vambraced | 001 - [Action]

Part One

[Anyone passing by the Battledome might notice a stranger sitting on the ground nearby, quite clearly disorientated as he rests a hand on his head and tries to make sense of what on earth had just happened to him. Where was he? What was this domed building all about? Why was he half-naked?! Aside from that he was obviously alone here with no sign of Hanpan, Rudy or the princess anywhere in sight.

Luckily, it didn't take long for Jack to spot his clothes neatly piled up beside him, though he had to wonder why whoever had done this to him had bothered to strip him of his clothes, only to leave them right next to him. There was a book sitting on top of it too. An explanation, perhaps? It's when he clothes himself that he realises there's something else odd about this situation. No... odd about him. Before donning his coat, he reaches behind him and realises that he's suddenly sprouted wings!]

...what the hell?!

[They were definitely real... and lead him to test the rest of his body for any sudden additional appendages, though he doesn't find anything else out of the ordinary. Well, nothing aside from the fact that everything he was carrying, including his sword, has also gone missing. Great. Now he was lost, confused and unarmed all at once.]

Part Two

[Later in the day, after giving the book a look over, Jack heads into the nearby village, noting all the rest of the people here who seem to have sprouted wings. Following the paths leads him past rows of houses, over a river and eventually into a town. At least he should be able to find supplies here, hopefully make some money too.

...he was about to head into the weapons shop to see if he could find something suitable, but becomes sidetracked by the bar there. After everything that had happened? A drink might be good right about now.]

(OOC: Feel free to meet him by the Battledome, in Good Spirits, or anywhere in between!)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Despite the rainy weather, Rudy's still been keeping up his daily work at the stables. It's a little wet outside, but fortunately he's got his jacket with him. He's just about done for the day, wandering around the square when he suddenly stops, noticing something. Or rather, someone. It's enough to prompt an outright double take from the boy - the sight of a very familiar man walking into a bar.

For a moment, he stares in silence, if not downright shock. It's been two years since he's last seen anyone from his world, but surely he'd recognize that dusty old coat anywhere. He can't just be seeing things, can he?

He'll follow inside the bar, glancing around until he stops at that familiar face. Granted, he could only see him from behind, but... this HAS to be his friend. There's no mistaking it. Rudy approaches a little closer, calling out to the man.]

Jack? Is that you?

[After having convinced himself he was alone in this weird place, the last thing he'd expected to see was a familiar face. When someone called his name, apparently in recognition of him, he was rather stunned to see Rudy of all people standing there. Was this real...?]

Rudy?! What are you doing here?

[But well, he's not going to bother to hide his relief at seeing him all the same and approaches the boy to give him a friendly hair-ruffle.

...before realising there's something a little different about him. He peers a little closer, scrutinising him for anything unusual. What if he really was just a strange illusion conjured up by kidnappers?]

Wait, have you grown? How is that possible? We were together just moments ago!

It's, well-- It's a long story. Jane's here too.

[The hair-ruffle isn't unwelcomed at all; if anything, it's nostalgic and it's hard to hold back the small smile turning up on his face. It's a bit strange as well, considering he was almost eye-level with Jack now. Wow. Has he really changed that much in two years?]

I know it probably sounds hard to believe, but we've both been here a while. ... In fact, you might want to sit down for this while I explain.

[Rudy and Jane? And nobody else they knew it seemed like. It's true Rudy had already changed enough for Jack to notice, and he honestly wonders what else the boy's going to spring on him to the point where he has to sit down.

Well, all right, he'll sit.]

If it's going to be a long story then we might as well talk over a drink. Besides, I'm parched. What do you say?

[Now that sounds like Jack indeed! A small smile creeps up at that suggestion. He can't say he's opposed to a drink, especially with an "old" friend.]

Sounds like a plan. [And with that, he moves to take a seat at the bar.] Gotta warn you we might be here a while. About two years worth of things to fill you in on.

[Jack can't help but sigh as he takes a seat. Not that he doesn't want to sit and converse with Rudy but two years was an awfully long time to explain...]

Do you think you can give me the short version? If you take too long, I'll be blind drunk by the end of it.

[Speaking of, time to flag down the barmaid.]

What are you drinking? Straight whiskey sounds good to me.

[Rudy pauses, making a small pondering noise as he thinks it over. On one hand, he didn't mind the taste of whiskey. But on the other hand, Jack had a point. It'd be a bad idea to get drunk now of all times.]

Think I'll stick with a gin and tonic here.

[Boring? Yes. But hey, it's what his grandfather used to drink! And he isn't exactly looking to get too buzzed here.]

So, before we get started, what've you learned so far? [Might as well ask beforehand so he knows, right?]

[No worries, Rudy, he won't try and get you to drink anything more adventurous... today anyway. He'll make the order before answering Rudy's question.]

There's a weird town where everyone has wings and people just happen to turn up there from time to time. If you lose your wings, you lose your life. [He pauses, before remembering something else to add.] Oh, and something about a book that lets you talk to people.

[It sounds even crazier when he says it out loud.]

[Oh good, someone already filled him in on the wings. That's one less thing for Rudy to worry about.]

That's the gist of it. [There's a thoughtful, but cautious aside glance before continuing.] The Malnosso are the ones keeping us in this enclosure, but they didn't exactly bring us into this world. People just show up, and no one knows why.

[For some, it's easy to get that part of things mixed up or outright incorrect. It wouldn't be good for Jack to be misunderstanding anything, so Rudy makes sure to mention that first.]

I showed up here with Cecilia around a couple years ago. Jane arrived not too long after that. [Rudy glances back up at the man, as if to make sure he's following.]

[Give a minute to think it over. Okay... so there was a group of people keeping them in a secure area and people just popped up in it every now and then?]

Wait, so if these Malnosso guys aren't the ones putting us here then why are they herding us like cattle?

[Either they were intending to use them for something, or they were shutting out things from the outside... maybe both. His thoughts become distracted though as Rudy mentions another familiar name.]

The princess is here too?

She was here... but not anymore. She was sent home some time ago. [Rudy looks away, an attempt to conceal the briefest hint of a sad look.]

For our safety, or so they say. There's a war going on outside against a faction called the Third Party.

[Oh, look at that. It's their drinks. Good timing. Rudy takes a small drink, noting the bittersweet taste as he continues.]

The Malnosso are trying to find us a way home, while the Third Party wants to capture and sacrifice everyone. [There's a grim look as he adds:] "Sacrificing" being their way of killing us permanently.

[He might be trying to hide his sadness but just the fact he turned away leads Jack to sense his feelings on the matter all the same. It was a shame they couldn't have the whole team here, but... on the other hand, he wasn't sure if he'd wish any of them here if he had a choice.

...though something else Rudy says leads him to look a little bemused. So many questions!]

What do you mean by 'sent home'? Is there some kind of requirement for that or is it just as random as the arrivals?

[He'll try not to think too hard on it now their drinks have arrived. Jack might be taking his with a bit more gusto than Rudy. The more he hears about the place, the less he likes it. It was starting to give him a headache.]

Then you're saying death isn't permanent here... unless these Third Party guys say so. And the Malnosso are keeping us like animals while they look for a way to send us back? This is crazy!

That's the gist it of it. Though I'd still be careful. People do come back, but they usually end up losing part of themselves in the process.

[He takes another sip. He's not surprised Jack's got so many questions, but where to even begin?]

The Malnosso are trapped here too, like us. Every so often, they run these things called shift experiments on us - there's been many different types which changed us in different ways. They're usually temporary, though...

[His expression briefly turns sad at the thought of Cecilia's disappearance, staring into his glass. But he'll continue.]

As for people who get sent home, it, well... it just happens. Sometimes, people just up and disappear, along with most of their belongings. ... I still have some of Cecilia's things.

001 - [Action]

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