❪ 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

[exonerated]

[ He wasn't thinking it before, but the thought of food and water bring certain relief in him. He'd kick himself in the head for not thinking of his own nourishment, but at a later time, and definitely not where others can see.

He does as commanded, and returns ever so promptly.

Before she could even hand him anything that she promised — ]

Thank you.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Good. She'd unhappily hunt him down if he didn't, though she half expects him to be stubborn and not do as she said. Yet there's a cup of water and some sort of ration waiting for him, and Claire passes them over with a nod.]

What's your name?

[exonerated]

Edmund.

[ She only asked for his name, so it's the only one he'll give.

He accepts them with a small 'thanks', perching himself on the nearest empty log, and gesturing for her to join him. ]

And yours?

[nineteenfortyfive]

[A little stiffly, Claire sits. Her muscles are going to hate her in the morning. Might as well delay it by postponing sleep.]

Claire. A pleasure, Edmund. [Since he listened. Mostly.] You're a stubborn one, aren't you?

[exonerated]

You flatter me, but you've yet to meet my siblings.

[ That's a yes, but also. He knows for a fact that he's not the worst and takes pride in that. ]

I can tell you with utmost sincerity that I grew up to be the most reasonable.

[ The by-product of being the just one, you know. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

[He's not denying it.]

Are you the oldest?

[exonerated]

Oh, Aslan's mane, no!

[ He laughs. ]

My brother, Peter, is the eldest. He's the most headstrong of us all. He's the leader, of course. He often rejects the notion that we've refuse to follow his directions. [ He puts up one finger, then starts counting down. ] My sister Susan is next — a real lady if I have ever met one, but she backs down from no argument no matter how gentle she seems. I'm the third, then our youngest sibling is dear Lucy.

Now, Lucy — you cannot change her mind once she's made a decision. You may only hope that she doesn't get herself into trouble.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[She hasn't really heard anyone sincerely laugh all day. It's a little startling, but hearing him talk about his siblings with such fondness makes her smile.]

God have mercy on your poor parents. An armful, it sounds like, though you conveniently failed to describe yourself beyond reasonable.

[exonerated]

I was the worst of the lot, [ he admits, though the details isn't something that he wishes to expound upon — at least, not during a time like this ] but I learned some difficult lessons, one of which is the art of compromise.

[ He turns to her, with a wry smile. ]

Unfortunately, we never saw our parents again after the start of the war.

[ Not necessarily because of the war, but — being in two worlds is a difficult compromise. There must always be a choice. ]

I don't know if you know this war. I — don't know if we come from the same world, even.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Her smile fades, somewhat. War's never pleasant, especially when it means being separated from your parents--either by death or distance. Claire tugs the blanket around her a bit tighter.]

I've been in a few wars. Try me.

[exonerated]

[ She wouldn't know of the Narnian war, he's almost certain of that — because she would have recognized him otherwise.

So he gives her the other. ]

The war against the Germans. I was young, but I recall the air raids on London skies.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[Well, the fact that he mentions the Germans at all is a sign. She's not so sure it's a good one, given the atrocities of that war, but it's familiar ground.]

The second world war? Is that what they called it?

[exonerated]

Most likely, yes.

[ He wouldn't actually know what they call it, honestly — but probably. He hadn't been born during the first, but perhaps that's what he learned in school. He'd gone to the countryside, then Narnia after it. He recalls little else but the the planes dropping bombs in the city. ]

So you do know it.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[She still looks a little confused, baffled given the fact he said he was young then and he's certainly still young now, but she manages a nod.]

I do. I was a field nurse during the war. [She lost her uncle in those bombings. Not a thing to focus on now, though there's a pang in her chest.] It was just a few years ago for me. [Sort of. A few years and two hundred years in the future.]

[exonerated]

[ Boy, do they have news for each other. ]

I was — nine? Ten?

[ He shrugs. ]

I'm now twenty-four.

[nineteenfortyfive]

[She rubs her forehead.]

I was about twenty, twenty-one when it began. [There's almost a face pulled here. She's no old crone, but she's not twenty-four, either.] Twenty-nine, now.

[exonerated]

That would always be hard to parse, I think, the difference in the flow of time.

[ He's jumped a number of years ahead of her (and in the future, he'll find out that he'll be jumping even more, though that's something he's yet to know). ]

Perhaps even more difficult than the change in worlds.

[nineteenfortyfive]

No use in trying to make sense of it. [Time's always a pain, even in other worlds. Go figure. She glances around them, legs stretching out painfully.]

None of it makes sense. I'm almost afraid that if I sit here too long it'll all sink in.

[exonerated]

That would be the most natural thing to occur in a situation like ours.

[ Edmund's smile is only kind. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

As is what you've been doing all day? [The leadering, she means. She saw that.]

[exonerated]

Ah, I'm afraid old habits are hard to break.

[ He cracks a wider smile, like there's a secret he'd share if the right questions were asked. Not that he's been keeping on the down low the fact that he's actually a king -- if the converstion is right, he'd outright say it. ]

And... it was necessary.

[ He knows what a scattered group looks like when he sees it, thrown to a battlefield with only their courage and faith to lead them on. Not always a perfect recipe, but with proper leadership, it can be harnessed for something good. ]

[nineteenfortyfive]

You've done something similar? [Sometime, not in the war when he was just a child, apparently. Claire's just trying to make conversation. As unhappy, tired, and frightened as she is, she does recognize the need to make allies. Friends, even. He seems nice enough.]

[exonerated]

( overflow! )