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the lucid disparity
"Never be the first to arrive or the last to go, and never, ever be both."
After several weeks of moving through the Luminous Sea, the Moira has nearly reached the edge of this illustrious place within the Runoff, and things are finally beginning to shift back into their normal state of being. Shiplife has returned to a somewhat regular pace as job changes have taken effect, and there is a peaceful sort of silence throughout the crew that hasn’t existed on board in over a month. However, as most things do on this journey, this much needed break does not last long.
Once the Moira exits the outer ring of the Luminous Sea, all internal functions immediately begin to shut down. Permanently. Unlike before, this loss of power careens the entire ship forward and initiates emergency functions and evacuation procedures. All MIDs alert each crewmember of safety protocols to follow with an alarm, designating appropriate evacuation points as well as the nearest spacesuits as per the Emergency Mode function. Basic life support systems (artificial gravity, oxygen, etc.) will last only as long as the backup stores of solar energy from the wings lasts—which, considering the Moira’s size, is about two hours maximum. Communications within the ship are fractured, but they still work enough for brief contact. Captain Ira sends a brief message to the crew alerting them of what he suspects to be the cause of the problem: the Moira’s internal core has begun an unintended reboot. (Anyone in contact with Navigator Manasseh will find her unresponsive, and if found on the Directory, her status will be listed as RED.) Unfortunately, neither the Captain, prior Captains, or First Mate have time to attempt any further explanation. Without any guidance and essentially free-falling through space, the Moira is at the mercy of the gravitational pull of the nearest celestial body. It appears that it is time to temporarily abandon ship.
WELCOME TO ? ? ? ? ?
With enough impact to shake everything around it, the Moira crashes into the waters of this unknown place. Those lucky enough to have reached the EEUs will find their landing to be somewhat more gentle, though the dispersion of the Emergency Escape Units may leave some crew scattered farther from the ship than others. Yet, regardless of where anyone lands in this seemingly endless ocean, there is only one place to navigate towards: a single island. The sun is warm on this planet, almost tropical, and the air is breathable. There is no detection of life just on the shore of this island, which is where Captain Ira and First Mate Egan direct any and all crew within range. Staying on the Moira, at this point, is not a possibility, but those within jobs of repair will be asked to assist in restoring all necessary functions as they wait for its systems to reboot themselves. Those in cryo in the Medbay are moved to the beach, where Captain Thán will remain with them as the rest of the crew moves further inland to explore.
☄ IN THE JUNGLE YOU MUST WAIT
While some crew remain behind on the beach with the Moira, others are more likely to begin a search for resources, supplies, and other living beings on the island. Eventually, the sand and water give way to a thick, dense jungle with various types of natural flora and rather vivid plant life. What might seem strange, however, is the fact there seems to be no animals to speak of. The jungle, while rather beautiful to look at, remains eerily quiet. Almost too quiet. As you walk, it’s easier to hear your own thoughts, and the further in you move, the easier it is to notice how quickly those bright colors begin to disappear into a thick mist that’s forming around your feet. With each step forward along a surprisingly well-traveled path, the fog continues to grow until it’s impossible to see anything in front of you. Hopefully, you were smart enough to travel with another crewmember because getting lost in this fog can leave you wandering for hours or days. Perhaps even forever. Take hold of the person with you and continue pushing forward on the path. Or turn back. Ultimately, either choice will lead to a safer place than stepping off and getting lost in the mist.
☄ THE FLOWER RIPENS WITHIN ITS PLACE Clearing the jungle and the fog that has thickened with every forward step appeared to be a never ending task, but the sheer beauty of the massive stone buildings carved into the mountainside that looms up above are breathtaking once you reach the opposite side of the mist, light reflecting off marblesque pillars and a stained glass dome. Up the steps leads crew members to a flat and open courtyard where the hosts - averaging between five and six feet tall and green with bright colors - of this world offer food and shelter in exchange for one thing: step into one of the small changing rooms and bathe and dress in the finest that they have to offer. Clothing and jewelry are offered after you are bathed in scented water, and then, you are led back into the courtyard to wait for everyone else to be ready. All crew members are shone equal attention. Robots are buffed until they gleam, AI’s are offered temporary forms or any manner of upgrade they’d like, and any immediate need will be met without hesitation.
☄ WHEN STARTED, WHERE DOES IT MORALLY END Once everyone is clean and dressed in fresh clothes provided by the natives, it’s time for the real festivities to start. The hosts are more than generous as they lay out an elaborate feast of local foods that are much too tempting to say no to. Drinks are served liberally, and no cup remains empty for long. (You might even wonder if the cup magically refills itself as there is no bottom to be seen.) There is something to suit every taste, and a request need only be made once before one of the natives goes off to fulfill it. As the feast continues, you will begin to hear music. The natives live to celebrate and encourage their visitors to do the same. Their worries can be forgotten for the night in favor of losing themselves to simpler pleasures. Indulgences do not stop at food, drink and dancing either. Cards and dice sets are brought out for those who wish to test their luck, and there are several natives who would happily engage in physical competition with the crew to see who might come out on top. And for those with something else on their minds… there is space set aside for anyone who wishes to have a bit of private time with another. Still, what’s stranger than all of this generosity for nothing is the compulsion to participate in these activities.
There is literally no limit, and while moments of hesitation or questions are normal, it’s near impossible to deny those wants. Indulge, and let all of your worries melt away. Hours become days becomes nights, and those nights never end.
☄ NOW STRING THEM TOGETHER AND ANSWER ME THIS Throughout the entire building, there is only one room that has a guard set before it. Anyone who approaches is given the same riddle to answer as follows: It's always there, just beyond your reach. Stuck between lands and skies and seas. It sets. You may go towards it, yet distant it will forever rest. There is no punishment for failing to answer except that the door remains shut. For those who answer correctly, the guard stands aside as the door slides open. The room behind it is transcendent, and most beautiful of all is the pool that rests in the center. The waters seem to have their own faint glow that casts a soft light on the ornately carved walls of the chamber. Any who choose to enter its waters will find that any issues they are struggling with are no longer so troublesome. The mind finds clarity, and problems that appeared insurmountable before now feel like they can be easily conquered.
(This prompt comes with some rules. Please read the OOC event plotting post before doing anything with it.)
( ooc; For questions, go here. Please comment to activity check to receive new ranks (if applicable)! )
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hownkai) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thisavrou_log2016-09-02 09:31 pm
Because no one wants to see bug juice Adam
Still, it was alright, for the time being.
Dorian was fine with his own grooming and he had no problem nudity, or near to it, he had some decency about him. He was keenly aware, however, that Adam was less comfortable showing off and even less so being touched, if the insistence of their hosts was anything to go by. Dorian has to decide between the careful arrangement of his hair or recuing Adam...more so their host, from certain violation.
It's a decision that takes careful consideration because he's proud of his appearance and hair is detailed work, but Adam is decidedly more important.
So he's on his feet just before anyone's mandibles can suffer any lasting effects from this. Not that Dorian is one to put himself in the middle of anything, self-preservation and all of that, he's almost certain neither one of them would harm Dorian, he is, after all, too pretty to injure.]
My dear Adam is painfully shy, you see. [Directly to their bug host, he's not even certain they speak the same language, or if the creature can understand hand gestures.] So why don't I take care of him for you? All around I think that should keep everyone happy and healthy, yes?
[And if their host didn't seem to get that much, Dorian knew that everyone understood the universal sign for "move along now" which was Dorian physically, but gently turning their host around and shooing him off before returning to attend to Adam.]
Are you alright?
oh don't worry, it's not his!
Never been better. [Said through tightly clenched teeth.] Wasn't gonna say the same for him in about ten seconds.
[He jerks a hand at the bug's retreating thorax and shoots a glare off in its direction before turning his attention back on Dorian, who... Looks very much in his element. Dorian as ever, apparently. Bit by bit his scowl fades, leaving in its place a faint, almost embarrassed look. He rarely loses his cool like that, never likes it when he does, and likes it even less when people are witness to him doing so. Snatching up an unused towel, he wordlessly pads the moisture off his face. Deep breath, and... Slowly exhale.
When he finally speaks up again, its with his usual careful neutrality.]
Thanks. I... Appreciate it. [And then – he just can't let this one go unaddressed – he arches a brow.] But, uh– "painfully shy?"
[Come on, man. Can't be introducing him to people like this.]
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Tempting as it was to sit on the sideline and wait for the inevitable, you looked as though you needed a hero and it felt like a rare opportunity.
[Typically Dorian isn't much for heroics, more like self-preservation, but certain people with their silly antics have had a great influence over him in recent months...even from home. Now it would be a lie to say that there was nothing at all interesting about this spike of passion in Adam, but it was the wrong kind. Dorian didn't know terribly much about the man, but he knew enough about him to know that his augmentations were a sore spot. He could see how someone fussing or bringing too much attention to them might be as offensive as someone touching his own, perfectly coifed, hair. An unforgiveable trespass!]
Well, I couldn't say "moderately shy," it doesn't have the same gravitas [Dorian runs a hand through his hair and offers Adam a smartass grin] not used to people fussing over you like this might have been more accurate, yes? I wanted to give it something it couldn't shrug off.
[Dorian's got your back!]
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[Or so to speak – it's not exactly the flesh and bone parts of him that people, insectoid or otherwise, tend to care about. And when they do, it's always been with an ulterior motive in mind, hasn't it? Medical marvel this, key to unlocking human evolution that, yadda yadda yadda. Putting it like that, maybe an overenthusiastic bug person isn't that big a deal by comparison.
Can't really argue that his kit doesn't need some attention either, he thinks, turning his attention momentarily downward. He rubs a finger against one of the numerous scrapes and pits marring the normally smooth shell of one forearm, polycarbonate mesh against lightweight metal alloy. These scars show up light, just like real, human skin. Funny that.
Adam looks back around, letting his arms drop to his sides.]
Could've handled that, just so we're clear. [A pause, and then a light shrug.] But you probably handled it better.
[There's that old Jensen dryness in his tone, and maybe even a ghost of a smile; he knows his shortcomings and isn't afraid to admit to them.]
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[And Dorian is used to having people wait on him hand and foot, so it's not such an offensive thing to him, while it might be to one who has never experienced something like this. He might have had a very privileged upbringing, but he could still see how this might be offensive to anyone who has not and how being touched might be offensive. Dorian was more hands on by nature, but he knew how to do boundaries.
His eyes also followed the same path that Adam's did, taking note of the battle scarred limbs he had, though bringing attention to them did help to draw the mage's eye. He knew nothing about technology and wouldn't risk using magic to help even if it was for something as cosmetic as buffering Adam's augs...he wasn't sure what would happen.
Still, maybe that thing the insect being was going to use could take care of it. The creature seemed more confident than Dorian did anyway.]
I did handle it better...no blood or ichor...no buggy entrails flying about. [Dorian was on the verge of cheeky now.] Though to be honest I wanted to watch you handle it. A man handling man's business is always exciting to watch from the sidelines.
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He lifts a brow at that, looking a little... Surprised? Impressed? Amused, at the very least.]
Well this is a bloodthirsty side of you I never knew about.
Not too late to call him back over, you know. [He says, jerking a thumb back in the mantis' direction once he's made sure it's not looking their way – don't want to give it any ideas!] I'll gladly stick with my first plan. Though it kind of beats the point of getting cleaned up.
[And no matter how good-looking Dorian might think Adam is, bug guts were never a good luck on anyone. Someone knows a little thing or two about fashion!]
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Not that he didn't do his best to try and understand things when he felt it was important or if he overstepped his boundaries.]
I tend to give off such a delicate, unassuming energy. Oddly, you're not the first to point out that I have bloodthirsty tendencies...for some things.
Mmmmhmmm...to watch a body in motion might almost be worth it. [Dorian wasn't all that great at physical conflict, being a mage meant he really didn't have to get up close and personal with his enemies. Still, that didn't mean he had no appreciation for a well thrown, well deserved punch, as long as it wasn't aimed at him. Of course, there were other reasons Dorian had for appreciating a body in motion, but he would keep that to himself. Personal indulgences should be just that.] A good point, not that I couldn't take another one of these baths, but I'm on the verge of pruning already. Too much of a good thing.
[Well how about that, keep this up Adam and Dorian will have to induct you into the fashion elite!]
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[There's something about the way he says "lady" that implies she was anything but... Which isn't surprising, given that lady was Hawke. Hawke horked on his shoes. They'd just met.
Anyway.]
But you're telling me Dorian Pavus knows the meaning of "too much of a good thing?" [The irony in his tone is palpable.] Color me surprised. That's two in one day from you.
[There may be a lot he still isn't forthcoming about, but want to know how you can be sure Adam's warming up to someone, Dorian? It's when they're being subjected to this sort of casual ribbing – the Jensen Special, honestly.]
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[Give Dorian three guesses and he could probably have figured out that the culprit was his dearest Hawke. She's seems the type who would vomit on one's shoes and not even care.
Fortunately all Dorian had to worry about was sea vegetation and swallowing sea water. It always tasted...fishy.]
Oh? Are we feeling insolent today, my dear Adam? I like it. [In fact Dorian thrives off of cheekiness, ribbing, and banter. That is the kind of warming up to that the mage can and certainly will appreciate.] Be careful though, I will call you on your bluff, especially if you mean to bathe a few more times. I would sit in a bath and prune just for that, in spite of myself.
[If all that hot water makes him pass out, Adam would be there right? Just throw a towel on him and deposit Dorian on the nearest, comfortable, surface.]
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Man, is it tough keeping up this image of cool, controlled impassivity (in the face of Dorian's– well, everything) when he doesn't have his lenses blocking himself off like usual. He shakes his head and looks away, as if to make up for his missing safety net – but even that won't completely hide that faint almost-smile. There's banter... And then there's Dorian, apparently. They've just started, but he already feels like he's got to tap out.]
Wouldn't dream of making you prune. [A dismissive motion with one hand.] I think I'll survive like this.
[His smile and his tone slip a little.] Try not to look so happy about crash-landing on a tropical island, though. Even if your feet're the warmest they've been in a month.
[Always the buzzkill, Adam is. He may look the most relaxed Dorian's probably ever seen him (threat of arm-polishing aside) but you can't take the jungle out of the tiger. Or the pessimism out of the ex-cop, as the case may be.]
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Really, he would...but ice? That's just mean.
He has that effect on people, perhaps he should have warned Adam of this from the off, but there was very little hope. Still, there's something satisfying about almost dragging a smile out of Adam, he'll get there yet, Dorian will just turn the full force of his personality on him. Of course he would wait until Adam was ready for that.]
Haaa...it's nice to have a dream, but your concern is touching. I think that's what the warm tingly feeling I'm getting inside is. [Another flash of teeth as he openly smiles at Adam.
He does look a little too happy for having just crash-landed on a bug planet, go ahead and punch a hole in his balloon. It doesn't really dampen his spirits.]
Ah, trying to keep me on my guard, believe me, my mind is racing with things unpleasant. It always is, but I'll take my pleasures as they come, I have you to return me to my senses after all. [Dorian is quite a pessimist himself, but he doesn't let that stop him from enjoying what he can when he can.]
Should we see about getting dressed then? [Not that he didn't mind walking around mostly naked, but it was distracting.]
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Always nice to be needed. [Even if it's just to bring a dose of reality where it's required. Not that that's the only reason the guy keeps him around, if he had to guess.
Anyway, Adam nods at the suggestion – yes please, clothes sound very nice right now – but a faint frown crops up on his face as he suddenly casts a glance around for something...]
... Pretty sure my "attendant" had something meant for me.
[Which means either A) they have to go track him down again or B) he has to come up with something else to wear. And, judging by the look on his face, option A is literally not happening without a fight.]
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Well, I've always a need for something, dear Adam. So if you've ever got that not needed feeling, you can find me! [How serious is he on that specific point? The world may never know, but you are welcome to help Dorian keep his feet on the floor, not that they aren't, but he's certain the luxuries provided to them will go to his head at some point.]
Hmm...well I think our friend might have fled the area, but I'm very picky about what I wear and so they laid out several things for me. [Dorian isn't joking either, of course the world might just wish he were, but he practically had a wardrobe brought before him. He's good wit this whole dictation thing.] You're not much taller than I am, you're welcome to pick through anything they've brought me if you'd like. Or I can go hunt our friend down.
[Your choice.]
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No need to make those kinds of threats. [Who really ought to threatened here, though: Adam or the alien? His tone's wry, but that really doesn't answer the question...]
Guess I'll try my luck with you. Not really much of a robe guy myself, though.
[Or a much of anything that isn't black and gold guy, really. Probably too much to hope that there's a well-tailored trenchcoat somewhere among Dorian's pickings – the absence of the main staple of his wardrobe has been keenly felt over the past month.
Either way, he'll find out soon enough. Indicating Dorian with a nod, he shoots him a questioning look: go on, lead the way.]
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As you can imagine, you've the best of luck today. [Dorian is quite stylish and while he does like robes his taste does vary. There might be something black and billowy that might resemble a trench coat...well there is plenty of black to choose from. Dorian has a preference for blue, however, it works well with his coloring and offsets the gray of his eyes...so he'll be hoarding the blue stuff for himself...and the jewelry, and anything that looks silvery.
Everything else is fair game and there is quite a broad selection to choose from.]
Apparently even bug people find me to be persuasive.
sorry for the lateness, school kicked my butt this week :(
[It sounds kind of awful, actually – but Adam Jensen is nothing if not possessed of a healthy sense of sarcasm. He turns his attention to the veritable wardrobe of clothing set out.]
Definitely got the makings of a tribute pile here, at least. [Picking up a... Something-or-other in green and blue brocade, Adam looks about as bewildered as he's capable of looking. Having trouble even imagining something like this on his body.
And when he manages to – he looks like an idiot, there in his mind's eye. An impressive idiot, but an idiot nonetheless. So that's probably a "no."
Setting it back down and trailing a jet-black finger over something similarly black (that's more like it!) he shoots a glance over at his magey friend again, one brow raised.]
"Several things" is kind of an understatement here, Dorian.
No problem, I'm in a somewhat similar situation myself
[And Dorian will counter that sarcasm with his own sarcasm, not that he has any wish to be "Lord of the Bug People," but as long as he can get what he needs, why not.]
Yes? My wardrobe hasn't been this extensive in some time, even if it is temporary. [he's already picked something out in a tunic sleeveless, blue, silk brocade with a black pair of pants, leather, less decorative. It was as close to his usual wardrobe as it came.]
The green in that suited your eyes. [Dorian had a different kind of mind's eye, but he also knew that it would be difficult trying to coax Adam into wearing anything he wasn't comfortable in no matter how it really looked. He seemed uncomfortable enough.
For his part Dorian had no problem stripping off what little he had on and getting dressed.]
I require options, what if they brought one thing out to me and I didn't like it? Face it, you're as particular as I am, if they had brought you that green and blue garment I could only imagine how spectacularly you'd protest. [Pulling his head through his shirt he grinned at Adam.] I was doing them a favor, I'm kind that way.
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Adam looks away, as if by reflex.] Won't argue that I'm particular, no. But the color's only part of it.
[Not that he's kidding anyone with that understatement of the century – it's a damn huge part of it – and so his attempt to defend himself from Dorian's assertions is half-hearted at best. His gravitation towards the darker end of Dorian's spectrum of clothing here is anything but subtle. What can he say? Black just works.
Taking up the shirt – black (of course), with three-quarter sleeves and some sort of metallic detailing – he holds it up to himself appraisingly, with a gravity that almost loops right back around to being comical. His appearance is serious goddamn business.]
It's just that I probably appreciate custom tailoring a little more than the next person. Variety's... [A little shrug.] Less important. I like knowing that something was made for me.
[And he had, even before it'd become practically necessary for him and his machine limbs to have his clothes custom-made. Take it from him: no one ever wears a trenchcoat off the rack, day in and day out, and looks good in it. Much less something taken from... Wherever these natives were getting all this stuff. It's not as if they were wearing these themselves – do they just keep clothes around in the event that a bunch of human-shaped offworlders crash-land on their island?
It's a concerning train of thought (that he might eventually follow to its destination) but for now, something else occurs to him, as indicated by an almost visceral reaction. His attention snaps back up from the shirt to Dorian, and he fixes him with a stern look.]
Not that that's an invitation for you to get them back over here taking my measurements.
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Color is rather important though, you have to admit, certain colors work terribly with unaccommodating skin tones. You don't want to look sallow or washed out. [In Dorian's state of undress there is one thing noticeable about him that one wouldn't notice normally, given his tendency towards robes and adornments that covered most of his arm. He did have an extensive tattoo on his left arm, red lines that didn't mean anything here, but the geometric shapes probably had some sort of meaning to the mage.
It was the one thing that took away from his frustrating symmetry. The clothing that he elected to wear kept that arm exposed, while he found favorable materials, it wasn't exactly like wearing mage clothing. It was important to get it as close as he could manage, however, and while Dorian took his appearance just as seriously, there was a kind of joy in it, but he could understand where Adam was coming from.]
There's nothing wrong with custom tailoring, had I the same wealth and means everything would be tailor made. What is better than an outfit that fit's you to the exact measurement?
[Dorian was so busy assessing his top that it hadn't entered his mind to retrieve Adam's favorite bug to help him with his customization issues. So when he attention snapped to Dorian, giving him that firm, accusing look, the mage simply stares back, completely innocent.]
I would never! I doubt they could take your measurements if they tried, though maybe...[Dorian just smiles before shaking his head]...don't worry, I'm here to protect you. I can even help you with a bit of tailoring, some cosmetics things, like those sleeve, if you prefer not to have them.
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