on apping to Tu Shanshu

[drake_wayne]

I have to admit it, mun. I never thought you'd actually take the time and actually apply to a game. I thought I'd be forever confined to dressing rooms and memes.

Who comes up with these terms?

Anyway, I'm mildly surprised and a bit glad. Hopefully I get in, even if you chose a questionable point in time for my arrival. I look forward to seeing my friends and family again. And the setting? It's just so...out there. How can an entire city thrive on the back of a giant turtle? I really wanna learn more.

At any rate, take it easy. I know you haven't been in a real game in ages, so just take it slow. Have fun.

Comments

[plains_hunter]

Well now, this should be fun.

[drake_wayne]

You're there?

[plains_hunter]

So it would seem, yes. Was just about to check out the mainland.

[drake_wayne]

Really? [The tone of voice screams disinterested, but the brief flash of his eyes belies that reaction.]

I thought you all were stuck on the turtle.

[plains_hunter]

Yeah, see, that's the thing. That guy still has to dock with his buddies now and then. The locals gather resources like fresh top-soil and such from the mainland.

Unfortunately, it's a dangerous wasteland out there.

[drake_wayne]

I see.

Why haven't the people simply set up there? You say it's dangerous, but I would still take that over the back of a giant turtle. What if it submerges? Whereas there's danger on the mainland, yes, but the soil is apparently good enough to cultivate food. You have a city's worth of people. If everyone worked, you'd have a stable, thriving community within a few years.

[plains_hunter]

I'm sure that idealism does fine in that little world inside your head, but it doesn't fly here. Tell you what, if you come here, you can lead the charge. Go ahead, try and set up out there.

I'll do you the favor of recovering your body after the Llothi are done with it.

[drake_wayne]

Llothi?

[plains_hunter]

Oh, right. I didn't mention the monster problem on the mainland.

[drake_wayne]

So why can the locals go out, but not you? Any length of time would be a danger, it sounds like.

[plains_hunter]

Because I don't like risking my life without the guarantee of a pay-off.

[drake_wayne]

Your motivations are astounding.

[plains_hunter]

Why is that surprising to you? I'm a no-good badguy, remember?

[drake_wayne]

Yes, and your bad boy charms will always keep you aloof and apart from everyone else. You wanna do good but it just isn't in you. And so on and so forth.

Did I miss anything?

[plains_hunter]

Hey, it's not a bad gig.

Better than constantly seeking the approval of an emotionally distant mentor figure, who is willing to cast out his proteges the minute they clash with him.

[drake_wayne]

No one ever said he was good with people. His success rate in keeping us away is very low, anyway.

[plains_hunter]

Ah, right. He's already got a shiny new boy wonder, doesn't he?

[drake_wayne]

[A long pause.]








That's different.

[plains_hunter]

Whatever you say, kid. But hey, I don't hold anything against you. I'm sure you make a dandy hero on your own.

[drake_wayne]

I do just fine.

[hackingyoursensors]

Just wait until you see it glow in the dark.

[drake_wayne]

It isn't...radioactive, is it?

[hackingyoursensors]

Nah, just bioluminescent.

[drake_wayne]

Oh. Well, that's different, then.

[The flash in his eyes says he's a bit excited about the prospect. A bioluminescent turtle large enough to hold an entire city on its back? So there.]

[hackingyoursensors]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're actually excited to join our magical turtle cruise.

[drake_wayne]

Well, why not? The implications are a bit unsettling, but there's so many unknowns. If I'm going to be stuck there, why not make the most of it?

[hackingyoursensors]

Let me guess: you're the optimist of the family.

[drake_wayne]

Actually, that'd be you.

[hackingyoursensors]

Then that must make you... the enthusiastic detective?

[drake_wayne]

You could say that. This could be the first time the Mission doesn't take the primary spot in my life since I met Bruce. And where do I end up in but a place that has a whole wealth of information we probably haven't documented. And then Bruce is there, too, from what I understand. As well as my Nightwing and the rest of the family. This could be a good thing.

[hackingyoursensors]

Seriously? [And Bruce was worried about him losing himself in his job?]

Hey, it's almost sort of like a vacation. If you ignore all of the shady parts like being held against our will.

[drake_wayne]

[Hey, the guy's had it rough. Some people start drinking, some become Batman Jr.]

Of course there's that. It's all part of what has me interested. Why us? What is it that we're expected to do here?

[hackingyoursensors]

I heard we were supposed to be protectors of some kind. No idea what we're protecting or from what. The Emperor isn't exactly generous with information.

[tactilekonesis]

I don't know, I've seen weirder places for a city than on top of some giant turtle... though it might make hurricane season kind of weird.

[drake_wayne]

I just keep wondering what's keeping the thing from submerging.

[tactilekonesis]

You'll find out when you get there, right? It can't be one of those weird mysteries for the ages.

[drake_wayne]

I suppose not. But it's still something I'd like to figure out. Actually, there's a bunch I'd like to figure out about the place.

sorry for the slow

[tactilekonesis]

Should've figured as much. Is there more to the place than just being on a turtle's back?

It's all good in the hood.

[drake_wayne]

From what I understand, it's...some sort of limbo. A place between life and death. The guy controlling me thought it was a good idea to put me in around the point that Ra's and the League tried to destroy everything that Bruce built.

And there's a you there. A younger you.

Think Young Justice young.