❪ 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]

[ the food in olympia isn't so bad, even after the disaster. what juno picks up for the both of them (he's been working all day - and he's starving) is just some kind of hot roll with whatever counts for meat in this place. it's decent anyways so when he finds a spot for them to sit a bit while they eat and hands it to kagari, he doesn't exactly expect tears to come leaking out of his eyes.

immediately juno's expression shifts from nonchalance to concern to... well. being somewhat baffled as the tears come down. he reaches out just slightly as kagari looks up at him, lets his fingers land on his shoulder softly. ]

Hey - hey, Kagari, hey... what's wrong, you eat too fast? Burn your tongue?

[ kids are sensitive like that, right? juno's done it more than his fair share of times. he remembers ben doing the same thing after burning his mouth on scalding hot dinner. ]

[hedonistic]

[Kagari stares up at Juno for a long time, trying to search for a lie in that bafflement, for evidence that this was an act. He'd thought he was being tricked, but all he can find in Juno's eyes is confusion and concern. Oddly enough for someone who'd just expected to die, it scares him. He jerks away from Juno's hand like it's on fire, yet more tears dripping from his eyes. It's a steady drip drip drip down his cheeks, now, not just a few stray drops of moisture.]

I--why---

...Don't...

[Kagari seems to try to re-gather his composure a couple of times, but he can only manage these snatches of words before the tears return and he finds his voice choked. Finally he just. Shoves the roll back into Juno's hands before he succumbs to his earlier impulse to take off at a run. Juno wouldn't leave him be, so he had to -- he had to get away. Clearly, Juno was kind, and he'd only suffer because of someone like him.]

[stuns]

[ it takes juno half a beat to register kagari running, if only because it all happens so fast. the theia immediately sets to work as if brought to life by juno's snap to reality and determination to catch up with kagari. it works quickly as he gets to his feet and sets off at a sprint after him. ]

Kagari? Hey - kid, come on, wait!

[ juno thinks about the look in his eyes just before darting off, remembers what kagari had mentioned about his world, about his life at such a goddamn young age. the thought of it turns his stomach and simultaneously spurs him on, the theia seizing at his pounding lungs so he can keep pace in a less huff-and-puff sort of way. ]

[hedonistic]

[At the least, it won't take Juno that long to catch up with him. Kagari might be running at top speed for him, but he's still a small child, after all. He gets far enough ahead at one point that he can't see Juno behind him, at which point he hides behind the nearest ruin of a building, arms loosely wrapped around himself.

If Juno really wasn't a guard, then what was even going on? Where was he? Was he .... free? That thought feels so forbidden he almost tries to stop it in his own mind before it occurs; it's foolish to dream so big. But then, is he a fugitive, now? He doesn't know how to survive on his own. Should he try to find some way to turn himself in, or would that just lead to him being killed after all for "escaping"?

These wild, rambling thoughts are interrupted by the sound of footsteps. Kagari turns around, and his eyes widen at who he sees.]

You...

[stuns]

[ juno finds him crouched down in the rubble, clutching at himself like he’s all he’s got and in all honesty... this is way above juno’s pay grade. kids aren’t really something he deals with in his line of work, at least not recently. still, his voice goes soft, albeit a little roughly, like he’s not used to it. ]

Yeah, me.

[ he figures it’s probably not the smartest idea to mention that the theia was helpful in picking up his heat signature in all the stone and destruction faster than juno himself could find a human shape in all that mess. instead he approaches, albeit a little more slowly this time. ]

I’m telling you, you aren’t where you think you are... you gotta calm down and trust me.

[ it’s laughable. trusting juno steel is usually a recipe for disaster, yet some people still do it. he doesn’t know what prompts him to say it beyond the way the kid had bolted off that bench, like a martian bat out of hell. ]

[hedonistic]

[He's only half-listening, caught up in the fact that Juno came after him, and he's still feeling nothing from that food, so it must have been okay. But then, why? He just doesn't understand. Why would he go out of his way for someone like him? Why doesn't he realize he's wasting his time? Kagari stares at him for some time longer, then his gaze falls to his lap.]

You shouldn't trust me. I'm...not right, you know. I'm not supposed to be around people.

[At this point, it's obvious Juno's not leaving. But Kagari can't figure out why he would stay.]

[stuns]

[ juno eases up just slightly when he sees kagari choosing to remain where he is instead of making another break for it. he really doesn't want to have to go chasing him down through the remains of olympia - doesn't sound safe to begin with. glancing over his shoulder, he reaches and eases himself onto a larger piece of rubble to have a seat, legs stretched a little as he sighs. ]

Good thing I'm an adult and can make all my own decisions, huh? This is one of 'em.

[ he shrugs ] They're wrong. Whoever said that. [ that sybil thing, but he feels like even saying it would make kagari panic again. ]

[hedonistic]

[He doesn't have to say it; Kagari's eyes widen sharply, and he starts looking around as though to make sure there were no scanners or droids in the area.]

Don't!

[It's cried out almost instantly, the distress in it apparent and of a different quality altogether than where he's spoken quietly and hesitantly before. Don't say that. Don't even think it.]

[stuns]

[ juno's eyes widen a little at the sudden yelp, so much so that his entire body tenses forward instinctively. well apparently that was useless... god this system fucked him up real good as a kid didn't it? juno holds his hands out again. placating. his voice is a kind, but a edging towards stern to get his attention away from the panic: ]

Kagari!

[ calm down. ]

It's okay. Just... relax. A little bit.

[ he digs a heel in. ]

Nothing here's gonna hurt you. And if it tries, it's gonna have to go through me, okay?

[ it's a declaration juno doesn't make lightly. he's only known kagari for a handful a days but if anything happened to this small child he'd kill everyone in this broken down building and then himself. ]

[hedonistic]

[Kagari doesn't seem mollified by the declaration, though. If anything, he seems, perhaps, more upset.]

Why? I'm nobody.

[Juno stands with his hands held up, and Kagari steps forward to shove him. It's a weak shove from little arms, but his teeth are grit, like he's putting all his strength into it.]

Go through you? You don't even -- we're not even related.

[With the implication that...well, it hadn't been enough to be related, to protect him like Juno is promising to protect him. His parents had chosen to obey Sybil instead.]

I don't want you to!

[stuns]

[ it is a weak shove, and juno doesn't move from that spot. he lets his hands come down to his sides, giving kagari a look as though it really matters whether or not they're related. fact is, juno's never let it stop him before - even if the threat isn't real here and now. he'd still do it. still protect him.

what else does he have left but the people here who he barely trusts to begin with? there's a city on a planet that's been devoured by a storm so he has to figure out some way to keep going. ]

Gonna have to push a little harder than that to get rid of me.

[ almost a dare. actually. no, it is a dare. ]

[hedonistic]

[Perhaps ironically, it's harder for dares to move him, as a child. But he's gotten himself worked up at this point, and when Juno continues to stubbornly insist on not going away, Kagari shoves him again. And again. And again and again and again, over and over until finally ... the very last time, he pushes his arms against Juno's chest, but the will to keep resisting crumbles all at once, and instead his fingers curl in the fabric of the detective's shirt; he clings like Juno is the last piece of driftwood surrounded by an endless ocean, and this time, the tears flow freely, with no attempt made to stop them.

Kagari's still a child, after all. He's lonely and afraid, and while he might have some of the bearing of a tired adult already, in his words and eyes, he's too vulnerable to be able to really resist the security and comfort Juno is offering here.]

I'm sorry.

[he mutters, into Juno's shirt. He tried to push him away, he really did. He tried, but Juno just wouldn't go. He doesn't have the strength to keep pushing, and he feels the guilt burn in his chest even as he keeps holding onto Juno's shirt for dear life.]

I'm ...

[stuns]

[ he lets kagari push and push as much as he needs to smaller hands trying to move him, but he steps up and digs his heels in. he barely budges from each shove until the last comes, something that's more full-bodied than anything.

and stops.

it's sudden, but almost a relief because kagari looked like he could have kept going. determination in children knows no bounds, at least from what juno remembers of being a child, so the fact that kagari is pressing into his chest, clutching his shirt, is movement from simply trying to shove him aside... and that's enough. juno doesn't immediately hold onto him at first, rather, lets him cling there, tears making the front of his shirt damp.

the hand that settles itself in kagari's hair is... heavy, but gentle. juno doesn't know what else to do. the other hand rests on his shoulder, standing there in a mess of a building, hearing kagari mutter apologies he doesn't need to be digging up in the first place.

but the fact that juno won't go is true. ]

You're fine. Don't apologize.

[ the hand on kagari's shoulder shifts to press between his shoulder blades, lightly so he can squirm free if he wants. it's support more than anything. a quiet message of "stay here as long as you need." he dips his head a little to keep his voice low. ]

Take your time. I'm not going anywhere.

[hedonistic]

[He's not fine, though. He's not supposed to be here, not supposed to be around others, but he is, and Juno wants to stay anyway. It scares him, because he doesn't know why or what will happen if he does, but he's out of energy to fight.

When Juno places his hands in his hair and his shoulder, though, he all but startles, the feel of another person's touch almost electric with just how long it's been. He looks up at the detective with eyes that have known too much pain and suffering to not be mistrustful, but hold something...maybe like hope in them. He's scared, but it's also the first time in a very long time that he's felt something close to safe. Nothing's going to hurt him, Juno had said, and oddly....Kagari wants to believe him.

He sniffles a little against the detective's shirt, before slowly, carefully, he releases one hand from it and then another, so as to wrap them around Juno's waist instead. He can't reach all the way, but he goes as far as he can, and clutches on there instead.

He remembers being held, a very long time ago. He holds onto Juno now like his very life depends on it.]

[stuns]

[ juno... he'll be honest. he hasn't held someone this small in a very long time. not like this, not with tears wetting his shirt and arms clutching him around his waist. weirdly enough, it feels good. to be needed in this kind of way, shitty as the circumstances are. kagari... shouldn't need this kind of comfort. he's a goddamn kid and he should have so much more than this fear that seems to possess him now.

kagari clutches, and juno holds him very carefully, like he might break him if he lifts a finger exactly the wrong way. has his arms around him in a way that splays fingers between his shoulders, curls fingers softly and stroking his thumb in a way that he vaguely remembers had made him sleepy years ago. something from before sarah steel went off the deep end, before it all went sour.

he won't go sour. he keeps telling himself this as he lets out a soft, slow breath and lets kagari remain where he is as long as he needs. ]