Fourth Wall of Fonons

[yourfononsarewhack]

[Jade Curtiss spends as much of the weekend as he can studying this new phenomenon. An influx of newcomers, none of them with wings... He does his best to record notes on them. And he manages to catch onto the fact that there seem to be multiples of the same person in some cases. This gives him all the more reason to avoid a most undesirable outcome.

Halfway through the first day, Jade decides to erect a sign outside of House One. One which is adorned with a photo.]

Warning! Any human beings or humanoid species resembling this gaudy description are to stay at least a hundred feet away from these premises. Violators will be met with swift and efficient retribution.

Enjoy your stay~!

[And he ties a rappig outside to further ward off any Distractions. But when Jade isn't cooped up in house, he can be found observing people throughout the village, or studying in te library, or perhaps just relaxing at the tea shop.]

Comments

sliiiiiiides in - outside House 1, probably

[bloodyashes]

[If Jade's observing, then he likely hasn't missed this particular visitor - the long red hair, of course, is a dead giveaway, as are the clothes that aren't quite the under-uniform of the Oracle Knights. And even disregarding the lack of wings, there's something subtly... off about this Asch, with his hair pinned at his temples and faint scarring across the left side of his face.

Chances are, though, that he'll first be found reading the sign outside House 1, trying and essentially failing to not look amused. This is followed by a sharp rap on the door - after all, Jade can usually be assumed to be a reliable (obnoxious, but reliable) source of information.]

sounds good

[yourfononsarewhack]

[He's definitely one of the more curious visitors he's seen around. And definite proof that this phenomenon is allowing in strange duplicates of people... as well as proof that these duplicates are not exact copies. In a way, it's disturbing to him, due to the possibility of there being more replicas in existence.

He keeps himself on guard, in case this Asch turns out to be hostile, but when he opens the door, it's just with a casual smirk.]

My, my. It's not everyday that someone who most likely answers to Asch comes to see me willingly.

[bloodyashes]

[Yep, that's definitely Jade. Asch inclines his head slightly, without too much change in expression. The tilt probably reveals the metal collar clamped securely around his neck, with tubes filled with violet fluid - most of it remains below the tunic's high collar, however.

He'd ask what else he's supposed to answer to, but that would probably just lead to a joke at his expense. Hopefully Jade will take the lack of correction as it's intended - yes, do continue referring to him as Asch, please.]

I'd think you'd be used to people coming to you for information by now.

[yourfononsarewhack]

[How he wishes that were so. It's been a bit of a nuisance that he's arrived in this world when everyone else had been here for years; he's had to experience what it's like to be the one learning while most of his peers already knew more about this bizarre world. But he doesn't say of that aloud. He just gives a slight shrug.]

Perhaps. I'm also used to others being too shackled by pride or dubious of my intentions to employ me as such a source.

[tobegentle]

[ At the library, Jade may curiously catch the glimpse of someone... familiar browsing the shelves. ]

[yourfononsarewhack]

[It's not often that a man like Jade Curtiss finds reason to doubt what his own eyesight tells him. This is one such rare opportunity.

He had been browsing one bookshelf, looking for some sort of book that could help him figure out more about some peculiar species he had witnessed roaming the village earlier. But as he removed the latest book, it was quickly forgotten; as through the gap formed by the missing book, he could see the back of a familiar-looking head at the next shelf.

Jade stared for a moment, unusually tensely. It was only the back of her head after all, but he was trying to match it up to his memory. Sure, Raine Sage had similar hair, but this seemed virtually identical. Unless his memory was flawed... unless whatever emotions he had swimming underneath were tricking him into seeing what he had hoped he would see.

Maybe it really is her. Or her replica.

Jade quietly slides the book into the shelf. And then he strides forward to round the bookshelf and approach this mysterious woman. He didn't have time for guessing games. It was time to find out and get this over with.]

[tobegentle]

[ She's heard other people in the library, but this is the first set of footsteps that approached her directly.

She has her reflexes, so she turns to look over at the man - and for a moment, is startled by that familiarity. ]

You're -- how could this be?

[yourfononsarewhack]

[He came to a stop the moment she looked at him. And he saw her again, heard her again. There's no mistaking it. She's just as she was when he last saw her, all those years ago. That only leaves the question of which her it is.

He takes a moment and he adjusts his glasses. He tries to speak with a neutral conversational tone. No need to let emotion into his words.

Because, it it's the replica, his emotions will be a weapon she can use against him.]

I could ask a similar question, Professor Nebilim. [He takes a moment and adjusts his glasses.] I take it you recognize me.

[At least her response to him may clarify what it is that she remembers.]

[creepermohs]

[Likewise at the library, Jade may encounter someone else who looks familiar... though probably not in the good way.]

[yourfononsarewhack]

[It's certainly an exceedingly displeasing familiarity. He regards him cautiously. Although the fact that he's removed from the Oracle Knights and is not a giant bloated Seventh Fonon monster diminishes his threat level to near-negligible levels.

He gives a casual smirk.]

You're looking exceptionally pale, Grand Maestro.

[He says in a mock-sweet tone.]

[creepermohs]

[He can't help but jump a bit at the distressingly familiar voice. Oh, joy. Of all the people in all the worlds, of course the person he runs into is Jade Curtiss.]

Well, well. So I see not even the great Necromancer can avoid the capture of those heathens who've locked us up in this place.

[yourfononsarewhack]

I suppose not. [He says fairly casually.] They'd have to be commended in that case. Why, they've been able to hold us here much longer than any of your associates have ever managed. And I'm sure that they're delighted to finally have the Maestro himself in their grasp.

[silversnowfall]

You really ought to be kinder to Saphir.

[She saw the sign. And now she's standing, arms crossed, behind her brother, shaking her head in dismay.]

[yourfononsarewhack]

[Ah, Nephry. Always putting a damper in his dealings with Dist. He gives her an oblivious shrug.]

I don't know what you're talking about. I've been nothing but fair to our dearest Saphir. [He motions to Saphir the rappig who is tied down nearby, with a bowl of slop that he is eagerly consuming.]

[silversnowfall]

You know I mean Saphir the person. Though it might leave him faint, to hear you use "dearest" and his name in such close proximity.

[yourfononsarewhack]

[He smirks, ready to grab Nephry's jab and run with it to further dance around this matter.]

My, now there's a more effective idea there. Assuming that I could stomach showering him in compliments, he'd been left too comatose to truly bother us. It's simply ingenious.

Icons in the tags since sob his journal expire forever ago, sorry.

[its_rose_damnit]

[...Trying a little hard there, aren't you, Jade?

Of course the first place Dist had ventured towards upon his return (how long had it even been since he last saw this place anyway) was his old home, House One. Dist isn't too shocked by the rappig, though a deep frown drags his lips downward. A rappig can only mean one thing...that weasel Peony was loitering around here, too. Ugh, that's going to be an experience... Nudging the curious animal away with his shoe when it comes to close and paws at his pants, Dist approaches the actual house and...hm.

Coming across the sign, Dist's frown only deepens and he immediately tears it down and throws it on the ground, kicking and stomping on it in a fashion that highly resembles a tittybaby tantrum.]

Jade, you villainous snake! How dare you tarnish my good name and my beautiful image! [Dude, where did you even get that picture, for srs.] I will not stand for this atrocity...

[HUFF PUFF, STORMING UP TO THE FRONT DOOR. He's gon' give you a piece of his mind!!]

Nevah be sorry

[yourfononsarewhack]

[The door is quickly open, and a looming shadow of a colonel is framed in the entrance.]

Excuse me, sir. You appear to be causing quite the commotion. [He says, bearing a serpentine smile.]

/sparkles

[its_rose_damnit]

[Oh god. Dist nearly jumps out of his skin at the image presented to him, and he takes a cautious step back, just in case, as his hands come up to shield him. HE KNOW YOU WAYS, JADE CURTISS, YOU DEVIL.

O-Of course, after a moment, Dist composes himself and just scoffs at his friend, one hand on his hip.]

No thanks to yourself! What's the meaning of that sign?! I was here far before you ever stepped foot on the premises! S-Such a ludicrous sign ought to be erected with your image! Only it'd be twice as terrible. Thrice so, in fact!

[yourfononsarewhack]

Is that so? [He raises an inquisitive eyebrow.] Regardless of seniority, the fact of the matter is that the emperor and I live here now. This is Malkuth territory, and you are now a trespasser. [He rubs his chin in thought.] If you're so keen on staying here, perhaps we could arrange for the construction of a cellar to act as your prison...

hmm

[galddigger]

[Anise wandered up to House One perfectly naturally, familiar with the trail leading up to it. Actually she spends a bit of time in the trees, poking around for a trapdoor and tunnel that hasn't existed in a few years. But eventually she makes it to the front door - and before she even sees the curious wanted poster picture, she sees the rappig and - ]

-- Ah! Is Emperor Peony still around?

[Squealing, all the squealing! And stopping to pet the rappig, before opening up the door and heading inside.]

mmmmmm

[yourfononsarewhack]

[Jade Curtiss is standing in a nearby armchair when she opens the door, grinning like a happy serpent.]

Guess again.

[galddigger]

[Anise turns at the sound of that voice. Eep.]

-- Colonel! Wow, so you're here too, huh? [Has he been demoted to an afterthought?!]

Tea shop, if you don't mind the AU?

[scornedsacredflame]

[The long hair on this Luke was likely to put Jade on guard. Pre-Akzeriuth, he was never exactly a pleasant person. But when the replica son of house Fabre pulls up a seat next to the Necromancer...]

A rappig? That's your Anti-Dist defense system? [Well, he certainly seems different.] Or is that simply step one in your master plan?

It's fine!

[yourfononsarewhack]

[It is like seeing some odd ghost of the past. In some ways, he regrets the way he treated Luke back then - primarily for the sake of Akzeriuth, and perhaps also for the sake of the man Luke eventually became. But that didn't make him any less grating.

Jade coolly takes a sip of his tea.]

It's more effective than you may imagine. Certainly not a step in any master plan. [He waves a hand teasingly.] Not that any supposed master plan would ever be mentioned aloud...