❪ event ❫ a moment in eternity

[natha]

TO THERE AND BACK     It has been a month of chills uncharacteristic of what you might remember as summer — cold days and even colder nights. The days are short and the nights feel eternal. With the recent disruption of the network and no sign of a resolution for the world outside of Nadril, one has to wonder what the future holds for El Nysa. What of Olympia, Wyver, and their residents? The animals you cared for - are they destined to remain as frozen as wretched Ysverai forever? What will become of the sleeping ones in Thesa when there is nowhere else to go but this icy city? Yet not all hope is lost just yet. The woman that appeared at the start of the network errors finally shows up again in another network post. Greetings to you all. I apologize for my abrupt appearance and departure before… My name is Nurray, and I am the closest thing to a monarch that you will find here in Nadril. Magda is... indisposed, so I am here to speak to you in his place. First and foremost, you will notice that your network devices are fully functional once more. Should you experience any further issues, please report them to me immediately so that it can be taken care of. Secondly… Investigating the strange frequency interference we've been experiencing has brought some troubling data to light. The passage of time outside of this colony has been halted, of course, but the hold seems... unstable. Whatever it is that Darma has done to contain the calamity, I doubt that it will last for long. Time is an unpredictable force, and attempting to control it can only have adverse effects on the world. You could stay here if you so chose, outside the reach of that magic... but to do that would be to abandon the rest of this planet to an unenviable fate. ...ah, but there is no need to take my word for it. You can see the effects for yourselves, if you wish — merely look outside. "Seeing is believing"... isn’t that the phrase? Nurray has a point: refugees have not been given a chance to see the outside. The frequent snowstorm barrier of Nadril has made it impossible to see what it's like beyond the colony. Soon after the network post, as though the snow has been "turned off," clouds will clear. With the barrier created by the snow gone, the red sun shines brightly upon the dreary city with its warmth. You can see a purple haze on the south horizon, a indication that Yservai wasn’t all just a dream. He's still there, so far away, yet so close anyway. Near the entrance, a mound of snow melts, revealing steps leading towards the underground. It seems to be a part of the subway station you might have found earlier during your exploration of the colony — this time, the station has been powered on. Two trains lie in wait — their destinations read: Olympia and Wyver. — El Nysa is waiting. FREEZE FRAME     The technology found in the subway station of Nadril is truly out of this world. The combined efforts of Natha technology and alien minds have truly created state-of-the-art transportation never before seen by the typical Nysan. It takes no longer than one hour for the intercoms to announce their arrival to the outskirts of the Dranbu Kingdom — though, even with the platform available, the train never stops; it instead continues for another half hour for it to reach the North Gate of the Olympian Empire, where it sits until it's time to return to the tundra. All in all, it takes a mere hour and a half for this high-speed subway travel from Nadril to Olympia. The second train does make a quick stop at the Olympian Station, but it will be another painless hour and a half until it reaches the jungle of the Wyver Kingdom. Because Wyver is its own island, connected only by a bridge, you might notice that a small part of the travel was underwater. The trip takes only a total of three hours, but there's plenty of time for sightseeing. After all, isn't that the whole point of this trip? BE STILL MY HEART. Leaving the train, you are immediately hit with the still, warm air of the underground. It's hot, much different from the winter of the north, but perhaps a welcome change. The station is old, but it still has a fairly new smell to it, and not just because it's been unused for so long. It feels out of place compared to the rest of this world, and this is especially true when you reach the surface. The entrance was hidden under the earth right near the North Gate. Upon leaving the station, you're immediately hit with the familiar wretched smell and atmosphere of the undead. Even if you're new, you won’tt be able to miss Ysverai, the risen Great Dragon. You see this massive creature on the horizon, mouth wide and ready to blast El Nysa into nothing. Yet he remains still — as are all the terrified residents of Olympia. You've only seen this on the monitors of Thesa Station, and now you're able to experience first-hand how utterly quiet and still the world is now. The native Olympians are all over — you see most of them running away from the Great Dragon. Others equipped their armors and rode their steeds straight toward the danger in hopes of protecting their Empire. And the civilians, having lost all hope, are huddled together — at least they would have been able to spend their final moments with loved ones. Up on Thesa Station, you felt dread when you'd observed Ysverai for too long — this remains true here. That dread reaches your heart and clutches it. You feel his pain and suffering, and for those too in tune with emotions, it may be too much for you to be near him. Best to steer clear from him, or perhaps return to the underground. There is much more to be seen, after all. PRAYING WITH FIRE. Another hour and a half south on the subway, and you'll reach the Wyver Station. It's far warmer here in the station this further south, but Ysverai's dread doesn't reach here. On the surface, you are instead immediately hit with the overwhelming humidity of the jungle. With summer in full swing, the layers you've brought with you from Nadril become a burden. In Wyver, the mood is far different. The Great Dragon Yservai was once a being that was respected and worshipped by the Wyver people — not to mention that the one responsible is none other than Prince Raysc — thus his revival is met with somber resilience. Most of Wyver natives, instead of running away, had gathered around fires in prayer. Trained dragons that were unaffected by Ysverai's influence bow by their master's sides in acceptance of what they feel in their heart is to come with the Great Dragon's final blow. You may even spot your own dragon, eyes beamed up toward Thesa, like it knows you were up there at the moment time stood still. It's hard to imagine where one can go from here. You might start thinking about clean-up efforts, how to achieve proper burials for the fallen ones... but with time frozen, you will find that you cannot actually move anything or anyone. It will be dusk, as Thesa's shines across the skies, when storm cloud gather before Thesa's light. And from the clouds is a familiar figure — Once again, she has descended. TIME & TIME AGAIN     Darma is glowing as bright as the naked eye can perceive. Her massive, true form floats before the world she's built from dust. Is this world salvageable in your eyes, Refugee? We held time in hopes that we fould find a way to dissolve this Ysverai back to the ashes from which he was reanimated. Unfortunately, we continue to be unseeing, thus uncertain of the future... after all, our powers are near depleted. Nurray was correct, Refugee, in that I cannot hold time for much longer. There is... another way, however. It is not ideal by any means, but we shall do what we must to keep Ysverai frozen. As for us... we have expended far too much of our energy — Refugee, I am too aware of the misfortunes you've experienced in your time here. I have failed in my promise to provide better living... perhaps, with more time, I may yet see a better future. Until then, I leave Thesa, our hearts, in your hands. Farewell, Refugee. Her brightness dims as she says her final words — at the same time, raises her arms, palms wide, then closes her hands into a fist. In that instant, time is resumed. It's slow at first, as though time is trying to catch up with reality. It takes a several moments until the slow-motion picture before them reaches normalcy. Darma turns her attention to Yservai, whose motion is also returning, but not for long. In her true form, they are comparable in size; Darma's glow continues to dim as she draws closer to the Great Dragon, and then she coils herself around him, holding him still before assimilating into the wretched creature. By the end of it, time has completely returned to normal, and all residents were able to witness the Natha holding time still for Ysverai — The process turns the Great Dragon, as well as Darma, into stone. HIT PLAY TO REPLAY     Darma has resumed time, and Ysverai is no longer a threat. However, it comes with a hefty price for the Natha. The massive, stone statue of Darma embracing Ysverai looms in the valley between the cities of Olympia and Wyver. It's no doubt an intimidating addition to the world, but there is some peace in knowing it's all over. When civilians finally come to, they can't help but look upon the statue in awe — and their respective cities. It's much to take in all at once. Much destruction has been wrought— buildings lay in ruin, and of the citizens still alive, many look to be in poor physical condition. 1. I. The Sanctuary has sustained much damage, and with the high demand of medical care, cannot serve as the central healing place for those in need. Instead, it is up to individual citizens to find resources and establish places of care. Those with a medical inclination or healing powers may set up medical tents, or work out of their homes. Not everything has been destroyed, and it is still possible to obtain supplies from the market or request them from The Sanctuary. There is also, unfortunately, the tragic task of transporting corpses to graveyards and giving fallen citizens a proper burial. The Temples thank you for your service. II. In order to have a functioning city again, buildings and facilities must be repaired and rebuilt. It's possible your own home was demolished in the battle. With so many important buildings needing to be repaired, city officials are too overwhelmed with the coordination of such tasks to double-check that buildings are restored to their original form. What's more, they seem to encourage design innovation, believing that a new, fresh look to the city will revitalize people's morale. Now is the time to put your own unique flair on the interior or exterior of Olympia's infrastructure. Even parts of the Palace need repair. Time has resumed, yes, but the magic that Darma employs isn't flawless. As powerful of an entity as she may be, to tamper with time is difficult. Some would say it defies the laws of nature. Nature seems to agree, and in the next few weeks, El Nysa will be facing a few hiccups as it finds its equilibrium once more and citizens try to return to normalcy. Strangely enough, El Nysa natives are not disturbed by the occurrence of these events. III. Characters may find that they occasionally (or frequently) suffer from lapses in memory. These difficulties with memory may range from light to severe, although they are thankfully not permanent. Within the span of a few minutes to a few hours, difficulties in remembering people and events are resolved. That isn't to say a similar problem won’t happen again tomorrow… IV. Is it just you, or is your housemate looking a bit old lately? No, it isn't just stress making some citizens appear older. For a short amount of time, some characters may find themselves advancing or regressing in age, both physically and mentally. This particular kind of time hiccup is rare and may be particularly disturbing to the affected person’s friends. Thankfully, there have been no cases of this effect lasting more than an hour. V. At times, it seems as though objects and people in El Nysa will feel a bit out of place. These are beings and things that belong to what some may call "alternate universes." Their presence is transient, and some will only appear for a few instances before returning to their rightful existence. The ones that linger a bit longer, however, may make your day more interesting. Before you stands a pet just like yours, except it talks...? Perhaps you'll meet another version of yourself, a more bloodthirsty version of yourself. Or maybe you'll run into a version of your friend that really enjoys your company. The possibilities are truly endless, and potentially mortifying. VI. Towards the end of the month, the frequency of the aforementioned disturbances will decrease. Following this will be an increase in a different sort of disturbance: one that will either make literal seconds seem like an eternity, or force you to move and talk at a speed you never thought possible. It's as though some higher entity is pressing the fast forward or slow down button on life, and considering your mind works at the same pace as normal, the phenomenon is as frustrating as it sounds. Hope you weren't planning to be on time for anything, because it might be awhile before the universe allows you to take that next step. But these phenomena does draw to a close — and with it, you may wonder what will happen now to those sleeping ones in Thesa now that Darma has turned to stone. After all, it will be near the time of which more refugees should wake... Repairs to Thesa Station should remain ongoing so long as parts can be salvaged from Nadril, at least. And with speed travel via subway possible, it should make travel far easier than ever before. Even with Darma gone, you will have to move forward. There is still much to be done. FINAL OOC NOTES     You may acquire REP for Nadril, and either Olympia or Wyver in this log. An AC-eligible thread for ONE (1) NADRIL REP POINT may be submitted HERE BY AUGUST 26TH, 11:59 PM EST. A second AC-eligible thread for 1 REP for either Olympia OR Wyver may be submitted HERE OR HERE BY AUGUST 26TH, 11:59 PM EST. Please direct questions to the questions thread below! Thank you! QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[impavid]

No kidding, I've missed the convenience of a decent subway system. Or even a bad one.

[ He glances out the window too, presses his lips into a thin line as he studies his own reflection. ]

Kinda weird though, right?

[ By which he means: literally most everything the past month or so. The time-stopped dragon, the barrier around Nadril, the subway not working then jumping to life for them. ]

[torchwoodteaboy]

Ianto has to quirk an eyebrow at the other man at the question. Come on, John, must you really ask? Yes, it is definitely concerned hovering.

"It's been a long day," he replies, innocently enough, moving up to fall into step with the other man as they make their way down the path. Slipping the other strap of his bag onto his shoulder, he sticks his hands in his pockets again. A long day, and now he's come to collect him home, he doesn't say -- but the implication is there if John considers it. Or maybe he won't. And that's okay too. Ianto doesn't particularly mind either way.

[inaurare]

If you don't know what it looks like, how're you gonna find it?

[and on the subject of Important Questions]

Was there really a real dragon?

[yes, though it seems the word 'mean' has gone straight over Linneus' head. However interested he might be, he probably doesn't want to see it...]

[impavid]

"Yeah? Worried you might faint on the way back?"

He flicks Ianto an easy smile, bumps their shoulders together a moment as they walk.

"Good thing you got me to escort you. I can put my first aid skills to use if you collapse."

That's absolutely what it is, right? Right. Probably. He adjusts his bag, scanning the road ahead idly, then leans in again and lowers his voice.

"You'll give yourself frown lines."

With all the concerned fussing. So maybe he's not fooled after all.

[braidedwonder]

So.. you're saying someone basically stole your little brother... [ Duo's a little dumb founded right now, Mipha, sorry about it. He's wondering who the hell would take a Zora tadpole, for one, if hey don't know how to care for it. And two... how the hell Mipha is still seemingly pretty damn calm considering that's basically what she's just told him.

Duo stares a moment longer, as if waiting for some other explanation but then.. sort of shaking his head and continuing on. ]

Whatever. I'm lookin' for a red tadpole, maybe in a bucket.

Let's go.

[priorly]

[Its Prior who reneges on the deal. John tosses him a name then, in a shock move, goes so far as to ask a question of him too. Three whole unprompted, unnecessary words. Prior doesn't want to let them get away. So he doesn't give a name back, yet. He pays John off with a once-over look as he sits, and a smile that looks easier than the question makes him feel.]

I was. [Now there's company. But there's more to the feeling than that.] I haven't been here long. It feels like I might not stay long, either. I don't know why.

[He laughs, a rush of breath in air.]

Probably sounds crazy. Do you ever feel like that? Like - time's short.

[hellzone]

[ She narrows her eyes and stares even harder, like doing so will actually make her sense a presence. ]

That's the weird thing. I don't sense anything.

[hellzone]

[ She can tell it's a compliment and can't help but look a little smug. It's only when Grantaire continues talking, that Yoshiko's smugness turns into a little frown.

No matter. She can find other little demons who are much more amenable to spreading the word of Aqours ]

Even one as powerful as I am cannot gain followers every time I talk to one. [ she'll accept this! ] So I shall charge you with scouring the land to help Yohane find followers and new little demons!

[america]

[ Steve exhales a huff of a laugh. Yeah, he gets how ridiculously jarring this must be to most people here who don't know the history of Captain America.

As for him, he'd just really like to feel a little more like himself again.

And this, for all that this is how he was born, isn't it. ]

Long story, Cheryl. [ He looks uncomfortable, like his own skin is starting to itch. ] I'm hoping this isn't permanent. [ That would really hinder his ability to do what he does best. ] I don't remember doing anything differently.

[america]

Well, I wasn't exactly soaking the sun up on a beach every day back then.

[ Or ever.

Too much sun exposure and he burned. Too much heat and his asthma returned in such a fit. Besides which, he didn't exactly have a swimsuit physique.

He takes in a breath, deeper than his usual, and finds that - yeah. Rumlow's right. His chest feels tight, almost constricting.

Welcome back to the past, Rogers. ]

And I'm glad I can entertain your boredom. [ Frustrated? Him? No. This doesn't stop Steve from doing what he came out here to do in the first place. Not Rumlow, not his sudden physical change, nothing.

He begins to move back towards the scattered rubble, large stone bricks and bent metal that still needs to be cleaned up. ]

Maybe instead of staring at me like some kind of lab experiment, you could help me out instead.

[america]

[ Steve shakes his head, glancing up (yeah) at Claire. He offers her a thin smile that still feels very Steve Rogers if you know him well enough. ]

I didn't always look like the guy you know. [ Case in point: voila.

He makes a quick sweep, gesturing to himself. ]

But I'm okay, I'm fine. Just ... not really sure what happened.

[america]

I wish I knew.

[ Steve exhales, shrugging a shoulder in clothes that feel much-too-large for his small stature now. He feels a little ridiculous.

He doesn't feel like himself, which is a funny thing to say when this is the way he'd been born. ]

Hi Clarke.

[kikoku]

Why, do you owe them something?
[Law's been helping on the medical side, but that's because it's his duty as a doctor. Most people aren't bound by such things, and as far as he was aware, the only obligations anyone here had was to the Natha rather than the natives of El Nysa itself.]

You'd be better off trying to do something for the ones who are still alive.
[He finally reaches the point he was directed to, and dumps the body as unceremoniously as he grabbed it in the first place. So much for respect for the dead.]

[kikoku]

[This is a fair point. Previously, he'd been able to get away with it because, again, he'd kept it on a boat. But now he doesn't have anything like that.]

... I suppose I'll have to readjust of find a ship, then.
[Or some of both, if he's to save up some money to buy said ship.]

[torchwoodteaboy]

Perhaps he's not nearly so easily fooled after all, no. Ianto glances up at the other man from out of the corner of his eye, knowing that he's been caught in the act, a bit sheepish, but not overly so. He doesn't regret fussing over John, after all. He'd rather do so and suffer the consequences of it than suffer the consequences of not doing so.

He flicks him the hint of a smile -- see, he hasn't entirely forgotten how to do that too -- leaning in to bump his shoulder in return as they walk.

"Heaven forfend," Ianto quips in return. He does not speak up to point out whose fault that might be, however. Gathering his thoughts for a moment instead before continuing, "I think you've spent enough time doctoring other people today, without adding myself to the list. Not that I don't appreciate your concern."

[icingonthecake]

"All right, You it is!" he says brightly, and hops backward, holding up one hand like he's ready to catch the disc when she throws it. "Good!" he says. "It wouldn't be fair if you just made it easy, right?" Some of the other kids back home on Radiant Garden had made fun of him for playing with the younger kids in town, but the way Lea saw it, so long as they could keep up and weren't put in a situation that was too difficult or dangerous for them, why did it matter if they were a few years younger? If you only made friends with people exactly your own age, that was way too small a canvas, right? "How far do you think you can throw it?" he asks. He doesn't want to insult her by standing too close, but doesn't want her to feel bad if he goes too far back and she doesn't make it.

[icingonthecake]

"Hi Ren!" he says, and then takes a few steps back, holding the disc up. "Thanks! It's hard to play without another person... I end up just having to run back and forth a lot, phew!" He backs up a little further, then sends the disc soaring through the air toward him. "So have you been here long?" he asks conversationally. "I... think I just got here, but it's all kind of a blur."

[icingonthecake]

Math is dumb anyway, Roxas, gosh. He's not sure why, but he thinks that something has this Roxas kid a little bummed, and that's no good at all. "Mm, I'm not sure, actually," he admits, scratching his head. "One minute, I was hanging out in the square back home with my friend, and the next--bam!--I was just here in this weird place." He shakes his head. "Weird, right? How about you, have you been here long?" He makes a face. "Where's 'here', anyway?" He'd said 'Olympia', but... that doesn't mean anything to him. Is it another world, or just some new part of Radiant Garden he's never seen, somehow?

Aftermath for Roxas and Axel

[icingonthecake]

He doesn't really remember the details of how he had returned to his proper age, or how he'd wound up a younger version of himself in the first place, but Axel knows one thing for sure: he needs to talk to Roxas and try and straighten things out. Turnabout might be considered fair play, but 'forgetting' Roxas because he'd reverted to his 15-year-old self had probably made the kid feel pretty awful, and calling him Ventus had just been unnecessary salt in the wound, he's sure of that. At least one good thing can be said to have come from this, though: he knows now that Terra wasn't just full of beans or being a stubborn jerk. Roxas does look almost identical to Ventus. He had forgotten a lot of the finer details of what the kid had looked like, having only met him so briefly so long ago, but with the regression to his younger self, the memories had been fresh all over again, and he'd retained them upon returning to his rightful age.

He finds himself under a tree near the southern port of Olympia. He'd apparently decided to take a nap, and upon waking had been back to normal, so the first thing he does is grab his communicator and send Roxas a message.

Roxas, it's me. Like. I'm me again.
We should probably talk. I didn't have any control over what happened, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry, that was probably awkward as hell.
Where are you?

[summertimeblues]

[It's the little things that help.

She really is lacking in the muscles department, Jesus. Richie is left doing the bulk of the heavy lifting, which should only be fair since it's his dumb self that wound up seven feet below ground level, but the extra leverage from above does give him that final boost needed. He works up his legs with a final grunt, hooking the knee over the edge at last. Richie rolls to safety, sprawling out like a starfish and huffing to collect himself from the effort.]

I live! Cripes! I thought I was gonna have to learn how to dig tunnels and eat worms like the rest of the mole people! [He rolls his head back, bright grin turned upside down as he beams at his saviour.] I owe you a soda, mee-lady.

np!

[kikoku]

[Law had taken notice of the girl earlier, but given his position, hadn't been aware that she'd been staring at his equipment. So it does actually startle him a bit when she finally speaks up.]

What-
[He looks from her to his jury-rigged transport solution of: a rope.]

... Not particularly, but I don't exactly have a lot of options....
[Wait, she's some sort of young teen, maybe he's misunderstood.]
There's no danger to you, if that's what you meant.

[summertimeblues]

"Lou Gehrig's?"

Holy shit. Richie draws back some in surprise, even if he ought not to be so shocked. Amidst all the wacky and weird phenomenons, there were still very humble hurts and curses afflicting the refugees. Hell, he was living with an AIDS victim.

What he doesn't get is the follow up. Not for a few years. He's silent a moment, studying her. He pats his jacket pocket and pulls out a smoke, lighting it with the zippo and taking a studious puff. It's rather professor-like. Had he a pipe instead and his glasses on in lieu of contacts, he'd be the spitting image of an intellectual.

"Not for a few years." His lips thin. "I'm not sure I'm catching your drift. You mean it hasn't hit you this bad for a few years, or that it's not supposed to have gone so haywire on your nerves yet?"

With his dim knowledge of medicine, Richie is only half certain that it's supposed to be a gradual progression. It doesn't seem like the kind of disease that comes in spells. It's literal degradation, isn't it? That's damage done and done permanent. He scratches at his hair, cig pinned between his teeth.

"Shit, I'm no doctor, I can't give you a proper diagnosis, Teej. But I do know that something's been real off lately around here. Ever since the Natha turned the clock back on and let time resume, things have been real stop, go, rewind and fast forward. You get what I mean? The other day I took a piss and the stream froze mid-air. If you ever wanted proof in a higher power I can't think of anything better to give it to you."

Moreover, there was what happened soon after. He frowns.

"Then I ran into my buddy at the store. Except he'd gotten fifteen years shaved off his face and was gawking around like a baby. Didn't recognize me one bit."

[illuminating]

[She double-takes. For some reason, she hadn't expected him to follow, but with sidelong gaze, she slows her pace so he can fall more easily into step with her. It's the most she can do to convey she accepts his company, and his conversation.

Answering his question comes more difficult, of course. If she could speak, she'd tell him: As of right now, I'm actually a wolf. Humans often deny parts of themselves. She never denies anything about who or what she is. This is her first corporeal form. She isn't a spirit possessing a wolf, she painfully took this shape when she fell, when she pulled that demon to earth with her. Maybe back then, when her memory wasn't splintered, she might've known why. She can't recall if she chose it, or if it happened by coincidence. She supposes she could've formed into the shape of any living thing. And while she's never had a body or seen one of herself otherwise, even when all the gods that came from her have joined her again, it still isn't her truest form, what her appearance would be from the core of herself.

Spirits who can only see the deepest truths don't see her this way, they see a maiden, but she's only known herself as light, flickering, or as the wolf. She wonders if people would take her more or less seriously if she looked like a person. It's not upsetting, per se. It doesn't discourage her. She knows it's to test and practice faith.

By now, she's been steadily looking on at him as they walk, and she's good on her paws, as most wolves are, not missing a step, not planting pads and claws anywhere she doesn't want. It's with the eyes that she tries to reach people the most, though a gaze can have many meanings. The current one could be saying: "Now, you're wondering?" or, "If you're patient enough, I'll find a way to show you." or, "You're much different, like this. I don't think it's bad. Though I love the you I've come to know very much. I wonder if that you would ever tell me about this you."

If he is, in fact, patient enough, with a little walking she heads into trees. This part of the wood is scorched, the trees are charred, there's ash rather than grass. Not a sound of any other animal near by, but he might guess at their not too distant presence by the roving of her ears. Quietly herself, she's surveying, and after a moment, she turns her face round to look at him, her ears turning to him as well. Right now, she'd say, she's a wolf, presently, but a little different from other wolves. Again, if he hasn't enough faith for it, he won't witness her painting from that astral place, still reachable though she stands before him, but with ease, and grace, and an enthusiasm for life, at her paws, shoots up one blade of grass after the other, and then stems, and then buds, flowers unfurling more rapidly than they ought to, encouraged by her love, drawing them out, giving them new life.

It's a green pool dotted with pale pinks and white spreading away from her, and she stays steady, she tilts her head vaguely as if to ask him if he understands. Then, she's walking through the damage, the life following her, climbing up those blackened trees to leave healthy bark, moss, foliage. There's more to be done, but she passes through trees, behind them to make sure she's reaching everywhere she can, and she comes around one to find him again, slow blinking, wondering at his reaction.]

[summertimeblues]

A living gem?

[What the hell?

Richie draws his hand back, blinking wide. Then he pats at her hair again, the strands just as thin, just as bendable as his own, and yet they felt so solid. Rock hard.

He finally draws back wholesale, the brims of his ears going red. That was all very touchy-feely, wasn't it? Better leave off, even if laying off the gaping was going to be difficult. On top of being alien she was also frighteningly beautiful. Not in the way Beverly was, or the silver screen sirens that trotted over his tv. Just a very foreign, untouchable vision. Like something out of an old painting.]

What do you mean, you're very safe? Sounds like what someone dangerous would say. [He takes the glasses off again and sets to fiddling with the tape in the middle. Maybe there's enough stick-em left in there to gum the two halves back together.] You gonna carve me up and put me in a necklace for revenge? All those diamonds we've been sticking in rings and shit, seems like it's your time to give back what you've been getting.

[That's how it'd go in a comic book. Maybe it's the kind of alien Superman would have to fight. She doesn't seem so bad though, and he's still stealing furtive peaks at the strange shine of her hair. It really did look like a thousand crystals, spitting rainbows every which way.]

[stargatemedic]

Her hand, twisted as it is, reaches out and settles on his knee. She knows her diagnosis and she wants to reassure him that there's nothing that he can do for her at the moment but sit and be there, really. Hearing that she's not the only one experiencing odd out-of-time moments helps and she furrows her brow at someone being, suddenly, approximately fifteen years younger than they were supposed to be.

"In three years, the symptoms come," she tells him, her head jerking slightly as she turns it to look at him. It's uncomfortable and it makes her self-conscious to be seen this way, but if he's seen it elsewhere, maybe something he shares will give her an insight she doesn't have on her own. "I'm dead in five."

There. Saying it clinically makes her less emotional than if she thinks about it for longer, and she doesn't expect sympathy. She's seen it happen on video, knows her own future, and in that she's lucky. Supposedly.

She wants to ask if his friend is still young - and by extension, know if she's going to stay like this - but the words won't form and she stutters over the words.