#gravitylordrises

Damien figured the library would be a good place to start looking for information about wherever the hell he was. But for the sheer size of it, there were not very many books detailing about Isola itself. He was just setting down yet another totally useless book when he caught sight of a mass of silvery hair.

No...it couldn't be.

And yet there he was, the splitting image of Orchid just a couple of meters away among the books.

Orchid had prattled endlessly about her twin brother in the past, but Damien had only met Lotus a few times. And in each of those encounters, the boy was in a zombified state, floating behind Gelimer like some creepy puppet. The Lotus in front of him looked more alive and hale than he had ever seen before.

So I really am dead...

Damien walked right over to the boy and grabbed him by the shoulder.

    it had been on after another, &&. with each commander found, an oddity had tailed after it. first it had been damien, who had been leisurely overindulging in alcohol, &&. now lotus, who he’d spotted out of his peripherals ... tending to flowers? certainly, will had deducted, that lotus had adjusted much faster than damien had -- although how long he had been here had been a question to ponder on, &&. possibly attend to in the near future. to go from a commander to a florist was not a change will had ever anticipated, but he supposed it was the way of fate: those thrown into the unknown must adjust to their surroundings in order to survive, as they said. 

         boots scuff against the pathway as he saunters over, a hand poised over his chest.

“Babies, you know? Drooly little...things. They poop and cry and.. what goes on inside their heads?”

The word “tact” wasn’t in Ai’s dictionary. Or technically, it was, he just rarely applied it. Basic rules of etiquette with most people, that was all he needed. A visit to the library didn’t count this out once Ai spotted a figure he was familiar with.

He didn’t call out to Lotus, nor did he approach him. In fact, Ai as good as ignored the other, his focus just on the book he flipped through. 

    What a fortunate blessing for him to hear the scattered words of dozens of passing conversations. The sight of citizens forming groups of two to four, alongside the little bits and pieces he manages to catch about the current event is more than enough for the monk to understand what is about to take place.

     Finding partners, while potentially difficult, seemed more of a delightfully refreshing task for him to attempt instead of blindly trying to explore his surroundings. He anticipates quite quickly that most of the people here know far more about the place than himself. Whether they resent omnics or not, it’s worth attempting to find someone to stick near before whatever consequences come from being alone occur.

     Seconds of wandering the sullen city and it appears luck may be on his side. While most groups have already begun to form, he spots someone alone in the distance and is slide himself closer, prepping a cheerful introduction.

“ My apologies if I do not fully understand the situation at hand, though if you do not mind, perhaps we could work together and search for others who are in need of potential partners...! ”

All that's left are very few people scattered along the shoreline, along with someone that appeared to be...making a sandcastle? It seems like such a waste to come all this way for nothing and so Laphicet settles on approaching them. "Are you building a sandcastle?"

"And maybe...do you need help? I can help."

{ ✤ } » — It was strange how quickly the mood of the city could change simply depending on which region you were in. The ward she had been assigned, told to think of as home, was always lively. People filled the streets, the shops were plentiful. In a number of ways, it reminded her of New York City, of actually being back home. At times it proved a comfort, and others it reminded her that she could barely hear her own thoughts while out amongst the crowds.

                So the first time she had stumbled across the peaceful, quiet terrain of Cotes, the contrast was alarming. Overwhelming, almost. It was...nice. And as such, Laura had made it a point to pay visit for no reason in particular, merely to escape the noise.

                The scenery was unlike anything she has seen before, and it had become a place where she could keep to herself and process her thoughts. About the island, about what might be going on back in her world, why she was even here. Whatever seemed to be weighing on her mind for the day. She had heard people sometimes refer to it as “Quiet Time.”

                Though, each time it felt like she was becoming adjusted to the place, she found something else to surprise her. This time that came in the form of laughter, and the boy near the lake who it appeared to be coming from.