❪ introlog: #2 ❫ THE CALM. -- the overflow.

[natha]

ORIGINAL POST

You have spent the last few days on Thesa Station, taking in the knowledge that your world is no more. Perhaps you’ve made some friends (or maybe an enemy or two). Either way, you aren’t expected to spend all of your time on the Station. El Nysa needs you, after all, and you promised you’d help the planet thrive. Are you ready? Submit any AC eligible thread of participating in this log's prompts for Two (2) Olympia REP points HERE. TRAVEL LIGHT     You're really lucky, new refugee. Because of the efforts of those that came before you, your own descent into El Nysa will be quick and relatively painless. You get to reap the benefits of others' experience. Those that came before you are all well-versed in the art of teleportation now, and descending into El Nysa is simply a concentrated thought away. A teleporter has been placed in the common areas to help the new refugees descend, but for this first time, you're going to need a little guidance. You're going to need to take the hand of someone who has been on El Nysa for a while now and learn the ropes. Hold on tight, Refugee, and don't be afraid when the blinding light hits you. The actual journey will feel like a sudden whiplash— painless, but sudden, and maybe a little nauseating. Keeping your balance may be difficult, and it’s possible you might end up toppling onto your poor partner. Hopefully you’re at least thankful. You have landed in a back alley in the Residential District of Olympia. HOME SWEET HOME     Immediately, you notice that everything you've been told about El Nysa is true. There are people of all races here, and although no one bats an eye at your appearance as you enter the district, a member of the Royal Guard asks for your passport. They have a keen eye, and can tell that although you may be a new refugee to their city, they've never seen you before. Certain rumors of an outside force making preparations to do some major damage has them particularly on edge. It's a good thing the Orbiters made sure you have an Olympian passport ready to go. You present it, and with a small nod, the Guard says nothing more and slaps a patch on your chest; to your surprise, it reads: Hello! My name is ________________! I am in House #___! Are you my housemate? ... No matter how much you try, there's no removing this sticker. "It'll come off tomorrow," says the guardkeep. "Lots of refugees here, limited housing. It's an easy way to get to know the people you're living with. Though, if you ask me, why are we accepting so many foreigners when so many want to watch this city burn? Well, I don’t give the orders." If someone greets you, the message on the patch will magically change: Secretly, I _____, _____, and _____! What are yours? There's no telling how they'd known these things, but it likely has to do with Zasere. AGAIN. It may be a good idea to get situated in your new home and set down some ground rules with your roommates. There is also, of course, much of Olympia to explore. FLONA COVE     Word around the city is that one very cute and enthusiastic Olympian, You Watanabe, has been asking around earnestly for the nearest place to find some coastal fun. It didn't take long before a few locals pointed her in the direction of Flona Cove. Maybe it’s a good idea to check out the area. There are only a few more days left of summer, after all. Even if you're not the beach type, exploring a new area certainly can't hurt your understanding of El Nysa. Flona Cove is just a quick train ride away. BEACH PARTY: Chances are, you've heard about the beach party being organized by You Watanabe, whether it be from her directly or someone who knows her. A lot of careful planning has gone into it, and it looks like a great time, so why not check it out? Full speed ahead towards a great time! There's plenty of food for everyone, and plenty of watermelons that need splitting! 1. Various food vendors from around Flona Cove have agreed to offer free food for the new refugees, and they line the shoreline near the harbor, enthusiastically offering goodies such as seafood kabobs, ice cream, fresh fruit (including whole watermelons!), and hot dogs. You Watanabe herself has a grill where she’s cheerfully serving up her trademark "Niceoodles" yakisoba as well as other Japanese food like takoyaki and rice. What makes her noodles so nice? It’s obviously the cheerful smiley-face sun drawn on the omelette. In exchange, the chefs and vendors only ask that you spread the word, though most of them have buckets for donations if you want to help chip back in. After the party is all done, however, there seem to be plenty of dishes that need doing, all in a big pile. You herself is working on getting through the mountain of dishes, but maybe you could lend a hand? 2. It's just not a beach party without the traditional watermelon splitting! For those of you who don't come from modern Japan on Earth, it might be perplexing at first seeing the literal mountain of watermelons grown with the help of Keyleth, another recent Olympian. If the bat-like sticks and blindfolds next to them don’t explain the purpose, though, you might just sit back and watch as a brave competitor sets a watermelon on the sand, ties a blindfold around their eyes, and has people start yelling at them which way to go. They consider the shouts of the crowd, take a swing... and strike nothing but sand. Perhaps you can do better? There are beach activities galore. Now's the time to build the sandcastle of your dreams or play a game of beach volleyball. Maybe you're brave enough to surf the waves, or you’d just like to enjoy a swim. Mom friends who just want to lounge in the sun and read a book while working on their tan are welcome too, of course. BENEATH THE SURFACE: 1. Diving beneath the waters in Flona Cove yield a whole new world on its own. Rent a scuba suit and take a trip to explore the corals, and you may even be lucky enough to run into a playful school of dolphins. Be careful-- they tend to get carried away and will happily drag swimmers for a wild ride. 2. You might want a boat for this scuba adventure, unless you're a strong swimmer. Venture deeper into the ocean, farther away from the coast, and adventurers will find some interesting stuff. Two miles southwest of the harbor, deep, deep into the watery abyss, lies a shipwreck. Exploring through the various rooms of the ship yields a few knick-knacks here and there-- rusted spare parts, cracked tea sets... a surprisingly well-preserved pin-up painting of Koralle? The real treasure awaits for those who have the courage to swim beneath the ship's hull. Here, covered in algae and debris, lies the skeletal corpse of a winged, fanged, clawed beast. This is only a distant memory of its former glory, as nothing but bones are left, but something— something brilliant, catches your eye. Those hundreds of teeth are not bone, but a material so lustrous and pure, it nearly blinds. It will take some work, but with persistence and strength, it is possible to extract a tooth. Those that work in Simwe Institute or The Sanctuary may find it beneficial to take an extra for their boss— this is definitely something that is of interest to study. 3. Olympians love their luxury. There's nothing more luxurious than a secluded lagoon, the water at just the perfect temperature and pristine. This is one of the most sought-after spots for the natives, but when you come across it, it is completely peaceful and empty. For the tourists? Well, this place simply gets overlooked due to its distance from the main beaches. It's also relatively hidden. Soon you start feeling oddly friendly? Cupid’s Pool is also described by the people of Olympia as the touchy-feely pool. It has an inherent property that makes those who soak in it crave physical affection. Chances are you probably wanted to know this before you decided to take a dip, huh? (Please warn for threads appropriately) EARN SOME SILVER     1. While many of the locals came together to offer their hands to provide a bit of entertainment for the surge in tourism, that isn’t to state that they’re fully staffed. Have a few hours to spare? They're willing to pay for your help. Maybe you’re just the cooking champ they needed? The lifeguard who showed up just in time? Or the star salesman at their humble accessory shop so desired? 2. The man who approaches you is even offering more than most of the vendors down the street. Sure, the guy and his entourage look kind of shady, but money is money, isn't it? If you accept, he’ll shove a strange swimsuit or two your way and lead you to the dressing room. What kind of job is this? Modeling, he says. Hopefully you aren’t camera shy! Hey there, hot stuff. I like your look. Or maybe it's your... aura? Either way, I like what you're working with. How about you flaunt what you've got for some fat silver stacks? He also wants to be able to test your charm, and is willing to pay a whopping 400 silver in exchange. He may even ask you to go "talk" (did you hear him say "hit on"?) to a couple of people, and “sell” yourself. Whatever that means... Incidentally, he says he’ll give you a signal once you get a pass. Feels like forever, doesn’t it? 3. Once night begins to fall and the people gradually begin to clear out, you’ll notice something... odd. There are some shady looking people around, and maybe you’ve been hearing whispers all day about a certain "fight club." Initially, no one will tell you a time or location, but if you are persistent, your efforts will pay off. Perhaps in light of helping a vendor clear out their stall or assisting that one Olympian native in distress, they’re willing to tell you a few things about this exclusive club. They explain to you that it’s been a long-standing tradition of Olympia. Secret fight clubs. A place for people to stretch their wings and their fists. Moreover, the pay off seems to be pretty good! Though, they warn you that there are some aggressive competitors out there this time around. Things have been tough politically for a while now, and there is much unrest among the people. What better way to blow off some steam than to beat someone up and make a bit of bank! Fights are not to the death, simply until a knock out, but accidents (and "accidents") do happen. Finding the crowd of people will take some searching, even with directions. They meet along the northern coast of Flona, by following a path leading underground, well away from any civilization. Once you’re there, why not participate? You may find yourself facing off against a fellow refugee. OOC     An AC-eligible thread for 2 OLYMPIAN REP POINTS may be submitted from this log. SUBMIT THE THREAD HERE by OCTOBER 15 11:59 PM EST. In the event of CAPTCHA, we will be providing an overflow. In the event of a second CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. 1 SILVER = 1 US DOLLAR. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

@moneytwin

[decisions]

( continued from here. )

[ she can certainly get close enough, maybe even just a pace or two away. percy's had quite enough of all of this after all, with half a mind to put whatever intimidation he might have left to go use even in a get up like this, which isn't very much. he hardly notices her shape edging her way towards him, or at least, he doesn't until a very slight sliver of blue catches his eye, the kind you don't ever really forget, brighter than the sky, a hue you can't just pluck from anywhere. he turns his head just a bit as soon as it flashes along his peripherals, as impaired as they might be, and then he turns his head all the way, and maybe it's just a figment of his imagination, a shadow, a little sliver of doubt, but...

no. there.

that's her, definitely her, with her quietly and steady steps and her halo of dark hair, most of it caught up in her braid, that gets a little clearer the longer that percival takes to focus, and for almost half a second he forgets that he's nearly wearing nothing in favor of trying to find her eyes, his voice catching a little bit because: ]

Vex?

[ oh yes. yes that's definitely a bit of a snag in his voice as he tries to tell himself, even as she comes into focus, that this is probably his mind going and playing tricks on him again. that would be the way of it, right? this entire place? just tricks and confusion and strange nametags that tell people you flirt with grass and this very deep sense of missing the various parts of you that had really started to make you feel whole again. But Vex... his heart does something awful here, a repertoire of somersaults and skips and jumps and for a beat his mouth remembers the taste of smoke in the air and the sight of her just...

falling. ]

Please tell me this isn't some joke. Is that you?

[ it really makes a man forget he has like almost no clothes on. ]

[moneytwin]

[ It is perhaps a little unfair to be proud of how close she manages to get to Percy, here in this bustling city full of people they don't know, in a place that could be somewhere else in Exandria if it weren't so utterly Foreign. But she is, and it means she gets to look him over from head to toes. It's a good look, at least one she wants to imprint to memory, even if she'd never admit it honestly and only in playful teasing.

Were Vax here to nag her, she'd deny it in a heartbeat, even now denies to herself how much her own heart swells to see him, the relief at finding a friend here when she'd expected to be alone buffeted by the tide of emotions she's spent so much time shying away from. She has been worried for him, worried since the moment the holes in the one-eyed mercenary were confirmed bullet holes, concerned at how anger and then fear him had filled him; but here he is and..

Percival doesn't look comfortable out here, without his many layers to act as armor against the world, but does not appear to be under any sort of duress. So she takes the time to admire as she tries setting aside worries, noting scars old and newer-ish, mapping the twine of the lichtenberg marks spiraling up his arm. He has Bad News, because of course he does; the lack of other weapons does not concern her so much knowing that her own are indisposed right now.

And then he's turning, squinting, and she can't help but smooth back her hair; it's silly of her, knowing full well how her braid is its typical messy coil when Vax has not been about to correct it, strands strewn along her cheeks and forelock swept back from her eyes. The bright feathers dance from the motion, and as he zeroes in, her breath catches as he stares at her. ]

Hello Percy.

[ Yes, she is real. Whole and healthy and as rested as one can be given the circumstances. His voice trips over her name, makes something twist; so she smiles at him, warm, almost secretive. The one that reaches her eyes, before emotions pull back, reining in the need to- to reach for him, to.. Her brow furrows slightly at his question. ]

Of course, dear. Just me, though. [she swallows then, pang of distress a sudden spike] No Vax yet, but, you know what he's like.

[decisions]

[ he can make out that little pained twist in her voice, the kind that makes him want to immediately reach out, and he would, but he's sorely lacking in clothing and the decent part of percy keeps him very much standing straight-backed and dignified, though perhaps leaning towards her in the slightest bit, the way a plant leans towards the barest sliver of sunlight.

percy's tried not to worry. really. but it isn't easy, the ache gnawing straight down to the pit of his stomach and the back, high to his heart, wrapping around tight, an anxious grip like iron just gradually gliding fingers into a fist that sits heavy and unmoving.

but here's vex, her feathers like a little beacon of bright blue in her hair. a balm to his worry. ]

Just you... [ percy echoes a bit before shaking his head. ] I do indeed, no doubt he's going to certainly go about making an entrance.

[ it's said with a rather firm vote of confidence. vax has to be here--there's no having one without the other, they're like a package deal. truth be told, percy can't even begin to imagine a world where one lives without the other, and even his fingers flex a bit uncomfortably at the thought. not here ] Doubt he'll stay hidden for long with you wandering about.

[ though he's sure vax would part the ozmit to keep by her side. ] Perhaps if you linger around me long enough he'll show. I doubt he could resist getting a good laugh out of... [ percy gestures a bit flatly at his get up, or lack there of. ] ... this.

[ he's not particularly enthused by the concept, but. it's a possibility. ]

[moneytwin]

[ It's funny, how a lean can say so much with so little, that with his tone of voice Percival can give her reassurance she dares not ask for aloud. The deflated edges of Vex's smile lift again, and that patch of sunlight shines a little more brightly towards the shadowy gunslinger out of gratitude.

Building off the confidence Percy at least sounds like he has, if it isn't possessed in truth, she rallies when he gives her an out, letting talk of her absent brother become agreeable banter between them. Neither have ever dealt with separation well, but this idea that it is only temporary is clung to. ]

He would at that. Up and out of the dark, perhaps off a roof if he's so inclined. He's hopeless without us. [without me] And this is isn't working either. [a finger dings the earring still dangling from her right ear.]

Although..do you think he'll still have his wings? [the Natha giveth, but they also taketh away..

Speaking of which: she can't help it, when he gestures at himself, the self-depreciation ringing in her ears, she's can't not make a show of enjoying the view just for him. It's a very slow pan down, then back up, head canting to one side as she appears to ponder her response. Were they in a more private place, Vex dares to imagine that she might reach out, just a light touch, perhaps along his arms or along the leather strap cinching Bad News to his back. Or, if she were especially daring, and they were alone, perhaps tease along the band of the smallclothes he's modeling so well for an underappreciative audience...

But they're not alone, and she never would out here - she knows Percy too well to put him in such a predicament in public. So instead, a purr enters her voice as she turns the watts of her smile up a notch. ]

I think we both know the kind of thing my brother might do to get a laugh at you being dressed like this, [because of course Vax] but, I definitely have no problems lingering, Percival. I had no idea you'd been hiding such a view in plain sight.

[Then she winks, hiding behind that patented charm offensive, even if her praise for his physique is entirely genuine.]

..Really, though, darling. What happened to your clothes?

[decisions]

[ percy nods at bit at the mention of their earrings. he'd already noticed that they weren't exactly in any sort of functioning order the moment he awoke. extremely inconvenient and worrisome, though less so now that he's had both pike and vex in his sights. that's two. that's good. better than none.

he does have to wonder what the natha have left them all with. he's been lucky enough to find bad news among his sparse possessions, but the rest of his guns, his glove, diplomacy, the boots of spider climbing--all replaced or taken. just how unarmed have they been left? there's a bit of concern that flickers across his eyes briefly before he's met with her smile again and everything inside of him...

veritably melts. ]

Well. Surprises abound. I'm glad you've chosen to stick around... in fact, [ softer ] I'm rather glad it's you and not someone else.

[ and then with a hand slowly scrubbing up his face now, he sighs. it's like with every second he's becoming much more aware of just how few clothes he has on. it wasn't so bad with complete strangers. he can shrug off complete strangers, but never vex. ]

They, ah, were replaced by my temporary employer until he oversaw my job thoroughly done. Which is really taking much longer than it ought to.

[moneytwin]

[ They are inactive, but they're not gone, which is..well, nice of the Natha, really. Sure it's a one earred look that probably won't catch on with anyone else, but if they can find a way to get them working again..

And get their other stuff back. In some ways, it almost feels like being grounded, having your things taken away and then being told to play nicely with the other kids. Fortunately, Vex is prepared to do this as long as necessary, starting..

Well, not just this minute. Right now, she's smiling at Percy, and smiling at his reaction, and trying not to read into how his tone changes while he looks at her while the burning in her chest happily reminders her that its there.

'I'm rather glad it's you and not someone else.' ]

Of course, darling. I'll always have your back, Percy.

[Along with a good view of your front, mrrow. ..Cough.

'Temporary employer' makes one of her ears twitch, and she can't help but tilt her head at him. Thoroughly done, eh. ]

And where is he overseeing you from, exactly? [now, reluctantly, she looks away from Percy, eyes narrowing as she spies about for suspicious figures or lounging bodies.] Frankly, if you're done, darling, then stopping here is perfectly acceptable in my book.