The only sound in the steamy onsen was the water streaming from the fountain, coupled with the soft sound of bamboo making contact with rock. Of the many things Mercury enjoyed, this seemed to be farthest off her list: hot, steamy, and very un-Mercury. But yet she found herself drawn to it, perhaps like a moth to a flame. It reminded her of Mars' own hot springs, though those were too hot, even for her. But these? The Japanese had truly made an art form of them, and even the soldier of ice and intellect found pleasure in the activity.

Bottle of sake with matching cup sat on a floating tray, Mercury taking a sip, head slowly tilting back as she downed the drink. Her cheeks may have been a wee bit flushed, but she was still aware enough to defend herself if need be. Slender form was wrapped in a towel, shoulders poking up over the water. Resting her head back, she set her cup down on the tray, enjoying the soak, for now.

It was a night like any other. The sun had long set as "Masumi," on her way home from the one of Juuban's photo labs -- had spotted a youma draining the life force from an innocent bystander! And obviously she couldn't have that! As she held her hand in the air, she transformed into the sailor suited soldier of love and justice... Sailor Mnemosyne!

She sprinted forward, confident that she would reach the scene in time before it was too late. Jumping up to the roof with the moonlight shining at her back, she called out bravely -- "Hold it right there!" Striking a pose, she sized up the monster below, and took note of the captive in its grip. "Picking on those who want to reminisce about loved ones is disgraceful! One of the most precious things is recalling times of spent with friends and family! In the name of the river of memories, Mnemosyne, Sailor Mnemosyne won't forgive you!"

( 'syne's new career just so happens to be that of a legit sailorsenshi!! replies as allies, enemies or even those mistaken as the 'youma' are welcome ;] )

Who: Everyone! Open to All. World inhabitants can be npc'd as needed.
What: World Exploration : Suggestion Info here
When: all through November and beyond
Where: Locations in comments, or add your own.

There are whole new worlds out there. Some people know this already, some are learning it for the first time. Tonight, it's a world of mystery where nothing seems to work entirely by normal logic and everything familiar from waking life can become different. Flowers have a temper and may not like being picked, animals wear dapper clothes, and all of them talk. Some of them are helpful.

Whether flitting around the edges of this world at the Rabbit Hole or the Entryway, caught up in the Mad Hatter's tea party, taken to the Castle of the Queen of Hearts, the Croquet Ground, or somewhere entirely different, it's Wonderland. Be careful: The signs shouldn't always be obeyed.

(Notes: This is a log to keep together threads exploring Wonderland. Relevant threads can also be made as separate posts throughout the rest of the month or beyond. Mostly, this is an experiment to see how a mass log will work for world exploring. As usual with OPN, it is entirely optional and creative liberty is fine and encouraged while working within the setting. Feel free to use the location notes as prompts, but also feel free to do something else entirely. More world suggestions always accepted here.)

It's the middle of night, and it's dark. There's a chill in the air. Stars, moonlight, articifial lighting, all of it seems to be conspicuously absent.

So where is that patch of even deeper darkness coming from, like a shadow of a shadow? It slips through the air, sensed more by its motion than by sight, creeping closer...

(ooc: for pun theme, a member of shadow galactica as a literal shadow! also, trying out potential for a waking dream; feel free for characters to think they've woken up to find the shadow in their room/wherever they're sleeping - set any scene desired.)

There's a smell of ash in the air, though there is no crackling of fires or snap of flames. Nothing seems damaged, there is only the reminder carried on the wind. A hush pervades everything, quietly forbidding, mysterious.

At the top of a long set of marble stairs, there is a castle with sculpted columns and domed roofs, a symbol of wealth and luxury - and permanence. It sits against the backdrop of a darkened night sky, where even the stars seem dim and sparse.

Amid all this, at the top of the steps, a girl wearing a sailor uniform trimmed with lace and satin and pearls sits and stares into space as though oblivious to the muted atmosphere or anyone approaching; her face is utterly still. A tiara crowns her blond hair, worn in the signature style of the Silver Millenium royal dynasty.

The princess plays a small lap harp, the only notable sound. Her tune is gentle, but lonely and yearning, a constant ache for a past long gone. A close look reveals that the harp bears the sigil of Mercury.

(ooc: answers coming from nihil_serenitas for icons)

The desert is hot, a dry heat begging for relief, at least a drink. The world is turned to sand and dust, broken only by the dim, hazy horizon. Dust even coats the objects carefully uncovered and laid out, almost as quickly as they're brushed off. Even this deep pit, dug too well to be natural, provides scant shelter.

Lethe's scarves and veils keep her from breathing dust, even if they result in the eerie impression of a shroud. She works carefully at one corner of the dig, where she's patiently unearthing a small object. When it's free, she meticulously brushes away the dust and dirt.

"Come closer," she invites, "And see something from a place that was lost."

(ooc: not quite evented, though bad luck may show as things go wrong at the dig. feel free to find artifacts not just from her world, but from the other character's world as well.)

( it's the middle of the ocean...

a girl lays still on a shoddy raft that's seen better days. there was a storm the night before... she must have had a bumpy ride. as the sun steadily rises, the sudden warmth is enough to get her to open her eyes.

it's a new day.

how long had she been floating now? it was getting difficult to remember. but it's been so long since she's even seen a ship. with her eyes half closed, if she squints just right... it's easy to imagine a ship in the distance -- being carried by the gentle breeze. the unforgiving waves had calmed a little. it was almost... peaceful.

mnemosyne closes her eyes for a moment, and draws in a breath. opening them again, she had thought that the ship in the distance would have disappeared -- it was just a figment of her imagination wasn't it?

no... it was getting closer! )

H... lp... He--lp!

Lethe knows better than to wish. She'd wished for nothing more than peace, and her planet finally found it - in the death and nothingness that follow in Galaxia's wake. But for Mnemosyne, she can't deny Mnemosyne anything. When the chance comes to be rid of Galaxia's bracelets and return to their bodies, she is there, hand in hand with her sister, ready to face whatever comes and grasp their future.

It isn’t what she wanted at all. Her skin sags. Her flesh reeks and her hand no longer maintains its grip. Her legs refuse to obey her and she lurches forward entirely without grace. Lethe is horrified to find herself in her body not as she remembers it, but as it is now.

“Our bodies...” Mnemosyne’s voice was slightly raspy as she spoke, as though it was getting caught in her throat somehow. “These are... our old bodies. Lethe..” she hasn’t quite seemed to have noticed it yet -- the smell of decaying flesh, the gobs of hair that have loosened from her head... “We can be whole again...” as she looks to her sister, her smile, usually simple and sweet -- has taken on a more sinister appearance -- her gums are clearly rotting. “Our bodies have returned...!”

(ooc: please let us know if you’d prefer a post order or separate threads, or which/both of the girls)

[ There 's a prominent jingle of bells as she walks , the ends of black braids brushing within her shoulder blades as a catty smirk pulls at the corner of her lips . It's an empty , dark space with nobody around that she finds herself in , and she knows that it 's a dream . There 's never a single moment where she 's left alone , seeing that idiots always found the need to pry and prod into her life . Still , that sarcastic smirk is still worn as she twirls around on a heel , grinning madly at the path behind her . ]

Now, now, kitty isn't the only one here...

[ Her voice trails off , and she begins walking down the empty path . ]