Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Post by Viktor Croswell on Oct 6, 2014 6:36:52 GMT
Open to Danny, and those who may be in the merchant's district Months had passed since Viktor had been in his shop laboring away on projects. Stephen's unfinished bike remained in one corner of the store long over due to be finished. The obnoxious lad's sudden disappearance had been brought upon by a catastrophe like none he thought could ever fall upon him. Today he did not take his father's bike into town but rather walked the long miles to reach his store. Inside, he stared at the bike, winced, and stepped out of the shop that now had a thick layer of dust over every surface. Outside by the door was a crate to which he sat, leaned forward to rest his elbows then cupped his face in his hands. Scrubbing his face with his hands, his shoulders tense and then relax as he hears the familiar footsteps of NK-5 approach. "I'm a terrible person," he mutters once the clockwork soldier placed a hand on his shoulder. "Fires happen. You could not have stopped it. Your mother is safe and watching over your father."
Days prior, a fire had erupted on the outskirts of town--the cause still unknown. As a result, Viktor's home was consumed and his father nearly burnt alive. Luckily his mother had been away with Viktor in visiting family for months due to a family emergency and therefore were not harmed, but unfortunately returned to the disaster and news that awaited them.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 6, 2014 6:43:09 GMT
Merchant runs... business was booming! Danny skipped across the rooftops of the Merchants district with a spring in his step. The boy had finished his deliveries and had just enough money left over after budgeting to treat himself to something special! As he was bouncing across the roofs he spotted a something that was far too familiar for comfort. Somebody was in the exact same getup as he was, minus the hat. What's more, the man was much taller than Danny. The boy scrambled down from his personal road and began wandering over to the figure. That is, until he spotted an unfortunately familiar figure hunched over on some crates. Which meant the costumed joker had to be Nikolai...
With a small sigh, Danny walked over to the two and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Afternoon Nikolai. Viktor. Shouldn't you be tinkering with some shiny bells and whistles or whatever it is you do? Obviously it's not run a shop... you haven't been here for weeks."
Post by Viktor Croswell on Oct 6, 2014 6:48:41 GMT
Nikolai was first to respond to Danny as the lad approached. The clockwork doll gave a nod in greeting and replied, "Good day, Danny. Was it?" His hand remained gripping his elder brother's shoulder and visibly squeezes tighter to draw the red head's attention to the boy. Not seeming to register the change in pressure applied to his shoulder, the mechanic remains hunched over, face buried in his hands. It isn't until a few moments later that he draws his hands down his face as he sits up then leans back against the wall, eyes glancing up. On closer inspection, one might see that the whites of his eyes were tinted with a subtle pink though whether it was from crying, being hungover and not sleeping well, or just being high is anyone's guess. "Hey, kid," he mutters before turning his eyes onto the lad. Behind his gold flecked, green eyes there is a trace of shame.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 6, 2014 6:53:01 GMT
"What? No snappy remark? No witty reply?" Danny leaned back and tilted his head before looking at Nikolai. "Wha's got 'is goat? 'e's 'ungover, yeh? Lil too much'a the drink?" Danny made a drinking motion with one of his hands as he spoke. The boy reached back into the pocket he'd shoved his hand into and pulled out a small apple flavored hard candy, which he deftly popped into his mouth without moving the scarf. "So, since Vikky's no' gonna tell, wha' 'bout you Nick? Where the two'a ya been?" Danny leaned against the wall as he shifted the candy in his mouth from one side to the other and let out an appreciative little slurp.
Post by Viktor Croswell on Oct 6, 2014 7:00:08 GMT
Danny was right to assume that the elder was not going to speak or answer as he seemed to be off in his own world, eyes returning back up to stare at the overcast skies of October. Taking the liberty, Nikolai first looks to Viktor then to the lad and although tingles ran up and down his body, he seemed content to remain standing where he was. "Our aunt was unwell... I believe she suffered from a bug? I still do not know what that means though Viktor tried explaining. Horrible he is with words, you know this. I have concluded that a bug meant she quite figuratively had a bug in her stomach or that a virus infected her and made her unwell. She required several months of extensive care as a result to whichever it was. We've returned home just a day before last." Sparing another glance at Viktor, the little brother tilts his head as the elder draws his knees up and interrupts, "Kid, I'm sorry."
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 6, 2014 7:10:00 GMT
"Nothin' to be sorry 'bout. Ya didn' kick my puppy or anythin', did ya?" Danny shrugged his shoulders. "Yer Auntie doin' okay?" He glanced at Nikolai for some kind of facial cue... but the man was garbed almost the same as Danny himself. No luck there. This was going to take some getting used to. What's creepier than talking to a giant who dressed almost exactly like you? Them being a metal killing machine. "So, guessin' by Mopey 'ere, she kicked the bucket? Lost 'er lease on life?"
Post by Viktor Croswell on Oct 6, 2014 7:18:46 GMT
The skin around Viktor's nose crinkled as one might when trying to hold back intense feelings just as he turned his head away. Nikolai makes a sound that could be considered a sigh for a robot before replying, "His aunt is well and living. She recovered just fin--" Viktor cuts in, interrupting his brother though he refuses to look at the two. "I'm sorry 'bout the rude things I said to you all those months back, alright? Guess I had what's comin' to me... shouldn't have been all high and mighty pretendin' I knew somethin' I knew nothin' about." There is a soft sniffle to keep his nose from running and he looks to Danny, eyes moist but not as though he would cry. "Came back to the home burnt down. Father was trapped inside but neighbors got him out... third degree burns most everywhere--fighting infection and fever. Chances aren't high." Pulling himself together, the red haired punk stands off of the crate then enters the shop, Nikolai following but pausing to hold the door open. "Want some tea, kid? Maybe juice, or coffee?"
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 6, 2014 7:22:47 GMT
Danny stood quietly and listened to Viktor. So that's what happened. The boy knew what it was like to have problems with family, but at least the man was alive. That's one thing at least. He rolled his shoulders and dipped his head to Nikolai before ducking inside and grabbing the man's arm. "C'mon. Yer comin' wit me Sniffles. You too, Nick. Ya've 'ad an accident in the family, an' ya gotta getcher mind offa it." Danny tugged on Viktor's shirt sleeve towards the door. "My treat." It was best to be distracted at a time like this. Dwell on it, and it just eats at you. Then you do something stupid, and it just makes things worse. Danny knew all too well...
Post by Viktor Croswell on Oct 6, 2014 7:28:39 GMT
Not entirely all himself and being rather lanky, he is easily caught off guard by the smaller by and stumbles back before following the younger albeit confused. "Where are we going," he asks, brows furrowing over the bridge of his nose. "Kid, I don't want you payin' for anythin' of mine. Just... I just need to pray and do what I can," he murmurs though half-heartedly, his attempt to sound optimistic. Even still, he followed the kid with Nikolai at their heels. "If Viktor runs, I will catch him, Danny. Do not worry."
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 6, 2014 7:59:57 GMT
Danny wandered out to the main part of the district before he pulled his scarf down and grinned at Viktor. "Ya ever been ta Devil's Pike over by the beach? Place's great. C'mon, I'll take ya there." Danny pulled his scarf back up and started walking through the city towards the edges of town. It was going to be a little bit of a walk so he looked back at the depressed mechanic. "You'll need a change'a clothes. Yer gonna get wet." Danny looked around before marching towards a clothing shop. It was neat and organized, with clothes for the common man. Subdued and dark main ensembles with bright accents lined the walls, and frilly dresses that looked more targeted towards a younger audience covered the entire right side of the store. Danny spun around and pointed at Viktor and Nikolai. "We're goin' shoppin'! Buy somethin' ya won' mind gettin' wet. An' remember, it's on me!" Danny giddily darted towards the back right of the store, still in men's wear but near the dresses as well.
Post by Viktor Croswell on Oct 6, 2014 8:04:48 GMT
With a resigned sigh, the eldest of the trio made his way to the section of clothing for his age group and his size. Having intentions of paying but also taking into consideration the fact that the little boy was crafty, he picks out the cheapest thing he could then carries it to the counter, plopping coins down beside the article. Somewhere in the store, Nikolai seems to be eyeing the clothe with interest before moving off to hunt down Danny.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 6, 2014 8:12:34 GMT
Danny made sure the men's clothes were blocking him from view as he eyed the women's. Oh, that dress would look lovely... But no. No. Stay focused Danny. You're here to make Viktor feel better. Cheer him up. Nice things can wait for later. He turned away from the dresses with a small sigh, only to run smack dab into Nikolai. "Ah... uhh... hey Nick. 'ow long ya been standin' there?" Danny quickly scooted around and began examining the clothes critically. He even put his hand on his chin and stroked it thoughtfully. He picked up a dark brown shirt and a pair of black pants before he went to pay. He walked up to the shopkeeper and spoke. "'ow much did the pirate pay?" After receiving the reply, Danny payed with exact change for the combined costs of his and Viktor's clothes. He grinned, stuffed the clothes into his satchel, and marched towards the depressed machinist. As he passed, he shoved the change from his purchase at Viktor and kept walking. "Spoil sport... didn' even try an' look 'round..."
Post by Viktor Croswell on Oct 6, 2014 8:19:40 GMT
Nikolai's body visibly jerked and he quickly moved away from the lad as a surge ran through his body sending the clock in his heart to race before the quick removal of contact allowed it to return to normal. Tilting his head as if curious, he draws closer to Danny, one finger extended to gently poke the lad, the surge sent through his body again before he draws away. "Strangely... addicting," he says slowly as he inspects his hand before eyeing Danny. "You are bad for me. Howcome? You like dresses? Howcome? Do boys wear dresses? I thought only girls do? Why do humans have so many exceptions to things?" The flood of questions might have been unsettling, but his database was always eager to learn more. As Danny approached the clerk, Nikolai followed behind though with a considerable distance. Viktor awaited them, shoulders slumped and eyes downcast. He makes a grunt to the coins given to him and makes note to repay the little weasel later but sets a hand gently on top of Danny's hand. "Don't like making people pay for me. Thanks, kid."
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Oct 6, 2014 8:39:46 GMT
Danny turned red under his scarf as Nikolai asked about the dresses. "Yer no' makin' me pay fer nothin'. I'm doin' it 'cause I feel like bein' nice." Danny looked back into the store one last time before he turned and started walking along the road. "Nikolai, the reason I ain' good fer ya's 'cause I'm an Ander. Magic. We can' use no tech... like Viktor's bike? I couldn' ride it. The thing'd break down b'fore we got anywhere. It's the reason why Viktor an' Amon toldja ta stay away from me when I was at the shop. I ain' good fer tech, an' yer made entirely'a tech." Danny explained while he walked. "I ain' human, bu' the reason livin' things 'ave so many 'ceptions ta rules is 'cause'a the way life works. No two people're ever the same. Even if they're twins, born the same spo' an' raised the 'xact same way, they ain' gonna be the same. So the 'ceptions're livin' things ways'a catagorizin' the world an' makin' sense of it around em. Ya unnerstan', Nik?"
Post by Viktor Croswell on Oct 7, 2014 1:58:28 GMT
"What is magic? How come this -magic- does not allow you to make contact with technology? You are not human? I am not human either," the humanoid replies as he and his elder brother follow the younger boy to their destination. Viktor tucks his clothe between his belt and pants then shoves his hands into his jacket, kicking pebbles about as they walked and he just listened. "Danny," Viktor says after a moment. "Why are you doin' this? I was a jerk to you and you're trying to make me feel better... why? I don't deserve it... but thank you."
Shoutbox
Welcome to the Shoutbox - If You Have Discord, Ask to Join the Discord Server