❪ mini-event ❫ OLYMPIA QUESTS: 1

[natha]

It isn’t easy starting life in a new place. It quickly becomes apparent that you are in dire need of two very important things: money and a good name. In addition to full-time jobs, certain people in Olympia will reward handsomely for helping them with tasks. Submit any AC eligible thread of participating in this log's prompts for One (1) Olympia REP point HERE. Threads involving your flora/fauna submission may also be submitted, even if your submission is not made official game canon. FOR THE RECORD     It’s time to put on your hiking shoes. Characters will be approached by both Evras and Lysa at separate times. Both individuals are interested in recording species of plants and animals-- El Nysa is bursting with all sorts of life, after all! It is impossible to chronicle all of it without help. You will be provided with a journal to chronicle your findings. Each submission pays 100 silver. OOC: We need YOUR help in worldbuilding the area in and around Olympia and The Outlook! Create a creature or plant and submit it HERE by August 31st at 11:59 PM EST. ONE entry per character only. NOTE: If you have accepted a job at The Sanctuary or Simwe Institute, you MUST submit your entry to your boss to maintain your position. You may assume a character got the job if they established contact, even if an official offer hasn't been extended yet. Although an entry will net you TWO (2) Olympia REP points no matter what, we will be choosing a maximum of 20 entries to include in the official bestiary for future encounters. THE BIRDS AND THE BEES     Along with the request to record traits of a certain specimen, Evras and Lysa independently ask for more quick favors. Certain species, due to their unique natures, aren’t as prone to procreating as one would hope. They need your help. The directions for these requests, provided by Evras or Lysa, are simple. You will be provided a small amount of heavy aphrodisiacs (and a mask) to spray in a particular region. Because the natural aphrodisiacs of the island run a bit thin there, the wildlife has been less... willing to comply. Each species you help will net you 50 silver. Three species in particular are in need of a little help. Note: There will be a mask provided. Forgetting it may mean you start to feel some of the effects yourself. You may also be immune. Please put appropriate warnings in threads if applicable. Xlarix, also commonly referred to as the love bug. Found in MURKWELL HOLLOW. They have an ability to release literal positive energy, making those exposed to it more willing to be friendly and jovial with another. Even the most heated rivals can easily become the closest companions. You may even be tempted to temporarily abandon the request and do something fun with your new best friend. Unfortunately, while many have desired to use its effects in diplomacy, its effects only last a few minutes at best. Despite their powers to assist others in bridging emotional gaps, they are vicious insects. During mating, they engage in battle, normally losing the lives of both parties before their spawn is even properly produced. This is why they need a little help. Try to break up the fights as much as you can. For the Xlarix, being in each other's presence for long enough will eventually get them to calm down and continue the process. You may get unlucky in the process and end up with an extremely painful sting that requires healing, however. The pain increases with time, and if you allow it to go untreated for more than a day, it will be excruciating, enough that it may be debilitating, for 12 hours before eventually healing on its own. Sepht, found in EDRATHE RUINS: Both shy and antisocial, it’s no wonder these little marsupials don’t have much luck in the mating department. They prefer to live in isolation, and are much more concerned with hoarding everything they can get their hands on. This includes stealing anything you may have brought with you. As a warning, they are incredibly strong. They can also fly, so good luck catching them after they’ve made off with your stuff. Let’s hope you can get back that magical sword or enchanted necklace of yours. Once you have sprayed the chemical in their habitat, do not stick around the area. Despite being more suggestible to mate now, they are shy to the core, and will not come out of hiding until they are sure the coast is clear. Cinjaw, found JUST OUTSIDE OLYMPIA. Domestic animals kept by local farmers in the outskirts of Olympia. These guys are just really, really lazy. Too lazy to care about things like passing on their genes. Honestly, if it weren’t for the efforts of humans and the fact that their meat is too delicious for the Olympians to allow these creatures to go extinct, they would have been wiped out years ago. Stay too long near the herd, and you will begin to feel extremely lethargic yourself. Nothing sounds better than using the person next to you as a pillow for your nap, or dropping everything you’re doing to go sleep in that hay. Hopefully someone finds you and is kind enough to wake you up. After spraying the aphrodisiac, you won’t want to stick around. They are loud: loud enough to damage hearing without proper ear protection (Now you know why those farmers walk around with ear plugs). HELP A NEIGHBOR     Being new is tough in any given neighborhood. This is especially the case when you’re a newly arrived refugee. Though you’ve been welcomed here, you haven’t established a lot of trust in the community. Your neighbors don’t know a single thing about you, and that name tag fiasco doesn’t count. Fortunately for all of you, the rule of this game is simple. There is no monetary payment, but isn't it priceless to feel good about being a good samaritan? Make yourself helpful. Did you neighbor mention wanting to take their pet chicken out on a walk? Offer to do it for them and they may pay you back in a meal or a small gift. Did one of them mention needing help with rearranging their collection of thousands of cat figurines? Well, who better than to ask but you! You over there, why not help your fellow refugee by doing this task together? It never hurt to do some teamwork. Or maybe your roommate is the one taking that chicken out on a walk, and you’re just ready to judge. Complete judgment. But hey, that’s fair. BLOOD BANK     CW: Needles, Blood One of the things that quickly becomes apparent about life in Olympia is that all citizens are welcome, including those who may possess unique dietary requirements. The Blood Bank is an institution that has stood proudly for many years, and in addition to providing meals for some of its citizens, the supply is invaluable for care in The Sanctuary, research in Simwe Institute, and for use in certain types of magic. They're offering you a special today, for your blood in particular! You just look so... healthy and able-bodied. Donate a few pints, and you'll earn an easy 200 silver. Unfortunately, the center is so busy today that they've had to call on volunteers, and depending on who you've met so far, your particular volunteer may look familiar. It's... another refugee. Wait, are they even qualified?! How did they even get roped into this?! Qualified or not, the job pays well for both the refugees donating, and the ones drawing the blood (much more for whoever's donating, though. Fair is fair.). A blood drawing set inclusive of clean needles, antiseptic swabs and a blood storage kit, will be provided. Sticking a needle into a vein isn't as easy as those people in the Sanctuary make it seem, though. You may not always get it the first time, so try, try again! And if you still can't hit the bulls-eye? A rogue-looking Olympian "volunteer" approaches and hands you a knife. Apparently, cutting right into the vein and collecting the blood in a saucer also works; the staff would only need to sterilize the blood with a spell afterward. And about the gaping wound you'd cause? They always have healing potions on hand for when things go wrong (but just like the potions from before, they have been known to cause some nausea). You'll do anything to help your fellow Olympian, right? OOC     There are a total of 3 OLYMPIA REP POINTS possible to earn in this log. 2 from OOCly submitting a flora/fauna above in For the Record, and 1 for submitting any AC-length thread for any of these prompts. You may do one or the other, or both. Submit a flora/fauna HERE and submit an AC-eligible thread HERE by AUGUST 31st 11:59 PM EST. The results of The Birds and the Bees will be submitted to whoever you submit a flora/fauna entry to. If you do not submit a flora/fauna entry, submission to either one may be handwaved. In the event of CAPTCHA, we will be providing an overflow. In the event of a second CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. 1 SILVER = 1 US DOLLAR. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[valcurie]

( Now, she has no problem with doing questionable things if she deems them the right thing to do, but that the thing: she has to make the decisions herself. So, with one eyebrow cocked, she gestures towards him, the calm tone she uses indicating that she's willing to hear him out. )

Now, this is sounding good. But, I have to ask, can you tell me what he's done? ( She pauses, then shakes her head. ) If you have reason to distrust him, I would like to know. There is a possibility I may need his facilities in the future.

[daemonized]

[He has one hand pressed down on Prompto's arm to steady it while the one with the needle looks for the vein. When the young man flinches, this only causes Ardyn to press down harder — there’s nothing painful about it, thankfully, but it is a forcefulness that exerts control over the situation. Pointedly and purposefully so. Even as his eyes do not look up to gauge his expression as his question is thrown back at him.]

I’ll take that as a “no”, then. [It’s easy enough to read between the lines. He feels safe in making the assumption that if Noctis had told Prompto all the sordid details of what Ardyn had imparted upon him before he was taken by the Crystal, he would’ve mentioned it at least once by now. Everything about Prompto yells ignorance in his direction, and so he easily sidesteps the reflection.]

It hardly matters to me whether or not you know. Though I honestly thought your little group would’ve feverishly discussed and shared all matter of information between you. Or have we neglected all memories of home for the time being?

[How easily the subject always becomes that of Eos and all that had transpired (and lost) when talking with Ardyn. Just like his conversation with Prompto before, it becomes evident this is not something he’s let go of so easily. Despite his flippant manner, he latches onto it harder and longer than perhaps anyone else from his world.

Needle enters skin, but finds no purchase in a vein.]

[melodiouspacifist]

That they cook too?

[He doesn't make the connection, not right away, it takes a moment and then he blinks and shivers.]

Oh no way am I going anywhere near there! I don't like scary stuff!

[cacoethical]

[Absolutely what he meant. She'll have to forgive him if he looks a little skittish and unsettled as he sets himself down, though.]

Do you know what they're, um, using it for? I mean, I've misplaced a fair amount of mine before so I understand... really rather viscerally that blood is quite important.

[There's an implicit 'but' here, only he can't quite make the words happen.]

[cacoethical]

Oh. Really?

[Then cue Dirk resuming his not particularly stealthy path, picking his way through the undergrowth until he comes, finally, into view -- and what a sight it is.]

Wow. You're really good at that, you know? I never did master climbing. Do you need a hand? I could... I don't know, throw rocks or something. No, then I might hit you. No good. I could...

[A merciful, thoughtful silence.]

What do you think they eat?

[melodiouspacifist]

I didn't do anything to him, I swear.

[He holds up his hands.]

I talked to it and I was holding its leash. Maybe I smell or something? I don't know...

[He didn't ask for anything really, he was just sort of given a cat to walk.]

[sullenstallion]

[What is he supposed to do here? What if he killed Atsushi? This is it. The Orbiters are going to come after him...aren't friends from his world here? How's he going to explain it to them? 'Sorry, I killed your friend because he snuck up on me while I was trying to encourage bugs to have sex.'

These thoughts race through his mind as he rummages through his bag, holding it against his chest, in search of his canteen. Water. Water will help. He speaks to Atsushi, vaguely, distracted by his own selfish worry. 'Don't worry, it'll be fine,' and other nervous utterances.

And then there's a hand on his tail. He shivers at the touch, immediately tensing and dropping his bag on his foot. He has to bite his tongue to keep from swearing under his breath, his tail swatting at Atsushi's hand as if it were a fly.]

H-hey! Come on. If you need my attention, just speak up, alright?

blood bank.

[xwings]

[ the money is part of the draw, but poe figures this is an easy way to do some good, too, even if it's with both his feet firmly planted on the ground. he hasn't stopped wanting to help since their landing and his (perhaps ill-advised) attempts to help even at the cost of his own ankle.

which is fine now, by the way. ]

Hey. [ he greets when he recognises her. ] You here to donate or helping out?

iv.

[xwings]

[ poe doesn't mind taking on the odd job, though he wishes for the certainty of having a cause, of knowing what he's doing. the future had never been certain, but at least he'd known his place. at least he'd known what he was fighting for. here, he's not so sure what he's doing, what he's meant to be doing.

not in the long run, at least. right now, he's got a pretty good idea, and it doesn't involve leaning against the gates doing nothing. and yet, when poe spots a guy doing just that, he finds himself copying the (lack of) movement. ]

Pretty sure we're not supposed to just stand here.

[lacuscular]

Alright. [ Hold steady-- okay, she can do that. She adjusts her posture, intending to stay as firm as a board. She doesn't mind if it takes a little longer, not like anything is really demanding her time. ]

Are you adjusting to living here well?

[songofdeneir]

I can hardly see anything wrong with that.

And I know how to swim, though I cannot claim to do it often. There was a lake nearby where I was raised. I learned when I was young.

[planetary_bonds]

[Yusei methodically goes through the motions of preparing the needle, and he pauses just as he's about to press it into Juvia's skin. Clearly, this seems to be a sensitive subject for him, but he doesn't do anything drastic, instead just leaving the needle pressed horizontally to the skin, the tip just barely tickling where he was planning on puncturing the vein.]

...I suppose so. In some ways better than others, I think.'

[He seems to recollect himself after saying that, and then seems to look more focused as he readjusts the needle's position.]

What about you?

[poolhall_killer]

Oh yes! I remember now.

[When he comes closer to the other and the bugs, the more Venom starts feeling glad to see him.]

Thank you for assisting me back then, Dylas. I'm Venom. It's a pleasure to formally meet you.

[planetary_bonds]

...I think I can figure out something to do with it.

[...He'll pocket it, he guesses. If he runs into that poor child, he can give it back. He hopes.]

Really...thank you, but I'd be happier if you didn't do that again.

[beatupgrass]

[He meets her eyes for a second and then turns away, grimacing. There's some moments around her where he doesn't mind feeling like a child- it's kind of refreshing, so long as he doesn't have to acknowledge it where other people can see him, because then it becomes a weakness. Moments like this, however, he wants to be stronger. He defended himself, took back something that might have caused him harm, and now it's not a problem, except for the part where it may continue to be a problem from here on out.

The journal's observations aren't even that intense- observations about the way Rocket moved, his unusual posture, the unnatural dexterity of his hands- but they're all things that catch attention and label him as something interesting. Sure, he might not even be the weirdest person here among the refugees, but there's a difference, in his mind, between being born weird or made weird. And he didn't have much personhood status back in the wider galaxy- why would he have better luck here? It's an unpleasant cocktail of potential threats.

He lets her take the book and crosses his arms over his chest before putting his back to her. He should say something. Talk about it. Make her understand. It's just so fucking difficult, half because he knows he's jumping to conclusions and half because he hates talking about it and admitting all of this still bothers him- that there's some part of him that Half-World kept and the nightmares and the fear and the worry will always worm their way into him.]

I- [He cuts himself off. His ears flick and he full body flinches.

But then he tries again- god only knows why. Maybe he just can't stand the silence either.]

They- [Another misstep. He growls in frustration and walks around until he's right beside her, thunking his forehead against her side and just standing there with his teeth grit.] I was born in a cage, okay? [He doesn't even sound sad about it- he sounds angry. Angry that he's poking at this bruise, angry at feeling like he's being steadily pushed back into the life he escaped and what he has now is borrowed time until the cages and the needles and the scalpels are all he knows again.] They pumped my mother so full of mutagens to make her babies smarter, her brain up and decayed. Two of my siblings caught colds one day and dear ol' Mom frickin' panicked and thought-

[He doesn't finish that sentence. It's horrible to think of a mother not even recognizing her own children because they got sick and mistaking them for easy prey, all because of the wonders of science. This is part of the story, at least, supplies her with context. He never knew what it was like to have wide open spaces or a mother that was capable of helping and supporting and playing with her kits. He didn't know he wanted it either- it sure as hell isn't something he'd admit to wanting if he had known.]

I spent two years in that place, Lady. Two years of puttin' me through test after test and tearin' me apart and puttin' me back together and breaking my bones and resttin' them with metal. And I've been out twice as long, and there's still people who look at me like I'm a thing.

[beatupgrass]

He hasn't done anything. [Well, no. That's not entirely true- the man said his specialty is animal experimentation, so there's probably rows and rows of cages of animals locked away against their will being screwed around with all for the sake of science.] But the bastard flat-out admitted he was into animal experimentation. And maybe you're not gettin' the picture here, but I did not request that my cybernetics be put in. [He lets that hang there, eyes narrowed.] He might be a total sweetheart to the rest of the people here, but I know his type.

[sullenstallion]

Yeah, those tents sure were a [pain in the ass] learning experience, huh?

[Even the bugs are feeling it. Slowly, they'll start to look less like they're fighting and more like they're preparing each other for eggs. Dylas can't tell the difference of course, but anyways.]

Yeah, it's my pleasure. After I left you there, I tried to find you again. I was worried you never figured it out or something and was going to offer my tent.

[An embarrassing secret forced from his lips thanks to his good mood. Why wouldn't he say these things? Venom is probably a great guy.]

[planetary_bonds]

[Yusei watches Aoi warily as he continues to stumble along, but as soon as he looks back and sees the cinjaws actually starting to move for once, Yusei gives him a hasty shove on the back to move forward.]

We might want to move out a little faster.

[Hey. Aoi. He didn't push you hard enough that you'd topple over, right? He hopes not.]

[planetary_bonds]

Evras? Ev...ah, the man at the Institute. I was considering going there to learn more about the technology here, but I don't particularly like the idea of being held to certain projects.

[He works better when people let him do his own thing, really. That's all there is to it.]

You've met him already? What's the deal with him, then? [He sounds casual, but he's actually very interested. The way Rocket talks about that man...it doesn't sound dissimilar to how people viewed Security, in his world. Is this a man drunk on his own power...?]

[planetary_bonds]

[It is a good cake, yes. Yusei nods and holds the tray out a third time.]

Sure, take what you want. [A pause.] How is he doing, anyway?

[planetary_bonds]

[Judging by how the guy doesn't even shift an inch at Peter's question? He's hella asleep.

He doesn't even budge when the second cinjaw decides to take a lock of his hair into its teeth and start tugging, either, although his eyes do twitch somewhat.]

Mggh...

[mmmmaybe it's time for an intervention.]

[fakers]

As it turns out, I am.

But don't worry... I'm quite skilled at this. You won't feel a thing.

[ wait was he always holding a machete? ]

Probably.

[planetary_bonds]

Mn. My caretaker-and the doctor that lived with her-they said that the reason needles are designed that way is so they can get things done with the minimum amount of mess, so if you think about it like that, it's a little more comforting. You could say that's their entire point.

[Bad joke, Yusei. Bad. But he's taking it easy and just slowly touching You's arm to check for veins.]

Falls and tumbles, huh? I assume you were pretty active? Tell me about it.

[coolerjunpei]

[Junpei begins immediately shoving cake into his pockets—no, but it will take him a minute to decide he doesn't want to just carry loose cake around.]

Oh, uh—good. Yeah. Especially after the, y'know. [He sort of gestures at his own arm, since saying "the repair" sounds super weird to him. Thanks anyway, milk mechanic.] He's great.

[....anyway this is a lot of cake. He puts his most recently claimed piece back on the tray.] Uh, hey, what if we went for a walk down to my house, then did something about this cake?

[lacuscular]

[ She doesn't pay much mind to the redness of his face, too focused on the mission of retrieving her precious hat back. But she does stay smiling, even as she follows after him. She feels determined! Invigorated, even!! ]

There has to be. Olympia has to have a nearby source for its water. [ She says with absolute certainty, a nod accompanying it. ] But reaching a beach may take a while to travel without a map.

Do you have a job yet, Lance? [ A pause. ] We could arrange a day to find one when you're not busy, if you like.