❪ 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

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gaelio bauduin | gundam ibo

[kimaris]

( spoiler post! )

ONE. (WAVE 5)

[ The drop is similar enough to entering atmosphere in a mobile suit that Gaelio spends the entire ride down being concerned about his family in the pods. What the hell did that even mean?? Terrible things, apparently, and now they're raining down refugees onto the surface world.

For a moment, he feels like a sitting duck, and he doesn't know why.

Outside of the pod, he's now standing on top of it with a hand shading his eyes. There's a bit of blood on his flight suit, but not enough to cause alarm or... have him even notice it.

And now, he's talking down to you: ]

Are you injured?

TWO.

[ It's buckling down time. Gaelio's already spent a good two hours cleaning up, and he's barely made a dent in the mess they've caused.

As it is, he's successfull put a tent with relative ease, but he hasn't even started the attempt on fire. He knows the basics, and is competent enough to figure out the rest, but... he hasn't gotten there yet. He's picked out a sleeping bag and has it settled neatly down to his newly established settlement. Right now he's sitting on top of the folded sleeping bag, looking down at where he's about to attempt this whole campfire thing.

Alternatively, come jack a spot in his tent when he decides to change out of his flight suit and into something that doesn't look like it's been played tug-o-war with. The required giant man's abs option, I guess. ]

WILDCARD.

[ Did his pod land on your ass? Are you kicking his hatch shut like an butthead? Or literally anything else, man let's go?? Honestly just give me a blank and I'll do a starter for your character. ]

one... obviously;

[fakers]

[ by wave 5, archer's admittedly starting to get a bit winded... projecting rho aias isn't exactly easy, especially using it as a giant bumper cushion. he's starting to feel a little bad for ajax, having his mythic shield so mishandled, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

so after lowering the last of his catches, he takes a few moments to catch his breath. the pod wasn't damaged during its entry thanks to him, so it's not too hard for its occupant to leave it unscathed.

...admittedly, archer can't help but let out a morbid chuckle when the man inside has the gall to ask him if he's okay. normally he'd just let it go and move on to the next task, but the nonchalance with which the man asks the question just irks him. ]

No thanks to you. [ it doesn't help that this guy is a bit familiar, though he can't quite put his finger on why. ]

[kimaris]

[ His saviour is completely familiar to Gaelio, even if he's considerably less familiar with him with his clothes on, but it's not like he's about to just helpfully point that out. Somewhere along the line Gaelio became the Mysterious Masked Man, and he's only dropped one part of that achievement since then. ]

It was a good catch.

[ Have a faint compliment, Archer. ]

[fakers]

Thanks. [ he scoffs, making it quite clear the sentiment isn't genuine... not that his sentiments are ever really genuine. obviously, he hadn't been able to tell who was in the pod before he caught it, but if he'd known he probably would have just let it slam into the ground and explode.

...okay that's not actually true, he doesn't really have anything against gaelio. though he pauses, holding a hand up and blocking out gaelio's face for a second and... ]

Ah, so that's what it was. [ another sigh. ] I think I liked the other face better.

two

[mcgillis]

[McGillis doesn't owe Gaelio anything.

But it's as if their beliefs and varying stances are trapped in some otherworldly place. Like it was all for naught -- or maybe this place is meant to present a new opportunity. Opportunities.

In any case, he's tired. Much too tired to combat how much he'd prefer not to be near Gaelio at the moment, how he has no right to be and how wildly inappropriate it is for them to be quietly sharing space. As it were, he only harbors enough brain functionality to elicit some smoke between two sticks within their pile of tinder while keeping personal discrepancies a football field's length away. On the other hand, as much as he'd like to learn the ins and outs of this place, it seems there's nothing more to do than make do with the various supplies that've been donated...for one reason or another.

A spark of ember has him releasing the sticks, covering them instead and blowing lightly to spread the growing flame, the glow from it illuminating the expression of a twice-beaten carriage horse -- sitting back does nothing for the swelling beneath his eyes.]

You should move closer, if you intend on taking advantage of it.

[To the fire, not him. It's a tired word of advice in lieu of the dropping temperature. He won't be much of a nag, at least, as he's leaning back up against a log in completion of that task with his gaze low, focused primarily on the ever-growing flame before himself, only vaguely recalling a time where he'd last felt so listless.

Had he more motivation, he might suggest cracking opened the rations like two strangers dropped off in Chattahoochee-Oconee just trying to survive, but he hasn't even changed out of his gross flightsuit yet.]

[kimaris]

[ Make no mistake. There's no "seeing him like this means Gaelio can't be angry at him," here. Not without some significant things, which doesn't include impressing him with expertly making a campfire and not bragging about it.

But he's not as mad when he sees McGillis like this. A sliver less mad. At least in the way he responds to him. It's a stark reminder that as much as he idolised him before, and as angry at him—he doesn't actually enjoy the image of him hurting, at any degree.

So he doesn't thank him more than a small nod, but does pull his sleeping bag seat forward a bit, putting away the wood he'd been about to use and... finding the other sleeping bag he'd nicked, just in case.

He's tossing it to him. You look like you need it... jerk. ]

[mcgillis]

[Maybe if you didn't (SPOILER) him....

The nod's noticeable enough in his peripheral. It's enough, generally speaking -- or not speaking, which isn't...a particular goal; the silence simultaneously makes their conditions a bit more tolerable, as much as it provides an air of discomfort. They should talk, barring the fact that there's nothing to discuss.

The sleeping bag lands just near him, providing a distraction in form of a little hiss; sympathy? Gaelio's too soft-hearted for the likes of him, even now.]

Did you know, it was originally Prometheus who brought fire to mankind?

[Old tales. Fun stories to pass the time as narrated by McGillis. Better for him to change the subject before Gaelio has an outburst.]

He was eternally punished for it. Chained to a rock, he was made to have an eagle ceaselessly peck his regenerating heart.

[He's feeling just slightly better about his own condition having just said that, even while ignoring the comfortable offer of parking his ass on that extra sleeping bag...]

two. )

[tub]

[ despite deleting the last comment, it's still very true and very real. with all that had occurred prior to them setting up camp, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to state that shu was quite exhausted. tired. likely more mentally than he was physically, but that wasn't the point. it's in his lethargy that he happens to come across...

an empty tent that's been left slightly open. the bedding in there is fresh. if anything, whoever was the owner of this was likely swift in being able to procure the right bits and pieces. it isn't luxurious, no, but it was... decent. probably the best this place had to offer. effort-free too.

it's why by the time that gaelio returns, he'll find one (1) single lump beneath a blanket right on the bed roll he laid out.

maybe he even steps on him? his feet are out of the blanket and he looks like he's out. aka, scoob is here to stay. ]

god

[kimaris]

[ Scoob... sleeping like that means you won't get to see his cute face? all de-heartsed and everything.

But it's fine, because Gaelio... immediately notices him, upon ducking into the tent and lifting up the back of his shirt in order to pull it free and—right there, that's when he notices. For a second, he wonders if he walked into the wrong tent, but no, there's his stuff tucked away neatly in the corner.

...

The problem here is he gave the spare sleeping bag to McGillis.

He's not going to intentionally wake him up, though. Instead he's crosses his arms and leans back against his bag, dropping down to it loudly. ]

it's been days and i'm still disappointed

[tub]

[ having sensitive hearing meant that he likely heard gaelio from the beginning. immediately, as he hears the first rustle of the flap of the tent. regardless, he doesn't actually... react. he displays no indication for noticing another presence.

instead, he releases a series of groans. busying himself in the task of at least appearing to be in...

a state of discovering adequate slumber. but, then he hears that drop to his bag. it isn't that the noise in unbearable, and most of the time he'd simply sleep through it entirely, but it's the fact that he isn't familiar with here versus home that he actually cracks a single eye open. peering at gaelio, whose body...

looks familiar. being a vampire and having a fairly good hold on ones senses meant, these sorts things were easily defined. even for someone as lazy and seemingly uncaring as shu. it's why, instantly— ] It's you. [ ... ] I didn't realize you were such a hopeless pervert.

[ sneaking up on him as he sleeps?? being??? undressed???? ]

two...

[regives]

[ scoob #3 is making her way downtown. walking fast. faces pass and i'm deadass here for that giant man's abs option.

Leanne expects to see her recent friend, Alisaie, either awake or asleep when she enters the tent. Preferably the former, as they've both been running around helping others and making their situation not as terrible as it seemed. But that exhaustion takes a toll on her both physically and mentally, and soon enough she's wishfully hoping for her tent to be closer than it truly is, which is probably why she manages to stumble inside the wrong one to begin with. ]

Hey, Alisaie—

... ... ...

[ where is she. why is this giant getting undressed. ]

Aaahhhh!

[ sorry ]

[kimaris]

[ There he is, his shirt pulled up around his chest in the midst of pulling it free completely.

Ah... a visitor... he pauses, watching her shout at the sight. ]

Can I help you?

[regives]

[ She's not moving to pull out her gun (he's not a threat??) and she's not hiding her face, but it's evident in her gestures that she tried to decipher between the two before she ends up clenching her fists together at her sides. ]

What are you doing in here!? This Alisaie and I's...

[ Wait.

Where's Alisaie. ]

Oh my gosh.

[ She just sinks down, hiding her red face in her knees. Her legs suddenly feel weak as all the embarrassment hits her like a truck. She's mcfuckin' done. ]

I'm so sorry.

Wildcard

[agradecido]

[let's make this shit happen, fam]

aaaaa

[kimaris]

[ Sitting outside with espressos, go.

Alright, it's not an espresso, but Gaelio has managed to finagle some water out of the nearest supplies. One that wasn't hoarded by someone like a dragon sitting on treasures. He's got one bottle for himself, and it now lightly nudging this guy's arm with another. ]

Water?

[agradecido]

(84 years later, here.)

one!!

[spineshatters]

[...oh, is someone talking to him? That sure is happening. He initially doesn't think so because why would he ever look like he needed help— But he appears to be the only one around at the moment, so...

Helpfully, he kind of just shrugs.]

'Twould not be the worst landing I've suffered.

[A joke, at his own expense, even. He wasn't in a good mood but it was kind of silly that he asked.]

I would ask you the same, but you seem well enough.

[He's not even going to ask... Gaelio is alive and standing, good enough for him. Besides, who's he to judge the blood on someone else's suit, right—]

AAAHHHHH I'M SO HAPPY

[kimaris]

[ Gaelio has no idea how literal that might be, but he can relate. At Archer's expense, anyway, because of that "soft" cushioning.

The blood on Gaelio's suit probably isn't months old dragon blood, sorry to say... ]

Well enough. [ A parroted confirmation. ] Re-entering the atmosphere is never safe.

[ ...a pause, and then he might sound a tiny bit amused. ]

What's your name?

omg not as happy as me, tbh?? sweet yesui tags ( ˘ ³˘)❤

[spineshatters]

[Look... Sometimes, these things happen, okay.

(Estinien must be stopped.)]

Estinien. [No need for titles or anything. It didn't matter here, it didn't matter now.] And you are?

[He asks, but will he remember? Only time will tell.]

two

[crosspear]

You wouldn't happen to need assistance, would you?

[Guess who's tired? Gaius is tired. What do campfires, tents, foraging, hunting, and general boy scout activities have in common? He's been doing them all for the last seventeen years on a daily basis. His weariness is starting to show in minute way; he's lacking the pep he usually does, he just sort of looks like he's been through shit...the usual.

But as he strides past Gaelio, he can't tell if he's waiting for someone or if he just likes sitting in the cold darkness next to a well-pitched tent.]

If you're cold, I don't mind starting a fire for you.

[His tone isn't needy, desperate to do something to help out. He's rational, acknowledging that he can in fact make a fire, hopefully coming across as someone who knows what he's talking about and not just some tall kid.]

[kimaris]

[ Eventually, Gaelio would have been able to start the fire, but honestly nobody wants to sit around trying to get it right when they're out of practice. So, he's quietly handing over his kindling to him. ]

Thank you. [ He's also not going to bother with explaining why he can't do it himself. That was something he'd do, two years ago. Now he just doesn't care. ] What's your name?

[crosspear]

My name is Gaius—Gaius Worzel.

[He is ready and willing to take all kindling and start a fire of his own. Gaius can't say he's had camping experience, not when all of his experience comes from living a normal life in the mountains, but that just means he's prepared for this.]

A campfire can be difficult to start without the right tools. [But that's alright, because he's producing two things from his pocket. A piece of flint from the supplies and a compass with a metal back to strike it against. He kneels by whatever wood Gaelio has gathered, arranging it if needed to make a more sustainable fire.] It seems there are people here who can start a fire without tools at all as well.

[global]

[ stands around, is here ]

[kimaris]

[ So, anyway, he's wandering around trying to get some sort of bearings. In the middle of an alien planet, no way to contact Gjallarhorn, likely not even in the same galaxy anymore, based on timelines. Incredibly weird, but he's taking it like a champ.

But not everyone else is. A freefall from low orbit does that to some people. And since he's got nothing better to do (read: because he's a good person) he's wandering about, between the crashed pods, looking for someone who might need a hand, or, better, someone he recognises.

This is the latter. They talked about the weird mechas in the hangar. ]

Was your landing alright?

[ Idk for supposedly crashing into some red kid's pod, you look pretty okay.... ]

[global]

[ Though D. Va is in the later waves of the landing pods, she quickly tries to figure out how she can best help the remaining people. Thankfully, it seems like the previous landings have things majorly under control. Which is disappointing, in a way, but she was nothing if not grateful. Grateful, and a little peeved that she couldn't be more helpful here.

It inspired her to work harder to get her MEKA back, at least, and the sight of Gaelio's semi-familiar face makes her own light up in recognition. ]

Hey! Sorry, what's your name again?

[ It's been a long few couple of days, okay...

She shrugs. ]

I must have gotten pretty lucky. A guy I met has the power to control gravity, or something like that, so I didn't really feel anything other than the fall. What about you, big guy?