❪ 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

this never came through ... dw, pls

[congratulating]

As long as you see no reason to object, then we are in agreement with one another. [ His shoulders give the smallest of shrugs as he accepts her answer as allowing his meddling. For now. ]

That is, indeed, what we wish for the people. We want everyone to be in a state of where they can feel their best. That may be a vague sort of being, but what it is... it's livings well, more or less, in body and in spirit. If there is someone suffering, we cannot ignore it. It is part of our duty to always do something for someone who is in need.

thxn dw

[atwo]

... Sure.

[ She'll bite. The whole priest part has her confused because she can't really imagine someone being so caring and selfless, but that is mostly due to her lack of experience with beings like that. It really throws her for a loop when thinking about it. ] If that is what makes you happy then that's cool. I guess.

;a;

[congratulating]

Oh. It doesn't make me happy.

[ A neutral kind of response, like commenting on the color of the sky. It just is. He smiles all the same with a small shrug. ]

It is nothing to worry about, though, as it doesn't make me unhappy, either. I am someone who just was born without the ability to feel happiness as others feel it. [ No big deal. ] So, is it still "cool?"

[atwo]

How does that work?

[ A2 is legit curious about it now, eyebrows raising up as she tilts her head. She never imagined that humans could be born without being able to feel happiness, the same with not being able to feel anything. ]

That is if you don't mind me asking. And, yeah, it's fine.

[congratulating]

I'm the one who brought it up. If I wasn't willing to answer the inevitable questions that follow, I should just keep things to myself.

[ But he acknowledges that she looks actually curious. Emotion on the neutral face is something that is fascinating to him -- the idea that she has a wider range of feelings than she initially showed. ]

As for how it works, I believe you're asking what it is that I feel versus how I get by every day. In any case, I'll answer both of them. It's more that nothing makes me happy. The sight of flowers, for the simple. The knowledge that I'm still alive and awake versus asleep in a pod, for the slightly more complex. Neither of these things make me happy, but they do not make me unhappy to see, experience, or acknowledge them as facts.

[ A shrug. ] I've come to merely accept this is something that is part of my existence. There is nothing more or less about it. I certainly do not view it as a curse. Though, I will admit in my youth, I did.

[atwo]

[ a good point, only an idiot would bring up a subject and get upset if someone asked questions about it. ]

I suppose it's like how I lack the sense of smell... you learn to just accept it and adapt. [ a2, smell and feelings are very different. ] so does this mean you've never felt happiness, ever? What about unhappiness then? Is that the same.

... is there anything you can feel? [ pls enjoy your 101 questions because now she wants to know more about it, mostly so she can understand it. it's almost funny that an android, a being supposed to not have emotions is asking something without them what it is like. ]

[congratulating]

No, I have never felt happiness. [ While he takes joy out of the suffering of others, he realizes that's super fucked-up. So his joy is a temporary thing when his common sense and morals come remind him that it's kind of weird he's enjoying what he's enjoying. "You okay, guy?" "No." "Ok." But he's accepted that he's an awful person. So, there's that. ]

Unhappiness is not the same. I have felt that for years. I would be shown the beauty of the world that would bring smiles to the faces of those around me ... yet feel nothing in return. When you come to realize that you can't be happy in seeing what everyone else is seeing, it makes you decidedly unhappy. [ A beat. ] But as soon as I realized that I couldn't feel the same way as everyone else, the unhappiness disappeared for the most part.

[ What can he feel? ] Anger. Envy. Everything really save for happiness. And without happiness, all other feelings are fleeting ones. Because the point of being angry, as I've come to understand it, when you exact your vengeance or rage, you should feel happy about having "won." In words. In actions. But without being able to feel the end result of these emotions, they last for a short amount of time within me. Which is why it comes off that I feel nothing at all.

Understand?

[atwo]

[ She raises an eyebrow.

Probably a good thing he isn't going to spill the whole part of him enjoying making others suffer because that will make her judge him pretty quickly. She finds that to be, well, fucked up for sure. ]

That makes sense, not feeling great about yourself because you can't feel happiness. I wonder how you can't feel everything else, but that one positive emotion... [ An answer that she surely won't be able to get. It's a shame because she would love to learn more and be able to understand it better, but alas. ]

I'm not sure if someone can always feel happiness when they've "won". I don't feel happy each time I managed to kill a machine ... instead, I think I felt more angry than before ... more sorrow.

[ emotions are complicated. ]

But, yeah, I get what you mean.

[congratulating]

It is one positive outcome to my situation, yes. [ Just accept that the joy he feels will always be connected to the misery, suffering, and despair of other people. No big deal. ]

Sorrow? You felt sorrow for killing that which you were programmed to kill? Why is that, A2? Did you sympathize with them, perhaps? [ Look who is asking questions now! ]

[atwo]

I see.

... No. I don't sympathize with them. [ it's something deeper than that for her. ] I kill them, over and over again, but it doesn't satisfy me and neither does it ease the pain or anger I feel.

[congratulating]

Yet you believe that there might be an end to your anger and pain if you kill them?

[ His head gives a tilt, adding the unsaid, "because your programming says so?" ] Let me say that I went through my own self-mutilation. I do not mean physically but emotionally and mentally. The upset I felt at being unable to be happy caused me to throw myself into tasks that would cause me mental anguish to complete.

[ A small laugh. ] It was my belief that if I endured it that I would be rewarded, but... obviously, that was not the case. What is it that you're hoping for at the end of your pain? It's not just the end of it, is it, A2? But you have a goal in mind for yourself, is that not so?

[atwo]

I can have 'hope' that it eases the pain. [ even if it feels pointless.

they deserve to be destroyed anyway given that they still kill androids and there is a war against humans. or, was, given that her world is gone with all the others ones. ]

... I wanted to get rid of them all, destroy the machines that cost my friends live and take down that system. My end goal is ... a private one.

[congratulating]

Fair enough.

[ His head gives a small bow to show he won't ask what her true end goal is. ]

I would say to seek out an existence away from killing. If killing didn't make you happy or ease your pain, then it will continue to leave you empty. One should attempt to try the opposite of how they've lived in order to be gifted a new perspective. [ A chuckle. ] And this is what has me believe that you have a soul, A2. That you have your own will outside of what you have been programmed.

[ He nods. ] You want to kill the machines because they are "evil" due to what they did to your friends. That has nothing to do with what humans told you to do, is that not right? Your goal, too, is private enough to not be willing to share with a human. All these things gift you a self separate from what you were created.

[atwo]

[ Her eyes flicker down and then she slowly closes them. ] Can an android have a soul? We are programmed to have an A.I which allows us to have personalities and the like, but to think that someone would say we, or I, has a soul...

[ Its conflicting. Does this mean the others have souls? ... no. Now isn't the time to think about that, not when there is no war for her to fight anymore. ]

I guess you're right, even if it's weird for me to admit. I can't say it's everyday I hear that someone like me, or rather a being that isn't filled with live organs, could actually be, well... not that different from them.

[congratulating]

Then I will be the first.

[ But in the end, he has his own reasons for giving her the gift of saying she has a soul. It means that if she acknowledges it; the weight will come with it. He's curious in his own way what an android will do with a "soul." Will she eventually feel joy? Or will she lament and be pulled into darkness unable to handle the heaviness of what it means to have a soul? ]

I look forward to what it is that you do from now on, A2. That much I can say for certain.

[atwo]

And you are.

[ man, can't wait for the chance of 9S knowing that he has a 'soul'. or, maybe he already thinks that. she doesn't get the chance to talk to him much.

oh well. ] I hope what I do can ... amuse you? [ is that the right word because he can't be really happy?? who knows. ]

[congratulating]

[ He pauses as he looks at her, before turning away to chuckle to himself. It is mostly to hide what sort of expression he has about her amusing him. His shoulders barely tremble; it is faint, almost too soft laughter. It is the smile that twists cruelly on his face that he attempts to hide before turning back. ]

Well. I have high expectations for you all the same, A2. [ Something he will say to many people. Especially to those who seem like no one has had any expectations on them before. It's like its own curse. It's own chains to a person. ] But if you are ever in need of anything, please, once more, do not hesitate to ask for my help.

Like I said, I am here to defend your will and look after you, if I can.

[atwo]

Right.

[ She isn't sure how to feel about the fact people have expectations for herself when she is trying to figure out what type of life that she's supposed to be living now. It's an answer that she will have to look long and hard for. ] Guess I'll call for you if I need help then.