❪ 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

[underwhelms]

[ Evidently, JJ's innocent question had not been so innocent after all. His eyebrows shoot up as her entire demeanour changes, and he goes silent, just watching her and trying to discern whether or not she was being serious. ]

Oh, okay.

[ He'd been persistent before, but, incredibly, her level of edgelord manages to penetrate his thick skull and make him wonder if maybe, just maybe his presence isn't a shining beacon among her otherwise drab life. Maybe she actually doesn't want to talk to him, and won't want to even once she realizes just how great he is.

It's hard to believe. ]

That's intense. [ He murmurs, the tone she'd taken when speaking about believers not sitting well with him. ] What happened?

[lahaine]

[ Was he so detached from things that he had not heard of the story of Jeanne d'Arc? Then again, having historical figures manifest in front of you was not something that normally happened nor was it an explanation someone was going to readily accept. Even with this in mind, was it really her job to educate the woefully misinformed?

Her judgemental glower remained on her face, even as she went over the options in her head. Finally, she would speak once more. ]

You know the story of the Maiden of Orleans, don't you? Jeanne d'Arc? A whole country clung to her for salvation until they ultimately spit on and betrayed her. I am born from that. I no longer hear the voice of the Lord, because he does not exist - he never did. He did not bless that country just as he does not bless mankind. That is what happened.

[ Her words held a strong conviction, one that might have rivaled the actual saint. ]

[underwhelms]

[ JJ had always considered himself good at getting what he wanted: he came from a privileged household, and is annoyingly driven, unwilling to accept no for an answer or results that didn't satisfy him. But apparently she's got him beat in this regard, eyes slightly wider and expression unnerved as he looks back at her.

These weren't new questions, everyone who questioned faith would ask this—that if God were so merciful, how could he wreak such suffering. ]

That's not...

[ ...how the story goes. Because of course he knows it, having dutifully attending Sunday school after mass with the rest of his siblings, dropping into the classes even after his Confirmation.

But the protest seems weak. Weaker still now that he's here, though he'd never wavered back home. Here, the knowledge that the people of this planet worship a space station and a fake story sits uncomfortably in his stomach, and the idea that his home—universe and all the knowledge carried therein was just a speck among the scope of multiple dimensions that existed. ]

Okay. You... that's understandable.

[ There's not much else he can say, wondering if he should protest but finding no fighting spirit in himself. ]

[lahaine]

[ A spark illuminated within her at his uncomfortable body language. Vicious gaze narrowed as she confidently stepped closer to him.

Exploiting a shaky resolve was one of her absolute favorite pastimes. It was unfortunate (for him) that he had crumbled so easily. It gave her the perfect opening to attack his faith. ] Ufufufu. Have something to say? [ Her tone was somewhat taunting as she continued. ] That's not what happened, are the words you want to escape your lips, but something prevents you from doing so.

[ A wicked grin as she pulled back a bit. ] You aren't wrong you know. That holy woman did burn, and even then she would not denounce the word of the Lord. She believed in all of that sacrosanct garbage until her last dying breath.

[ This was probably a lot for a normal human to take in, and yet Jeanne Alter showed no signs in stopping her verbal assault. ] I am not her, though. Think of me as someone in her likeness, split off from her womb at the time of her death. Someone who never heard the voice of some ridiculous entity who does not exist, or if he did, has surely forsaken mankind. Humans, believers or not, are not blessed, they never were. They simply use it as a way to explain their immoral and terrible deeds. And what, the "Almighty" just looks the other way? [ Sort of a hypothetical question. ]

Christ, they should at least take responsibility for their actions! [ Eyes settled on him one more after her passionate display. Her unsettling smirk remaining. ] Tell me...do you believe in God?

[underwhelms]

[ She's right in spotting the way that his resolve wavers, and the uncertainty and discomfort slipping into his stance, lips pressing together as he listens, disagreeing still. And maybe if she'd asked with genuine curiosity, as though she were interested in what was going through his head, rather in that taunting tone, he would've admitted to it. But JJ, for as honest as he tries to be, is also bullheadedly stubborn.

He digs his metaphorical heels in when she poses that question at him. ]

Yeah, I do. [ He pushes back, leaning forward when she steps closer to him, a troubled frown on his lips. ] Hey, if something happened to you, to make you so angry, that's up to you. But it'll be a waste for you to fight me on it.

[ JJ's a control freak, and he spent a lot of his career fighting to form and expression own opinions and ideas, as insignificant as they were in the grand scope of everything there. But it's always been difficult to sway his opinion, especially from a position of arrogance or antagonism.

Plus, there's something about this that he doesn't understand. ]

What do you mean you were born from her death? What are you, a spirit? Is that why you're so bad with people?

[ Kind of like, Casper the Friendly Ghost Alter. ]

[lahaine]

[ There was no curiosity when it came to people's views on religion. There was only the scoff and wrath incurred by her hatred, fueled by the belief in such a thing by others. Seeing as he appeared to be a firm believer made her sick. Few things would bring her more joy then to see his paper faith be torn to shreds.

A wicked grin stretched across her face as she canted her head, curious and amused at his tenacity. Though she certainly expected more than the light change of subject he offered.

A snarl seemed to move to her face, and before she could protest, he had moved on to again ask about her origins. ] I haven't burned your ears off, you do still have them. Christ! Do you not listen?

[ Moving away from him, she cast him a dark glower. She very well did not want to admit to being that woman's shadow, and he had thrown out the spirit word first. If he could accept such a thing, she would be happy to leave it at that, even more so if it would get him off her back. ] Tch, yes. A spirit. A terrible, vengeful spirit here to expose the truth of the one that would be called God!

[ Uhh, well, Halloween wasn't that far away, now was it? ]

[underwhelms]

I listen. [ He answers, stubborn and defensive. ] But if you're just a spirit that wants to corrupt people's faith, they're just going to ignore you.

[ Maybe a strange piece of advice(?) to give to someone so set in tearing down what he believes in. But oddly enough, it's easier to handle her if he thinks of her as a spirit—just a bad whisper to be overcome in the journey of faith; an obstacle rather than a person.

Feeling like he's gained some of his footing back, he leans back as he regards her, curious. ]

So what do you do when you're not out and exposing the truth?