❪ 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

[daemonized]

[That pain is easily read on her features, and while she steps out, grabbing onto her torso, Ardyn doesn't even take a step back. If she ends up crumbling at his feet, he'll let her do so; he certainly isn't terribly inclined to help, at any rate.

The way she's squinting against he light, though -- now that makes him laugh in return. It's cold, but laced with humor that's obviously very one-sided.]

What's wrong, Aranea? Is the light too much for you? I can't imagine why.

[ladya]

[ Withstanding pain's the norm for Aranea, especially after spending the recent duration of her life hunting after daemons, but having to withstand her former boss' self-satisfaction and patronizing after everything's that happened is genuinely grating and enough to flare up her temper. Closing her eyes, she peers at the sun, as if willing herself to get accustomed to her current environment by sheer determination.

This is an approach that hasn't failed her before. Clenching her jaw so the muscle tightens, she draws in breath from between clenched teeth and hisses. ]

Let me be the first to cut through the bullshit, since that'll take all day for you to do.

[ She repeats him, mimicking the inflections. ] What's wrong, Aranea? That's pretty damn obvious, and you know it. You're here-- that's what's wrong.

[daemonized]

[Ardyn might as well exist to stoke that fire that is her temper. Even if there's no immediate purpose to it, even if it might end up in a display of violence, he honestly doesn't care one way or another.

And so, because he knows it'll annoy her -- because it might unnerve her -- the ex-Chancellor reaches a hand out, fingers gripping around her chin, making an attempt to tilt her head up to face him directly. The sun doesn't care for your attention, Aranea; he does, right now.]

I'm here, you're here. Both of us displaced. Neither of us should rightfully be on this planet. Eos was our proper place in this universe.

[And yet he knows that's not what she means.]

My wrongness, what do you plan on doing about it? Or shall I just expect you to be frowning in my direction from here on out?

[ladya]

[ Mission accomplished, Ardyn. She is unnerved, because at no point in the years that they've been acquaintances has Aranea ever been cool with the idea of them touching in almost any capacity.

Meeting his eyes with her own, hazel irises surrounded by bright red and irritated blood vessels, Aranea kicks his shin with as much force as she can muster right after he ceases his prattling. The shoes provided for her don't pack the punch of armor, but she's trying, and that's what matters in this ongoing moment of fury. An ebb and flow that she attempts to control, but temptation is proving a constant victor. She especially avoids discussing Eos, the state of Eos, and its destruction. ]

That's step one in my diabolical plan of action. Consider the rest a work in progress. [ She jerks backward, her head hopefully rid of his grasp at this point. ]

I'm open to any guidelines. Always best to learn from a master of the craft.

[daemonized]

[The kick to the shin makes him furrow his brow, but annoyingly his smile only sharpens, as acute as a blade. He steps back, but barely seems affected -- pain is a faraway thing these days, a dull ghost of a threat. A kick to the shin isn't enough to do even 1 hp of damage garner a reaction; it's only the emotion behind it that makes his expression twist in such a way.

How funny.

Yes, he's let go by now. His hand drops to his side, which should please her.]

Then I'll be kind enough to tell you that you're wasting your time, where that's concerned.

[He hums in amusement.]

Answer a question for me, if you'd be so kind?

[He's gonna ask it anyway. This vein of politeness is a farce.]

[ladya]

[ Already Aranea plots her escape, the dismissal provides as good a time as any for her to splinter away, gather her bearings, and find the company of anyone else to share.

Brows coming together to form a line in the middle, she waves a hand in the air, back and forth. As if she could literally bitch slap a refrain. ]

What is it?

[daemonized]

How long has it been for you? The darkness.

[The darkness that swept throughout Eos, the one that brought the daemons to the land, crawling across the surface of the world like a cancer. How long has her experience been; for Ardyn knows that in terms of time, well... he's heard stories that it can be a fickle thing, from others.]

[ladya]

Two years.

[ Keeping her answer short and simple, she slides over to the back of the pod. She provides no further elaboration on the time frame, nor does she have any questions for him.

She begins to rearrange some rubble inconveniently lodged in her path, getting rid of the only obstacles preventing Aranea from storming away for good. ]

[daemonized]

Two?

[He won't pretend to stop her. If she wants to snake away, that's fine for now. He's made his presence known, and he'll even provide her with a hint of information about the state of their world (or how it was) as she tries to move rubble around -- only because he wants it to cut and sew doubt.]

You still had such a long way to go.

[ladya]

[ Shifting some parts to the side, Aranea's bent over so she can move the debris scattered on the ground with less effort. She catches glimpses of Ardyn from between her legs, which means that she's essentially looking at him upside down. Before this, she had been attempting to disregard him entirely, but now she's actually genuinely surprised he said that. Wasn't it high time they all moved past this?

Because it has never mattered to her how long she'd have to fight. Prophecy or no prophecy, Aranea would wait out the storm. Not like she had much choice then. Not like she has much choice now. Isn't it obvious, their complete lack of choice? For the first time, she actually wonders if Ardyn's taking this well. ]

What a sight I must have been. Commodore Aranea Highwind, shaking her cane at daemons.

[daemonized]

[Viewing him upside-down, Aranea will see that his countenance has barely changed -- this is misleading, because when you get right down to it, she's right. She's got it in one. Ardyn has not been taking any of this well.

(And why should he? No one understands how long he had waited, how long he had existed, biding his time for all of his plans to completely blossom into fruition. She has no idea how close he actually was to finally seeing it through, to ending everything. He had been plucked from the same hour before the final reckoning, he had it all wiped away and removed from his grasp, in the form of Eos being taken by the Storm.

All of it, gone. His purpose, lost to the wind; what had motivated him and guided him throughout the centuries dissipating into nothingness.

No, he's not taking it well. Thus it only makes sense that he would bring up the one thing that he had clung to, back home. It prominently writhes in his every waking hour, as if it were a living thing.)

Outwardly, she only gets a dark chuckle, and he doesn't attempt to correct her.]

They might even begin to pity you.

[And then the sound of grass bending beneath his boot, as he steps closer. His offer might as well be an insult:]

You're in a hurry to move on. Not in a talkative mood today? Do you need help?

[ladya]

[ Once the anger has washed away, his current line of questioning having done quite a bit to center Aranea, she straightens. A guttural groan rasps from her throat. She's still in a moderate amount of pain, and in the wrong sort of company.

First though, she feels some pressing need to remark, even indirectly, on what she interprets as odd behavior coming from a man who was already quite, uh, "eccentric" in the first place. Far be it for her to try to delve into his psyche, she's never been one to try to do this with anyone, not to mention someone that greatly attributed to the rapid downfall of her home.

Nifhelm probably would have gone mad without him, but he sure made it worse. ]

Maybe, maybe not. No point in grousing on about shit that's not going to happen anymore.

[ Instead, Aranea's going to complain on what she interprets as the more pressing issue, here and now. Except it's not so much grumbling than stating cold, hard facts. ]

Never going to get much work done if I'm in this state. Darma mentioned healers-- time I find one of 'em.

[daemonized]

[No point, she says. He scoffs at that; it sounds bitter, revealing how he may truly feel about that remark of hers. Her attempt to parse out his "odd behavior" works, only briefly, because he does admit this much:]

What a shame; a terrible waste of effort, all of it.

[But that's all. Ardyn still notes the pain that she's in, and the commodore's mention of a healer has him dripping in something ironic.]

Go, then. Find your healer. [Up comes the heel of his boot, pressing flat and squarely against a large chunk of debris in her path; bigger than the rest, its weight making much of the rubble immovable. He pushes with his leg, and though it appears to be a monumental task for a man even of his stature, the rock begins to move. It groans against the rest of the material, but soon gives way, tumbling away from the both of them.

The rest of the debris falls and crumbles at their feet, now properly loosened.]

[ladya]

[ Rising just as Ardyn makes a move to break the path in half for her, Aranea smiles tightly. As her head (and eyesight) clears, adjusting to the new environment and the given fact that this man she can’t stand appears irked for whatever reason, the tendrils of darkness are beginning to slither away. ]

Somehow, you managed to get weirder since the last time I saw you.

[ Stepping to the side to allow him to apply force on the debris, she examines the pod. There’s nothing on the inside compartment where she’d have been released, but Aranea realizes there’s some spots left unopen. Eventually, she finds a locker with her equipment. She quickly puts the armor over her rags, a small chortle escaping her lips. ]

Thought that’d be more impossible than all the crap goin’ on here. [ She says in the form of a final musing after finishing off her wardrobe, holding her horned helmet under the crook of one arm. This thing has never been too practical, especially out of combat.

And without further ado, she walks past him and the newly created exit, tossing him an absent minded wave of farewell. He can say something back at her, but Aranea won’t respond back. Losing at a game of last, final words ain’t her idea of a grand time… and she has a sense of cool to scavenge out here. ]