❪ 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

the helpy prompt

[cajolery]

[ Big metal balls that plunge through the heavens is a pretty incomprehensible concept to Clair—so she's having a pretty rough go of this descent. Watching the earth hurtle towards her small little pod—rather, her small little pod hurtle towards the earth—convinced her to start saying her goodbyes now, because there's no possible way this would end well.

Except—

It does?

She's in shock as the pod comes to rest on the ground—in one piece, that is, with her just shaken up a bit. The voice outside startles her from her awe, though it takes until the voice's question for her to fully recover. At full volume. ]

Indeed, I am very much alive! [ But at what cost. ] Now if you would be so kind as to release me from this... sphere! At once!

[ As if she knows how to open it up from the inside. ]

[vacuum]

[ At what cost indeed ... With the pod now safely on the ground, Chuuya ... walks off. As in, he walks along the side like a lizard and steps off. How? This is another perk that comes with Gravity Manipulation, of course. Why? Who fucking knows.

He doesn't actually know how to open it, given that he simply broke through his own sphere before. After a few seconds of looking for the latch, he eventually decides to break through this sphere too. He finds a spot farther away from her and kicks at the glass, shattering it. ]

Don't go thinking I'm a good guy or anything. I'm only doing this because I expect a reward from those white-haired people.

[ Tsundere gotta tsun. Anyway, don't scream as he glass goes cracking and the shards fly around. ]

[cajolery]

[ Chuuya?? Warn a girl before you send shards of broken glass raining down on her?? Luckily she manages to twist away from his point of impact, raising her arms up to protect her face—though, in the end, she's completely unscathed, and there was no screaming involved. Good job, Chuchu. ]

Thank goodness! I am in your debt, young man.

[ Once she has a way out, she's overwhelmed with the need to get the heckie out of this giant metal orb of space and death—too bad she's still a little, uh, jostled from the descent. The second she starts climbing out of the pod, she's more overwhelmed with the need to... expel the contents of her stomach.

Too bad that is incredibly unladylike and she won't have it at all. Especially in return for such a stunning rescue. She soldiers on. ]

On the contrary, I can see— [ oh god ] —that you are quite— [ hhrrrg ] —that is to say— [ it's coming ] —I wish to borrow your—

[ Hat? Which she is now snatching right off his head. To... vomit in. In a very ladylike manner, of course, her back turned to hide most of the gory business.

Sorry. ]

[vacuum]

[ Honestly, Chuuya should let the world burn. He's not a good person. He's done so many bad things. He decides to do one (1) respectable thing and save a young girls' life and this is what he gets out of it. His face pales as he watches Clair empty her stomach contents into his beloved hat. In fact, he turns so pale it might be difficult to discern just which one of the two is the sick one.

He then screams ... wordlessly. ] ~~~~!!

[ Chuuya stares at the vomit in his hat for a good two more seconds, his hands on the rim shaking like he's in some emotional grief. He then drops the soiled hat and hits Clair on the back of her head. ] WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?!? THAT WAS MY ONLY HAT! I'LL KILL YOU, ASSHOLE!

[cajolery]

[ Well, of all the reactions she might've expected from someone whose hat she just vomited into, it definitely wasn't such an explosive one.

(What reaction were you expecting, Clair? Well...) ]

There is no need for such brutish violence!

[ Honestly... what kind of vulgar rescuer has she found herself indebted to? She rubs the back of her head and straightens out her hair, which was mostly a wreck before he'd even smacked her. Then she finishes climbing out of the pod, feeling a whole heck of a lot better now that she has her feet on solid earth. It's such a relief that she could bend down and kiss the ground—but she won't. ]

I do apologize for that abhorrent display, as well as the ultimate fate of your... headgear, if it can be called such. Surely you are glad to be rid of such an unsightly article?

[vacuum]

What about it was unsightly?! It's branded, you know! [ Not that that means anything anymore now that the company that made his hat has been destroyed. It probably wouldn't have meant anything either way, to anyone but him. He could kick up a bigger fuss, but now he's racing against time to get his hat cleaned before the vomit stains it permanently. He starts storming in the direction of the nearest stream, grabbing onto her wrist and pulling her along. ]

You're washing it for me, since this is your fault!

[cajolery]

[ Um, hey?! You can't just drag ladies off at a whim?! This is no way to treat a gentlewoman such as herself. ]

I-I say! The young man will unhand me at once!

[ She makes a (surprisingly?) strong attempt at ripping her wrist from his grip—not to mention digging her heels into the ground so that he can't just haul her away to Mila-knows-where. Isn't this kidnapping?? ]

As I have already told you, you have my apologies for the necessary sacrifice of your headgear. If you wish, I will replace it when I am able!

[vacuum]

[He's mafia. He can do whatever he wants. This includes forcing young girls into doing things for him. ]

What part of that was necessary? Couldn't you just have puked on the ground?!

[ None of those could have happened if she just decided to puke on the ground. Chuuya doesn't budge, continuing to drag her toward the direction of the lake. He also has a surprise amount of strength for his size. ]

I don't see how you're going to be able to find a hat just like this. Come on -- I want to see if it can be salvaged. [ It can't. Even if he washes everything off, it's still going to smell like puke. ]

[cajolery]

[ I don't care how mafia you are, pal, you can't just kidnap girls??? She continues to struggle—in vain, it seems. ]

If that crass phrase means when I... [ She's too ladylike to even say that words, and so she just sort of flounders. ] I... indeed, I very well could not! It's unseemly enough that you had to witness even the aftermath of such a spectacle... I have my pride!

[ Mila, how embarrassing. But... she seems to come to a decision, and she finally stops trying to fight him. ]

Will the boy cease lugging me about for just a moment?

[vacuum]

[ Well, he's not going to wash it since it's her puke. And he can't just throw away the hat either, not without at least trying to save it. So, that's how they got into this predicament they are currently in. Or, it would be more right to say that's why he's being so adament about dragging her to that lake. ]

Unless you have something actually important you want to say, then no. [ Also, he's a grown ass man and not a 'boy', but he's going to assume that's just part of her whimsical speech pattern. Seriously, who talks like this in this day and age?

They're nearing the river. Chuuya can tell from the sound of the stream. ]

[cajolery]

[ Wow??!? What a jerk... he just totally shot her down. He didn't even pretend to entertain the idea! Couldn't he tell that she was being very serious? ]

Why, how very rude! Are you not a gentleman in the least? A lady has something she wishes to say, and she shall not very well do it while being hauled about like a sack of potatoes!

[ In all likelihood, at this rate they're get to the river way before he decides to let her go. ]

[vacuum]

[ The longer they wait, the more her vomit is probably seeping into his precious hat, staining it for good. He's definitely not in the mood to be taking a leisurely stroll through the woods and having a chat. There are some priorities to take care of -- priorities likely important to only Chuuya, but still. ]

You can talk while walking, can't you? You're doing that right now. [ So he'll let her say her piece, but he's not about to stop just for the sake of hearing it. ]

[cajolery]

[ A real jerk... she makes a frustrated noise, but it seems that she's going to have to suck this one up like the saint she is. Isn't it as Clive is always reminding her? Peasants can be quite willful when they feel they've been slighted.

She's going to have to be the one to extend the olive branch, even if it's less than ideal. ]

Very well. I can see that your... hat, as you say, is dear to you, and I have caused you great distress by... spoiling it. I do apologize, most sincerely! The boy will forgive me the unfortunate transgression, will he not?

[vacuum]

[ He is pleased to accept an apology, if only because it reinforces to him that he's the right one in this situation, but it isn't quite enough to quell him in his frenzied advancement toward the river. They're running out of time. That hat isn't going to get itself clean! ]

At least you know when you're wrong. [ Which might be the rudest 'I'll forgive you' in the history of man, but surely it counts for something. Finally, they reach the lake, and the disgusting hat is shoved in Clair's hands. ] But you're still going to help me clean my hat.

[cajolery]

[ He really isn't even trying to take this gracefully, is he? She thought that her apology (and a very earnest one at that!) would at least quell some of his indignation, but apparently he has more than enough to go around regardless.

If Lukas were around, he'd probably encourage her to be more mindful of this boy's feelings and quash her ire, but... Lukas isn't here. ]

That is hardly a courteous response to someone who has apologized to you!

[ He hands her the hat, which she takes... and holds far away from her, her nose wrinkling. ]

I... I will do what I am able to wash your headgear—if you will not allow me to simply replace it, then I do owe you as much, for certain. However... as unpleasant as this situation is, the boy has no excuse for acting equally as unpleasant himself! Especially to a lady who had no intent to do ill, and was merely beset by... illness!

[ Hmph! Now that she's said her piece, she crouches down at the bank of the lake and dips his hat into the water. ]

[vacuum]

[ As she washes it for him, Chuuya stands by the riverbank, crossing his arms and watching like he's been paid to do a hat-washing inspection. ]

You have no money to buy me a new one, and they may not even have the style I want in this world. I'm not accepting empty promises.

[ He won't accept any old hat. It has to agree with the rest of his Aesthetic. Chuuya hasn't even seen what kind of clothing the people in Olympia wear. Who knows if they carry the kind he wants? It might be a petty thing, but everyone has something they find important to them, and for Chuuya it's his hat. ]

I'll forgive you if you get it clean.

[cajolery]

How impertinent! A lady's word is her bond.

[ She'd never agree to an empty promise! Besides, it's not like she said she'd replace it now. Definitely in the future, when she has money again... well, whatever! If he won't accept it, then she won't bother.

Anyway, she makes an... attempt... to get his hat clean, as he asks, but it's pretty obvious that...

She has no idea what the fuck she's doing. She submerges the hat in the water, rubbing the sides together in an attempt to scrub the... unpleasantness out, but all it probably does is grind the stains in deeper and also ruin the shape of the hat at the same time. ]

[vacuum]

[ RIP HAT. Chuuya continues to watch her, until it's clear he can't take this abuse that his precious accessory is enduring. The hat has been through enough; it's had a hard life, and it deserves respite. ]

No! What are you doing -- can't even wash something right, can you? [ He's mean.... Chuuya storms over, snatching it out of her hands and taking over. He dips the hat into the water too and rubs at the stains gently, hoping to get them out without destroying his precious hat. His face does recoil for a second at the thought of touching her vomit. This het is going really well, even if the hat isn't doing so well. ] You were going to ruin the shape! Sheesh.

[ Truthfully, there's no actual saving it, no matter how he may try. ]

[cajolery]

What truly atrocious manners.

[ She should really learn her lesson and stop scolding him, but she's nothing if not stubborn. Besides, yanking something from a lady's hands? So very uncouth. But if this is how he wants to play this then fine—she's more than willing to let him wash his own damn hat.

Besides, he's totally right. She has no idea how to wash something right. ]

I do admit, I have very little experience with such mundane tasks—no experience, in truth...