Kyngdom Survival Guide
UNDERWATER BALL GOSSIP&
Chatterbox: KYNGDOM™ Power of Fin
UNDERWATER BALL GOSSIP&
UNDERWATER BALL GOSSIP
The sand is golden, the water is pleasantly bubbly, and everybody who’s anybody in Southeast Kyngdom is here. We’re your proud Sea Anemone hosts, Actiniaria and Hexacorallia, reporting LIVE from the most exclusive event of the year: the Enchantment Above the Sea ball, South Kyndom’s first-ever dry land-themed underwater ball. If you see us milling around, come say hi and give us the dish on all the watery gossip! You’ll recognize us by our wavy pink tentacles (quick shout-out to our sponsor, the Subaqueous Salon and Sea Spa).
Of course, in about twenty minutes, we expect the next Guardian of Fin to be announced, and believe us, the room is simply awash with anticipation. You can’t swing an underwater lasso without bumping into a group of whispering shellfish. But first, let’s turn our attention to the incredibly glamorous attendees and give you unlucky landlubbers listening to our broadcast a little taste of the P-A-R-T-Y.
Land ho, this place is sparkling. Each twenty-foot-tall underwater cactus is decked out in glimmering lights. The sand on the floor has been carefully blended with real gold flakes, creating a shimmering carpet underfoot. The punch is flowing, and graceful seahorses are passing out dry land-themed appetizers: miniature sea cucumber tacos, tiny teacups of coral chili, and nacho towers topped off with smoked seashells. We’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the celebrity chef that the organizers swam in for the occasion—he’s a clownfish who trained off the coast of France.
Most of the guests have adopted a look that we’d have to term “highbrow underwater cowboy.” We’re seeing a lot of denim gowns encrusted in barnacles and diamonds. Some of the wealthier guests are wearing silk bandanas and golden spurs. There’s even a cowboy hat or two—ooh, we’re seeing a scuffle unfold on the dance floor! There’s gold-tinted sand swirling through the water! Hold up one second, we’re getting the 411…apparently a Fangtooth Fish attempted to dance with a Vampire Squid, who turned out to be the date of a very muscular Frilled Shark. The sand just cleared, and neither Fish nor Shark is anywhere to be seen. Security here is no joke!
Naturally, the Powers are here in full force. They’re flexing their powerful…do dragons have muscles? They have to, right? They’re looking fabulous in formalwear specially designed by none other than the untouchable CERES AND COMPANY (we’ll hold for applause). And these drama-prone Kyngdomites even seem to be getting along, at least for now.
We’d be remiss not to mention the cornerstone of the décor: a giant ice sculpture in the middle of the dance floor, surrounded by tantalizing desserts (salt-water granitas, anyone?). The sculpture is carved into the shape of a massive and very realistic rodeo scene, but instead of a cowgirl, the artist depicted a breathtakingly accurate version of our very own Finny—the heir apparent to the Guardian of Fin. The little dolphin is portrayed so accurately that she looks practically real. In fact, if you glance at the sculpture at just the right moment, you can almost see her eyes move. Magical! At the base of the ice sculpture is a keypad that requires a code, but it’s unclear what it’s meant for. Does anyone have any information? Come find us and spill the deets—we’re all tentacles.
The dancing is being put on hold for a moment, because it’s time for one of the much-anticipated activities: some of the lucky guests are about to try their fins at roping sea cows. The massive creatures are being released from a series of gilded pens, while guests shriek and attempt to catch them with lassos made from kelp. This activity certainly fits the theme, but it’s looking like no one can manage to catch a sea cow. In fact, the cows appear to be taunting the guests. We can’t believe it—they’re lining up and dancing a can-can! Hold on, now they’re swimming over the heads of the guests and disappearing into the deep blue of the ocean. The organizers look irate.
Having just slipped over to try a bit of the punch, your faithful correspondents are happy to report that the punch is especially tasty this year. Jeweled Rockskipper!
There’s something a bit different about it…a certain fizz…a tang on the back of the tongue. Perhaps the celebrity chef is trying out a new seaweed-infused simple syrup? In the interest of full gossipy disclosure, we’ve been hearing rumors that the punch is spiked—but we’d have to try another cup in order to report back for sure.
Ooh, Imagine Sea Dragons is about to take the stage: their hair is gelled, their buttons are shelled, and they look ready to rock. Hope they play their hit single, Radioactive (Materials are Leaking Into the Ocean—Thanks a Lot, Humans). Looks like it’s time for these anemones to get their groove on—come find us at the dance floor and tells us what’s really going on at this party. The wilder the rumor, the more we want to hear it! Actiniaria and Hexacorallia out.
submitted by A & H, Desert Dome
(July 21, 2016 - 4:10 pm)
(July 21, 2016 - 4:10 pm)
Claaws, I think I'm on the boat, but I have no idea what's going on. That's why I haven't posted.
(October 7, 2016 - 12:06 pm)
Okay, well. Since the ship started to sink, everyone piled onto lifeboats and escaped to a forest next to a beach somewhere near the Hardswallow River, where Jaaws was, resting and thinking about what would happen if a sideaffected Power became its own seperate being. But we were far enough away that we didn't encounter her.
Lycaella, my traveler charrie, had found a notebook on the ship that was later revealed to have the instructions on how to separate someone's shadow from their body, which is what Catastrophe did to Ronan and Caelani. She didn't know what to make of it at first, so she just left it be and focused on the drama of Ronan's kidnapping. She saw you dive into the water to try and save Ronan, by the way. She also saw Icy and her fairy wings, but who didn't, you know?
Icy may have actually been somewhere else at that time, it wasn't clear. Read the my mother thread to know what I'm talking about. Don't worry, it shouldn't take too long. And it has important backstory for the events of the Aslahari thread, which is where all the new action was last time I checked.
So then the ship sank and everyone escaped to land, and Lycaella found a campsite. We recieved a Morse code message there, off-post, that told us to come to Aslahari and that Icy and Catastrophe were there. So we made battle preparations.
While this was happening, Caelani's shadow got removed and he and Ronan escaped. Icy either escaped or wasn't there in the first place, most likely the second.
Caelani and Ronan flew to the campsite where we had just finished with our plan. Vivean told them quickly what was going on, and we all set out to Aslahari to battle Catastrophe. We would also be battling someone named Octavia who just kinda showed up out of nowhere with her plague and/of Scions, but of course we don't know that yet.
Lycaella left the group to go home so she doesn't miss her mom's bimonthly visit. Her mother is a B.I.G. scientist/researcher, and will prove to be important. Lycaella is also going to call backup with the help of her friend Nygrune, who is human but helps the FAFA. I'm going to post that here because I don't know of anywhere better to do it.
Hope this helps! The last part is just my plans to make Lycaella more plot-relevant and to help us get ahead of Catastrophe and the B.I.G. for once. I mean, seriously, people. Come on. Either we get on top of our game and the next three powers go to the animals, or we steal the ones that B.I.G. already has. Otherwise we're just going to get completely crushed.
Sorry, that was mean. But I'm tired of us losing and I don't want to see Kyngdom fall.
Sorry again. I hope the plot summary helps.
Mexi says wrth. I am writhing, Mexi, believe me. Mostly in embarrassment, a tiny bit in anger. ...Or are you saying worth?
(October 7, 2016 - 5:38 pm)
(October 8, 2016 - 11:25 pm)
You're welcome!
(October 9, 2016 - 10:35 am)
Aslahari would be beautiful, that is, if it weren't under siege. People were swarming all over the walls of the city, and several airships--likely stolen from SailHaven--were hovering over the tall towers. The sound of battle could be heard, and a cloud of dust was constantly encovering the whole place.
Everyone seemed a bit worried, and I was too. But I couldn't show it. "Come on," I mumbled, sounding much braver than I felt.
(Now we continue the adventure on the Aslahari thread!)
(October 7, 2016 - 12:10 pm)
Yes. Everyone go there. Except for me. I will continue to post here because my charrie isn't in Aslahari and I don't have anywhere better.
(October 8, 2016 - 11:16 am)
Lycaella~
I'm home!
I run up the steps to the door and grab the handle. Oh wait, it's locked, I think, but I'm already turning it.
It opens.
I am stunned. I couldn't have left it unlocked. I never do. I didn't. No. Someone is here. But who--oh.
Mentally, I curse.
I'm late.
Mom's here.
I take a deep breath and open the door. I step through. Water is running in the kitchen. The sunlight streaming in from the windows releases the gentle scent of home from the pale walls and hardwood floor. Dust motes dance in the air. It is surprisingly clean. That's odd. Mom never liked to clean. I don't think about it. Instead, I think about how I'm going to explain myself, my absence, the state of the unlived-in house. I walk into the kitchen, put my bag (I always have my bag with me, just out of habit) down on the table, and look up at the sink to see--
Not Mom.
I am relieved, but also... Well, I don't know. I inhale, and the person turns around.
Nygrune.
Washing dishes.
In my house.
I haven't seen him/her in forever.
"Hey," he/she says.
For a moment, I can't respond. But then I do.
"Hi... what are you doing here?"
"Your mom should be home in a few hours. You weren't here, so I decided to help. You should get ready."
"No..." I say, still confused.
"You don't want to be ready?"
"No, it's not that, it's--how did you get in?" I already know the answer.
"I used the spare key," Nygrune says, gesturing with a sponge. "Remember you showed me where it was six years ago?"
"Yeah, sorry..." I say, smiling. "Oh Sylvia, when did you say she was coming?"
"If you mean your mom, in a couple of hours."
"Yes, thank you so much, I have to get ready now." I dash out of the kitchen to prepare.
Out of charrie: Nygrune is Lycaella's best friend. I couldn't decide on a gender for him/her, so I made him/her gender fluid, which is both. Nygrune is also working with the FAFA, and has told Lycaella.
Lycaella's parents don't know about her travels. They just think that she likes going for walks and camping trips.
Forever for Lycaella means a few weeks, a couple of months at most. So it really hasn't been that long since she's seen Nygrune. But so much has happened, it feels like a lot longer.
(October 9, 2016 - 12:24 pm)
Sylvia is the Power of Hoof. She's a unicorn.
(October 9, 2016 - 2:38 pm)
...Yes...
Mexi says pxhz. Mexi, are you saying pictures or pixies? Or pictures of pixies...
(October 9, 2016 - 8:29 pm)
Ah. Yes. I know, it's, see... She created humans, so it's like in real life when people say "Oh Lord" or "Oh my gosh" or something. I was also considering having Lycaella say "Oh Powers" or "Oh my Kyngdom", but I went with Sylvia, 'cause she's awesome. And also because it seemed more right.
(October 9, 2016 - 8:48 pm)
I thought your character was referring to another character named Sylvia. Thank you for the explanation. I'm kind of sad that Sylvia, my character and Power, was decided to have created humans, because I personally believe that humans are destroying the world and are unnecessary to the Grand Design. I believe I should've had a say in Sylvia's purpose.
Maybe, at the time, she didn't realise what humans would come to do.....
(October 10, 2016 - 6:32 pm)
Okay, Ive ben gone for a wile becose my school had such a huge start of the year, and it was hard to find time to poast, and if im gone for such a long time again, feal free to use my caricter frealy and i will try and find were you left my wen i get back. so... what hapened wen i was gone? from what i red in a hurry, we were saved and ronan led a small army against catastrophy, i dont know wat hapened with that then at the vary end of the page somone showes up at home. so, what egsactly hapened? can you corect me? i dont want to throw everyone of track of the story.
(October 9, 2016 - 8:24 pm)
Actually, I think that's where we left off. I posted a summary a page or two back. I don't have a lot of time right now, and I'm not sure where you are, but right now most of us are in Aslahari, fighting Catastrophe. Ronan is there, and also Icy, Caelani, and (probably) you. My charrie is the one who went home, she's going to call backup.
(October 11, 2016 - 9:06 pm)
Lycaella~
The door opens with a slight creak.
"Honey, I'm home!" my mom calls as she comes in. I jump up to greet her.
"Hey Mom," I say as she pulls me in for a hug. "Welcome home!"
She releases me, sets her enormous bag down on the floor. She can never pack light.
"Hey, Mrs. R," Nygrune says, appearing through the doorway to the kitchen.
"Nygrune," my mom says. "So nice to see you! Oh, you've gotten so tall, just like my little Ella. Have you been taking good care of her?" I roll my eyes while she's not looking. I love her.
"Yes, Mrs. R," Nygrune says. My mom loves Nygrune like a second daughter. We share a smile as Mom starts to ramble on about her work.
I still can't believe how much we've gotten done in the time since I got home. Nygrune contacted his/her supervisor, and I did my best to relate a quick account of what happened since the ball started, fact-checking with the notebook. Nygrune's boss told us we were great kids and that they would send reinforcements right away, as well as try to decipher the formulas in the notebook. Then I had to hide my traveling stuff, change my clothes, and go through the house with Nygrune to clean it up and make it messy again so it seemed like I'd been there the whole time. Of course, we've had lots of practice, given we do this every month, but it was still amazing. And yet it couldn't compare with the past week, nor what was surely to come.
My mom is still talking. She can talk for days about her work, her girl(s), anything. It's one of her best qualities.
"...And then they send the team to Bridging-on-Sea to study shadows of all things," she's saying. "Really, can you believe this? They gave me copies of all their notes. I still have to read them, but I'll put that off until tomorrow so I can be with my little girl and her friend. You are going to stay the night, aren't you, Nygrune?"
Nygrune is paying way better attention than me.
"I would love to, Mrs. R," he/she says. "Actually, could I maybe take a look at your work? I'm thinking about becoming a scientist myself."
I look at Nygrune, raising an eyebrow slightly. This is weird. Unless there's spying involved. Mom did say something about shadows...
"Of course!" she says, delighted. "Ella, do you want to see too? We could have a little study party, just the three of us!" She's so trusting. I love her so much.
"Sure!" I say, a little more enthusiastically than I mean to. Nygrune shoots me a look, but I can't tell if it's warning or concern. I change my tone.
"Do you want to have some lunch first? Or is it breakfast time?" I ask. I'm starting to get a little flustered. I take some quiet, deep breaths and tell myself to calm down. It's just Mom and Nygrune. It's fine, Ella, I tell myself. You're fine.
"Brunch would be lovely," my mom says, sweeping into the kitchen. "We could make sandwiches, oh, and sun tea!" I hear the clinking of glassware as she starts to rummage through the cabinets. This is good. We can distract her all day and leave the important stuff to everyone else. I shrug apologetically at Nygrune and walk after my mom.
I am so happy.
~Out of charrie. Sorry for the weirdness and boring-ness of this, I couldn't think of anything much to write. I want Nygrune and Lycaella to make an important discovery or two, though, about the removal of shadows, and maybe even more of Catastrophe's plans! Maybe we can finally even get on top of B.I.G.! What do you think?
(October 9, 2016 - 9:52 pm)
Also, sorry for all the triviality when people are dying.
(October 10, 2016 - 1:19 pm)