IC Contact (Folkmore)

[nativized]

[ This is an IC contact Post for Lex, that I'm going to make look nicer eventually ]

Comments

3rd June, text, un: say.hi.ori

[hugenergy]

[ Hi, Lex. Enjoy a message coming through to you around lunchtime. ]

Hi Spark! 彡☆
It's (Say)ori! I had some questions for my senior here at Folkmore whenever you're free
I'm helping a friend learn more about Thirteen and how we end up here __φ(．．) If anything mysterious has happened or what Thirteen says if you ask to go home...!!
I guess it's good to know in general too (・∀・*) Just because we voluntarily got stuck here doesn't mean we shouldn't know everything about where we are!

I hope you're having a good time, Spark!
✿

[nativized]

[ It is unexpected, but honestly, welcome enough. He did offer something like this to a few people, and having someone take him up on it made Lex smile. ... Certainly a distraction from another little irritant of a conversation he'd gotten in the other day and some food complications. ]

Wellllll! Mysterious sort of covers a pretty broad purview, huh? After all, right now you could go up to Never Fade and try and talk with a manifestation of the thing before going to scarf down some potatoes she made and get a doll for your trouble! But but but is that abnormal by the standards you're looking for?

Not that the conversations are long. My own [ is still pending response ] was pretty curt! So I'm sad to say I didn't get an answer as to the question about return!


Brighter with you in it! ☆

[ Oh there we go, he figured out how to do the star. now he's got heart and star down on this keyboard ]

[hugenergy]

[ Oh, yay, he responded! And that last line does get a smile out of her, a small giggle behind her mouth. He's so nice! ]

Everything is important! Well, I guess I should narrow down my search... but this place has been around for a while, and I know there's the trials (are eating potatoes a trial?) but, maybe there's been more than just the trials...? Strange things that stick out, don't seem like they should have happened...

She's really in detective mode, figuring out anything that might be a clue to making our lives easier! Maybe there isn't anything that sticks out, but it (hopefully!) won't hurt to look into it. I mean, I'm not very good at looking at details and getting making any sense out of them, but that's why I'm helping to get the information so the real pros can put their brains to work!

But I think I want to know about these potatoes too. [ Oh!! Oh! ] Can I see your doll? Is it cute?

And I'm sorry talking to her went so poorly!

[nativized]

Mmm

Well! I don't know what the "norm" here is so I think I'll just settle for "outlandish" things which I am pretty sure is caused by the powers of the Fox or its related ilk. Put into that context, I have encountered (depending on how you count it) between 1 and 6 trials. (some of these might be sub-parts of other trials). I'll just list them out and you can follow up with questions

- My star fell in Wintermute. Apparently, other people were teleported out to that area to pick up new arrivals with dogsleds. Once there, a dog running a food truck warmed up people. But once we got back to the hot springs those same robot dogs trapped people inside until you told someone else a secret*

* - it wasn't technically "a secret" but it would be more words to explain I could if needed

- Around that same time, Thoth (head of the science school, also the Fox) posted posters which let you volunteer to join experiments. I did that and went through ha dark maze. Was given one of the magic items I have back home for it. I learned that other people that some people were randomly teleported into the experiments without pulling the volunteer tab too

- A few weeks later there was a festival held up on Never Fade (that floating island on the horizon**. Some older guy I met compared it to Beltane if you know what that is. But goats were running it and birds were running barbecue there. The festival involved running long ribbons which had markings which seemed oddly familiar in places around a pole. These ribbons will come back later.

** - I was told that Never Fade had been inaccessible for several weeks prior to this festival. I was new at the time so I didn't notice.

- also at the festival were a bunch of bonfires. These bonfires were being looked after by some very anxious mice who were convinced that if the bonfires weren't fed they would spell doom for either Never Fade or Folkmore as a whole. The fires could only be realistically fed by offering confessions to other people near them. These confessions had to be something which made you feel emotional vulnerable, based on my testing. When you fed the fires I noticed you got some extra Lore in your spoon and also made you feel weirdly open.

- A few days*** after that strange weather started. It's actually still happening for me I don't know if it's happening for you. For me, whenever I'm indoors it rains. I know that happens for other people but I've also seen storm clouds and sun shining indoors too. Not sure what causes this effect. I have tried to not be indoors all this last month if I can help it

*** - based on all spirits I talked to the days May 6th to May 12th were erased due to time issues (covered below); Lavender (one of the Fox versions) also backed this up. It became on the "13th" but to me it felt like it happened only a day or two later

- Lavender's announcement was both that time had slipped but that the cause was those ribbons from the festival had flown off of Never Fade into the wider area of Folkmore. It also offered a bounty to collect them. I have encountered some odd time distortion in my own hunts of them but I haven't committed very hard to their reclamation myself. I think the hunt for them is still on technically.

- Around the same time all iterations of the Fox (aside from Thoth) began to work at the Farm to Sky restaurant on Never Fade and made a unique menu up there. All of their supplied foods (possibly minus one of them?) produce magical effects, which I could expand on

[ ... That's a lot of typing to ask them to process. So Lex leaves it at that for now and just works to try to figure out how to attach an image. He eventually manages it and attacks a picture of a little raggedy anne style doll of this woman. complete with dark blue button eyes ]

[hugenergy]

That happened to me too! I fell from the sky and was left in Wintermute until some nice dogs helped me out. (I showed up the end of last month. Does everyone show up there?)

[ She actually has that response written out immediately, though she doesn't send it, waiting to continue reading everything that's been laid out for her. She's a quick enough reader, helped by these being in points, but Sayori has to think about this, scribbling out points given, leaving notes where her thoughts take her because of what he's given. Okay... ]

So...

Trials?
- Experiments were run in Thoth that gave you a prize
- Doggies took you to a hot spring and made you tell a secret (I know this one! I went there too)
- All versions of the Fox (except 1) made special food at Fade to Sky for people to eat (maybe it goes under Funny Effects? hmmm)

Funny effects?
- Last month the strange weather started that's affected by emotions (Someone told me about this and that's what he told me was the reason) [ And she could elaborate on her own experience, but she also doesn't want to draw attention to what she think what emotions brings rainclouds. Even if she wants to ask how he's been feeling, jump on some way of helping--she knows she needs to be more considerate than that. Sneaky. She can think about how to help cheer up this person she barely knows.

(But that really doesn't matter to her, only that it might cause some problems in helping him... ah, Sayori! You'll think of something!) ]

Maybe a trial?
- Ribbon festival. Mice [ uggghh SAYORI BETS IT WAS SO CUTE TALKING TO MICE-- ] talked about Folkmore being at risk, but maybe it was a test...?

The Fox made a new location and then time disappeared, and that was because of ribbons at a festival in a new location... so the Fox's power might not be as stable as you'd think it is when she can make somewhere like Folkmore and bring everyone here.

[ It took her some time to get through all that, but maybe that isn't a bad conclusion...?

But in that time, writing and thinking, Sayori hasn't missed the doll. And while she doesn't comment on it in the post, there's a picture attachment that comes through after her text back: it's a cute goat with a pink sticky note between its fore-legs to look like it's holding it.

It reads:
☆ Your friend is cute!
Sayori loves them! ☆ ]

7th June

[hugenergy]

[ Surprise, Sparky, it's a message from Sayori--two photos, specifically.

One shows ahead across a spacious yet wooded area, the hint of a stream in view, but falling away into the trees. Flowers are in bloom where they're scattered about, and despite the nice weather visible, it has Epiphany's signature nostalgic tint in the photo.

The second one is shot lower, revealing a picnic blanket (chequered, red and white) and the very edge of smooth knees. But what's actually the focal point is a cross-stitch of a flower taking place. There's a notebook to the side, and her goat plush leaning against a small basket, next to a thermos. ]

This is my adventure for today! I went out farther than I ever have around this part... the mood here is like an old friend~ It really makes me think.

dates are fake anyway especially when we're this far back in time

[nativized]

[ Ah, so they really are both pushing this exchange through. He grins seeing this, even if it did still feel... well, he's not sure how it feels yet. It's a warm thing, he supposes. ]

Oh! Out for a picnic huh!

time IS a lie and always trips me up

[hugenergy]

Mhm! I thought it would be good to do before going all the way to Willow. I've never taken a walk out into a forest on my own before... so I wanted to make it fun!

[ So she didn't feel lost. ]

[nativized]

Well! Strong first step! And it seems you're not quite alone

[ ... Man, did she grow up sheltered or really urban. both? ]

[hugenergy]

Nope! And I got you to spend a moment with me too 🌟

7th June

[hugenergy]

[ It's nighttime when this photo comes in, and it shows a view of Epiphany's night life from Satori Hills, though the apartments aren't in view. Only the dazzling lights from different sources can be seen, as well as a glittering of stars above. ]

Just like a painting, even things that aren't real can make us feel things. I hope you don't feel sad tonight, Spark.
Tomorrow's a new day!

[nativized]

Is your place in Satori Hills, or you just visiting?

[hugenergy]

Aren't we all visiting?

Ehehe, sorry
Yup, I live here!

[nativized]

Well damn!

You find Hoot Couture yet?

(backtagged to a few days after the May trial) text | un:aquilasshadow

[aquilasshadow]

[Lex's memory continued to nag Altair. He usually wasn't too bothered about keeping the memories he saw to himself. This time was different though. Unlike the memories of dead Lex was still alive. It felt wrong to keep it from him so eventually he gave in and contacted him.]

I think I saw your memory. If you want to pretend nothing happened that's fine but if you want to talk about it I'll listen. It's your choice.

[nativized]

Damn, my man

make that sound more like a threat

the snail returns! sorry I'm late

[aquilasshadow]

I didn't mean it like that.

I saw the mission where Choum and Rupert died. I'm sorry.

1/2

[nativized]

[nativized]

Oh wow, that was a *while* back now

The whole mission, huh? Not the most fancy one or anything, but it felt like it back then

10/26 | audio | un: recorder

[goldenturtle]

Where are you?

[ Straight to the point, as usual. ]

Voice; un: SPARKING

[nativized]

Oh no, has it finally happened...?

audio | un: recorder

[goldenturtle]

What the hell are you talking about?

[nativized]

First some sort of familiar-other people dating app and now this?! The fabled time of the booty call has come for me in this realm?!

[ He is absolutely, absolutely not being serious right now. Lex has seen that in his inbox, clicked it, and then decided that, if that guy was going to give him a weird voice recording in his inbox, he'd respond with some strange. At least at first. For a joke. ]

2/14 | Action | gift left at his door

[thunderingcourage]

[On Valentine's Day there would be a box waiting at Lex's apartment containing homemade chocolates and a small letter from Makoto. After the last trial she hadn't been sure about doing this, but she'd managed to work up the courage.]

Happy Valentine's Day,

I really enjoy talking and training with you. I appreciate that you support and encourage me and aren't afraid to speak up. I hope you enjoy the chocolates!

-Makoto Kino

[nativized]

[ The gift at his door is a ... surprise. It's... hmm. He didn't grow up with these traditions. Was this her- saying she was attracted to him? She's much too young? Maybe it's another cultural thing. Either way, Lex grins to get it, and he will, indeed, gratefully eat them.

-- So as to not be awkward he'll thank her for it next time he sees her or, next time they train together. ]