[June open] can your science explain why it rains?

[rutility]

Characters: Rutile, Padparadscha, and you!
Date: late May through the rest of June, it's vague and time is a construct
Location: Downtown Aifaran, the city outskirts
Situation: Exploring Aifaran
Warnings/Rating: None so far!



Note: you don't have to write as much as I do! I'll match whatever length you choose, as well as format.

A ▸ TOURIST TRAP | padparadscha

It's been several days now since Rutile's ignoble arrival in Aifaran. They've stayed close to the Dreaming Bridge up until this point, getting their bearings and learning a bit of local terminology before venturing far. They hate to admit it - it feels far too much like acting their age - but the rapid change of pace has been overwhelming, and at least the communal nature of the Bridge is a little more reminiscent of home.

They'd felt somewhat more prepared to take Padparadscha up on their offer to visit the scientific hub of the city, but now that they're back in the bustling city center, they're once again overwhelmed by the crush of people and bustle of activity.

But much as they long for solitary fields and the soft roar of the ocean, they refuse to leave. They've sworn to themselves that they will make something of their time here, and really, they could use the break.

Rutile leans against a nearby wall as several workers carrying Tourney paraphernalia rush by, but keeps an eye out for Padparadscha. They slip their hand into their pocket, brushing the yimo they're still becoming familiar with. They've agreed to meet near here, but in all this activity, will Padparadscha know where to look?

B ▸ THE EVENING COMMUTE | open

The Skyway is a feat of engineering unlike any Rutile has seen before. Moving faster even than Yellow Diamond, it's almost frightening the few times it pulls into the station, and then after that becomes exhilarating. They sit for hours watching trains pull in and out of the station, contemplating the rails they run on and the technology that suspends it so far in the air. It gets to the point where passengers who left this station for work early this morning pass by them again later in the afternoon, pausing only a moment to wonder about this Dreamfolk who can pose, unchanging, on a bench near a Tourney advertisement.

Eventually, though, Rutile stands up, and approaches one passenger as they step off the train. "Excuse me," they say - polite, brisk, and with the first appropriate local gesture they think of, "do you know who built this, or where they might be?"

It might be you they accost, or perhaps it's someone else nearby.

C ▸ INTO THE WOODS | open

Outside the city proper lies farmland and then wilderness, and eventually the barrier, which Rutile has heard of but had yet to experience. They set off early in the morning, making their way through quiet streets until eventually buildings become further apart and nature retakes the landscape. Rutile relaxes here in this solitude, with nothing but the birds and their thoughts.

Though the sun shines brightly as it rises, eventually it becomes covered by darkening clouds, threatening rain. As the first drops begin to drip and thunder rumbles overhead, Rutile spots an abandoned wooden structure tucked away in a clearing, almost invisible save for the hollow windows and doors. They make a mad dash for it, ducking in for shelter as the sky opens up.

They might find someone - or something - sharing their hideaway. But if they're alone, they would welcome some company. Despite the dense population, Aifaran is rather lonely.

D ▸ WILDCARD | open

Comments

A

[corundrum]

If there's one thing to be grateful for in this world of much stranger creatures than gems, it's that Rutile stands out even more than they did back at home. However bustling the crowd is, Padparadscha hasn't yet found any species that can replicate that telltale shimmer of light off a gem's form.

Navigating the activity is somewhat more difficult, but eventually, the telltale mountain of hair becomes visible through the bustle just before Padparadscha emerges, looking somewhat energised by the whole thing.

"Ah, it's making me feel a bit old seeing all of them running about like kids," they say, stretching their arms somewhat lazily over their head.