❪ 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

[1701]

[ Blue eyes snap up to her brown ones, but it's the gaze of a stranger. And a not altogether friendly one, at that. Jim is guarded, and it takes him a few long seconds to reconfigure his expression into something less defensive. ]

Hey.

[ Awkward quiet. He's clearly scrambling for something. Finally-- ]

Sorry, I think I've got transporter lag, or something. Is this a Federation world?

[motivation]

[ great. just fucking great. he doesn't remember shit and there's something discomforting about the fact that his gaze is guarded, almost unfriendly. it's very unlike the warmth she's used to seeing from him.

that she's maybe come to rely on a little.

caring is a weakness, little bird, khlyen's voice whispers at the back of her head, as it so often does. she can't get him out. these days, she isn't so sure she wants to anymore. it's what she has left of him, and she doesn't hate him anymore. ]

No. It's not. And you're better off not talking about transporters or your Federation here.

[1701]

[ Little flicks as he watches her - and behind her, and around them - betray the borderline hostility as a facade for--

What? Something else, something too quicksilver and private to be picked up by anyone short of a telepath, because it never surfaces, despite the stilted way he's holding himself.

At first. ]

Why's that? [ Jim cocks his head, slips the unfamiliar communicator into his back pocket, where he never carries it. The movement looks well-practiced, despite it. ] Prison planets don't let the inmates out for grocery shopping.

[ Shopping. He doesn't even have currency. Where the fuck is he. ] This isn't exactly Rura Penthe. And way too many of us button-ears around to be Romulus.

[motivation]

You know an awful lot about prison planets.

[ still no recognition. dutch's jaw clenches. she doesn't want to be the one to give this talk, but if he doesn't remember —someone's got to. ]

We're all refugees. Our worlds ended because of something called The Storm and some kind and generous overpowered people called the Orbiters saved us. [ her tone is quiet, the sarcasm quiet too, but no less heartfelt for it. ] And because they're so kind and generous, they're keeping everyone else they saved in stasis up on a station. They don't like it if we talk to the local population about them or space travel.

[1701]

Who doesn't? [ -- is a quick quip about prison planets. But he listens to her, and his expression stays how it is. Unreadable in its distance, but not thrilled.

Maybe not believing, either. For a while, he's quiet, trying to wrangle the immediately mutinous reaction of nobody can do that to me, and knowing that, well, yes they can. Anyone can do whatever they want to him-- kill him, kill his mentor, take his ship away, and worse things have to happen to set any bit of it right, and-- ]

Are you alright? [ Abrupt. She seems a little drunk. ]

[motivation]

Fine.

[ the answer is immediate, tone biting. he doesn't remember her —and she is drunk. those factors combined mean there's nothing softening her tone.

but even with her jaw clenched and her anger at his loss of memories, at the loss of so many others obvious (anger is safer, easier than sadness), she adds: ] You have a place three roads down. If it's still standing.

[ he can look after himself. she doesn't need to protect him. (the same could have been said about johnny jaqobis.) ]

[1701]

[ Even though he's (hurt) unfamiliar and (angry) distant, Jim can't shake that inherent part of him that gives a shit and the look he sends her at that snarled response gives it away. It's over-perceptive, since he has no reason to pretend to be more harmless than he actually is. ]

I've never been here before, [ he can't help but respond, sounding a little more stressed out than he'd like to. But if course he has. He's dressed like he fits in, he's got local currency in his pocket, he's even-- this woman knows him. She has to.

Wait, he wants to say, but it never happens. He feels sudden, severe vertigo instead, and his bag of groceries thuds to the ground as he lists to one side, staggering to keep his balance. ]

[motivation]

Yeah, you - [ have, she means to say, but he staggers and she stops, reaching out, instinct overruling anger. johnny could look after himself and dutch protected him for years, maybe too much. jim doesn't remember her, but it doesn't change that he's —someone she doesn't want to see hurt. one of hers.

he staggers, and she steps in and catches his weight against her side. ]

[1701]

[ He's dizzier than he's possibly ever been - he feels like he's spinning in zero-g, and he has to imagine that's what he's doing to keep himself from actually collapsing. Unaware, for several heartbeats, that he's even leaning against anyone.

Jim's breathing is harsh, and he makes a sound like he might throw up, but a hard exhale out his nose seems to steady him. Even while so off-kilter, he refuses to puke on somebody.

Appropriate memory clicks back into place, including the past several minutes and an awareness of that gap. But all he can do is breathe and try not to tip over. What the fuck. ]

[motivation]

[ dutch doesn't like this. dutch doesn't like this one bit. illness and vertigo and memory loss, those are not things she can fix by punching or kicking someone, not generally. kidnapping a scientist and threatening them into finding a cure sometimes works, but she wouldn't even know where to start with that right now.

probably not necessary, either, but it's what she thinks about while willing him not to throw up on her. to remember, again. ]

[1701]

Holy shit, [ is belated, and sounds aggravated-- pointedly aggravated, displaying an inkling of a more familiar tone. Jim routinely sounds like that, scowling at some ridiculous thing or another on El Nysa not conforming to the willpower he seems to have an endless supply of.

He breathes for another moment. Stability returns to him, though he still has one hand on her shoulder, not trusting his equilibrium. ]

Dutch. [ Maybe it's her willpower that's working. He remembers. ]

I don't know what just happened. I was-- [ against her, he closes his eyes, shakes his head. ] Somewhere else.

[motivation]

[ he remembers, but relief comes slowly and tentatively. can she trust this? the answer is probably no and dutch hates that. he stays close and so she doesn't move away; it's not like they haven't shared close quarters before.

this is different. ]

Yeah? Well, where the fuck was that?

[1701]

Earth.

[ Ugh. He has a headache. At length, Jim straightens up, looking bleary. ] Not long after... [ oh, wow, not mentioning that. In detail, anyway.

Dutch wouldn't want to know. Personal shit. ]

Something stupid.

[ From the looks of it, Jim's not happy to have revisited whatever mindset it was. ]

[motivation]

Right.

[ a beat. ]

You look like shit.

[1701]

Well, you're still gorgeous, [ is deadpan. Jim scrubs a hand over his face. ]

It's weird, I can remember the whole period in which I didn't remember. What the hell.

[ Ugh. ]

[motivation]

Yeah.

[ he really does look like shit, but the sudden loss of memory worries her more. she doesn't want to be forgotten again. not by him, not by anyone.

that, and it probably wasn't fun for him, either. ]

What the hells.

What were you doing before it happened?

[1701]

I was just.. getting food. [ Jim shakes his head and drags one hand through his hair, looking around as if something in the area might have answers for him. All he finds is his dropped groceries, which he sighs and moves to collect again. ]

Has anything like that ever happened to you?

[motivation]

Nope.

[ it's properly weird and kind of creepy. oh so casually: ] And I've had my memories messed with plenty.

[1701]

I... haven't, [ sounds slightly unsure. As if he's second-guessing himself. ]

Not my memories, anyway.

[ Jim, wtf. He looks up at her, shrugs. ] Long story. With this-- I wonder if it has anything to do with the Natha stopping and starting time. We've all already been through the ringer with whatever they do to bring us here and shuffle around everyone's lives.

[motivation]

What, like your brain temporarily starting and stopping, too?

[ the science-y stuff isn't dutch's terrain, it's johnny's. he's the guy she turns to for explanations of things she can't make sense of, when she can't just punch the truth out of someone. ]

[1701]

If my brain stopped, I'd be dead. [ No, it's got to be something else. He frowns, thinking about it. ] .. I dunno. Temporal anomalies are always in a class all their own, and they have no rules.

[ They have primitive equipment to try to monitor them, on the Enterprise, but it's not worth mentioning. Jim's handy, but things like that are beyond his ability to build and program - maybe even Scotty's, too, without a team to pitch-hit and work out the equations. (You know, like their entire senior staff.) ]

If that could just never happen again, I'd be cool.

[motivation]

Yeah. [ her jaw clenches for a moment, before she very deliberately unclenches it. ] Me, too.

[ she looks him over, more critically than before. ] You sure you're all there now?

[1701]

I'm sure.

[ He's confident in it -- Jim's always had a very keen sense of self, and maybe there's something about the remnants of Ambassador Spock's personality that allows him to be certain. No gaps, no spotty moments. He's not eidetic, but he's pretty damn close. ]

Hey, lets - fuck off from here, or something, I feel like I'm lingering at the scene of a crime. It's weirding me out.

[motivation]

Sure.

[ she's weirded out, too, but less by the place than by the lack of recognition still. being forgotten, not being seen - it's not something she's always been worried about, but the more she's learned about khlyen and aneela and her own past, the more she's learned about being kept hidden, the more it rankles. ]

Yours? [ with a nod to the groceries.

she's not quite sure whether to trust his confidence in his own mind. not after what just happened. ]