❪ 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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[latkje]

[ Clearly bemused, Nash hasn't yet learned how to keep the confusion off his face. Or perpetually on it as the case may be. ]

Are you part of the Temple, then?

[ He didn't look like it, but a priest could come from any walk of life. And there were stories he'd been told, too, of Hikusaak traveling the countryside in disguise. ]

I'm a cadet in the Guards.

[priorly]

Well not here, I'm new.

[He wouldn't have even known there was a temple in the city, except that someone mentioned that the society here was vaguely Greco-Roman.]

I'd like to see it, though. [A pause - and this may or may not be the reason] Someone told me it was painted in bodily fluids.

[latkje]

[ He frowns at that, and shakes his head. ]

Only according to my horrible cousin Cecily.

[ Maybe he can make jokes. ]

I'm sorry. [ Or maybe he isn't allowed. Regardless, he's beginning to suspect he's gotten very far off course. Maybe even Falena? This place was backward enough to be Falena. ] I must be drifted a long way off. A teleportation spell gone wrong... like in those serial stories. And I haven't got a Blinking Rune.

[priorly]

[He can joke, but Prior doesn't quite follow. It feels like a conversation at cross purposes, but at least it isn't one where he's being threatened with arrest.

So, testing the boundaries, he starts walking - replying to Nash as if it's forgone that they're leaving the area together.]

Teleportation? [He puts weight on every syllable. But people can do things like that here, can't they. They're stuck in some Buck Rogers serial, like Nash says.] You must be from the other city. [He tests out the name as he says it.] Wy-ver? Where the wizards come from.

[latkje]

No, I'm from Crystal Valley. I'm not a wizard. [ At least now he has a problem to distract him from what he should be doing— which he's still pretty sure is finding the requisite authorities to turn the thief in. ]

But wizards can come from anywhere. [ The know-it-all tone is back, pasted almost convincingly over a growing concern that he is very far out of his depth. ]

[priorly]

Not from Connecticut.

[Prove him wrong. Anyway, this is better, exiting the scene of the crime with his accuser at his side rather than in pursuit. Prior's even confident enough to leave his pockets unguarded, tucking his arms across his chest.

Next step, they have to go somewhere.]

Are you sure you don't want to see the temple? You know how they worship here?

[latkje]

I know how they worship at the Temple. The One Temple. [ The seat of the true faith, praise Hikusaak, and so on and so forth. ]

Even my father wouldn't expect me to know the heathen practices of the furthest reaches, like this Connecticut. What is that, one of the Island Nations?

[priorly]

No, it's New England. And the temples we have are many, and as far as I'm aware they're not home to huge Jewish orgies.

[Not that he really knows any to be sure. What he does know, is that this is neither new nor old England, and they do things differently here. It seems like no one's caught Nash up to the same fact.]

Toto, has nobody told you you're not in Kansas anymore?

[latkje]

[ Half of those words don't make sense to him, and he is distinctly unsettled by the mention of orgies. The unease is visible and fidgety. ]

Well, then, where am I?

[ There's a hesitation before he asks the question, because as dense as he's being, he's observant enough to realize he might not like the answer. But he wants it anyway. ]

[priorly]

[As much as Prior acts blase, he wouldn't know what to do with an orgy if he fell over one. Give him a couple of years and a few visits to the St Mark's Baths to appreciate that.

What he does know - vaguely, somehow - is where they are.]

It's called Olympia. It's some sort of intergalactic refugee camp.

[latkje]

[ Give Nash a few years and he'll… be much better at acting blasé.

He hasn't heard the word "intergalactic" before, nor is he familiar with even the concept of space travel. Other worlds, yes, mostly in the theological sense— the spiritual heights, the damnatory lows, the world of monsters and emptiness behind his own, that sort of thing.

Every inch of his upbringing tells him to object. He isn't a refugee, and he has a place he belongs to. And that isn't wrong. But he's also curious. And that curiosity is something that belongs to him. ]

What do you mean?

[priorly]

[For Prior, it's a strange mix of the worlds of Buck Rogers and Captain Kirk (watched mostly for the amount of times Shatner wound up shirtless) - but without the dashing adventures those serials had to offer. It seems beyond odd that they should have crossed space and time to end up somewhere with department stores, but he's not questioning it - for now.

Something in him knows there should have been an adjustment period. He'd have been inconsolable. He'd be lost and frightened and alone but - somehow - he's skipped all that.

He's here, and it doesn't feel like forever. So for now he walks through the strangeness with the kind of acceptance one might have in a dream. But if the boy with him hasn't caught up quite so far, Prior doesn't really want to be the pin in his bubble.]

Something... happened, at home. We're here until they fix whatever that is. Why, do you usually wake up places with no idea how you got there?

[latkje]

It's a second-year training exercise at the Garden. [ Well, being drugged and taken someplace strange you have to travel back from, anyway. He runs his hand through his hair, which somehow keeps the center part. ] I thought maybe the cadets were hazing me. And this could be Falena.

[ Not that he'd ever been to Falena. It was pretty far for a training exercise. ]

Why, do you always steal?

[priorly]

I've never even heard of Falena. Or the garden - what's that supposed to train you for?

[And in answer to that last question. Well, there is no answer to that last question, but he breaks eye contact which may be information enough.]

[latkje]

It's an assassin's guild.

[ He says this very casually, as if that's a perfectly ordinary place for a fifteen year old to be. ]

[priorly]

[Except it's not at all ordinary, which is why Prior assumes Nash doesn't mean what he sounds like he means.]

And that's what? Like a drama troupe or the Boy Scouts or something?

[latkje]

[ He doesn't understand the response. ]

No, like an assassin's guild. The Guild is… well, if you aren't from Harmonia it's complicated.

[priorly]

An assassin's guild sounds like a club where you kill people.

[To break it down. So - drama troupe. Maybe they do murder mysteries or something.]

[latkje]

[ In a matter-of-fact tone that borders on know-it-all: ]

Yes. It's a balancing measure. So that neither of the two noble factions overwhelms the other, throwing the country into chaos. And for dealing with foreign threats, of course.

[ So maybe not that complicated, but this thief seemed to need things spelled out for him. ]

[priorly]

[That's... that's ridiculous. But the most ridiculous thing right now is-]

You were going to turn me in for shoplifting!

[latkje]

Well, yes. Because stealing is wrong.