❪ 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

[vorrutyer]

[ Byerly knows the art of the grift. A good five years, penniless in high society before he was recruited by ImpSec, taught him to scam and taught him how to recognize the scam. This one's the easiest of all. Recognize a doe-eyed fool who plays the callous scoundrel but whose heart melts over a thin sick pretty boy, who buys him a drink because he wants him to smile and be all right. Find that rube, that mark, and tell him things in very vague terms. She is well. Who is well? Does it matter? Of course a soft-hearted fool would have a she somewhere. Traveling light, his ass. It'd take an imbecile not to see through that lie.

He should raise an eyebrow, purr out a sure. Finish his wine in peace, letting this grifter know with his coolness that Byerly Vorrutyer is no one's mark. But he doesn't. Instead, he stands too, leans forward. Grabs at Prior's wrist to keep him from leaving. And he demands, a sharp edge in his voice: ]

Who?

[ Nadine, is who. A woman instantly recognizable as his sister, with the same velvety eyes and long lashes and sharp features, but without the irony, without the bitterness. Nadine, who he'd defended when they were young from their predatory cousins and from bee-stings and from all the hurts of the world. Who he hadn't seen for ten years before he'd seen her in that stasis pod.

You're an easy bloody mark, Vorrutyer. ]

[priorly]

I don't know. Let go of my arm.

[Flight's not an option and Prior's not overestimating the amount of fight he has in him. He tugs at his wrist once, knowing that any more dramatic an attempt will only create a scene. They're already creating a scene, though the bar is small and dark and quiet and the people here have seen new arrivals and their emotional outbursts before.

He shouldn't have said anything. Shouldn't have said any of it, should have known it would end in a mess, one way or another. And maybe he did. But Byerly makes for easy conversation, and if parts of it prove shallow then maybe shallow's something Prior needs sometimes. And if he listens more than he talks and there's always a reason people do that then well.

Well it's still such a strange thing to be listened to. No one listens to him anymore. Not the doctors, other than to make sure he's agreeing to listen to them. Not even Belize, who tries but for all his efforts cannot comprehend...

Prior steps in toward Byerly instead. Raises his free hand to the man's chest. Quietly.]

I don't know. But you love her very much, and you don't want people to know. Even being near her could give it away. So you aren't. Ever.

[He closes his eyes, focused on the faint pressure of his palm over the beat of Byerly's heart]

Nadine Anastasia.

[vorrutyer]

[ How could he know that? Getting information from the...the Orbiters, perhaps. But how did they know about her? If they knew, why couldn't Prior know the same way, drawing on some inner power, some...some -

It feels like the floor is dropping out from under him. There's a roar in his ears. Even her middle name. That despised middle name, they both always hated theirs, his because his grandfather Vlad Vorkovacs was a complete ass, hers because Anastasia sounded so silly and didn't suit her at all. How could he know? This offworlder, this galactic, with his strange accent and foreign mannerisms - if he'd just read her name off a list somewhere, he would have pronounced it wrong, but he pronounced it perfectly...

Grifters never get this specific. Specificity is falsifiable. It'd be I'm getting an N, it starts with an N. Not Nadine Anastasia Vorrutyer Vorlightly, the Lady Vorlightly, living on the South Continent, sending you letters every once in a while that you don't respond to because she needs to have her reputation preserved and you are a poison, dear Byerly.

He should threaten Prior. Threaten him with consequences. Frighten him into silence. He's an ImpSec operative, dammit, the highest-ranking ImpSec operative on this whole planet - the head of ImpSec by default. The new Simon Illyan. Illyan could make generals shit themselves with a single look and a cryptic smile; surely By can intimidate a skinny fellow with birdlike wrists.

Surely.

Surely. ]

You - can't tell anyone.

[ It comes out reedy, desperate, pleading. So much for the terrify-him-into-submission plan. ]

[priorly]

[Prior meanwhile looks as though he's making concerted efforts not to cry. He didn't mean to do this. Didn't want to do this to someone - to anyone. He'd take it back, go back to talking about nothing, about anything so long as it was meaningless, if he could. Fuck the name labels. Fuck testing impossible possibilities. Fuck everything.]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm a fucking prophet. Just call me crazy and let go of my arm.

[vorrutyer]

[ But he doesn't. He tightens his hand instead - not to the point of pain, though. Even in his desperation and fear, he's cognizant enough of Prior not to hurt him. ]

Promise me you won't mention her to anyone.

[priorly]

I didn't even want to mention her to you.

[A small detail like the precision of Byerly's grip almost goes overlooked, but on whatever subconscious level it keeps Prior from slipping into panic. Held like this, though, he is altogether more cat than the puppy he might have been thought of. He's not incapable of trying claws, if it comes to it. Curled against his lip is the question why would anyone care but you?

It's not said. He breathes hard for long enough to get his breath back and think better of it.]

I'm not going to say anything. I don't even know who she is. And don't you think I've got just about enough going on without having to start talking about you?

[vorrutyer]

[ His grip remains firm, his mouth a grim line, as his eyes search Prior's. Desperately they search Prior's. Eventually, it seems, he's satisfied by what he sees there: his hand finally falls away. ]

People always gossip.

[ His tone is strangely heavy, especially considering he's a confessed gossip himself.

After a moment, he says: ]

Will you sit with me as I finish my drink?

[ He doesn't know why he makes that request. A moment of vulnerability? Hoping to hold Prior there long enough that he'll forget about what he learned? Who knows. ]

[priorly]

And the day having someone stuck up there on that godforsaken ship becomes gossip rather than the universal experience, maybe you should worry. But not. About. Me.

[Prior takes his arm back with deliberate care, running the palm of one hand over the wrist of the other. It's a stall more than a real test of any hurt - he watches Byerly just as carefully all the time.

And gestures for him to sit. When, and if he does, he gets an answer.]

No.

[With a shake of Prior's head. He needs a moment, just one, where the facade is back on and the world doesn't feel like it could so easily fall in. Where Byerly's veneer hasn't cracked quite so sharply. So, no.

He goes to the bar, instead. And might be heard, joking low: what can I say, my time is evidently in demand. When he comes back, he does sit, and slides a brandy across the table.

No divine revelation, just a memory: something about the comforts of home.]

[vorrutyer]

[ By deflates when Prior refuses him. Stares down into his glass, doesn't look up until he hears a footfall - and finds Prior back again, brandy in hand. He...is a bit overwhelmed when he takes it, truthfully, by gratitude and by shame and by nerves. But he takes it, and takes a healthy mouthful of it, and when he swallows he feels fortified. Enough that he can say, with something of his former flippancy: ]

Apologies for that shameful display. Simply was caught quite off-guard.

[ And then he looks up uncertainly, and says - ]

She's my...sister, by the way. Nadine. Just if you were curious. [ A beat, then a shrug. ] Not that you have any reason to be. Like you said.

[priorly]

[Taking a moment to himself has done a small wonder for Prior. He's steadier, brighter, and whether that's a simple product of the fake-it-till-you-make-it mantra or not, it nontheless eases the air around him. He replies lightly.]

I couldn't care less. Little or big?

[No mention of the apology, but it's caught and tucked away along with the small impulse to mention that one shouldn't be off one's guard when one has been repeatedly warned to be on it. Two things are obvious: firstly that Byerly went along with stories of prophets and angels far more easily than he believed them - which is only reasonable - and secondly...

that it was kind to at least pretend. Of course if Prior hadn't been fool enough to be lead to believe it was more than that they might have spared themselves the last few minutes, but there have been far worse minutes in Prior's life of late, and ones less easily moved on from.

As he does now.]

I myself am an only child. Sometimes I think mother forgot she had one at all, so it was akin to the delight of a new arrival every time she realised I didn't belong to the nanny. Of course, why she thought we had a nanny is beyond me.

[vorrutyer]

Hah.

[ It's not a laugh; it's a noise of acknowledgment. You made a joke. He's still a little off his game. ]

Three years younger. The only decent Vorrutyer.

[ A hesitation, and then a deep swallow, and then a shrug. ]

I don't know whether to envy you or pity you for the fact you didn't have a sibling.

[priorly]

You do abuse yourself so. I believe I'll make that judgement in my own time.

[He has already made a judgement about Byerly which is: not terrible. Or: not so terrible as he thinks he is. There's now an amendment to this: but a terrible mess - oh, aren't we all.]

But envy me, please. I miss being enviable. At least envy the hypothetical child that could have grown up in my near circle. I shouldn't have minded a sibling, though. Older, I think, always seemed like the thing to have. I'm sure she skipped fearlessly through the school gates with you in tow.

[vorrutyer]

[ He traces a finger around the rim of his glass, smiling distantly down at it. ]

Not fearlessly, to be sure. But I sheltered her from all the hurts I was able to. She still ended up coming home crying, some days, and dear God, it felt like being suffocated in the dank earth. [ He sighs, throws back another swallow. ] Envy it is. Love is a damned curse. All it does is hurt.

[priorly]

If only. It has to do far more, or it wouldn't have that power. Witness how we all queue up over and over to take another beating. Love is an engine. It drives people to do things they'd never choose to without it.

[If he sounds a little weary, at least the bitterness of earlier's worn out of his voice.]

No one was ever wiser than the person who put the world hopeless in front of the word romantic.

[vorrutyer]

Mm.

[ He shakes his head in acknowledgment. ]

Do you still love your betrayer? Your Loius?

[priorly]

Desperately. Isn't that a joke.

[Not funny ha-ha, but the ridiculousness of it? God.]

It's not something you can just turn off. I couldn't, anyway, even if I'd never have him back. And it's my own fault. If they flip their switch over every little problem, the whole thing's going to short circuit the moment a big one comes along. And Louis was always flipping his switch.

[vorrutyer]

[ A hesitation, then a shrug. ]

Not necessarily. Sometimes, that high level of anxiety is...preparation, after a sort. The worry makes them prepared for what comes later. So - not your fault.

[ A sigh. ]

You may want to...discuss him less, though. In that case.

[priorly]

If one needs to prepare for being a cowardly asshole, you may just be right.

[No, Byerly, Louis was not prepared for what came next, and if he was, wouldn't that just make things worse. If it had been done with forethought instead of just fear and a self-preservation impulse that trumped both love and basic decency.

But the next part of what's said doesn't entirely click.]

Is it offputting? I wouldn't plan to reminisce about fellating him on a first date.

[vorrutyer]

Oh, that'd actually be quite enchanting, in a prurient sort of way.

[ He taps a fingernail on the glass. ]

When the Orbiters first woke us up, we were in a...simulation of sorts. Do you recall it?

[priorly]

Prurient indeed.

[This seems a disaparate topic to the first, but he'll try to catch on to the threads.]

I remember waking up from it, that's all. It was cold, and I don't think I'd passed my test.

[vorrutyer]

Mm.

[ Byerly tilts his head up. His voice is precise and level. Very, very unlike his previous foppish absurdity. Indeed, he seems nearly like another man. ]

There were elements to that simulation that lead me to believe that a conflict is on the horizon. Not merely between individuals here on the ground, but amongst us refugees, as well. And if that is the case... [ A little shrug. ] I intend to take a lesson or two from Koschei the Deathless.

[priorly]

Is he the hoot at parties that he sounds?

[Dry. He's not misjudging Byerly's sudden change of manner, just doesn't know what he can do with it.]

[vorrutyer]

Hm?

[ By's brows draw down a moment, until he realizes - ]

Ah. Koschei. [ Then, settling back in his chair - ] Yes, always full of magic tricks, that one. [ But this is a serious matter. And so Byerly asks: ] If a conflict does come, Prior, what would you do? Lay low?

[priorly]

[This is a paranoid matter, surely. Something Byerly worries himself over needlessly so he can feel prepared?

Questions to answer a question.]

Why would they bring us here to fight each other? From what you've told me, in both our worlds we were doing just fine with that on our own. And what does this have to do with Louis?

[vorrutyer]

Koschei the Deathless.

[ A shrug. ]

Hide your heart.