❪ 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

Comments

[cykedelic]

[ It actually ended up being a lot better than she'd had it described to her, too. Still, everytime she refinds someone, it eases a little of her worries. It's better knowing that no one did get chopped in half while trying to teleport. ]

You as well. There's a lot more people here than I expe-- [ Only she cuts off at the question he asks about her own sticker, hand moving to cover it as she tries to laugh it off. ] Nothing special!

Yours changed as well, you know.

[ Which is an odd selection, but the last one definitely made sense all things considered. ]

[drinkupmehearties]

Eh? [ That gets him to glance down at the sticker attached to his frock coat, and a colorful curse follows quick after that. He strips the coat off, rolling and bundling it in his arm as if the damage hasn't already been done. ]

Bloody hell. Who's grand idea was it to use these? [ Seriously. Jack didn't need help introducing himself, damn it all.

He glances to her, clears his throat. ] It ain't true, so you know. I've seen plenty of fights and not run away from 'em. [ Definitely not a coward, nope. ] And if I were to happen to [ his hand swishes ] make me departure from one, it'd be a matter of practicality. Some fights ain't winnable, so there's no reason to stick around for it.

[cykedelic]

[ An eyebrow definitely raises slightly as he finds the need to explain himself. If anything, it was actually more believable to be partially false before he starting talking - simply because her own has been exaggerated. ]

Well, it isn't as though I eat that much or have that little self control either. The romance thing I only said once, too, and that was just on a whim.

[ She plays with her earring. ]

It probably does depend on the type of fight as well... but sometimes you have no choice but to stay and fight. Hmm...

[drinkupmehearties]

[ He needs to prove himself it's important okay. ]

'Course not. [ Blatant exaggerations, of all it. ] I hadn't assumed there's much truth to it, seeing as you've such a fine, lovely [ now he's tracing an hourglass shape in the air to demonstrate ] figure.

[ ANYWAYS. ]

It depends, aye. And I've done my fair share of fights like that. [ Annnd just to steer this into territory that ignores the whole running away thing, Jack continues: ] I once traded blades with a man who couldn't die, all the while trapped in a cave that had no access to proper land. Came out on top of that one.

[cykedelic]

[ She blinks at that, arms automatically moving to cross over her chest. ]

Well, I run pretty often too but... [ She has high metabolism really. That's the secret to the eating. ]

That sounds pretty scary, how did you win?

[ Her arms drop as she smiles at him, 100% willing to listen to that story if he's willing to tell it. ]

tl;drs at you i'm sorry

[drinkupmehearties]

[ Oh yes. Telling stories is his favorite hobby. ]

By a bit of cleverness. [ Naturally.

The story needs backstory first, however. So Jack's free hand lifts, fingers splayed and hand gesturing to accentuate. ] You see, the man -- his name was Barbossa, by the by -- had gotten himself and his whole crew cursed by being greedy and stealing gold that wasn't rightly theirs. Cursed, meaning the lot of them couldn't die, but also couldn't take part in bein' alive either -- eating, drinking, the like. The only way to lift the curse was to gather all the coin they'd squandered, return it, and spill a bit o' blood as sacrifice.

[ Jack reaches into the pocket of the coat hanging around his arm, plucking out a coin. He says the next part while deftly playing the coin between his fingers. ] I took one, once they'd collected it all, and was cursed meself. And while I was fighting the bastard, I used a trick of the hand [ the coin now vanishes from his fingers, and Jack opens his palm, showing it empty ] to return the coin to the chest, along with the blood needed. Then used me pistol on him and took him down.

no need to be sorry at all o/

[cykedelic]

Cleverness? [ She doesn't interrupt again though, as he starts telling her the tale. She's a good audience to have too, gasping and raising her hands to her face in surprise at the right points, sighing in relief in others. She looks impressed at his cunning plan to win as well, flashing him a peace sign. ]

It sounds as though you're a good ally to have when you're in a tight spot!

[ Well, from this story it does anyway . . . ]

You know, someone I know is pretty good at magic tricks. It's a shame she's asleep at the moment, she'd probably like your story too.

[drinkupmehearties]

[ That brings about a wide grin from him. ]

Aye, you can be sure of that. [ Except not really, of course. Jack is almost always way more concerned with himself -- and saving his own skin -- when situations got a little too hairy. But he's not about to dissuade her from thinking the opposite. ]

That is a shame. [ Especially if she's as wonderful an audience as Athena. ] What manner of magic was it?

[cykedelic]

[ It's fine, she's used to being backstabbed . . . Thankfully he's good enough at hiding his lies that she's not fallen for any thus far anyway. ]

I'll keep that in mind for sure!

[ Though hmm... How to explain this? ]

Well, one trick she does that still baffles me to this day is how she makes things disappear in her magic panties.

[ Yes, that's right. Magic panties. ]

[drinkupmehearties]

[ That immediately earns an amused lift to his brow, a skeptical look. ]

She ... makes things disappear in her magic panties. [ That's a new one. He'd thought something more along the lines of curses or spells. Maybe even just plain old card tricks.

This isn't some sort of modern age innuendo he hasn't heard before, is it?? ] As in, she puts something down into her knickers, and then it's ... gone?

[cykedelic]

Well, they aren't the ones she's wearing. They're a special pair that look more like bloomers, I guess?

[ She pauses, lets it hang in the air for a second. ]

But they really do disappear!

[drinkupmehearties]

[ Well, that's a little less scandalous! ]

Ah. So she has a pair of bloomers, that she doesn't wear, with the power to disappear anything into them. [ JUST so we're clear. ]

That's quite the magic trick, I'll grant that. Is she able to retrieve whatever is put into them, or is it gone forever? [ Do they vanish into a different dimension, never to be seen again? ]

[cykedelic]

[ That's for the best considering Trucy's only 17... ]

Exactamente! It's quite the trick. [ Athena flashes him a smile. ] You've got it right. Though hmm... usually she puts evidence we don't need in there, but she has also brought out cookies she's baked too! So I think it goes both ways.

[drinkupmehearties]

[ A bit of a laugh from him. How strange. ] I suppose that's as good a place as any ... ? [ He guesses?? They're not being worn, so... ]

Either way, don't think I've heard of a trick like that before. Interesting.

She do any other tricks?

[cykedelic]

I guess that's true... It's catchy, no one is going to forget that she used panties, are they? [ Maybe that's why she chose those...? ]

She does card tricks too. Underwater escape acts... sawing people up. She had a sword switching trick as well but that ended up being used by someone to cover up a murder. [ She sighs at the end, as if to say what that experience was like. ]

[drinkupmehearties]

I would think not. And blimey, that's unfortunate. [ A little clever, too, if he's honest. But the sigh stops him from saying that aloud.

And oh, while they're on the subject of cool magic tricks. ] I knew a lass once. [ His hand waves in the air ] Well, a woman. [ No wait ] More of a princess, to be more specific. She made a powder magazine explode on a ship that was chasin' us. [ He pops up two fingers. ] Tore apart the whole damned thing and won us the fight. It was rather impressive.