❪ 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

Dazai will always get the biggest NO of all, though

[gekkajuu]

[And isn't this just the Atsushi life? You go around trying to be a good person, and something hits you on the head. It's not even that hard, but it's a surprise, and Atsushi whirls around to at least Speak His Mind (and potentially cower).]

Hck! What are you -...

[Needless to say, when he sees who it is, nothing else matter anymore. His eyes widen, and for a split second, they almost seem to go a little moist. Dazai is safe! And awake, and safe, and Atsushi is so happy!

... Well... Dazai sure is Dazai though, isn't he? Atsushi is glad that he's safe, but maybe having him asleep the way he was before... wasn't so bad, either.]

I wasn't planning to give my clothes away. [It's a weak protest, a little sulky for how his overwhelming happiness was immediately cut short. As expected of Dazai.] I'm just trying to do what little I can, and -...

Fall off?!

[Excuse him while he finally catches up with that. He kind of wishes he never had.]

Rude! He's beloved by all ....until they get to know him.

[cassus]

Mmhm, that's right! [ There's a few quick nods of confirmation. ] Just like leaves in autumn.

[ Dazai really shouldn't sound so utterly enthusiastic about the prospect. But for him there's nothing like a little humor to lighten the proverbial load and distract the both of them from the complete cluster-fuck their lives presently are. ]

But first it'll turn alllll black and shrivel up.

[ A single extended pinkie finger on his free hand flexes. It curls against his palm slowly in a vivid demonstration, as though Atsushi needs the shocking visual to prevent against these consequences.

Or those graphic sound effects, mimicking the suction of an appendage drawn back within the body like a turtle's head within it's shell. ]

Or maybe it'll just suck right back up into your body!

[ The point made, Dazai jerks his head towards the bundled up tent and not one but two bedrolls behind him. Just like those others he's observed before, Dazai has taken it upon himself to do a little foraging for supplies from 'abandoned' pods. ]

But... I guess if you keep your clothes on and help me with a tent we won't have to find out.

Everybody loves Dazai. Until he opens his mouth. Or moves. Or breathes...

[gekkajuu]

No way!

[Atsushi really wasn't planning to give away his clothes (if only because he doesn't need to, the pods containing some weird robes in addition to the food and first aid), but now he's a little worried about Things™ falling off. For a second or two, he considers the benefit of growing a tail to wrap around the more cold-sensitive parts of his anatomy. Would that really last throughout his sleep, though..?

That intensely scientific thought process is interrupted by Dazai's jerk of his head, the simple gesture more than enough to immediately grab Atsushi's full attention. A tent... and two bedrolls.]

There's two... [Realization dawns.] I can share a tent with you?!

[HE'S SO HAPPY! He would have been happy regardless, but he's just so happy that Dazai has woken up, and so much has happened that Atsushi's emotions haven't caught up with in the least. Part of him knows that this isn't the time or the place - and, perhaps more importantly: that Dazai isn't the person - but Atsushi really has to say something before he falls apart.]

I'm glad... I'm so glad you're safe, Dazai-san. Seeing you asleep was -...

[He doesn't have the words for it, really. On the one hand, seeing everyone in stasis had been a relief, knowing that they were at least safe. On the other hand, it was still like looking at a collection of corpses, never knowing if and when they'd wake up - and Atsushi had been so alone. He managed just fine. He's capable of surviving on his own, always has been. But... he'd missed everyone.]

So everyone will love him if he stops breathing? Just according to Keikaku.

[cassus]

[ Dozing with another man in the close quarters of a camping tent might not be at the top of his 'Things to do' list. But Atsushi, and possibly a scant few others, remain the stark exception to this rule.

Definitely not Kunikida if he's awoken and jettisoned here with the other refugees. After two minutes together in a confined space that man would probably resort to zipping Dazai up inside the sleeping bag before promptly sinking him in the nearest body of water. That's if Dazai didn't sneak away and hunt for sanctuary first from Kunikida's infinite list of Rules And Regulations.

Atsushi should be a less stressful bunk-mate. And teasing him comes with delightfully few repercussions. ]

Sure, why not?

[ Dazai discards the pilfered branch with a flick of his wrist, moving to pluck up the additional sleeping bag behind him and tuck it under one arm with every intention of handing it over. Until Atsushi continues on in his heartfelt tirade. The soon to be tearful reunion is a little too heavy for his liking. And Dazai would rather not dwell on the infinite number of 'what ifs' that still lie in wait with every step they take. Not to mention the small issue of their companions still trapped in stasis, whose lives hang in the balance. So he immediately puts a stop to all of it. ]

On second thought... [ As if on cue Dazai pulls the bedroll back, drawing it out of Atsushi's reach in an almost comically quick gesture. He might as well be imitating an angler jerking his catch out of the water while literally fishing for Atsushi's reaction. ]

Hearing all those sordid details makes me question your intentions!

[ Placing a free hand on his chest, Dazai wears the look of someone in dire fear of what looms on the horizon, very much like a soap opera heroine. ]

First you threatened public indecency, now you're admitting to watching me sleep?![ Not..that Atsushi ever did such a thing. But who needs the truth when you have entertaining anecdotes? ]

I have to worry whether my virtue will remain intact....

CURSES guess I should have Run, Melos! while I could

[gekkajuu]

[About to take the bedroll, Atsushi slowly pulls his hand back a little as Dazai seems to reconsider, not even surprised or worried about it just yet - but then, maybe he's just not capable of that, with all those emotions that welled up and are just barely calming down again.]

"Intentions"...?

[He's not offended or anything, because he's sure Dazai has his reasons for feeling that way, but... Atsushi just doesn't understand.

Until Dazai explains, and then Atsushi only wishes he didn't understand.]

I-It wasn't like that! It wasn't like that at all! And I don't think I... threatened anything... let alone like that!!

[Yet does he shift the blame to Dazai and his one-track mind? No, of course he doesn't.]

What are you, a Schoolgirl I have to chase after until the Setting Sun?

[cassus]

Oh, well~. I forgive you.

[ Like the changing winds Dazai's demeanor instantly brightens, shrugging off any shadow of his prior concerns. Then again, it's rather easy to overlook transgressions that haven't happened. ]

Let's chalk it up to all the world-ending trauma, hmm?

[ The words echo with an air of contentment as Dazai's mood finally catches up to the sense of a long-awaited reunion. This brief sincerity can't last, and there's nothing to mark the moment as memorable beyond the offers he's already made. But he can at least follow through with those promises. It's why the bedroll finds itself pressed to Atsushi's chest with a look that's dangerously close to being called gentle. ]

Just try to restrain yourself from now on.

[ With his hands now free Dazai can drape an arm over his protege's shoulders, dragging him forward and towards the pile of their remaining belongings. If only for a moment the gesture resonates a warmth that's easier for Dazai to convey without the complications of words. ]

Keeping your eyes off me is a start. At least while I'm unconscious!

with parting regrets i offer an urgent appeal to continue these fairy tales -

[gekkajuu]

(at the overflow (☞ﾟヮﾟ)☞ )