❪ 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

[stuns]

[ she helps him, and it's weird, because his legs feel like lead and his body feels like it's full of stones and his head is giddy with the idea of being able to slam something that bears his own likeness straight into the ground, to smash a mirror, a reflection of something he could become one day (soused, belligerent sarah steel, made for war with pen and paper and bourbon). but - ]

Code word is "incoming."

[ - but this isn't the place for it.

and in the end what does he have but bloodied up, bruised knuckles and a stand-in that isn't as good as being able to destroy the real thing.

he vaguely hears the warning she gives him, a half laugh finding its way out of a crooked forced smile. he lets go of her hand and nods, letting her lead the way, doing his best to keep pace with her if she's quick about it, lingering if she's slower to guide. his head is full of a voice he remembers when he was a child, and it's sharp as a whip, grating as he stands in the doorway, as he walks down these streets he doesn't know following someone he only just met.

nothing adds up, but it's rare that anything in juno's life adds up. sometimes he's just at the whim to what it has in store for him. ]

[flask]

[Nott is as quick as she feels she can be with a lady still reeling from his encounter with his mom-but-himself in tow, her little hand on his back, considering the very real threat of the law coming after him for assaulting people on the street. Even if those people happen to also be himself. Disturbing the peace, maybe?

Regardless, once they're far enough away and ducked into an alleyway to hide in the shadows, Nott dares to glance back to see if they were followed. The area looks pretty clear, thankfully.

She's not sure how to broach the subject. Juno is haunted by a past and an inability to stomp it out, so when it came calling he beat it into the ground in a very real way, knuckles bruised, skin cracking. It's a neat little metaphor. His mother in the body of himself. Something that horrified Juno so much he struck it down without a care for where and when.

Nott folds her arms uncomfortably and looks up at him now that they're hidden away, if temporarily.]

...So. Pretty bad mom, huh?

[Said like she's asking after the wife and kids at home, but the expression on her face is a grave one. Mothers aren't supposed to be saying things like that to their children. Was that accurate to reality at all?

As almost an afterthought, Nott pulls out her flask and offers it to Juno.]

[stuns]

You could say that.

[ it's precisely that. juno stares out at the narrow entry to the alley that they've ducked into, pressed against the shadows the wall has to offer and glancing slightly down at nott now. it's hard to look at her considering what she just saw, even harder when he catches another glimpse of his hands. he's quick to wipe them slowly on the dark material of his trousers - great for blood in these cases.

his knees buckle a bit as he leans hard against the wall, eventually deciding it's time to slide down with a muffled thump. there's a weakness, a sense of being beat because...

he did exactly what his mother thought he'd do, didn't he? he became like her, for a split second, staring himself down in some... real time mirror that was mocking him. hell. it didn't have to lay much of a finger on him before he got to it first, and that's what makes him wary of some monster under his skin, in his blood. he presses his lips together as nott offers out a flask to him, same as the first time.

he takes it and uncaps the thing slowly, taking a mouthful and feeling the sting of it go down, settle hot in his gut. sickening, but comforting between the nausea and the need to dull everything. ]

Didn't win any awards... that's for sure.

[flask]

I'd be surprised if she was even nominated.

[Her voice is quiet, the attempt of a laugh on her voice hesitant and sad. It's a good thing she doesn't say what she's thinking. Because even she knows what she's thinking is pretty stupid. She barely knows Juno. He barely knows her real name, and only because she slipped with it while probably drunk. (She doesn't remember if she was drunk at the time, but it's a safe bet, honestly.)

But right now, she knows a lot more about him than he probably wants her to know. She's seen what might be his deepest fear, something that lurks in the dark corners of his mind, something he hates in himself enough to try to beat his own face bloody in full view of the public and whoever stumbles across the horrifying scene.

Nott doesn't tell him that she makes for a much better mom.

She'll never need to. It's not like she's come clean with Caleb about it. Juno doesn't have to know what he doesn't hear.

She hopes he doesn't feel it in her when she approaches him where he sits against the wall and tentatively wraps her arms around his shoulders.]

You're not like that. You're not cruel like her. I know because you don't want to be.

[stuns]

[ he doesn't anticipate the feeling of her arms around him - thinner than he anticipated. hugs aren't really a thing that people dole out often in hyperion, nevermind to juno steel of all folks. he stiffens, that much makes it clear, and almost fights melting into it as he grips the flask a little harder and lowers his eyes just shy of her shoulder. the touch makes him realize just how much his knees hurt, his knuckles hurt, his chest hurts.

juno sets the flask down with a sharp tap the moment she speaks again, however. there's something in his shoulders that shakes a little bit with a shivery laugh. ]

You really sure about that?

[ hesitantly: ]

There's always delaying the inevitable.

[ i could be that. ]

[flask]

[She leans her head against his shoulder, sighing. He's stiff in her embrace, but he could push her away if he wanted. She's not so strong. She'll just have to trust that he will, if he wants to.]

I know cruel people. They don't fight so hard against what they do. I'm not cruel either, and it's not like the world hasn't tried its very hardest to make me.

[She was prepared to repeat to Caleb that what he did wasn't his fault, again and again until he believed it. She can remind Juno, too, that his destiny isn't written the way he thinks it is.]

If all we were was reflections of the people who raised us, I'd have killed and eaten you already. You're pretty defenseless right now.

[stuns]

[ he could push her away. it'd be easy, just a quick shove and he could have his space all to himself. but between the fact that hyperion is literally no more weighing down further in the back of his mind, and the blood drying on his knuckles, the words of his mother rattling around in his ears...

he's tired.

he glances down just slightly, the weight of nott's head against his shoulder slight, but enough to remind him that he's here. there's that silent understanding of "you barely know me what the hell is all this for?" acknowledged, but nothing done about it as he sits, digs his heels a little into the ground. juno leans back against the alley wall with a heavy sigh. posture slumping, defeated. dully: ]

Good thing I ran into you and not some weird reflection of you then. Sounds like a pretty crappy way to go. More of an explosions kind of guy.

[flask]

[Nott finally lets go, mostly so she can watch his face and try to see what he's thinking. He's joking around, so he's probably not still that upset, but he just looks... tired, maybe. Like he's tired of the shadow of his mother haunting him.

Nott knows that look.

She plays with her long hair as she watches him, combing her fingers through it absently.]

Well, then I'm glad you didn't.

[She glances down, over at his bruised and bloody knuckles, the skin split from heavy, repeated impact.]

This is the second time you've hurt your hands in front of me. I'll run out of bandages.

[stuns]

[ joking is just how he copes, really. it makes him feel marginally better in a way. if he can laugh at something, he can get over himself long enough to change the trajectory of his thoughts from that dark, hungry place. ]

No one says you gotta keep fixing me up, Nott.

[ there's a faint smile on his lips as he shoves his hands into his pockets. she's weirdly comforting, even standing there like that with her fingers running through her hair slowly. he doesn't look at his hands, choosing to pocket them instead. ]

I'll get 'em patched up myself, don't want you to run out of your stylish-yet-functional bandages, you know?

[flask]

[Nott knows a thing or two about relying on humor to deal with shitty situations.]

Well, if I don't, who else is going to?

[She pauses in combing her hair, then looks down at her fingers, and starts unwrapping bandages from between them. She's complaining, but she's got plenty of extra cloth to go around. They're functional, sort of, stylish, at a stretch, but most of all they're useful in a pinch. Especially if she's gonna keep hanging around Juno, at this rate. He's very good at bleeding.

Once she's unraveled and ripped off the bandages on her knuckles, she reaches for the hands he just hid in his pockets.]

Let me see 'em.

[stuns]

[ he waffles, and then: ]

Got me there, I guess.

[ he's incredibly good at bleeding. it's one of his very special talents. juno hesitates a moment when she asks to see them, halfway towards petulant. he looks like he might talk back, mouth on its way to forming the words, but he ultimately lifts his hands out of his pockets, feeling the sting of the rasping fabric against his opened up knuckles.

he grouses slightly, but he's... grateful. and it shows, softened around his eyes and mouth, in his voice. nott didn't have to do this. any of this. she could have left him - hell, she really should have because now if anything he's dragged her into a mess with the authorities if they're gonna pursue what just happened in front of that crowd.

he swallows a little tightly. get rid of the blood... he'll worry about the rest later. ]

How's it look, doc?

[flask]

[Nott is plenty good at getting into messes with Crownsguard-type figures on her own, which might sometimes mean she's not eager to get into any more, but it can also conveniently mean she's plenty used to it at this point when she willingly decides to stick her neck out for the shifty people she tends to hang around. If you ask her, it's like throwing water on a drowning man. You really didn't make it any worse.

She frowns at the messy, bloody knuckles on his hands, taking them into her smaller ones carefully and inspecting them.]

Well. They don't look broken, but you should still probably not make a habit out of it.

[She looks at them a little bit, then tries to wipe off some of the excess blood with her sleeves. Then, she starts wrapping up any skin that's been scraped bloody.

It's... real haphazard. Knuckles are a tough nut to wrap in bandages, and her major experience with this is just randomly covering as much green on herself as she can. They don't look pretty, at the end, but they're mostly covered, which is probably enough for now.]

[stuns]

[ telling juno not to make a habit of screwing up his knuckles is pretty futile, but he nods absent-mindedly like it's going to make all the difference, her adding it onto the pile. still, he appreciates the job she's doing - regardless of how haphazard it is. juno is pretty used to having to wrap his own hurts up most of the time, so this is... new, maybe. just a bit.

when she's through, it's not the neatest job, but the fact that she literally took the bandages off her own body already makes juno feel a little guiltier for even needing it in the first place. so he sits, a little tense, and waits until she's completely through before slowly pulling back, giving his fingers a stinging flex. ]

Making a note: I owe you... a lot of bandages. And a drink or two. Hazard pay for associating with me and all that.

[flask]

[At the offer, Nott practically beams at him. It means he appreciates her help, after all, if he wants to pay her back.

She doesn't mind giving up a few bandages at all, doesn't need anything in return, but she won't say no to a few free drinks. Her flask is infinite, but she does appreciate changing it up every now and then.]

I'll take extra drinks if you hold the bandages.

[stuns]

[ there's a half laugh there as he closes his eyes for a moment, feels out his mobility in his hand. it's bruised, definitely, cut in places that make it hard to flex and bend but... it's workable and he'll take workable over an eyesore he has to stare at reminding him of just what he did.

he tilts his head, glancing up thoughtfully before giving a brief nod. ]

My kinda lady. Sounds fair to me.

[flask]

[Nott rests her hand on Juno's arm, smile a little unsure. She doesn't really want to leave him alone after all that, thinks he needs some rest. She also doesn't think she should just attach herself to him, so...]

Where are you staying? I'll walk you.

[stuns]

[ in truth, it's almost embarrassing enough that nott had to pull him away, drag him off to some alley and sit him down, winding swaths of bandage around his knuckles like a kid who got in a scrap. he's not sure just a drink is going to cut it.

for pride's sake.

but if her hand on his arm doesn't feel... safe. the tension in his body doesn't leave save for his fingers, loosening just a little. he feels it out briefly. opens his mouth to refuse and lets the words stick in his throat. phantom impact on his knuckles, wet with a little blood still. he closes his eyes a second then looks at her. ]

Whatever's left of the residential area. Don't think it's too far from here...

[flask]

[She nods. She knows she's too low to the ground to really help him up, that it's really just a gesture that makes her feel better and nothing more, but she offers her free hand to him anyway, to take and pretend it's helping him up.]

Yeah, it's not far. You can have some more of my whiskey, too, if you want.

[She knows she'd feel like more than a few drinks after all that. And Juno seems like a whiskey kinda lady.

The best patch up job she can offer is infinite alcohol.]

[stuns]

[ the logistics of it are pretty clear. juno's getting himself up off the ground mostly, bracing an elbow on the wall, but he takes nott's hand anyways. there's a faint squeeze there that could almost be a simple twitch of some kind, but lingering.

it doesn't feel right.

he should honestly just. take himself home and for a few moments he looks a little torn on the decision before lowering his head. ]

Hey, don't go letting me drink it all.

[flask]

It doesn't run out.

[With that ominous announcement, she reaches into her cloak to fish out her flask again. He didn't say yes, but he also didn't say no.]

It'll make you feel better.

[That's the mantra of an alcoholic, maybe, but Nott never claimed to be anything else.]

[stuns]

[ the remark that it doesn't run out has juno lifting one brow a little weakly before the flask is held out to him.

steadiness is just another word for strong whiskey (fortunately or unfortunately is all a matter of perspective, and frankly, juno doesn't give a shit.) he takes the flask offered out to him and slowly uncaps it, as if thoughtful about the whole thing before taking a long drink. ]

You were right, y'know. Before.

[ he eyes her. ]

Long as it gets you good and drunk, what else matters?

[flask]

[Nott stares at Juno, a little surprised, but when the punchline comes she sighs out of her nose and smiles faintly.]

Of course. I'm always right. It's good you're learning that.

[She gently pats his arm knowingly.]

[stuns]

[ juno has too many punchlines. they just runneth over the worse of a mood that he's in. he lifts the flask a little bit before capping it and returning it to her (for now). there's a thoughtful little tipping of his head back and forth before he hums. ]

Don't go getting ahead of yourself.

[flask]

[Nott takes the flask back, frowning at him as she hides it back in her cloak.]

When have I been wrong? That you've known me. Name one time.

[stuns]

[ he raises a brow at her, looking down only slightly. ]

No one's right all the time. Just saying!