❪ 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

[vacuum]

[ ooc: lemme smang ]

[ If Lance is so insistent on being useful, then ... Chuuya walks over, dropping his hat into the boy's chest. ] Take my hat. I don't want it to get dirty. [ He doesn't have anywhere else to put it but the ground, and he's not about to place his branded hat onto the dirty soil. There's a pause, before he whips off his jacket too and drops it on Lance's face. ] My jacket, too.

[ You're nothing but a coat rack to him now, Lance. Now in lighter wear, Chuuya has more ease of movement, and he gets right back to the task at hand, driving the rods down into the soil to make his tent. ]

[competing]

( ooc; ah... )


[ lance sputters under the weight of the coat, hastily sitting up a little straighter so it tumbles down to his chest and lap where the hat rests. ]

What's so special about your stuff, anyway?

[ he picks the hat up, looking it over. ]

Is it a gift?

[vacuum]

[ After more trial and error, it actually looks like the tent is taking shape! Now busy with his new project, Chuuya doesn't even look at Lance as he responds to him. ]

If you must know, it's branded, and the company that made it sells such high-end stuff the prices will make your eyes fall out of your head.

[ Is he bragging? Maybe a little. ] I'll never find another hat like this now, so if you dirty it, I'll kill you.

[ ?!??!?!?

This is actually funny because Clair vomits in his hat soon after and he doesn't manage to salvage it. ]

[competing]

[ lance makes a face at chuuya's response. ]

It's just — expensive? That's it?

[ sorry, chuuya, you're talking to a boy who has only known the hand-me-down life, ok. ]

[vacuum]

Yes ...? [ And Chuuya shoots Lance an equally incredulous look in return, as if he doesn't understand why this is so difficult to believe. Of course an expensive thing is to be treated with care. ]

Why is this difficult for you to understand ...

[competing]

It's not difficult, [ lance murmurs defensively. ] It's just. You know. [ he makes a vague gesture with one hand, wafting it absently in the air. ] It's not sentimental or anything, it's just — stuff.

[ he flops the hat at chuuya. ]

You can always get new stuff.

[vacuum]

I need money to get new stuff. I don't have any. [ He whips the large sheet over the rods now with the usual kind of aggression that's characteristic of him, and lets it fall nicely over them, forming what could almost look like a tent. ]

It doesn't have to be handed down to me by my dead father or something to be important to me, sheesh. I just like it. [ He thinks it's .... fashionable .... ]

Besides, it makes me look cool. [ CITATION NEEDED ]

[competing]

[ lance gives the hat a Dubious Look, but pops it up on top of his own head not too long after. ]

I'm more of a baseball cap person, myself. But I guess it isn't that bad on you.

[vacuum]

Please. It makes me look awesome. [ Yes, he's just going to look Lance dead in the eye and praise himself. This is happening. Anyway, as he secures the final rods it does seem like the tent is finished. ]

Tent's done. Get inside, because it looks like it might rain soon. [ Can Lance walk or does he need to be carried by the guy who's like 5'3" ]

[competing]

[ lance answers any of chuuya's doubts by quickly rolling on over to his hands and knees, and then crawling from there. his ankle still smarts, but he manages to keep it raised even in this position.

he gets about half-way in when he suddenly pauses. ]

Hey, uh... not to knock your hard work or anything.




But isn't it a little small?

[ how are the two of them supposed to fit in here... ]

[vacuum]

[ It's a tent meant for one. It'll probably fit Chuuya just fine, but Lance has those long legs. ]

Of course it's small. It's meant for one person. [ One small person ... But he's hoping it's just a coincidence that the natha packed a smaller-sized tent for him. ]

But it's all we've got now, isn't it? Unless you wanna sleep in the rain.

[competing]

Nobody wants to sleep in the rain!

[ unless maybe they had gills or something......

okay anyway, that's besides the point. he hobbles uncertainly over the opening, peering in. ]

We're not gonna be able to fit in here anyway. You can barely fit in it.

[ which is saying something... shorty..... ]

[vacuum]

I already told you. Find a way, or --

[ Thunder booms from above, and the first drop of rain falls, landing on Chuuya's forehead. When did it get so dark? ]

sleep in the rain. [ Don't mind him as he crawls into the tent before it starts to pour. ]

[competing]

[ he doesn't have a lot of time to react. when thunder rumbles like that, the other raindrops aren't usually that far behind from the first. so a second later, he's crawling in right after chuuya...



of course, with a lot less grace, considering his sprained ankle, and the tent itself wobbles uncertainly from the both of their bodies suddenly trying to make some sort of home in it. he ends up awkwardly positioned on his hands and knees over chuuya, with not a lot of room to go anywhere else. ]

Move over.

[ ??? there is nowhere, what are you talking about lance. ]

[vacuum]

[ did lance kabedon him ... sounds yaoi

Chuuya had truly overestimated the size of the tent from outside. He barely has any leg room, and he's 5'3". There's no way Lance, who's got almost a head on him, can squeeze all his gangling limbs inside. The ending results is this ...awkward proximity. This is way too much closeness for his comfort. Half is body is lying underneath Lance, and he's keeping his hands pressed to his chest, the rest of him as far away from Lance as possible. Not that he really has anywhere to go in this tent. ]

Do I look like I have space to do that?

[competing]

[ your face sounds yaoi

also i had to look that up omg ]

We can both fit. [ this statement is more wishful thinking than actual fact at the moment, but give lance a second to... sort of wriggle... towards one side of the tent, the side chuuya is doing his best to lean away from. ]

We just gotta... lie on our sides, that's all.

[ and also draw their legs in, while somehow trying to avoiding knocking their knees together. ]

Maybe if we're head to foot...

[vacuum]

Ugh. Fine. [ Lying on his side might work. Chuuya shifts so he's turned laterally. His legs don't stick out of the tent as much as Lance's do, but he still has to tuck them toward him a little.

It's so awkward. He misses his personal space. ] What do you mean by 'head to foot'?