A New Year - Alne

Alne is partying. A year has passed since the Apocalypse started. And while there is no doubt some annoyance between Alliances, and the matter of the climb going slow - having its recent setback - New Years is something being celebrated with good spirits in mind.

There is the occasional glance at the center of the Main Square, worried that something might show up. There are enough people who've read fiction here who are looking off in the distance, expecting another dark wave to roll over them all, taking away their levels and gear.

But this isn't Metroid.

Instead, there's magical classes putting on pyrokinetic displays. There's even a few Travelers who've decided to mix with the people. Hestia and Ganesha in particular have shown themselves for the festivities. With Ganesha at a stall to test one's strength - the source of boisterous laughter as he sends Bear tumbling.

Hestia herself is dragging Bell Cranel to another stall wearing a Yukata, holding something that looks like some kind of glazed confection. There's laughter and bemusement all around to be had. There's a few stations where one can fish for gold fish, and the Crescent Moon has set up multiple stalls selling things like Yakitori.

Surely, nothing would cause any issues on this day. There's a few mages who have set up a set of light spells that are making a makeshift clock against one of the pale buildings nearby. Allowing people to watch a count-down!

    Merek is atop a building. It is quite difficult to tell what he's doing, the man wears dark attire in addition to the white trim that it often keeps, with the strap of his along the waist. Upon his face he wears a kitsune mask, while he takes the time to watch the people. The pyreworks seem to interest him, and he takes a drink of the tea which he seems to keep with him. Hestia and Bell are noticed, although he seems to be keeping his attention all along the place while he thinks. Celebration. What is there to celebrate, to him it all seems like the celebration of the day which changed everything.

And everyone's favorite Nightmare Bard is on the street with the holiday beat, putting in time providing a cheerful musical backdrop to the celebrations.

Every so often Kauchemar leans back a little to point the neck end of her lute towards the sky and shoot off a bunch of fire and sparks into the air in time with her music to add to the various displays going on.

Everyone just having a much needed good time. Nothing to see here. Surely nothing will go wrong.

For the New Year, Rylen has returned to the Isle of Beginnings. The Peko Ranch had need of more capable hands during the winter months, and somehow, it felt right to return to the place where this had all started. It's a break from his usual serious work in the Ninetails Dominion.

The Olympus representative seems more his usual self, playing the role of acrobat. He is surrounded by a number of others who are part of the traveling performance group. The Pooka does a few precarious hand-stand atop some balanced chairs, landing to a measure of applause before grinning. "Thank you, thank you!"

On the surface, he doesn't seem remotely worried about the turn of the year and what it might bring with it. Though, his eyes do sweep the crowd, as if he were looking for someone. "Don't tell me you're going to be late again." He smirks, shaking his head with some amusement. "Ahh well."

Gwen has sold so many Yukatas ahead 0of this pary so much tha Gwen is just going to party now. Sure there's a chance to make mo0ney but dar lord she need some time off to have fun and maybe she's going to just go out an dance a bit. She has been moving about with some food though, her parents are off somewhere running the food stand as even Morri and Uther were telling Gwen to take a break. For once Morri didn't tryu to set Gwen up with anyone or put her in outfits that would make hte infamous Fashion monger? Run a quickly as Jazz might. She would come up on Rylen for a moment calling out "Hey Rylen!"

Goldenblade is here and in a yukata, because she respects tradition. It's not a perfectly done up yukata, because as much as she's seen them, her wife always wore one to festivals, she's never done it herself. The overall effect is a sort of rebelious conformist.

She's actually looking for Rylen, but the crowd is a crowd and she might find him or not as she wanders around. Uta had suggested she seek him out, though this might not be the right time or place for that discussion, either.

SpritesHero is also here, happily (or at least unconcernedly) perched on a nearby, handily placed barrel. Somewhere, he's managed to locate a steaming mug of something or other spiced, and it sends wispy tendrils of smoke wafting into the air beneath his nose. Occasionally he sips, but for the most part he is content to lean back against the store-wall behind him, gaze surveying his surroundings, half-lidded. And yes, he's still in his adventurer gear. Odds are he's simply lapsed into a state of learned helplessness. What will happen will happen. He'll deal with it when it happens. Or not. But for now, he'll enjoy his beverage.

It's been a whole year. Kaydon can hardly believe that it's been an entire year and yet everybody is celebrating.

He's not necessarily participating in the festivities, because he's worried about something coming down on them again like last year. He wasn't prepared for it last time. This time he would be. He's been in this kind of mood since the disaster of the 10th floor boss fight. Broody and aloof.

It's time to celebrate, and to Lin that means there's more than ever to celebrate. The Pooka's books have been growing heavier and heavier of late. There's details to chase and theorems to disprove. But now's a time to escape from all that - even if it started as escapism. He bounces freely through the celebrations, a piece of food in one hand and a drink in the other. It's a new year and it's time to move onwards.

    Setsuna was drunk, which did not take someone noticing the drunk status on him to tell. Even the empty glasses infront of him, wasn't the only obvious giveaway. Nope it had to be the fact that he kept looking at the sky and shaking his fist , slurring some insult at the unknown and then would check the time. He would then order another round of something, what it was Setsuna couldn't tell you but it was strong, and it was green, so it was worth it. He was not the happiest of people but he was here out of some since of obligation to attend because it was a festival in Alne and Scale needed to be represented.

    It's been a year... A whole year huh.
    Well, Amalthea is here, the aged paladin has traded in her armor and cloak for the subdued colors of a light grey kimono with traces of sky blue here and there. It's a wonder she's here at all after the failure of the tenth floor raid, which she has been strangely reticent for the past few days, but she is here among all the people, quietly enjoying the festivities.

    So many yukatas. It's tradition, right? Mizuki probably got Wisteria or Gwen to explain how to put it on, and wanders the street in her very dark violet yukata, never really having BEEN to a festival like this before and just sort of randomly trying whatever catches her fancy; festival food, games... she's currently been drawn to sit somewhere (possibly the edge of a rooftop) where she can hear Kauchemar's music and watch the 'fireworks' and see the countdown, humming cheerfully along and trying to stay in the spirit of enjoying the party and trying NOT to think about how they've been trapped here for a year...

The festival continues, and the large stage makes room for a group of Landers. Dressed in white, they step onto the stage. One of them bearing a blindfold. Joined by men and women, they set up. Some of them holding flutes, others holding onto string instruments and drums.

Pyreworks continue, as their song begins to rise above the din of the festival noise.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8tiJ8oHfao

The High Priestess of the Church of Law, the one with the blindfold, leads the song in a language that seems alien and unknown, yet undeniably beautiful. She is joined by her fellows moments later. And after a beautiful intro, words start to flow in the common tongue!

Impressive voices come to life, sweeping up some of the musician Adventurers and Landers who are serving the festival today. To some, the words start to flow naturally, as if it were a song they'd known all along. Together, they begin to sing a hopeful and upbeat song that a rare few might recognize as the 42nd song.

Gwen is also in a Yukata herself after all when in rome right and it's something new to her as well. she sem pretty happy she's bnoucy you'd forget the mood she wa sin just after the wipe in the tower. That boss hurt her on a level she didn't think was possible. She would pause at the song for a moment she knows this songf she's heard it before and she turns he head to watch and listen to it. While she isn't a proper singer Gwen will join in... make a joyfull noise right?

    Merek will notice that Setsuna looks to be in the bottle, and will begin to take the time to relax. He walks to the place where he came up on it, then he begins to climb along to the floor, while making a way to the man. When he listens to the song, he will nod a bit, "Song 42. You know, they probably could've named it." Listening to it, he will take a look to Setsuna, "You alright?" he asks. There aren't a lot of people he knows there. Though he does notice Amalthea, Gwen, and waves to the people.

"Gwen!" Rylen offers a smile to the sometimes infamous tailor. "It's good to see you. I was thinking of stopping by your shop after the New Years festivities. The Undead have been doing a number on my wardrobe and I wouldn't mind a refresh before I head back. Something... effective but stylish." He's sure she can manage that kind of challenge.

Then, he asks, "Don't suppose you've seen Xander milling about? I was hoping Scale wouldn't keep him tied down to guard duty tonight, but it looks like I might be out of luck." For the time being, the Beastmaster seems oblivious to the fact that Goldenblade might be looking for him, but he also isn't particularly hard to find. The circus crew tend to be easy to notice, even within a crowd, with their loud performances and brighter colored clothing.

The sound of music catches his ears, though. While Rylen doesn't know much of the songs of Yamato, this one is beautiful, and it does stop him in his tracks as he listens. The other performers around him seem to stop, too. Giving respect to those on the stage.

Kauchemar stops her own playing when people take to the stage and start to sing instead. Her ears perk up... Huh, she's not aware of this one. The bard is immeadiately more interested in the song than the strange progression that got upon the stage to perform it. Her tail flicks in time, her attention entirely focused.

Goldenblade finds the 42nd Song strangely familiar, but she's only heard it ... where did she hear it? She's paused in her search for Rylen for the moment, to be enraptured by the song as much as by the performers. They are Landers of Consequence!

Celebration for Lin means forgetting the things that bother you. He's been trying to do a lot of that recently. Santa turned out to be a monster. What he's calling the Tenth Floor Disaster is a mixture of wanting to forget and being sure that he's overlooking something. When the song begins, the Pooka looks up into the sky to stare at the pyreworks. A smile spreads across his face. For once the assault of nightmares in Alne feels like peace.

SpritesHero's head cants to the side, eyes narrowing a fraction as voices lift in song. What a curious melody. An even curiouser set of lyrics. He utters a mild sigh, under his breath, fingertips tapping against the ceramic of his mug pensively. The impulse to close his eyes and listen, however, is firmly squashed. While he may keep an ear perked, his gaze constantly roams to and fro over the gathered crowd, occasionally lingering on anything that feels out of place. Whatever 'out of place' may mean, in a festival such as this. One such pass registers Lin's presence. He lifts his mug, eyebrows flickering upwards in recognition and greeting.

    Spying a wave from up on a rooftop, Amalthea glances up to see Merek of all people. Well, she gives back a somewhat subdued wave, before the Landers come out onto the stage- and begin singing.
    Though it's the first time she's heard this song, the beauty is not lost on the old Adventurer, eyes slowly falling closed as she listens. Amid hearing a familiar voice not too far off.
    "Xander is wherever he is." She interjects to Rylen's question. "Though I'm certain he's no longer on punishment duty at the very least so we can just hope that wherever he is, he's enjoying himself." She says with a lazy shrug, "And how have you been, Rylen dear?"

Kaydon swears he's heard that song somewhere before, but hell if he knows where. He's too focused on his patrol to worry about a song.

His pace brings him back into the main square, and he frowns visibly. He's already in his were fang form this time, not wanting to waste time with not having it if the need arises.

    What a difference a year can cause for people. Arashi had honestly not even planned to show up for the celebration, but camping out, alone, at 080 didn't seem like a very fun thing to do for the calendar flip. Given a nudge by a friend, Arashi made the trip and has arrived at Alne just for the music to begin. Heh. Familiar tune..

    Setsuna looks around, he was suppose to meet Xander around here but he still didn't show, probably volunteered for guard duty as the guy didn't exactly strike him as a party person. Taking a moment he throws back another glass of green and makes a face as he slams the glass down and shakes his head. Taking a moment he looks back over at the singing and has a brief understanding of how the grinch feels, before he to begins to hum along with the song.

    Looking over at Merek, both of him as he stares intently for a moment before he takes a moment to check the time. "In a few minutes my kid will be considered 14... " He trails off for a moment as he gathers his thoughts, " An entire year of having to deal with waking up to find ole daddy-O stuck in this game. So I'm frakin' great, how are you Merek?" Looking at the bartender he looks at the empty glass and gestures to make this one a double.

    Mizuki joins in with the song from the audience as best she can. She likes singing, she's so glad she can do it in this world with such a beautiful voice...

As the first song ends, there's enough of a pause as the musicians set up for another song. The group starts going into the next song.

https://youtu.be/p5xDeHqjyfY

The music creates a sense of a need to dance. It continues to bring this intense cheer into the crowd, even though the language in which they sing is not understood; Lacking any words that seem to translate to the commonly understood one.

And as the song comes to an end, the timer has reached the last ten seconds of the count down.

00:00:10

The artists quiet and turn, understanding the desire for people to take note of the countdown. The Church of Law showing its efforts to remain connected to the Adventurers even in a time where so many Landers would loathe those here today. The Scale Emblem Alliance being here in such large numbers.

00:00:09
00:00:08
00:00:07

As there is a strange sound in the distance. It's as if someone just stepped into glass right near them. It comes in on the left ear at first, but then begins to flow around them. Climbing along the north, the south, towards the south-east. Crumbling glass, though there's no visual source of it all...


00:00:06
00:00:05
00:00:04

And then things go quiet again. There's confusion. People thinking there's some kind of prank. Even the Landers present look concerned for a moment.

00:00:03
00:00:02
00:00:01

As fireworks splash up in enormous bolts. Fire, lightning, even water detonating in the air. A group of Mages having managed to spell it in the skies:

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

    Well, it's not simple. The whole world was different, Merek nods a bit to Setsuna. "I know it's pretty difficult to have people waiting to get us all back. I know we will make it back, until then... Let them know that you are fighting." The man thinks about it, "I don't feel like celebrating, though... We should at least remember that we've come this far. And try to do our best." There's a look about and he pours a drink for himself as well.    The man looks about when he notices that sound, with a curious look to people, and speaks to the chimlink while he thinks, "I don't know what that was. Well, it looks like we're alright." The man nods a bit to Setsuna as well.

Amalthea's familiar voice carries to him over the song, drawing Rylen's gray-eyed gaze towards the Scale Emblem leader. "It wouldn't surprise me in the least if he volunteered for extra shifts in order to let someone else enjoy the festivities. I have to remind him, from time to time, that spending time with me is as important as trying to play the selfless soldier boy."

Amusement lingers on his features as he bows in that elaborate, showmanly way to Amalthea. "Better now that I've had a few weeks of rest back home. The cold seems to have slowed the Undead advancement in Ninetails a bit, but I fear it may only be a temporary reprieve." Then, he hazards to ask, "And you? I heard there was... trouble lately with the highest floor?"

Then, as the countdown begins, Rylen offers a brief, confused expression, "Did you hear something?"

Gwen hs sound Rylen and grins at him for a moment "I heard about hat and you wnat some new thing we can talk about that soon i'm on a break tonight I cam out to party. No I haven't seen him lately if I'm being hosnest." She shrugs a little bit. she thinks for a moment "EArth's becoming more and more a fading bad dream for me..." Why is she climing the tower? Who knows really maybe Gwen is up to something or as simple to keep an eye on SEA who knows. She thinks about how she was playing with Shiruba Kaydon and her parent the day this haoppened and the madness of it all and it was freedom in the end so long.

"... I did hear something, like glass what the heck was that?"

    Mizuki hops off the roof to dance to the song, and then watches the countdown with the rest. Glancing briefly around, ears turning this way and that searching for the source... but her eyes are on the countdown when it reaches zero.

    Will new adventurers appear? Will the world change? Will they be sent home?

    ...Nothing happens, except for fireworks. She smiles up at the words spelled in the sky and lets her cheer join the rest of the crowd's!

Kaydon knew it. He fucking knew it! He goes running back towards the middle of Alne square as soon as he hears the glass shattering sound. He almost ends up plowing into Arashi as he ends up skidding to a stop, "Thank goodness you're here." He says to her, "Come on, something's happening and I don't know what. But we have to be ready."

In the flash of the fireworks Arashi can see that Kaydon definitely looks worried. Clearly whatever's going on has him heavily concerned, and the chatter on the chimlink confirms what he heard.

Kauchemar is not one to pass up the call to dance and joins right in as the second song begins. It's impressive how, despite her height and equine build, she can be so nimble and graceful in her movements. Skirt twirls as she does, while her tail and mane move in longer sweeping arcs due to it's length.

But there's something else... the music dies down as the countdown gets close to the end... and something almost just on the fringe of what can be heard. But to those that hear it, is slightly out of place.

Her little dance had brought her closer to where Rylen and Amalthea and others were standing. "It wasn't just you that heard something," she murmurs towards the Beastmaster. The Nightmare Were Fang has very good ears.

    Walk, walk, walk, suddenly KAYDON. Arashi goes stumbling backwards as she manages to avoid crashing into him, "Er, what?" She was so caught up in the music and the potential fireworks that somehow she didn't even hear the glass, or assumed it was part of the performance. "I .. didn't hear it?" Hmm. Alright. She'll help, and she goes jogging after the blacksmith. "Alright, alright! I'm right behind you."

One might expect Proteus to come from the HQ. But she doesn't, walking into town from one of the side streets and quietly striding her way to look upon the people assembled, listening to the beautiful songs. She tilts her head, turning it towards the High Priestess of the Church of Law as she leads the choir, and smirks faintly, an edge of a shark-like smile as they proceed in the celebration. "Certainly a time for celebration." She murmurs to herself. With a turn, she sweeps quietly through the crowd. Unlike those dressed in yukatas and festival wear, the Imp seems content to wear her usual concealing garb. Some might mistake her for a thief, perhaps, with her dress, but she has nothing to steal from people. Not the least of which being their joy at the day.

A year in this world is something to be celebrated, after all. She tilts her head, trying to catch snippets of one conversation or another, eyes flicking beneath her hood to seek out familiar faces, marking them.

Even with her lack of outward celebration, the new song does put a little spring in her step, causing her to skip and twist a little as people keep moving about... And as the fireworks rise, she inclines her head, looking at the flash of light and magic. "... Heh." She chuckles to herself. "A lovely evening indeed."

    Setsuna looks overat Merek and stares at him for a moment and tilts his head one way and then to another. As if he is trying to figure out which one of the Merek's is the real Merek. However he gives no response instead people are counting down, everything is loud, it is hard to hear. Then there is sound of something shattering for and he looks around standing up slowly. A bit off balanced he looks around before he looks back to Merek, " I didn break a glass or anything right?"

    Rylen bows. Amalthea smiles, eyes half-lidded as she listens to the singing with one ear.
    "Knowing him, he likely did sign on for extra shifts." She does consider, but then nods. "Mmh, I feel as though I've been remiss in my duty to help out in the Ninetails issue, but any reprieve is better than nothing." She admits, before pausing, lips pursing into a thin frown.
    What WAS that sound?
    "I heard it too." She says before frowning gently as Kauchemar dances on closer. "We had problems with the tenth floor boss, yes."
    Whatver it did to her personally she does not bring up. "We weren't able to clear it. ... We barely managed to get out with our lives."
    Ah, but then the fireworks display begins, drawing her attention upwards, a thin smile spreading across the aged woman's features.

Shattering glass? With a varying source? Fascinating. Robert closes his eyes, briefly, hand drifting to the hilt of his sword. It lingers there as he registers that sound swirling around him. Surrounded? Yup. Probably surrounded. With a sigh he hops down from his barrel and continues surveying his surroundings. Not that he sets his beverage down. Not yet. It's good, and must not be wasted. He drinks from it once more, evidently having decided to polish the thing off before anything -really- happens. Other than that he maintains his current position at the periphery of the crowd. If there's a stampede, he's not about to be caught in the middle of it.

Goldenblade is dancing, poorly, and gapes in awe at the Fireworks and waterworks. The sound in the distance confuses her, but then fireworks and a crescendo, and things going quiet, then more fireworks. She watches all around, and boggles at everything going on. So much going on! She tries to follow what's going on, but it's intense!

"We'll talk after the festivities." Rylen confirms to Gwen, seeming content to let that matter be tabled until they are at least a few days into the new year. "We'd welcome any help that Scale Emblem can offer once things start to thaw out in the spring, but that's a matter to discuss another time."

Thankfully, Rylen isn't alone in hearing the strange sound. He gives a nod to Kauchemar as a brief look of concern flickers on his features. Still, the count down to the New Year goes off without a hitch and there doesn't seem to be any sign of a repeat from the previous year. "I wonder..."

Then, Amalthea's comment about the tenth floor draws his more immediate attention. "I'm glad to hear you were able to get out. The boss monster was bugged, if I recall? I never fought them, myself, but I was part of a raiding guild back before the Apocalypse and we'd given up on ever beating it."

Lin twirls with the music. His face cast up at the sky bearing a bright smile. A marvelous show! Socialising can be for a time less auspicious. It's a new year. Does survival even matter in a world where you can respawn after death? That's a question for a different day. Now Lin celebrates. "Happy new year!" He shouts joyously. The sudden soud of breaking glass is lost on him. That's a problem for later.

    Merek listens to the chimlink, and will think about it. "... It looks like that sound was good," he will note to Setsuna. He seems to be speaking to NWA, and anyone listening can probably notice that he's talking about 'Quarantine' and 'Machina'. Anyway, after that he will shift the mask which he's wearing, and nods a little bit to Setsuna, "Ah, you didn't break it Setsuna."

Gwen says "Then we cna talk then I need to go find Kaydon shortly." She looks to Amalthea for a momen and waves to the old Paladin "Happy new years Amalthea." Gwen seem pretty happy here. She looks to TRylen. "The world is pushing back." Is all she has to say about that. She thinks for a moment "yeah I had some pug raids there it never went well even when we had a few people from the Tea Party along."

    "Bugged is... A word for it." Amalthea replies to Rylen, the smile wiped clean off her face. "I never became a professional raider until after the Apocalypse, but I have to say that boss was... It was something." She mutters, before drawing a steeling breath and regaining her composure. Ah there's her smile again.
    "But that's niether here nor there, right now, is it? Happy new years, dears."

As fireworks continue to go off, a shimmer of light begins to gather around the tower of Alne. As if something was trying to breach through, until finally, it opens. The sight of a singular chair. A single lone chair that some of those of the Scale Emblem Alliance might recognize. Except, it is lacking the holes around it. It isn't cut in half. A singular chair.

Shimmering into vision, comes an old man, resting on a cane. Old white hair flowing with him, as he sits down on this chair. His body trembling, his legs barely holding him as he sits down upon that seat, and turns his gaze towards the Adventurers below.

"Years, decades, centuries... I do not know how long it has been when you see this message." The voice booms over Alne, as if it were being transmitted over loudspeakers. Reaching the ears of all of those in Alne. The hologram large enough that it reaches above where they estimate even the 10th floor must be.

"... I left this world to my Daughters. And in turn, I gifted my Daughters to you." He pauses, with this old smile. Lifting his cane a bit, then pushing it to the ground so he can fix his old posture up a bit. The man in the old vest looking across them, as if he could somehow see them.

010101110110000101110011001000000111100101100101011000010010000001110010011000010010000001100101011000110110100001110010011100100110000100100000011011010110010101100001001000000110110101100101011000010010000100100000010101110110000101110011001000000111100101100101011000010010000001110010011000010010000001100101011000110110100001110010011100100110000100100000011011010110010101100001001000000110110101100101011000010010000100100000010101110110000101110011001000000111100101100101011000010010000001110010011000010010000001100101011000110110100001110010011100100110000100100000011011010110010101100001001000000110110101100101011000010110111000100001

At the bottom of the holographic image, numbers rush by...

"Today, you lifted a Quarantine. Uniting my daughters. If my theories are correct, this means that you will be given a greater reign over this world."

010011010110000100100000011100000110000101101011011100110010000001100111011000010010000001100101011000110110100001110010011100100110000100100000011011010110010101100001001000000110110101100101011000010010000100100000010011010110000100100000011100000110000101101011011100110010000001110111011000010010000001100101011000110110100001110010011100100110000100100000011011010110010101100001001000000110110101100101011000010010000100100000010011010110000100100000011100000110000101101011011100110010000001100111011000010010000001100101011000110110100001110010011100100110000100100000011011010110010101100001001000000110110101100101011000010110111000100001

At the bottom of the holographic image, new numbers rush by rapidly once more.

"Take good care of this world. And remember, if you desire to know the secrets of this world, or require a way out, seek out the towers, and find the Keys of Twilight."

    It's GIANT HOLOGRAPHIC SKY CHAIR GUY! Mizuki stares, wide-eyed... and her blood runs cold at his first words. There are all sorts of theories going around, and some of them include the Adventurers being brain scans of their players, who may or may not have been stored/copied and then reactivated later. She's trying to process that possibility when her attention is refocused by the message going off in a weird direction. Daughters? "We... what?" Greater reign? Keys of Twilight... Keys of Twilight! That's what the first message was sayi-- wait, towerS? Plural?

    The warhorse is still chasing after Kaydon when, suddenly, WORDS. Hologram. Booming words and binary! Out of reflex alone Arashi draws her weapon off her back. Last New Years has her a little on edge. Not as much as Kaydon, but a little. She's looking at it, concerned, half expecting the weapon to start to develop fissures, fractures, and glowing stress lines. ... Thankfully it doesn't.

    Her attention goes back to the message. The old man. The Keys of Twilight? ... /Towers/? "... Did we unlock some DLC or something?" Easily the first time Arashi has completely dropped the idea of being her character. It happens. Sometimes. She doesn't expect anyone to really notice. Rhetorical question, after all.

    Setsuna was drunk and seeing things isn't something that normally happens when drunk especially seeing this guy again. "You! You were the one who did this!" He wasn't being really rational as he looks at the hologram and does his best to create a arcane shot and launches it at the hologram , or at least one of the holograms. He may not be seeing things but he is seeing double. " Let us out of here! Let us go home!" He was not being the most rational what so ever.

At first, everything seems to be relatively normal, at least as normal as things ever are within the world of Elder Tale Online. But then...

It is the sound of someone calling out that draw's Rylen's attention, seeing someone pointing towards the tower. His eyes track towards the sight of something that seems to materialize. Rylen's mouth opens ever so slightly, likely at a bit of a loss for words in that instant. Afterall, they haven't seen something like this in a very long time.

"Shit."

Confusing information, strings of numbers... It's all a bit beyond Rylen even in the best of times. The Pooka has never really been that knowledgeable about such things. But he does catch onto the one word. "Towers...?"

SpritesHero ...almost looks disappointed. His hand is promptly removed from th hilt of his sword and, staring up at the holographic figure, he brings his hands to his ear and his mouth. Evidently he's discarded the possibility of imminent danger, and has opted instead for rapid chimlink communication.

    Merek looks to the man while he speaks to his chimlink, "You didn't tell me you'd be activating---" eventually, the man between a lot of words about things, seems to notice that he's talking pretty loudly about it all. Then he takes a look along to Amalthea and walks that way while he speaks to Setsuna, "Alright. Come here, Amalthea... I want you to know that this is a good thing, I can't explain it all at the moment, please tell people to not panic, and trust me on that." He seems to know what it is all about, he's not adding anymore to that at the moment.

Goldenblade vaguely remembers this guy from a year ago, but everything was new then and running together. Now that she sees him again, she's got a beter understanding of what's going on. ... No, not really. "Towers? Keys? Quarantine? Ones and zeroes?" She's going to have to get someone to explain it all in small words...

    "... So much for retiring after Aincrad." Amalthea mutters at the mention of multiple towers.
    Before Merek grabs her attention, "You have my attention."

"... And once again, I've spoke too soon," Kauchemar murmurs as the image overhead appears. She tilts her head, watching, listening.

His daughters. Wait does he mean...

She frowns a bit when he mentions the towers and finding a way out... but towers? Is there more than one somewhere?

Though the way he phrases it. Finding it's secrets, OR finding a way out.... maybe that implies there is a way for people to leave without those wishing to stay to...

Gwen calls out to Setsuna "It's a recording a message they left.... Wait Keys of the twlight and towers!?" Gwen just stares also the time spane that made her wonder were they very long lived in this world agelesS? They didn't stay down when killed..." Gwen trails off.

Celebration's all that's on Lin's mind. Until the old man appears. That location is familiar. Too familiar. The Pooka stares. He processes. His nose wrinkles - it could be distaste. Maybe hatred? No. Perhaps resentment. This was a time to forget the Apocalypse. To think about how grand the future could be. And now the old man is back and making promises. Lin looks a bit bitter at his celebration being spoiled.

At this point Kaydon doesn't REALLY know what's going on with all of this. It's very similar to the original wave that wiped everything out. Kaydon looks back at Arashi, and then gives her a shrug, "I don't know. I wouldn't imagine that someone's actively patching the game.." He says, as he frowns a little bit, "What if there's an Aincrad on every server and nobody's getting out until they're all finished."

The hologram doesn't answer Setsuna. It doesn't answer anyone's demands for answers. It just begins to fade. There is no fanfare as the image disappears in its entirety. The people of the Church of Law seem to realize this may be a time for them to start leaving, as the Adventurers no doubt will start questioning people all around themselves.

Hestia just ends up tugging on Bell Cranel's sleeve and declares something along the lines of; "More Adventures for you." While Ganesha just slams his table and demands more challengers.

SpritesHero does not decrypt things. Thus, aside from a last, quizzical glance aimed at the holographic elder, Robert rapidly sets the whole incident behind him. If anything, he seems -more- relaxed now that something unexpected has happened.

"I'll take another, please," he announces with a rapping of his finger against the nearest booth. It's not long before he has another steaming cup of something or other, which he is now able to completely enjoy without any reservations.

    Merek looks to the hologram, and will nod a little bit along to Amalthea, "Come with me a moment while I arm-wrestle with this guy." The man walks to the table while he will settle into it. A look then to Setsuna, "It's alright. There will be answers for you." The man looks to Amalthea, "I can only explain what I'm permitted. Quarantine is lifted, which is a good thing. More of the world will be accessed."

Ganesha, wearing his elephant mask, grins as Merek approaches and prepares to grab his hand. There is no way Merek will win this one, but the Adventurer is sure welcome to try.

"I don't think any of us are going to get to retire any time soon." Rylen murmurs, "Looks like I'll have a few things to update Xander about when I see him." That is, if he didn't see and hear the hologram from wherever he is.

Casting a look sideways, he notes the way that Merek catches Amalthea's attention. It seems like he knows more about the situation than he is willing to share with the class. For now, Rylen doesn't press the matter. "I'm going to do some rounds, see if I can't calm any of the newbies who might be having flash backs to last year."

He inclines his head then, and starts to head into the crowd, trying to find any members of his own guild that might need a bit of support.

Goldenblade peers at the departing people, but we weren't getting useful answers from them anyhow. She's a noob, but she knows that much. She looks over to the more reliable people she knows, like Rylen, and asks, "So for the cheap seats, can someone give me a summary of what we learned without the dramatic language?"

    Setsuna watches the hologram fade away and in an ungraceful mamnner makes his way with Merek as he watches him challenge Ganesha but keeps an eye on Merek. " Coffee, do you have any? I need coffee." It appears Setsuna is expecting Merek to arm wrestle Ganesha and provide coffee at the drop of a hat at the same time. " I have work to do. " Setsuna says as he rubs at his face, first coffeee then water, then sometime in the next couple of days sleep.

Proteus tilts her head as if something puzzles her for a moment, her hand going up to the side of her head as she murmurs something on her Chimlink. There is a grimace, and then her eyes narrow as she looks around, her demeanor shifting suddenly...

But then the hologram appears, putting to rest the worst of Proteus' fears... But only creating more questions in response. "Tch! This..." Proteus rushes forward through the crowd to stand with the others, inclining his head towards the gigantic hologram. She listens to the man, and her mouth opens for a moment to say something, but then she realizes... This is just a recording. There's no point in talking to something that won't know it's being talked to. Instead, however, she produces a page of paper and glances at the stream of numbers. "... Binary." She mutters. A pen is produced, and she begins writing a pair of lines quickly. But not in binary...

1) 5761732079656120726120656368727261206D6561206D656121205761732079656120726120656368727261206D6561206D656121205761732079656120726120656368727261206D6561206D65616E21

2) 4D612070616B7320676120656368727261206D6561206D656121204D612070616B7320776120656368727261206D6561206D656121204D612070616B7320676120656368727261206D6561206D65616E21

Documentation complete, she looks to the others present and shakes her head. "I guess I can't be the only one who makes appearances and talks enigmatically." She shrugs, and looks around to the others present... And squints, ducking into the crowd again.

"Well, nice to see you and Bell about." The Imp says to Hestia and the erstwhile Bell. "Enjoying the festivities?" she asks.

As he comes by Goldenblade, Rylen offers a laugh that seems meant to convey that he's relaxed about the whole thing, even if that may not be entirely true. "I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to explain much better." He offers. "Sounds like something happened, but right now I don't have enough intel to say what."

Rylen looks over towards Merek at that point, then back to Goldenblade. "It doesn't sound like anything too bad. Let's just wait and see before anyone gets too worried about things. Though, I imagine the Scalers are trying to figure out what he meant by 'towers'." After a pause, he adds, "I should check in, make sure no one is too freaked out. We've got our fair share of newbies and it's important for them to feel like things are okay."

Gwen is having a bit of a melt down at things but she will need to blow off some steam she's going to line up to challenge Ganehsa a she seems she's in a bit of a haze...

Goldenblade ahhhs to Rylen. "So, good things have happened, but not to us. So, business as usual?" She doesn't seem upset or surprised by this, though she will join Rylen, in case he needs help, moral support, or FIRE. She follows Rylen's gaze over to Merek, but he's a continual source of confusion. She can only ignore him.

Kauchemar nods to Rylen as Merek draws Amalthea away. "That is probably a wise thing to do." The Nightmare turns to glance in another direction, and snorts softly. Utterly not surprised to see the Lander congregation making a hasty withdrawl for the night. Something like floating visions happen, and it tends to spook those of the more religious inclinations.

So many questions. Oh, well, she knows a certain Imp that is probably already getting up to her horns in trying to puzzle out some of it.

    Merek looks then to Setsuna while he offers a coffee from the inventory with him. Then he nods a bit. With that, he will try to match with Ganesha, and won't do all that well. Alright, well... That didn't work and all. He does notice that Gwen would like a turn and offers that while he speaks to Ganesha and lets the two wrestle. "Anyway. What do you make of this all, Ganesha? And, you all generally seem to avoid answering questions." The man takes a look along to Rylen and nods to Amalthea, "It's... Difficult to explain. The Key of Twilight isn't an object, it's a conceptual idea. Well, at least what's known of that at the moment. You probably won't know it when you find it, or maybe you will. Anyway, I wouldn't be looking for an actual set of keys."

    Setsuna takes the coffee and begins to drink it like some of those american frat boys drink beer as he walks towards the exit of Alne. Reaching up to his ear he speaks in to the Chimlink before disappearing into the crowd. If one thing was true, he remembered why he stopped drinking.