❪ 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

[beatupgrass]

[Rocket rolls over on his back and tries to paw at his face and misses it entirely, which is impressive because missing his snout takes a lot of effort.]

Hhhuuuh. I'm juusss' fine. How're you? [That wasn't actually the question, but fuck it. Assuming he isn't immediately offended by something, he's a pretty happy drunk. The only two things he understands when intoxicated are "overexcited bliss" and "tumultuous rage with a mix of depression."]

[quevalry]

[ Lena doesn't need to touch any drinks to feel so giddy about the new situation they're in. Watching Rocket make an attempt to do something and fail is funny too, enough that she giggles. ]

Pretty decent! Did ya need a hand in getting up? [ Because she assumes that he isn't going to want to sleep out here, but maybe he will be fine with that seeing he has all that fur on him. Besides, the weather is rather decent and nearby fitness allow the area to stay warm. ]

[beatupgrass]

I'm not standing up right now? [he seems to be completely serious. Up and down are such strange concepts to a disoriented raccoonoid.] Well, thass weird. [He manages to get up on his elbows, notes that the world seems to be spinning and flops back down.]

Can you tell the managers of this place that they gotta turn the spinny thing off or I'm not gonna be able to get back to my room?

[quevalry]

Unfortunately. [ He's utterely wasted. ]

Sure. That just told me that they've already turned it off though. [ She's joking around now and takes a step closer to him. ] Want me to carry you? [ Even if he looks like he will actually be heavy, but there's no harm in asking. ]

[beatupgrass]

[Even drunk!Rocket is marginally adverse to touch, so he pulls back slightly and almost rolls off the bench as a result.] Nuhnuhnnno. I got it. I'm fine. See?

[And he very cautiously begins to work his way off the bench and onto the ground. Standing without support, however, makes the world spin even harder, but he still takes a few staggering steps forward, ignoring the queasy feeling in his stomach.] Yeah, see? I got thiss. No trouble at-

[There's fortunately a bush nearby that's within easy distance because the nausea escalates and he all but collapses into said bush to start... puking his body weight in liquor. Mistakes were made today.]

[quevalry]

[ Disappointed. She isn't going touch him if he didn't want it though, even if Lena is becoming worried about him. He doesn't look like he'll be able to make it to where they're all staying.

She winces at the sight. ]

I don't think you've got it. [ There's a good chance that Rocket isn't going to hear her and she isn't going to dare get close to that bush. No need for her to see that sight or get close enough to smell it, not today. ]

[beatupgrass]

[There's a few moments of dry heaving, followed by dead silence, followed by Rocket wobbling back over to her with a look of pathetic procyonid resignation.]

Okay... [He sounds pathetic, which mirrors how he feels.] I don't got it, but if you tell anyone about this, I'm gonna have t' shoot you. [He is, however going to try to not be picked up if he can help it by trying to scale up her leg. It doesn't work. Also he has claws, so sorry about the poking, lady.] Sonuvabitch. This is bullshit. I'm never drinking again.

[This is a lie.]

[quevalry]

It's our little secret.

[ This is going to be so awkward and she winces at the feeling of his claws, but Lena tries to work with it the best that she can be lifting her leg up a little so he has that support a little better. She's giggling at his words though.

Nobody will ever stick to never drinking again if they often do it. ] Good luck with that, love.

[beatupgrass]

[It is awkward for both of them. It's fortunate for everyone that he doesn't weigh as much as it looks like he might and after some struggling he finally manages to get into some sort of awkward position on her back, clinging desperately to her shoulder.]

...Yeah, this'll do. [Better than a bridal carry.]

[quevalry]

Okay! [ This is awkward and she feels like she should be doing something to help support him, but she'll just have to move slowly so that he doesn't fall off. ] So, where are we heading too?

[ Because she assumes that he would be staying somewhere that will be different to where she is. ]

[beatupgrass]

[and lo did Tracer give a drunk raccoonoid a piggyback ride.] Hnngh. [He grunts.] I don't remember which room's mine, so just drop me off on any of 'em. It ain't like I take up much space. They can deal.

[quevalry]

[ Rocket, pls.

She presses her lips together as she starts walking, shifting her balance here and there so she can adjust to Rocket's weight. Thank god that she's used to carrying stuff or else this would suck -- not that he actually weighs a lot which surprises her. ]

Can stay with me in that case.

[beatupgrass]

'M not sleeping in your bed.

[Rocket feels like he's telling women this all the time since he got here, which would make the average red-blooded man scream in agony, but Rocket has dignity, a disdain for bald-bodies, and no libido to speak of. And people have a tendency to objectify him like one objectifies any deceptively cute animal.] Just 'cause I'm drunk don't mean I won't mess you up if you treat me like a pet.

[That threat would be a lot more menacing if he didn't yawn halfway through the middle of it.]

[quevalry]

I was going to give you the couch, actually.

[ Lena likes her bed, okay. Only one person is allowed to be in them and that's her girlfriend -- okay, sometimes best friends are allowed if needed, but she doubts that is going to happen here. ]

Wasn't even thinking of you like that. A pet, that is. [ He's cute, she'll admit that, but she knows that not all animals are pets. Her best friend is a gorilla after all. ]

[beatupgrass]

Thass fair.

[he grumbles under his breath. all his focus is being put into keeping a hold on her shoulder, so he isn't focused on keeping his guard up- and that's already a lost cause when he's been drinking.] People're always doing it. Like I'm doin' tricks by walkin' 'n talkin' like I do. Well, fuck 'em.

[he could be angrier about this. he also could be sadder. it's sort of a grumbling, grousing in-between state.]

[quevalry]

[ Rocket won't be able to see it, but Lena wears a sympathetic smile. ] I'm sure it's frustrating, but it can't be helped. People don't see it every day and so they're naturally amazed. Basically human nature.

[ Or whatever they are nature. ] Don't have to worry about that with everyone at least! A couple of us got the first-hand experience so no weird looks or questions will be coming from us.

[beatupgrass]

Human nature's stupid.

[and now he's just being petulant.] What d'you mean "first hand experience."

[Dangling from her shoulders like a furry backpack as he is, it's easy to feel the perceptible tension. "first hand experience" with something like him usually means not great things in his world.

Of course, that's because nothing like him exists.]

[quevalry]

I can agree with you there. [ They have their flaws, there's no doubt about that. ]

Winston, he's a gorilla that I'm best friends. He is actually genetically engineered. Dunno why or anything like that never thought to ask.

[ She bets if he was here then Rocket and Winston would be friends Maybe That personality of his could rub her friend the wrong way, but it's impossible to tell until he arrives. ]

[beatupgrass]

[Yeah, that was about what he expected, though the fact that it's mentioned so casually gets under his skin in a way he's too drunk to really deal with.]

Must be nice for him to be that unbothered by it.

[quevalry]

I don't think he's unbothered by it. ... What happened, from what reports I've seen, wasn't all that great.

I think he just likes to be positive. [ She's nodding her head as if to agree with herself. Being positive is so much easier than looking at the grim parts of life after all. ]

[beatupgrass]

Heh. Must be nice.

[He says it like it's so hard to stay positive, even though he has plenty of reason to find the joy in life. He's out of Half-World. He has friends.

The galaxy that mistreated him for years is gone, which is sort of a mixed blessing.

Yeah, it's way difficult to be positive in light of all of this.] I just get drunk and yell a lot.

[quevalry]

[ The walk back to her place is quiet for a moment as she tries to think of what to say. ]

... People cope in different ways. How long they've had to deal with it is also different so nobody can expect you to be fine with everything after a couple of, I'unno, months or a year or so. [ It took Lena a while to cope with her own condition and during that time, she wasn't the same, happy and chipper girl that she is right now. ]

[beatupgrass]

Six years. [He murmurs it quietly as he clings tighter to compensate for the fact that he's starting to drift off again.] It's been six years.

[Which is his entire life. He never had anything else. Maybe he's starting to thaw a little bit, ever since Yondu called his BS, but...] Maybe this is supposed t' be a fresh start.

[He chuckles darkly. There's no such thing, is there? Not really. You always know what's on the slate, even when you've wiped it clean.]

[quevalry]

That is a very long time. [ She nods her head for a moment. If only he would accept a hug because she would give him one -- or a pat on the head.

She likes to keep her hands though. ]

I say it is. It's not completely fresh, but it's... you're in control of your own life.

[beatupgrass]

I've been in control of it. It's just how I feel about it I gotta problem with. [He yawns.] And how I feel about other people... 'cause of it. [a beat.] Are we there yet?