❪ event ❫ khalo? can you hear me?

[natha]

In normal circumstances, this would have been near the time in which you're called upon to greet the newly awakened. Unfortunately, I speak to you to inform that we must postpone that — there is trouble on your horizon. What, I cannot see for sure. We shall continue to monitor the situation, however — we - ... we — [feed cuts off.] OLYMPIAN PRESERVATION     The city of Olympia is preparing the send-off of its most prized artifact: the heart of the ancient dragon, Ysverai. In doing this, they've transformed the palace court into an exhibition detailing the centuries-old war between Wyver and Olympia. Sculptures of Nithor the Exalted and his men and women in clean, white marble, while their armors are polished in perfect gold. Among Nithor are the sculptures of stallions in all shapes and sizes that also aided in the great war. Further in the exhibition, one may also find other artifacts of much older weaponry, rusted by its time in the earth, and items found from a time when humans feared the dragons. The Royal Guard has increased its numbers in wake of such a public event, particularly because the heart will be in display also. The heart is not what one might expect it to be: about the size of an average human, the heart's core is surrounded in stone, a red glow emitting from its still beating core. If that were not unsettling enough, one might also find that lingering around this particular exhibit will have undue affects on one's inhibitions. You'll notice your heart has fallen into sync with the organ, and your more selfish desires will come forth. Things that have long been buried will rise up and place you in a state of unease, encouraging paranoia about your companions intentions. Allow it to fester, and one will carry this feeling with them long after you've left the scene. It's probably a good thing this is leaving Olympia — perhaps it's a source of so much conflict you've endured. It's easy to become mesmerized by all the historical artifacts that are present in Olympia's exhibition. Some even seem mystical or, like Ysverai’s heart, to hold unspeakable powers. Others are just a little eerie. Either way, Olympia prides itself in its generosity and their grand displays, and so refugees are urged to learn more about their artifacts by spending the night in Palace Court. Though, someone should probably mention that there are rumors of strange, almost occult things happening around these relics at night. People speak of armored soldiers casting shadows that have the ability to walk on their own, or gemstones that catch the moonlight in a certain way and show you visions. But those are just silly ghost stories, right? TALL TALES OF KHALO VILLAGE     Because of Khalo's proximity to Wyver, it's no surprise that they would catch wind of the peace talks between Wyver and Olympia. In response, for the first time in centuries, Khalo Village has willingly granted passage to outsiders — but visitors will immediately find out that one cannot just simply walk into the village. Visitors will need to inhale the smoke of a fyrra herb in order to enter the premises without falling into slumber. Khalo is notably different than what refugees are used to. Visitors, specifically refugees, will find that they are exceedingly accommodating. The Khali are very intrigued by the outsiders, thus they're treated with much respect and given instant access to some of the best lounges and fyrra the village has to offer. In exchange, the village is interested in hearing about your journey thus far. Whether it be through a conversation with another individual or the Khali themselves, they'll very likely to have been eavesdropping and recording the tales of their exploits. Why, exactly? Perhaps it will not be immediately clear, but if you happened upon a venasou, a tamed Khali creature, it may have guided you to their Enchanted Library. Upon entering the library, visitors will notice that it is quite the happening place — but not because it's occupied by the Khali, but because there seems to be an assembly of magical quills seemingly writing on their own. The quills are mostly undisturbed by the intrusion and will not stop writing even if parchment is taken from it; it will simply produce another piece of paper and continue its tales. If you happen to read the parchment, you may notice that there is a daunting similarity between your story and the ones being written here. Tales of Thesa birthing new races and sending them from the sky, for example, are very popular in Khalo Village. They mark July 15th as the day in which the Moon Goddess, Thesa, created more people in her image and brought them to El Nysa as saviors. The coincidences don't end there: specifics about your home world might be found in the writings if you search deeply enough — but it's not without its exaggerations. These stories are given all sorts of poetic and literary forms, from short stories to limericks, biographies to something similar to haiku. If asked, the Khali will inform visitors that the enchanted library has access to vague parts of your memories, and thus it is duty-bound to record. The Khali have not seen stories as strange as the ones being made by refugees, which is largely why they are interested in them. NOTE: This is entirely optional! You may make up your own "stories" (fanfiction) and it could be as accurate or inaccurate, or as serious or silly as you'd like. While tales of the Thesa's descendants are still being written, visitors of the Enchanted Library might find intrigue in the more complete works — KING AND KIN. If one is willing to delve deep, they may also find parts of Wyver's past that have been removed from their own archives. These pages will recount the tales of Shanrian and Rasyc. Though a lot of the narrative seems to divide at certain points in the story, it becomes obvious with some quick reading that Rasyc is not only the son of Shanrian, but that he glorifies the Wyver of old, more bloodthirsty and brutal than it is today. Unlike his father, he does not take kindly to Olympia and the threat they will always pose for their people. He has not forgotten Olympia's past sins and he believes that, in his foolish quest for peace, the king has gone soft and no longer possesses the real will to fight. His present voice in affairs of state is not a loud one, as he chooses to speak in whispers and move in the dead of silence. In these quiet murmurings, he boasts of his unwavering belief in the power and dignity of his people. Of how they should all return to what they once were — the kingdom, its citizens, and naturally the father who he had once admired greatly. Though perhaps it can be argued that any estranged son would wish the same. It's difficult to pinpoint what becomes political and what is and always will be more personal for him. But, it hardly matters. It's clear that Rasyc will stop at nothing to achieve his objectives, even if it means never returning to place he calls home. Even if it means turning his back on his own father, Shanrian, King of Wyver... DRAGONFIRE. While tales of the Thesa's descendants are still being written, visitors to the Enchanted Library might find intrigue in the more complete works. In particular, tales of Ysverai, the last of Wyver's great high dragons. Ysverai is most commonly known for being slain by Olympia’s past king and legendary hero, Nithor, but here in Khalo he is depicted in another light. Ysverai is known to the Khali people as a wise being, old as the first inhabitants that walked El Nysa. The creature spoke in the common tongue to the early settlers, guiding them to refuge when his kin began to dominate the land at the cost of its own isolation. It ultimately becomes a tale of sacrifice, for its stand with Nithor became a testament against the Olympian Empire's long reaching influence. At the bottom, there is a quotation: Your hearts will fill with greed and malice the moment my own stops beating. Take care in the Eye of the Storm. Find strength in one another, before it is too late. It seems to end there. Refugees are naturally allowed to question the natives. However, keep in mind that many of their replies will seem more like speculation than fact. But maybe that can be fun too? If you have no interest in the library and the tales they've woven, feel free to explore any of the other areas of interest. Khalo Village is thrilled to be open for you all. THOSE THAT SEEK PEACE, AND THOSE THAT SEEK --     The morning of the 20th is marked by fairly dismal weather. The sky is overcast and a downpour seems imminent. Regardless of the poor forecast, those who signed up to assist in this mission will be required to come early in order to receive their briefing. Members of Group A: ▸ Jon Snow (song_of_ice) ▸ Daenerys Targaryen (dorzalta) ▸ Loras Tyrell (triplerose) ▸ Terra (earthy) ▸ Alisaie Leveilleur (adelphoi) ▸ Solider: 76 (personalwar) ▸ Ardyn Izunia (daemonized) ▸ Mai(maipokerface) ▸ Olivier Armstrong (wallsofbriggs) ▸ Atsushi Nakajima (gekkajuu) Members of Group B: ▸ Kale (kaleorbekaled) ▸ Diana Prince (wondie) ▸ Pheonix Wright (objectionattourney) ▸ Revolver Ocelot (shashka) ▸ Frederick (pebblestone) ▸ John Sheppard (impavid ▸ Ianto Jones (torchwoodteaboy) ▸ Lena Oxton (quevarly) ▸ Allura (quintessent) Due to the rain, members of Group A will have to immediately stop by the checkpoint at the East Watchtower. Additionally, the Royal Guard and Knightryders are well-prepared with extra cloaks for those who may require it. They also will provide basic refreshments such as water and bread. People are encouraged to take what they need prior to their departure on this mission. The checkpoints are a bit far between, after all. Members of the envoy will also be encouraged to utilize this time to become familiar with one another. Maybe some introductions are in order? You never know who will end up having your back... For both groups, the paths will be relatively straightforward with evenly spaced checkpoints along the way. The only issue seems to be the downpour, really. The rain is unforgiving and the roads easily become unstable and increasingly difficult for the carriage to be drawn through. Hence, there may be more than one occasion where you will be expected to lend a hand in prying out its wheels from a particularly pesky (and muddy) pothole. Or perhaps you will be called upon by a fellow guard to assist in getting a particularly stubborn creature out of the path ahead of you. Seems like it may be a longer journey than you expected. Dirtier, too. While weathering the conditions may have been a bit tiring, this journey isn't too bad, right? Well, maybe not. GROUP A. Once the carriage gets through the worst of the terrain and finally manages to depart from the watchtower, it won't be long until the group is met with a physical roadblock. A large tree trunk will be set down the center of the road, acting as a blockade. But, before the group can react or begin crafting a plan around this obstruction, the carriage will be attacked without warning. At first, it's unclear where the attack comes from or from whom, but you don't have the leisure to deliberate this. You hear one of your fellow guards mention something about bandits frequenting these parts, but maybe there's more to it? Either way, your task is clear: protect the artifact, Nithor's skull, and fight the bandits off. You'll be encouraged to try and capture them so that they may later be turned and questioned by the authorities. GROUP B. With clear motives to restock and collect a few more materials for the carriage, it's evident that the envoy will appear restless to arrive at the second checkpoint. However, despite their unspoken delight at seeing the South Outpost from a distance, it's clear something has gone awry. There will be several hooded figures awaiting them right where the mud path meets the cobblestone of the Outpost's road. Soon, several more of these figures will come to flank them from both sides. While they seem like bandits, at least from their physical appearance, there is something far more polished in their movements. They will be attacking the envoy in concise, practiced formations. For those who are more perceptive, it becomes obvious that they are moving around and acting as decoy to one central figure. This member is likely the "leader" of their group, but no matter how one may try to close the distance between themselves and this mysterious leader, someone will constantly get in the way of that. The fighting also seems to act as a distraction since by the time everything is cleared up... only two things are missing. The leader of this group of bandits and more importantly — Ysverai's heart. NOTE: Those RNG'd to thread out the capture and questioning of the bandits will have starters below. For everyone else that signed up, you will still have the opportunity to capture the assailants even though they were not selected to thread the interrogation; you are free to make up your NPCs with the same basic guideline: they will not reveal their motive or their organization. You may turn them in to authorities (Wyver or Olympia or otherwise) or find creative ways to get rid of them. FINAL OOC NOTE     To reiterate: you may use this log as a general mingle for everything from the May Outline, including all Khalo Village activities. In other words, your top-levels don't necessarily have to be related to the prompts written here. An AC-eligible thread in which your character participates in anything mentioned in the May Outline and/or Khalo Village location page may be submitted for 2 REP POINT FOR EITHER OLYMPIA OR WYVER. SUBMIT THE THREAD FOR OLYMPIA OR WYVER HERE OR HERE RESPECTIVELY BY June 10th 11:59 PM EST. For those who participated in this month's plot-related portion, to receive IC recognition for it, a summary of the thread must be submitted HERE by June 8th 11:59 PM EST. Please direct all queries to the question thread below. Thank you, and have fun! QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs ● bestiary taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp ● quest bulletin calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[sparsity]

[ Though he likely doesn't agree, he listens with an attentive ear. Just because someone's had a different experience than he has (most people, he's aware), doesn't mean he has to harbor ill will towards them. He'd go through his life needlessly hating, and he had more important things to do, to spend his energy on.

Still, it doesn't stop him from suddenly perking up at the mention of fish in the water, gaze turning downwards owlishly. ]

Where?

[chickenhearted]

Yeah. I'd like that.

[ He nods, filled with a new kind of determination. He's gonna find something useful to do with his time and skills! Maybe it will even lead to him getting space of his own. ]

[impavid]

"I'm pretty sure they think they can control it. People generally tend to think they can. Why Olympia kept it though, I dunno. Seems like it was being held hostage while Wyver kept Nithor's skull. I'm guessing destroying it would have been as good as a declaration of war. Maybe they never thought anyone would be stupid enough to try resurrecting it."

Either way, John is strongly of the opinion they need to get it back. He pushes to his feet, dusts some of the dirt from himself and squints around.

"My money is on them having taken it into Wyver, since that's where all the shaman are based. Maybe we can still track them down, I dunno how long this kind of... ritual takes. Presumably there are requirements."

... Ingredients? Special locations? That kind of thing.

[1701]

I've got you, [ he murmurs, recognizing that he's somewhere too gone with desire and need, feeling himself sinking into that headspace with him, wanting the heightened state from the drugs, and just plain old wanting it. Jim shifts and arranged himself, hitching up on of Thomas's knees, settling the tip of cock in to nuzzle against his opening.

Jim leans over, one hand between them, the other holding him up near the other man's shoulder, and he leans in to steal a kiss before he begins to press inside him, careful but steady. ]

[ettersberg]

[ thomas responds to the kiss a little sloppily, less focused than he usually is. sex does this to him. want and desire and the ache of need strip his control from him in ways little else can. he kisses back and then it breaks and jim presses in and thomas presses back, needing the steadiness and the time to adjust but wanting more almost immediately. ]

[objectionattorney]

"... Huh? So we just go?" Pheonix was still trying to wrap his own mind over the seriousness of the situation. This was far from the first political mess he had gotten himself into, but this was something that could destroy the lives of all those who lived in Olympia as they knew it!

... So wasn't that exactly the reason why they should try to retrieve it no matter what the costs?

"We're not that far from Wyvers boarders, are we? How much further would you say we'd have left?"

Right. He may not be able to do much, but he has to live up to the responsibilities of his job. It was his duty as a member of the coalition.

[rosebyanyother]

[This, particularly, isn't something that Peter has done - has had done to him - in a while. It would be something to adjust to even without the added layers of this encounter. Without the heightened sensations and this particular tingly substance Jim is using to prep him with.

So. He starts out relatively relaxed, though the squeeze is tight. As Jim works his finger in, Peter tips his head back and lets out a long, shaking exhale. It's nice. He's even able to appreciate the discomfort. He's not sure how much of that is his own inclination and how much of it is the fyrra. The feeling runs up his spine, both pleasure and pain. Peter shudders, gripping onto Jim just a little harder.

Then the oil starts really setting in. All of a sudden. He should be ready for it. He isn't. The result is that Peter's body suddenly jerks, arches, as he lets out a strangled sound. It's a lot. The pressure and the tingling and the burn of it all. The warmth. It's inside of him, and it feels like it's coiling in his stomach. Something good, but tight and tense.

If he's not careful, it will certainly be too much, too soon.

...Oh, there was a question, wasn't there? Peter's breathing sounds harsh even to his own ears, rapid panting that registers only after a delay. His stomach is...a little wet...? Ah. He's already dripping a bit.]

...Ah. [A bit of a dazed sound, not made any better by the fact that Jim is still working his fingers inside him. But he can collect himself enough to answer, surely.] Good. Intense. [It's got to be, if Peter is reduced to short phrases. He swallows, finding his throat dry, and tries for something more complex.] A little....slower...if you wouldn't mind...

[1701]

[ He's as careful as he can be, compromised as he is, but the high lends him a kind of security-- he feels like he knows exactly what Thomas wants, and maybe it's bullshit, but he can't think past that at the moment. Which his ego thinks he deserves a medal for, honestly, between the weed and his dick being where it is. Thinking at all is a task.

Hands shuffle to Thomas's hips, angling him, them, just so, until they're flush together, until he can nudge his pelvis forward, not pulling in and out but just grind heavily against him, as if he can't help himself. (Maybe he can't.)

Jim exhales something that sounds like fuck and holds still, waiting with barely-leashed desire for some sign Thomas is ready. ]

[ettersberg]

[ thomas doesn't want careful - not right now, at least. tomorrow or even in a few hours already he'll be glad for it because it's been a while and adjustment is necessary even when it hasn't been. he doesn't want careful, but at least (and at last) he has jim inside him, their bodies pressed flush together, the slow grind driving him out of his mind even further while providing enough sensation and pleasure that the adjustment period doesn't feel like one.

god, he loves being full like this, the feel of it, the weight of jim above him, the way his perception narrows until there's nothing but jim. ]

Any time, then. [ he finally manages. if his voice didn't sound as wrecked as it does, that might've come across as dickish. ]

[versianvirtue]

[ She can't help but raise a short giggle to his reaction as she points at the space in the water between them. ]

There, of course! And there, and there...

[sparsity]

[ Following her line of sight, Mikazuki glances along from each of her indications, spotting the little silver wisps of fish in the water. Not one normally so prone to outward emotion, he still grimaces, an uncertain noise catching stubbornly in his mouth. ]

I guess if they stay down there...

[versianvirtue]

Where else would they go?

[ Laughter tinsels her voice, still. She can't help it; Mikazuki is being a little bit ridiculous about fish! ]

So... you are fine with them as long as they're in the water...?

[sparsity]

Well, I guess so.

[ Fish are weird, alright. He's not budging on that. Still, his shoulders sink some as he motions his hands up in the water, giving a short clap against its surface. ]

As long as they don't do that.

[ aka jumpscare him ]

[1701]

[ When Peter moves like that, sudden and arching, Jim stops moving. He's too experienced to yank his fingers back, but all tension and purpose leaves his touch, so that there's minimal pressure - just presence. Even high, he's watchful and attentive; something too trained into him to let go of. ]

I can do slower, [ he assures him, his voice warm and low. Jim doesn't press in further, just rests his hand where it is, and diverts some time to kissing Peter instead of working that further. He stays pressed close, steady and still very hard, his thumb stroking gently against the soft skin of his perineum, feeling the strange tingling on his fingers.

He only moves more when he's given the all clear to do so, and even then, it's slow and careful, focusing on the other man's reactions - and trying to find his prostate, of course. Always good to have a general idea of the layout in mind before the main operation. (That was a bad, unsexy sentence, I am sorry.) ]

[1701]

God you're hot, [ Jim says in a rushed exhaled. What a poet. But it's punctuated with a proper, full roll of his hips, rocking forward once, then again, getting his balance and weight distribution where he wants it so that there's no slipping and fumbling a moment later.

A moment later, when he pulls back and then fucks into him, steady and eager. His control is threadbare, having been stripped away with the abandon Thomas offered him earlier, and maybe normally he'd continue going a whole lot slower for another little while he just-- can't, right now. ]

[ettersberg]

[ true poetry and an incredible line of dialogue. fortunately, it's pretty much lost on thomas. he's focused on the rock of jim's hips, the fullness he feels, the sensation of it, the pressure at the base of his spine. he loves this in a way that he'd been ashamed of, many decades ago. now, he owns that this is something he enjoys, something that makes his body come alive with pleasure and his mind shut down with it in equal measures.

his hips rise up to meet jim's, changing the angle a little, searching for more pleasure, hands scrambling across jim's shoulders, sliding into his hair, mindlessly touching. ]

[versianvirtue]

Jump?

[ As if on cue, a fish leaps out of the water! ...But it's none of the little guys, and nowhere near them but close enough to be heard splashing. It was fairly large, after all. It catches Asseylum's attention, and she gasps, jabbing a finger at the ripples it left behind. ]

Like that!

[rosebyanyother]

Very accommodating.

][It's a tight but warm murmur in between kisses. Peter soaks up the muted attention gratefully. There's still no lack of sensation, not with fingers inside of him and Jim's lips and thumb. But without the pressure and friction, he's a little bit more able to acclimate himself. The warmth and the tingling don't go away either but he slowly gets used to them too.

One of his hands strays up into Jim's hair again.

When things even out a bit, he rolls his hips against Jim's fingers as a sign and is rewarded with that slow exploration. Mmmm. Good at taking suggestions. That's nice. Peter keeps rolling his hips, although it's a slow, lazy thing.

Also nice: the moment when Jim does find his prostate. For his efforts, he'll get a sharp tug downwards for a hungry kiss and a low moan.]

[1701]

[ The little sound he makes at hands in his hair says he likes that, and Jim shifts, following the way Thomas pushes back into him, instinctively trying to find the angle he likes best as he fucks into him solidly.

When he's able, he ducks down to kiss him, open-mouthed and passionate, though necessarily brief with the way they're moving against - within, into - each other. Jim leans his weight on one arm so that he can shift one of Thomas's knees up where he wants it, allowing him to press inside deeper, letting the older man get better leverage if he wants to shove his heel against the cushions they're on.

It leaves him a little more open, too, for Jim's hand to find his cock. ]

[ettersberg]

[ jim fucks into him, hiking one of his knees up a little to press in even deeper, to wrap his fingers around thomas' cock and thomas swears, under his breath and a little choked up, and comes all over himself the moment jim pushes into him again, just like that.

it might be the sort of thing to be embarrassed about, but thomas is not the kind to be embarrassed by coming quickly. even if he were, he's too far gone to feel anything but pleasure, head tipped back and back arched as he spurts hot over his stomach, jim's hand, between their bodies, breath stuttering.

really, it's a miracle he's held out this long, with how riled up he's been. ]