You have spent the last few days on Thesa Station, taking in the knowledge that your world is no more. Perhaps you've made some friends (or maybe an enemy or two). Either way, you aren't expected to spend all of your time on the Station. El Nysa needs you, after all, and you promised you'd help the planet thrive. Are you ready?
Submit an AC-eligible thread with a new character as a participant for 2 OLYMPIA REP POINTS OR 2 WYVER REP POINTS, respectively, HERE or HERE. THESA STATION
All refugees on the station are called to the hangar where a large-scale teleporter has been set up; everyone will be sent to the planet together. Simply step onto the space between the arrays and wait. Before they depart, all new refugees will be given a starter kit!
 You may have heard about earlier technical difficulties, but don't worry. I promise everything is in perfect working order this time. I'd say I tested it myself, but since that's not exactly possible, you'll just have to trust me! (Please.)
The older refugees will also be there to guide you to ensure no one is left confused... or behind. Make sure you wait for them — I've been detecting something odd so I'll be having them meet you at the landing site. Good luck, refugees! Not that you'll be needing it or anything...
The arrays begin to hum and glow, quickly building into a brilliant wash of light. It creates a column that travels all the way from Thesa Station to the surface of El Nysa. With the night sky as a canvas, the beam can be seen all the way from Olympia and Wyver — a view that has the natives whispering of blessings.
As a sudden but beautiful aurora splays across the sky, the refugees down on the planet receive a message asking them to travel to the landing site — and warning them to prepare for what may come of the strange readings Zasere's gotten from the teleport itself.
Traveling through the light leaves the impression of blinding starlight, a strange sense of weightlessness, and a disorienting moment of total sensory deprivation. The radiance of your teleport hangs bright in the sky above you, a shimmering aurora that reflects off the calm waters below, visible for miles all around.
You've landed on a peninsula to the east of the South Outpost. There's little here — scattered trees on spring-barren plains, with a few overgrown, dilapidated structures poking out of the brush. All is quiet save for the keening of animals and the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. This lonely desolation is hardly the bustling cities and vibrant cultures you were promised back on the station...
BY CAMPFIRE'S GLOW. But waiting for you is a group of your predecessors, and with them, a veritable tent city, with portable stoves, coolers of food and drink, comfortable bedrolls, and cheerful rings of bonfires — all that you need to make merry of the night, courtesy of Overseer Voss, who has, thanks to his interest in blessed meteorological phenomena and refugees, decided to make a holy expedition of the affair.
Settle in, meet new comrades, and enjoy yourself, for you've safely completed your journey. But don't wander too far from the fires — the dark is closing in, and there's a strange, electric feeling in the air, the scent of ozone drifting on the breeze. And what were those odd readings Zasere mentioned?
A SHEPHERD OVER THE FLOCK. The spring sun dawns on a grey morning, already burning away the fog rolling in off the sea. It quickly becomes apparent that Voss and his entourage of acolytes have been up for hours, hard at work. They've set up a brightly-draped stage and a travel pulpit, magically enchanted to amplify his voice, and as the sun breaks over the horizon, Voss is all set to do what he does best: proselytize.
 As our Goddess has sent Her blessing once before to herald the coming of those touched by Her light, so She has done once again! Here you see them, those surrounded by the light of our Goddess, each of them bearing the mark upon their skin of Her holiest of hands! Do you not see? Do none among you bear witness to the righteousness of Her message? Perhaps this is why our people have shamed themselves in front of our Goddess—
[ He continues for another 15 minutes... ]
Nevertheless. See you them before us now! See them as they are, coming to our gates with Her reminder, that these people must be treated with the utmost respect and care. Thesa's divinity is not to be treated with such flagrant disregard! Those who She chooses are not ours to use as mindless fodder, to hurt, to torture — shame upon those who allowed such deeds to shame us under Her watchful gaze!
To those of you who have just arrived here on our doorstep, be not afraid! The Temples of Thesa welcome you to our home with hearts and minds open! Should you ever find yourself in need of solace, seek out the Temples, as there are no greater allies to you than those of us within the Temple walls. You are welcome all to Olympia!
As he steps away from the enchanted podium, he can be heard saying aside to an acolyte, "How was that? Heavy on the shame, but I think it went well!" While he will not leave the area immediately, his acolytes will politely turn away attempts to speak with him and remind anyone interested that they can leave a message at the Temples.
Despite going off without hitch, the new refugees' arrival isn't entirely without incident. It seems that the "blessed" beam of light that brought the refugees down to El Nysa brought something else along with it — a sliver of the Storm. At least the beam was short enough that only a small fraction managed to squeeze through.
But it's enough to wreak a little havoc around the landing site and along the road back toward Olympia and Wyver — and even, for a few days, in the cities themselves.
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE. The Storm is an undeniably destructive force, and that's proven with this small sliver's effect as it ripples across the continent. While there's no visible sign of its presence, strange phenomena soon begin to appear, corresponding with Zasere's odd readings.
They're innocuous little things at first. A sudden silence, animals going quiet, insects stilling. All technology, no matter how advanced, ceases working. You discover when you check with a friend, the clock on your phone is twelve minutes slow even though you'd swear only a minute had passed — time missing. Walking through the woods takes longer than it should when brushing past one bush leads to brushing past that same bush again — and again, and again, the area looping on itself. It keeps you trapped, going in circles for minutes, even hours, before finally releasing you in a random direction.
Or perhaps you'll feel a sense of deja vu, like you've walked down this road, taken this turn, seen that bird fly from this branch before. This is the second time that cat has crossed your path. The person you're meeting, you already know their name; you're certain you've already met.
WE GOT COWS. The Storm sliver also ushers in sudden, localized weather anomalies — heavy storms, blizzards, strong winds, and more. Affected areas range from just a few feet wide to nearly half a mile. One minute, the sky may be sunny and clear, but the next dark storm clouds roll in, unleashing torrential rain. Small tornadoes surge along the road, kicking up winds strong enough to knock people over and carry objects away. Hail hurtles down from the sky, but only in a ten foot radius. Temperatures fluctuate wildly between one extreme and the next, from heat waves to cold snaps. Soupy fog blankets the area, thick enough that you can barely see your hand in front of your face. Good luck finding your way!
FORGETTING IS SO LONG. The visions come on suddenly and with very little warning. One second, you're carrying on as normal — but the next, you blink and find yourself (and anyone near you) somewhere else completely. You may recognize this place as a moment from the past, one that you lived through. It's a memory, your memory, and it now replays around you in exceptional detail, unnervingly lifelike. Or you may not recognize it at all. It might belong to the person next to you, or to someone else entirely — a memory that the Storm has swallowed up.
Either way, the scene plays out just as it once did, and there's nothing you can do to stop it — or escape it. The memory surrounds you to no end: every door you open leads nowhere, every hallway you turn down continues on forever, every horizon you flee toward hangs just out of reach. And linger too long or turn the wrong corner, and you may find yourself abruptly stuck in a completely different memory. It's almost tempting, then, to give up, to let the past sweep you away...
But this isn't the full might of the Storm. Look closely, and you can see that in the walls of this trap, there are minute, hairline cracks, a facade of fractured glass. Imperfections in the memory where the real world is breaking through. It seems the only way to escape these memories is to find those cracks and break through them — by force, by will, or by some other method entirely.
The time is coming to make a choice — perhaps not a permanent choice, but unless you want to spend the rest of your nights out under the stars, you'll need to pick which city you will initially spend your time in. On the horizon, you will see that people have arrived to help you make that decision...
A FORK IN THE ROAD. Refugees and the hyper-religious wishing to hear Voss speak are not the only ones out and about under the light of the aurora. Citizens of both Olympia and Wyver have flocked to a point on the road midway between the cities and where the refugees have appeared, and they all have the same goal in mind: convincing the newcomers who have just descended in the blessed light of Thesa to come to their city and not the other.
They've come with bribes — that is, examples of what their cities have to offer. If you spent much time at the exhibition up on Thesa Station, you might recognize some of what's being shown off, though the offerings here are markedly more tangible, and shown off by hawkers wearing substantially fewer clothes.
A herd of pegasi accompanies the Olympians, while a line of flying serpents is stabled at a tent bearing Wyver colors. Refugees are given the chance to experience solo flights and are told that if they prove their loyalty, they may have the privilege of owning such fine beasts one day themselves. The Olympians have also brought couture clothing, jewelry, and makeup to offer a taste of Olympian splendor, while the Wyver delegation has brought along fine weapons, sense-enhancing jungle plants, and small vials of diluted dragon’s blood (drinking confers a temporary boost in strength) to demonstrate their might. The Olympians speak proudly of the glory of the Temples of Thesa; the Wyverns speak of the Volkkran Pact and inform newcomers that they can make a pilgrimage to the summit of Namarak Mountain at the next full moon.
This is as good a time as any to compare your plans with others around you and exchange contact information before going your separate ways with people who are going to the city you are not. When you’re ready to go, don’t worry about safe passage — the natives of each city will gladly escort you there in luxury.
OF WHITE AND GOLD. The people of Olympia are ecstatic that you’ve come to join them... So much so that they’ve prepared a grand tour of the city for the new arrivals. You will be introduced to the major businesses in the city, including businesses that they are proud to point out were founded by refugees.
Refugees who have been here for some time already are encouraged to pair up with newcomers to introduce them to the parts of the city they like best. To facilitate this, they’ve made arrangements with many of the business owners: new refugees who visit their shops (and older refugees who escort them) are given discounts!
Just a few examples of many: the Wyvernest offers free desserts to first time visitors with the purchase of a drink, refugees who visit the Silk Wyrms can have one custom (though not exceedingly expensive) outfit made for them for free, and visitors to Shades Darker are offered a half-hour session with one of the prostitutes at half price… or access to a private room, if they seem to have taken a shine to one of their companions on the tour.
Lastly, tour guides will point out that over the course of the next week, the train to Flona Cove will allow new refugees to board for free so that they can experience the seaside for themselves. With the weather finally starting to warm, this is as good a time as any for a visit to the beach, isn’t it?
OF RED AND BLACK. Life in Wyver is typically a sink-or-swim sort of experience — but in light of the valor recently displayed by their predecessors, the natives are now more willing to assist in getting newcomers settled. The entire journey here they have been talking up the virtues of their city… and now is the time to show everything that's on offer.
The well-known businesses in the city are prepared for the influx of newcomers. Some are giving out discounted samples of their products while others are offering a more hands-on experience: in exchange for working a few hours, they will give training in whatever task is being performed.
At the Forged, newcomers can learn the basics of crafting simple weapons (and take one of their successes home), while visitors to spas near the lagoons are trained in the art of massage. Those who wander to Falmi’s Ring can learn the art of pugilism or how to keep (and fix) books if they're more inclined to the gambling that goes on. Newcomers interested in Wyver's dragons can get hands-on experience at the Fields of the Exalted's nursery. While they walk from place to place, a guide may point out a job posting from Highwind Hires, noting that refugees can make a name for themselves outside official channels.
The last stop on the tour is the Undergrowth. The guides speak of the jungle in reverent tones and caution new refugees not to wander too far in. They warn never to explore alone, but also urge refugees to take time to familiarize themselves with it; after all, the jungle is an important part of life in Wyver, and those who are going to be living here should understand it as well as they do.
You've chosen your path, refugee, but that doesn't necessarily make it a permanent one. Watch out for the strange effects of the Storm, which linger still in the two cities and everywhere in between for the next few days before dissipating just as mysteriously as they came, but otherwise enjoy the welcome and make yourself at home — after all, this is home now.
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killian jones | ouat
[ At some point these sorts of things have stopped being surprising to Killian Jones. As man who once lived in the Enchanted Forest only to find his home in Storybrooke this sort of travel isn't much for him to wrap his head around. He's been through portals created by magical beans. This is far more technological in it's efforts, but it doesn't leave him in awe. He simply accepts it as part of his new sort of norm. Cell phones and televisions were strange for him. At this point more gadgets would only be more things on the list for him to master.
Camping though among the wildness is what he's familiar with. Somewhat. Most of his life has been spent at the sea, but he's no stranger to this. Surviving. This is quite the welcome though. It's a relief not to have to set up camp themselves. But Killian does engage with his fellow arrivals if only to find word of where his wife might possibly be. He's a dedicated man when he wants to be.
The ones who were here before their arrival are unsettling, but only because Killian doesn't know their intentions. He's been through far too much to truly just accept "good intentions", but at the same time Emma's family has taught him some trust. He's in between a rock and a hard place. They seem to have made things quite comfortable for their new arrivals and Killian has no problem settling in despite the strange announcement come morning. He's an odd fellow, but he's not the biggest blowhard he's seen in his time roaming the lands. He simply tunes him out until things settle down ]
b. of white and gold
[ He's here because Emma is here. He has no ties or loyalties to Olympia. He's never been that big on political issues like this. As a pirate he's seen what power does to leaders. It corrupts. It ruins. Absolutely. He's seen it happen to himself as well. When he was the Dark One it didn't take much to nudge him into the darkness. It didn't take much for him to take advantage of his power to take vengeance out on those who had wronged him in the past. He's no stranger to war or what it can do to people. Olympia doesn't hold his allegiance and neither does Wyver. Emma does however.
Which is why he's participating in this tour. Tours. Either way he's going about a city. Likely because Emma's had enough of him trying to explain what their future holds for them. Trying to explain what becomes of them from the point she last recalls. A bit of space won't hurt the situation. He doesn't want to pile everything onto her. He'll get acquainted with the city while she processes. It'll take longer than a tour or two, but he's prepared to wait as long as it takes. They've gone through too much for him to just abandon his wife. Especially given that he knows that's her fear. Just as it's his. ]
I wouldn't mind going to have a free drink or four.
[ He puts on a crooked smile. ]
c. forgetting is so long
1. we're all young once
[ Killian's stomach turns the moment he recognizes where he's standing. A ship stuck out at sea while a storm rages. The boat sways and moves with each wave. A young boy lays in his bed looking dreadfully afraid. The fear only amplifies the moment the lantern in the cabin blows out. The room grows dark and he sits up in a flash yelling out for his father. A man bursts in reassuring his son that he's there. The young boy looks visibly relieved simply having his father in the cabin as the elder relights the lantern.
It's all right, son. I'm here. See? There's nothing to be afraid of. Now--remember, whenever you feel scared, all you have to do is look inside. We're all braver than we think if we just look deep enough. Before you know it, you're gonna be a man, so I'm just trying to prepare you 'cause then you're gonna have to answer life's big question. What kind of man are you going to be?
The boy looks deep in thought until finally he lets out the smallest of laughs. Finally he seems to have an answer for his father.
OOC: Here is the memory. The rest of it will play out in his tags if this is replied to. The written bit is cut down to save scrolling space. ]
2. saying goodbye is the hardest part
[ The sight is familiar to Killian. Maybe to no one else, but he knows exactly what's happening here. Him and Emma racing through what seems like an underground cavern. He knows it's not. It's the Underworld. Hell. Emma has Killian by the hand as she pulls him towards what appears to be a freight elevator. Killian comes to a stop as they finally reach it.
Come on, we don't have that much time before the portal closes. What?
He doesn't make a move to join her inside it. He hesitates and watches her step into it. He remains outside it. He looks devastated as he finally tells her the truth. It's the only way to give her a life outside of this.
I'm not going up with you. I never was. We're never gonna find anything up there to save me.
But you said--
OOC: Here is the memory. The rest of it will play out in his tags if this is replied to. The written bit is cut down to save scrolling space. ]
3. the making of captain hook
[ The call of seagulls and the sight of the deck of his ship make Killian curious. There's a hundred memories that could take place here. More than a hundred. The crew bustles and moves until finally Milah comes aboard supporting an injured Killian Jones with two very functioning hands. No hook. A crew member approaches them as they head up the gangway.
Milah, what happened?
Fetch some water. And get me that prisoner from below deck, along with the goods that he carried. Now!
The crew members hustle about as another man steps up the gangway behind them. He doesn't look human entirely. His skin scaly There's no telling what he is. Who he is.
OOC: Here is the memory. The rest of it will play out in his tags if this is replied to. The written bit is cut down to save scrolling space. ]
4. the loss of a brother
[ It doesn't take him very long to recognize what memory is before him. The group of men stand by the side of the ship with a plank of wood holding a body up. The body is wrapped in white sheets and silence seems to overwhelm them. The only sounds that are heard are the ocean and the sound of the ship rocking.
The men lift the wooden board up and the body slides down into the sea. A younger Killian stands in the middle of the men. He's dressed as a Naval man. At this point he's still in the King's Navy. A man of honor and discipline, but that seems to be edging out of him. He doesn't flinch as they drop his brother into the ocean. It's a burial at sea. If his brother were breathing it's likely what he would have wanted. One man steps forward with a leather satchel of sorts and hands it to the younger Killian.
This belongs to you now--Captain.
Surprise covers his face as he hears his new title for the first time. A harsh reminder that his brother and their captain are gone. He takes the satchel running his fingers over the emblem before speaking in a low whisper.
You will never leave my side, brother.
OOC: Here is the memory. The rest of it will play out in his tags if this is replied to. The written bit is cut down to save scrolling space. ]
5. hell beasts are the worst
[ The only difference between this Killian and the one watching this unfold is the hair length. Longer and shaggier not to mention the bruised and bloodied face. Smeared blood all about his face. When he awakens from the ground one of his eyes seems to be severely swollen. It doesn't open completely. It's difficult to say how he's still alive, but that's Hades. Taking you to the brink only to start all over. He struggles to breathe as he forces himself upright. The agony is in his voice when he yells.
Is this a bloody trick?
He gets to his feet entirely before stepping out just barely before another voice echoes out. Female. Located in a "cell" directly in his eye line.
Stop. That's an exactly what it is. A trick. Don't move. He wants you to think you can escape, but--you can't. No one can.
Aye. We'll see about that.
OOC: Here is the memory. The rest of it will play out in his tags if this is replied to. The written bit is cut down to save scrolling space. ]
saying goodbye is the hardest part
before the storm, she might've been ready to date him, and suddenly the two of them are the only ones awake (and could be sent back into stasis at any time). he's wearing a ring and promising her they'll get through this together, and all she can think is that it's too much too soon.
unfortunately, that argument doesn't hold when the storm pulls the two of them into a memory. of course it's not one that the two of them share - it's probably one of Hook's, definitely not one of hers. and for a moment, she tries to catch up to the scene in front of them.]
No. Killian, I came to the Underworld to save you. I'm not going back without you.
I'm afraid we don't have that choice, love. ... Look, I just want to say my goodbyes down here, without everyone watching.
[ the Underworld? she straightens up with that explanation, trying to connect the dots as he talks about the two of them having had more time than they meant to, and throwing in a Camelot mention. then she studies this other version of herself; the tremble in her voice and the tears in her eyes, the way her heart seems to break as she accepts what he's asking of her. that's love, there's no denying it.]
What the hell is this? I thought you said we were happy.
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He never wanted to pull her into one of these. He didn't think it fair to dump these things onto her. Especially this. This was a rough spot for them. Something that does look one way, but once you know the truth it's seen through different eyes. Killian is stunned into silence at first. His hand clenches into a fist upon instinct simply because of the memories that come with these cave corridors. The fear that sat in his chest at times.
Killian relaxes as time passes. Watching the two of them. His heart breaks all over again watching the look of anguish on her face. Emma Swan rarely cries. Only when she can't hold it in any longer. Only when moments like these hurt her. When they dig in deep. The voice that doesn't belong to this memory shakes him out of thought. Emma questioning what's happening. ]
We are happy, love, but every couple has their own--unique problems. [ Killian looks at her. ] I was never going to make it out of there at the time and I wasn't about to sign your death warrant as well. You had Henry to raise and your parents needed you. It would've been selfish of me. I didn't want that for you. I wanted you to live even if I couldn't do it alongside you.
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she's been arguing against what he told her since he woke up, and it's not fair to either of them anymore. having someone she cares about who's up and out of stasis is supposed to be a good thing, but as much as it scared her to live in this world alone, the idea of getting used to him here only to lose him to death, or stasis, or some other ridiculous unknown is infinitely more frightening than being the only one awake. it probably doesn't surprise him that she's not taking all of this well, he knows her better than she'd like him to at the moment.]
I can't - this isn't real. We need to find a way out of here.
[ she reaches for his hand to pull him away the memory, ducking her head to hide the fact that her other self isn't the only one who's trying not to fall apart right now. life in El Nysa has meant everything from rebuilding her entire existence to being tortured by unexpected enemies. there's never been time for her to react to all of this before, and now that she might have it? no - she doesn't want it. she's been trying too hard to keep it together to give in now.]
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She's got the same fears she did back in their realm. The fear of being left. Abandoned. It's quite early on in their courtship and he knows that feeling is still strong. He hasn't had time to prove his loyalty or love. She hasn't seen the things her loved ones have done.
Killian stands his ground. He grabs her hand now and pulls her to him. ]
There's nowhere to go, love. [ His voice is soft as he looks at her. ] We can't run from this. [ He squeezes her hand gently. ] I come back though. This isn't the end.
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she's seen people go back in and watched their loved ones try to cope, but it's not the same as having someone awake who she feels responsible for. for a while there, being the savior took a backseat to her own survival. now, she's not sure what happens if she stops running. probably nothing good.] Hook. Killian. [ it's soft and a little pleading, even as she resigns herself to watching it all play out.] How could you come back from death?
[ the uncertainty's in her eyes, because on some level, she always wants to believe. then life kicks in, and there's a curse, or a storm, or a crisis, and she's left wondering why she ever dared to hope in the first place.]
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It's a confusing thing. He understands how she could find it impossible. Death has always been something that wouldn't be reversed in their worlds. They're both painfully aware of how much it can hurt to lose someone. How it can feel to open yourself up to that pain after hardening everything you had just to get through the days. ]
Zeus brought me back. He brought me back to you, Swan.
[ Killian turns to her entirely now. His hand lifts slowly to cup the side of her face with only minor hesitation. His hook stays at her side. ]
I've never willingly left your side since.
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[ somehow that lands like it's the most ridiculous thing she's ever heard. hell, maybe it is. she can't imagine the gods doing her any favors, it's not like they've ever showed up for any of them before - and they've generally always needed the help. there's someone she can ask here, and while she doesn't mention it to Hook, fact-checking probably isn't a bad idea. if Zeus brought him back, she'd like to know he isn't gonna end up owing him one somewhere down the line.
it shouldn't matter in the moment; she should just be glad he's here, awake, with more memories of her than she's honestly comfortable with. that should be what she focuses on, instead of wondering how this fell apart or could fall apart, or trying to determine what that next terrible thing that takes someone away from her is going to be. she just can't catch up to all of this, even when he meets her gaze and brushes his hand against her cheek.
she leans in, almost in spite of better judgement, a few tears perilously close to falling under his touch. for the four months she's been awake, she's managed to stay in control of her emotions (at least when control was something it was possible to have). now, it doesn't seem to matter that she'd rather hold back, her restraint's not the same when she's with someone she cares about. ] Don't think I missed the word willingly. That's how I end up awake while everyone else is taking a nap.
[ he might not have willingly left her side, but there were other forces conspiring to keep them apart.]
I don't know how to do this; you know me. You know I don't. You know - [ he knows she's afraid. he always has.] You know I'm not the same person you married.
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3
But, slowly, the conversation and commotion catch Claire's attention. She doesn't know these people, does she?]
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When he finally gets a good look at Claire it's confusing. He casts a look at Milah in the memory along with his younger self before looking at Claire once more. ]
If I was you I'd close my eyes for this memory, love. It's not pretty.
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Who the hell are you?
[A... pirate? This ship feels particularly pirate-like. So far, she's been lucky enough to only stumble into the memories of people she knows.]
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