❪ event ❫ THE DESCENT: PART ONE -- the overflow.

[natha]

THE PROLOGUE     Your sleep on the night of the 15th is not a restful one, unfortunately. It’s unclear whether you are in a state of half-wakefulness, or dreaming. The voices you hear certainly sound very real. What is it, Sael? —Is everyone asleep?! Every one, yes. Sael, it appears you do not have good news to deliver...? N-No! I don’t know how it slipped past us, but there’s something powerful coming this way. Something hostile. I can barely keep the core systems online! ... I don't know what to do... I see... and we cannot protect Thesa and Alria in addition to transferring the Refugees to Olympia. This force, they waited for this moment. They knew I have been Intervening, and that I have become weak from such Interventions— ... We've been had. It cannot be helped. To save the Refugees on the Stations, we must eject the awoken unto El Nysa. My remaining energy shall go into shielding Thesa— left defenseless, every being we have saved on this station will perish... Sael, where is the ideal location for the landing? Hmm. There aren’t any people within a ten mile radius of The Outlook, and there shouldn’t be any for a few more days. I think that’s the best location right now. Very well. Instruct Zasere and Roman to begin preparations for an emergency eject. This is the only way we can save everyone. I am counting on you to ward off the enemy on the space front. The rest... is up to our Refugees. The alarms are blaring. It shouts against your eardrums, calling you to wake again. This time, you are in new pod, strapped down completely and cushioned tightly against the walls. In truth, you had no idea when you’d gone to sleep, but it is reminiscent of when you had been saved from the force of the Storm. A voice greets you when you come to, while the conversation between Darma and Sael is still fresh on your mind. Despite their voices playing like an old tune in your memory, you still know it is something that happened. Something has gone terribly wrong. You hear Darma speak, her voice loud in your head. Fellow Refugee, I wake you with regrettable news. A force equal to our own is attempting to engage Thesa, no doubt to steal the souls contained here. My energy is near depleted with this last Intervention, so I cannot send you to the grounds safely as originally intended. However, there is hope yet.This power shall instead shield Thesa and Alria — and believe in me when I swear no one shall be hurt. Your loved ones are safe with us. —Unfortunately, that is at your expense. Your descent will not be an easy one. This pod that contains you shall pierce through El Nysa's atmosphere and land you on an island west of Olympia, simply called The Outlook. Travel east. Find the West Outpost, then continue east until you find the Olympian North Gate. There is a method to this madness. You shall be sent in waves. The inhumanly strong shall be first. The parachute will soften the landing, but I am aware of all your capabilities. The first wave will survive the drop, and will work tirelessly to secure the others. Find your bearings, and ensure the safety of the second wave. They are the healers and medics. Catch their pods, ease their landings, make certain that they shall not be harmed, because you will need them for your wounds. The third wave are your strongmen. They shall help clear the debris and take people to safety, making way for the fourth wave, those can conjure magic to help. Bring everyone to a safe distance. A supply drop will follow soon after; it shall contain tents and tools that will be useful for the long night. The fifth and sixth waves are largely vulnerable humans. With your combined efforts, you shall survive this great misfortune. Forgive us, Refugee. Leave the Moons to us, my promise to you is still in tact— focus on what you can do for others like you. Helping at least two (2) Refugees will earn you one (1) Natha REP. Threads must be AC length to qualify, and can be submitted HERE by JULY 31st. THE DESCENT     FIRST WAVE. The instructions are clear. Those who are a part of the First Wave should be equipped with physical strength and fortitude to survive the drop or the power to regenerate and heal their own wounds. While the pods are already designed to cushion some of the impact, as this is the first group, it will likely to be the most jarring. In all of the waves, some of the pods will malfunction and offer no cushion at all. They will be expected to quickly find their bearings. Their mission isn’t simply just landing, after all. The first wave will be expected to help the next wave, and the wave after that. Whether through their abilities or brute strength, they will be expected to help soften the landing for those who are falling. They will also be expected to pry open hatches, carry people to safety, and to just... survive. It’s not always easy being first. SECOND WAVE. Within the next hour, it’s time for the Second Wave to make their descent. You were selected based upon your aptitude for healing and/or being able to administer first aid. Perhaps you can help the tired and weary. Maybe those who have landed have have strength, but no stamina. Either way, it may be unwise to exhaust all their abilities at once. The night is long, and you may want to conserve their energy for the next waves to come. At least you’ll have help in getting settled. THIRD WAVE. Akin to the First Wave, the Third Wave will possess some durability, and some manner of strength, making you a reliable ally. Especially in a time of crisis... Or so we hope. While the landing is tough, and some of you may need first aid. As soon as you’re all healed up, you’ll have no time to dawdle. Your help is required. “Please help those still trapped in pods. Carry those unconscious to safety. Lift debris, and rescue all you can.” May be a vague message still stuck in the back of your head. Something whispered to you while you were just waking. Well, might as well roll with it. It’s the best shot you have, after all. FOURTH WAVE. Those in the Fourth Wave, as Darma projects, were selected due to the versatility of their abilities. No one expects one man to do the same as the next. Rather, that’s precisely the point: to be different. To be able to accomplish something unique. While one individual may be blessed with powers that assist in putting out fires, another may have the ability to shield those from oncoming debris. Maybe one even has the ability to channel all of these. Regardless, it’s up to you and your quick wits to see what tasks are open. It’ll take some coordination, especially as there are more people mixing into the fray, but, you can do it, can’t you? FIFTH WAVE. If you are in the Fifth Wave it is likely that you have a specific power or ability. One that isn’t easily channeled or called upon. Or, perhaps, you were merely placed here for insurance. Whatever the case if, your expertise will presently be put to the test. Maybe you’re quite proficient in survival skills, and you’re already eyeing the supplies that were dropped between the Fourth Wave and now. Goods all ready to be salvaged. Okay, maybe some can’t, but as they say, “it’s the thought that counts.” Besides, the injured from earlier certainly need a space to rest, and camp isn’t going to make itself. Regardless, maybe you feel more comfortable joining in the efforts to assist those who still require it. Whatever it is, you are sure to find your place and use. Darma obviously held the same faith. FINAL WAVE. The Final Wave is fortunate in a variety of ways. With Thesa Station a bit more stabilized, Darma utilizes the last bit of her powers in insuring that these last remaining pods are met with the softest landing, right beside the fifth, that is. The fragility of life is nothing she is unfamiliar with, after all. Still, that isn’t to say nothing is expected of you. Most of the individuals that have dropped earlier will likely be exhausted. An hour stretched between each one, makes several hours for the first couple of waves. They'll need a place to relax. You will act as the final group of helpers. Settle into whatever role feels best for you. Are you an excellent cook? Great at rationing supplies? Perhaps, you have a secret skill in ______ that might come in handy here? Or, maybe, despite the gentler landing you still managed to get hurt. The sky's the limit, and you got this! Meanwhile, in the distant kingdom of Olympia, the Empress and her loyal subject discuss matters late into the night... I’ll have the results of that dragon toxin study ready for you soon, Your Highness. I just need a few helpers to— oh wow, is that a meteor shower? Oh yes, it appears so. How beautiful.. hehe. Let us thank Thesa for this blessing. GATHER YOUR BEARINGS     All in all, the descent lasts for nearly seven hours. After the deployment of the last wave of refugees, it’s only natural that you may be feeling pretty worn out. A. Within the remains of the pods, Refugees will find basic camping supplies such as small tents, sleeping bags, and compasses. Not all of the supplies remain intact, thanks to the impact of the crash. But, sharing resources will ensure there is enough for everyone to rest for the night. Can you really in good conscience leave that stranger next to you without shelter? B. Although you may be tired after such a life-threatening ordeal, there is still work to be done to ensure your survival. Fortunately, it works out because now there are plenty of empty hands. There are stray debris and metal parts that should be collected and disposed of. There's firewood that needs to be collected, and campfires to upkeep. The nights in the Outlook are particularly chilly, and so it will be imperative to keep warm! C. Your clothes are tattered or too bloodied to sleep on with comfortably. Fortunately, Darma thought ahead. There will be various types of clothing provided, mostly robes that resemble her own in earthy tones, all to help them camouflage you for your next big adventure. FINAL OOC NOTE     This INTRO event will be broken up into three parts! Please keep this in mind when plotting your threads/tag load. PART 3 Will be up on JULY 22ND, at 6 PM EST. We will not provide an additional CAPTCHA for this overflow. Players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals in the event this overflow gets close to CAPTCHA. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. The NETWORK is currently down, as Sael must concentrate all of his efforts on warding off the invading force. Characters may still message each other's personal IC inboxes. Submit two (2) AC-eligible threads from this log for one (1) Natha Orbiter REP point here by JULY 31ST. Recommended Listening: Alex & TOKYO Rose PART ONE | PART ONE (overflow) | PART TWO | PART THREE QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

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mikazuki augus

[sparsity]

(continuations from over yonder.)

i;

[expendable]

All that fills Ein's mind is the screaming of the atmosphere, the shattering stillness of impact. The world is darkness and smoke and blood. The high keen of white noice pierces through him as consciousness flutters, tries to take hold. The light filtering through the spiderweb cracks of the viewport shimmers like water, leaves him dazed and half dreaming. He feels the harsh scrape of metal twisting more than he hears it, and the voice that reaches him is from the past.

"Mikazuki Augus," he murmurs, taking a slow breath before his eyes snap open, the present flooding in with the other boy's presence. Pain, dull and throbbing, registers on his face. Something wet drips from his nose and he mops it away with his sleeve without second thought, passing his tongue over where his lip split itself upon his teeth.

"Are you injured?" It's more assessment of the situation than concern, but Ein's gaze does scan over his companion for obvious signs of injury. He checks himself as well, rising to his feet as he starts to hoist himself out. Adrenaline is too high for an accurate evaluation but he finds nothing in immediate need of medical assistance. Satisfied with that, Ein turns his attention on their surroundings as he awaits what he imagines will be a brief and largely unhelpful answer.

[sparsity]

"I'm fine," he replies, terse and knife-like. Turning his back, Mikazuki bends to slide down the pod's exterior until he hits the ground in puff of upturned earth. There's blood on him too, smeared away from a cut that's neatly sliced the edge of his brow, but aside from blinking away the new rivulets of it, bright red mingling with dark, he doesn't pay it any mind. It's so much less, he thinks. Less than what filled his cockpit, not that long ago. Instead, he doesn't wander off from Ein's pod, but rather surveys the area around it again. "You heard it."

He's assuming, anyway. This pod crashing in had followed him by a short margin. They're in the same wave, tasked with the same objectives.

"That woman speaking to us again."

archer.

[sparsity]

Do you think this is better? [ This world. ] I thought we'd be there for longer.

[ It's not precisely disappointment that seeps into his tone, but there is a sort of colorlessness to it that keeps it from being less warm than usual, however brusque his speech is. He'd prefer to stay and fight. ]

But yeah. They're here. Up there, too. And I'm alive to keep protecting them.

[ Somehow. ]

...somehow.

[fakers]

It's neither better or worse. This is what we were brought here for... not to sit on a space station waiting. [ it didn't happen quite according to plan, but close enough he figures. ] At least the time for pointless simulations is over now.

[ granted, now the stakes are real... something not everyone might be comfortable with. ]

We have that in common then. [ though admittedly, doesn't everyone? ] This may be unsolicited advice, but don't try to carry everything on your shoulders. [ says one of the last people in the world who should be telling that to others. ]

[sparsity]

[ All decent enough points, none of which send the chill of discomfort running through his veins. Mikazuki isn't even one to dwell, and he supposes that's pointless too, in the long run, no matter how ragged he'd run himself in training simulations to prepare him for the surface. ]

Training isn't bad. I prefer this. [ Even having to look up to see the thing he placed his last bet on. ] Well, I prefer fighting.

[ It's all he'd been allowed to know, though he turns that knowledge into resolve rather than despair. ]

I prefer it because there's no one else to carry that bet. If you have someone up there too...

[ Pot? Kettle? ]

leanne.

[sparsity]

[ A sound clicks from his tongue. Was that an actual tsk? ]

That's why I was going to let you look first.

[ No one really thought to impress safety regulations on their day to day scrapes and bruises.

But he supposes if he has to get on with this, he'll be able to help carry more back. That's part of his mission here, right? The less he cuts into the supplies in the pods and those still being delivered to the surface, the better. That reasoning steels him, so he keeps his arms extended, hands steady and obedient. Though his knuckles are beat to hell, the cotton swab running across them doesn't produce any flinching, not in his fingers or his expression. ]

My blood's a little... [ weird?? ] It shouldn't take much of that.

[regives]

[ She looks up to give him that look. That tsk-ing better not be directed towards her, mister.

But it's brief and hardly serious. Leanne is going back to concentrating on his hands and at least wiping any remnants of blood and ensuring that they won't be infected. Or if they are that it can't possibly get any worse (hopefully). Soon after she's going to reach back and begin bandaging up his knuckles. ]

It didn't. [ Fortunately. ] But I'm going to ask you to be a little more considerate about your well-being, it'd be trouble for both yourself and others.

[ Which shouldn't be confused with an inconvenience. She knows this boy has no ill intentions and is earnestly trying to help, so she can at least appreciate his motives despite his ability to push on despite injury being questionable. ]

[sparsity]

[ Mikazuki meets her gaze flatly. It is a tsk directed at life. Look, he expected to die before Darma, this is kind of a lot. Though he'd chosen to accept those who'd streaked the sky and landed here as allies, same as he did, it's jarring to be sitting here getting fussed at over minor injuries. So maybe it's more a dull, mismatched sense of awe that sits like lead in the pit of his stomach, keeping him still. ]

I'll try. [ Not a promise, but not a no either. ] This should be enough to get by with the amount of pods left.

[ A little of his bite has been taken out of him. He'd truthfully been more ready to tolerate than to accept, but he was beaten to the punch and had it reversed on him.

It's weird. ]

clair.

[sparsity]

[ Mostly he's on the hunt for the next pod to bully open, but the area is already hard enough to scan without a little voice in his ear. Despite the area being flat and wide, plateaus of grass now upturned and well, on fire, the chaos is something else. There's pods all over, people pulling insane stunts while more hurtle in from Thesa. So he finally slows down to let her catch up...

— just kidding, it's to turn and tilt his head towards some very faint, super-heated whistling. ]

It's Mikazuki. Also...

[ He takes a grab at Clair's arm, hoping she'll go along with this. ]

Duck.

[ He yanks her over and down with him as a pod goes careening overhead to slap into the earth, its impact kicking up all kinds of grass and dirt and mud. Enjoy... being under his arm... at least he's put all the shrapnel on his side? ]

[cajolery]

[ She keeps pausing mid-step to look around at all the carnage, visibly awed by the destruction wrought by said metal orbs. She's never seen anything like it in her life, and... if she's being honest, she has no idea how to help either. This is far beyond mad dragon gods, who are easy enough to poke at with sticks if you're really determined. What's going on here can't really be poked with her stick.

Again, she rushes to catch up to him. ]

I see. Well met, Mika—

[ That's an armpit. She makes a surprised sound as he pulls her down, the noise from the pod screeching in her ears as it flies overhead. It's close enough that her heart slams against the inside of her rib cage, and her voice shakes a little when it emerges. ]

M-My goodness! Are you all right?

[sparsity]

Yeah. [ Too quick, probably.] ...yeah, I'm fine.

[ Just kind of smattered in a healthy wave of dirt and grass, the warmth of the impact blast fading fast. If they'd just sent him with Barbatos, this would have been quick work, one pod small enough to fit in its clawed grip without ever hitting the ground and posing a threat to them. A sigh puffs through his nose. Mikazuki lets her up again, and as an afterthought, because he was raised in even worse than a barn but He's Trying: ]

Sorry.

[ A glance over to make sure nothing besides armpit got on her. ]

I think the first and second wave set up a checkpoint not to far from here. We should go there first.

hibiki.

[sparsity]

[ He's likewise silent as she settles next to him, the low cracking and spitting of the fire sufficing for things neither of them have the energy for. Since she'd focused on his hands more than what he offered out with them, he leans over to drape the blanket across her shoulders without touching.

Everybody awake... ]

Do you believe that woman we hear?

[ At least, he has to assume she hears her too. Darma. ]

[armedwithhands]

[Her head lifts a bit when she feels extra weight and warmth fall over her shoulders. That's right, she'd almost forgotten entirely about his offer from just a few seconds ago.

She considers turning it down and insisting he keep it for himself, but it is cold tonight and soon her hands move on their own to grasp it and tug it around her a little tighter.]

Thanks.

[She sits silently for a little while longer, eyelids fluttering as she looks at the fire.]

Hmm? I think so... she seems kind to me.

[sparsity]

Anyone can be, when they want something.

[ Mikazuki says it calmly, as a matter of fact rather than the heartfelt conviction of someone who believes that's currently the case. He's just playing devil's advocate. A quiet lean aside has him reaches for some more kindling to add to the flame. ]

But as long as we believe her, we have to believe she's protecting that moon too.

yamagi.

[sparsity]

I wonder...

[ Mikazuki doesn't completely understand the implication, but he can trace its outline well enough. Yamagi is a marvel when it comes to things engineered. When it comes to machinations, there's no one he'd trust more. It settles, uneasy, in the pit of his gut, and extinguishes just as fast with the next statement.

Just as it always has. ]

I guess it would feel that way. [ Knowing what they know. This isn't perfect, but it's livable in a way they so rarely experienced. ] Or it does feel that way.

[ Shrugging the makeshift blanket down, Mikazuki rises to his feet with a nod. ]

We still have some wood left.

[cariad]

[He's still sluggish when he's back on his face, feeling the fraction of difference in the gravity of this planet after a compulsory stay on the ship. Shino and Mikazuki may spring out of their pods good as new, but he and Eugene drag their aches and pains along. The thought would amuse him were it not for the thinly veiled morbidity in it.]

Great. I guess there's no one around to ration wood here. [Even though synthetic wood was all they knew growing up. Someone back on Mars--if Mars is still there in any shape of form--is probably keeling over at the thought of making fire with actual natural tree wood.

He starts with the thin, reedy sticks from before, digging them into the ground before twining them together into a vague tent shape. The lighter he kindles with isn't necessarily his, and probably not kept on his person for emergency fire starting on an alien planet, but there's no one around to ask him about it.

Watching the flames lick lazily, tentatively, at the bare frame, he wonders if there's been ever a time where concocting icy fireworks instead of this has been an actual reality of theirs.]

[sparsity]

There's no one to ration anything.

[ Yamagi builds the rudimentary structure, a form humanity discovered long, long before them. A basic thing that Mikazuki waits to feed until it's kindling, bright against the Nysan air. Bits of dead, papery bark go next, leaf litter not made damp by the natural moisture in the air. From what he assumes is from clouds, rain. Actual storms, the first of which he saw on Earth, what seems like forever ago. Water flowing freely, not rationed by cities, by hands wielding batons, which is a thought that touches him for the first time in years. It feels like starting over. ]

We can drink whenever we want, eat whatever we find.

[ Not a soul out here to tell them that they can't, that it's not for them. For once, he's not sure what there even is to fight over, being able to do this so easily. Mikazuki keeps stuffing the little structure until fire pours from it, its heat heavy and gently stinging his eyes and cold skin.

Even that feels indulgent. ]

shu.

[sparsity]

[ Mikazuki's attention settles on the form speaking to him, lit by night, broken by the flickering fire. To hear his question met with something incredulous, a noise of, what — exasperation? ...well, it's not all that odd. There are still things he doesn't know. Being here only reminds him of that, crowding him with new experiences that continue to tear at his already-raw heart. Experiences that he has no choice but to trust. So he turns back to the fire, sensing no immediate danger, opting to listen instead.

While Shu speaks, Mikazuki's brow furrows, trying to recall something familiar. Something that seems so long ago. A funeral.

The only time any of them ever prayed. ]

Wait. I do know that word. But not like that... not to be saved.

[ Asking for something like that? Felt disrespectful. ]

I heard once that praying was to guide souls where they're meant to be, so they can be reborn.

[tub]

[ souls saved. souls guided. shu isn't quite certain of where the distinction lies. if anything, he's long forgone such considerations. perhaps, that was only natural in the long, extended life of a vampire. he half-wonders if he would have desired the same of ... a certain boy he could recall. if he'd had wanted his soul guided. no, shu probably didn't seek something so lofty or idealized. before shu catches himself, he realizes he's remained silent for moments longer than he intends. he clicks his tongue. this time more irritated with himself than the stranger.

this wasn't like him, he thinks. to genuine reflect over something. he supposed, a lot had occurred within the duration of the day and it was only natural his thoughts were jumbled. nerves jittered. he gives a brief shake of his head. ] ... and what? Do you believe that?

[ while normally he would have sounded scornful. for once, he... sounds more curious?

he's sure these are words humans have dictated in order to feel comfort. perhaps, even absolve them from guilt of the dead. maybe as a child if he heard this, things would have been different. as it presently stands? well, he supposed ... it no longer mattered. ]

[sparsity]

[ A soul saved would be one still alive. Death might have been a salvation in the act itself, but Mikazuki doesn't believe that one will find salvation present in it. Not after dying himself, after watching the lives of his comrades amount to nothing but the dust beneath their feet. And even that was taken from them, eventually.

So Mikazuki doesn't mind the silence that stretches on for a beat too long, letting it sink into his muscle, to the core of his bones that ring with the very essence of being alive again. ]

It's hard to say like this. I wasn't dead long enough to know if this is where I was meant to go.

[ He hadn't exactly been cagey about it, but it is the first time he's said it out loud. To a stranger, no less, but what did it really matter? ]

Either way, I chose to be here.

[ Because he doesn't know if there was anyone left to pray for him. ]

gali gali.

[sparsity]

[ All of which were good looks for him. As "good" as he'll ever think.

They're all sort of brief interjections of memory on how Mikazuki is at present, anyway. Not even looking like he's about to fly off on some revenge-fueled bender. His brows crease and the temptation to look away is strong, but he doesn't trust anything or anyone else enough to do so just yet. ]

Is there really anything to talk about now?

[ He must know. Accepting his loss isn't as easy as spelling it out. ]

[kimaris]

[ Anyway, he's just leaning a hand on his hip and speaking in an even tone. ]

Maybe. [ Except... he's going to anyway. There are more of you than there are of him, basically. ] But I'd like to know if you'd humour me for a moment.

d.va.

[sparsity]

No, I've never seen a real one.

[ Being a Martian is suffering and lacking ducks. And also growing up not eating meat, a habit he still hasn't been able to shake, if the expression that passes over his face is any indication. But he reaches out to accept it anyway.

Eat when there's food. He knows that. ]

I'm fine. Thanks. You hunted this?

[global]

Wooow. Wait a minute, so you've never eaten meat before at all? Where are you even from?

[ And she basically invites herself to sit next to him without needing an invitation, because keeping watch like this is pretty lonely. ]

Sure did. What you're eating is 100% D. Va caught and prepared. Well, sort of.

Not really.

...I didn't do any of the preparation, actually.