❪ 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

IV - Camping Redux

[cariad]

[Yamagi's never been able to sleep throughout the night.

It's not by virtue of being naturally insomniac--years of early morning shifts and late night maintenance rounds have seen to reducing the hours of sleep he's used to the bare minimal. It's started to take its toll on him once he was out of his teens.

But not even a forceful crash through the atmosphere can stop the restless wakefulness from edging him awake once his body's decided he's had enough. Besides, a sleep hued Yamagi reminds his addled brain, it should be his turn to guard the tent next.

Unbeknownst to him how Mikazuki's taken to shouldering the task himself for the night.]

Anything exciting so far?

[he makes a respectable amount of noise as he exits the tent, still hoping that dragging his feet in the dirt won't put a dent in the slumber of those still inside. Rubbing at his eyes with one hand, he extends a protein bar from their stash to Mikazuki. Food is their most precious commodity for the time being.]

[america]

I can only imagine.

[ Steve's voice is sympathetic, thinking of how strange it is now not to have a familiar star in the sky.

Really makes you realize how much you've taken for granted.

Not only are the stars foreign but everything else is too: the foliage, the grass, the smell of the air - it's all recognizable enough to keep the same words in the English language, but there's a slight twist to everything, a jarring surrealism that makes it all unfamiliar too. It's a little like relearning the world again, but right now it's less exciting and a little more unnerving. ]

I'm from a city, myself, but I'm suddenly missing the constellations I know of - [ Steve exhales. ] - And that's only the beginning. Tomorrow's gonna be a whole new adventure.

[axiomed]

[ Charles hesitates. Not because he's leery of sharing — he's not that hypocritical — but because his powers can be overwhelming. But after a few beats, he extends his hand. ]

Are you sure? Telepathy isn't the easiest of powers.

[beknight]

[ He gestures. ]

Ladies first.

[silverhound]

[An impish chuckle escapes Loz as he peers over at the captain with such a proud smirk.]

What? I didn't mean to scare him. [He lies comically as he does his best to feint innocence.] He's just a wuss! In fact, most of them are since they're human.

[The way he says "human" is something likened to a curse. Loz isn't too fond of homo-sapiens even if he looks suspiciously like one despite his alien origins. If it wasn't for the unusual silver hair and the even stranger glowing blue-green eyes, Loz honestly can pass for one.]

Besides, I'm helping. I'm suppose to help, right~?

[He says that bitterly in an almost childish singsong tone.]

[axiomed]

[ Some of the thoughts trickle down to him and Charles schools his reactions carefully, just in case. His demeanor is still unfailingly polite. ]

Not at all. If you can get that, I'd be forever grateful.

[revlon]

[ Peggy levels the other woman with a particular Look but the expression on her face is something she's endured before; another medic, another field, another time. Another world. She wets her lips and blows out a breath, resigned (but begrudgingly grateful), and turns to the tree in question to sit as told.

What does one say after crash landing on an alien planet? Charming weather we're having. It would be terribly English and terribly inappropriate; it isn't pissing rain, it's ships falling from the sky. Instead, Peggy pulls the cuff of her sleeve over the heel of her palm and dabs lightly at her temple, grimacing at the sting. ]

Well, [ she says, almost airily, ] I suppose it could have been worse, given the circumstances.

[america]

No, no. It's all right. You keep your magic to helping the rest of us cushion the fall of those pods.

[ While Steve might be curious, they hardly have the time to see what this man can do, and besides which - he doesn't need to demonstrate anything like a monkey in a circus. If he can help out, that's good enough for him - priorities and all. The rest of it can come later. ]

You got a way of slowing the speed of that next pod right there? [ Steve gestures to one moving at a speed far faster than some of the others. If they don't catch it now, it'll smash directly into another pod trying to make its way down to land. ] I can catch it but a slow-down would make it easier for both of us.

[bitesexual]

No. Of course not, why would I...

[ The uncanny accuracy of that question occurs to him a few seconds late, though that's only half the reason Simon gives up — he also just sucks at lying. There's a slight delay after he trails off, then he gives a cautious glance back towards the camp. ]

I have this... [ He needs to get over it. He's seen people who can literally fly, and plenty of people already saw him using his abilities during the crash. Another hesitation while he gears himself up, then: ] Condition. I don't like crowds.

[ Old habits die hard. ]

[getoutofmytemple]

[He could not say he expected subtly to be a strong point in the warrior, what he did not expect was just how much of a show he would put on to demonstrate his failure in subtly.]

If that is the case then we are fortunate and you can help me gather supplies. However it is more likely that we are in the territory of some predator that has driven out its competition.

[He looked over his shoulder at the man with a scowl on his face.]

And given your attempts to imitate a firebug, it likely knows we are here and shall wait until we drop our guard, or one of us is distracted before it makes a move.

[america]

You're not wrong about that.

[ About being in this together. All the passengers who'd had their worlds torn apart by The Storm, saved by an enigmatic alien species, with more questions than answers to their names. Yeah. Whatever happens, they're definitely all in this together.

He shrugs a shoulder. ]

Think I'm gonna spend a little time here if it's all the same. You're welcome to join me if you want.

[america]

Thanks.

[ Steve accepts what Alan gives him with a nod, not yet inspecting it when he asks: ]

What is it?

[nineteenfortyfive]

[The question gives Claire pause.]

Haven't come across any casualties. All the pods have been emptied. Worst injuries I've seen are head trauma and cuts, but... if anyone's missing, I hope we'd be able to tell. The pods all landed here. I haven't seen any signs of a crash further out.

[Small blessings.]

I don't like the thought of anyone being separated from us.

[beatupgrass]

What're you laughin' at me for? I ain't that funny. [He's caught somewhere between confused and offended and isn't sure which one is actually gonna win out, and it doesn't get any better as she goes on. He's done a lot of protesting about what he isn't, and not many people get as far as asking what he is.

So he's a little stunned for a second.] I'm a- [genetically-engineered cybernetic lifeform, but he can't quite get that out, not the least of which because it's a mouthful.]- it don't matter, 'cause I'm the only thing like me you're ever gonna see. I'm just Rocket.

[circulets]

[ Mikleo can nearly hear the disappointment and discontentment in Sorey's voice. His gaze lowers. He just hopes that Sorey's not blaming himself what what isn't his fault, but... it isn't a situation that neither of them were happy with.

... Still, he can't help but be happy that he's with his best friend here - that all his friends are safe. ]

.. It's seems so. It's definitely a sticky situation. Still, it wasn't anything in our control, either.

[remainingtwin]

[Mio watches him a moment, lips pursed and expression skeptical.]

Think positive, but be prepared? [She sighs deeply, shaking her head.] ...We're never getting out of here. [It's said with a resigned sort of air and she eyes his work again. Despite saying that, she nods at what he's doing and asks:]

Can you teach me?

[laveers]

Aye, but I am captain of my ship first.

[ Though she balks at Lady Asha — that same nobility has kept her from starving with bannermen on a cold winter march. ]

Let's walk. Tell me about what you did as a soldier.

[ There a few of this type around, and she's not extremely familiar with it. They are no hedge knights or sellswords. ]

[rampager]

[One might expect Vorin to tell Atsushi to sit his wannabe furry ass back down, but instead he gives a slight nod. What's important is that the smaller (...much, much smaller) man gets warmed up, and a bit of exercise would help with that. Plus, he can understand the need to feel useful.]

That's fine. Be careful not to trip over anything. [With an experienced hand, he starts gathering up tinder and kindling: grass, small sticks, etc.] I'll be waiting.

[So don't even think about running away from a helping hand, buddy. That's a trend he's in no mood to indulge.]

[politrick]

[He's offering... tips. Sort of. Look, he's feeding Zelos, appreciate it.]

It's making people sick, or so I've heard. Something about terrible boils.

[In the middle of dinner. This.]

[america]

Better than nothing. [ Steve agrees, echoing his sentiments. He follows suit, grabbing the other side of the parachutes and pulling them together so the fabric is - hopefully - thick enough to catch the speeding pod without burning a hole right through it.

If the parachute could get them here, it should last at least long enough to do a proper catch. If not, well. Steve will just have to move in and hope for the best.

Now Cap keeps his eyes on the sky in between moving a far enough distance to stretch the parachute-net out while providing it with some give. ]

Pod's approaching. Ready?

[laveers]

Then perhaps in a place where it will not be simply removed.

[ She muses out loud to herself, then starts to get strategic about ]

Oh? I will take one for my axe.

[codecs]

[ It's patently impossible for Hal to not find someone capable of catching pods being launched from space intimidating, but a bit of his nerves are dispelled by how young Rin looks; somehow, he has more faith in Rin being reasonable by virtue of him not looking like someone who's career military.

He clears his throat, and tries to be more of an Adult. How well he manages this is up for debate. ]

Ah... first of all, thank you. You really saved my skin. [ A nervous laugh, as he tries for a smile. ] And I was thinking that maybe if I could salvage any sort of GPS function that these pods have built in, I could make trackers... or something.

[laveers]

[ The axe is her own, Asha would lose a limb rather than part with it or pick up another. She has yet to find a gun she's seen others carrying, but is of a mind to get one — along with someone to teach her to shoot. ]

[ He offers no recognition, and Asha, though wickedly amused, does not show it. Very well, let them play this game. ]

What should we hunt, my lord?

[beatupgrass]

[Look, if a man wants to hum Moonage Daydream while liberating parts for his traps, that is his right, Yusei.]

You don't need this for a table, dude. [Rocket picks up the piece with one hand, still rubbing the back of his head with the other.] All the wiring I got from the pods must have shorted out on reentry. These ones look intact.

[heraldsdawn]

[ The way he's being carried he's likely to bleed out before even getting there. But, getting princess carried by a larger (and you know, arguably handsome man) would be enough to make Lavellan turn red. This is not something he's use to. But, trying to wiggling out of this while Magnus is going at full speed is not an option. So he just tries to hold on. ]

Just please don't let anyone else see this. [ He doesn't think he can take the teasing. ]