❪ event ❫ THE DESCENT: PART TWO.

[natha]

JULY 16th: THE MORNING AFTER     In the early morning, your characters' phones will buzz with a text from an Unknown ID. It contains an audio file as well as its transcription: DARMA'S MESSAGE It worked. By the miracles of all universes, you survived. It was not ideal by any means, but it was all we can muster with limited time. We hope you can forgive us for your injuries and headaches, and we thank you for working together and helping one another. But now, your journey is just beginning. You must head east to find the Outpost. That shall serve as a fine rest stop. However, there will be danger ahead yet. The beasts you encountered in the simulations are now very real. They will attack, as you are seen as meat. Please exercise caution, Refugee. This shall be my last message for some time. The Moons are protected, but I must rest... I leave the rest to you. INTO THE WOODS     Head east, Darma said— and so you do. That seems to be all you can do. Traversing through woods is not a simple task. Hopefully you have taken advantage of the camouflage outfits offered prior to the start of this great migration. Naturally, for those of you who have done the training modules, some things will be a bit familiar. Some wildlife will mimic what you've seen there. Nevertheless, it'll be crucial for one to keep on guard. While Sael selected the Outlook as the ideal place for landing due to its direct removal from Olympian or Wyver soil, it doesn't come without its own dangers as you venture east. Perhaps it's time to face your fears. PROMPT A. There are many creatures roaming around these parts. Some will blend straight in with the woods, others will be bold and loud. While traveling as a party of about 180, it's quite easy to become targets. Fortunately, that also means strength in numbers. Maybe you've got someone's back on this, perhaps they have yours. Either way, what's quicker way to bond than to face a couple of questionable beasts? Maybe you've ran into a Arache (CW link: arachnophobia), a creature known for mimicking voices, even ones they haven't heard. They weasel their way into your subconscious and pick out voices from your memories, luring their victims deeper into the strange woods with the voices of their loved ones. Sometimes, it's a cry for help; other times, it's a replay of a striking memory. Once its victim steps into its large, barely-visible web, the Arache will store them or start its feast. Or, perhaps, you may encounter a Ditz Moth, as large as a rabbit who are relatively easy to kill, but they leave an awful scent on you the moment they flee or die. Be sure to mask this scent immediately, whether by covering yourself in fresh flowers or soaking in river water for an hour, because it's been known to cause extreme confusion. You'll end up dizzy, you'll confuse your friends for enemies, or enemies as loved ones. Or, you run into something else entirely! The forest is the home for many creatures from many worlds; who knows what you may encounter? PROMPT B. You've been traveling for a fair distance. While this is by no means a desert, the sun begins to settle, leaving an unprecedented heat. Perhaps it's the contrast against the night, but you find it almost unbearable. Lucky for you, the goddess of fortune is smiling upon you. At a distance is a clean lake. One full of lush scenery, and large trees canopying the immediate area. There is lots of shade, and maybe this is just the break you need. Or alternatively, the rations were sparse last night. It barely covered a meal each. Fortunately, this area seems full of wildlife one can hunt. Perhaps, that three-headed rabbit in the distance? Maybe that frog that smells a bit like lavender and vanilla? Additionally, for those who find themselves more inclined to leaving it up to fate— ENTER: OLYMPIA'S WEST OUTPOST     After a full day of travelling, you finally make it to the West Outpost as Darma instructed. You can tell by the way the trail gets neater, flatter. There are some small shops all along the sides of the road, offering trinkets, precious stones, and food. Unfortunately, you don't seem to have the money to purchase anything. The only thing you can do is watch wearily as you approach the West Outpost Gate. Near the gate, you're expected to form a line. The guardsmen seem to be inspecting every person entering. When it's finally your turn, the guardsman seem to know exactly what group you are. He immediately calls you Refugees, then proceeds to open a folder specifically labeled Refugee Group D. You might assume the "D" stands for Darma. He seems to be happy to see your arrival — Anyway, we've been expecting you. You're in luck! You refugees arrived the day after Thesa's blessing, y'know? That meteor shower was a sight to behold! What's your name? Oh, there you are— here, take take this. It's your passport. Gonna need that to get to Olympia. Your sponsors paid for your inns for tonight, so get yourself a room. You're at the last leg before the Capital. Keep your head up, all right? It seems now you are an official Olympian citizen with this passport. As you walk around, there will be an old man about. He sees you holding your bags and passports and approaches you. He has seen the fiasco in the skies from the day before. Naturally, he believes it to be a divine sign, and you the product of that. Which translates to free food. It must be relieving to eat (relatively) normal food after so long. There's also a very special visitor at the Outpost today: a woman by the name of Lysa, who happens to be a renowned healer in Olympia. Following the strange meteor shower, she’s come out of the city and into the outskirts to see it all for herself, this divine phenomenon brought upon by Thesa. While she has no explanation for the sudden occurrence, she stays, because she can sense that her services are needed. Healthy characters will taken by the hand and brought to a wounded fellow refugee. Lysa will then urge them to stay by that refugee’s side, to care for them. Please, do not go. I need a little of your compassion and patience. PROMPT A. If the wounded party has lethal injuries, Lysa will give the healthy character a vial of Screaming Draught to feed to them. It's a strong healing potion known for its ability to regenerate cells. It can close up almost any sort of wound, no matter how large, and can even regenerate limbs. However, its ability comes at a costly price. Seconds after taken, the wounded character will experience an excruciating, constant pain as the healing takes place. Some who have taken the potion may even start to become delirious, seeing hallucinations. If asked about this effect, Lysa looks solemn, remarking that her clinic is too far away and she does not have anything gentler on the body on hand. She urges your character to help the suffering one through this, giving them their comfort and any kind of support. PROMPT B. If the wounded party has smaller injuries, Lysa will give your character a vial of some basic Proliferation Elixir, a weaker healing potion with less devastating side effects. It can heal cuts, bruises and minor fractures. Characters who take it will experience side effects such as dizziness, nausea and a persistent chill. They are still in need of attention, and Lysa will urge the healthy characters to tend to them. Warm them up. Feed them something nice. Keep them from wandering around when they should be resting. Show any kind of care and you'll make Lysa a happy woman. Characters who answer Lysa's pleas will be given a small vial of Proliferation Elixir as a token of gratitude. It's good for one-time use. NIGHTFALL AT THE WEST OUTPOST     As dusk approaches, bustling Outpost quiets down as the flea shops pack up their things to go home. But it seems this outpost is not one that simply sleeps at night. Thesa is high on the skies when the Outpost square lights up. There's music, dancing, and laughter. They seem to encourage you to join them as well. "This celebration is for you! Come, join us!" Perhaps their enthusiasm is infectious enough for you to succumb to it; perhaps you don't understand at all why they're this happy after the hell you went through to get here. It's not like you can tell them what the "meteor shower" actually had been. At least they offer free alcoholic drinks and a great feast similar to those you remember from home. You may find that the drinks are far stronger than any alcohol you've ever had, but it taste like a typical cocktail, or whiskey/scotch/vodka/your flavor drink. Nothing particularly special until you make your way back to the inn. Let's hope you won't walk into the wrong room. FINAL OOC NOTE     This is PART TWO of our three-part intro event. PART THREE will be up on JULY 22ND, at 6 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. The NETWORK is still down. Characters may still message each other's personal IC inboxes. REMEMBER TO USE COMMUNITY TAGS. RECOMMENDED LISTENING: Nocturn OOC PLOTTING may be continued here. PART ONE | PART TWO | PART THREE (coming soon) QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

QUESTIONS.

[natha]

FREQUENT Q'S.

[natha]

▶ There is no REP offered in this log.

▶ You may create your own monsters here, but please keep them medium-sized at most.

▶ The food offered at the Outpost is what you'd expect from a typical festival.

▶ Alcoholic beverage is offered to every character regardless of age. The alcoholic content seems to change depending on their characters' tolerance, guaranteeing whoever drinks it to be appropriately buzzed or intoxicated.

▶ The rooms are in a first-come, first-serve basis. Your character may be stuck with whomever, to be determined by players OOCly. This is unrelated to the housing assignments; whomever you end up sleeping with will be only for the night.

▶ These rooms offer two twin beds per room. It doesn't matter how many people are crammed into it.

Nakatsu / i'm here for the into the woods references

[nakatsu]

A. THERE ARE GIANT SPIDERS IN THE WOODS
[The excitement of travelling through the woods wears off after a few hours, and Nakatsu finds himself less interested in the trees and the sounds and more simply following the person in front of him in silence, thinking through everything that's happened.

Until a voice starts shouting in the dense forest, crying for help. Nakatsu stops dead, turning sharply to look towards the sound.]

Ashiya? [The cries for help continue, sounding more and more pained- and he can't bear it any longer.] Mizuki!! I'm coming!

[He plunges off the path and into the trees, shouting that he'll save his friend, calling to the others for help. If no one stops him, he'll run straight into a spiderweb.]


B. ANY MOMENT (to play soccer)

[He's still slightly traumatised by the events in the woods a day earlier, but somehow his soccer ball made the journey, and the sight of flat, even ground is too much temptation for him. His knee is killing him, somehow he twisted during the walk yesterday, but he's seen someone take that screaming potion and he wants none of it.

If you want to join in, he'll gladly explain the basics and help someone get a feel for how to use their feet to play this beautiful game. That is- until the injuries from the spider the day before catch up, and he drops grimancing to his good knee.]


C. ON THE STEPS OF THE TAVERN
[Good luck getting up the staircase to your room, friend. The alcohol hit Nakatsu like a wall of bricks the moment he set through the door and this is as far as he's stumbled.

The staircase isn't that uncomfortable, he's decided. If he stretches his legs out and rests his head on one arm, he could almost fall asleep right here...

There's enough space to step over him if you're tall and careful enough.]

spideysssss

[exonerated]

[ It's errily quiet in the forest, and that alone unnerves Edmund more than anything else. Narnian forests are always singing — the trees whisper to each other, and the wood nymphs play around their home trees, their giggles brushing past like a cool breeze. When it's silent in the forest, that's when you know that you must be careful — predators abound, danger lurking in the darkest corners.

But in that silence, the person behind him is suddenly shouting, calling names.

Edmund turns his head, just in time to see the man zoom past the trees. ]

—Wait!

[ He doesn't wait, and Edmund hisses under his breath, trails behind the guy. ]

Don't run — we need to return to the group, or we could get lost!

peggy carter | mcu

[revlon]

i. inn

[ They've made it to the West Outpost and it's much more vibrant than Peggy had expected. They'd been assured this was their new home but the hospitality is still surprising; she watches the people around her with a wary eye, noting the buildings — and upon arriving at the inn, she discreetly scouts the perimeter and marks the exits, and selects a room at the far end of a corridor.

There, she inspects the new documents she'd been given. There, she takes stock of what she'd managed to bring with her from home and through the landings. It isn't much, but she's never cared much for things. You might see her wandering the main floor or perhaps you know her and knock on her door for a chat. Either way, she won't stay here for long. A quick shower, a change of clothes, and she's out the door by sundown to explore. ]

ii. nightfall

[ The crowds are friendly enough, but she's still wary (she still has her pistol hidden somewhere on her person) — it reminds her of the celebrations in cities and towns after they'd been liberated, though. The dancing, the music, the freeflowing food and alcohol. It's still takes some getting used to. But she weaves her way neatly through all of it in search of a little more peace and quiet, or at the very least, someplace she can have a good stiff drink after everything that's happened.

You might see her at a pub with the closest thing to whiskey she can find and a good square meal. Or perhaps she's on her way there. Maybe she's looking for someone from home — Steve, Bucky — or a new friend made in the woods. Maybe they find her first. ]

ii

[enarms]

[ maybe, on her way back from the bar to find somewhere to sit at aforementioned pub, she finds herself in the same room as one exceptionally grouchy-looking doctor nursing a pint. with a whisky sitting next to it. hm.

looks like she's not the only one ready to compensate themselves for the recent past. John glances up just in time to spot Peggy crossing away from the bar, raises his eyebrows in all the greeting he can muster with his glass at his mouth and his mouth full of ale. ah well, at least it's an acknowledgement. and a somewhat universal gesture of the Drinking And Resigned. ]

keyleth

[zephrah]

i. into the woods, but not too fast--

[ The forest is a place Keyleth feels at peace with, feels at home walking through. She uses her wild shaping to its fullest advantage--quietly stalking beside her fellow travelers as a large, stealthy sabertooth tiger, or flying high above as a giant eagle. If you're size appropriate, and you want a ride on either, all you really have to do is ask. ]

ii. --or what you wish, you lose at last

[ But she's in her own form when she hears a voice she knows intimately calling out to her. And not by her name, not Keyleth. Kiki. ]

Vax?! [ Her heart twists in her chest. Did they wake him up after they sent them all from the moon? Was he with the rest of the refugees, and she just didn't see him? It doesn't really matter. She's moving before she thinks of an answer to either of those questions. ]

Kiki! Where are you?? Help me, love!

Vax!! [ Her cautious steps break into a dead run, with no concern for the tree branches whipping across her face and arms. She runs straight towards the voice calling out to her, until something catches her. Snares her. ]

Fffffu-come on!! [ She struggles, trying to pull the sticking, all but invisible webbing off of her limbs. She's just lit up the fire on her hands to burn the webbing away, when she sees it coming towards her. Though she knows a dozen helpful spells, the words and gestures that would summon them stick in her mind as she stares in abject horror, and crushing disappointment, as she hears Vax's voice call to her from those clicking mandibles.

God, she's stupid. She's stupid and she might very well be stupid and dead. ]

Shit. Shit! HELP!!

iii. and happy ever after!

[ (Spoilers: she survives)

But not all that happily does she survive. The party happening around her doesn't do much to lighten her mood. Which is sad! It's all the things she likes best in the world! It's dancing and laughter and music, and food, and drinks! And Keyleth, she just props her chin against a table, arm wrapped around a tankard of ale like it's the only friend she has in the world. And it might as well be. ]

Why are these people so happy? They shouldn't be happy. This place is terrible.

[ She sounds very drunk. Which is weird! Because she has not actually had that much to drink. Keyleth is just Exandria's biggest lightweight. She sways unsteadily in her seat and points her cup at someone who may not even be a local. In fact, odds are good that it's one of her fellow refugees. ]

YOUR HOME IS TERRIBLE!

ii

[songofdeneir]

He comes on a rush of wind, kicking up her hair and blowing away the remainder of the webs as he materializes between her and the creature. Then he sings, the notes catching in the air to form a bright but devastating chord as a shining, radiant light erupts from his body to burn at the beast, causing it to screech and rear back.

"Run on, Keyleth!"

aranea highwind | ffxv

[ladya]

I. INTO THE WOODS

[ Aranea’s beneath an oak tree, traversing through the woods to their predestined route, when she feels the presence of the monster. The largeness of the cool shadow, the stippling sounds of windling legs approaching her, the flurry of songbirds in the distance. She’s been here before, just somewhere entirely different.

Sounds fester in her mind. Voices from long ago, that she thought that she’d forgotten, echo and ring through her canals. She’d been following these voices for some time, and as she stands here in preparation, line of her mouth taking shape of accusation. Coolly speaking to the spider whose whispering falsehoods in her ear, Aranea maintains her distance, avoiding the trap for now. ]

You sure as fuck don’t look like my mom.

[ Grasping the staff of her polearm, she doesn’t allow her extreme affection for witty repartee to consume her. Rising into the skies, her jump reaches its crescendo before rushing down so her blade skewers the back of the best. This fight’s far from over, but it’s a good beginning. ]

Now this is more like it. [ Aranea smiles to herself, under a trance of barbaric glee. Someone’s obviously enjoying this. ]

II. NIGHTFALL AT THE WEST OUTPOST

[ The journey has wrapped to a close, and now they’re set out to party. Silver eyebrows couldn’t avoid escaping beneath the metal curtain of her hair at the sight of all this excess fanfare, but far be it for Aranea to be the one to complain.

She’s made a beeline to the bar where they’re handing out the free alcoholic beverages. Her yearning for certain posh beverages fuels her passion, and Aranea would also love to take a garner at how good they have it in Nysa. ]

Whip me up an Old Fashioned, would you?

[ The demand rolls easily off her tongue, all jagged edges and warning signs. Out of the corner of her eye, she may catch the eye of someone she either recognizes out of familiarity, or just someone she noticed while on the road without any major or minor interaction whatsoever. Aranea’s lightened mood will lead her to offer — ]

Looks like you could use something hard yourself. [ She has no idea just how ‘hard’ (or, rather, strong) the alcohol is around these parts. ] Any preferences?

i.

[fakers]

[ when archer had first heard the voice of his dead father, it had been jarring. but that still didn't cause him to hesitate, even for a second, before striking down the source of the sound. hearing the voices of his lost loved ones doesn't seem to phase him at all... if anything, it just seems to irritate him into fighting harder. if he was the kind of person that could be dissuaded from killing by something as flimsy as his emotions, he never would have become the person he is now.

admittedly, even he recognizes that the fact that the spiders have no effect on him probably doesn't say good things about him. so it's a little comforting to see someone else equally unnerved. ]

Enjoying yourself?

[ ...that's actually going a bit further than him. he's been picking these things off from afar for a while now, trying to keep them away from the other refugees, but he can't really say he's experienced any glee from it. ]

Rhys | Borderlands

[rhygret]

A - is for Arachne

[ By the time the first morning rolls around Rhys could swear his very mild concussion is doing better. He knows that's not exactly how concussions work but that is how he's choosing to look at things alright? Don't burst his bubble. Things could be a lot worse, and technically since nothing here has tried to kill him yet it's already leagues ahead of Pandora in terms of everything.

So naturally all that has to give sometime. Darma's message rings out in his head, and if he had to be honest he'd say he's kind of Done with that sort of experience. He's already has someone else take up residence in there and provide non-stop commentary and it didn't end well for him. Either of them, technically. Rhys winds up frowning slightly as he continues to follow along with the majority of the group, wondering why now of all times he's thinking about--

Good ol' Handsome Jack? Come on Rhysie, don't think you can get rid of me that easy.

Rhys's blood runs cold and he stops right in his tracks mid-step, eyes wide and his head twitches left and right, searching. That's impossible. It can't be, there's no way. He turns in a complete circle, expecting and dreading to see the glowing blue outline of a hologram somewhere in the corners of his vision, but there's...nothing. It's just him. ]

...Come on Rhys, keep it together...

[ He laughs nervously and murmurs to himself, but there's no humour in his voice. He actually looks reasonably disturbed as he continues to search another moment or two, maybe holding up the line? Or at least getting in your way. ]

B - Wet n Wild

[ So that just happened. That awful, horrible, quite frankly traumatic experince Rhys is going to file away under "things I'll get therapy for later when I'm rich" and just not deal with right now. He's more shaken by the fact that he heard Jack's voice in his head than the fact that a giant telepathic spider tried to eat him, but that's just a product of being on Pandora so long. Eventually, everything tries to eat you at some point.

Less fortunate is his general state. His clothes are more scuffled now and he's got a tear on the back of his right shoulder that bleed through into his suit (and that's the real tragedy right there). He needs to clean or tidy up or something, but even when they arrive at the pristine lake Rhys waits this time until he seems someone else venture in first and not find themselves covered in hives before he decides to chance it himself.

Rhys moves to the water's edge and removes the upper portion of his three-piece suit with a hiss and a wince, shirtless as he crouches near the water's edge and starts to hopefully soak out the worst of the bloodstains. His wounds come after okay this is important.

As he works, he mutters: ]

Stupid psychic spiders, who even--ugh. This was expensive, couldn't it have just... At least it's black...

[ Pay no attention to the lanky man with the robot arm covered in weird blue tattoos. You see no nipple windows. NONE. ]

C - Vitamin B (Lysa)

[ He isn't injured enough to warrant a Screaming Potion, so instead Rhys gets to deal with a nice, pleasant dose of vertigo as the worst of his bumps and bruises are handled. Which is odd because while his slightly concussion had left him...concussed...he somehow feels better for it even with the dizziness. It's a different sort? Or something. Rhys winds up sticking around just long enough to be told to hold a tray or two why Lysa helps out some of the others in need of her care, which is really about all he's capable of doing before he's sent on his way with a little extra for later.

So weird to be given stuff for free. ]

i) [ Maybe you need treatment, or maybe you're here to assist Lysa in aiding those she helps. Either way, Rhys is there shivering slightly as he does what he can to at least not be in the way, shivering a little as he nods to you. ]

H-hey. [ sup he doesn't look this pathetic normally, he swears. ] What a d-d-day, huh?

[ Someone get this man a blanket jfc ]

ii) [ When he feels a bit better and the worst of the side-effects have worn off Rhys is marginally more useful. He'll at least be the one bringing a blanket or two around to anyone who looks particularly chilled or teeth-chatter-y, holding it out with a confidence he really doesn't have any reason to be feeling given his day so far. ]

Looks like you could use a little TLC. Y'know. Thick Lovely Cotton--it's. [ clever shut up ] I've got blankets. You need one?

D - Nightfall

[ It's the perfect end to one of the weirder days of Rhys's life, and by that I mean it comes with free food and drink and he didn't have to kill anyone to do it. He can't remember the last time free food was involved anywhere in his life after joining Hyperion. As soon as her became an intern handouts just ceased to be a thing.

So this? This is a nice change, and while he doesn't really join in on the dancing or cheering, Rhys is happy to watch and chat up villager and refugee alike. ]

i) [ Which includes you! ]

Some party huh? You think it's...I dunno, a little strange that they don't think anything's wrong with a bunch of people just walking out of the woods like us? I mean between the talking raccoons and the robots. Someone should be worried about that, right? But nope. They handed us a bunch of passports.

[ Rhys gives you a side-glance. ]

This is weird to you right?

ii) [ Later in the evening, once he's stuffed himself full of god knows what (it was free, who is he to complain?) Rhys is feeling pleasantly buzzed. He's only had the one drink and sure, maybe he shouldn't have mixed magical healing potions, mild concussions and alcohol but he feels great okay, and so should everyone else.

He swears the whole town is spinning as he wobbles his way back for the evening, doing that thing where he tries to pretend he isn't drunk but so totally is. He almost manages to walk normally if it weren't for the odd stumble here and there and the odd nasally half-giggle he gives every now and then as something particularly humorous or silly occurs to him.

Being drunk doesn't really lend well to following directions or keeping an eye on his surroundings though, so it's inevitable that eventually he's either going to bump into someone or try to talk to them. Both options are embarrassing. ]

Oh. Heyyyy, h-hahah, you're. Heh. You're great, you know that? Like just....ten out of ten out there t, todaaaaaaaaaghy-- [ yes, rhys did just burp mid-sentence ] --Sorry that was dinner. Free drinks! Whoo, am I right? Ha-hah.

WILDCARD

[ hmu with literally anything!! You can reach me at owlits or on disco at dolly#0571. send me a poke and we can work something out 8>b ]

d1!

[demonly]

I don't know, maybe they're just really friendly-like?

[ He's speaking with his mouth half full, obviously more interested in the free food than the topic at hand. It's been a long two days. Don't get him wrong, this situation is very weird to him, but for the time being he's willing to go along with it until he can find out more information about those in the stasis pods. ]

They said there was a blessing or somethin', maybe they're in an especially hospitable mood. [ Religious people tended to be like that, after all, he's learned. ] Ya know, how people get on Christmas and stuff!

Wisely | D.Gray-man

[hoboish]

INTO THE WOODS PROMPT A1:

[ There's little choice but to trudge on like they were told. Even if Wisely doesn't like being ordered around, he's kind of out of options here. And he's not a woodsy outdoors kind of person. He's definitely more used to the crowded hustle and bustle and the decidedly solid everything that a city has to offer. He's not done well making friends so far, so he's on his own.

For the most part, anyway. Occasionally he passes by someone who seems to be hearing voices in their heads. He doesn't particularly like being the heroic type, but if he gets close enough, and the person looks distressed enough, he actually stops and approaches them. His large third eye focuses in on their thoughts, trying to read the source of their distress. ]

Hey. I would be careful if I was you.

INTO THE WOODS PROMPT A2:

[ Wisely is difficult to fool when it comes to voices in his head, so he has no trouble getting over the spider. It's the moths that cause problems for him. Though they basically flutter away when he draws near, he takes them as a nuisance and attempts to fend them off with wild waves of his hands. It looks stupid as hell, but it's surprisingly effective. The downside of being effective is that he's left with a terrible stench. Even after living 17 years on the dirty streets of London, he's not used to smelling this bad.

That's why you may find him lying in a patch of flowers, rolling around in it frantically. He's rolling, he's trying to burrow into the patch, he's even making snow angels in it. Is it helping? He has no idea. But they smell nice (a bit too floral for a manly specimen such as himself, but it will have to do) and he's hoping it'll rub off. If you happen to come close and he notices you, he waves you over. With confusion setting in, friend or foe, he can't tell the difference. ]

Cover me with these flowers. Hurry up!

INTO THE WOODS PROMPT B

[ Fresh and flowery, Wisely begins to feel the pangs of hunger creep up on him. Even if he ate last night's portion and quite possibly stole someone else's too, he's hungry again and there are no trash cans to rummage through. That's about how good he is at rummaging for food, so he's left a bit wandering.

That's when he sees (and smells?) the frogs. ] Gamako, is that you? [ He creeps a little closer, trying to catch it. But then his stomach gives off a mighty rumble, disgruntling the frog and getting it to hop away again. ]

Oi, get back here! [ And on he goes chasing frogs, torn between food and being reunited with his only friend. ]

WEST OUTPOST PROMPT B

[ Wisely's injuries are small, the biggest of them being an aching headache from so much clanging around and disorientation (those extra eyes are hard on his brain). He's quick to accept a Proliferation elixir and he gulps it down with no questions asked.

Then the dizziness settles in. He begins to wobble around, holding his head. His eyes move in strange directions on their own. Then he begins to look a little green. ]

Ugh... are you sure this is supposed to help? [ He asks no one in particular, turning a corner only to run into the nearest person. He almost drunkenly glares, lifting up a hand matter of factly. ] Listen, you, you stay out of my way. I'm warn— [ He hunches over like he's going to hurf. ] I'm warning you....

WILDCARD

[ hit me up with anything! if you'd like to plot beforehand, find me at taroutachi! otherwise, he'll be around at the party, or just trying to survive in the woods. ]

flowers

[strictdiscipline]

[ It's like a scene out of a fever dream, stumbling across a questionably looking man rolling in a field of flowers like a dog might. It's strange, a little disturbing, and naturally her instincts tell her not to listen to the weird man doing weird thing.

Instead: ]

What are you doing?

[ Notably, she does not, in fact, assist him in escaping into the arms of sweet flowery death. Sorry, Wisely. ]

juvia lockser

[lacuscular]

arache
[ The spider that managed to lure her so deep into the woods didn't have to work hard to get what it wanted. It doesn't take a lot of convincing for her to leave the safety of a group if it means protecting her friends, even rescuing them. And as soon as Juvia heard the faint voice of Gray, she immediately moved in the direction she heard it, shouting their names along the way.

While its suspicious, maybe there's pods they missed? Maybe they got here earlier than them? Juvia thinks it's easy, coming up with excuses to search through these woods just because she heard a voice.

She kicks at a rock, stubbornly staring ahead of her. She'd never want to take that chance that it might be him, or her friends-- their voices becoming far too clear for her to ignore! Juvia stops just a few inches shy of the web, feeling frustrated as Lucy's fear stricken voice rings in her head. ]

Juvia is here..! You guys can come out! It's safe!

[ She shouts, just one last time as she turns to continue walking, the web hitting her smack dab in the face with a shriek following the contact. ]

the lake
[ As she kicks her feet in the water, tying up the fresh clothes she had put on before their march over, she thinks about how empty it looks with just her reflection. It's still a relief-- the shade and this beautiful water-- since Juvia never does well in the heat. She kneels down and splashes her face in it. But she pauses, adjusting her head so she can really look at the lake.

A look of intrigue spreads across her face as she slowly stands. It isn't long until she moves further into the water, giving into her curiosity as she dives right into it. Maybe she can find something to save for when she sees her precious friends later? It can't hurt to at least try, right?

To anyone who's managed to catch the tail-end, or all of it, they won't see her resurface.

If you manage to catch her after her long dip in the lake she's already drying off but playfully manipulating the water, waves moving across the expanse of the lake with her hands gently guiding it. She'll look over to whoever's near and stop, and speak after a few solid moments. ]

It's cold. Juvia thinks it feels nice.

nightfall
[ Juvia's been sitting in the middle of all the commotion in the outpost, where the dancing and alcohol are being passed around, for the past hour. She hoped that she'd soak in some of their happiness, some of their good mood, but every time she hears praise of the meteor shower her mood just lowers bit by bit.

It's why she looks so... so gloomy just sitting there.

Once she gets tired of trying to absorb all the good vibes around her, she excuses herself from the celebration. Not all of it, just the overwhelmingly big part of it, in an attempt to find a place with less celebrating and little people. She's not subtle at all with the way she's slowly inching backwards towards the nearest wall, expression stiff and body rigid.

Along the way she's managed to grab a drink, and once she deems herself safe in her own spot, Juvia takes a good swig of it. Only to sputter and cough it out right back into the cup. ]

Ooh! [ She still holds the drink, tired of her feelings but not tired enough to actively do anything about it other than talk to herself. ] Juvia doesn't know what to do..

wild card
[ or if you just want to throw something at me, go ahead! if you want to hash something specific out, you can pm me at enoshima ]

arache;

[fakers]

[ for the most part, archer has been doing a decent job keeping any stragglers from wandering away from the group. the threats posed by this forest had become pretty clear early on, so he's done his best to identify any threats before they could get close and pick them off.

granted, he can hardly do that for 180 people simultaneously, a fact he knows all too well. ]

Damn. [ he hears the shriek before he spots its source, but the girl whose been lured away is still quite a good distance from him. the best he can do for now is let loose an arrow, one that comes perilously close as it shoots by her face, tearing through some of the webbing and embedding itself in an approaching creature.

unfortunately, he can tell there's more of them, and he can't get a bead on them from this distance with juvia standing between him and his targets. ]

Loz | Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

[silverhound]

Those Who Fight - Prompt A.

[This has to be the worst twenty something odd hours of Loz’s short life.

If the Descent itself wasn't hard enough, then marching through these lush and lavish jungles is ten times harder thanks to the dense humidity in the air. Loz feels like he's about to drop by the time he reaches this far into the Jungles with the others. He spent most of his strength either gathering the pods, supplies and fending off against mammoth sized fiends. To be frank, he's tired and he deserves a nice hot bath. However, there's no rest for the wicked and Loz has only started to make amends for the foul deeds done prior.

Still, he's quite exhausted and injured to boot. His nasty run in with a thirty foot snake earlier left him a tad bloody since his shoulder got injured. Of course Loz doesn't seek any mkrr of medical attention since he's an idiot who thinks a heinous snake bite is just a scratch.]

How much further? [He all but whines once he seeks the shade of a nearby tree. The harshness of the sun’s glare is finally getting to him pretty badly.] We've been walking’ for hours and found nothing!

[The silver haired man let's out a childish huff as he flops down onto the ground. He needs a moment here, guys. Just go on without him---]

Eh?!

[Loz tilts his head to the side once he hears something flapping around. It's a moth but not just no ordinary moth, it's one of those big fluffy Ditz Moths that keep fluttering around them. While Loz doesn't particularly like bugs, he especially hates these ugly things since they're quite large and icky. Very icky. The big guy is a tad grossed out by the sight of this multi-legged fiend, that's why he hops off the ground quickly.]

Just how many of those buggers are there?! This place is crawlin’ with bugs!

[It seems Loz here isn't fond of nature and all of its hideous beauty.]


The West Outpost -- Prompt A.

[Finally, civilization at last!

After all that traveling, all the fighting and all the squabbling, Loz is one step closer to that warm hot bath. No more of this forging through the reed and bush shit. He's utterly exhausted and needs a few hours off his feet. While the group managed to reach the Outpost just fine, Loz finds himself almost a little hesitant to approach the gate. He's too busy eying all the wares and goods along the road, his eyes wide with wonder once he catches a glimpse of some of those precious stones. They almost look like materia to him but the lack that mystical shine. He checks his pockets to see if he has any gil on him but he's definitely flat broke. The big guy sucks his teeth in disappointment and dejectedly moves along.

He has half a mind to just steal himself some souvenirs but Loz doesn't want to get in trouble. Loz had enough trouble for one day and all he really wants is a proper bath and something soft to lay on.]

Sponsors…? [That definitely wins a confused look from Loz once the guards usher him inside of the town. He pockets the passport quickly and for the first time gets to enjoy the sights and sounds. Too bad he's cranky and a little bit dizzy. That Ditz Moth gotten the better of him with that weird pollen stuff it sprayed on him, not to mention how that “snake” from earlier took a healthy bite out of his left shoulder. Loz is still smarting a bit from that wound but he's hesitant to seek help.

That is until some woman beckons him to approach.]

I don't need your help!

[So says the man with blood caked upon his clothes and sporting a slight limp that he tries to hide with little avail. Loz most certainly does need help here but he doesn't trust anyone. How can he? He's all alone.]

Go away! Scram!


Nightfall Festivities

[There's something weird about all this cheer and celebration but Loz can't quite put his finger on it.

All healed up for the most part and now sporting a full belly filled with good food, Loz lingers off towards the shadows watching the townsfolk dance to their hearts content. A part of him wishes he could join the festivities but believe it or not, he's honestly a tad shy. The only thing Loz did earlier was snatch some free food lff the nearby table and chow down like a starving man. He's been hungry since fricking yesterday and some time before then. Loz and his brothers don't eat much but when they do, they damn near devour everything and anything in sight. Now that he's no longer famished after a long day of traveling and arguing with people, Loz is allowed to collect his thoughts momentarily.

It's all so very weird to him to see just how colorful and happy the people of the Outpost are. They're a stark contrast to the civilians of Edge who honestly always looked so depressed and gray. The Outpost is a prettier settlement than Edge too, quite homey and warm. To be honest, Loz really likes this place more than his home world. It's a friendlier and more inviting world, not to mention aesthetically pleasing too.]

[Content enough to watch the people dance and cheer, Loz blinks his eyes owlishly when some pixie-like woman approaches him asking for a dance. The big guy bashfully shakes his head like the wallflower he is. There's no friggin’ way they're getting him to dance! None.]

Dancing is for sissies...!

WILDCARD.

(Does none of the prompts appeal to you? Then just come up with your own! Hit me up on glacian so we can plot.)

outpost A

[planetary_bonds]

[Unfortunately (or fortunately?) one of the fellow refugees that had agreed to help Lysa is nearby, and he immediately gets in front of her, bristling.]

What the hell are you saying? Look at you!

Yusei Fudo | watch me do all the prompts ALL OF THEM AND THEY ARE ALL OTA

[planetary_bonds]

[over the river and through the woods]
[a1. to olympia's outpost we go]

[Yusei wasn't resting long before Darma's message came through to everyone. Like clockwork, he woke up, put on the robes that Mai had given him, packed whatever small items he was able to make by using his sleeping bag as a backpack, and hefted it onto his back with very little complaint. The only things in his hands are a handmade flashlight in one hand and a long piece of rebar in the other. He's good with fighting with his hands, yes, but he's not fool enough to think that he can fight off whatever's in the woods with his hands alone.

Yusei hikes with little to no complaint, but he also clanks somewhat audibly with each step thanks to his collection of handmade objects, which he's perfectly happy to share if one needs it.]

[a2. moths fly in dizzying lazy spirals]

[Unfortunately, Yusei didn't participate in the simulations around the station. He's not quite familiar with the wildlife, and so when he swipes at a Ditz Moth that comes too close to his face, he thinks nothing of how bad the smell is. He's smelt like worse before.

So when he starts having dizzy spells and starts stumbling away from any nearby travelers, using his rebar more like a walking staff to lean on for support, he doesn't actually associate that with the smell. He's never fainted because of something like that before, don't be ridiculous. People who might approach him because of his odd wandering behavior will end up getting this response.]

Ah-no...I'm fine, I just...need to get my bearings, I think-

[b. camping is such great fun, but someone else can do the hunting.]

[After somebody finally gets Yusei to finally wash his stanky cloak, travelling is much smoother. The lake is a welcome respite, and Yusei settles down under a tree and starts clearing a space of foilage between the roots. The reason why doesn't become obvious when he makes a circle of rocks and puts an irregularly shaped metal plate inside, then takes an equally irregularly looking pot and fills it with water and puts it on top of the circle. It's only when the water in the pot starts boiling that it turns out that Yusei's managed to finagle some kind of hotplate for cooking.]

Ah-did you want some? It'll take a little longer before I'm sure the water's safe, but...

[Alternatively, he'll hand one out to anyone who brought back something to eat as well. After all, the more people who can help out with the cooking, the more people can eat, right? He'll gladly help out however he can.]

[welcome to olympia]
[a/b. victim sanctuary]

[Yusei, while looking somewhat banged up, isn't really injured more than a few cuts and welts that are easily hidden with his cloak. So when Lysa asks him for assistance with her services, he accepts despite his apprehension. Any of his own doubts on his usefulness are cast aside with reassurances, that all she needs is for him to give medicine and to help stay by someone's side, which anyone can do.

He can do that, at least. He'll gladly do that.]

[c. waltz token]

[Yusei isn't one for parties, but he's also not really in a state to resist being pulled out, either. The bright lights and festive voices are almost overwhelming after the relative silence of travel (harrowing encounters aside) and it wouldn't be misleading to say that he's just a little bit lost.

He does manage to find his way to the refreshments table, though. The food looks rich and the drinks smell strongly enough to make him heady, but he's happy with some of the simpler appetizers and a glass of cold water. He's trying not to be imposing, but with how tired he is, he can't help but accidentally almost bump into someone or other.]

Oh, I-sorry. This place...I didn't expect it to be so busy, you know?

c. waltz token

[ascertain]

A familiar face already... you make it here in one piece?

[ Lambda doesn't even seem to be looking over the food, instead favoring mingling now that they're in a comfortable place. It is indeed quite busy-- which suits her just fine. Busy is better than being abandoned in the middle of a ghost town. She'd had it up to here with roughing it. ]

What am I saying, of course you have! How was the journey? Did you see any of those cute spiders...?

Senren Lavellan

[heraldsdawn]

Anything can Happen in the Woods.

a) [ Walking through this forest reminds him heavily of home. The smell of grass and fresh tree on the air, scented with water and flowers. The nostalgia of it all makes his heart ache for home and saddens him to know end, but those feelings would have to wait. He couldn't really wallow right now when they had to traverse this place, especially with so many unknowns.

Lavellan wears the robe to camaflouge himself, knowing the bits of armour would glint against any light that they would catch. He's silent, trying to keep in mind the lessons he learned from his Clan. He's know rogue but he picked up enough to know when to stay silent. With the silence around him it's enough for a voice to catch his ears. He perks up and his blond head pokes up from the brush, not quite thinking he's pulling his hood part way down. It's a voice.

And it's calling to him, crying for help. He closes his eyes to get a better read and then it clicks: ]

Solas. [ A friend, a teacher and they were calling for help. Calling for the Inquisitor. And impulse takes him, the need to save overpowers survival and he goes to take off. ]

[ Later if he hadn't been stopped there is a very haggered looking elf spinning a giant magical looking sword swinging it and cutting down giant spiders. He yells with anger, frustrated at having fallen for such an obvious ploy. ]

SPIDERS! WHY IS IT ALWAYS SPIDERS?!

Any moment we could be crushed
b) [ Finally, a lake. There's a deep sigh of relief and he's already at the water's edge. Some of his armor shed and feet dipped into the pool. He leans his head back, smiling to himself and kicking his feet back and forth in the water. ]
I'm almost half tempted to go for a swim. I'm surprised nothing's tried to kill us yet at this place. [ It seemed almost too perfect, but, he's not going to give a gift horse in the mouth. ]

Night and Feast

[ He's fairly exhausted from the day out but he's definitely glad they made it to a city. They were still all too foreign to him, having never really grown up around them. So, while the feasts begin, Lavellan is leaning on a post watching the dancing and the celebration. There's a tankard in his hand but it remains full. He's tapping along to the music but he seems fairly day dreamy watching. He's just being a wallflower, not really sure he wants to be dancing with a bunch of strangers this time round.

Maybe force him? Or just chill. ]

[ Wildcard; want to do a different kind of thread or something else we planned? WILDCARD! ]

B!

[getoutofmytemple]

[Abelas watched the young elf indulge in the water, nothing unusual he supposed. It was something he had done himself in his youth after training, or his fellow Sentinels even.
Despite what others likely believed, they were not always strictly business. There was a twist of nostalgia, as he recalled his youth as an adept, friends and comrades tossing him into the temple's fountain, and he returning the favor in kind later.

There was this brief glint in his eye, a slight nudge of temptation just to give the younger elf a little push. But no, he was older now, far too old for such jests, such juvenile antics would only impair the others ability to travel later. This one was not even related to those he had spent his youth with, just an echo of what once was. Those friend were either long dead or lost in an eternal slumber.

Though he probably should say something after staring ominously. He snapped himself from his thoughts and briefly glanced to either side of him to see if there was anyone besides him the child was speaking to. No, only him. He took a step forward to properly address him.]

Is that why you are tempting the lake creatures to go after your feet?

ocelot | metal gear

[shashka]

into the woods: "a" is for "arache"

[ just his luck. the woods that they found themselves going through reminded him all too much of a particularly unpleasant time during his youth. once again, Ocelot was reminded of the fact that while he was many things, a rugged survivalist was one of the roles that he least like to preform.

and speaking of rugged survivalists... for just a moment, he thinks he hears a voice, calling out in the distance.

"Adam. It's too dangerous."

he knows that voice, though it can't belong to who it sounds like. he's still on the station, safe, where he should be.

And then... another voice.

"He can go straight to hell."

and this time he knows something is off, because that guy is awake, and here. only ten years younger.

still, hearing voices is never a good sign. with an unreadable expression, he turns to his nearest travelling companion. ]

Did you hear something?

[ whatever it was, it didn't bode well. and for all they knew, they could be walking straight into a trap. ]

nightfall at the outpost

[ while Ocelot tends to be someone who prefers observing those around them rather than participating in the festivities (apparently these natives are all a superstitious bunch that don't seem to hold much faith in science) he's also not exactly the sort to turn down free food and drink when it's offered. he can be found on the edges of the crowds, observing, with a glass of a substance that seems like vodka in his hands. he might even turn to someone near him, and make an offhanded observation. ]

I've had stronger.

[ it was his moral obligation as a Russian to say as much, after all. even if truthfully, he couldn't even recall the last time that he'd had a drink that packed quite as much of a punch.

(after all, he'd had drug resistance training. it shouldn't impact him at all) ]

What do you make of the locals?

[ it's a question that serves a number of different purposes. ]

nightfall.

[exonerated]

[ Edmund is not too keen on drinking himself to a stupor for the evening, so he limits the alcohol intake. Though the laughter and merriment around him is infectious enough that he remains in good mood. he's just about finished the food in his hand, when both a statement and a question gets directed at him by a stranger, one that's probably a refugee like himself if his tone is any indication. ]

Right now? They are highly generous with their gifts, and their time. They suffer no remorse in enjoying the life that they know and take in anyone willing to join.

[ It reminds him of — Narnia, actually. ]

Princess Mipha } Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

[fisherwife]

[Into The Woods -- A]

[Similar to the training in the virtual reality rooms, Mipha can be found with her trident, deftly jumping to the rescue of anyone who seems to need it. Each monster is killed with a fluid grace, power, and precision that might seem out of place given how fragile Mipha herself looks. But clearly she knows her way around her weapon.

Whenever the threat is destroyed, Mipha turns to whoever she's just rescued and smiles reassuringly] Are you in need of healing?

[Into the Woods -- Prompt B]

[Tha lake! Clearly this is the best place for Mipha, she feels almost right at home again. Well, okay, not exactly, considering her home wasn't this...jungle-y, but whatever.

She dives into the water after a moment of assessing to make sure it's as clean and nice as it seems and gets to work spearing fish on her trident and tossing them up to the bank of the lake. Hope you don't get smacked with a flying fish!]

[Nightfall at the Outpost]

[Mipha is all indulgent, peaceful smiles, back straight and hands clasped in her lap as she watches the festivities unfold. She doesn't refuse any food and she even dances once or twice with someone bold enough to actually ask her to, but in general she's the picture of careful politeness.

After a while she disengages from the group to bring food to anyone who might seem like they need it, sitting next to them and offering a tray of various foods with an encouraging smile. She then looks back at all the partying people, shaking her head] At least someone's pleased with all of this. A tragedy for us is a miracle to them, it seems... [There's no judgement though, just a sort of amused resignation]

[WILDCARD]
[Mipha will be more than happy to sit with anyone who's been given a potion and sooth them through it. Or if you have any other ideas, hit me up with them!]

into the woods - b

[ascertain]

[ One can't help but be transfixed by the fish princess.

Lambda, in all her years, has never seen anything quite like it. Not a mermaid, nor a selkie-- a unique creature that she couldn't find in any of the fragments she'd visited over the course of her years. That was a feat in and of itself. It was very hard to surprise Lambdadelta, but once you did, it was easy to intrigue her.

She sits down at the lakeside, waiting for her to break for air. ]

Hey there, miss Mermaid! Can I ask you something?

Marian Hawke | Dragon Age

[otiosity]

Into the Woods-A.

[Hawke is leaning against a tree, looking unusually worse for wear. Or at least emotionally, Hawke is often physically worse for wear. Her face is pale and sweaty and she looks a little shaky

When someone approaches she'll look up at them and wave her hand in a warning gesture, indicating some kind of danger behind her further down the path.]

Don't go down there. I just saw a massive spider thing that talked with my mother's voice.

...And that's a sentence I wish I'd never said in my life and hopefully never will again.

Nightfall at the outpost

[Hawke is drinking.

Hawke is drinking a lot. Because that's what she does. She's currently flopped out on a bench on her back, sipping at a tankard of something much stronger than ale and tapping her foot to the beat. If someone comes by she'll raise the tankard out to them and try to stop them.]

Hey, hey. Drink with me to a twist of cruel irony about how I escaped one shitty city as a refugee and now I'm a refugee again in another shitty city. How long until a murderous blood mage shows up? Or giant ox-man? There's a punchline here. ....Somewhere.

[getoutofmytemple]

[Abelas was making another attempt at escaping the festivities, when he's once again thwarted. This time by another of the refugees. He's too tired to make a fuss so he just looks down at the drunk woman on the bench.]

It seems as though you have had enough to drink for both of us.

Abelas | Dragon Age Inquisition

[getoutofmytemple]

[West Outpost: Day]

[Apparently even ancient Elves can overexert themselves every so often. Between pulling all nighters, fending off beasts, and attempting to deal with those that had come down with some odd forest madness... he made a mistake. A spell cast too late, a misstep, regardless of the how, Abelas had to deal with the humiliation of counting himself among the numbers of wounded. Broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a nasty gash made the trip to the outpost absolutely miserable. And despite his stubbornness to try and make it there on his feet, he blacked out halfway there and awoke on a cot where the other refugees had been hoarded.

Hey lay on the cot, glaring up at the strange woman and his fellow refugee. When the potion is offered to him his lip curls up in disgust and he turns his head away.]

I am not drinking that.

[So whether being the poor soul he's leaning against as they travel, or the one attempting to get him to take his medicine, it's going to be a bad time.]

[West outpost: Night]

[After his ordeal earlier in the day, the last thing Abelas wanted was to put anything else these cretins offered him in his stomach, much less join in their foolish revelry. However they were obnoxiously persistent and for once he didn't have the fight in him he usually did.

Which was how he ended up sitting alone as the table towards the back. Arms crossed over his chest. Dead asleep.

Of course despite his inconspicuous seating, he still somehow managed to stick out. He refused to change into any of the clothes provided him and insisted on remaining in full armor, which was dented, cracked, and sporting a decent hole right in the chestplate. He's at least had the courtesy of cleaning off the blood, but he could probably still pass off as dead.

So of course some poor soul went up and shook his shoulder to see if he still had a pulse, and were met with him practically jumping out of his skin. He tries to jump upright but, his foot slips and he falls back into the chair with enough force that it almost tips over. After a moment of flailing, and a spark of magic from a failed spell, he recovers to glare at whoever was responsible for waking him up.]

What is it you want?

drunk

[unchainedwolf]

[Fenris didn't mean to shake him. Honestly he didn't even want to touch the guy, but when you are barefoot, around drunk people, are also drunk, things happen. Someone steps on his foot, he stumbles, and falls into the sleeping man with armor. His drink is a causality here, and he mourns it with a sad droopy eared look before his eyes narrow at the man he bumped into. Seems he is just as irritated about this as well.]

Another drink.

otabek altin

[atabek]

into the woods; a

( It’s not that Otabek is opposed to the idea of nature, not really. He just realizes quickly that he decidedly likes it more when it involved his buddy Sudjan’s camper van, whatever brand of beer Dina was into that week, the creature comforts still of power and working cell phones and less having been unceremoniously ejected from a space station in a pod and told vaguely to head east.

Which is all good and well into a familiar voice cries out from the trees, a terrified scream of Beshka! that runs his blood cold and has him stopping dead in his tracks. And he tries to convince himself he’s just hearing things (which really, he is) but it comes again. Clear as a bell in his mind. His sister’s voice screaming in terror and he doesn’t even think, just runs.

And runs right into the biggest spider - at least he thinks it’s a spider - he’s ever seen. Throat dry, Otabek tries to turn back around, but his foot is stuck, and as he struggles against that he finds his arm following suit and he realizes far too late as he manages to make out the barely visible line of the creature’s web that he’s royally fucked this one up. )

Well… shit.

( Honestly an understatement and a half. )

outpost; b

( He’s got a few bruises and scrapes, minor cuts but nothing warranting any attention and so he finds himself being guided by Lysa to a bedside and asked to attend to the person laying there.

Which is really the least he can do. There’s a stack of blankets on a nearby bed and Otabek grabs one before returning, offering it up to the shivering body in the bed. )

Maybe this will help?

(( want to do something else? feel free to pp me at mfeo or pm and we can definitely do something else! ))

into the woods

[underwhelms]

[ Otabek's reaction is a lot calmer than JJ's would've been, who wouldn't have appreciated having his feelings toyed with in the least, and would most likely start to cry once he realizes that he's stuck in the web of a giant, homicidal spider. Actually, if he's being honest, he still wants to cry, when he spots the familiar figure trapped in the web, heart stopping in his chest before he even notices the spider.

And then he definitely notices the spider, blood running cold and for a second, just one crazy second, he almost considers charging in there, armed with a sharp stick and little else.

But that would be dumb, this isn't VR. He could actually die here, and so could Otabek. So he does literally the only other thing that comes to his mind in the few moments that he has, grabbing a couple of rocks and lobbing them as hard as he can in the direction of the spider. His intention isn't actually to hurt the beast, so he doesn't hesitate when he misses, aiming instead to create a lot of noise and maybe distract it a moment before he's dashing in, heart in his throat and blood pounding in his ears. ]

C'mon.

[ His whispers, like the arachne doesn't already know that they're trying to escape; like they're not just figure skaters way out of their depth. He whispers anyway, like it'll help the situation at all, yanking on Otabek and fastidiously ignoring just how gaping the mouth of the spider is. ]

bucky "gee whiz" barnes / marvel comics

[godwins]

INTO THE WOODS.

[ Head east, they said, so that's what he's doing. Bucky is used to scouting, so without thinking, he falls near the front of the group, checking his compass every hundred steps or so. None of the other ways of telling north work. Without thinking much about it, his feet avoid the twigs and snap crackle pop of the underbrush; not quite silent, but close enough.

For an hour or two, though, nothing spooky jumps out of the woods, and Bucky relaxes some. Maybe there was nothing out there after all. Then— ]

SILENCE, FASCIST CUR. [ It’s the kind of voice you can only hear in capital letters. ] YOUR NUMBERS DO NOT IMPRESS ME. A PRINCE DOES NOT BOW BEFORE RABBLE!

[ Bucky knows that voice. He mutters under his breath, almost a reflex. ] Here comes the Imperius Rex.

[ And right on cue: ] IMPERIUS REX!

[ Bucky grabs his gun and even smiles— this is the first time in weeks he’s heard something familiar. And if he hadn’t seen Namor cooped up in the those creep-o science pods, back on the ship, it doesn’t occur to him in that split second.

Then he hears a terrible scream, and he pales like a potato dropped in hot water. ]

C’mon! We gotta go help him. [ He says to whoever happens to be standing nearby, starting off in whatever direction, kicking off a log. His gun only has three bullets left. ]

NIGHTFALL.

[ By the time he gets to the outpost, he’s parched, and he takes all the food that’s offered with a nod and a “thank you ma’am.” He takes the liquor without complaining, too, not noticing that it sticks more than usual. There’s no one there to tell him he’s underage— of all the things he thought he’d never miss.

As the night wears darker he starts half-whistling, half-singing a familiar tune. ] What a show, what a fight, boys, we really hit our target for tonight—

[ And then he turns to whatever poor sap is listening. ] Well? Do you know the words or not?

[ Above, the stars form an unfamiliar pattern, sparkling like vinegar in the wound. ]


WILDCARD.

[ ooc: If you want another prompt or something else entirely, that’s fine. Feel free to discuss on my plotting comment or at lightfellows! ]

nightfall

[shashka]

[ yet another enthusiastic kid. this place certainly didn't lack for them , it seemed. the song he sings was a familiar enough tune, though it takes a second or so for him to place it. that War ended nearly forty years ago, after all. ]

It's a little before my time, but I think the words were:

Мы ползем на последнем крыле

[ he knew the English version as well (of course he did, given his history), but might as well stick with a show of the old Russian pride. ]

lucas | emerald city

[scarecrowed]

(i: into the woods)

[ Lucas is no stranger to trekking through the woods. Fortunately, he has his sword in his possession, which he holds at the ready, using it to cut down branches in his way. He's listening out for wolves in case there are any - that's the only animal threat he's come across back home - but after hearing Darma's message and reminding himself he's on another planet now, he expects far worse beasts than a common wolf. He might be a little out of his depth, having not done any of the training modules, too put off by the unfamiliar technology of virtual reality. (He'll later regret this, as now he's an easy target for being tricked into hearing a voice that's nothing more than a copy of the original.)

Lucas!

He can hear Dorothy screaming for him in the distance. How could she be here? What happened to Darma keeping their loved ones safe? ] Dorothy?!

[ Lucas, help me!

He pushes past your character and it's nothing personal, but the woman he thinks he can hear calling for him is very important to him and if she's in danger, he needs to get to her, now. ] Dorothy!

[ Someone please stop him from becoming an Arache's dinner. ]

(ii: olympia's west outpost)

[ By no fault of his own, a stab wound Lucas gained from before he was taken upon Thesa reopened after an unfortunate rough landing in his pod. He doesn't say no to the elixir; the sooner the wound is healed once and for all, the sooner he can focus all his efforts into the next objective given by Darma.

He certainly hadn't expected any side effects to occur. He insists he's fine after consuming the potion but walking in a straight line soon becomes a problem. He wonders if he's been poisoned again - it wouldn't be the first time.

After much stumbling about, Lucas eventually settles on a bench in the square and lies down across it. Shivering, he rests his spinning head. He probably shouldn't sleep where he is - he could do with being helped move somewhere warmer. ]

into the woods

[exorion]

Hey-- whoa!

[The pushing is just rude, but he'd be satisfied just calling the guy a jerk if it wasn't for the panic in his voice, and Cayde reaches out to grab his arm to stop him rushing off and away from the group.]

Where's the fire?

veronica lodge

[refashioned]

I (monster encounters)

a: lured away by an arachne:
[From the moment they touched the ground just outside of their pods, Veronica had been "singing" a familiar refrain: that they wouldn't run into any trouble because they were a large group. She has had a number of worries about their journey, from food to wondering if she would be able to handle some rougher terrain, but she had decided to shove aside any fear of monsters. It probably helps that she completely skipped any of the training simulations. They were a touch too out there for her.

Reason states that she should know better than to follow the lure of her mother's voice, but denial (or hope, however someone might define it) leaves her wondering if, perhaps, she missed her. There's a comfort in not hearing her father's voice in the trees. There's a comfort in knowing that Hermione Lodge is awake and all right. Everything will be fine. Everything.

Of course, that's likely why Veronica's "I'll be right back" to whoever she was standing near eventually turned into ... no return.

Right now? Veronica is firmly in a spiderweb, numb and unable to move. She could probably use some help.]

b: preventative measures ... of a sort:
[There's no way of knowing whether someone else is going to find themselves in a creepy, sticky mess before the end of this. Veronica wishes she could know, but that's easier said than done. After all: no one can hear the comforting voice of a missed loved one except for the person themselves. That's something she worked out quickly upon her return.

But should anyone look dazed about to head off like they've heard a voice, she'll be quick to catch their arm and shake her head.]

You didn't happen to hear a disembodied voice, did you? Because that might be a bad idea. Just speaking from experience. [And reason, if the numbness in her body hadn't still been there.]

II (outpost arrival)

[Once she has her passport and a plate of free food, Veronica comes to settle down next to one of her fellow refugees. In coming here, she had naively believed that they would be technologically advanced enough to understand what the heck was coming down from the sky. Now? She doubts it. She doubts it a lot.

Veronica leans over to her comrade in ... arms and walking a lot, and says,] I hope none of them made a wish upon that meteor shower. I have a feeling that they might find themselves disappointed. [Among other things. What happens if anyone happens to find the pods?]

III (party hardy)

Here you go, [Veronica says, offering the nearest refugee a drink. While this scene isn't her scene—it's much too rustic for her style—she can't help but embrace it. Spider attacks can do a number on someone, especially following the terrifying experience of slamming down from space onto an unknown planet. She had wanted to believe that everything would be fine. Everything was not fine. They are all the dogs sitting in a house burning down.

(It's questionable whether Veronica knows that meme or not.)

The point of this extended metaphor of sorts is that Veronica wants to put out the fire, and she believes the best way to do that is through having fun. She'll be tipsy before long, but despite her age, she's a seasoned enough drinker to know the line when to stop thanks to wanting to have some modicum of control.

Either way, she'll be fond of dancing like the locals, of dragging her fellow refugees to spin around, and even to trying to get someone to eat a little more to at least relax. If someone is too opposed to it, she won't push the matter—that's wasted effort—but she may give it a college try before that.]

[ooc: my updated plotting comment is here if anyone wants to plan a particular thing in general. I'm always down for wildcard takes alluding to the above if you need it more customized, or if you'd like a specific top level for you, let me know.]

ii;

[scorpiorum]

[Vanessa offers her a wry smile in response, taking a moment to swallow her recent bite of food.]

Let us hope that's not the case. If their hospitality is this excessive, I can only imagine what their hostility might look like.

[And it seems wise to try and avoid being on the receiving end of said hostility if one can help it.]

lila zacharov | ota

[gitanes]

i. into the woods | arache ( cw: arachnophobia )

[Of course it's a spider. And it's not--it's not like Lila's even particularly scared of spiders. Sure, they're a lot freakier when they're bigger than you, because then you can really see how hairy they are and the way they move, but you know what? She can take a giant spider. No big deal.]

[Or at least she could if it hadn't played that nasty trick. The one where the sound it let out wasn't whatever sound spiders are supposed to make, but the deceptively soft and lightly accented voice that was so painfully familiar to Lila that it sent her shooting out into the dark of the woods like a cannonball. Nothing could stop her. Definitely not a bunch of people she's traveling with and doesn't know a thing about.]

[She probably should have let them stop her. Because it's not her dad. It's this giant, stupid spider looming over her, and she wants to cry and she wants to scream (again, she already screamed once) but mostly she wants to kill it. This is embarrassing.]

Can I shoot it?! [is what she hollers over her shoulder at the first person who follows her into the arache's clearing, obviously having teetered from scared into pissed off really, really fast.]

ii. enter outpost | screaming draught

[She makes a face at Lysa at the request for compassion. She's not interested, thanks--at least at first she's not. Sure, she's tired from traveling, but even at her most exhausted Lila can sense a way to turn this in her favor. Lysa's desperate. She wonders if there's anything she can get out of this.]

[When she's handed the bottle of screaming draught and warned of its side effects, she just shrugs. Sometimes things hurt. That's just how it is. Once she administers it and the pain and delirium start, she doesn't seem at all fazed. At least, not until it's been going on for a while. By then, her brow is tightly pinched, her eyes intense on the person writhing in her arms. She's uncomfortable at this much physical closeness, but she's also uncomfortable at how much this pain in someone else feels familiar to her.]

[Any character to whom Lila administers the draught will, in the worst of their pain, feel the cool touch of her hand--her bare hand, that is, not the soft leather of her customary black glove. She pushes a dream into this character's head, something benign and pleasant and, honestly, generic: standing in a sunny field with a loved one or something along those lines. She doesn't know if it will take effect now, during this delirium, or later tonight, but either way, it peels some guilt away from her.]

[Anyone caught watching this won't be able to tell that any kind of power is being transferred here; they will, however, receive a sharp glare when Lila catches them, as well as a snapped,] What?

( ooc ; if anyone wants to be on the receiving end of the dream/the healed party, please check out the details of lila's powers here. replying to this prompt as the healed party will be assumed permission for use of her power in this instance on your character, but you're also welcome to opt out here at any time. )

iii. nightfall | party time

[The moment she hears music, Lila lights up. It's been about a million years since she went to a party; in fact, the last one might have been one she threw herself. Maybe it was her thirteenth birthday party? She doesn't even know. Regardless, she wants to go to this one, so she drops whatever she's doing and heads into the busiest part of the outpost.]

[And she parties hard. She's technically underage in her world, but she's also a career criminal just because of who she is and what she can do, so she's never let legality stop her from drinking. She can tell she's drinking a lot, but she also doesn't much care. She'll have some water before bed. And if she has a hangover, who cares anyway? Everyone she's ever remotely cared about is effectively dead, it's time for a little #yolo.]

[So she drinks, she parties, she sings some, she even dances a little. Mostly what she does, though, is target those in the crowd who aren't participating, popping up at people's elbows with a drink in hand and a sardonic comment like--]

Why are you here if you aren't going to even try to have fun?

i~

[scarecrowed]

[ Lila isn't the only one who's fallen for the same trick. He's been searching the woods desperately for the voice of a loved one mimicked by the Arache, only to stumble upon a young girl with a giant spider in front of her. He's never really been scared of spiders, but this is his first time meeting one this big.

Back home, Lucas isn't a fan of guns and doesn't particularly like the idea of a young person carrying one on them - but then again, the use of the gun could be their only way out of this situation. Maybe he needs to reevaluate his opinions (maybe later - right now there's a probably flesh-eating spider to deal with). ]

Do it! [ And if that doesn't work, Lucas has his sword held out in front of him, ready to attack if the spider decides to lunge at them. ] Shoot it now!

ROCKET | OTA

[beatupgrass]

A-1 (woods). if it doesn't crush me- it's alright

[There's far too many people for Rocket to be comfortable with, and even with everyone splitting off and exploring or hunting or wandering ahead, he still feels a little be trapped in an ocean of much larger bodies. Every now and then, he'll get tired and climb a tree and hop from one branch to the next with nimble dexterity. It's at least half to keep out from under everyone's feet and half for show.

On one hand, it does give him a unique vantage point to keep his eyes peeled for danger, so at least he's sort of helping. Perhaps you're about to sit down under a tree and onto a nest of strange mossy scorpions you didn't quite notice. Good thing Rocket's here to warn you. He's nice like that, even if it would be hilarious if someone were to get their ass pinched by angry scorpions.

But it's not all helpful information. Rocket's not that considerate about other people all the time- it's just not in his nature, and he's petty. Every now and then, you might have to duck a branch as Rocket leaps nimbly from tree to tree. It's strange that this always seems to happen to people who might have made comments about Rocket's size, cuteness, or general shape either here or back on the station. That's probably a coincidence, though.

It's hard to keep track of what the branches are doing, man.

A-2 (woods). everybody hates a victim who won't stop fighting back

[At some point, Rocket's sensitive ears prick up and he stops, which causes the people around him to either move around or jostle him enough to make him shove them roughly back, but never actually verbally lash out. He's focused on the path to the left, listening for something.

And there. The soft plaintive cry of a child-specifically, a child tree. The elongated vowels that Groot was prone to crying out when he stopped being angry and started being genuinely distressed. Logic says that Groot is supposed to be back at the station, but what if he woke up? What if they sent him down and he's been wandering around lost?

Or worse.

Rocket's ears flatten to his head and he drops to all fours, snarling, as he lunges in that direction with a burst of speed, like a hound on a scent trail. You can either stop him when he has to stop and wait for the cries to come again and he can pick up the direction or you can find him when it's a little too late and he's already kicking and hissing and spitting in the webbing like an animal possessed.]


B (outpost arrival). and bless the arrows that strike us where we stand

[Despite the urge to steal from the vendors just because he can, Rocket resists, and he manages to actually make it into town without being arrested. The people here look sideways at him, but they don't seem too bothered- no more bothered than anyone else is- though a few children have decided to make a mistake that Mantis once made- namely that despite walking around like a normal person, he is something to be petted and poked at.

He's kept his temper in check because most of them have, at least, tried to approach him like one might a stray dog and he's been content to growl at them to keep them at bay, but eventually they all begin to come in groups, interrogating him until he's about ready to start shooting.

Save him.

Actually, scratch that. Save the children from him.]


C-1 (party). and bless the brave assassins who strike us while we sleep

[After the stress of getting here, Rocket didn't particularly care about the feast until he heard there was alcohol, and oh... Oh, he's here for that, yes sir. Despite it being way stronger than he's accustomed to, he keeps them coming until there's one extremely drunk raccoonoid wandering through the crowd, regaling people with drunken storytelling and probably boasting about how he saved the galaxy (twice), even if the second time was sort of a massive failure. No one knows that. He can say what he wants.]

And then- and then.. No shh shh- [he holds a finger to his lips to shush the people in the group hanging around him either transfixed by the little animal sloshed out of his mind or legitimately interested in his story.] And then he was all, [he clears his throat and speaks in a (very drunken) impersonation of a pirate:] It's time for a new captain- Taserface. [He bursts into high pitched laughter and slaps his knees, sloshing some of his drink.] Th-that's what he said. All dramatic like that. H-he thought it was a cool name. Can you believe that?

C-2 (party). i was born stronger than any of you

[By the time the party dies down and people begin to return to their homes and their rooms, Rocket can be found sprawled on a bench, his latest drink on the ground while his hand dangles off the side. He's awake, but he seems to have reached the point in his drunken stupor where walking is going to be impossible.

But he's fine. Maybe he'll just sleep here.

Probably not the best idea. But he's completely ambivalent to the fact that it's a terrible plan, humming to himself as he lays there like a disoriented cat.]

B.

[nanamari]

[ Ana has been keeping to the back of the group in the last leg of the journey, trailing along in a kind of exhausted stupor. She's kept out of combat for the most part, but tending the injured and doing all of the menial work of living is still enough to wear her out these days. That's probably the reason that she's the only one of the refugees passing through when she hears a low growling and sharp kind of whisper that only comes from children who are about to get into trouble.

They're all crowding around a raccoon that's nearly completely hidden by their bodies. She thinks she's seen him around camp - he may have hit her in the face with a branch at some point. A raccoon who talks and walks upright is pretty unusual even for her, but she supposes he's not that much stranger than Winston. It definitely doesn't warrant the kind of harassment that the children seem keen on.

They're going to get themselves hurt, and it'll be their own fault.

Ana waits until she's directly behind the group before she speaks: ]

Children. [ Their backs straighten, though they look terribly confused when they turn around and see she's just an old woman in a scarf. It helps that she has a glare that could cut steel, and the Disappointed Mom Voice is apparently universal. ]

Who taught you to be so disrespectful? Is this how you intend to treat all refugees? [ Ana hisses something at them in Arabic, like a curse, but what she says roughly translates to no manners. ] Go home. Now.

[ The children scatter. Ana just shakes her head and turns her attention to the raccoon. ] Making friends with the locals?

ermes costello | open to all

[kissintime]

Woods Prompt A

[Travelling through the damn woods has not been fun. The robes they got in exchange for their bloodied ones isn't awful to move in, but certainly not as comfortable as her usual wear. The voices she hears - her friends, her sister - just make her more motivated to get the hell out. She knows they aren't real. Her friends are in pods and her sister is dead on ice, and so she has to trudge on.

But at some point she hears a loud grunt that gets her to stop in her tracks. She knows that fucking sound. The sound of her mortal enemy. And it's at that point a three meter mutant alligator charges from the woodlands, going straight at her.]

Fucking SHIT! [She brings her Stand out and it manages to a kick on the alligator to knock it aside, but the bastard isn't out for the count yet.] No good bastard. You won't get off easy!

[And then she jumps on the alligator's backside and begins trying to choke it. Who wants to WRESTLE ALLIGATORS with her (this won't end well.)]

Woods Prompt B

[Well you wanna know how that alligator battle went in the prompt above?

Ermes, definitely bloodied up and with gashes across her upper body and legs, has dragged the corpse to the clearing. Having a Stand to help her drag it by the tail helps out a lot in this. Now she's going to cook it. So, she'll come up to just about anyone capable looking and go:]

You know how to start a large fire? I'll share my alligator with you.

[She's going to cook her enemy and eat it, because what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.]

West Outpost - Day

[During the Day time, your character might be taken to Ermes to assist her. She has a lot of gashes on her arms, one that would warrant a Screaming Draught to be used. However Ermes is completely unaware that medical services even exist, because she went straight for the fresh food and is enjoying a bowl of soup with bread. Though there are some people giving her looks for how awfully roughed up she looks.]

Hm... What do you want? This soup is mine, I'm not sharing.

Wildcard

[For anything we might plot out together! OOC PLOTTING IS HERE feel free to comment there or PM me]

woods prompt b!

[demonly]

Huh?

[ He was about to answer, yes, actually I do know how before he saw the state that the other was in. Definitely not the tip top shape to be in for a masterchef alligator episode. So all she'll get is an extremely concerned look. ]

Are those from fighting the alligator?!

clair ♞ fire emblem echoes: shadows of valentia

[cajolery]

A. IT'S A GRAVEYARD SMASH

[ Clair never realized that traveling on foot is a much more strenuous endeavor than by horseback—well, technically, pegasusback. What she wouldn't give to have her pegasus with her now... all of this trudging through muck and underbrush is really proving to be tiresome.

Well, no matter! She is a proud knight of the One Kingdom, and she would gladly trudge through a thousand forests in order to protect her fellow refugees. (Just, hopefully, with the proper conveyance next time.)

With this in mind, she stays alert as she traverses through the woods, her spear clutched in one hand. Somewhere along the way, she hears an ominous rustling sound coming from the shadows, and so she asks— ]

Goodness... did you hear that noise?

[ 1. If you didn't, it's probably because she's hearing her brother's voice now, calling out for her. She nearly drops her spear in shock, her eyes widening. It doesn't make any sense to hear Clive here when she knows that he was slumbering in a pod, but she finds herself stepping towards his voice, her heart squeezing. ]

B... Brother? Is that you, Clive?

[ 2. If you did, it's definitely one of those giant moth things. Or two. Or three.

3. Or, you know, something else. ]

B. OPEN UP AND LET ME IN

[ 1. After all those... encounters... with the local wildlife, Clair is more than happy to let this Lysa character tend to her (relatively minor) injuries. Healing must work differently in this land, however, because this potion (and its side effects) are not what she'd been expecting.

At all. ]

This is quite... [ Oh. Oh no. She clutches her stomach. ] For goodness' sake, not again.

[ 2. After her own injuries are healed, she's more than willing to heed Lysa's urging and help others recover! Her bedside manner could use a lot of work, though... Good luck. ]

C. AT LEAST SHE'S LEGAL IN MEXICO & PARTS OF CANADA

[ Her brother would never allow the other knights to offer her drink, despite the fact that it was quite popular around the Deliverance campfire. But, well, her brother isn't here, and Clair is decidedly more rebellious than he is. And she feels as though she's earned it after today. Besides, it's just wine, is it not? She's had wine before (at her parents' dinner table, even!), albeit... severely watered down.

This isn't so watered down. And she might've misjudged... that. So... drunk prompts!

1. She seems to find this whole setup completely fascinating, judging by the expression of absolute wonder on her face. What she's so enchanted about, though— ]

So this is how the peasants celebrate! There is quite a bit less manure strewn about than I pictured, but... hmm... [ She seems to have lost her train of thought here. ] Why, it's simply delightful!

[ 2. The next thing for her to be taken with is the dancing. She watches everyone twirl around the makeshift dance floor with that same expression of wonder, her body swaying to the rhythm of the music... well, mostly. Are you brave enough to ask her to dance? If not—don't worry, she's plenty brave enough to ask herself... for you.

She extends her hand, palm down like she's at a cotillion or something. ]

You will offer a lady your hand for this dance, will you not?

[ 3. Or... you know what, this top level is long enough already. This option is for stumbling drunkenly into the wrong room. Are you naked? Is she naked? Were you sleeping perfectly soundly before this drunk girl just up and climbed right into your bed? It's up to you. ]

WILDCARD

[ Feel free to modify any of these many prompts or throw something new at me! You can ping me @ optimismnice or britt#7910 on discord. ]

c

[underwhelms]

[ It's very important to drink responsibly. JJ's a firm believer in that statement, even after having hit the legal drinking age in Toronto this year (finally!), he does his best to be more of a social drinker than a white girl wasted type of drinker. And it works for the most part, because he has work or training or some kind of project, but every now and then he likes to let his hair down and having a good time.

Like right now.

Right now, JJ's had more than a couple of glasses to drink, and he is, for some inexplicable reason, watching a mustachioed man desperately try to flirt with women that have no interest in him. To his credit, he's not creepy despite being obviously drunk, just overly earnest, and the women aren't mean, but amusedly dismissive. ]

Hey.

[ Clair happens to be next to him, and JJ's pleasantly buzzed enough that he doesn't mind grabbing her arm, pointing in the direction of the man and his current conversational partner: a woman with a drink in one and a small dog in the other. ]

Do you think they're going to hook up? He's gotta get lucky eventually.

Cadderly Bonaduce | OTA

[songofdeneir]

INTO THE WOODS

[A]
As powerful as Cadderly is, he is still human and still subject to human flaws. When he starts to hear the voices there is part of him that wants so desperately to believe but his logical mind rails against it. Not only did they not make the fall, there is little reason to believe they are even on the station.

He never thought he'd ever get to hear his beloved wife's voice again, or his children. He'd left them behind nearly a century ago, making this assault on his mind nothing but a cruelty of the worst kind.

So he mutters equations under his breath, trying to force a more meditative state of mind to help push the voices out of his mind. Though if one happens to glance over at the right time, they may see tears in his eyes.

[B]
It seems close enough to midday by the time they make it to the lake, or at least as close to it as he's going to get while traveling. Singing the midday Canticle has never been his duty, nor would he ever consider himself as worthy of the honor as Brother Chauntecleer had been, but he's been getting the feeling as he's the only member of the Deneirath the responsibility falls to him, even if he's the only one who understands what it is.

Cadderly finds an out of the way place, tired and hot as he is, away from the others, taking some time to put himself in the right mindset before he starts to sing.

He sings the Canticle of Deneir, and the more confident he becomes the more sis voice carries, making no effort to hide himself. At times he seems to get lost in it, as if it were more to it for him than just a sweet and melancholy melody. It's a piece of home, one of the only things he has left.

((ooc: his pb is also conveniently a singer if you are curious to hear what he sounds like))

NIGHTFALL AT THE WEST OUTPOST

"The people here are incredibly kind."

Cadderly can be found on the outskirts of the celebration. He's had a glass of wine or two, but he otherwise hasn't been getting too involved himself. It's a good thing though, that after all that's happened to them, many are still able to smile and find joy in the moment.

For now he's content to be an observer, filing away all the details he can so he can record it as accurately as possible later. He is a scholar after all, and there will be a thorough retelling. It's a mistake he's made before, trying to record an event without truly experiencing it himself.

It may take a bit of prodding.

B

[ayes]

[You, on the other hand, had done the first thing that popped in her head, which was jumping in the lake. It wasn't her beloved ocean, but it would do; she hadn't been swimming in forever.

Of course, she didn't have a swimsuit. So she'd jumped in completely clothed, which means that now that she's come out of the lake, she's soaked head to toe. At least she hadn't worn her shoes in, and has a robe to use as a towel?

The singing voice catches her attention. How could it not? She wraps the robe around her dripping shoulders and wanders through the crowd in pursuit of its source, finding the man as he sings.

She listens quietly. She's never heard the song before, but it's lovely.]

junpei | ota | there's drinking

[coolerjunpei]

the town drunk

[It has been one hell of a... landing? One hell of a past 36 hours? Junpei already had a terrible first day involving a lot of hives and a nonzero amount of panic attacks, and after today's spiderfest, he really wants to do nothing but find a real bed and go right to sleep. Even the free food doesn't thrill him as much as it rightly should, being free.

But then he clues in that there's alcohol, and the quality of life in this dinky little outpost goes way, way up. The drinks may be custom-tailored to give everyone just enough for a pleasant buzz, but Junpei can't stop at a pleasant buzz and this is definitely his second or third drink.

He seems to be mid-story, whether or not anyone is actually hanging around to listen to him.] —And then we still didn't die! What the hell is that, right? How the hell are any of us alive right now?!

[This is probably about fighting giant spiders in the woods. He knows the rules. Either way, for a guy who spent his first day lying around miserable, he's definitely more... animated tonight.] Haha, let's get another round! I love this place!

less drunk

[Later, maybe after he's had a goddamn nap or something, Junpei isn't bouncing off the walls so much. He's been cut off. But since he hasn't blacked out he's restless again, and so there is only one solution for where to put all this energy: recklessness.

He's not going to dance, or whatever. So: this, where "this" is Junpei standing outside the inn, looking up at what might be the window of the room he snagged for himself (and Snake), and might really not be that window.

Irrelevant, because:] I'm about to scale this wall.

[He's already got one foot on a brick, here he GOES!!! He should not be allowed to do this.]

(ooc: etc etc jojoveller 2 plot)

less drunk

[kissintime]

[Ermes isn't wasted, but she's fairly tipsy and is carrying a bottle of some kind of weird alien booze with her as she heads back to the inn. She spots Junpei trying to scale the wall and just approaches, buzzed and curious.]

Man, what the fuck are you doing?