Seafoam meet with the Emissary of the City

Characters in this scene: Seafoam, Emissary

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/22/2021

The grand double doors of Sanctuary's main entrance swing open - but rather than admitting someone, as they've done so often lately, they swing outwards, and a figure steps out, clad in the sea-blue of its Implement, holding in both hands a small potted plant. Levi glances around the darkened space of the Path Behind the Lights, clearly ill at ease. A sandal-clad foot taps at the ground in a vague rhythm, its fingers drum against the Faerie cutting's pot, and if it wasn't wearing its habitual mask, one would see that it was chewing at its lip. The rest of Seafoam taps and drums and glances with her, the nervousness curling in her stomach spreading to the rest of her system. Seafoam didn't know much about the City, but they did know that it'd killed the Fool after he'd pulled that little trick with the tarot cards, and that it had been the Viceroy's patron, back when he'd been alive - and that he had apparently died after leaning on it a bit too hard. They'd been promised safety while within it, and it didn't seem likely that the Emissary, whoever they were, was going to try anything, or else the City's end of the bargain wouldn't have been fulfilled. But still. Scary.

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

She walks down the Path Behind the Lights for a moment before she hears the loud ding of an old elevator arriving. Faint music begins to fill the Path.

To her left, a new branch appears to have opened. The floor is covered in dark green carpeting with patterns that seem to shift and change whenever she isn’t quite paying attention. Multi-colored, peeling wallpaper composed of twisting roses and vines cover the walls. They swirl and pulse to the music. The only illumination comes from a series of dim yellow fluorescent lights that hang down from the ceiling. She can’t quite make out the ending of the hallway due to the poor lighting above.

In summary, it looked *really fucking sus.*

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/22/2021

Levi stops her hesitant walk forward and squints suspiciously at the branch of the Path that was *definitely* not there before. The aesthetic was certainly urban enough, and the Emissary had just messaged to say they were on their way, but... still. And the song... she knew this song. They all did. They'd heard it before, in a hotel lobby at some ungodly hour of the morning, and then never again. It had stuck in their head ever since, but they'd never been able to find out what it was called. That it was playing again here, now, was *thorough* cause for alarm. She takes a step closer, but does not go in just yet. Instead, she calls down the corridor, "Emissary? Are you there? I have the cutting here."

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

There’s a sound of feet walking on asphalt and broken glass slowly making its way down the hallway. It echoes on the walls, but does not seem to stop. It’s difficult to tell if it’s one person or a hundred.

A lone butterfly with wings of fractured glass floats down the hallway. Its flaps are irregular and erratic as if it was only *aping* at being a butterfly. As it approaches, the music distorts and stretches before bursting into static.

The butterfly lands, roughly ten feet away from Seafoam. It stills for a moment before violently exploding outwards in a swirling storm of jagged glass.

The lights above begin to flicker.

The storm quickens and Seafoam can see *things* through the glass. A reflection of eyes. Dark streets. Lips, laughing or speaking or screaming. Hands moving or waving or grabbing or punching.

Over and over again, repeated in the storm.

All of a sudden the storm stills and stops. The glass is pulled into the thing at the center.

Out steps a fairly androgynous looking person. Their skin is pale and grey like a cadaver’s, their neon pink hair shaved tightly at the sides with the bangs sweeping over their forehead. They’re wearing a simple white tank top with the words “THE CITY IS ALIVE” printed on it along with gray faded and acid-washed jeans.

On their arm is a brand. A triangle with a circle and a swirl at the top, with a line spearing downwards to two flat lines at the bottom. Their eyes have been replaced with mirrors, and you can see yourself reflected within them.

The Emissary of the City — 03/22/2021

”Are you the user known as Tojin?” they ask. Their voice sounds like many voices grinding against one another, fighting for a chance to be heard

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

They smile, and show off far too many teeth.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/22/2021

As the sound of walking fills the space, and the music shifts and undulates nauseatingly, Levi tenses subtly, but waits where it is. Nervous and jumpy as it and its headmates are, Levi can't help but cock its head to the side in confusion as a stained-glass butterfly jerkily flits down the corridor. *Is that... the Emissary?* Her nervousness grows as the Emissary(?) approaches, and she catches little tells in its behavior that betray it as very much *not* a butterfly. Still she stays put, watching with trepidation as it lands, very daintily, on the floor a few steps away. She lets herself relax just a tad- and then the butterfly *erupts.* At that, she leaps backwards, an inarticulate yowl escaping her lips, as the maelstrom of glass and the myriad things inside burst forth. She has half a mind to cut and run, and several of her headmates are advocating for the same, but she doesn't. Her feet stay rooted in place, and she watches the glass expand and contract and settle into a new form, something about her pose and expression giving off the image of a spooked cat. When the Emissary steps out, Levi is once again caught a bit off guard. With an introduction like that, she hadn't expected someone so... human-looking. Then they speak, and smile, and things make a little more sense. "U-uh. Yes, that, um. Yes. You're the Emissary of the Dark City?" In her head, a voice echoes, laden with impression. *[A sigh, a shrug, a shake of the head. "You gigantic fucking lesbian."]*

The Emissary of the City — 03/22/2021

“*Yes, we are the Emissary of the Dark City,*” they say, continuing to smile,”Have you brought the cutting of Bright Spring?”

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

The Emissary continues to smile. It’s unclear if they’re doing it to be off-putting or if they genuinely don’t know that smiling for more than twenty seconds straight can be considered off putting. They stand stock still, fingers laced together in front of them. It’s unclear if they’re even *breathing* at this distance.

The Emissary of the City — 03/22/2021

”We would be pleased to state that the residents and the Archons of the Dark City look forward to your arrival (If being pleased were something we were able to feel),” they say. That last part comes out as a jumble of words, as if a tape recorder were sped up.

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

They are still smiling expectantly.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/22/2021

...Well. That last part was... concerning. At least they seemed fairly friendly, despite the shock and awe of their arrival. And their thoroughly disconcerting grin. And the way their body didn't seem to move at all as they waited for a response. *Oh, right, and the mirror eyes. Can't forget those,* Levi thought to herself. *...Though it would be difficult to.* "Yes, I have it here." She lifts it briefly to indicate it, then hesitates. "Er... Suppose I'll just, uh. Walk over and hand it to you." She begins to do so, and assuming the Emissary doesn't interrupt her, stops just in front of them and holds the cutting out towards them.

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

The Emissary reaches out and carefully holds the cutting in one hand. With the other, they do *something* that causes their sides to break into more shards of glass. They place the cutting inside of themselves, and the cutting seems to be undamaged despite being shoved into a *grinder made of glass shards*.

The Emissary of the City — 03/22/2021

”The City thanks you for this trade,” they say as they put a hand into the whirlpool of glass that covers their abdomen. They reach around for a bit, before pulling out a large bronze disk.

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

They reach inside once more and pull out a small piece of paper. Purple, with gold around the edges. They hold both items out expectantly.

The Emissary of the City — 03/22/2021

”Here is your visitor’s pass, along with a Train Ticket should you seek to enter the City. As part of the agreement, the Archons will pay the cost of your entry and exit fee.” They say.

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

Their body stabilizes, but for a brief moment their shirt appears to read “THE CITY IS A LIE” before it’s quickly corrected.

They are still smiling.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/22/2021

Seafoam collectively watches the sapling disappear *into* the Emissary with a sort of... detached shock. "...Huh. Alright then." When the Emissary offers both of the items to Levi, she makes as though to take them, but draws her hand back at the last second, eyes narrowing slightly. "...One moment. We were promised passage to the City, and the full protections of hospitality while there, among other things. Though you speak, at the moment, to one, there are six total beings residing in this body, and the deal you made was with all of us. Does what you offer now cover all six of us, as it ought?"

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

The Emissary’s face shifts into an expression that can only be described confused, and that’s if you’re *really* stretching.

The Emissary of the City — 03/22/2021

”We ask that you give us one moment,” they say. Their body shudders and for a moment they turn *clear* showing what appears to be a large tower with a sun burning at the tip.

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

Just like that, the vision fades and the Emissary has returned to “normal”.

The Emissary of the City — 03/22/2021

”Are those within you Aware, Practitioners or Others?” They ask, ”We were asked to seek clarification so that the City may provide adequate protection to them, along with being able to pay the proper fee for their safe passage.”

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

The Emissary goes back to smiling.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/22/2021

"They... Hm. One moment." Levi closes its eyes, and stays still for about thirty seconds, the only movement being its breathing. After a time, its eyes open again. "They are all Aware. I am the only Practitioner."

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

The Emissary pauses.

Another flash of the same dark tower spearing into a weeping sky.

The Emissary of the City — 03/22/2021

”The City agrees to this provided that you agree to take responsibility for the actions of you and yours. In exchange, they will be extended the privileges of your visitor’s pass. The Archons have also agreed to pay for three additional Train rides each for a total of eighteen rides for you and yours. One train ride will cover all of you.”

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

“Do you seek clarification?”

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/22/2021

Levi's eyebrows raise. That was... remarkably easy. "No, thank you, that's more than acceptable. I agree to take responsibility for the actions of my headmates."

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/22/2021

“We would be pleased with this outcome (if being pleased were something we were able to feel at this),” they say, that familiar squeal of a sped-up tape recorder playing.

Seafoam cautiously grabs the offered items.

The ticket flares to life, gold lettering and designs appearing. On one side it says,”TRAIN TICKET: THE DARK CITY (ROUNDTRIP)” in large, printed letters. On the other is a grid of thirty six squares, in an alternating pattern of gold and silver. The words “TRIPS REMAINING: TO: 18 AND FROM: 18 EXPENSES PAID BY ORDER OF THE DARK CITY” are stamped on top.

(In small letters at the bottom: *Non-transferrable. Only to be used by the intended traveler.*)

The disk is roughly four inches in diameter and appears to be made of dirty bronze or some other dark brown metal. It feels lighter than it should, and is slightly cold to the touch. On one side is a man’s face, in profile, the features violently scratched/gouged out. Around the rim are the words “GRANTED BY THE MARTYR UPON THE HOLLOW THRONE”. On the back the names “LEVIATHAN - RAMIEL - DREAM - AMALIA - MELODY - KEIRA” circle the words “VISITORS OF THE DARK CITY”.

The Emissary of the City — 03/23/2021

”The City recommends that you do not give or trade those items to others as they are meant for those so named upon your visitor’s pass. Intentionally attempting to do so will forfeit protections provided. If you lose the items and/or the items are stolen, please contact your nearest City Official,” the Emissary says,”The City is not liable for any problems or consequences resulting from uninvited guests attempting to enter City limits.”

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/23/2021

The cadence and rhythm of the Emissary’s speech feels very forced and *very* rehearsed. It feels almost as if something else is speaking through them.

The Emissary of the City — 03/23/2021

”Do you seek clarification?”

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/23/2021

As strange, trippy, and downright scary this entire experience has been, seeing all six of their names on their visitor's pass still elicits a feeling of joy within Seafoam, and Levi feels a smile cross her face. She keeps looking down at their names for a moment, then lets out a breath and looks back up at the Emissary. "Only on one thing. How exactly do we get to the City?"

The Emissary of the City — 03/23/2021

"There are several ways in and out. One of the easiest is to find what is known as a "liminal space", more specifically a place intended for transport that has since been abandoned. Simply wave your ticket in the air and ask for a Train Ride. One should arrive shortly. You could press the pass against a television screen tuned to dead static and ask for safe passage or you could turn the lights off and press it to a mirror for the same effect. We have been informed that entering an empty alleyway with your eyes closed at midnight would also work and is far more direct, but we do not recommend doing so. This place," they say motioning to the Path behind you, "Might also work, although its keeper might wish to be informed if you choose to repeatedly use it as departure and/or an arrival point. There are other ways, but those are the easiest (that we know of)."

"Do you have any other questions?"

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/23/2021

The Emissary seems more animated now, swaying slightly in place. They're no longer grinning wildly, but they're still giving a smile that could be described as "friendly".

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/23/2021

"Two - do we leave by the same mechanism? And when we leave the City, where do we arrive?"

The Emissary of the City — 03/23/2021

"You may leave by simply requesting for a Train while inside of the City, and then waiting. One should arrive shortly after. You will be dropped off at your original entry-point, your Demesne (If you have one) or the Abyss Entrance nearest to your destination."

"We do not recommend the last one for reasons that we would like to assume are self-evident. You may also follow another visitor to their intended destination provided that they have given you consent beforehand."

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/23/2021

The Emissary smiles at you expectantly. They rub an arm.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/23/2021

Levi nods, eyes darting to the Emissary's arm for a moment before looking back at their face. "Alright. That's all we wish to know." She takes off her mask, then, revealing a smile that doesn't seem to fit quite right over her face, but is no less genuine. "Thank you, Emissary. It was, genuinely, nice to meet you."

The Emissary of the City — 03/23/2021

The Emissary gives big smile, this one appearing to be genuine.

"We have been given the ability to say that we enjoyed this meeting. We look forward to future ones, if we are able. We wish you well."

"May we leave?" The Emissary asks.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/23/2021

Levi's smile grows wider, enough so that her eyes close, and she laughs a little. "We're glad! We... look forward to them too." Partway through her sentence, she parses the way the Emissary phrased their words, and her smile wanes slightly. *If they're able...* She looks Emissary in their mirrored eyes with an expression that would be difficult for almost anyone to parse. Her tone, when she speaks, is cautious, and tight. "...Emissary. Who decides what you are and are not able to do?"

The Emissary of the City — 03/23/2021

The Emissary pauses. A flicker of the spire.

"We are unable to answer that question at this time. That is better discussed when you are inside of the City, as our true nature is hidden from even ourselves. If you would be alright, may we take our leave?"

They suddenly look *very* uncomfortable.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/23/2021

Levi's face falls in sympathy. "I... Yes. Yes, you can leave." Then, as though it had just remembered something, "Ah, but-!" It hesitates, for a moment, looking at how uncomfortable they are. *Perhaps it would be better if... No. It'll be fine.* It looks them in the eyes again. "Keep safe, alright? As much as... you're able." Its mouth twists at the last few words, coming close to spitting them, but not quite.

The Emissary of the City — 03/23/2021

The Emissary smiles. Small and tight.

"You as well."

The City (HeWhoBringsDust) — 03/23/2021

They turn and begin walking back down the hallway. Their footsteps reverberate off the walls as they slowly dissolve into fragments of light and memory. One by one, the lights above turn off.

Seafoam is alone on the Path once more.

levi || Seafoam (Tojin) — 03/23/2021

As one, they stare at the hallway that the Emissary disappeared down, and as one, they heave a sigh, filled with long, complicated emotions that they care not to name. Not a word passes between them, nor between Levi and anyone outside of Seafoam, as they head back to their room in Sanctuary, lost in thought.