Adventure Log - November 1, 2024
The Solar Sanctuary
The Solar District on the Eastern side of the City has shopping and eateries. This side of town is much quieter and relaxed compared to other districts. It is yet unclear why Solar District is lacking. The buildings in this area are named either after the Sun or items you'd find on earth. Where Solaire used to be, much like FMS, is now a large crater in the ground blocked off by yellow warning tape stating DO NOT CROSS.
Down the road from where they start is a fancy glass and crystal building with plants, animals, and people inside of it. A plaque near the entrance confirms this building to be Solar District Adventurers Guild and run by NOVA FOUR ADMIN Pegasus.
"Oh wow," HInata tilts her head, "This place is... not much different, though I like the way they did the trees." Notably, this is one of the few districts in the City that really embraces its natural surroundings as many trees, gardens, and sanctuaries make their home here. It's like if nature, magic, and human development coexisted here naturally.
Luna sighs while taking in her surroundings, "I love Solar District. Wasn't a fan of Solaire, but the district was always comfy to visit."
Comparative to Lunar District’s synthwave music identity, Solar District's musical vibe seems to be more City Pop and chill vibes.
Spider looks around inquisitively as they walk, her tail wags slightly and she seems to be more at ease here.
The District has been heavily repaired since the last time they were here. Sunshine Horizons is still seen while walking, but it seems to be extremely normal compared to last time's terrifyingly cultish encounter. They eventually arrive in front of the Guild as Luna holds the door open to them. Peering through the glass, they can tell it's like a indoor botanical garden crossed with an animal sanctuary with people walking about. Hinata seems totally at ease with being here while Luna seems to be barely getting through everything.
"Let's just. Find the person who wanted this thing and get out of here," Luna groans, her ears folded down.
Spider steps into the building wrinkling her nose at the sheer multitude of scents. After getting her bearings they look at Luna, "you ok?"
The scents coming from Solar Adventurers Guild are rather intense for those with sensitive senses of smell. Luna looks over at Spider after taking a couple deep breaths, "I will be. I just uh. remembered some things. From my past. It's way too familiar to me. Let's get with ADMIN Pegasus and finish this please?" They both walk in.
Walking inside the glass doors, the group finds a very botanical setting within the greater naturally-friendly DIstrict. No longer does Solaire rule thus Nova's original plans of conservationism, animal rights, and research are on full display. Heard above and throughout all of the guild, the soothing sounds of lo-fi and gentle soft rock permeate the structure.
Much like many of the other Guilds, the same similar functions exist:
On the left wall is the Receptionist. Next to that is a screen of quests that can be done. Spider will notice the quests here are the exact same as in the requests board channel in Luna’s mind as if not many people are taking advantage of the feature. Over on the right, a few offices with closed doors and walls can be seen. In the back, instead of a restaurant or a club like many others have, it's the "Solar Sanctuary" where most of the animals, plant-life, insects, and other such natural scenery can be found. It's like a large indoor zoo in a way, except the animals seem to roam freely. White lab coated scientists walk around with clipboards in hand and don't seem to give any attention to the trio who just walked in. Perhaps they're too busy?
On the other hand, the receptionist standing behind the counter waves them down. They're a rather cheerful guy wearing a light pink dress shirt with a white tie, red hair, green eyes and a strawberry charm earring on one ear. They have a bit of a lisp to their speech, "oh hai, welcome to Solar Guild, are you new here?"
Spider gives a polite smile back the sound of the receptionist's voice pulling her away from the distractions all around her, "yeah, we're looking for Admin Pegasus I believe?"
The man types some things into his computer then smiles politely back, "of course, she'll be out momentarily. She is currently tending to our Sanctuary, plants are her life after all. Please wait in the lobby."
The lobby has some white cushioned chairs that appear rather soft and comfortable. Hinata looks around at the surroundings and mutters, "Why does this place feel so familiar to me?" Luna is taking deep breaths and seems to be staring at one of the rooms off to the side. Her ears are still flattened.
The Sanctuary has a constant flow of people walking in and out. It must be a popular place for both scientists and adventurers alike.
Spider looks at Luna concerned, "Hinata do you wanna take her outside while I finish up here?"
Hinata nods, "yeah that's fine. Come on Luna, let's get some air." They walk out. After a few more minutes, someone walks out of the Sanctuary and up to Spider. They have long blonde hair, deep green eyes, and are somewhat muscular while skinny. She is wearing blue jeans, black boots, a white camisole, and a plaid red and black unbuttoned overshirt with pink floral gardening gloves on. A nova insignia pin is on their lapel. "Oh hey, I'm ADMIN Pegasus. Welcome to my Guild. Did you need something?" Her demeanor is very relaxed and pleasant with a soft smile on her face. The scent of dirt can be smelled on her though considering the gardening gloves, that's probably why.
Hinata can be seen staring at Pegasus through the glass exterior.
Spider is quiet for the briefest of moments as the gay panic sets in, then she clears her throat, "yeah, I’m here about that Halloween quest."
Pegasus tilts her head from side to side, "Halloween quest-- Hallowee-- Ah! Yeah! The prize behind the red wall! Wait-- you... solved it??? No one else could! What was the gift???" She looks excited.
Spider grins and untucks the book from under her arm holding it out to Pegasus.
Pegasus stares at the book for a couple moments then tilts her head and sighs, "Wait... that's it? The haunted house based on the 'Legends of the Creatures of Legend' book has the book as the special prize??? What the fuck Ashley. Why did you design it like that?? Ugh, well it'll probably get you a couple bucks on ebay, so at least... it's free? Not like everyone doesn't already have a copy of it."
"It’s signed so it'd probably get a bit more than that." Spider shrugs putting Error back in their bag so she can flip the book open to the signature.
"Ah yeah, Max is pretty chill. Made bank after releasing that book, which then was put directly into CoL research. In a way, the book's pretty effective in keeping people away from searching for the CoL's themselves. What's the phrase? The best way to stop people is to scare them... or something like that. But we never thought it'd get so popular. Eh, maybe it’ll come in handy," Pegasus sighs. "Anyway, do you want to see what we do here at the Sanctuary or do you need to leave?"
Hinata continues to stare, even squinting her eyes. Her tail does not wag. Luna is sitting on the curb on her phone
Spider tucks the book back under their arm, "I can stay for a look around."
Pegasus smiles warmly, "alright follow me. By the way, I never caught your name?"
"it's Spider." They smile and gesture saying, "lead the way."
Pegasus leads Spider through the glass entrance into the Sanctuary, a rather massive room in the back of Solar Guild. Inside, it looks like a weird hybrid of a garden center and a safari zoo with animals of all kinds running about, plus all kinds of plants. The Sanctuary is divided into different sections for different environments, each closed off by an airlock. In the very center of the larger Sanctuary is Pegasus's glass-walled office which allows her to keep an eye on everything. As the two walk around, Spider might notice the plants seemingly reacting to them walking around, some flower faces might turn to 'look' at them, and some even appear to dance in place, but it's possible it's just Spider's tired eyes playing tricks on her. They have been out all night after all.
Pegaus asks her guest, "So how's it looking?”
Spider notices the section they're in is like an expansive garden with different kinds of insects fluttering about, such as butterflies, spiders, bumblebees, and caterpillars. All of them are normal sized, so nothing goofy or magical happening here. There are people tending to the flowers as well, all who wave to Pegasus and presumably her guest as well. While walking, Pegasus explains to Spider their mission, "Nova Heart has been working on what Jan Solaire failed on, creating an Earth better for everyone. One of these projects is something I initially worked on when I was there myself, my Magical Ability lets me attune my emotions to flowers and plants, and it helps me understand what they need to thrive. Nova basically gave me this entire guild to work on my projects. It's really nice to be able to do this, not only for our citizens but also for myself."
Spider almost seems to be enjoying herself as they walk through the sanctuary. She pauses for a moment to let a spider walk onto their hand then continues on, "it's nice to see Nova doing something good, this whole place is really nice."
Pegasus nods in agreement, "yeah it's nice when they actually do something for good and not for their stupid cult. Like why do we need that? There is so much potential brimming with everything we're doing, but no, Sirius has to ruin shit with this power fantasy he's got. Tsukuyomi didn't love him enough or something I guess."
Interest piqued, Spider looks around the gardens taking the time to plan their words before saying, "as you said it really doesn't add much, it's getting to the point that I've hardly heard anything about it."
Pegasus smiles as the flowers around them bloom, "Yeah no, I totally agree. I love working here, I love being able to do largely whatever I want however I want it. I get paid to grow flowers from all over the world! It's amazing." After that, she makes sure no one is nearby, then sighs in defeat and shakes her head, "I genuinely blame Leaders Sirius and Antares for ruining our mission over wanting to be in control of everything. Why else do you think Nova has their name plastered everywhere? We're even in Fairview! Why? Why do we need this? All of this shit over those Vessels? You didn't even make those! That was Solaire and FMS." Some of the flowers nearby have closed up, as if sensing her sadness, and some have grown thorns as if reacting to her anger and frustration. She clenches her fists, "Sorry for the sudden heaviness Spider. It's a lot to take in sometimes. Anyway, let's continue our tour."
"I get it." Spider shrugs playing it cool as she tilts her head, "you mind if I ask one more question though?"
"Yeah what's up?" Pegasus turns her to ask Spider.
Spider's face takes on a curious expression as she takes a gamble by asking, "where's Fairview again? It sounds familiar but I can't put my finger on it."
Pegasus tilts her head from side to side, thinking that maybe this person isn't who she thinks she is. Reasoning this, she steers away from the fact that other worlds exist, "erm. It's a city in another country, you know how there's the Magickas, the Down Under, and the Asiatics? Well it's over there. I'm not entirely sure of which state it's in though, but it's in the north somewhere. Rather forested and nice." There's a sense of awkwardness from her explanation. "Any other questions?"
Spider shakes her head because as much as she wants to push it, it'd probably be best not to, "nah, interesting how much they've expanded though."
Pegasus pauses for a couple moments, trying to make doubly sure this isn't someone connected to the Vessels. That said, she wants to push this Spider person for answers, but she'd rather not break the relaxing atmosphere, "Yeah, a-and so far that's the only expansion we've done over there. Ashley Andromeda owns the Guild there too." Pegasus leads Spider back to the lobby and shakes her head at the person with the red glowing eyes glaring at her through the glass, "Excuse me for one moment." And she heads towards where Hinata is, sighing in defeat and genuine guilt.
Spider watches her go taking a brief moment to rub their hand over their face as the exhaustion finally catches up to them.
Hinata steps inside, "Rebecca! What the hell. I thought you were on our side?"
Pegasus shakes her head, "I am! But then they came to me with a proposition to work on what I couldn't at Solaire, so I.. took their offer. Look at this place! it's so much bigger than what we had at Tsukuyomi's house. I'm still on your side but I wanted to continue my own work. I- I'm sorry Hinata."
Hinata huffs and exhales, her voice sounds rather broken, "Spider? You ready? I need to leave."
Pegasus looks like a puppy who had just gotten scolded by its owner, her head in her arms.
Spider sighs and walks over to Hinata, she seems kinda torn as she shrugs at Pegasus.
Before letting Spider go back, Pegasus says with a half-hearted smile, "Oh and don't worry, you got your credits. You can redeem those at any guild for prizes and stuff. If you ever wanna chat some more, you’re more than welcome to return whenever. See you."
Hinata huffs and starts walking to the exit.
Spider nods in acknowledgement and follows after Hinata.
As soon as they exit the Guild, Luna snaps her fingers and the trio returns to The Gang's house.
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MISSION COMPLETE! "I Want to See the Prize!' Rewards: 200CR |