❪ 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

c:

[underwhelms]

[ Edward's lucky that he manages to avoid a kick to the face when he pulls the door away, with JJ rearing his leg back to shove at the door again. There's a considerable amount of smoke in the pod now, and the way that he's taking quick, panicked breaths likely isn't helping any, but he feels the flood of relief all the same once the door is popped away and fresh air comes swooping in.

But JJ's no novice, he's seen plenty of action films, and given that that's the only experience he can refer to, he's also under the assumption that the pod is going to explode. ]

Move!

[ It's not even close to a thank you, with JJ bracing his feet against the pod, hands gripping Edward's shoulders in a flash second before he's diving right out of the pod and taking Edward with them. It's a lot less dramatic in real life than it is in his head, the two of them crashing to the ground no more than a metre away from the pod, certainly not far enough to ensure their safety if there was an explosion.

Which there isn't. ]

... Ugh.

[ JJ blinks, shoving himself up, and showing no regard to Edward's sorry state as he looks back at the pod. ]

Do you think it's going to blow up?

[speeds]

[ The smoke doesn't bother him, and while he might be already healing from the pod crashing into him and dragging him down, he's still dazed from it. It means that he doesn't even try to dodge when JJ is yelling at him to move, pushing him down to the ground again. The other's weight isn't anything on the pod that had threatened to crush him in half, though the pod exploding would definitely cause some damage. ]

It's... [ He starts it slowly, swallowing thickly against the dryness in his throat. It's easier to be less gentle about it when he nudges JJ off him, trying to push himself up to evade the scent of blood. The other might not be hurt, but he can almost taste it on his tongue at that distance. ] It's close enough to the rest that now you're out we can move it to the side.

[ Only when he pushes himself to his feet he stumbles down again, really struggling now.

JJ won't be able to remember it as him with the ring he has on (a cheating device in a sense, because why would he even deserve it even if he'd asked to protect his family more than himself) but his eyes are almost black by now. ]

[underwhelms]

I think I saw some supplies in there.

[ JJ doesn't object to being pushed aside, rolling around so that he can sit up and look over at the pod with his brows furrowed and a concerned look. ]

I might need to go back for those—I don't have any food.

[ There's still smoke streaming from the pod, but it doesn't look like it's in any danger of blowing up. At least, as far as JJ can tell, he's obviously no engineer or mechanic. It was a small spark when he thinks about it now. When he looks over at the other teen however, his concern shifts to something different. ]

Hey, whoa. Are you okay?

[ He stands up too, putting a steadying hand on the small of the other's back. ]

Maybe you should sit down.

[speeds]

[ His eyes move to the pod as well, but honestly-- ]

Don't worry about that right now while more of these are still falling. Food is easy enough to replace, especially with the abilities some of the people here have.

[ A laugh definitely follows the "are you okay", because if it weren't for them going through this, other people really wouldn't be okay. What is less strength and feeling weak compared to that? ]

I'll be fine after I rest, you don't have to worry about me. If you run in that direction, you should meet up with everyone else. If anything's left in there by the time I've got this out of the way, I'll bring it to you.

[ It's odd that he says all of this though, and he isn't actually letting JJ keep that contact, he's already stepping towards the pod to try and lift it -- but this one might be his last until after he's eaten again. The animals here are smaller and it's taking more to keep up his stamina, but he'll get by. ]

[underwhelms]

[ JJ's starting to genuinely think that this guy has some kind of hero complex, especially given the way that he says first that they don't need to worry about his pod while others are still falling, and then immediately goes to inspect it. ]

Hey, you said to wait until the pods stop falling—

[ He sighs when the other teen steps forward, completely ignoring JJ who is right there and ready to be a buddy. ]

Will you just relax for a second? It's fine, I can wait. I don't need you to bring it to me. Hey.

[ Because if that's how it's going to be, then JJ can be uncooperative too, walking back over to the pod and pulling his sleeve over his mouth as he gets closer to the smoke, ready to peer in and pull out his supplies. ]

[speeds]

[ If it were earlier in the day, if he hadn't had to work so much already, maybe this would have gone differently. Maybe JJ would know it was him. Maybe he'd be more careful.

When JJ steps forward to pull his sleeve over his mouth and try and help, Edward hand reaches for his arm to tug him back, a growl rising up as he gives JJ a look. ]

Will you just relax for a second? I said for you to wait until the pods stop falling, to keep out of the way so you don't get hurt.

[ It's hard to swallow back the impatience, the thirst that is only rising up and up with the more injuries he sustains and the more he pushes himself. ]

[underwhelms]

[ Like most people, JJ doesn't appreciate being manhandled and told to get out of the way like he's some kind of child. Though really, Edward has a point. Whoever this is, this black-eyed, angry person in front of him, they obviously have better control of the situation that JJ does. JJ, who is just a human, with no super strength or accelerated healing. On a good day, he'd just sit back and let Edward do all the work.

It's not a good day though, and instead he's riled up from the rocky descent, agitated and annoyed at being dismissed without even being given a chance.

He shoves back, eyes narrowing and not necessarily angry yet, but on the brink of it. ]

Chill. I'm not a toddler, it's not exactly cloudy skies up there. I can keep an eye out for falling pods just fine.

[ And if he doesn't, then— ]

You're the one that looks all beat up, maybe you should sit down for a bit.

[speeds]

Then keep an eye out.

[ He pulls himself back, leans against the pod that... is still a little on fire. He stamps down on it though, a few steps is all it takes for it to dwindle down. Smoke still fills it, but he's fine to lean in and take out the pack that JJ mentioned and hold it out to him. ]

Here. I know you might not be a toddler, but leave putting yourself in danger to those built to last through it.

[ He pauses then finally twists to move and slowly pick the pod up. He does stumble slightly, grits his teeth against the pressure on his arms and legs. Throwing it is tough with how weak he's getting now, but at least he gets it out of the way. ]

[underwhelms]

[ In that moment, JJ's feeling contrary enough to put up a fight; to open his mouth and protest. But the thing is, he really doesn't know what to say. In comparison to this person—wild eyed and freakishly strong—he's nothing but a useless marshmallow waiting to be squished by a pod falling from the sky.

He's out of his depth, and while it would be easy enough to just resign himself to his fate and accept the help of the stranger, his descent has been rocky enough that he turns a little sulky, because it's not like he asked to be put in this position. He's just an average guy, and if he was going to be so incredibly useless then maybe they should've let him sleep and devoted their energy to waking up someone more handy.

But he's not above accepting help, and he grabs the pack when it's thrown at him, stumbling back and watching the other teen. ]

Then I'm keeping an eye out. [ He says, firmly. ] When's the last time you took a break though?

[speeds]

[ At least he's a precious useless marshmallow. He wants to try, and that's brave and courageous but it's also pointless when it might cause himself more harm than good. He'll tell him that later, though he's also hoping JJ won't remember this is him either. That this worse side of himself is creeping out that's more animal than like a human. More like what he is. ]

Around the end of the third wave. Or the fourth. I can't remember.

[ Or rather he does, he just doesn't want to. He'd had to take a time out then as well, had to rush towards somewhere he could smell animals to take a drink to revive himself a bit. Rest doesn't do anything for his kind -- only blood heals. ]

We should be able to move in a minute.

[underwhelms]

[ Stepping back, he looks up at the sky, only a few pods coming down now as the last wave of refugees descend. They're not particularly close together—JJ supposes he can at least thank Darma for that much consideration—so honestly, JJ doesn't think they're in too much danger of being flattened any time soon.

But that also means that JJ can't really get a sense of camaraderie by walking over to anyone else that's had the pleasure of being hurtled through the air like a tennis ball.

He keeps watching though, until the sky is clear and blue, and then he clutches his pack as he frowns at the other teen's back. ]

Hey, isn't that enough?

[ Despite being someone usually bursting with energy, JJ's already drained by the experience. He needs a moment to process everything that's just happened, but he also isn't in the mood to do it alone. ]

[speeds]

[ It is a thankful thing, or Edward might have sustained more injuries than the few he's taken from being caught under pods or being slammed back. It takes a lot to damage him anyway, but it is a lot happening at once. ]

I'm already recovering. [ It comes out slower this time, less irritated as he tries to keep himself together. It's a fight he's not willing to go through - but it would have been easier for himself if he'd drank the diet blood to begin with. He normally only needs a little, but over time it dwindles, or with the need to heal.

Once the pod is shifted though, he looks back up. ]

But it should be over now.

[underwhelms]

Great. [ Shuffling over, JJ smacks the back of Edward's shoulder. ] Let's get out of here then.

[ Because he's fairly keen to set up shop somewhere that isn't the field of pod craters. It's kind of eerie, the dust and smoke; all of the pods, broken and empty. JJ can see people stumbling out of their pods in the distance, but he weirdly enough doesn't feel the urge to run over to them.

He's more concerned with seeing what he has in his pack, and figuring out how he's going to survive. It's not like he's alone anyway, he's got the guy with a hero complex on his side. ]

[speeds]

[ He doesn't move at first, kind of dazed but not with how many sounds of shouts and the crashes of pods surround them start to slow. It's easier to agree when there are less people landing now, most thankfully taken care of. ]

Right.

[ It's softer when he speaks again, a frown covering his face as he starts to step towards where the camps have been set up. ]