❪ 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

cw animal death i guess

[viperae]

Indeed. We've got company.

[ Not the sort of beast that he's usually terribly familiar with, since Oberyn doesn't make a habit of bathing in the open (he was still a prince, at the end of the day), but he knows that if he's to strike, he has to strike quickly.

When he sees that the crocodile is aiming for Chuuya's feet, he lunges forward and pushes Chuuya out of the way, rotating their positions so that Oberyn takes his place and holding the smaller man tight against him. At the same time, he plunges the sharp tip of his spear into the animal's skull, creating a ghastly, gruesome scene coupled with the animal's last hiss. There's resistance, and the croc flails around his weapon desperately, but after a couple of seconds, it falls limp. ]

And now, we have something to eat later.

imma get him a gator .... bitches love dead gators

[vacuum]

[ It had all happened so quickly he barely even registers it before there's a thrashing crocodile struggling in agony in the shallow water before him and a taller man pressed up to him. He's certain he could have taken it down on his own, but he hadn't even seen it lurking beneath the floating pads. If allowed to strike, it might be dragging Chuuya under the water by now.

In other words, this stranger had ... protected him. That's foreign and strange to think about, given the fact that he's one of the strongest in the mafia back home and it's often Chuuya that's taking care of his comrades instead. He also comes from an upbringing where it was rare to find someone who would risk their life like this for a complete stranger.

The crocodile twitches, before succumbing to the bloodloss and laying its head down for the very last time. It's dead, jim. Chuuya stays there, still pressed up against Oberyn, and takes in the situation. He eventually starts to get a little embarrassed and nudges out of his grip, cheeks tinting a light pink. ] Uh. Thanks ... for saving me.

[ this sure makes him feel like a damsel though ??? ]

[viperae]

[ It wasn't Oberyn's intention to embarrass the other man-- merely a split second decision to push him out of harm's way but keep him close enough to protect. Perhaps he could have attributed the favor to goodwill, but it's not quite so simple. It's true, he seeks to help his fellow Refugees as best he can, but he doesn't owe anything to this stranger. Rather, even after everything that's happened, Oberyn is still severely lacking in a healthy dose of fear.

He looks down at Chuuya, not bothering to hide his smile when he realizes the other man is blushing. Was he embarrassed that he didn't spot the creature ahead of time, or did the other man's presence make him nervous? He eases his grip as Chuuya pulls away, yanking his spear out of the mess of blood, brains, and bone and wiping it clean on the grass. ]

It would have been a shame to lose such a handsome face on our first day here. Not only that, but in such a dishonorable way...

[ He says it easily and nonchalantly, because a simple "you're welcome" simply isn't enough. Then, Oberyn looks back down at the animal's corpse.

It's not a pleasant sight to behold, a creature's skull being crushed in such a way. Especially not when the memory of his own demise is still fresh in his mind, and the images of his last anguish still haunt him every time he lays down in that strange bed. He frowns, pacing around the crocodile. ]

Not exactly the kind of thing I want to bathe next to, is it? [ He leans down to drag the corpse by the tail, pulling it along further from the shore and into a brush. ]

[vacuum]

[ Is this flirting ... Chuuya's eyes widen, and he continues to stare up at the other man, visibly stunned by everything that's just happened. He just got protected from a wild beast, and now his savior is flirting with him?! It's funny how the latter has almost never happened to him ... ]

'Handsome'? Really? [ It sounds like he's fishing for compliments but he's actually -- No, yeah, he's fishing for another compliment. Hearing this sure puts Chuuya in a good mood though. His features brighten a little as he seems to quieten down, almost as if he's replaying those words in his mind and feeling even more pleased each time he thinks about them. Handsome! Not that he didn't already know that, but it's really nice to see someone else notice it. Especially when that person ... is pretty good-looking themselves.

delete this entire paragraph

He still wants to have his bath, but he can't quite do that with a corpse just laying there, staring at them with its lifeless eyes. It's a good idea to move the thing. ] ... I'll help you with that.

[ He pulls his shirt higher up his shoulders for modesty and reaches down to touch the corpse with the palm of his hand, activating his power over it. The crocodile suddenly becomes near-weightless, making it very easy to move.

He also noticed that Oberyn mentioned also ... bathing, so are they really doing this. Sounds yaoi. ]

[viperae]

You sound shocked. Surely this isn't the first time that you're learning of your physical charms.

[ This is said during a pause in dragging the crocodile behind a tree, as casually as one might mention a slight change in weather. It is genuinyl surprising to Oberyn, considering that the smaller man has skin that remains unmarred by battle and long auburn hair that many women would commit crimes for.

He raises his eyebrows in surprise when Chuuya touches the corpse and subsequently controls it. He shouldn't be shocked now, considering how many strange abilities he's seen at this point, but this was still quite amazing to witness. ]

This... must be a very useful skill. How did you come to possess such a power?

[ He finishes the job of guiding it behind the tree now, leaving it and re-emerging to head back towards the water. ]

[vacuum]

[ So that crocodile is now floating shyly behind a tree. Interesting.

While it isn't the first time, it definitely happens rarely, and with how attention-starved Chuuya tends to be he practically craves for this sort of attention. (When he does get compliments, they're usually from his big sister figure.) Of course, he's not going to admit that to Oberyn. He would rather impress this man who saved him and seems to be taking an interest in him, than turn him off or dampen his opinion of him. ] Of course it isn't. Sheesh.

[ He'll be trying his best to look cool in front of the other man now. Even if he's still a little red in the face. ] Yeah? This doesn't even scratch the surface of what I can do. [ Please think he's cool, Obe. ] I was born with it. Some people just are, in the world that I came from.

[ With the crocodile now tucked away and out of their immediate view, Chuuya wonders if this means he's allowed to continue his bath. He takes a step toward the water, reaching up to unfasten his buttons again. He also glances occasionally at Oberyn, wondering if he really was planning to join in or if he's just going to go about his business. While Chuuya hadn't cared before, stripping is making him more nervous now. ]

[viperae]

Really? What else are you able to do, if you don't mind me asking?

[ If this only scratches the surface, then indeed, he's very interested in learning more.

Before he can continue or ask any specifics, however, he takes acute notice of Chuuya's discomfort. Now, he's more amused than anything else. ]

Do I unnerve you, boy? [ Yeah.... boy................... ]

[vacuum]

You'll just have to find that out on your own. [ He isn't about to go revealing his trump cards to a man he's only just met. Chuuya enjoys keeping his powers under wraps when he can. It gives him a tactical advantage should they ever become enemies, and the surprise on people's faces when they see what he can do is always a satisfying treat. Whenever he can, he wants to be ... mysterious. ]

And I'm not a boy. [ HE'S 22. HE PAID TAXES ... No, he probably didn't pay his taxes but he is an adult ... Chuuya feels the need to assert this, because it wouldn't be the first time someone's mistaken him for a teenager, and he disdains that. ]

I was planning to take a soak before you appeared. If you aren't planning the same, you should go somewhere else. [ It's too weird to have a guy hanging around as he bathes. ]