nightlogs | DUST TO DUST ❅ EVENT

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DUST TO DUST ❅ EVENT

DUST TO DUST

It will take them time to discern the cause. After all, all the artifacts brought back from the fight with Project Prometheus were deemed safe or at least contained, only able to have their dangerous power unleashed if people were dumb enough to try it.

The altheiometer is not the real thing. It was created by the belief of a child, after reading a certain book series, and therefore is more of a symbolic object, with none of the real capabilities of the device in fiction. Instead, it had other magical abilities. It was not entirely understood by the Project itself, just kept there to be studied and eventually co-opted for sinister use if possible. But it had remained inert in their company.

At the Pole, it passes the magical scan, since it technically is "safe," then finally activates. It works on a child's logic, after all. A child would think daemons are cool but wouldn't think bad people deserved them. A child would think the device should only activate to let good guys have daemons.

In the study containing the safer artifacts, the altheiometer opens of its own accord. Gears turn. The hands start clicking as they move in circles around its clock-like face, rotating back and forth between different symbols. The hands finally stop, clicking as they meet in the same spot, on the symbol of an apple, with a bite taken out of it.

It's all very metaphorical isn't it. The soul can't exist without free will. In some worlds they think free will only exists because of an apple in a garden.

There is a burst of light and sound that reverberates through the Pole. As the floor shakes, everyone sees a brief glimpse of the wave as it passes through walls - and then passes through each of them. Getting hit by it is like getting hit by a storm wave in the ocean, briefly lifting everyone off their feet.

Alongside the sensation of being briefly levitated, there is also the painful sensation of suddenly being aware of something deep inside, briefly made to feel almost like a splinter in their very core.

Then, with all the subtlety of getting attacked with a giant hole punch, the splinter is removed, excised. It does hurt, but there is also a strange relief. Except...whatever it was, it's still here. Next to each of the Guardians. Still attached, just...an externality now.

The wave crashes to the shore. They're all knocked to the floor again.

If they were alone in a room, they aren't now. If they weren't alone in a room, said room's occupants have now doubled.

DAEMONS
Each PC now temporarily has a daemon. Daemons are the soul externalized, sentient and able to talk. Taking the form of animals, they often shapeshift and change forms during someone's childhood, but settle into a permanent shape during someone's teen years as the person's personality becomes more concrete and distinct.

Form: A daemon takes an animal form that represents the person's personality. They usually have a gender opposite to their respective person's, but there are sometimes exceptions, sometimes for entirely unknown reasons, or if the person is some flavor of queer. Daemons will know that they're their owner's soul and be able to tell them that.

Daemon Selection: Here is a page with interpretations of a few animals and what types of personalities they can represent, but please don't take it as law. It's just possible inspiration. The daemons can be any animal. For characters not from Earth, their daemons can be animals that are entirely made up or ones in their canons.

Link: Daemons are connected metaphysically to their person through an invisible link, allowing that person to still be attached to their soul. Moving too far from your daemon can cause physical and spiritual agony. Suddenly being ripped apart by a great distance can kill someone. Killing a daemon - which is only as hardy as the animal they are - also kills their owner.

Personalities: Daemon personalities are often similar to their owner's, but sometimes daemons are more willing to be honest about feelings or subconscious impulses. For instance, daemons often instinctually show affection to the daemons of people their owner is fond of. Daemons will remember everything their owner remembers, and was basically there the whole time they were alive, just integrated. Despite being externalized, they aren't something separate from each person, they were always a part of them.

Physical Contact: People can touch their own daemons without effects and cuddling their daemon can be a positive experience of self-love. Someone hurting their own daemon can feel like they've caused the damage to themselves, and hurts on a spiritual or almost self-hating level. Meanwhile, picking up someone else's daemon without permission can cause incredible discomfort and pain. Alternately, touching someone's daemon with permission can cause comfort, a surge of happiness, or even pleasure, depending on the context of the contact and the relationship the two people have.

OOC DETAILS
❅ Event Length: The plot will last an OOC and IC 2 weeks before they can figure out what's causing the change and reverse it, making the daemons internal again. During this time, allies of the Guardians will temporarily take over their duties and fortunately no major crises will happen. Players can set their own opens during this time as well as play out anything that happens over the whole 2 weeks in this post.

❅ New Characters: If your character is introing at this time, assume they arrived just in time for the magical wave to hit them, or walked into a cloud of its residual energy.

❅ Opt-out: Anyone that doesn't want to play in the plot or have a daemon can handwave Vasilisa's magical defenses caught on to the power surge and her glowing charms protected at least some people in the Pole from the transformation. You can ignore this and thread as if there's just a little extra chaos around the Pole.

❅ Jack Frost: There will also be a network post with Jack explaining what Vasilisa has magically discerned has happened. It will take time to find the source, as the altheiometer is very good at cloaking its readings and registered as "safe." (Technically, it is safe, it's just...inconvenient.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Crowley's first and great mistake was finally starting to leave his room at all. All he's done is unlock a fresh new morning routine, where he starts to open the door and a lion tries to stick its giant dumb rumbly face through the opening immediately.

Like yes, of course, absolutely come out here. Welcome to the world, etc. But first: let him in. Let him in!!!!!

Also pictured: Aziraphale en route somewhere down the hall already fed up with this nonsense. Full muttering "oh for Heaven's sake" mode. All that restraint and self-control for what. To not be able to reel in his own stupid whatever-angels-have-that-are-equivalent-to-human-souls? It's just embarrassing. ]

[Unfortunately for Aziraphale, this behaviour is being encouraged wholeheartedly by Crowley, who can multitask nudging the door the rest of the way open and shove both hands into Timothy's man to scratch around his neck and make stupid nonsense sounds at him like he's actually a big dumb rumbly lion.

Asteria uses the distraction to slip out through the door, trotting quickly down the hall until she finds Aziraphale, so she can weave her way around his legs and just generally turn into an affectionate tripping hazard. She manages a soft good morning in between purrs.

They're all very normal about this.]

[ Ugh. The absolute betrayal of it all. It's not to say that Aziraphale doesn't generally want to stick his face in the door and demand affection from Crowley. That's a desire that probably anybody who spends enough time with Crowley to know him should have. And it's not even that it doesn't feel nice, through whatever this link is, when his big stupid lion gets welcomed affections. Of course it's nice.

It's the principle of the thing. ]

Crowley, don't encourage him. He's a fully-formed sentient-- creature. He ought to behave like it. [ And yet? He is stopping to deliver pets and head kisses to Asteria on the spot. She's so lovely. Just a little baby.

Timothy, mid-affectionate-headbutt, offers a very wise and nonbiased rebuttal: ]

No. Keep encouraging me.

[It's probably cheating, in a way, that he can circumvent all the difficult emotions that come from easy, open affection by using Timothy as a proxy, but if the daemon didn't want the affection, he wouldn't be shoving his head into Crowley's hands.

It works in reverse, too. Asteria can stretch up with her paws in Aziraphale's thigh to accept those head kisses, without Crowley getting that itchy, uncomfortable feeling he gets when wanting something.]

Oh, please, he's just a sweet ol' cat. Aren't you, love?

[Timothy is now in the same category as the Bentley; being subjected to almost babytalk.

Asteria, meanwhile, drops her voice to a low murmur.]

He still loves you the most, don't worry.

[Casually accuses Aziraphale of being jealous of his own soul, like the little shit that she is.]

For you? Always. [ The restraint it takes Aziraphale not to snort at his own soul... thing.

A sweet ol' cat. Indeed. Not a ridiculously large nuisance at all. Crowley's bias speaks volumes. ]

Oh hush, you. [ You who? The royal You. All of you, really. But especially Asteria, to whom he'll offer his arms for a lift if she wants a free cat tree. ] Sweet as you are and still such a menace. You do make it a charm point, don't you?

[ He's down bad for all Crowley-based facets. As he should be. So if Aziraphale really is a little jealous of Timothy, that's between him and... well, and Timothy. ]

I knew I was your favourite.

[Out of respect for Aziraphale's cranky feelings, Crowley won't give Timothy a cuddle, but it's a near thing, and he doesn't stop with the scritches, even as he straightens back up a little.

Asteria easily accepts the offer, leaping up into his arms in one smooth motion, because this makes it easier to rub her head against his cheeks, and chin, and nose, and jaw. Whatever she can reach, really.]

You wouldn't like us so much if we weren't a menace.

[Can't argue with the facts.]

[ He is scritching the smuggest, most dramatique lion in the world right now. Timothy needs affection to live, but only specifically from Crowley and/or Asteria. Anyone else would be at grave risk.

How Aziraphale says he should behave is secondary because he technically is also Aziraphale. Zero sum. That's science. ]

Darling, I would like you in any capacity. Don't sell yourselves short. [ Snake. Humanoid. Massive eldritch beast. Long cat. Bitchy, cranky, quiet, soft. All the ways. Though he can't, in fact, argue with the truth.

And it's hard to stay especially grumpy when he's getting this loving VIP treatment and able to dole out more open compliments than usual. A beautiful cat-shaped buffer.

Not that Timothy is onto anything or anything. ] Being a menace does make you more likely to have a bit of fun, though, doesn't it?

[ More fun to bicker with, for starters. ]

[Bonus to getting scritches from a demon: Crowley can grow his claws in to really get in there amongst the thick fur.

If anyone else were witnessing this, Crowley would be horrified at how loudly Asteria is purring as she makes herself comfortable in Aziraphale's arms, but it's just them, and he can handle the small amount of embarrassment it inspires, especially when it feels so nice.

He almost wants to ask Jack not to fix this, but he knows that isn't practical.]

Exactly. Someone has to make sure that you're having fun, too.

[Reading them both for filth. She really is a menace.]

I'd been thinking about getting some fresh air for this one. If you'd care to join us.

[ Unbelievable. Aziraphale loves her and Crowley too much. He's only had Asteria for X days but if ANYTHING happened to her, etc. etc. etc. ]

That sounds lovely. Probably good to get a bit of their energy out. Provide, um. Enrichment? Never done much zoological care.

[ He can manage to kiss Crowley personally around two cats of varying largeness, as a punctuation. Is this zoological? He's thinking of it like that to maintain an emotional distance from the entire situation. His greatest power. ]

He likes me better asleep. [ This could be Timothy's great lament, if not for the fact that he doesn't sound upset about it at all. Water is wet, grass is green, Crowley gives the best scritches, Aziraphale doesn't like that he's here. But not enough to try to miracle him away, so who is the real winner?

Obviously the big lion.

Not sounding upset does not stop him from looking up to Crowley's face as if to say 'oh, poor me, so downtrodden definitely for real.'

It's all rather silly. ]

Not entirely sure that it falls under zoology, angel.

[But he'll leave Aziraphale with a level of plausible deniability for his emotional distance, if only because he's too busy being kissed while trying to continue petting Timothy and accepting an affectionate headbutt from Asteria. There's so much going on, it's wild.

He'll add a further kiss to Aziraphale's cheek, just in case there was doubt about whether he loves him the most.]

He's just sore that you're ruining his harmless bookseller shtick, don't let him get to you.

[Someone is jealous of Timothy getting all that attention, and sort of wriggles onto her back in Aziraphale's arms so she can look up at him with big, baby eyes.]

Can we go somewhere warm? I don't want to play in the snow.

[She's babey.]

My schtick? [ Wow. Aziraphale brought a kiss and all that affection over here only to be betrayed. Unbelievable.

He's never harmed anyone in his capacity as a bookseller, therefore he is a harmless bookseller and he is! Entitled to be irritated that he just really doesn't see how Timothy fits the bill! It's debatable whether he would have liked any daemon, for myriad reasons, but that doesn't mean anything.

Asteria can have the entirety of Aziraphale's attention now. >:( Babey only. ]

Of course we can. Lots of sunny, out-of-the-way spots on the planet, aren't there? [ He really will miss her when this all gets sorted back out. She's part of Crowley, of course, it's not as if she'll be gone in her entirety. It's just-- nice. To have this part of him externalized, asking for these little indulgences. Demanding them. Same thing. ]

Somewhere a bit less crowded.

[ Things that, surprising no one, Timothy enjoys hearing enough to also start purring. Do lions purr? If not, they do now. He understands the assignment w/r/t Asteria and/or Crowley having the priority input. He also thinks it would be nice if they could do that in some spot that doesn't have all these people living in it. ]

When was the last time you sold a book?

[They both know that he was talking about the harmless part, but he'll be a little contrary on purpose, just because it's what he does best. If Crowley has opinions about how Aziraphale presents himself as harmless and how much strength there is underneath it all and if he's also a little bit horny about it, that's between him and, well, Asteria.]

What about one of those uninhabited islands in the Pacific? [Asteria is both babey and a little shit. Crowley shoots her a look.] Do I look like I'm dressed for a tropical vacation?

[Asteria looks up at Aziraphale again, full force puppy dog eyes despite being a cat. Please over rule Crowley and let her have what she wants.

Both of them have been betrayed by their daemons.]

Pedant. [ Things that Aziraphale and his daemon say simultaneously. So they'd rather die than sell a book on top of the actual point that was made. That's normal behavior obviously.

But fine. Fine! Aziraphale will get his revenge.

He looks down at Asteria's little sad cat face.

He looks back up at Crowley properly. ]

You like warm weather. [ 🥺

(Timothy has now also betrayed Crowley. He is not here to help win the anti-island position.) ]

[The synchronized accusation makes him laugh, which makes Asteria start purring, which ultimately goes to show that Crowley enjoys riling Aziraphale up, as if that was ever in question.

And as if Aziraphale doesn't enjoy riling him up in turn. He looks to Timothy, hopeful that he might have an ally, only to immediately know from the look on the lion's face that he's out of luck.]

Alright, alright, but don't come complaining to me when there's sand in your fur and your trousers.

[He won't do anything about it! They'll all have to solve their own problems!

(He will absolutely miracle away the sand for any of them.)]

[ Aziraphale knows full well that Crowley would miracle away any sand he looked sad enough about. But he'll let him be miffy about it because he gets what he wants and being indulged by a complaining demon is one of his favorite hobbies.

Other attributes: his wiggles.

Timothy's attributes: licking Asteria. Since she's in the area and all. ]

Maybe I'll dress for the occasion. Save you the trouble.

[ Beach fashion... it can't be that hard, right. ]

[Social grooming rituals are something that can be so important when you're a soul manifested as a cat.

It does make life difficult for Crowley, who wants to feign at being grumpy but can't quite manager it when Asteria is vibing so hard that she's purring and about 0.3 seconds from falling asleep. The betrayals never cease.]

Am I about to be forced to endure bloody nineteenth century beachwear?

[ No manners... this rude and terrible demon. ]

If it offends you, you're very welcome to look in another direction. I will be having a lovely time regardless.

[ Regard someone else with love and fondness bitch!! Wow!

Wait don't actually do that, he'll be jealous. ]

He won't look away, he's only got eyes for you.

[Asteria says the words in a sing-song voice, enjoying both the attention and getting a chance to tease Crowley.

She's a menace.]

Alright, can we get a move on? No need to stand around nattering all day.

[He's going to start shooing them towards wherever the fuck the snow globes are stored, the narrator can't be bothered to check the FAQ.]

We do like to hear it, thank you.

[ Crowley being put on blast: funny and cute.

Aziraphale being put on blast after that singsongy lil compliment is out there: mortifying actually, Crowley is right, best be off. The shooing will be permitted just this once.

He can't let Crowley know he has a crush on him... the line must be drawn. No he does not understand why it's been drawn. ]

Well. [ Well!!!! Most of what they do is nattering. In the grand scheme. He thinks. ] No need to natter here when we could be nattering on location, yes. Enjoying the sunshine. Not the North Pole's strongest draw.

[ Ditto they sure are going wherever the snow globes are, good for them. Not a honeymoon or a vacation but a third thing: a day trip. ]

[Crowley just shoots Timothy a pleased look, but in the interest of not upsetting Aziraphale too much, keeps his mouth shut.

That does not stop him from doing one of his full body groans between steps, it's a whole production.]

That was awful. [Crowley loves him so much.] Suppose I can't complain about sunshine, it has been a minute since some proper warmth.

[Warmth hearths and cozy rooms don't count.]

[ Groans of complaint: among Aziraphale's many favorite sounds that Crowley makes.

The list has expanded considerably recently, but still. Aziraphale is willing to trade out being huffy about Timothy saying things for looking pleased with himself over being annoying. Crowley took that mental damage for morale. ]

Not very many chances for basking, no. [ Not that he supposes the missions would be very mission-like if they were about basking. ] It'll be nice. We'll have fun.

[ Fun like fun or fun like he plans on giving them both a very good reason to be complaining about how sand gets absolutely everywhere? He'll decide later. Most likely only the former because he's not comfortable ~ravishing his beloved~ while Asteria and Timothy are just like, around. It's too weird.

For now, he's miracling up a big fluffy tartan beach towel to wiggle for emphasis. If there's any inkling as to what his swimwear choices will be like... this is the inkling.

He also holds a pair of these out for Crowley. Take them. You have to. (Note: Crowley does not have to, obviously.) ]

[Honestly, the things he does for love.]

And you know I love a good bask.

[It might be the serpent in him, or maybe he would've taken to the sunshine regardless of his nature, but there's no denying that he's a creature of warmth. He doesn't necessarily come across that way, with the propensity to dark clothes and his sterile flat, but Aziraphale knows him better than anyone.

Well enough to raise an eyebrow at the mention of fun, but anything clever he might have said is lost to indignation.]

I'm not wearing those. You can't make me.

[Asteria starts chuckling to herself, even though she agrees with Crowley's stance. She just thinks it's kind of funny, too.]

I do know. [ His little mental Crowley details scrapbook prevails. Not to be confused with his physical one (just in case he ever loses track of the mental one).

It makes for a very good cuddle, being with a creature of warmth. Aziraphale will admit that for free. And even more for free, he'll fail to pretend to look disappointed by the refusal. His ass knew exactly what he was going to get for an answer. ]

Oh. Too pink? [ :(

For once, Timothy is going to "yes and" Aziraphale instead of being mean to him for NO reason WHATSOEVER (source: Aziraphale's opinion). ] I think they must be too pink.

[The tartan towels were one thing, but he really has to draw the line at ridiculous sunglasses, especially since he's started to adjust to not wearing them nearly so often.]

It's not the pink that's an issue, it's the bloody flamingos.

[He could wear a little pink, maybe; it's close enough to red that he can work with it, but novelty sunglasses are ridiculous.

Asteria is going to be very helpful by trying to grab the sunglasses out of Aziraphale's hand with her teeth. If she happens to "accidentally" break them in the process, it's a tragedy that couldn't be averted.]

People like flamingos.

[ Crowley could be one of those people. He's very leggy, they have that in common. Aziraphale is only arguing to argue, of course.

Although he does make an offended sound when Asteria snatches the sunglasses. And has the audacity! To accidentally break them! (Who is he kidding. He can't be properly angry at that face.) Tut and tsk and other such noises. ]

Oh, behave! Statement pieces like those don't grow on trees. [ He's not technically wrong. Nothing that's part of these .50 plastic sunglasses grew on a tree, probably. ]

throws spaghetti at the wall this can go wherever in the timeline

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