❪ 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

[smithandwesson]

[Faith was a strange concept to Sanzo. He didn't just believe in gods, he knew of their existence. He also knew that most of them were assholes with far too much free time on their hands.

One of the problems with being one of the five highest ranking Buddhist priests in China, you get a lot more confirmation to what occurs on other planes than most people, and often times get to be an unwilling participant in whatever plans they have. Of course, there were other reasons he could see her so easily, reasons he himself wasn't even aware of. But that was a complicated story of its own that would probably never reveal itself during his lifetime.... hopefully.]

Well, whatever your issue is, just try not to show off too much. I know there are a lot of strange people stuck with us, but something like you could end up causing more trouble than good if you end up catching the wrong persons attention.

[With that he pulled out a carton of cigarettes, and stuck one in his mouth. Taking a deep, long, sigh before digging around for his lighter.]

[illuminating]

[The reply he got was instant: sharp whine and tucking ears; was that true? Something like her…

Paws inched forward on the ground until she was laying. Oughtn't she do what she can, though, same as everyone else? Her gaze drifted from him to the fire, the dancing light making her eyes seem like pure gold. And from there, head canting back, she looked out beyond to the other refugees, let disgruntled sigh, and then dropped her head on the dirt, now laying out completely.

Prideful things tended to be arrogant, and she was no exception, but she hadn't the level of conceit before to wonder if this or that was her fault. She knew she was to blame for Yami, for making that mistake, but did Orochi originally attack the Celestial Plains because she was there? Had The Storm come to where she was last, drawn by her essence, or energy, or whatever—her being what she is, something like her? Whatever had come after everyone on Thesa… Was it because her presence was too obvious? Had this something to do with her being blind to feeling it before the announcement? It's plain that she's a weaker being than Darma and the others, but perhaps her being what she is hadn't helped matters any.]

[smithandwesson]

'Tch.... What, don't tell me that actually got to you?

[Now that was fairly amusing. A simple warning was enough to ward off a-- Well, whatever she was. The benevolent energy radiating from her was unmistakable, but if she were a god would she not have been able to fix everything that had been going on with them without a seconds hesitation. Then again, Darma seemed to be having a bit of issue as well. Was it just that the current situation he had found himself in was something so grand that even the gods themselves could handle it? Or was it that these gods had something else preventing them.

Were they even full fledged gods? Demi-gods perhaps? He had known their type as well. It would certainly explain quite a bit...

Whatever, this whole thing was confusing as hell and he hated it.

He'll just accept what's going on for what it was and go along with it for the time being.]

..... Oy.

[Slowly he pushed himself up to a stand, trudging his way toward both the fire and Amaterasu before opening his bag to reveal some meat that he had cooked up previously.]

Don't even know why I'm bothering. Your kind probably don't even eat.

[None the less he tossed a sliver of it toward her. Not like he needed all of it for himself. He could always find more.]

[illuminating]

[Oh, no, they don't need to eat, but there's a big difference between enjoying food and needing it, and by the prerequisites of the former, she was a bottomless pit.

But what he had tossed to her was such a pitiful offering for a god he'd just bullied. And of course, the only proper response would be to give him a hard time. Her eyes had been watching him all the while, and when the sliver of meat landed near her, other than a vaguely interested twitch of one ear and wiggling nose, she huffed in reply.

Really huffed.

The sides expanding, only to deflate, and make fuzzy sides of muzzles flicker kind of huffing.

And from there, he'd acquire her groans. First meager sounds, blowing coupled with minuscule whines, but Sanzo would find them quickly mounting into more racket. The equivalent of uuuuuuuuuugh, and it's SO small. Wolf soon rolled onto her back to groan-wail in melodrama.

How can he expect her to eat, when he just picked on her! Groaaan-whine, groan, groan. Yes, she was making a spectacle of herself, but given that she'd gotten on the good side of quite a few people, to a potential on-looker, it might appear that the big bad man was tormenting on the poor doggy.]

[smithandwesson]

....................

[See?

This was exactly what he was thinking about earlier. Why were all gods such self-entitled jerks? Every single one of them. Especially this mutt who seemed to be putting on this over-dramatic act right in front of him. You were an immortal being with immeasurable power for fucks sake! Stop being so lazy and get your own food if you're going to be so bratty about it! Us mortals are barely surviving off of what we can find you know!Seriously!

Instead he merely sat there, his eyebrow twitching slightly with agitation as he watched her roll around and complain.]

..... What? You're acting like you want the entire roasted bird for yourself or something.

[This is so dumb. Predictable. But still dumb.]

[illuminating]

[No. She was done, only wanted to tease him a little. After all her commotion for a minute or two, she went still, legs dangling in mimicry of uselessness before stretching straight outward, and then she rolled onto her side to peer at him.

Eyes, and—really, yes—even corner of mouth, smiling faintly up at him, while tail thumped lightly behind her. She stretched into a slouch next, stood after, shook her pelt, and dipped down to scoop what he shared with her with lower teeth, swallowing it down in one bite. For a moment, she considered going up to him to nudge his hand, show appreciation, but he might whack her, so she decided against it.

Another way, then.

And after one, lengthy meaningful look at him, he'd find her turning to leave, as simply as she'd come, no embellishments about it or long good-byes: an animal being an animal, coming and going as it pleased.

It might appear as if she'd left him to his own time and devices for the rest of the night, but forty minutes, give or take later, if he was still awake, he'd spy her approaching once more, this time toting wobbling blackberry bush branch. He, and whoever he might be traveling with, would need more nutrients than what meat provided alone. They could survive on meat fine, of course, but why keep options limited when a universal mother was present to see that they got all they could. Additionally, it was one way to thank him without coming within reach of that sour attitude. And branch, because in this way she could bring him more than a handful of berries, and not just a single, bitty one, which she could've swallowed on accident.

Whether he was sleeping or not, she moved near his pack, maneuvering to lay the branch of berries and leaves beside it for him to find; a glance to him, one last check of the fire to make certain it would hold enough life in itself to keep him and anyone else circled close warm through the night, and for the last time tonight, she stepped away, off either to check on other refugees or find a spot herself to lie down.]

Thank you for the help sweet dog. The angry monk secretly appreciates it.

[smithandwesson]

[Why were all divine beings so... weird?

The poor, slightly confused, monk could only state on in disbelief in regard to Amaterasus strange over-dramatic display. Blankly watching as she did as she pleased before wandering off. Why did he feel a steady growth in agitation as he watched her go? At least she didn't want something of him like half the other asshole deities that had approached him before. Or more-so, she did not actively complain at him when she wasn't satisfied with what he had to give.

Well, whatever. That happened.

Grabbing hold of the extra clothes he had found at the drop-off, Sanzo pulled them over himself to keep warm and angrily began eating the half of the bird that he didn't callously throw on the floor for waste. Let it rot for all he cared.

Little did he know that he would awake to find a gift waiting for him the next day. And, perhaps, those berries may just come in handy later on during their travels onward. Goodness knows he had enough brats following him around at this point begging for his help. And, just maybe, he'd be left wondering if it was that strange dog that had left it for him, or perhaps some other worthless sap who felt sorry for him. Whatever the case, he was grateful.]