley. She could hardly believe that it was possible to be this happy. Her beautiful new white dress brushed against the backs of her legs as they stepped onto the street, silk and chiffon whisper-light on her skin. The casual touch of Nox’s hand over her shoulders sent pleasant shivers through her, echoing warm, delirious memories of the past few hours. She smiled at him, even forgetting to be afraid of the open city. It felt impossible to be afraid with him so near. ”This is all I ever wished to do in the Forgery, Nox,” said Vivica, nestling closer to him, listening to his heartbeat. A man on the corner of the street was selling ice cream, scooping perfect spheres of pastel softness onto sweet cones. The sight stirred another memory. ”Wait…” Vivica stopped and pointed at the cart, tugging slightly on Nox’s shirtsleeve. “There was a cart like that that used to park outside the hospital. I could see it from my window.” She smiled softly, a bit sadly. “I used to watch it sometimes, daydream about walking down the hospital stairs with you and eating ice cream. Leaving the Cognitive Ward. Sitting in the square. Feeling a breeze maybe. Like real people do.” Vivica looked into Nox’s perfect, dark eyes. “This is real, isn’t it Nox?” @Voidus

Verity felt herself flinch ever-so slightly at the distant sound of a slamming door. Not good, she thought, keeping the anxiety off her face. The house never made noise as it shifted - it was only the visitors who ever made noise, and those rarely appeared this close to the first floor. Damnation. ”To the first point - why we have advertised for hired help as opposed to contracting a more professional organization. Forgive me but you are likely new in the city. There is only one organization with the knowledge and ability to handle something like this, and they are… unpredictable at best. At worst they could possibly be behind this phenomenon, using my manor as some sort of laboratory. I doubt this latter possibility. From the small contacts I do have regarding the goings-on with the Dark Alley, they are in an insular mood following the Forgery. But I would not seek their services regardless; too many what-ifs. Too many unknown variables getting them purposefully involved.” Verity brushed the front of her dress unnecessarily - an old nervous habit. “To the second point.” Verity pinned the latecomer with a neutral, if imperious, look. “The item in question is a small lacquered green box, about ten inches square. It has a gold lock and gold hinges. The contents of the box are irrelevant to you - only that it be returned to me. And in regards to ‘other items’ you may find in my home…” She raised an eyebrow. “Do you mean to inquire if you are permitted to steal various trinkets from my manor for your troubles, like visitors to an orchard plucking apples? Or do you perhaps mean any odd phenomena you encounter within these walls? Some sort of magical artifact won off a creature of legend? I suppose if you do encounter and best such a thing, you may keep what can be gained from it. But if you avail yourself of my family’s belongings, then you will surely have your reward.” At this, Cobalt calmly drew a few inches of his cold steel saber, face unchanged. “We have sought out professionals and I expect your conduct to be professional. You will be paid like it. Ten thousand chrysts to each of you that make it back with the box. Another three thousand if you can do so in three days. We have the initial blueprints of the house, which you make take at your leisure.” She gestured to a pile of rolled-up blueprints. ”The rate of change is… variable. And constant. From what we can tell, most of the changes happen at or around sunset and dawn. And the changes become more pronounced the further up you go, and the farther you get from the outer window line.”

The large grandfather clock on the wall of the parlour chimed three o'clock, the sound cutting through conversation and leaving room for the softer, slightly aged voice of Verity Warren to carry through the air. "Your host is right here." She did her best to sweep into the room; once it had been so easy to make a striking impression. Her height, her long dark hair, her penchant for fine jewels and gowns - all had aided her in being the Lady of Wickwillow. The Lady Warren. And she still was, if perhaps a bit more stooped, her long hair now silvered, her gown and jewels hanging rather more loosely on a spindly frame. But she was still the Lady Warren, and she would do battle with this strange house until one of them emerged victorious, and the other was either tamed, or dead. Verity surveyed the gathered crowd and held a sigh between her teeth. She had hoped for more, but she was not surprised at the small number. These were trying times for everyone, and plenty did not wish for another helping of danger so soon after having their world shaken and resettled. She had expected to catch the desperate and the curious, and based on what she saw, she had been right. Her eyes lingered a bit long on the slim figure of an actual child amidst the hopefuls, and considered dismissing her outright. But then, Verity herself had been forced to grow up much too quickly. Few in this city did not have to do so, in one way or another. And the girl was not her responsibility. "Thank you for answering our call for aid," Verity continued, glancing aside to Cobalt, who remained still and stoic, as usual. "I am the Lady Verity Warren. As you all surely know, the world has recently undergone a great transition. While most has returned to its original state, there are a few things that... have not. Among them, this house. You all saw the Manor as you approached it from without: four stories and a basement, a classical style. Rather unremarkable, if stately. And it was that way within as well, until a week ago. At which point the house began to... grow. And it has not stopped. It continues to add passages, rooms, secret doors and switchbacks. New staircases appear, and there have been... things that have emerged from such new doors and hallways. We have lost three of our staff." "It is a logical thing to ask 'Why not simply leave?' And in truth, we would. I would, if it were not for something very important that I require, which lies in my late husband's - the late Lord Warren's - third floor study. We have yet to be able to find the room, or even the corridor, in which this item is located. But should you succeed where we have failed, you will be handsomely rewarded. I am certain you have questions. Please, ask, and we shall do our best to answer you."

Cobalt watched the hopefuls arrive, his eyes dark, calm, and keen. The Lady of the house was tired, he could see it in her. He was tired too; he had not retired from the army back home to fight a new, stranger battle here in his own home. And yet, his duty was to serve. So there was little point in complaint. ”Good afternoon, and thank you for answering our request for service. My name is Cobalt - I am the steward of this house. The Lady Warren will be with you all shortly,” he called to the room, then swept a hand toward the parlor, indicating that the assembled group proceed there. “Light refreshments will be provided while you wait. It is advised you familiarize yourselves with one another. You may be working together, after all.”

Hi there! I shall tag you in the OP of my little plot. I just started it last night at an inadvisably late hour. As far as how much I want to RP, well, the answer is always all the time. So Don’t worry about me. How much do you want to? Also, welcome!

Verity Warren sat in her chair by the fireplace and felt herself getting older. It was a subtle, creeping thing - a poison working slowly through her body, killing her. Day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, Verity was dying. They all were. Well, most of them, anyway. Immortals had their own problems. But Verity Warren had more pressing problems than age. More pressing indeed. ”Have the candidates arrived yet, Cobalt?” ”No, ma’am.” Cobalt stood by the fireplace, posture as ramrod-straight as a coat rack, and checked a pocket watch. “The doors will open in ten minutes precisely.” Verity nodded, trusting him to manage all that. This blasted house… it had been bad enough before the Forgery. Now, after all the damn chaos of the world falling back into its previous pattern, Verity had a rather terrible problem on her hands. There was something very, very wrong with Wickwillow Manor. It was growing, and growing things were hungry things. She had sent out the notice a week ago; it has been Cobalt’s idea, and a good one too. That had been after Willa had gone missing on the third floor. The poor maid had just gone off to change the sheets in the spare bedroom. They still hadn’t found her - or the spare bedroom. What they had found was… well. Not what someone wished to find in their house. Luckily, Verity still had enough staff left to keep this small section of Wickwillow running. The kitchen, the front parlor, the small dining room and one hallway of bedrooms seemed to behave normally. It was the rest of the house that kept changing itself. Adding, removing, scrambling… and the new house guests. So many. Usually not the sort one invited on purpose. She put that from her mind. The parlor had been set for guests, and soon perhaps she’d have the group she needed for this task. By every god she hoped she would. Then maybe she could stave off death a little longer. Delay him. Outwit him. At the very least, outwit this damned house. ”Go open the doors, Cobalt,” Verity said, feeling the weight of years pressing on her soul. “No point in keeping them waiting. Or us. It’s time we got this problem fixed.” Cobalt looked at her for a long moment, then inclined his head and strode from the room. He stepped quickly over thick carpet that turned to marble once he entered the main hall. Then, with a short sigh, he opened the front door. @mathiau @Ookla the Quark @Ookla the Nerdy @Ashbringer@Ookla the Headmuncher

It’s an interesting “heist” plot in that it’s not technically a crime job, but it’s a job that will require heist skills. Basically someone will be paying people to crack her own house maze to find an important object at the center. So not crime but feels like crime. Win-win.

This sounds so fun XD

No problem at all, just wanted to get this going because I do know people work slower than I usually do, and that is totally fine. But didn’t want to let it slip past the radar.

Greetings! I know the release of TLM has everyone’s nose in a book, but I wanted to ping everyone who was interested in having a Guild gathering during the Vigil. So, if you’re here you’re the head of a guild or expressed interest in possibly joining the meeting. Want to get a nice set piece going for this particular thread and this seems a nice way to bring at least some of everyone together. @AonEne @Voidus @MacThorstenson @Sherlock Holmes @Rushu42 if I missed any do forgive me

~Lita; Mistkeep, Alleycity~ "I've been considering something for a few days now, and I was hoping you'd give me your opinion." Lita turned them down another small street in the Mistkeep, tin pitched to a whisper to avoid sensory overwhelm from the multitude of people and sounds that permeated the neighborhood. They were nearing one of the nicest parts of the district, which was already largely nice. Even the more threadbare parts of Mistkeep were nothing compared to the Mistwarrens in Smokestack, though Lita still kept herself alert. The Vigil had everyone mixing and blending; it was the ideal hunting ground for a pickpocket or con. Plenty of noble lords and ladies found themselves robbed blind in the "nice part of town" because they never expected someone would have the gall to do it. "Have you considered that every other Guild in the city has some sort of headquarters, a place where one can go if interested? Meanwhile, the best most can hope for is to wander into an Alley and avoid enough maiming to inquire about membership. Is this truly the best we can do? Wouldn't it be... more advantageous to have a place to go where one could ask a few of the 'right kinds' of questions?" Lita stepped neatly over a crack in the sidewalk, pointing out a vacant lot between two other nondescript buildings. "To the fine people of the city, a place to get a drink, perhaps meet someone interesting. And to those with more rarefied taste, somewhere that you can get anything at all, if you know how to ask..." She looked to Laurelai and smiled knowingly. "There is an utterly shocking Department slush fund from when Mac was Head. I thought I might put some of it to good use. As always, your insight is most ardently welcome." @Voidus

Certainly! No one is unwelcome

Hooray! Looking forward to it

Good morning/afternoon/evening! I am highly considering/planning on running a short plot starting around the end of this week and running for a month. For those who don’t know I’m nearly due with my second baby, and Zinclet 2 shall make his appearance around Christmas. So! I wanted to host a little wintertime fun plot for new and old alike. I have not ironed out all the kinks yet for this plot but the relative idea would be that when the Forgery broke, some of the Alleys got scrambled and manifested themselves in the stately manor of an elderly woman. Her home has become a vast labyrinth of odd things and fantastical places. And at the center of this is the thing she is desperately seeking but cannot find. She needs a group of skilled people to retrieve it for her! If you would be at all interested in this little mini plot please let me know. I will cut it off right around December 21-23 if I don’t have my baby sooner. If I do I’ll have notes at hand to give to someone who can run it for me. This isn’t a big complex city wide plot, it’s just a fun seek and find thing that will be very time-bound. So if you want to dip your feet in and have some pre-holiday fun with me let me know!

Good afternoon! While this is certainly an interesting concept for an antagonist, the mod team can’t in good faith approve it largely for these reasons: 1. The fact that this character is designed for RP mostly with your own other character. We are really looking to focus on collaborative RP and you have specifically indicated this character exists largely to RP with your other character, Balance. RPing extensively with oneself in an isolated plot is generally discouraged 2. Conflicts with canon in a major way - splinters of Ruin don’t exist, splinters of Cultivation are on Roshar and under her direct supervision especially large level ones like the Nightwatcher. Neither Shard is accessible to the Epic earth universe. We’ve always focused on filling gaps in canon or bending small rules here and there a la “the rule of cool”; this is much more of a deep deviation/contradiction to Cosmere canon. You are looking to introduce some conflict into your character’s arc and that’s totally awesome! We would instead encourage you to possibly work with another player who wants to RP an antagonist that could fill a similar narrative role to this one, with the added bonus that the character is RP’d by someone who isn’t you, making things more fun and dynamic for everyone.

Hi! Yes this does classify as an OP character. Mod team is discussing currently and will get back to you likely today. Sorry I didn’t ping you about this sooner!