❪ 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

[nysan]

[ There are probably some people on this planet that could outrun a horse.

The bandit, however, is not one of them. Frederick and his horse catch up to the bandit in no time at all, and before they're able to hurl another dagger his way, the lance is already swinging. The weapon catches the bandit in the stomach and they're smacked off-balance, right into the ground.

The bandit's hood slips, just enough for him to get a good look at their face. She — for it is a she — scowls at him and lets out a snarl. One hand comes to rest over her stomach. That smarts, and if she wasn't winded, she'd be making a break for it now.

Instead, she tightens her grip on the handle of her knife with her other hand. ]

Tch. Do you make a habit out of running down people who are trying to avoid battle?

Phoenix Wright | Ace Attorney

[objectionattorney]

A. Tall Tales of Khalo Village

[Phoenix could not lie, he was mostly looking for a reason to take a break from Olympia. Having spent much of his time within the city over the last couple of months left him feeling a bit stir-crazy. So upon hearing that a city which initially kept its boarders closed was suddenly opening itself to the world, he could not lie to himself, he grew quite excited! What better way to live life than to vacation at a place that no man had been allowed to explore up until now?

Or at least, that was what he had thought when he first joined in for the expedition. Standing before the dark, muggy, overgrown forest that lead into Khalo Village though had left him with his doubts.

So much for being a prime vacation spot. It looked more like the type of place you'd accidentally wander into during a horror movie. And as the small green fairy-looking-thing passed him with what appeared to be a pipe he couldn't help but look somewhat confused and worried.]

Ah-um, Sorry. I'm not really much of a smoker. Never really could get into the habit.

[Besides. It smelled funny. What was this stuff?]

B. Olympian Preservation

[The halls were beautifully stocked and polished with gleaming statues and strange looking artifacts. Truthfully, the overall feel of the building seemed more akin to that of a museum than to a palace. Not that Phoenix could judge. Despite living in Olympia for nine months now he had not once stood within the grand building before now.

Amazing how quickly that changed for him. Within the month that he had signed up for the coalition it seemed his life on El Nysa had taken a 360 turn in direction. He was no longer a gambler at a dive bar, he could now afford more than just the small hovel of an apartment that he owned, and even the way he dressed (A wonderfully tailored thin cut suit much more fitting in style to what could be found upon the nobles of Olympia) was much more put together than his old lawyering wardrobe from his life back home.

At the end though, it only solidified how this was his new home. That there really was no going back to the life he once knew.

He had been standing before Ysverai's heart. Taking in the sheer sight of the glowing warm organ which once was within one of the most feared dragons in history. To think that soon he'd be overseeing its transportation.]

It's quite a surreal sight, isn't it? Almost as if it's still beating in hopes to be reconnected with the creature it came from.

C. Those That Seek Peace And Those That Seek-- (Group B Only)

[It was still odd to think about. That he of all people was chosen for such an important mission between the two countries. He had no combat experience, so he want much protection, but he was primarily meant to be an overseer of the exchange. His talents were in matters of diplomacy after all. And this required more delicacy in its exchange than anything he had experienced so far during his time on El Nysa.

The carriage shook somewhat as the heavy pounding of the rain outside continued to bear down on them. It was a crowded situation to say the least. Seven people crammed together with a centuries-old artifact that was just as big as the rest of them. And, although covered and packaged for hand-off, you could still see the feint red pulsating light that emitted from it.]

It's kind of strange... A few months ago we were all being threatened with riots and kidnappings and now here we are tying the bonds between two major countries. You could almost say our actions with this will not only directly impact the countries of Olympia and Wyver, but also their view on us refugees as a whole. I can't be the only one feeling tense over this...

[Was that a crash of thunder in the distance? Goodness they certainly chose the best weather to travel in.]

D. Wildcard!

((Wish to throw a starter to some other scenario at me? Please do! I am open to pretty much playing out anything! Questions of comments? Feel free to message me or hit me up on my plurk at chohakkaifan.))

[willrevile]

Probably.

[ The timing is too precise. But-- ] The timing of everything that goes on here is aggravatingly convenient.

[ Almost like it's choreographed. He paces some, restless. ] Things happen in each city, cities that are supposed to be deaf to each other from ancient hatred, and yet mysterious enemies manage to act in perfect tandem in both places. It drives me nuts. I can't tell if it's just the universe trying to balance itself or there's some bigger picture we can't see.

[nineteenfortyfive]

You're telling me.

[She's busy enough these days that the memories of the riots, the kidnapping, and the things that happened to her in the time that followed are easily bottled up. Not so much now, reflecting on the timing of it all. He's right. It's all a little too convenient.]

The coalition was tame. If we're about balance, then...

[Shit might hit the fan.]

e

[toten_sie]

[ There's someone in the stasis chambers, someone huge with a rather terrifyingly large gun and... what appears to be a massive pair leaning against one of the pods. He's standing watch near a collection of pods, his bag settled on the ground beside him.

As they make their way in, he shifts immediately, pointing towards Jim for a moment before seeing that he appears to be another person, someone clearly exploring, and the gun is slowly lowered between his legs as he lets out a tired sigh.]

Sorry.

[willrevile]

Yeah, that's occurred to me. [ And the fact that whatever translation tech or magic is in use here makes the name 'Darma' sound like something that can translate into cosmic law and order on Earth. ]

Someone mentioned to me that when the first refugees were woken up, something attacked the station, and there's still no known information about it.

Cain | Granblue Fantasy | OTA

[baguablade]

( a : tell-tale heart - olympia )
[ A chance to see this heart that everyone's making such a fuss over? Of course Cain couldn't pass it up; he's making his way through the exhibit, one of those people who's actually interested in everything on display, reading the little pamphlets and informative plaques set out as he meanders along. But really, in the end, there's only one reason he's really here, and eventually, he winds up in front of it, head tilted back to stare at it: Ysevrai's heart, still beating even after all these years.

Just staring at the thing gives him the creeps, has a shiver running down his spine. He lets out a low whistle. ]

Seems like the sort of artifact that's a bit too malevolent to have out on display like this, if you ask me.

[ Of course, he's also taking up the offer to spend the night in the court. And it's in the dead of the night, the moonlight streaming in through the windows, that Cain makes a return visit to see if any of those rumors are true. Surely he's not the only one...? Surely he happens upon someone he can meet and ask: ]

Did you see that? [ Was it only a trick of the light, Cain teasing a little? Or is there something a bit more supernatural going on...? ]

( b : real life fiction - khalo )
[ As soon as he heard there was a library, Cain made a beeline for it. He's been there for hours — if you're someone who knows him, he may need you to come fetch him out and make sure he does other things, like remember to eat and sleep instead of pouring over the books all night.

He can be found thoroughly ensconced in the library, at a table surrounded by parchments, watching the quills busily scribbling away. He reads from one aloud, the tale of Ysevrai or of Shanrian and Raysc, murmuring: ]

That's certainly informative... and ominous.

[ Or you might find him reading another story, one that sounds oddly familiar, a tale of your life, as you happen to be passing by—

Or you might find him balanced on tiptoes on the top of a stepladder, stretching up for a book, just barely out of his reach, not quite able to grab it, wobbling, seemingly moments away from toppling in his pursuit of the book— ]

( c : up, up, and away - khalo )
[ Watching Skyball is exciting enough, but Cain's not one to sit back and let others have all the fun. He's taken one of the flight potions and fully intends to try his hand at the game.

After a bit of practice, that is. He likes to win, after all.

And he can't practice without a partner! ]

Over here! Pass!

[ He waves an arm to make sure he has your attention; seeing as he's not used to being airborne, it may send him spinning, or maybe he's just being loud enough that you feel like pelting the ball at his face. Or maybe you want to team up and actually win a game? ]

( d : desolation station - thesa station )
[ After a message like that, how could Cain not go check out the station? It's too ominous, too worrying, when the Orbiters are their link to the remnants of their world, their bulwark against the Storm.

And yet the corridors of Thesa Station are empty, the lights flicker, and Darma's message plays on repeat over and over again, a terrible, oppressive recording.

Cain's face is grim; it's horribly obvious that something's gone wrong.

When he happens upon someone else, he asks anyway, even though he knows there's not much hope. ]

Any sign of them? Of what happened?

[ He hasn't found anything, he knows it's unlikely anyone else has, and yet... And yet he still has to ask. He still has to hope there's answers somewhere to be found. ]

( e : wildcard )
[ Any other scenario you'd like to do! I'm available at idelva for plotting. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Claire takes an uncomfortable breath. Guess who was in that group?]

That's right. It was much worse than the recent group that had a rough landing. We plummeted to the earth, and it was a wonder no one died. People had to be rescued out of pods, and we didn't have much when it came to supplies.

But... we never found out why that happened, or if the Natha figured it out, they never told us.

[apricitous]

[ He doesn't have what Jim wants, doesn't have a schematic or a map. But he can at the very least, be honest about one thing. It's a crisis situation. The situation on the station... it could speak to much bigger problems. And from what he's heard from Jim, at the very least, his status as an alien won't be an issue to him. That's why he breathes in deep before letting it out and tilting his head.]

My senses are a little sharper than most. I'll let you know if I hear or smell or see something.

[willrevile]

[ Jim stills to better listen to her, his expression serious.

Ugh. ]

This could be an escalation of that. And being up here could be a bad idea.

[ But he doesn't make a move for the door - and he's up here in the first place, anyway. If his crew dies because something happens to Thesa, well. Fuck it. He's died for them before. He's not sure if he'd be able to go on. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

Yet here we are.

[Might as well state the obvious. She wishes there was some way to keep these pods powered and yet off the station, but it's all beyond her. She's a doctor, not a scientist or bloody stasis pod technician--whatever the term might be.]

What else can we do?

mikazuki augus | khalo mingle | ota

[sparsity]

I. ENTERING KHALO | d...rugs

[ It's impossible to escape the buzz surrounding the city at the exchange that's slated to take place soon. A heart for a skull. Mikazuki has no interest in the act of goodwill and diplomacy, so his attention fast moved to the news of nearby Khalo openings its doors instead. He lives on Wyver's outskirts, closer to Namarak than to Khalo. Still, in the jungles, he often sees paths overgrown in their disuse leading that direction.

It's just that now there's an actual destination at the end. Granted, it's shrouded in literal smoke that an eager native Khali had to so kindly help him with, and the trek through the fungi is a little — vivid. And weird.

Not weirder than Mikazuki though, who's made a pit stop to, what, eat? He looks pretty relaxed for someone sitting so close to the giant man-eating mushroom. In fact, he has a piece of it in his hand and he's munching away on it. Luckily there aren't any fleshy bits on it, mostly because he dislikes meat in general.

Whoever passes by, he knows what it looks like, BUT TO BE FAIR: ]

It tried to eat me first.

II. TREE GUARDIANS

[ Even Khalo's ground level is something to behold. It's lively and everything smells slightly sweet and earthy, like the thick vegetation surrounding his home. And the villagers are in no shortage of hospitality and high spirits. Mikazuki is hungrier than usual and they're quick on the uptake, which is how he's managed to get sandwiched between a bunch of rambunctious Khali kids enjoying an outdoor picnic while a storyteller goes on in the background. Maybe he's not the only one?

Whatever the case, his attention is only torn away from wolfing down food when a heavy rumble and thud shakes the ground they sit on. A few natives break away and go fluttering and laughing into the woods. Overhead, a giant appears from the canopy, benevolent footsteps booming through the village. Its limbs are woven with vines, moss, and bark, full of light. Khali and various birds flit alongside it, hitching a ride.

Mikazuki is starstruck for a long moment. ]

Amazing... [ 3, 2, 1, aaand ] Do you think we can catch up with it?

III. ENCHANTED LIBRARY

[ At some point, he finds himself in the library. Because following the incandescent jellyfish creature seemed like a sound thing to do when he encountered it. But it doesn't lead him astray — he's actually pretty taken with the vision of the library, ghost quills and all. Writing, real ink and real paper, is still something of a novelty to him, having gone without all his life. It's only when he finds one of the ancient texts that he approaches another refugee, blunt fingertips trailing down the title: Dragonfire. ]

Can you read this?

[ He doesn't know if he's a fair enough reader to get through it on his own. ]

IV. CRESCENT

[ All things lead to the water, it seems like. Truthfully, Mikazuki just likes the name of communal pond crowning the village because he's simple like that, but the sight is another thing entirely. Blue, crystalline waters full of flowers and reflective of the starry canopy above, just like another sky.

You know, despite the fact that it's also covered in naked Khali. And Mikazuki's gonna join them, stripping down with no reservation, because he's not a coward. ]

What? [ Don't give him that look. ] They said this is how you do it.

[ #culture ]

V. ACCOMMODATIONS | possible nsfw

[ His own home is cozy, but pared down to essentials when it comes to comfort. So being treated to one of the lounges is a whole different level of excess for him, when he's used to so little in the first place. Everything is soft, for one. The carpets beneath his bare feet, the clothes that pool at his harsh angles, the draped fabrics catching and holding the light in the room. His metabolism works at high speeds, but the cure for the enduring sleepiness in the air had been to burn it away with the fyrra.

Though now it just feels like he's burning when he sits among things that are almost too soft for someone like him, arms squishing around one of the large decorative pillows. Strips of muscle highlight on him, slightly strained. ]

This feels really... [ how to put it... ] Rich.

VI. TAMING FIELDS

[ Strangely enough, he's most comfortable out here. Mikazuki does this kind of thing every day now in the Fields of the Exalted, more or less. Granted, the creatures are pretty different this time: a whole field of lumbering beasts coated in moss and flowers, sunning themselves happily. Giving a low hum, Mikazuki rubs his fingers over a dragon scale pendant looped around his neck, his other hand perched on his hip. ]

Well, this works on the dragons. We should be fine. Probably.

WILDCARD

[ want to do something else or get a personalized starter? grab me here or at rivalry! ]

a.

[ausuben]

Very funny.

[ Lancelot answers dryly, although it's soft enough that he seems overall in relatively good spirits to take (somewhat immediately, actually) what he assumes is Cain's teasing in stride.

He hasn't been looking for very long, but he admittedly was hoping for there to be a more dramatic spectacle to be witnessed that was undeniably real. It's all too easy to understand how the rumors could form without anything actually occurring here just by how light and shadow cut into one another and scatter patterns throughout the area. Of course individuals are bound to see things that their mind has to fill in detail for in this sort of environment.

Perhaps there really is nothing to be anticipated tonight, after all. ]

It is even more uneventful than I expected. [ there is a momentary pause before he ventures to add:] ... so far, at least.

[ Things that sound like a terrible idea to Lancelot: completely dismissing claims of activity as fabricated ghost stories when within the same vicinity as a heart that beats without its purpose as an organ in a living creature—even if he is one inclined to err on the side of skepticism in hearing these sorts of stories. The Grandcypher crew has seen quite Some Things that make immediately brushing aside even the most improbable without checking for themselves is not the best course of action. ]

[willrevile]

[ Guns don't terrify Jim, no matter their size. But when one is suddenly pointed at his head, he can't help but take offense on some level.

He stills, but doesn't tense. Doesn't jerk his hand towards his phaser - though he could, he can, he knows just how fast he can draw and what setting it's on. If this guy is even halfway good at reading people, he'll be able to tell how immediately alert Jim is.

Even after the gun is lowered, Jim stays where he is, and that alertness doesn't fade. For what feels like a long moment, he doesn't say anything, and just stares at him. Eventually, ]

You think you could holster your firearms while you're in here? I'm sure you understand the importance of this part of the station.

[toten_sie]

[ There's a look at Jim for a moment where he clearly doesn't figure out what Jim's doing or why. The moment passes, though as he turns the gun in his hand and opens the one side to show that...

Well, the gun's not loaded. He never keeps it loaded. That's why the shears are out. If something rushed him. If Jim's especially observant, once he comes closer, he might notice that the muzzle of the gun has all manner of blast marks on it: this gun is only ever fired at point blank range. ]

I do. That's why I'm here.

[ He does look a little shame-faced about having pointed the gun in the first place.]

It's bad when communications get cut off like that.

[willrevile]

Wait.

[ Which fuuuuuckiiinng suuuuuucks. Jim pushes a hand through his hair, scratches the back of his head, gives up with the fidgeting. ]

This station does have defenses. At the very least in the form of what's being stored in the hangar. There's always a possibility of sending a scout past sensor range, but that's assuming we can get access to anything without triggering a security reaction. And who knows what might happen then - on my ship, certain violation attempts send it into full lockdown and emergency power. So we're handcuffed, here.

[nineteenfortyfive]

I was worried you'd say that.

[Her chest heaves with a sigh. Crossing her arms over her middle, she steps to the side, peering in at some unknown face in the pod.]

Are you planning on staying up here long?

[willrevile]

[ Jim looks over - and slightly up - at Clark. (Jim looks up at most other dude LAs here. Darn you, Average Chris Height.) That's interesting, and good to know. Maybe he remembers a bit of Clark's eyegleam from the assault on the tower. ]

Good to know, [ is what he says. The other man's heard him talk about his world plenty, the things he's used to aliens being able to do, the things some humans can do. He hasn't blinked at a single non-human here.

Anyway. Jim nods and moves, using the flashlight for now to lead the way to scope out what they can of the station. ]

If we can get into a working computer I might be able to configure a scan for life signs.

Peter Nureyev

[rosebyanyother]

On The Way
[The road to the village isn't easy, but that's what makes it all the more interesting. After partaking of the necessary herb that will allow him access through the barrier, Peter sets off on his walk towards Khalo through the swamp.

The colors are fascinating. Especially the fungi, once he reaches the protective ring that circles the village proper. On the best of days, Peter is a deeply curious creature. He likes a bit of exploration, a bit of danger. For some reason - it may well be the fyrra, he suspects - that curiosity is heightened now. He wants to get to the village, sure. But he's also content to traverse the mushroom ring. Not through to Khalo, but around a little. Looking at the various specimens, watching other travelers he finds. Something tells him that this area isn't all it might seem. After all, wasn't that one of the functions of bright colors in nature? Warning signs.

Peter isn't only feeling more curious, though. He finds himself just generally more content. Maybe that's what leads him to intervene just before a fellow traveler - not a Khali, another visitor - takes an unfortunate step towards the wrong kind of mushroom.

A quick hand reaches out to tug them back, Peter smiling at them with much less sharpness than usual.]

Ah, I wouldn't step that way if I were you.

Nude Baths (nsfw possible!)
[If the path into Khalo was interesting, it's nothing compared to the village itself. Peter is charmed by it. He's been to a lot of different cities in all his time hopping from planet to planet and while he wouldn't say that Khalo is the most bizarre he's ever seen, it certainly has a different sort of atmosphere. He likes it here.

The baths seem like an excellent place to socialize and Peter...has very little shame in participating in the way that the Khali encourage people to participate. Fully. (It also doesn't hurt that he notices that another visitor who does the same right before him is met with more smiles and chatter than the ones who don't.) Without having to be asked twice, he strips down out of all his clothes and steps down into the bath.

If anyone looks his way - even if they don't, maybe - he'll grin at them as he sinks down into the water.]

Enjoying yourself?

Smoking Lounge (nsfw highly likely)
[Eventually, he'll find his way to one of the lounges on the ground floor of the village. It was fairly inevitable, given their opulence and the opportunity to gather information inside them.

And when he's given to opportunity to try a different kind of fyrra to the one he used to enter the village...well, the first time was a pleasant enough experience. He's told that this strain will make him feel even better. They're only a little bit coy about what that means exactly, and Peter is sharp enough to pick up on the rest. He knows what he's getting into and...well, he doesn't mind much. One of his hosts urges him to try, and Peter really does want to make good connections here. He likes Khalo and especially likes the option of escaping Olympia from time to time. Wants to have somewhere else to go, somewhere welcoming.

He's currently lounging against a few cushions with a pipe next to him. Not currently indulging, but watching people pass by his little alcove with a sort of lazy interest. If - when - someone walks by who is of particular interest to him (either because he knows them or they are...well, perhaps just male) he may just lean forward with a warm smile.]

Are you interested in partaking? It's a very pleasant experience, I promise you.

[He...technically means the fyrra. But there's a faint flush to his cheeks and a languid invitation in the way that he moves. So...it's kind of the smoke and kind of something else he's offering. Why not?]

II

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Khalo village really is beautiful, and the Khali have been nothing but welcoming since Chuuya had arrived. After a trek through the forest he’s indulged in some local cuisine and lazed around smoking a bit of Fyrra in one of the lounges, and he’s nice and relaxed as he wanders outside.

Just in time to catch a glimpse of one of the giant tree guardians passing through the village. Hitching a ride looks fun as hell, and he flashes the guy talking to him a roguish grin.]

Hell yeah we can. Grab my arm.

[There’s a point to this, Chuuya swears. He’s not just being a weirdo.]

[willrevile]

It is, [ Jim agrees, though neither his body language nor his voice get any friendlier. The reveal of the gun having no ammunition doesn't make him less aggravated, because someone more aggressive may have just attacked in response to being aimed at, without waiting to see the empty chamber. ] It would also be bad if anyone started a fight in here.

[ So please put that away even if it's not loaded.

Hopefully this guy can piece that crucial thought together; Jim's not the best at hand-holding to begin with, and he definitely doesn't have the patience for it right now. The hang-dog look just makes him think 'You should not have a weapon, jeeze.' ]

There's no sign of hostiles on board.

[willrevile]

Depends on how things go, up here and dirtside.

[ As much as he doesn't want to leave his crew, if he can't actually help them, Jim knows he'll just drive himself nuts waiting around. He's got a responsibility to press on. But if he's needed here, then he'll stay here. ]

Until the station is stabilized, we'll have to stay in constant communication with whomever's up here to monitor the situation. [ A beat. ] Has anyone ever gone through the steps to evacuate into space suits with everyone who's not used to that?

[sparsity]

Your arm...

[ Honestly, even if this guy really was just being a weirdo, Mikazuki would probably go ahead and do it anyway. But now this has gotten him all curious about what the point actually is, no thanks to the heightened effect of the fyrra, so — time to do the smart thing.

Reaching over, he takes Chuuya's arm. He's got a pretty sturdy grip as a baseline thing, luckily. ]

Okay.

d

[sparsity]

[ Since meeting Jim and not getting his atoms scrambled by a transporter gone rogue, Mikazuki can't count himself as entirely glad for getting up here to see what the damage is. It's eerie aboard the station, quiet save the errant hum of the lights and power as they pulse on and off. And the way Darma's voice glitches as it reiterates its message. Trouble.

Luckily, trouble doesn't scare him, and he's a fair companion to have a long when it comes to prying open doors and navigating about suddenly inhospitable scenery. ]

No one's here.

[ Terse, somewhat antsy. ]

I need to get to stasis.

[impavid]

[ He feels the bandit squirming to trip him, feels the hand moving to try and grab his blade and gives a growl of irritation. ]

Oh no you don't. We're going to have a little chat first.

[ None of that, now. Whatever it is they're trying to say he can't make out, but that doesn't matter. He shifts his weight, trying to avoid their feet and managing with a slight stumble, then moves to try and topple them both to the ground so he can pin the bandit down. Then he can make sure they can't reach anything more easily. ]