❪ 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

[totheno1]

It was a start. He continued to gauge her reaction.

"Not really." Well, glad to have that out of the way. He calmly pushed his glasses. "However, I'm not the type to leave a young lady to herself if she needs help." Even ones that looked like they could jump on him and possibly bite his nose off in a moment's notice.

"I came from the fourth group. I suppose my methods are not exactly...nurturing."

[winddaughter]

His honesty further calms her. She hates liars. The gleam in her eyes remains, but some wry amusement filters in. "Aren't you just a gentleman? My knight in shining armor?"

She leans as far back in her pod as she can go, making no sign of accepting his offer.

"Fourth?" She hmms loudly. "Which was that?" The moment she remembers Darma's words, her entire posture changes. She looks excited and fascinated all at once. "Magic, right? That means you have magic?"

[totheno1]

It takes a deep breath to calm himself before speaking. He shouldn't be getting angry at the young woman before him.

"I don't think I'd be anyone's knight," he admitted, scoffing. "But I have been trying to be a gentleman, yes." But if she becomes interested in another of his talents, he's more than happy to change their conversation to that. "Magic? I suppose..."

In this world, secrets were no longer relevant, after all.

"I am a Persona user. It allows me to bring forth aspects of myself, although I currently only seem to be able to summon one." He had a feeling she would ask to see it, but he wasn't going to do so unless she specifically did.

[winddaughter]

This whole awful whiplash of a situation she's found herself in can temporarily be forgotten because she's never seen anything like magic before.

She's still, oddly, in her pod, but she has her hands on its edges, peering out towards him with such raw delight. She doesn't even seem concerned with the fact that moments ago she was in hysterics, and ready to attack him.

And she is definitely going to ask.

"That sounds so cool. Can I see?"

[totheno1]

"No." and then he got punched in the face.

He isn't usually one to share such things, but for the situation at hand, he was willing to show that part of himself, if it would help the other. That and none of his friends were around to make fun of him.

"Very well." He moved backwards, as blueish energy enveloped him, causing the wind to move around them briefly. As the energy became so bright that it was almost impossible to look at him, he let out a single word.

"Persona."

And lo behind him, arouse a strange figure. Even Nanjo couldn't help but smile upon seeing him.

[winddaughter]

She's certainly not going to make fun of him. She's entranced, even if the figure seems odd.

She clambers out of her pod and peers at the second figure. An aspect of himself? What aspect, she wonders? For her though, there's something more pressing about the aspect.

"A board? Is that a board?" She turns back towards him. "Do you lift?"

[totheno1]

He took another look at Yamaoka, trying to decipher the meaning of her words. Young ladies certainly used a type of communication that he was not used to. The board his Persona stood on, flying. Perhaps that is what she meant when she said "lift"?

He took a chance and shook his head.

"This type of transportation does not exist normally in my world," he explained. "Although perhaps in the future with proper development, it may be possible. My prefer mode of transportation is my motorcycle."

[winddaughter]

She nods, looking around her surroundings for the first time. "I'd love to find a way." Her eyes are on the sky, specifically, and after a moment she frowns. "We can't use my normal way of transportation here," she reasons. "But maybe there are other ways. I don't know technology that well, myself."

She thinks about motorcycles. He's get along with Dominic, maybe. If he ever wakes up.

[totheno1]

The Persona disappears behind him as he pushed his glasses up his nose again.

"Perhaps there may be such technology in this world, considering what abilities they had to bring us here firstly." It was as much 'hope' as he could give the other. "However, I am not technologically inclined." He was more of an overseer, really.

"What would be your normal mode of transportation, if I may ask?"

[winddaughter]

Dead, that's what.

She doesn't say that out loud.

She leans back against her pod, arms crossed. "We had LFOs. Large, bio-mechanical, resembling a humanoid form." If there's one bit of technology she knew about, it was her ship. "But those needed what's called trapar waves to move, and they're not here. So even if I had an LFO with me here, it wouldn't be able to operate."

[totheno1]

The talk of LFOs makes him flinch slightly, as he remembers his his family's funding of the X robots, and how they had been abused by the New World Order to attempt and take over the world.

Trapar waves that would allow a mechanical being to 'lift' as she had called it. Perhaps some sort of ultraviolet energy that they could tap into...perhaps best not to overthink it, considering both of their worlds were destroyed. He does share her pain of having less tools at her disposal.

"That is a shame. I must admit, I am curious as to what it might look like, seeing an...LFO you called them? Flying in the air. However, your piloting skills may be useful in the future, I am certain."

He's doing his best to cheer her up. He is really not that great at it.

[winddaughter]

He's doing an oddly good job. It'll sink down on her again, nonetheless. Everything about the descent, the Storm, her own world before the Storm, but... For the moment... He's diverted her focus.

"That's what I'm hoping on. It's about all I can really do, you know?"

[totheno1]

Look, at least he's not Dewey okay.

"There is no time like the present. At your age, young miss" or so he assumed, "there is plenty of time to learn new skills which can aid you in our situation. Permit me to assume you are human, but diversity and adaptability is what makes us tenacious, is it not?"

Even grumpy rich young adults like him could change on a dime if he needed to.

[winddaughter]

Thank god for that.

She goes rigid at the human comment, but she doesn't make any objection. "...I'd like to learn some medical stuff. Just the basics. They sent medics down earlier, I think. I don't know anything like that; I'd hinder more than help.

[totheno1]

If he notices the reaction, he doesn't comment. Instead, he opens his own first-aid kit that they were given inside their pods.

"Observation plays a key part in learning. Perhaps not the best of times, but I'm sure a few would appreciate the aid, even if it's just holding down someone or aiding to calm an injured person. You should also have a medical kit in your pod."

[winddaughter]

Anemone can barely calm herself down, let alone another person, but holding someone down, that... is reasonable.

She looks into her pod, searching for the aforementioned supplies. She doesn't remember being told about them by Darma, but then again, there's only so much her mind is clinging to remember.

The container with the tent gets tossed carefully behind her, and not long after she has the first aid kit in hand. "I didn't realize... I would have left it behind."

I'm sorry like 90% of his icons are angry frowny faces

[totheno1]

"There is a saying in Japanese...One who chases after two hares won't catch even one. " He looks at her, briefly running a finger on his chin.

"I realize you were panicking, but it precisely in situations like this that you need to focus on your inner strength and pay close attention to your surroundings."

He wasn't completely trying to catechize her.

"Once this...situation is over, perhaps I could teach you some basic self-defense. I fail to understand why this isn't already being taught as a means of basic survival."

like half of mine are murderous so...

[winddaughter]

There's a lot of answers she could give him, but none of them are exactly subjects she wants to discuss. She settles on, "My involvement in the military wasn't... standard." Neither was her upbringing. He doesn't have to know that. "I'd like that though. Whatever it takes to survive." She grins.

hahaha oh Anemone

[totheno1]

"I see.."

After seeing what his family's assets had been doing, he could only imagine what she might mean, and grew quiet for a bit. Perhaps a little more...willing to tolerate her.

"...In that case, I will do my best to make the situation as useful as possible. But for now, I feel it best if I take you to the camping area."

[winddaughter]

There's some relief that he doesn't ask for clarification. It's just one more thing that she didn't want to deal with, and it makes her more at ease and willing to actually go with him.

She picks up the container with her tent, holding it close to her alongside the first aid kit. A brief glance back at her pod, and then she nods to him.

"Alright."

[totheno1]

Sometimes the silence spoke more than the truth. In a way it wasn't that he was afraid more that any scenario he could imagine, it might end up being far worse.

"There's safety in numbers Miss...ahh we never exchanged names did we? I am Kei Nanjo."

[winddaughter]

Safety in numbers... she could get behind that, for the moment anyway. She takes a steadying breath and files away his name, knowing he'll be someone she wants to remember.

"Anemone," she answers. "Lead on?"