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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
» When Icarus Fell
He'd found a large boulder, full-on in the sun and up well past the high tide mark in the sand, and proceeded to perch atop it
like a giant sunning lizardfor the best view of the shore while he dried off. He'd chosen the spot so that he could easily watch as others made their way ashore, and so that he'd be in a fair position to assist, should help be required.He was not expecting a dramatic light show and spectacular landing courtesy one Adam Jensen. The electric globe slowing the man's fall is incredibly reminiscent of a similar biotic technique, but Thane can see its shortcomings the second Jensen lands and begins to roll. He's on his feet immediately, and moving to intercept the man in the place he anticipates his momentum will give out.
Jensen reaches it first, naturally, as he's moving much more quickly than Thane. He'll have a few moments of peace before Thane calls out as he approaches:]
Are you alright?
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["Fancy meeting you here," his delivery seems to say, as if he regularly greets people by skydiving himself into the ground near them.
He doesn't get up just yet, but his reply is clear enough.] Yeah. Just– need a moment.
[It's like there's a red-hot poker searing the small of his back – laying in the cool, wet sand like this is kind of a godsend, honestly. The Icarus can run into the higher degrees in the best of situations, but this sort of heat's something else. Seems it isn't meant for the sort of height he'd just attempted– maybe not meant for whatever sort of magnetic field this planet's exerting, either.
But in the end– fuck it, he's alive.]
You seem like you made it out alright. [At least the sideways bit he can catch of the guy out of the corner of one eye does.]
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[Is the sand steaming under Jensen, or is that just Thane's imagination?]
I never would have guessed you had such a flair for dramatic entrances.
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"A little more wet than I would have liked?" Could've fooled him. Guy looks none the worse for the wear, and certainly not like he just had to make an emergency landing off a crashing spaceship. But it's a relief to see a friendly face having made it out safely– and he can only hope that everyone else has done the same.]
Kinda do, actually – just never get to do them by choice. [A wry shrug.] This wasn't exactly Plan A.
[And with that, he can't help but turn his gaze out to sea. Off in the distance, EEUs bob on the surface of the water like apples.
His tone darkens slightly, in spite of himself.] Still. Better than the alternative.
no subject
Drying off in the sun has done a lot for his appearance, honestly.]
Not ideal, but fortunately things seem to have worked out. [He pauses.] For us, anyway.
[The same definitely can't be said for the Moira, or for the people slowly bobbing toward shore in their EEUs.
He doesn't have to ask what alternative Jensen might mean; the man is obviously weighed down by all of the metal that's been used to replace his limbs. He can't imagine Jensen has an easy time maintaining any sort of life-preserving buoyancy when submerged in water.]
Hopefully, the ship can be repaired.
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He just shrugs again (and not a little helplessly, at that) before leaning forward, elbows rested on his knees.] Between the two of us, you're the expert. You'd know better than me if we're getting off this rock anytime soon.
[If not, it couldn't be the worst planet they could've gotten stranded on, he supposes. Never been to a beach. Never been in space, never been on a different planet, never been in a different universe – this past month has just been chock full of new experiences, hasn't it?
He jerks his head in Thane's direction.] What do you think?
no subject
He looks over to the (thankfully largely intact) beached form of the Moira, and hums thoughtfully.]
Hmm. My expertise isn't actually in mechanics and engineering, so I'm not really the best person to ask. However, the ship's hull appears to be largely intact, and if I understood the captain's announcement correctly prior to the evacuation, the problem has more to do with the vessel's computer system rather than the mechanics.
That said, I would expect a ship of this size to be carrying enough spare parts and tech to replace old and worn out equipment. As long as there are individuals available who are knowledgeable in such repairs, we should eventually be able to leave.
How long that might take, however, I can't guess. Hopefully the captains will be able to provide us with an estimate once they've assessed the extent of the necessary repairs.
[Why didn't you just say that to start with, Thane...]
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Could be a while, then. [That's the old Jensen optimism that everyone likes to hear.
He just sort of nods to himself, biting his lip thoughtfully and clearly mulling something over. A few moments pass in silence and he finally pushes himself back up on his feet, brushing the sand off of his everything. Still looking pretty good for someone who just came hurtling out of the sky a few minutes ago.]
If that's the case, might as well assume the worst. If there's a chance we're going to need some resources for a long stay, couldn't hurt to start hunting around.
[He gestures with one hand, indicating everything that constitutes "around"– but his attention lingers a bit longer on the treeline marking the edge of the jungle just a few hundred yards away.]
no subject
[Thane sees Jensen's optimism and matches it with his own!
And he nods his head in agreement at Jensen's assessment of resources.]
You're right. We'll probably have the best luck exploring the jungle.
[Unfortunately for Thane. He expects that under the leafy cover of those trees, the humidity is only going to get worse.]
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[Hard not to make that sound as sarcastic as it does. Just– you know, wander around in the utterly alien jungle for a little bit and hope you stumble upon a plant or animal that maybe don't want to kill you. But that's kind of where they are with their options, really.
Nothing for it but to get the show on the road – quickly, while they've still got daylight. Nodding at Thane, he starts off wordlessly towards the treeline, letting the few minutes it takes to cross the beach pass in silence.
Before they hit the edge of the shade, he suddenly turns his gaze over in the direction of the Moira – with the conspicuous, distracted body language of someone consulting some cranial aug or another – and he signals a quick blink pattern, layering a small blue indicator over his vision: a waypoint, marking their eventual return trip. Not going to count on the MID to keep track of their locations with the ship's systems on the fritz...
He glances around back at Thane as if coming to from some brief reverie, but makes no effort to offer an explanation. Just another one of his wry looks.]
Now's probably a good time to bring up the fact that I've never set foot in a jungle in my life.
[He's about as much of a city boy as one can possibly get, frankly. So this should be exciting in about a million different ways, for pretty much everyone involved.]
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I've not spent much time in them, myself, but I have some experience. If it turns out the beach is the more pleasant of the two options, we can always return.
[Between whatever cybernetics Jensen's got going in his head and Thane's eidetic memory, they're clearly going to be fine.
Unless fog in the jungle messes everything up. :')
Thane'll just take the initiative here, then, and press inward. Onward to adventure!!]
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