Opposition

The Legend of Gobbledygook

Alright, all done. Let me know if you'd like anything changed.

Calliope

So what's your name?
Calliope. That’s four sounds.

Spell it? I don’t know how to do that!

Why do you look like that?
Are you saying that because of my eyes? Everyone bullies me for my eyes. They are all black— no light at all, like the shadows in Ash Tower.

You're weird. I bet you can do some cool stuff.
I’m not much different from the other kids, really. I am very strong, though— strong enough to pick up shadows. I can’t pick up much else, though. I’m only strong when it comes to shadows. They come in handy.

So where's your home? Is it as weird as you are?
Home? I don’t have one of those. If you’re asking where I came from, that’s Ash Tower. You may have heard of it. It’s the big and scary tower that’s somewhere around here. People always tell me that they think Ash Tower moves around the Tangle randomly. What’s it like? Oh… Ash Tower isn’t a fun place. There’s no doors and no windows so no one gets in or out, and navigating its dark halls is almost impossible. They are always twisting and turning and moving. There’s no toys or sweets or anything in there. There’s not even any light in there except for the fires… That’s why it’s called Ash Tower. Luckily enough, there are other kids there. They are just like me, but meaner. They don’t know why we are there either. I escaped, but I’m the only one. So don’t tell anyone!

What's your favorite candy?
I’ve never had candy. Sometimes, if I wanted a treat I would eat the shadows of Ash Tower and pretend they were candy. My teeth are sharp enough to eat right through them.

Do you have any?
I’m sure there’s some shadows around here somewhere...

High Concept: Black-Eyed Stranger
Explanation: Calliope escaped from a place no person was ever meant to enter or leave, and that’s about all the citizens of the Tangle know about her. No one really knows who she is, what she does, or why she does it, but she certainly isn’t a normal little girl. She wanders the Tangle not only to escape her mysterious past, but to discover the world for the first time.

Trouble: Child of the Tower
Explanation: No one really understands what goes on in that foreboding tower, but none may ever find out. All the people know is the sole child that came from the tower is not right. It is as if Calliope has an off-putting aura that surrounds her. No matter what it was that was actually going on beyond the crenellations, the citizens of the Tangle know it certainly wasn’t good.

1st Aspect: Killer Curiosity
Explanation: Calliope grew up with nothing to look at. The whole world is a mystery to her, and discovering what secrets that mystery might hold is her top priority. This desire can manifest in dangerous ways, as Calliope often seeks to go where she is forbidden for one reason or another. Her craving to explore has a tendency to get her into very dangerous spots.

2nd Aspect: Dulled Sense of Danger
Explanation: Calliope is extremely abnormal for a child when it comes to facing monumentous tasks or grave challenges. It almost seems like fear has an entirely different definition to Calliope. When stuck in dangerous situations, her carefree attitude will often shine through. At times, this fearlessness may be a bane, but just as much, Calliope can use it to her advantage.

3rd Aspect: Faustian Pactmaker
Explanation: No matter what is said about the little black-eyed child, one aspect of her personality remains true above all else and can always be counted on. If Calliope makes a deal with someone, she is unable to defy her words and will find herself bound to uphold the deal. Of course, this goes both ways. Calliope will always ultimately try to ensure both sides of any agreement she makes are met.

The Legend of Gobbledygook

@Mokley

Perfect! I'll get to work finishing up, thanks!

The Legend of Gobbledygook

@OppositionJ How extraordinary are we talking? :D It'll be hard to be game-breaking, but I haven't thought of everything!

@Mokley

A lot of my character's concept has to do with the dark. I intended to say she could 'pick up shadows', which would entail her being able to manifest grab objects from shadowy spaces. Perhaps to elaborate, she would be able to use it like molding clay.

The Legend of Gobbledygook

I'm overly interested in this idea. I've already started drafting a character concept, but I figured I'd get a question answer before I got too far ahead of myself.

How plausible is a character having an extraordinary ability akin to magic? Should I avoid that?

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

Nothing was comfortable...

Down to the simplest fiber of her being. Tatiana writhed in her ramahk's barding momentarily, shaking herself free of the restless thoughts. As much as her issues were inside her own head, even the inquisitor's uniform seemed to bother Tatiana. There was just something about it— as though she didn't fit into it anymore. Despite this, nothing was going to stop Tatiana from keeping her fervent shifting as clandestine as possible. Perhaps it was the duality in her mind that allowed her to mask herself so well, for all that Tatiana's nerves and
discomforts were weighing on her mind, equally heavy were her thoughts of indomitable determination. With what had occur in just the past few hours, Tatiana felt almost detached from who she was before. Such simple changes, and still she had felt as if she had lost everything. Well... Everything save for one aspect of herself.

Tatiana couldn't keep her mind from the mission. New demons. New rivalries. Everything was all new, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to handle it all, even after all of her promises back in Lanostre. Lost in the worrisome thoughts, Tatiana sent a glance towards Galahad who rode just at her flank. She had remained silent for most of their time on the mountain, but that was surely something Galahad had been used to when around an agitated Tatiana. It was the direness of the situation that seemed to escalate the scenario. Even her mount seemed to notice the unsettling air around the inquisitors and their destination, but Tatiana dismissed it. She knew demons, and she surely didn't fear them.

"Are you scar—" The words just came from her mouth without hesitation. After another momentary lull, Tatiana corrected herself and continued, turning to Galahad as she did so. "Are you nervous?" Tatiana wasn't sure why she asked the question. She wasn't scared. She didn't think she was scared.

"These demons aren't like Terviclops. At least, that's what Elisheva said..." Another long break came after Tatiana's words. She was lost in thought again, but it wasn't long before those thoughts came to surface in her voice. "But they aren't as strong as he is. I know that much. I'm the expert."

Upon arrival at Circle Keep, Tatiana hastily dismounted from her ramahk. She had always preferred working with her partner when it came to mounted combat. She didn't offer Elisheva much, however uncharacteristic that might have been for Tatiana. It was when she cast her challenging gaze over her fellow inquisitor's militia that Tatiana finally spoke.

"Don't hurt my friend out there."

As the three inquisitors headed to arm themselves, Tatiana met Astraea's gaze. A simple bowing of her head would suffice to return Astraea's greeting in Tatiana's mind. The two didn't need to talk. Tatiana had a good enough idea of how Astraea worked, and she had no reason to challenge the other inquisitor any further. It was finally time where her actions could speak for themselves. Tatiana's time in the armory was short after that. Save for her rifle and a few munitions and refill of her ether vials, she was ready to go. Her light and almost reckless armament may have appeared peculiar to those outside of her warband, but her brothers and sisters knew her well. Tatiana was quite an irregular sight in combat.

Tatiana would have left the Circle's garrison immediately had she not been stopped. The anxious inquisitor was ready to battle, and after Tatiana got in her battle mindset, it wasn't easy for her to leave it. Nonetheless, she turned and strided over to readily listen to the male inquisitor's words as he called to Tatiana and Galahad. Not much emotion washed over Tatiana's face as Cillian spoke, at least until he brought up his knowledge of the demons. It was subtle, but Tatiana lifted a barely noticeable smile onto her face. This was her element, and she intended to show just how much she thrived around the glacier. Tatiana didn't much react to Astraea's words. Already, the young inquisitor was formulating her plans, but it was Tatiana that was quick to react when Cillian asked her and Galahad for their input.

"I'm quite familiar with the Glacier and its inhabitants. I'll be most useful as far in the fray as I can get. After all, I'm sure none of your companions can match my friend's raw speed and strength."

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

@OppositionJ @vietmyke Shit guys I'm really sorry for how long this is taking. Work has been extremely fucked lately and I haven't had time to finish the post. Right now its about half done. I will definitely have it finished by this weekend though. Sorry for the wait.

@Lovejoy

No worries! Take your time.

The Last Embers (Dark Steampunk/Fantasy)

He's someone a groupie would like idolize or put on a pedestal...

@vietmyke

Tatiana is the groupie.

Vivid Recollections: Into the World Unknown (Season 1 COMPLETE)

@OppositionJ I'm not sure where to put Callie because, going off her last post, she's far away from everyone else.

@Surtr Inc

Sorry about that. I was a bit ambiguous as to allow for other interactions. I would say she would still just be in sight of the campfire a bit further off than the others. I'll try to write something up soon, but I might not be at my computer fully again until Sunday.

Catalyst: The Trading Card Game (Reboot)

---

Just nothing would work! Stella sat restlessly wasting away at the library table for what felt like hours. She was awful at this sort of work— not that that was a surprise by any means. Stella always did her best work at home, but today was the one day she dared try something different. What a mistake. As time went on, Stella realized the endeavor might not have been an entirely fruitless venture at all. At least she could entertain herself as she clandestinely observed the goings-on of her fellow students. This might have been the first time since Stella had come to Shumi Island that those students got the chance to see her for more than a class period, but as Stella's time wasting went on, she realized she went wholly unrecognized. Was she surprised? No, of course not. She had barely talked to her classmates. Why would they approach her if she wasn't willing to make the effort?

Stella shook the strangely self-critical thoughts from her head only to glance down towards her cellphone. Alongside the cruelty of her phone's blunt '0 notifications' message, Stella was also hit with the realization that she hadn't looked at the clock in hours. A quick surveying glance around the library revealed that Stella was alone save for the idle librarian paying her no mind. The girl brought a hand up to rub her forehead a bit. As much as it was time wasted, Stella knew that nothing more interesting could have taken its place. Nonetheless, she started packing up like the time mattered and she had places to be. She'd have been ready to stand up and make haste for her apartment, but something halted her quick initiative to get out of school as quickly as possible. With all of her notebooks and supplies readily put away, one thing lingered on the table: a bulging envelope placed just next to where she was sitting.

A quick glance left and right revealed no one to farther question about the origin and owner of the envelope. People had come and gone from the communal work table as Stella had been there. Had one of them left the envelope behind? Stella had only wished that it was only a case of misplaced belongings, as that would have meant she could just leave it for someone else to deal with, but the envelope was placed just next to where she was sitting. To place it there without her noticing was by no means an easy task. Matters were made more complex as Stella picked up the package, weighing its contents in her hands. It was then that she noticed the short command inscribed on the letter's reverse side.

"Open", just "Open". That was all she— or whoever the letter's intended recipient was meant to work with. With another quick glance towards the library's sole other occupant, Stella couldn't resist. Normally she would merely set down the envelope and continue on her way, but curiosity seemed to have finally got the best of her. After all, maybe the envelop was meant for her. Finally rising from the seat and starting towards the doors, she pried open the package...

---

Stella sat up with an inelegant sigh of defeat. Still wrapped in innumerous blankets, she writhed a bit on her bed. Another rude awakening just to go to school. That was Stella's cycle, and however much she wanted to break it, she had to get to Catalyst before her indulgence in her thoughts made her late. And so the cycle continued as Stella went about her day to day preparations with minimal haste around her tiny apartment. It was by no means a palace, but it contained all Stella needed to spend most of her life there. Of course, her mere presence in the minimalist, messy home constantly reminded her how much she yearned for change in her life.

It was only an hour or so after her awakening from the escapist tales that played out in her dreams when Stella was at the doors ready to head off. The walk to Catalyst was short, but offered the student some time with her thoughts. It was in those moments of silent solace that Stella found herself thinking back to the plain envelope in her bag— now no longer sealed.

Cards... Just cards. After all that suspense and expectations, it was just a package with some obscure cards. Admittedly, Stella felt a little bad she'd taken it. Whoever was expecting the package would definitely have appreciated them more. She did think the cards were interesting, but she was never a great TCG player. Stella continued to palm the envelope in her hands. For a moment, though, she paused in her stride just peering at the object in her hands. A closer glance revealed words scrawled on the inside of the envelope. It wasn't a long message, just a room number— something Stella could only decipher as being a method to find the package's original owner, and that was all she needed.

As slow as the day was, that simple mission she had given herself— to return the cards— somehow made the whole day different. The cycle had been broken. Classes dragged, school children buzzed left and right, all was usual, but Stella had something to look forward to. Everything was just a bit more uplifted. So when her lunch finally ended, Stella didn't need to idle her hours away in the library or scurry home before she was bothered by another group of school-goers. She had her destination, and with haste she made her way there. Much to her surprise, it was just a plain common room. Nonetheless, this would be the place a club or group of friends would meet to play cards if they were there. Upon arrival, Stella was just able to glimpse another student, seemingly destined for the same destination. She paused, briefly checking that the room number was correct before stepping up to the door alongside the younger student, propping it open to allow entrance to the both of them.

"Sorry... Is there a club or something meeting here? I might have found something that someone lost..."

Vivid Recollections: Into the World Unknown (Season 1 COMPLETE)

---

---

Campsite

Unto the flame, the camera would fall symbolically...

Or something like that.

---

There was something comforting about the darkness that surrounded her, and there was something wistful about what lied just out of reach in the prohibited beyond. Callie stood at the fence line that prevented her from distancing herself any further from reality. There was always just something interesting about what lied just out of reach. Of course, Callie was never the adventurer to act on that principle, trying to surpass her barrier. Perhaps that could change, though. After all, what was occurring at the campsite wasn't quite her style and veritably no one would notice her absence.

Callie shook the intrusive thoughts from her head. Now wasn't the time for adventure. She traveled to the fence line for one reason and with the day finally over, that purpose was obsolete. With the bulky camera in her hand, the girl turned back towards the world she was allowed to traverse. Finding her way back— That would be an adventure more her style. The stroll through the rustling brush was uneventful yet just as lively as any other activity Callie found herself involved in in the middle of these woods. When Callie didn't have a lot of different options for people to hang out with, she got creative... It was a very common occurrence.

As Callie stepped up to the ring of the roaring fire, there was that customary intrusion in her head... 'How did I get here..?' She wasn't a camper, nor was she that acquainted with most of the campsite's population. Callie was always just kind of... There. Surely, that circumstance made for quite the scene as the quiet girl stepped up to the flames that so entranced everyone circled around them. Callie wasn't particularly worried about who saw her, though. Instead, she stood momentarily staring at the objects filling her hands. In her right hand, she grasped a polaroid camera appearing a bit worse for wear. In its counterpart was a small array of failed photographs from the day before. Man, she really was bad at this. Callie continued to think of weird symbolic quotes to fit her scenario as she slowly let her awful photographic work to be swallowed by the flame.

It took all her willpower not to just toss the camera in with the pictures, but after another passive moment of gazes entranced in the world of the flames, she stepped back, carelessly setting the camera in the bag slung over her shoulder. Even with her concession to spare the poor device, Callie didn't know if she had the will to try her hand at the art again. She had hoped going on this trip would spark within her some untapped font of creativity. Sending one final glance to the incinerated ash that was once a handful of polaroid images, Callie let out a barely audible sigh and stepped back towards a seat ringing around the bonfire. That approach was never going to work, and she knew that.

Her skill was contained in another medium of art... or so she thought. Callie motioned to retrieve one of the many notebooks from her bag. Lines and lines of scribbled words covered the page it was open to. She only spared it a moment's glance before letting her arm fall back to her side in defeat. The entire time she had been at the campsite, nothing more graced her notebooks save for the messily organized collage of ideas. A look of defeat broached her face. Perhaps this wasn't the time to be worrying about the usual nonsense. Without thinking, Callie allowed her eyes to slowly drift up to the rather raucous bunch gathering by the fire throwing around a bottle of vodka. No. She had better things to do. Callie's gaze was quickly averted and she once again found herself staring longingly towards the distant treeline.