❪ event ❫ THE DESCENT: PART ONE.

[natha]

THE PROLOGUE     Your sleep on the night of the 15th is not a restful one, unfortunately. It’s unclear whether you are in a state of half-wakefulness, or dreaming. The voices you hear certainly sound very real. What is it, Sael? —Is everyone asleep?! Every one, yes. Sael, it appears you do not have good news to deliver...? N-No! I don’t know how it slipped past us, but there’s something powerful coming this way. Something hostile. I can barely keep the core systems online! ... I don't know what to do... I see... and we cannot protect Thesa and Alria in addition to transferring the Refugees to Olympia. This force, they waited for this moment. They knew I have been Intervening, and that I have become weak from such Interventions— ... We've been had. It cannot be helped. To save the Refugees on the Stations, we must eject the awoken unto El Nysa. My remaining energy shall go into shielding Thesa— left defenseless, every being we have saved on this station will perish... Sael, where is the ideal location for the landing? Hmm. There aren’t any people within a ten mile radius of The Outlook, and there shouldn’t be any for a few more days. I think that’s the best location right now. Very well. Instruct Zasere and Roman to begin preparations for an emergency eject. This is the only way we can save everyone. I am counting on you to ward off the enemy on the space front. The rest... is up to our Refugees. The alarms are blaring. It shouts against your eardrums, calling you to wake again. This time, you are in new pod, strapped down completely and cushioned tightly against the walls. In truth, you had no idea when you’d gone to sleep, but it is reminiscent of when you had been saved from the force of the Storm. A voice greets you when you come to, while the conversation between Darma and Sael is still fresh on your mind. Despite their voices playing like an old tune in your memory, you still know it is something that happened. Something has gone terribly wrong. You hear Darma speak, her voice loud in your head. Fellow Refugee, I wake you with regrettable news. A force equal to our own is attempting to engage Thesa, no doubt to steal the souls contained here. My energy is near depleted with this last Intervention, so I cannot send you to the grounds safely as originally intended. However, there is hope yet.This power shall instead shield Thesa and Alria — and believe in me when I swear no one shall be hurt. Your loved ones are safe with us. —Unfortunately, that is at your expense. Your descent will not be an easy one. This pod that contains you shall pierce through El Nysa's atmosphere and land you on an island west of Olympia, simply called The Outlook. Travel east. Find the West Outpost, then continue east until you find the Olympian North Gate. There is a method to this madness. You shall be sent in waves. The inhumanly strong shall be first. The parachute will soften the landing, but I am aware of all your capabilities. The first wave will survive the drop, and will work tirelessly to secure the others. Find your bearings, and ensure the safety of the second wave. They are the healers and medics. Catch their pods, ease their landings, make certain that they shall not be harmed, because you will need them for your wounds. The third wave are your strongmen. They shall help clear the debris and take people to safety, making way for the fourth wave, those can conjure magic to help. Bring everyone to a safe distance. A supply drop will follow soon after; it shall contain tents and tools that will be useful for the long night. The fifth and sixth waves are largely vulnerable humans. With your combined efforts, you shall survive this great misfortune. Forgive us, Refugee. Leave the Moons to us, my promise to you is still in tact— focus on what you can do for others like you. Helping at least two (2) Refugees will earn you one (1) Natha REP. Threads must be AC length to qualify, and can be submitted HERE by JULY 31st. THE DESCENT     FIRST WAVE. The instructions are clear. Those who are a part of the First Wave should be equipped with physical strength and fortitude to survive the drop or the power to regenerate and heal their own wounds. While the pods are already designed to cushion some of the impact, as this is the first group, it will likely to be the most jarring. In all of the waves, some of the pods will malfunction and offer no cushion at all. They will be expected to quickly find their bearings. Their mission isn’t simply just landing, after all. The first wave will be expected to help the next wave, and the wave after that. Whether through their abilities or brute strength, they will be expected to help soften the landing for those who are falling. They will also be expected to pry open hatches, carry people to safety, and to just... survive. It’s not always easy being first. SECOND WAVE. Within the next hour, it’s time for the Second Wave to make their descent. You were selected based upon your aptitude for healing and/or being able to administer first aid. Perhaps you can help the tired and weary. Maybe those who have landed have have strength, but no stamina. Either way, it may be unwise to exhaust all their abilities at once. The night is long, and you may want to conserve their energy for the next waves to come. At least you’ll have help in getting settled. THIRD WAVE. Akin to the First Wave, the Third Wave will possess some durability, and some manner of strength, making you a reliable ally. Especially in a time of crisis... Or so we hope. While the landing is tough, and some of you may need first aid. As soon as you’re all healed up, you’ll have no time to dawdle. Your help is required. “Please help those still trapped in pods. Carry those unconscious to safety. Lift debris, and rescue all you can.” May be a vague message still stuck in the back of your head. Something whispered to you while you were just waking. Well, might as well roll with it. It’s the best shot you have, after all. FOURTH WAVE. Those in the Fourth Wave, as Darma projects, were selected due to the versatility of their abilities. No one expects one man to do the same as the next. Rather, that’s precisely the point: to be different. To be able to accomplish something unique. While one individual may be blessed with powers that assist in putting out fires, another may have the ability to shield those from oncoming debris. Maybe one even has the ability to channel all of these. Regardless, it’s up to you and your quick wits to see what tasks are open. It’ll take some coordination, especially as there are more people mixing into the fray, but, you can do it, can’t you? FIFTH WAVE. If you are in the Fifth Wave it is likely that you have a specific power or ability. One that isn’t easily channeled or called upon. Or, perhaps, you were merely placed here for insurance. Whatever the case if, your expertise will presently be put to the test. Maybe you’re quite proficient in survival skills, and you’re already eyeing the supplies that were dropped between the Fourth Wave and now. Goods all ready to be salvaged. Okay, maybe some can’t, but as they say, “it’s the thought that counts.” Besides, the injured from earlier certainly need a space to rest, and camp isn’t going to make itself. Regardless, maybe you feel more comfortable joining in the efforts to assist those who still require it. Whatever it is, you are sure to find your place and use. Darma obviously held the same faith. FINAL WAVE. The Final Wave is fortunate in a variety of ways. With Thesa Station a bit more stabilized, Darma utilizes the last bit of her powers in insuring that these last remaining pods are met with the softest landing, right beside the fifth, that is. The fragility of life is nothing she is unfamiliar with, after all. Still, that isn’t to say nothing is expected of you. Most of the individuals that have dropped earlier will likely be exhausted. An hour stretched between each one, makes several hours for the first couple of waves. They'll need a place to relax. You will act as the final group of helpers. Settle into whatever role feels best for you. Are you an excellent cook? Great at rationing supplies? Perhaps, you have a secret skill in ______ that might come in handy here? Or, maybe, despite the gentler landing you still managed to get hurt. The sky's the limit, and you got this! Meanwhile, in the distant kingdom of Olympia, the Empress and her loyal subject discuss matters late into the night... I’ll have the results of that dragon toxin study ready for you soon, Your Highness. I just need a few helpers to— oh wow, is that a meteor shower? Oh yes, it appears so. How beautiful.. hehe. Let us thank Thesa for this blessing. GATHER YOUR BEARINGS     All in all, the descent lasts for nearly seven hours. After the deployment of the last wave of refugees, it’s only natural that you may be feeling pretty worn out. A. Within the remains of the pods, Refugees will find basic camping supplies such as small tents, sleeping bags, and compasses. Not all of the supplies remain intact, thanks to the impact of the crash. But, sharing resources will ensure there is enough for everyone to rest for the night. Can you really in good conscience leave that stranger next to you without shelter? B. Although you may be tired after such a life-threatening ordeal, there is still work to be done to ensure your survival. Fortunately, it works out because now there are plenty of empty hands. There are stray debris and metal parts that should be collected and disposed of. There's firewood that needs to be collected, and campfires to upkeep. The nights in the Outlook are particularly chilly, and so it will be imperative to keep warm! C. Your clothes are tattered or too bloodied to sleep on with comfortably. Fortunately, Darma thought ahead. There will be various types of clothing provided, mostly robes that resemble her own in earthy tones, all to help them camouflage you for your next big adventure. FINAL OOC NOTE     This INTRO event will be broken up into three parts! Please keep this in mind when plotting your threads/tag load. PART 2 will be posted on JULY 18TH and PART 3 on JULY 22ND, at 6 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. The NETWORK is currently down, as Sael must concentrate all of his efforts on warding off the invading force. Characters may still message each other's personal IC inboxes. Submit two (2) AC-eligible threads from this log for one (1) Natha Orbiter REP point here by JULY 31ST. Recommended Listening: Alex & TOKYO Rose QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[kissintime]

I don't give a fuck what you have to say. [And with that she flips him her middle finger.] You don't like it, fuck off.

[kissintime]

["Complete lunacy" definitely sounds like psycho.]

Hah. You're a pretty tight guy, speaking so formally. Well fine. Thanks for getting my point. Maybe once I learn more about who you are, figure out if you're safe, I'll give you some more information on my Stand. You could do the same with your Persona.

[adelphoi]

I can manage without wasting any at all, I think.

[ she's certainly in for a surprise, then, for the crystal hovering over alisaie's palm begins to glow as she channels a vercure. it takes a handful of seconds, before there's a soft burst of light and aether swirling around the crystal, and then, around aranea as well.

it's not a fix-all by any stretch, but it should be more than enough to close and heal over any surface cuts or scrapes and, better still, help to rejuvenate her energy a bit. the gash at her stomach seems quite deep, and it doesn't seal over entirely, but certainly looks far better. ]

Better?

[ just in case, she's tugging a clean rag from her pocket to dampen with some water. ]

[politrick]

[He laughs, at least. It's a sympathetic laugh, and then he holds out his hands.]

Alright, I'll do what I can. Give them here and have a seat in the meantime.

[This is going to be gross, great. He'll do it for the sake of being able to eat something besides leaves.]

[slay]

Oh. [ Buffy reaches up with the wrong hand, straining her broken arm and wincing as she touches that hand to her face where she got cut in the tumble down. ] First wave. It's just a scratch, really.

[kissintime]

--Hey, hey, you're not trying to size me up are you? [She asks defensively. No one... really compliments her like this.] I'm not so naive, don't even try to screw with me.

[wildest]

[He isn't a doormat he's just very easy to compromise into certain situations against his own judgement! HE'S EASILY PERSUADED...! Especially by children. Bullheaded butthead children, which is what he suspects Mika is immediately as he just glowers and lets go of his hands, only so he can start looking through the pod to see if there's a any useful remains of a first-aid kit.]

Saying you don't need it doesn't mean you shouldn't have it. What wave were you anyway? [He's trying to squeeze himself further into the busted up pod, not easy with him being so clumsy, and he's already knocking aside things and bumping his elbows and knees against metal.]

[b0mbshell]

[It's better that he doesn't know that. He might attempt to continue being cute, and then she'll just have to throw him into the sickly water since that's absolutely the only thing he deserves. But he does mouth back a 'You're welcome' as if the small fix is supposed to be some catty secret between them.]

Well, there are still people injured. There are supplies in the pods but a bunch are busted. So we're having to scrounge and make due. I think some people are hunting and some people are doing follow up care.

[He's counting off on his fingers as he thinks things through.]

And there are giant falling pods from the sky still. So you might want to look up occasionally so you don't get crushed in a Chicken Little style nightmare.

[Then a so-so motion.] Pretty good teamwork so far.

[getoutofmytemple]

Do not be foolish.

[It's spat out with no small amount of condescending. Not that he wasn't used to such behavior. Reminiscent of the younger Sentinels. Children who felt like they had something to prove. It usually either wound up poorly for someone if he did not manage to dissuade them.]

Your weapon functions at range, and you wear little more than rags. Without a distraction you will be too busy fleeing your foe to get a proper shot, and if you are hit there is little to soften the blow.

My skills shall allow me to safely harry the creature, and should it land a hit, I have more protection to resist the blow. If you are trying to prove yourself, do so on your own time.

[wildest]

Sounds like someone reckless enough to try cheating death about as many times as a cat can.

[Kotetsu knows that life too well.]

[kissintime]

It's a power I possess.

[And, to quickly demonstrate, she pulls out a pink sticker with black lips on it from the palm of her hand. She then slaps it on the metal scrap they just carried together. Instantly, a new identical scrap piece appears beside it.]

[b0mbshell]

[First question is, predictably, a doozy.]

How is the MSF doing?

[Because it's his and Snake's baby. Their family, their home. He's already sacrificed so much for it. And this guy talks like he's pretty invested. Solemn and serious.]

[He doesn't know his own future self, he'll have to be forgiven these thoughts if they're ever known.]

[burglarize]

Got it. I'll keep my eyes peeled.

[ You can count on her. She's not the most attentive, but she'll pick up a stray twig sticking from the ground and lift up a heavy plastic bag that once held provisions. ]

Claire. Don't hear that name every day — [ Even when she was traveling abroad. ] 16. I mean, I'm pretty mature for 16 too, before you say I'm young.

[ She says definitely with a jesting tone. ]

[shashka]

He was more of a Snake than a cat.

[ . . . though speaking of cats. . . ]

By the way, you can call me 'Ocelot'.

[quevalry]

Lena Oxton! Call name, Tracer. Happy for you to use either. [ She gives him a two-finger salute. ] And what about yours?

[godwins]

It's a movie. The Wizard of Oz? "I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." [ We'll see if this guy has at least heard of Kansas. Or— movies, come to think of it. "Rain doesn't melt witches"?

At least the tent makes sense. ]

Stick your end into the ground. It's gonna hold up the canvas. Like a roof. See? [ He gestures over at someone else's half-made tent. ] Well— maybe not like that one.

[coolerjunpei]

Yeah, fair enough. Still, that's pretty cool. The whole thing, I mean. Surprised more people aren't lining up to get double stuff.

[Probably the most useful magic power thing he's seen all day? Nice.]

[exonerated]

Used to?

[ The past tense isn't lost on him. ]

[shashka]

[ about that. . . ]

It's not like it matters much, given everything that's happened, but... You remember Cipher, don't you?

[ the moral of the story is: DON'T WORK WITH ZERO.

look Miller, you were just a phase. ]

[exonerated]

[ Yes, but Edmund was looking at him — so he sees it. ]

No lies, my friend. How bad is it? Will you be able to walk properly tomorrow?

[exonerated]

Well, I'm certain plenty of people are looking forward to it.

[ Steady is easier said than done, of course, though they're managing it with minimal spillage. ]

Was it difficult to find proper ingredients, or was the forest plentiful?

[burglarize]

Okay, but you didn't answer me, you know. [ Ann says with a huff. ] Is there a flavor? How many calories? Is it super sugary? I guess: what is it?

[ It might seem prodding, but it's mostly due to her own nervousness and anxiety. He mentions it being lukewarm, but as she twists the cap off and takes a smell, she looks to him. ]

...Sorry, I'm just a little on edge. I appreciate it, don't get me wrong —

[slay]

Had worse.

[ It's more matter-of-fact than self-pitying, despite the hint of wistfulness to it. That's just the facts when you're the Slayer. You get hurt. ]

What about you? [ She looks Izzy over then, and well, who can't help but gawk a little — even at a time like this — when looking Izzy over. It's more surprise than anything, and it fades quickly. ] All your pieces still attached?

[exonerated]

[ A home that they can never return to, it seems. ]

Do you feel ready to build a new one, here?

[slay]

[ piggybacking, ] We could just go back to camp and say we didn't find anything. There could be enough fruits and nuts around. And ... we could figure out which ones are edible, and which aren't.