❪ 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

[cajolery]

[ All right, now we're (kind of) getting someone. Believe it or not, Clair has slightly more respect for someone who will admit to what they are—in this case, a cad. Still, she doesn't appreciate his posturing, or this complete lack of explanation for his request—as if she's a shy, simpering maiden easily cowed by one imperious man?

Yeah right. She's a knight of the One Kingdom.

She squares her shoulders, tipping her chin up as if to look down her nose at him despite the fact that he's taller then her. Out of the corner of her eye, she notices the way the wounds at the side of his neck... seem to heal themselves. Her gaze snaps back to him, her eyes narrowing. ]

If the boy has an explanation for such a vulgar statement, then I would hear it.

[ No more questions, bitch!! That's an order. ]

[tub]

[ an explanation. perhaps, to a degree, everyone deserved that much. unfortunately, shu wasn't one to debate over what one deserved. or what was just and apt. he also wasn't an individual focused on the rationale behind something. most of the time, it ended up being fairly inconsequential, anyway.

or, perhaps, that was just his indifference speaking. still, it doesn't seem she's going to budge on this. his options oscillate between explaining or not explaining. both appeared troublesome in their own regard. on one hand, he'd actually be expected to expound. on the other, he likely couldn't yield any results as it presently stood.

while he didn't mind simply just acting on impulses, he was also a bit too tired to deal with the aftermath, and hence: ] ... troublesome. [ he mutters under his breath, before he continues. ] I'm saying I can do something about that. [ he points to the gash, a drawl to his voice and a lag to his motions. ]

Now hurry and hold your arm out, before I change my mind. [ and go to bed.

like. literally. right here. ]

[cajolery]

[ So... that's what this was all about?! Clair can actually feel her blood pressure rising. (Not that she knows what blood pressure is.) ]

You are... a healer? The boy should have said as much from the very beginning!

[ Goodness... she makes a noise of pure exasperation. ]

It would serve you much better in the future to make plainer your intentions, boy! I have no patience for men who do naught but give orders with the expectation they ought to be followed without question! [ Clair... you literally do this yourself. Anyway, she's not done. ]

Not that I expect you to heed my advice, as you have made one thing plain enough—that you have no desire for self-improvement.

[ Now she's done?? And with that, she holds her arm out for him to take. ]

Very well. For the sake of esprit de corps, I will allow the boy to heal me. [ If he even will at this point??? ]

[tub]

[ the "healer" comment actually manages to get a small, barely audible chuckle from him. something almost dark or insidious to it. the thought of a vampire being thought of a healer, or something akin to a cleric was fairly laughable to him, after all. still, he's quick to brush it off. as for the rest of her complaints...

he's not actually sure about which part he should begin picking out. honestly, the tone she speaks in and the propriety that's inexorably attached to each letter, words, and vowel... all pays reminder to a certain thorn at his side. his expression almost dropping entirely. ] ... are you done?

[ no, she's not, as he soon discovers. once she stops....

he actually waits a fair amount of time. almost as if he were testing her own limits for testing his. he remains perfectly still. almost still enough to put those in stasis to shame. basically— he lets her wait. her arm extended for a while. almost when it becomes uncomfortable or awkward, he draws his hand out, ready to finally receive her arm. the first thing she's likely to notice is the frigidness of his skin. but, before he begins he... goes back to one statement.

something to correct. ] Boy? [ how does she not lose track of all the "boys"?? ]

[cajolery]

[ Don't worry, she can hold her arm out like this forever just to prove a point. She can hold it out until she dies, and then her tombstone would say The boy may still heal me.

It doesn't come to that, thankfully, though her arm is definitely starting to ache by the time he reaches out for it. The strange chill of his skin when he touches her makes her tense a bit, her eyebrows pulling together. That's... odd. But his question distracts her from that line of thinking. ]

Yes?

[ You're really going to have to elaborate more, my dude. She can only assume that he takes some sort of offense to being called boy. Yes, Lukas did say that the peasants don't appreciate that, didn't he? She supposes that it's time for introductions. ]

Very well. I am Clair—the boy may address me as Lady Clair or simply milady. And what is your name?

[tub]

[ despite being something akin to vampire royalty himself, he doesn't actually find offense in how she addresses him. doesn't find reason for him to care if she'd refer to him properly or not. besides, it isn't as if he possessed or comprehended concepts like decorum himself.

nevertheless, even as she continues, he makes no moves to amend this miscomprehension.

instead, he stares at the paleness of her skin. how delicate it was despite her... apparently being a combatant of some sort. a warrior? weren't words like this outdated? after all, even hunters were pretty out there and nonexistent. but, he decides its inconsequential in the face of his next meal. i mean— heal.

at her inquiry, he gives a shrug of his shoulders. not even a full on shrug, either. it just looks like a lazy movement of some sort. ] You talk too much. [ is he going to reveal his name? maybe. for now, he draws himself closer to her wound. while many could mistake this as him assessing it, he's actually just...

inwardly thinking about how delicious it looks. ] Shu. [ he says it as if it's exhausting for him to get out.

equal to that, his next words are equally languid, and his voice soft, as he talks above her wound. ] Close your eyes.

[cajolery]

[ Shu. What a strange name. But she's come across many strange names among their company, so perhaps they shouldn't be so strange to her anymore. ]

Your manners are truly incorrigible, no?

[ Really. Telling her she talks too much. Right to her face! She sighs in exasperation, but it seems she's realized that no matter how much she lectures him, Shu isn't going to shape up anytime soon. Very well... she'll allow him to heal her, and then they can go their separate ways. There were certainly many fellow knights of Zofia that she didn't get along with either... mostly because they were pompous chauvinists.

This healing shouldn't take very long, after all. ]

Is this some necessary component of your healing technique?

[ Regardless, she closes her eyes. A little bit. She seems ready to snap them open again if he tries anything funny. ]

[tub]

[ :* ]