❪ 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

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mikazuki augus | gundam ibo | ota

[sparsity]

I. TO THERE AND BACK

[ It's a sight. Mikazuki had been burdened with the thought of Nadril as a barrier since the refugees arrived in the frozen city. Even with tasks to do, he'd felt frustrated and inert. Now that the veil of snow has lifted, he sees the truth of it on the horizon, the unfinished thing that's been calling to him since time stopped. All the details of Nurray's address pass him by — he's not so altruistic as to want to alter fate or save the world, but he does have a bone to pick. ]

I'm going to see it.

[ And he does. Wherever he is, company or no, he's taking the underground steps left in the wake of the melted snow, gaze traveling up and down the station interior. ]

...a train? [ He's never seen a subway system before. He walks until he spots the destinations, sounding them out. ] Olympia, and...

Wyver.

[ One holds the dragon itself, the other is — home, for now.

Which to choose? ]

II. FREEZE FRAME

[ Whichever train he chooses to board, Mikazuki is still throughout the duration of the ride, fixated on the whir of the tunnel and the brief reprieves of scenery along the way. His body is locked by tension, gaze unkind. All in all, he looks grouchy, like he needs a nap. Eventually though, the train arrives at its destination, and maybe not the most obvious one: ]

A. OLYMPIA
[ Mikazuki abruptly leaves the train once it stops in Olympia. There's something he has to see for himself there. Departing the station to find the North Gate, Mikazuki's expression twists once he hits the open air. ]

It stinks.

[ That rot ignites his determination as nostalgia might ignite the presence of a fond memory, even though there's no fondness to be found in his expression. With the chaos suspended, Olympia looks nothing like the city he arrived in over a year ago, that harbored him until he felt like he could no longer trust it. But it's not Olympia he's here to see. Mikazuki doesn't stop until he's all but right underneath Ysverai, the aggressive pulse of the dragon's emotions making him even less likely to back away from it.

He knows he can't just take up Barbatos and get back to work in ripping the dragon to pieces. But the urge exists, and he's hiding it none too well. ]

B. WYVER
[ Mikazuki goes "home", eventually. Not that there's much to see, even on his farm. The city is eerie in its silent mourning for what Mikazuki supposes was once its hope and faith, the fields of the exalted are even moreso. He doesn't have much experience in either of those things, but he's not as blind to it as he plays. So he goes to the place he's made his own, even if he's not pleased by the sight of it. Blight hasn't touched his land as much as it has elsewhere, but there are droplets of it here and there, deadened soil and brittle plants.

Maybe he's not alone. His house has become a hub of sorts for people he knows — others may have come, for lack of anywhere else to go in a city abandoned by time. Mikazuki doesn't really have much to give, hands firmly planted in his pockets as he observes, an outsider to the things he's made. ]

It's not like it'll do any good to touch it. Nothing will grow like this.

III. REPLAY

[ Just like that, life goes on, even if what's left behind is so conspicuous, a warning rising up from the rift, that even Mikazuki finds it heavy and strange to look at. Darma was the one who pulled him back from the chill of death, after all. Him, and those he's looking after on Thesa. All that's left is to try and move on, even if in the shadow of two beings: one he gave his compliance to, and one he would have done anything to kill. He has to resume normal life, but what is normal, anyway... ]

A. A TINY PROMPT
[ Somewhere along the way, time got mixed up. Which is why Mikazuki is less than half his age but still recognizable: an even smaller stature in an even bigger coat, taken to prowling the streets like a sticky-fingered stray out of sheer habit. Approaching him will trigger off his distrust, before he'd had a chance to grow into his own violence and temper it; despite his size, he still has his gun gripped in his hands. He needs both to hold it as he levels it, but the look in his eye is chilling, for someone no older than eight. ]

Who is it?

[ Seems his memory hasn't quite caught up with the changes yet. ]

B. A LESS TINY PROMPT
[ Back to normal, but only for so much time — whatever Mikazuki is in the middle of doing, pulling dead plants from his fields, repairing rotted wood fences, grabbing a drink, carrying a crate through the markets, he abruptly drops what's in his grasp, uncontrolled. A surprised noise drifts out of him, right arm that had only just relearned its dominance hanging limply at his side.

Looking around, Mikazuki seems almost confused, even if he's not thrown off his balance. Half of his world has gone dark, the light in his right eye gone. ]

Huh. That's strange...

IV. WILDCARD

[ pm or hit me on plurk at rivalry for anything else! i'm down for literally anything here. ]

to there and back!

[frombetrayal]

[Haru is... marginally more familiar with subways than Mikazuki, at least! Granted, she spent most of her life getting driven around by chauffeurs, but considering her activities as a Phantom Thief weren't exactly sanctioned by her father even before he died, she'd grown somewhat used to taking the train.

...

Even if she's been here on El Nysa longer than she'd been free to ride the Tokyo subway lines. That's a sobering thought, and one she chooses not to dwell on as she catches sight of Mikazuki stopped to examine the trains' destinations.

She pauses a bit behind him.]

...where are you headed?

[sparsity]

[ Given the acoustic nature of the structure, it's hard to not notice someone approaching. There are a fair few people down here anyway, and Mikazuki isn't really paying anyone else any mind, thinking they'll do the same for him. So when a voice drifts up, addressing him, he looks over his shoulder. He doesn't recognize her, but even if he did, it might not change the lack of anything in his expression. ]

I'm not really sure.

[ He thought he was, before coming to stand at this crossroads. ]

[frombetrayal]

[Well, there are only so many options. Worst case scenario, if he really can't make up his mind, he can always flip a coin.

Sadly, she's not the type to suggest making such an important decision with a coin flip.]

Well... if you're unsure, that must mean you have reasons to go to either place. Sometimes talking them it out can make deciding a little easier.

[yelliot]

Elliot Nightray! Who're you?

_{[Yeah, Elliot's around the same age but still loud and brash as ever, even if he's grown far shorter and his features rounder and softer. Sure, he notices the gun, but there's no way it'd be real, right?]}

Your toy gun is pretty cool! All I ever got was a wooden sword for a toy weapon.

[sparsity]

[ For a moment, Mikazuki just watches Elliot over the sight of the gun, wide eyes piercing and calm. Like he's looking for something — oh. ]

Yelly. [ Despite being smaller, it seems he remembers the other boy, even if it'd' taken him a minute. Strangely, he doesn't lower the gun right away, still on edge. ] It's not a toy.

[ His finger shifts off the trigger and onto the grip, metal components clinking. ]

[yelliot]

Hey! It's not Yelly it's Elly- _{[Wait that's his siblings' nickname for him UGH-!]} Elliot! Get it right!

_{[But that's about as far as he gets in scolding Mika for fucking up his name because the click of the gun and essentially stumbles back, pointing a finger at the weapon in hand.]}

N-No way...it's real?! That's dangerous! You could kill someone!

III A.

[jesus_is_gundam]

[When their eyes do meet, that chilling look is reflected right back at Mikazuki, from someone who is very much of similar height and age, stuffed into a somewhat similar oversized jacket. Even the distrust is mutual, as Setsuna-- as Soran aims his gun right back at Mika.]

Who are you?

[sparsity]

[ Young as he is, he's learned to recognize the biting expression of someone who would kill him for the same reasons he'd kill, himself. But no shots ring out, deafening the alleyway they occupy, so he simply holds his ground and gauges. ]

Mikazuki.

[ He's not stupid enough to motion with his firearm, keeping it unnervingly level for a child. ]

I asked you, too.

[jesus_is_gundam]

Mikazuki...

[His eyes narrow as he slowly repeats the name, though it isn't out of any sort of hostility. He doesn't know the name, but he feels like he should. It's a faint echo of a memory, like this was some kid he met ages ago.

Maybe they did meet before... before he came.

Maybe they were friends once, in that way children can be when they play together. But are they enemies now?]

I'm S-- [He hesitates, though he doesn't know why. His name is Soran Ibrahim, yet something about that just feels wrong. But it's the only name he's ever had. Right?]

I'm Soran. Of the KPSA. Who are you with?

II-B

[notwagging]

[ pardon a wolfskin for being easily distracted, but he's arriving just behind Mikazuki--- maybe a few feet behind, and his eyes catch the various spots of blight left on the earth and in the plants. it disgusts him, it hurts him--- it's offensive in so many ways, seeing something he's grown fond of and rolled around on become tainted and dead. ]

... can we pick it all up? Maybe we can move all the bad dirt somewhere else, and replace it with some fresh dirt.

[ already he can imagine using his big, furry armfuls to carry as much soil as it takes, tail wagging as it gets all over him in the process. ]

We can try really hard...!

[sparsity]

[ Like this, Keaton is the only bright thing in sight. While he can upend dirt and wag away from of the stillness and blight, Mikazuki doesn't move to join him just yet. It's strange for him, always being the first to work, to pick up and move on. But when everything is so still, it's hard to find a rhythm to living again. ]

It won't work if we're the only ones moving.

[ He says it with finality, but his tone is strange, low and without sadness or hurt. ]

We'll have to wait to see if time starts working properly again. Or...

[ A glance to the west, towards Olympia. Towards Ysverai. ]

[notwagging]

[ ugh. frustrating. he's impatient and he just wants to get back to work, back to making the place normal again. he doesn't even need to ask about where Mikazuki is looking, already having an idea of what he's probably thinking about. ]

I wanna tear it up into pieces and leave nothing behind.

[ except his tone is bright and cheery, tail wagging quickly. his smile widens to the point where he has no choice but to close his eyes. ]

But... I kinda think it'll work again.

[ quietly, he takes a spot behind Mikazuki, his stomach bumping into the other's back as he wags furiously. ]

ii-a, i'm finally reporting in for duty

[pebblestone]

[ Mikazuki's not the only one idling by the Ysverai that day. Frederick stands not too far away, chin tilted up as he gazes at Ysverai, disappointment and regret comingling on his face.

His gaze flicks over at Mikazuki's approach, then returns back to Ysverai, though not before he asks, voice low: ]

Did you fight him?

[ They all contributed in their own ways, from combat to evacuation, but something about the young man suggests he'd done more of the former than the latter. ]

clutches him fiercely

[sparsity]

Yeah. [ His brevity is anchored by restlessness. ] But it wasn't enough.

[ Mikazuki looks calm outwardly, but his demeanor is tense thanks to Ysverai's influence. ]

[pebblestone]

[ Not enough...His gaze shifts again from Mikazuki back to Ysverai. Softly, he murmurs: ]

There are few men who can stand equally matched with a dragon.

[ Especially one of Ysverai's size and power. ]

Unless you had hoped to be the one to land the killing blow?

[ For pride, vengeance, any other reason. ]

I

[beatupgrass]

A train?

[Rocket knows where he's headed but as he steps up beside Mikazuki, he's more astonished by the sight of the train than where it's actually headed.]

How long has this been here? [It's mostly rhetorical since the answer is clearly "awhile," but what the fuck.]

[sparsity]

I'm surprised it goes all the way to Wyver. [ Like, here we was, traveling by what — pegasus? ] But I felt that way about this whole place.

[ He's gotten used to the limitations of Olympia and Wyver, but Nadril had really been something else to experience. ]

Aren't you the same?

[beatupgrass]

I knew there had to be some other place Cree and Evras were getting their tech and Nadril proved that, but... This is... [He waves his furry arms at it, looking completely put out.] Look at it! That walk from Wyver to Olympia is crap. I have to camp in the woods every d'ast time, and this has been here?

[HUFFS] I hate this planet. It's full of secrets.

III-A

[fiendennor]

[The recipient of his anger, at the moment, is... a young girl, about his age, well-dressed, with long, wavy hair. She's clearly not expecting it, and a high-pitched shriek rends the air.

She's fumbling for... a stick? Yeah, a stick.] Huh--?! What do you want?!

[sparsity]

[ While her cry had definitely given his ear drums a good throttling, Mikazuki doesn't flinch, expression bold and bright over the line of his gun. ]

To know who you were.

[ Jeez. ]

A stick's not going to do you much good.

dragon

[shikomizue]

[The first breath Takasugi took in Olympia burnt his throat. Sweet subtleties of earth supplanted immediately by an acrid bite, he ran his tongue along his teeth as if to scourge it of the ability to taste.

But the rot settles in quickly enough, familiarity reaching back far before the dragon's rage had spread over the land. The scent reminds him of corpses, bestial and human strewn together in a field, left to decay.

An image he can't banish, even without the thrall that still shrouds the city. A memory he's intimate with, that he courts and cultivates; it's no surprise he ends up in the dragon's shadow.

It's no surprise that he finds Mikazuki veiled in that same darkness.]

Yo. [Distant. He could just as easily be greeting Ysverai as his companion.] It's a wretched sight.

[sparsity]

[ A low noise sounds in his throat, heavy in its agreement, both pointed and distracted in the same measure of his tone. Takasugi's presence doesn't come as a surprise to him either, pushing on dragon's shadow and supplanting it with his own.

Mikazuki should be grateful, but the rile in his chest reaches deep, gripping him in a way not so easily ignored. ]

That should have done it.

[ "That" being a hole punctured in the dragon's skull from the pile bunker in Barbatos's mace, a wound that should have blown brain matter and skull fragments all over this place and put it down for good. And Mikazuki know why it didn't work, but it's no less frustrating to see in person.

He's not used to being bested by the supernatural. ]

i

[romancekiller]

[it was a first for clarke seeing the train but she knew enough it from the books she had read back home even if the sight itself was strange given she didn't think that the method of transportation existed here] I don't remember seeing this around before—

Are you having trouble deciding where to go?

[sparsity]

I think they were hiding it. [ Like a lot of things in this icy city... he hums, quiet. ]

I am, a little bit.