they say my hunger's a problem, they tell me to curb my appetite

[octoblot]

Who: Azul Ashengrotto, and maybe even you?

Status: Open + Closed prompts

Where: Various!

What: No Rift Like Home: Azul might have made a mistake attempting a ritual that would allow people to return home. (Plus a potential catchall of sorts for May?)

Warnings: None yet but will add them if they come up





[Azul's been studying and gathering information for months on anything that has looked useful for finding a method that would allow people to willingly travel back and forth between this place, and their home. The most promising so far has been a book that he had acquired during the auction house raids that depicted several rituals from past rift farers in the last few years, including one that if performed correctly, would allow for transportation back to one's home, regardless of how many dimensional barriers there may be in the way.

It was however risky and would require quite the concentration and wealth of magic to attempt, so he had put it off... until his abduction mid March. Being subjected to such a humiliating experience, both the captivity and the recovery he had to undergo has significantly given him the motivation to risk trying that ritual now rather than putting it off any further. Sure, he was able to be rescued and recover quickly, but who's to say that something even more troubling isn't simply waiting around the corner? It would be better to return to Night Raven College as soon as possible. He'll do the ritual, and then he will call Leona over to come over so that he can use it too if the ritual works.

So he gathers the materials he needs, writes the formulas and symbols on an empty space of flooring in his workshop. Pour his magic into summoning a rift the way it's described in the book for the ritual, and it should create one as long as his focus is entirely on his destination for returning home to Twisted Wonderland... and if he's lucky, this will extend to anyone else in this place that is just as strong in their desires to return to their own homes as well.

There's a shift in the air. For a brief moment, an image ripples into existence, and he thinks he can see something. He can't see the school, but he does see something teal in color. Sharp teeth. Mismatched yellow eyes.

Jade and Floyd.

And then...]

A. The Outer Edge of Eltrut

[Water. Lots and lots of water suddenly rushing up to meet him as his body proceeds to drop right into the middle of the ocean.

It takes some time for him to swim back, even in merform before he switches back to human upon getting close enough to Eltrut to be able to do so. (Thank the sevens his transformation potion was still on his person here when he fell through that rift) However, even when he's back in human form and has managed to climb up and out of the water, he is absolutely drenched, clothes sticking to his person as he drips salt water around him. He takes a moment to remove his fancy hat, turning it over as more water and a fish fall out, expression rather flat and unreadable for someone like Azul.

But uh, hey, if you wanna try to approach the wet cat of a man that's standing here? Go for it. Can't promise that he's particularly cheery right now, though.]

B. Surasthana Cafe

[Okay. So... just because something has gone wrong with the ritual doesn't mean that it doesn't work at all. Maybe he misplaced a symbol among his formulas. Or at least that's the hope. So he returns to his workshop, rechecks his notes and formulas... and tries again. This time, focusing more on the buildings of Night Raven College. Octavinelle dorm. His room, or no, better yet, his office and cafe he's worked so hard on building and profiting off of, practically his second home away from home--

Only for the world to tilt sideways, and the next thing he knows, he's very suddenly no longer in his workshop and is instead dropped right in the middle of Surasthana Cafe. Hope there wasn't a table or something there for him to have broken in the process, but either way, he's gonna lie here for a hot minute to curse under his breath.]

C. Mostro Lounge

[Maybe you took one look at that Manta Board quest that showed up in regard to the rifts and figured out who was responsible just from the description alone. Or maybe you did do some more investigating around for details and managed to get ahold of info such as a man who had visited several libraries or places with records looking for information about rift farers and magic similar to teleportation. Maybe it's just the fact that Azul stopped wearing his stupid fancy hat for a little while (in fact he's been wearing other clothing instead of his usual Octavinelle dorm uniform) once he saw that quest on the board.

Maybe it has nothing to do with the quest and the rifts and you have your own motivations for seeking him.

Whatever reason you have to go looking for him, he's not at his apartment. You'll have to go looking for him at his business: a building with the sign "Mostro Lounge", but there's a second sign on the door that says [CLOSED] right now. However, there is the sound of movement inside, so someone is definitely here, and should you be insistent on knocking and getting attention, Azul will eventually look outside here, wearing a frown.]

Yes? Can I help you?

D. [WILDCARD]

[Not vibing with the above in some manner, but still want to thread something regarding the rifts and Azul? Have him somehow accidentally teleport to where you are, or vice versa? Or even something that has nothing to do with the rifts at all? Hit me up! I am not picky about what we thread here. You can find me at wailords or ping me in the Discord game's server if you wanna plot something super specific.]

Comments

closed to leona

[octoblot]

[Azul actually does one last attempt in intentionally trying to use the rifts to properly redirect and lead back to home. He's come too far to quit, and besides, he's not the only one that is missing from NRC: Leona is here too. So he not only needs this to work for his sake, but for Leona's too, because surely Leona does not want to stay here forever either, right? He may not be the most enthusiastic of students, but he probably still misses Savanaclaw at least, right?

So with all that in mind, Azul concentrates as hard as he can on the prospect of returning home... not just selfishly for himself, but for Leona too. Azul still owes him a favor after all, for having helped Azul during that abduction fiasco...

Except, the rift that opens far too quickly has him falling, falling... and being seconds away from crashing right into a lion beastman who is probably not going to be particularly enthusiastic about an octopus suddenly appearing and falling onto him here.]

[sunsetking]

[The moment he saw the rifts, Leona immediately knew who was behind it. Not the action itself, but the smell of magic is familiar to him. At this rate, Leona has come to be very familiar with Azul’s magical scent.

It makes his nose wrinkle.

What has he been up to…

Except the answer is delivered right to him. Specifically, on top of him. Leona now has become rather acquainted on the ground with an octomer on top of him.

There’s a growl.]

Oi.

[octoblot]

[It takes a moment for Azul to blink and make sense of his surroundings. At least this time he didn't land on a table or hit his head... but once he realizes what he did land on, Azul flusters and quickly scrambles to try to sit up.]

Leona-san!? Why were you... no, first things first, are you alright?

[At least he has some sense of priorities in order, asking the important questions here... right?]

[sunsetking]

I just had someone fall on top of me. What do you think?

[He’s not even bothering to get up yet. Ugh. Let him just lay there in defeat.]

[octoblot]

[Wow, and to think that we're considered the drama queen between the two of us here sometimes. Azul gives Leona a look for that one, even if he does do a slight once-over to check and make sure that Leona is not actually injured.]

It's not as if I meant to suddenly fall on top of you here, you know.

Cafe Chaos

[empyrean_mirror]

Wh--Azul!?

[Kaveh has a lot of questions. Like why Azul fell out of the air and right through one of the tables. But more importantly--]

Are you okay?!

[Like. That. That looked like it hurt?]

[octoblot]

[It takes Azul a moment to answer, needing to reorient himself as he recognizes where he is. And once he does, he gives an aggravated sigh, massaging his temples.]

...No. No, I am not okay right now.

[Not just crashing through a table, but the fact that the rift didn't actually work as intended.]

[empyrean_mirror]

Mehrak, go get the first aid kit!

[BEEP! Off she goes. Kaveh's come over to fuss over Azul, obviously looking for injuries.

How do you tell if an octopus has a concussion????]

Where does it hurt most? Can you look at me for a second?

[octoblot]

My pride and dignity.

[Azul please...

After a moment he does answers a little more seriously, turning his head here to look at Kaveh with a slight huff of embarrassment, pointing to an indicated spot.]

... And I suppose the corner of my temple here from where I hit the table, if I had to say.

[empyrean_mirror]

I don't think we've got anything in the kit for dignity. May I?

[Kaveh holds his hands out, palm up. He'd like to check if Azul's bruised or bleeding, but given...last month...he's not going to touch without permission.]

mostro lounge 🍷

[phoenixdominant]

[With the brand's magic slowly nullifying, it's high time that Joshua takes the chance to document what he needs to document. A project in creating an archive of illnesses and sicknesses unique to this star is quite the project. And he has a lot to do.

Luckily, he hasn't dealt with any funny rift teleportation business. Yet.

Although, upon finding Azul's lounge and the sign saying closed... he frowns. And gently knocks.]

[octoblot]

[It takes a moment before Azul answers, expression a little wary... before he sees who it is, and he actually seems to relax somewhat.

Joshua doesn't look like he's here to complain about something, after all.]

Oh, Joshua-san! It's good to see you again... I'm busy with setting up a few things inside today, but did you want to come in?

[phoenixdominant]

[Joshua gives a little nod in greeting.]

And you, Lord Ashengrotto. I hope I am not imposing. I thought it would be a good time to discuss your findings, if you have the time.

[octoblot]

Mm. I do have a little time to spare, if it's for you and the opportunity to finally show you my notes that I spoke of before.

[Azul steps aside and allows Joshua to come inside the Lounge, closing the door behind him and locking so that other people don't wander in while they're talking. It looks like Azul was in the middle of doing some cleaning and reorganizing in here, a dust cloth on the shop counter by the door and chairs on tables and pushed out of the way to allow some sweeping. His Lounge area is really starting to come together and looks like he should be ready to open that part of his business any day now, but Azul ushers Joshua past this part of the building and towards the back where his private office is.]

Did you want any tea or coffee while you're visiting, Joshua-san?

[phoenixdominant]

You have my thanks.

[Joshua nods and follows the other man inside. With him, Joshua has a small collection of books and written works. He's managed to find a few good texts on medical inquiries but they're not the greatest... It seems the paladins haven't been the best at keeping records on this.

... Not that that's surprising.]

Tea would be just fine. It seems your lounge is well underway as well, congratulations.

Outer Edge of Eltrut

[ohwowzers]

[Kieran likes to take walks to various ends of the different Leviathans for various reasons; exploration, curiosity, MANTA quests, or just to bring his Pokemon to places he feels they might enjoy. Right now he's on the beach to let his Pokemon enjoy themselves; his Dragonite and Politoed especially are enjoying hot sand and cool waves of the ocean. But while looking around, he sees a familiar, albeit damp looking man trudging along the beach.]

Mr. Azul? Is that you?

[octoblot]

Hah?

[At first, the noise he makes is not particularly enthusiastic about being called out to. However, upon noticing who it is, he seems to make a decision to try to mask the exact irritation he's feeling about his dip in the ocean as he offers a tired wave rather than ignoring Kieran here.]

Oh, hello Kieran-san... I did not realize that you were here with your Pokemon as well today.

[ohwowzers]

[Kieran walks over to the taller man, looking him over and... oh boy, he's really soaked through, huh?]

Yeah, I brought my Pokemon out for a walk, but... what happened to you? You look like you got hit by a Hydro Pump...

[octoblot]

[Azul sighs as he brings a hand up to his hair, brushing some of his wet bangs out of his face.]

I'm not sure, to be honest. One moment I was working, the next my surroundings had suddenly been replaced by the ocean. I just now managed to find a way to return to shore here, thankfully.

[Although, saying "to be honest" is in itself a lie, as he does have a sneaking suspicion of what went wrong with that he was "working" on. But it's fine, Kieran doesn't need to know that.]

[ohwowzers]

Wowzers... did'ja get hit by a Teleport, maybe?

[Kieran has no idea, really. This world is weird like that. But seeing how soaked the other man is, Kieran turns to his Pokemon.]

Hey, Incineroar! Come on over'n help Mr. Azul, will ya?

[The big fire cat growls as he approaches, puffing up his chest and mane in a sort of flex. From his "belt", some fire begins to flare up, not enough to burn but enough for Azul to feel some heat wafting off of it. Maybe it'll help him dry off?]

D

[velocityraptor]

[ This rift business sure could be awkward, but Azul is lucky in a sense. Hawks' bed is both a soft landing and he happens to not be in it, however if he happens to look up, there's a hammock pulled across the room, above the bed and that's where he is, lying on his stomach with his wings draped down. He'd been fast asleep.

There's no hiding, his senses would know the change immediately of someone else being in his room, and he shifts slightly so he can look over the edge of the hammock. His expression is sleepy and bleary, but his eyes are wide open and staring at the sudden intrusion of a stranger. Someone he hasn't had the chance to meet. Something weird must be going on.

He's just staring, without blinking. ] What's up? [ His tone is far gentler than his eyes would suggest, but that's just because he has bird-like raptor eyes. ]

[octoblot]

[You would think after the amount of times Azul has ended up going through the rifts, including a few being intentional attempts to make one, that he would get used to the initial disorientation by now. But alas, he has not yet, as it takes him a moment to regain his senses, blinking tiredly at his surroundings before his gaze finally focuses proper on what's above him here.

Namely, that there's a person looking down on him from a hammock, and thus that he's in someone's room. Well, that's awkward and mildly confusing. Why did a rift bring him here?]

Ah... I'm sorry, I'm not sure how I ended up here...

[velocityraptor]

[ It's clearly just Azul's fantastic luck at play, that's all. Hawks stifles a yawn, finally blinking to get the sleep out of his eyes. ]

It's okay, things have been kinda weird. [ He's seen these rifts. It's a bit strange, but it's not like he's doing anything at the moment. His bed is pretty boring, considering it doesn't even have a blanket, just sheets. ]

Don't worry about it. Do you know where you're supposed to be? If you don't mind heights, I can take you back.

[octoblot]

[Where he's supposed to be is back home, if the rifts had worked as they were intended to. But Azul isn't going to say that.]

Before winding up here, I was in my apartment above the Surasthana Cafe. Do you know where that is?

[velocityraptor]

[ Hawks tumbles all too gracelessly out of the hammock, but lands on his feet so it's fine. He stretches out one wing as he grabs his goggles off of a bedside table. ]

Not off the top of my head, but if you point me in the right direction, shouldn't be an issue. [ The goggles are yellow and when he puts them on, it's much harder to see his avian eyes.

He also shuffles towards the door to get his boots on and stretches out the opposite wing. This room really is kind of small for him, but he has no complaints. ]