❪ introlog: #2 ❫ THE CALM. -- the overflow.

[natha]

ORIGINAL POST

You have spent the last few days on Thesa Station, taking in the knowledge that your world is no more. Perhaps you’ve made some friends (or maybe an enemy or two). Either way, you aren’t expected to spend all of your time on the Station. El Nysa needs you, after all, and you promised you’d help the planet thrive. Are you ready? Submit any AC eligible thread of participating in this log's prompts for Two (2) Olympia REP points HERE. TRAVEL LIGHT     You're really lucky, new refugee. Because of the efforts of those that came before you, your own descent into El Nysa will be quick and relatively painless. You get to reap the benefits of others' experience. Those that came before you are all well-versed in the art of teleportation now, and descending into El Nysa is simply a concentrated thought away. A teleporter has been placed in the common areas to help the new refugees descend, but for this first time, you're going to need a little guidance. You're going to need to take the hand of someone who has been on El Nysa for a while now and learn the ropes. Hold on tight, Refugee, and don't be afraid when the blinding light hits you. The actual journey will feel like a sudden whiplash— painless, but sudden, and maybe a little nauseating. Keeping your balance may be difficult, and it’s possible you might end up toppling onto your poor partner. Hopefully you’re at least thankful. You have landed in a back alley in the Residential District of Olympia. HOME SWEET HOME     Immediately, you notice that everything you've been told about El Nysa is true. There are people of all races here, and although no one bats an eye at your appearance as you enter the district, a member of the Royal Guard asks for your passport. They have a keen eye, and can tell that although you may be a new refugee to their city, they've never seen you before. Certain rumors of an outside force making preparations to do some major damage has them particularly on edge. It's a good thing the Orbiters made sure you have an Olympian passport ready to go. You present it, and with a small nod, the Guard says nothing more and slaps a patch on your chest; to your surprise, it reads: Hello! My name is ________________! I am in House #___! Are you my housemate? ... No matter how much you try, there's no removing this sticker. "It'll come off tomorrow," says the guardkeep. "Lots of refugees here, limited housing. It's an easy way to get to know the people you're living with. Though, if you ask me, why are we accepting so many foreigners when so many want to watch this city burn? Well, I don’t give the orders." If someone greets you, the message on the patch will magically change: Secretly, I _____, _____, and _____! What are yours? There's no telling how they'd known these things, but it likely has to do with Zasere. AGAIN. It may be a good idea to get situated in your new home and set down some ground rules with your roommates. There is also, of course, much of Olympia to explore. FLONA COVE     Word around the city is that one very cute and enthusiastic Olympian, You Watanabe, has been asking around earnestly for the nearest place to find some coastal fun. It didn't take long before a few locals pointed her in the direction of Flona Cove. Maybe it’s a good idea to check out the area. There are only a few more days left of summer, after all. Even if you're not the beach type, exploring a new area certainly can't hurt your understanding of El Nysa. Flona Cove is just a quick train ride away. BEACH PARTY: Chances are, you've heard about the beach party being organized by You Watanabe, whether it be from her directly or someone who knows her. A lot of careful planning has gone into it, and it looks like a great time, so why not check it out? Full speed ahead towards a great time! There's plenty of food for everyone, and plenty of watermelons that need splitting! 1. Various food vendors from around Flona Cove have agreed to offer free food for the new refugees, and they line the shoreline near the harbor, enthusiastically offering goodies such as seafood kabobs, ice cream, fresh fruit (including whole watermelons!), and hot dogs. You Watanabe herself has a grill where she’s cheerfully serving up her trademark "Niceoodles" yakisoba as well as other Japanese food like takoyaki and rice. What makes her noodles so nice? It’s obviously the cheerful smiley-face sun drawn on the omelette. In exchange, the chefs and vendors only ask that you spread the word, though most of them have buckets for donations if you want to help chip back in. After the party is all done, however, there seem to be plenty of dishes that need doing, all in a big pile. You herself is working on getting through the mountain of dishes, but maybe you could lend a hand? 2. It's just not a beach party without the traditional watermelon splitting! For those of you who don't come from modern Japan on Earth, it might be perplexing at first seeing the literal mountain of watermelons grown with the help of Keyleth, another recent Olympian. If the bat-like sticks and blindfolds next to them don’t explain the purpose, though, you might just sit back and watch as a brave competitor sets a watermelon on the sand, ties a blindfold around their eyes, and has people start yelling at them which way to go. They consider the shouts of the crowd, take a swing... and strike nothing but sand. Perhaps you can do better? There are beach activities galore. Now's the time to build the sandcastle of your dreams or play a game of beach volleyball. Maybe you're brave enough to surf the waves, or you’d just like to enjoy a swim. Mom friends who just want to lounge in the sun and read a book while working on their tan are welcome too, of course. BENEATH THE SURFACE: 1. Diving beneath the waters in Flona Cove yield a whole new world on its own. Rent a scuba suit and take a trip to explore the corals, and you may even be lucky enough to run into a playful school of dolphins. Be careful-- they tend to get carried away and will happily drag swimmers for a wild ride. 2. You might want a boat for this scuba adventure, unless you're a strong swimmer. Venture deeper into the ocean, farther away from the coast, and adventurers will find some interesting stuff. Two miles southwest of the harbor, deep, deep into the watery abyss, lies a shipwreck. Exploring through the various rooms of the ship yields a few knick-knacks here and there-- rusted spare parts, cracked tea sets... a surprisingly well-preserved pin-up painting of Koralle? The real treasure awaits for those who have the courage to swim beneath the ship's hull. Here, covered in algae and debris, lies the skeletal corpse of a winged, fanged, clawed beast. This is only a distant memory of its former glory, as nothing but bones are left, but something— something brilliant, catches your eye. Those hundreds of teeth are not bone, but a material so lustrous and pure, it nearly blinds. It will take some work, but with persistence and strength, it is possible to extract a tooth. Those that work in Simwe Institute or The Sanctuary may find it beneficial to take an extra for their boss— this is definitely something that is of interest to study. 3. Olympians love their luxury. There's nothing more luxurious than a secluded lagoon, the water at just the perfect temperature and pristine. This is one of the most sought-after spots for the natives, but when you come across it, it is completely peaceful and empty. For the tourists? Well, this place simply gets overlooked due to its distance from the main beaches. It's also relatively hidden. Soon you start feeling oddly friendly? Cupid’s Pool is also described by the people of Olympia as the touchy-feely pool. It has an inherent property that makes those who soak in it crave physical affection. Chances are you probably wanted to know this before you decided to take a dip, huh? (Please warn for threads appropriately) EARN SOME SILVER     1. While many of the locals came together to offer their hands to provide a bit of entertainment for the surge in tourism, that isn’t to state that they’re fully staffed. Have a few hours to spare? They're willing to pay for your help. Maybe you’re just the cooking champ they needed? The lifeguard who showed up just in time? Or the star salesman at their humble accessory shop so desired? 2. The man who approaches you is even offering more than most of the vendors down the street. Sure, the guy and his entourage look kind of shady, but money is money, isn't it? If you accept, he’ll shove a strange swimsuit or two your way and lead you to the dressing room. What kind of job is this? Modeling, he says. Hopefully you aren’t camera shy! Hey there, hot stuff. I like your look. Or maybe it's your... aura? Either way, I like what you're working with. How about you flaunt what you've got for some fat silver stacks? He also wants to be able to test your charm, and is willing to pay a whopping 400 silver in exchange. He may even ask you to go "talk" (did you hear him say "hit on"?) to a couple of people, and “sell” yourself. Whatever that means... Incidentally, he says he’ll give you a signal once you get a pass. Feels like forever, doesn’t it? 3. Once night begins to fall and the people gradually begin to clear out, you’ll notice something... odd. There are some shady looking people around, and maybe you’ve been hearing whispers all day about a certain "fight club." Initially, no one will tell you a time or location, but if you are persistent, your efforts will pay off. Perhaps in light of helping a vendor clear out their stall or assisting that one Olympian native in distress, they’re willing to tell you a few things about this exclusive club. They explain to you that it’s been a long-standing tradition of Olympia. Secret fight clubs. A place for people to stretch their wings and their fists. Moreover, the pay off seems to be pretty good! Though, they warn you that there are some aggressive competitors out there this time around. Things have been tough politically for a while now, and there is much unrest among the people. What better way to blow off some steam than to beat someone up and make a bit of bank! Fights are not to the death, simply until a knock out, but accidents (and "accidents") do happen. Finding the crowd of people will take some searching, even with directions. They meet along the northern coast of Flona, by following a path leading underground, well away from any civilization. Once you’re there, why not participate? You may find yourself facing off against a fellow refugee. OOC     An AC-eligible thread for 2 OLYMPIAN REP POINTS may be submitted from this log. SUBMIT THE THREAD HERE by OCTOBER 15 11:59 PM EST. In the event of CAPTCHA, we will be providing an overflow. In the event of a second CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. 1 SILVER = 1 US DOLLAR. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

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Sanderson Hawkins | DC Comics

[granularity]

[beach party]

[ ...please don't panic that a full grown man literally just disintegrated into sand on the beach. It's just... he's been on a space station for a little bit. And yeah, he'd been walking around for a while, but there was just something to getting into the earth, feeling it around him, something familiar and comforting.

Which isn't to say he misses out on the food carts because hell no. Not only does he need to get his coffee as per usual, but this is a man who'd lived out of NYCs best hole in the wall eateries for most of the last few years. You bet he's going to take down the names of the best spots to go visiting afterwards.

And yeah, he'll stick around to do the dishes. What kind of rude jerk do you take him for? ]


[beneath the surface - 3]

[ He'd sort of wandered a little to end up somewhere else, somewhere where the water feels just right and the place seems pretty darn empty. A place where he can get away, which is his usual state of affairs. Away from people, after all the hub-bub and the packed spaces and everything else.

Maybe it's what he needed to feel like dealing with people again. In fact, he'd... really like to deal with someone. Maybe just, who knows... sit near someone. Why is he thinking of giving people hugs? ]


[earning some silver - 1]

[ He's going to need money, he knows that. He hasn't had to worry about it for a while, not since he'd become the heir to the Dodds fortune, but it's not like he's ever done a lot with a little. He'd been an orphan, after all. And he has any number of skills to ply to get himself a little silver.

Where he ends up is a clinic, specifically doing translation work. After all, he knows any number of Earth languages. Why not put that to use? And this is in service of taking care of people. It's all he could really ask for, in some ways... ]


[earning some silver - 3]

[ It's not hard to find out about the underground fighting ring. Or to get a spot in it.

For one, he's used to working leads and following clues, and he's got a certain boyish naivete (somehow) that tends to get people cooperating. Then, once he's there, well...

He's never been one of the ones who needed the violence. Wes hadn't encouraged it, and while Alan and Ted both tended towards leading with the fists, it'd never really rubbed off. But after everything, after finding out about their world, after seeing everyone in tubes and almost having a breakdown right then and there...

He needs to hit something. He really really needs to hit something.

So while he'll watch from the stands, you bet he's getting in the ring. No geomorphing, no tricks, just the old sweet science, as Ted would say, there to help him let off a bit of steam. ]

beneath the surface

[twofates]

[ Roman doesn't mind being near people, but that mostly means he just doesn't mind sitting in a group and fading into the background, not needing to worry about initiating conversation. He does better when he's one on one with someone, but even still, he needs some time to recharge. The solitude of the beautiful lagoon is unmatched, and he's been wading in the water for a little while when he spots someone else. He's a little bit in the shadows, easily unnoticed, but he doesn't want to just stay hidden now that he has company, not wanting to startle the other man.

Plus, being in the water itself for a while means he's actually really happy to see someone. With some of his inhibitions gone, he wades over, close enough that there's not much personal space between them. ]

It's nice here, isn't it?

[granularity]

[ Given that he's always sort of been the more quiet on in a group, Sand had also been settling into a spot on his own. But upon being greeted, he holds up a hand... and then blinks a little at the, er... well?

He'll roll with it.]

Yeah, [ he agrees. ] It's really nice, actually. The kinda thing to make you want to spend more time in lagoons as a habit.

[ He holds out a hand for a shake. ]

Sanderson Hawkins, lately of New York City, if you have one of those where you're from.

[twofates]

[ He could easily see himself spending time here often. It alters his thinking a little, it always makes him feel more free, in a way. ]

It wouldn't be a bad habit.

[ Shaking his hand in return, Roman gives him a friendly nod. ]

I lived there. For a little while. [ And prior to that, he lived in an orphanage in South Africa. But that's a story for another time. Oh, right, his name. ] I'm Roman.

[granularity]

Nice to meet you, Roman.

[ And normally, there'd be a very mild comment about personal space that was more about excusing the shifting he'd be doing, but he isn't feeling the... urge to shift away. If anything, the places where he can feel the other man in the water seem... pleaseant. ]

I lived there most of my life, though there was an unfortunate period in Connecticut.

[ He glances around. ]

I'm pretty sure the next line I'm supposed to give is something like 'what brings you round?' but I'm not sure it applies.

beach party.

[beknight]

[ Now, he thinks of himself as a man surprised by little. Live long enough, colour outside the lines, and the places that say here there be dragons become so what? Gotham has held so much that's more wondrous and more terrifying than anything that walks the streets of Olympia. ]

[ But there was something that changed the world. An alien showed himself and flew across the sky, and the world changed again when he didn't. People who dissolve into sand on the beach merit at least a few curious questions. ]

[ So he's waiting calmly for the man to resurface and structure himself into a human being before a curious, ]

How did you do that?

[granularity]

[ The thing is... he knows Bruce Wayne. Not only has he fought beside him, but he's fought beside him against an entire mental asylum full of different Batmans at least once. He's also hosted him for Thanksgiving dinner. Now, can he tell that this is Bruce Wayne?

...he's got... a brain tingle. Now, like a Folger's commercial, let's see how this plays out. ]

You want the long answer or the short answer?

[ Because Sand hasn't had a secret identity quote unquote for years. Kinda doesn't work when you spent fifty years in a tube in a basement in Brooklyn. ]

[beknight]

[ Oh it is, just a little more salt and pepper, sporting a beard. No mistaking the eyes — only Bruce has a particular look. ]

I don't mind the long answer. Call me curious.

[ Very curious. Despite seeing a man materialise out of sand, he doesn't seem perturbed or afraid, either. ]

[granularity]

[ ...yeah, he's starting to get that.

...and unlike for many, it is probably one of the most comforting things he could ever see. ]

Fair enough. Now, I won't ask for a drink first, but how about introductions?

[ He holds out a hand. ]

Sanderson Hawkins.

[ And because he can't resist- ]

JSA

[beknight]

[ You two are going to have so much fun when it's the alternate universe chapter. Bruce's eyes show no recognition, nothing to stifle. ]

[ His handshake is professional, and brief. ]

Alan Foster. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Hawkins. What does your organisation do?

[granularity]

[ ...for some reason, getting a false name is exactly the confirmation that he needs to confirm that this is in fact, Bruce Wayne. The fake name actually makes him smile, though that could be seen as a friendly greeting. ]

Did, at this point. And it's a little of this, little of that. Mentoring, historical collections, stopping the world from being devoured by extra planar deities that would make Lovecraft weep into his pillow.

The usual.

[ He tilts his head just so. ]

Nothing I figure you'd 'bat' an eye at, 'Mr. Foster.'

[beknight]

[ There's not a lot in the world that piques his interest and raises his hackles at once. Cassandra is from the future. She came to him and trusted him immediately. ]

[ He blinks. His expression doesn't change, but something along the jaw goes absolutely solid, completely primed. ]

Sounds like a story I'd like to hear. Perhaps over that drink you mentioned.

[granularity]

[ There's trust here too. It's different, because his relationship with Batman is different (different than most, really, because his teammates mostly think of Bruce as 'that hardworking kid down in Jersey' more than anything) but there's a trust there. It's being with one of his own.

Honestly, he's felt a little like he was drowning without that. ]

Sounds good to me. You pick, though. Otherwise, I'll find the only person serving coffee.

[beknight]

[ It's like a comfortable envelope, but Bruce doesn't do comfort, and he doesn't have an idea of this shape. Sure, this sounds exactly like what he and Diana had been trying to build. But it's different, and it's over for some. ]

This way.

[ He turns and walks, side by side. Casually, until they both reach one of the carts. There's some chairs set out next to the empty lifeguard post, using the shade it casts. ]

Take your pick, I'll foot the bill.

[ Says the guy whose wallet is in another universe. Old habits die hard. ]

[granularity]

An easy promise to make when they're donating the food.

[ But it's a light tease as he asks for the local equivolent of a cola and glances over at 'Alan' for his own drink order. When they get to the empty lifeguard post, drink (or drinks) in hand, Sand settles as comfortably into a shadow as you might expect from someone who... well, who spends a damn lot of time with them. ]

So you want that long story or you want to clear up some names?

[beknight]

[ Bruce chooses a fresh fruit juice. Coffee's been had, there's a ritual — anyway nobody here has his hipster order. He settles — one leg crossed over another, looking like he's comfortably perched. ]

I can't have both?

[ Wry, but he knows he's getting both. ]

Do you know what I do?

[granularity]

[ He nods, because- ]

Sure you can get both. But they come one at a time.

[ He settles into his spot, drink in hand, and glances up at Bruce at the question. Does he know- ]

I do what you do. Just a slightly different flavor in a slightly different town. I've even worked with you a few times, though I'm assuming the 'you' is a different universe's version of you at this point.

Which is a headache, but it's better than it could be.

[beknight]

[ way to start with giving him a headache, buddy ]

So, metahuman or alien?

[ you bet your ass this is an interrogation ]

[granularity]

I'm from Brooklyn, not Krypton. [ He takes a sip of his drink and yeah, that's a bit of an eyeroll. ] And closer to 'metahuman' than anything. What happened to me was an accident. No one's sure how much of it was Wes's gun and how much of it might have been me.

[beknight]

[ It's a thread to tug on for another day. There's the metahumans under Luthor's notice, and several others neither of them know about. Cassie can tell him some of it — the rest, well. It's not like he's going to know from looking at those sleeping faces in the pods. ]

How long have you been active?

[granularity]

[ The way he leans back with a low sigh says, oh, this is going to be complicated. ]

Okay, I started in the 40s, helping Wesley Dodds, the original Sandman. I was 'Sandy the Golden Boy' if you can believe that, ridiculous bright outfit and everything. First kid sidekick. It was great. Then there was the war, then we got home, and then one of Wesley's experiments exploded and turned me into a giant rock monster.

[ Sip. ]

He puts me out, puts me in a glass tube of a cage, and it's about fifty years before I end up coming out of it because some seismic activity in New York was nasty enough to break me out of the sleep gas he'd used.

I get out, I start trying to absorb the quake, annnnd pretty much the entire Justice Society and the Justice League comes after me. Great first impression I made, backhanding that other version of you out of the air.

[ He shakes his head. ]

By the time my voice is working again, I explain and then Wes... well, Wes feels awful leaving me in there the whole time, since he hadn't realized I was myself just, uh... well, initially I was kind of hurting so I screamed. And when you're a giant rock monster, that sounds a lot like roaring?

It was a mess.

[ He leans back into his chair a little and looks over at Bruce ]

Long story short, it took a few more years to look like me again, and then I was 14 again, and then took a little time growing up. When Wes disappeared a few years ago, I took over the mantle and I've been the Sandman for about ten years now.

[beknight]

[ Wry, ]

Surprised you landed the hit.

[ Backhanding him, there's a picture for the ages. He listens, intent, brows so furrowed they look like it's going to be permanent. Then he sits back, shaking his head. You realise this all sounds crazy. Two years ago, Clark flew across the sky, and the world changed — not into anything like what Hawkins describes. ]

How long have all of... us been around?

[granularity]

[ He shrugs. ]

You knew I was technically a fourteen year old kid and you were just trying to subdue me. I figured you were taking it easy.

[ He takes another sip of his drink, putting it down for the moment. ]

Timetables are kind of weird and hard to figure. There was a time where we were on different worlds and then a time after where we weren't. There was an event that happened in between, a crisis that threatened the reality of the entire multiverse.

Judging by the number of Robins, I'd guess around fifteen years plus. You, Superman... Polly's daughter showed up a little- [ he pauses ] Sorry, Wonder Woman showed up a little later.

[ It was, in fact, more complicated than that, but he'd already given the man enough to think about. ]

[beknight]

[ He can guess it's not that simple. But the mechanics of another world aren't for brute force investigation. Their world is sealed off or gone, depending on who's asked. ]

Diana, myself, Batgirl, and Supergirl are here. Make a list of the names and faces you recognise in the pods, I expect it promptly.

[granularity]

That's gonna be a hell of a list.

[ He spreads a hand. ]

The Justice Society has ties to nearly every masked man and woman in the world. In multiple worlds, honestly.

[ He lifts his head. ]

And if you think I don't consider maintaining that information, and safeguarding it, to be my top priority at this point, you're out of your mind.

[ He meets Bruce's eyes. ]

I'm not saying no. But I want to know a little about you and your world first. As well as what you're planning on doing with that information.