❪ event ❫ THE DESCENT: PART ONE -- the overflow.

[natha]

THE PROLOGUE     Your sleep on the night of the 15th is not a restful one, unfortunately. It’s unclear whether you are in a state of half-wakefulness, or dreaming. The voices you hear certainly sound very real. What is it, Sael? —Is everyone asleep?! Every one, yes. Sael, it appears you do not have good news to deliver...? N-No! I don’t know how it slipped past us, but there’s something powerful coming this way. Something hostile. I can barely keep the core systems online! ... I don't know what to do... I see... and we cannot protect Thesa and Alria in addition to transferring the Refugees to Olympia. This force, they waited for this moment. They knew I have been Intervening, and that I have become weak from such Interventions— ... We've been had. It cannot be helped. To save the Refugees on the Stations, we must eject the awoken unto El Nysa. My remaining energy shall go into shielding Thesa— left defenseless, every being we have saved on this station will perish... Sael, where is the ideal location for the landing? Hmm. There aren’t any people within a ten mile radius of The Outlook, and there shouldn’t be any for a few more days. I think that’s the best location right now. Very well. Instruct Zasere and Roman to begin preparations for an emergency eject. This is the only way we can save everyone. I am counting on you to ward off the enemy on the space front. The rest... is up to our Refugees. The alarms are blaring. It shouts against your eardrums, calling you to wake again. This time, you are in new pod, strapped down completely and cushioned tightly against the walls. In truth, you had no idea when you’d gone to sleep, but it is reminiscent of when you had been saved from the force of the Storm. A voice greets you when you come to, while the conversation between Darma and Sael is still fresh on your mind. Despite their voices playing like an old tune in your memory, you still know it is something that happened. Something has gone terribly wrong. You hear Darma speak, her voice loud in your head. Fellow Refugee, I wake you with regrettable news. A force equal to our own is attempting to engage Thesa, no doubt to steal the souls contained here. My energy is near depleted with this last Intervention, so I cannot send you to the grounds safely as originally intended. However, there is hope yet.This power shall instead shield Thesa and Alria — and believe in me when I swear no one shall be hurt. Your loved ones are safe with us. —Unfortunately, that is at your expense. Your descent will not be an easy one. This pod that contains you shall pierce through El Nysa's atmosphere and land you on an island west of Olympia, simply called The Outlook. Travel east. Find the West Outpost, then continue east until you find the Olympian North Gate. There is a method to this madness. You shall be sent in waves. The inhumanly strong shall be first. The parachute will soften the landing, but I am aware of all your capabilities. The first wave will survive the drop, and will work tirelessly to secure the others. Find your bearings, and ensure the safety of the second wave. They are the healers and medics. Catch their pods, ease their landings, make certain that they shall not be harmed, because you will need them for your wounds. The third wave are your strongmen. They shall help clear the debris and take people to safety, making way for the fourth wave, those can conjure magic to help. Bring everyone to a safe distance. A supply drop will follow soon after; it shall contain tents and tools that will be useful for the long night. The fifth and sixth waves are largely vulnerable humans. With your combined efforts, you shall survive this great misfortune. Forgive us, Refugee. Leave the Moons to us, my promise to you is still in tact— focus on what you can do for others like you. Helping at least two (2) Refugees will earn you one (1) Natha REP. Threads must be AC length to qualify, and can be submitted HERE by JULY 31st. THE DESCENT     FIRST WAVE. The instructions are clear. Those who are a part of the First Wave should be equipped with physical strength and fortitude to survive the drop or the power to regenerate and heal their own wounds. While the pods are already designed to cushion some of the impact, as this is the first group, it will likely to be the most jarring. In all of the waves, some of the pods will malfunction and offer no cushion at all. They will be expected to quickly find their bearings. Their mission isn’t simply just landing, after all. The first wave will be expected to help the next wave, and the wave after that. Whether through their abilities or brute strength, they will be expected to help soften the landing for those who are falling. They will also be expected to pry open hatches, carry people to safety, and to just... survive. It’s not always easy being first. SECOND WAVE. Within the next hour, it’s time for the Second Wave to make their descent. You were selected based upon your aptitude for healing and/or being able to administer first aid. Perhaps you can help the tired and weary. Maybe those who have landed have have strength, but no stamina. Either way, it may be unwise to exhaust all their abilities at once. The night is long, and you may want to conserve their energy for the next waves to come. At least you’ll have help in getting settled. THIRD WAVE. Akin to the First Wave, the Third Wave will possess some durability, and some manner of strength, making you a reliable ally. Especially in a time of crisis... Or so we hope. While the landing is tough, and some of you may need first aid. As soon as you’re all healed up, you’ll have no time to dawdle. Your help is required. “Please help those still trapped in pods. Carry those unconscious to safety. Lift debris, and rescue all you can.” May be a vague message still stuck in the back of your head. Something whispered to you while you were just waking. Well, might as well roll with it. It’s the best shot you have, after all. FOURTH WAVE. Those in the Fourth Wave, as Darma projects, were selected due to the versatility of their abilities. No one expects one man to do the same as the next. Rather, that’s precisely the point: to be different. To be able to accomplish something unique. While one individual may be blessed with powers that assist in putting out fires, another may have the ability to shield those from oncoming debris. Maybe one even has the ability to channel all of these. Regardless, it’s up to you and your quick wits to see what tasks are open. It’ll take some coordination, especially as there are more people mixing into the fray, but, you can do it, can’t you? FIFTH WAVE. If you are in the Fifth Wave it is likely that you have a specific power or ability. One that isn’t easily channeled or called upon. Or, perhaps, you were merely placed here for insurance. Whatever the case if, your expertise will presently be put to the test. Maybe you’re quite proficient in survival skills, and you’re already eyeing the supplies that were dropped between the Fourth Wave and now. Goods all ready to be salvaged. Okay, maybe some can’t, but as they say, “it’s the thought that counts.” Besides, the injured from earlier certainly need a space to rest, and camp isn’t going to make itself. Regardless, maybe you feel more comfortable joining in the efforts to assist those who still require it. Whatever it is, you are sure to find your place and use. Darma obviously held the same faith. FINAL WAVE. The Final Wave is fortunate in a variety of ways. With Thesa Station a bit more stabilized, Darma utilizes the last bit of her powers in insuring that these last remaining pods are met with the softest landing, right beside the fifth, that is. The fragility of life is nothing she is unfamiliar with, after all. Still, that isn’t to say nothing is expected of you. Most of the individuals that have dropped earlier will likely be exhausted. An hour stretched between each one, makes several hours for the first couple of waves. They'll need a place to relax. You will act as the final group of helpers. Settle into whatever role feels best for you. Are you an excellent cook? Great at rationing supplies? Perhaps, you have a secret skill in ______ that might come in handy here? Or, maybe, despite the gentler landing you still managed to get hurt. The sky's the limit, and you got this! Meanwhile, in the distant kingdom of Olympia, the Empress and her loyal subject discuss matters late into the night... I’ll have the results of that dragon toxin study ready for you soon, Your Highness. I just need a few helpers to— oh wow, is that a meteor shower? Oh yes, it appears so. How beautiful.. hehe. Let us thank Thesa for this blessing. GATHER YOUR BEARINGS     All in all, the descent lasts for nearly seven hours. After the deployment of the last wave of refugees, it’s only natural that you may be feeling pretty worn out. A. Within the remains of the pods, Refugees will find basic camping supplies such as small tents, sleeping bags, and compasses. Not all of the supplies remain intact, thanks to the impact of the crash. But, sharing resources will ensure there is enough for everyone to rest for the night. Can you really in good conscience leave that stranger next to you without shelter? B. Although you may be tired after such a life-threatening ordeal, there is still work to be done to ensure your survival. Fortunately, it works out because now there are plenty of empty hands. There are stray debris and metal parts that should be collected and disposed of. There's firewood that needs to be collected, and campfires to upkeep. The nights in the Outlook are particularly chilly, and so it will be imperative to keep warm! C. Your clothes are tattered or too bloodied to sleep on with comfortably. Fortunately, Darma thought ahead. There will be various types of clothing provided, mostly robes that resemble her own in earthy tones, all to help them camouflage you for your next big adventure. FINAL OOC NOTE     This INTRO event will be broken up into three parts! Please keep this in mind when plotting your threads/tag load. PART 3 Will be up on JULY 22ND, at 6 PM EST. We will not provide an additional CAPTCHA for this overflow. Players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals in the event this overflow gets close to CAPTCHA. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. The NETWORK is currently down, as Sael must concentrate all of his efforts on warding off the invading force. Characters may still message each other's personal IC inboxes. Submit two (2) AC-eligible threads from this log for one (1) Natha Orbiter REP point here by JULY 31ST. Recommended Listening: Alex & TOKYO Rose PART ONE | PART ONE (overflow) | PART TWO | PART THREE QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

lenalee lee.

[steelettos]

[ top level post ]

archer.

[steelettos]

[ the difficult part was asking.

she very rarely asks for help, especially in cases where she can manage on her own. which is the case here, if lenalee's willing to risk the entire house-- and possibly the other houses beside it to come down on the both of them.

but whatever, lenalee manages to climb out of the hole with his assistance, briefly slipping down when her foot stepped on something loose. ]

... [ he doesn't have to sound like he's saying "i told you so"! that's her role ok. it's already embarrassing crawling out of a hole. ] Thank you.

[ aaaand she says that while the floor below them is creaking with their combined weight, threatening to collapse under them too ... ]

[fakers]

[ look, he understands your shame. if anything, he's simply more stubborn than you. he probably would just flat out risk his life rather than ask anyone for help.

and it's precisely because he understands that mixture of pride and stubbornness that he's rather amused by the grudging thanks. ]

Is it that hard asking another for help? [ you flat out know it is, archer, which is why his voice sounds a tinge sarcastic when he asks. also, because that's just how he always sounds.

rather foolishly, he doesn't seem to notice the creaking... or he's just ignoring it. maybe taunting is simply more important. ]

[steelettos]

[ the only shame is asking for archer's help tbh

because wow, that tone. lenalee's eyes narrow a little at it, her lips pressed together to a thin line. if she's hearing any creaking, she's ignoring it too for the sake of verbally backhanding him. ]

It is, when you find yourself getting mocked afterwards.

[ besides if archer was trapped there, would he have asked for help?
would he?? would he??? ]

[fakers]

[ can't really argue with that.

and no, no he wouldn't. he at least seems to relent at that, just smirking a bit as he raises an arm in a gesture of good will. ]

Regardless, we should probably get out of here before-

[ the beams holding up the ceiling made a load groan, making clear they've suddenly decided to stop doing their jobs. the rest of the house starts to creak in turn, making clear... well... at this point it should be obvious to anyone what's about to happen. ]

rocket.

[steelettos]

[ definitely like one of the guys from the science dept.

but while she's worked with them for a short while, lenalee's never really understood what they usually do. other than create weird shit that causes most members of the order inconvenience. ]

Defense? [ she grabs the supplies she found as well while ... destroying stuff ... and follows after him. ] You think this place is hostile--

[ it's so weird watching him drag that circuit board. ] Do you need help?

rocket.

[beatupgrass]

I mean if you wanna carry it, I ain't gonna tell you no. [He's a proud creature, but if he isn't hauling it, his arms are free to loot some more, so this seems like a win-win situation.]

And I think any place can be hostile under the right circumstances. The universe is shit and will kill you. Case in point- all of our worlds just got eaten by a frickin' cosmic storm.

edmund.

[steelettos]

[ not the first time she gets punched by flailing people but he's mostly well-behaved so it's fine. ]

Oh, er, it's my Boots.

[ lenalee would gesture with her hands but she might drop him so she tilts her head instead to the direction of her legs. they're probably not visible and it's a little difficult manuevering just so she can show him in midair. ]

They let me fly. [ and do other things too but that's for another day,
another display of her powers. ] ... It's a little complicated to explain but that's mostly how it works.

[ like how it's made of her own blood. and stuff. ] Do you have companions? I can bring you over to them, if you need me to.

[exonerated]

[ Flying boots. The world hasn't ceased to amaze him. ]

I don't —

[ He pauses, because he may or may not be turning green but it's fine! It's fine! No vomiting to be had just yet. ]

— uh, I don't have companions. You can drop me off at any safe place.

cadderly.

[steelettos]

[ a spell?

lenalee gingerly steps back onto the floor, wondering if she'll start floating on every step. but her weight soon presses down onto the wooden floor, creaking at the sudden addition on the strain.

it's a little similar to what her boots do but she's technically not flying, just ...
floating. it's curious and very useful. ]

Thank you. [ she gives him a slight bow of her head. ] You saved me there.

[songofdeneir]

-=the spell releases once she touches down and she's free to move however she would like=-

Well, I could hardly have let you fall.

-=he says with a smile, trying to tuck some of his unruly curls under his hat=-

I am just thankful that I caught you in time.

matt.

[steelettos]

[ she's a few feet away from where he's holding out his hand. but that's probably because she slipped down a bit further under the floor.

still lenalee can hear him shuffle around (are those three footsteps? she can't tell) so he's definitely around. uh, should she jump? she can't see him. ]

Yes, I'm all right. [ lenalee calls up to the opening of the hole, peering at it. where??? ] Hello?

[ghettobatman]

[He's pretty quick for a blind man, letting the sound of her voice lead him as he leans down in her direction and reaches a hand to try to grasp in her direction]

Can you see my hand? I'll try to pull you up.

chuuya.

[steelettos]

[ ringing? that's a bad sign, right?

not that he looks right at all with that huge bump on his head. at the very least, there doesn't seem to be any signs of bleeding but external bleeding is usually something better than internal one. ]

I, I'll get you to someone who can treat you. Don't pass out. [ a doctor, a healer. whatever.

lenalee may have told her not to pass out but, well. given the speed she's going at back to the ground, any normal person just might.

no puking tho, pls!! ]

[vacuum]

[ While he isn't bleeding, there's a large bruise at the back of his head where he had taken most of the impact. The wringing's already making it difficult to process everything around him. Now he's also flying across the air at top speeds, and the whiplash seems to blur his vision, his consciousness gradually leaving him. ]

I'll be fine, just set me down -- Ohh ... [ As much as he wants to tell her he's just fine, the truth is, he really isn't. Chuuya eventually closes his eyes, succumbing to the blunt trauma. He passes out soon after, becoming a dead weight in her arms. Also, his hat seems nowhere to be found?? That's definitely something he'll get concerned about later on. ]

shu.

[steelettos]

[ no reaction, yep. not that she expected to be thanked for it.

in the short time they've interacted, he never struck her as the type who would utter even a single word of appreciation to anyone. not with the way he looked down at her, calling her human and practically finding amusement in her every reaction. so that's fine, he doesn't have to thank her.

what's surprising is the hand poking out of the blanket, proffered or held out to her. she doesn't really know. and for one long moment, lenalee wonders if he's asking for something.

something to eat, maybe? he didn't say he was hungry, though. didn't look like it either.

another beat before (and it's here that lenalee sighs again, what a child) she takes his hand into hers. like a mom who holds onto her child's hand while he sleeps through the night, except in their case, there's hardly anything motherly about it. his fingers, she notes, are still cold. ]

What, is the blanket not warm enough?

[tub]

[ it's true. she has absolutely no reason to grasp his hand in return.

or to pay his his gestures any mind. nor to baby him in the manner that she is, and yet... she does. the warmth that envelops his hand is comforting. in all his tumultuous considerations, it keeps him grounded. moreover, the blanket that remains over his head acted as a shield against the fire. something that visually removed it form his sights; even if he merely saw the shadows as the flames flickered and devoured the firewood from a distance.

when she speaks and breaks the silence, for once, despite shu's chagrin in regards to smalltalk, he replies calmly. ] That's because... [ he starts. only, he doesn't finish. still, somehow, he acts as if that was meant to alleviate any further inquiries.

he uses his free hand, at least enough to free a small enough gap for him to peer at her... with a single eye.

his hair seems messier somehow beneath that, as he gives a small exhale. ] If you're so worried...

[ it's here, he seems to look at the spot right beside him. he gives her hand a subtle tug. ]