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 Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2022 3:55 pm
Quote: The Scavenger Hunt (8 ) : Destiny City is hosting an annual scavenger hunt during the Star Festival to encourage people to get out and explore their city. The prize for turning in a completed scavenger hunt is a coupon booklet and a few free tickets to upcoming city events. Even if you aren’t interested in the prize, the scavenger hunt is specifically designed to take you through the city to showcase a few historic buildings, some art installations, and some of the city’s greatest accomplishments. While many of the places are familiar, during your explorations you come across a building you’ve never seen before--something that feels out of time. You’ve been in the area countless times before, so how did you miss this place? When you lay eyes on the building, you feel a strange timelessness and have the distinct sensation of being a part of something bigger. Briefly, you may see flashes of some distant past--a flickering memory that you can’t quite place or fully form. It’s hard to make out, but at some point in time you have the distinct impression of a faded figure taking your hand and telling you to do something. They sound hopeful and encouraging, like they really believe in you. By the time you blink, the visions are gone, the building is gone. The only thing that remains is a beautiful little garden and a plaque so faded that you can’t make out the inscription. Scavenger hunts weren't exactly Alexander's first thought of ways to explore and see some sites, but he had to admit it wasn't a bad plan. It wasn't the hike that he and John had spoken about, but it was a lot of walking if this long list of clues was any indication. And who could turn down free event tickets? Two history buffs should definitely have this in the bag. Alexander checked his phone, a couple minutes till they were supposed to meet. He wasn't nervous about it, but he always had a habit of showing up early, even when he aimed to be just on time; maybe he needed to aim to be late? That sounded crazy. Still, a little wait wouldn't do any harm, the fresh air was nice. He glanced down the list of clues again. Some of them he had already figured out. The old firehouse, the big statue, and a painting of the founding of the town. He expected John would arrive with some of his own he had solved, probably more given the actual historian thing. He snickered, shaking his head. He can't do all the work, you have to pull your own weight.
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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2022 7:13 pm
John cursed to himself a bit as he fast-walked/jogged to the place that he was supposed to meet Alexander. He had underestimated the amount of foot traffic that the scavenger hunt was going to generate and was more behind than he wanted to be. Eventually he spotted the man that he had made plans with, glad that he had worn some lightweight clothing in this summer heat. He jogged over to him with a wave and a yell of "Alex!" As he got closer to the other. When they were finally within speaking distance John stopped and let himself take a few breaths. "Sorry... a lot more foot traffic than expected." He said with a grin. He moved straight back up in a full standing position once he was done catching his breath. "Thanks for the invite! This looked interesting! Though a lot more interesting if you're doing it with a friend." He said with a small laugh. "I'm assuming you have some of the items figured out already?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2022 10:45 pm
Alexander's head picked up from his phone as he heard his name called, looking in John's direction with a smile. One hand came up in the air to wave, already nodding towards the man. "Don't sweat it, the city is especially packed. I've never seen it so full, is it always like this?" He slapped at his paper list playfully, shrugging. "I figured out a few, it's definitely not meant to be a challenge at every stop. Though I'm hoping you've got some in mind too. Figure we can focus on the ones we didn't know already, more fun to find new stuff, yeah?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2022 7:42 pm
John was glad that his friend excused his lateness. It still made John feel a bit bad but he would just have to keep it in mind for next festival! "I've been working most of the time, so I'm not sure, though I believe it gets a little more popular every year." He said with a nod. After all, more tourists and certainly those who were learning about it for the first time and wanting to check it out. The scavenger hunt had probably spread them out more than usual however. John grinned. "A few I could recognize at the museum I work at and the other one at least. So we might go with the ones we don't recognize first, and the mark off the ones that we do." He said, taking out his crumpled list and looking at it again.
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Posted: Fri Jul 01, 2022 9:59 pm
Alexander nodded to John, moving over to join at his side. "Sounds good, let's get on then."The first on the list that Alexander hadn't recognized was mostly a silhouette drawing, with some sparse details in a poem attached; mentions of a river and some trees. "At first, I figured this had to be a statue, but I couldn't think of any statues that look like that when you face the river. So maybe it was something else that could do that shape?" He looked to John in curiosity, shrugging his shoulders. SSBrosB Why yes, I am just making up a scavenger piece to vehicle us further. I have no specific idea in mind for it, so feel free to ad lib in.
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 7:45 pm
John looked at what was the first on the list. "I think... there's a part in the park nearby that may have a statue like this. We might as well check it out." He said with a shrug of his shoulders. The one thing he didn't like about these types of events was the time limit that was put on them. Or the fact that he had to work and didn't have much time off. "Or maybe it's some kind of sign of some sort. I think I saw something there. I'm just not remembering what it was." He was trying to think of what it may be as they walked. "Perhaps it's a small building of some sort?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2022 8:38 pm
Alexander read over the clue again as John spoke, turning it in his hand as if the new angle on the text would reveal something. It did not. The last phrase caught his attention more though, his eyes sliding over to look at John as a smile crept on his face. "Ooooo, a building. That's smart! Like those pictures you see online where people have made faces into the sides of homes from the duct exits. Maybe there's some alley line between the buildings that makes the silhouette in the negative space?"Alex rolled up his clues page and thwapped it against the palm of his hand in triumph. His stepped picked up some, excitement giving way to speed. Good thing John wasn't afraid of a hike either! "Let's go check out some of the alleys, maybe we'll find the angle we're looking for early!"
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Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:23 pm
John grinned at the other's possibility. "Excellent! We should be able to find something there!" He said as he picked up his pace to keep up with his friend. And I can learn a bit more about the alleyways around here for my patrols. He thought to himself. It hurt him a little that he wasn't able to talk about such matters to his friend, but he knew he had to keep it a secret. Unless they were revealed, he couldn't tell who was on the side of the Negaverse. As he followed the other he looked to the right of them inside one of the alleys and had an odd feeling. Like there was something that shouldn't have been there, but he wasn't sure. "Alexander, are you seeing this?" He said as he lightly grabbed the other's shoulder to get him to stop and look in the same direction. "Something feels off about it." He let go of the other's shoulder to palm his chin in contemplation.
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Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2022 7:55 pm
Alexander, unaware of the larger cosmic world as he was, kept an wary eye as they approached the alley and made their way down. He had still heard more than enough stories about people in alleyways and strange dogs attacking people. Always good to be cautious, and keep your slightly smaller friend behind you. He slowed as he felt John's hand at his shoulder, coming to a halt and turning to face what was being focused on. His eyes narrowed for a moment as a strange sensation settled over him. Like deja vu, but wrong. His eyes crossed and uncrossed, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. After a long period of silence, Alexander seems to come to, shaking his head for a moment. "Yes, something does feel off... I don't remember there being any buildings down this alley. Do you? It's kind of against the usual construction..."He stared at the building again for a moment before taking a step forward. "Perhaps it is something related to the hunt? We should step inside." Totally normal response, yes.
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Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 5:53 pm
John would have said something about how they probably shouldn't go in somewhere that felt off, especially considering what he had run into so far, but he couldn't do that without revealing himself. And besides, there may have been a reason that they felt it and he may be needed, at least with his magical side knowledge, to fix whatever may be happening if he could. He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm up for a little exploration." He said, giving the other a grin. He was hiding his skepticism. He hoped that this wasn't some Negaverse trap that they were being lured into. He would hate to have to explain to his friend what had happened and have to fight anything off with a civilian around. As he followed the other into the alleyway, John thought he was seeing flashes of... something. He wasn't sure what. It kind of reminded him of the magical pools that wandered around his Wonder, though those were a lot blurrier. "You... seeing anything?" He asked his scavenger hunt partner, hoping that he wasn't just going crazy.
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Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2022 9:23 pm
Alex's eyes scanned and rescanned the area as they approached, stopping at brief moments before moving on without obvious reason. He didn't understand why, but the pull towards the building had only grown the more he looked at it. It was ordinary, from what he could see, but something about it drew him in. Seeing anything? Where had that idea come from in his mind? He was seeing a house, of course. It was a house on... somewhere. His house? The house they had always used. An honor to use it, even. Another in a proud line of... something. Flashes of half-filled memories and blurred images clouded his mind, encircling and whirling around him in a frenzy. Then suddenly gone. John had asked that question, the first one. "I'm uh... Yeah, I keep seeing flashes sort of. Might be a lot of broken glass in the yard, watch your step. Must be catching the light and throwing off reflections." Yes, that's what reflections looked like. Totally right. Alex, hazy memories or not, made his way to the front door, gripping around the handle and turning it quickly to throw it open. "It occurs to me that a lawyer should probably question if this is trespassing..." Said the lawyer, with a law degree, who went to law school.
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Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2022 6:17 pm
At least John wasn't the only one seeing things, but what exactly they were seeing was still unknown. He thought he had seen glimpses of... clothing? Shiny things? He wasn't sure. He supposed it could have had something to do with his powered life, but what? Even if he were to go to his Wonder, his ancestor wouldn't be able to tell him anything. "They are very shiny." John replied, a bit quietly. If that's what Alex wanted to believe, John would not attempt to change his mind. Unless it was forced on them, there was no reason for John to reveal anything to Alex. He couldn't help but chuckle at Alex's last statement. "I wouldn't be too worried. It doesn't look like anyone has even been in this alley for a while... or at least only used it for a small garbage dump." Probably. That's what they were for right? It would be easier for most businesses to be connected. Honestly why was there so many alleys and alleyways here? He looked around the home. There didn't seem to be anything there until John thought he may have been hallucinating. It was as though the house and Alex disappeared. There was... someone? Calling to him and holding out there hand? What was it? What were they saying? John couldn't make it out. He reached out to the hand and then hesitated. What was he reaching out to them for?
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Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 3:52 pm
Alex's response to John's legal assessment died in his throat as he lost sight of his friend. He had been here with someone, right? He was.... somewhere. Definitely. A shrouded figure stood before him seemingly out of nowhere, but a part of Alexander told him that the figure had always been there. An indiscernible hand reached out from the figure, offering it to him. A long moment passed between the two, Alex and figure saying nothing. Finally Alex realized the hand was being offered, reaching out in return to clasp the hand. Their grip was strong and somehow encompassing of his hand, but just slightly off of harsh. Finally. A voice sounded all around them, but Alex somehow knew it came from the figure. Our time is coming again. There is much to do, we have been dormant for so long, and allowed our enemies to grow in strength. I know you will hurry to it. Even now, I am sure you can feel the tug in your heart. The pull of it. It is time.Alexander blinked as he tried to decipher what any of that was referring to, or who was even talking to him, but before he could form a response it was over. He stood in a small garden, a faded plaque before him, and his friend a few paces away. "Uh.... John?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 7:27 pm
Before John was able to take the hand, he thought that whoever it belonged to was attempting to tell him... something. But he couldn't understand it, as though it was of an entirely different language compared to any on Earth. He attempted to reach out to the hand again, but then everything faded. Alex could now be seen again, and they appeared to be in some small garden area. No trash in sight and a faded plaque in front of them. He could feel himself shiver. Whatever had happened was not natural. But he couldn't say that it was a Negaverse plot either. There were just somethings that neither side could explain which was a bit frightening. It took a moment for him to process that Alex had spoken to him again. He blinked and nodded his head. "Alex I... I think this probably wasn't on the list." He wasn't sure if he should mention or ask if Alex had experienced the same thing he just did. He didn't think either of them wanted to know if they could possibly be crazy. "I think it would be best if we continue with our search." He said with more conviction. He wanted to get out of here. NOW.
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Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2022 9:59 pm
Alexander looked around again, trying to make some semblance of sense as to what had just happened. The memories of it already beginning to fade, leaving behind only the faint impression of a much more important message of hope and urgency. His eyes settled on John finally, reading the conviction in his friend. He was right. "Yeah, I don't think the hunt had anything about old plaques in gardens..." But he had come here for some reason, surely... "Want to check the next alley over? I still think we're right on that hunch."He stepped over closer to John, smiling, albeit shakily. With a nod of agreement he started his way out of the garden. Equally wanting to be out of the strange area, and also with a pull towards else.
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