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ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] nysalogs2018-08-07 07:55 pm
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❪ event ❫ a moment in eternity

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!

stargatemedic: (Hat - SG Member)

[personal profile] stargatemedic 2018-09-03 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Honestly, it's not him, it's her. Embarrassment tied up with a superior officer seeing her in that state, plus the added knowledge that she would have gotten better in several minutes (even though she didn't know it at the time) all leads her to feel snappish and out of sorts. Acting out toward him isn't the right way to handle it and she knows it, so she tries to dial back.

Torn between insisting she go herself and being gracious and giving in, TJ does the latter simply because it's easier. Also, she doesn't know if she's going to have another... episode(?), and she doesn't want to risk being alone.

"Thank you, Colonel."

Contrary to her reaction, his presence does make her feel better and she starts in the direction she was going. "No one knows. About the diagnosis. Not here."
impavid: (❖ Said they'd never fight again)

[personal profile] impavid 2018-09-17 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
No-one? John supposes she hasn't been here long, and maybe she assumed she'd have time to work up to that -- but still.

Still.

"I know," he says lightly -- shoving his hands into his pockets as he falls into step with her. "So that's one person who does -- and... I would probably recommend telling Claire when we get there. So, that'll be two."

Two people who know and, thus, two people she can talk to. If she wants to talk, you know. John may not be brilliant at the talking bit himself but he can... listen. Provide cheesy fries and a drink, nod in all the right places and awkwardly try to say the right thing. That counts for something, right?
stargatemedic: (Tell me more)

[personal profile] stargatemedic 2018-09-18 02:05 am (UTC)(link)
He gets a side glance when he says that he knows - because that's what she was trying to avoid: telling people or even allowing them to find out - and when he suggests telling Claire, she inhales deeply. Now that this, whatever it is, has happened, she can understand the wisdom in it. She's going to get worse some day in the nearish future and while she can limit the knowledge and the fallout via the contacts she makes, she'll eventually need someone to help her so she's not a burden to anyone else.

"You're not wrong," she admits and it's clearly not easy to admit it. "I'll tell her when I get a chance." He gets a quick smile, then she's focusing on her thoughts again, her words absent as she says them. "I've seen how it happens, what happens. Or, I thought I had. If Destiny had been allowed to continue, I mean, not." A pause as she looks around. "This. Now, I just don't know."
impavid: (❖ She'll beat you if she's able)

[personal profile] impavid 2018-09-18 12:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"You know, the future is kinda a fuzzy thing. I mean, how do you know the future you saw was this reality -- not another? How do you know if some small change from someone else meddling hasn't set things off course? If you knowing your future influences things? I dunno, I mean I'm not an expert on all the science of it but I've seen lots of... versions of events, and I've met people who could see this stuff -- but... one thing have learned is interpretation is a big part of it. Two people can look at the same flashes of insight and take away different things from it. An explosion looks definitive from the outside, but context might tell you it's a good thing not a bad thing."

Maybe it looks like your city will be destroyed, but actually it won't. Maybe you die in an alternate reality, but live in this one. Maybe you're a washed out, dishonourably discharged Detective deep in debt in some version of things. Maybe somewhere you don't get a divorce, even.
stargatemedic: (Long hair - disbelief)

[personal profile] stargatemedic 2018-09-18 01:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe in another life, you get to live happily ever after.

"It wasn't a flash of insight," she explains as she walks. "Destiny came across our descendants. People from the future, our future. They had video we'd stored, our history, from when we'd decided to colonize this planet and. Well, the video was pretty definitive." She shrugs. "I did tests when we got back to the ship. Looked for markers."

Flashing him a smile, she shrugs and shakes her head, a smile playing around her lips. "Maybe this was just a ten minute glimpse into the future I'm gonna have."
impavid: (❖ Hate to see me go)

[personal profile] impavid 2018-09-22 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"You were travelling on a spaceship you dialled nine chevrons to get to and you're convinced what you saw was definitely your future?"

John scrunches his face, gives a half shrug.

"I mean maybe it was, but they weren't on a Natha ship when you met your descendants something changed, or else maybe somehow you travel back. Did they mention this? Your future self? I figure not, and maybe you just never told anyone about it, but who knows right? Even if your lives start the same, one choice can make a difference. Wait for back up or don't, accept help or don't, go through a gate or don't. There can be like -- split offs at any point, the whole butterfly effect thing. Maybe this... episode was insight, like you say. Maybe not! Maybe it's some Natha thing. Maybe it accelerated for a minute and now it's undone completely! The future seems like something that isn't worth betting on, no matter how much you think you know."

At least, in John Sheppard's 'professional' opinion -- and having watched Back to the Future multiple times, time travelled, fallen into parallel dimensions and befriended a so-called Prophet he's developed plenty of opinions on the whole thing.
stargatemedic: (Hat - SG Member)

[personal profile] stargatemedic 2018-09-23 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
It's not that she's a pessimist, really, it's just that she doesn't have a lot of faith in the... Natha, or whatever. Maybe she'd been cured, maybe she hadn't, but the experience she'd just gone through hadn't been very inspiring. Debating it wasn't going to get her very far so she simply nodded.

"You're right. We're all here now, so it seems like the future I thought I had doesn't really apply anyway," TJ responds with a lift of her shoulders, the shrug meant to imply that she's at as much of their new overlord's whim as anyone else. "Time will tell, or whatever it is they say around here."

The clinic was just a few steps ahead and TJ slowed her walk. "I'll tell Claire what happened, but I want to do it on my own. Not today." She was still weirded out. "Okay?"
impavid: (❖ Grew up mean)

[personal profile] impavid 2018-09-24 01:44 pm (UTC)(link)
It sounds a little like she's asking permission, or at the very least for confirmation this is okay. Permission is bad, if she's shaken up then sometimes you need it just to carry on. John gets that. He slows his steps and turns toward her, keeps on his best neutral expression. Like it's still not a particularly big deal, because John finds that's the easiest way to cope with an endless sea of problems. Act like they're not big problems, like they're easy to handle. Even when they aren't.

'On my own, not today' is excessively vague. If not today, when? John errs on the side of telling medical professionals as soon as possible when there's a problem, but he also breaks that rule plenty of times himself. He's gone on missions when he should have been in surgery, and he'd probably do it again if the cause was important enough.

"Sure," he says, which is his classic neutral dismissal. Sure, whatever you want, it's no big deal. Then, after a second of hesitation. "Just make sure you do. I know this kind of thing is rough, but... it's rougher if nobody knows."

Don't say you will then avoid it, TJ.
stargatemedic: (Long hair - disbelief)

[personal profile] stargatemedic 2018-09-26 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
In a way, she is asking for that permission. Whether or not the Air Force exists, exactly, isn't the point. It's that they're both there and he outranks her. He's still the Colonel and she's still the Lieutenant and if he orders her to do something, she'll feel stupidly compelled to do what he says. Especially when it comes to taking care of herself.

Maybe.

And so it doesn't quite come off as an order, but it has the meaning of one and if she forgets or it slips her mind for a day or a week or something, she's sure she'll tell Claire eventually. Just not today. Or probably tomorrow. There'll come a time, though, when she does.

"You know." She says it to lighten the moment, since he'd said it first.
impavid: (❖ And a million copies made)

[personal profile] impavid 2018-09-26 11:18 am (UTC)(link)
"I do," he allows, "and you can talk to me -- but most days it's debatable if I count as a responsible adult."

Also, he's not a proper doctor. He's not an expert on TJ's condition. He gives a one shouldered shrug, flashes her an easy smile.

"Claire definitely counts. So, make sure you tell her okay? Because I am bad at keeping secrets."

Partially true, it's not like he'd gossip about something like this but it's not a lie that John is gossipy. He can't help it, he's nosy and he wants to know everything!

"Gonna be alright?" he prompts, because he can hang out if she wants -- or he can let her just go. TJ's choice, he's not wildly busy or anything.
stargatemedic: (Tell me more)

[personal profile] stargatemedic 2018-09-27 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
 “Don’t worry, Colonel, I’m not going to burden you with my mortality crises,” she tells him with gentleness before shaking her head. “I’ll be fine. Thanks for walking with me this far. I appreciate it.”

He can be as nosy as he wants, but she’s the doctor so he’s the one that’s supposed to tell her everything. That’s what being the medical professional means.

“Also, if I find out you told Claire before I did, I’ll—” She squints a moment as if she’s thinking of terrible things. “I’ll find something.”