( september event log )

[hownkai]

Who: Everyone
When: September 2nd and on
Where: The Fixed Moons of the Runoff.
What: Something goes down. Far, far down...
Warnings: Potential drug use, alcohol consumption, sex. Please label your content!

E V E N T L O G

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)! )

Comments

Clone Shepard | Mass Effect

[petridish]

Plus CRAU!Nathan Drake by arrangement - hit me up at pohutukaryl if you want anything with either of them! Too busy for open starters this month, I'm afraid.

for Meh Yewll

[petridish]

[To be clear: Meh Yewll, as an alien, and one of the few people to know her secret, is not her first choice of exploration companion.

[But Meh had asked about a plant scanner and database, and she'd felt obliged given her treatment both medical and in regards to said secret, and if she's going to test what she's got so far, might as well be with the person who'd asked for the app and knows anything about plants.

[Some way into the jungle, she scans a flower they haven't sampled yet, and reads off her MID:] "No data available". Good. It's not confusing it with something else in the database.

Re: for Meh Yewll

[imaginary_wife]

Glad to know there's a ton of work ahead of us.

[But there's a huge contrast between the sass of her usual tone and the gentle way she touches a flower, the care with which she takes a clipping. Like the whole future may be in one leaf.]

I haven't had a chance to ask you what happened. Does the other Shepard know about you?

[Her body still aches from her fight, but mostly she's healed. Just moving to keep up a little more slowly than usual.]

[petridish]

[Absorbed in adjusting a line of code, she doesn't notice as Yewll samples another plant, but she does look up warily at the mention of the other Shepard.]

Jean? [It is very strange calling any Shepard by their first name, but it's faster than "the brunette".] She knows I'm here.

[She looks around, checking there aren't any other crewmates within earshot, before adding:] She thinks there are three Shepards here.

[imaginary_wife]

I mean the one that I sampled the DNA from. Does she know what you are? Or is she still in the dark.

[She steps over branches with the same care that she handles the flowers, persistently careful of where she rests her feet.]

But I'll take that as a "no". I'll keep being careful of what I say around her, then.

[petridish]

[Her nod is of confirmation more than thanks. She's here; she's working on the database and scanner - that's her thanks for everything Yewll has done for her.]

If she knew, I'd probably be back in cryo.

[She makes it sound casual, throwing it out as she examines a plant they've previously sampled, but she's fairly certain she doesn't need the "probably".]

[imaginary_wife]

So... What is the story there. [She asks as she walks along with her.] Why would she hate you so much if she knew that you'd be in danger.

Seems like in general you got the raw end of deal. But then again I've never been too fond of the idea of creating a whole person just to use as an appliance of some sort. Unless you were meant to live but... normally they don't put expiration dates on people.

[Even the idea still pisses her off.]

for Aurelia

[petridish]

[Even if Meh had been human, she wouldn't be her first choice of exploration companion, because Aurelia is. Aurelia has no expectations of what Commander Shepard is like, has no idea that she isn't who she says she is, and holds similar attitudes on people's uselessness and aliens. If there's anyone she feels safe and comfortable around, it's her.

[Comfortable except for the twist in her stomach when Aurelia smiled at that gun on Despoina.

[With her shotgun in hand (the jungle has already proved safe enough to go without armor), she steps down the path.]

I was in here earlier and didn't see any animals, or aliens - here's hoping that changes, because otherwise I've brought you out on a boring trip. [And she wouldn't want to bore her.]

[diamondslap]

Ah, it doesn't matter much to me. For once. I'm just glad to be out that bloody ship.

[and spending time with shepard, but she's not sure if she wants to admit that out loud.]

There's no such thing as an empty jungle. I'm sure we'll find something.

[petridish]

Or something will find us.

[It's almost cheerful when she says it. Something had found them last time they went out together, and it had been fun!]

Something besides flowers, anyway. I'm working on a plant database, so I see enough of them.

[diamondslap]

Perhaps.

[aurelia stops, watching one.]

...I wonder how many are poison.

[petridish]

[Having had looked at too many flowers lately, she watches Aurelia.]

Don't go eating any to try and find out. I don't want to have haul your ass back to medbay.

[She would. Willingly, not out of obligation like she would one of Shepard's squadmates. But she doesn't want her to get sick in the first place.]

[diamondslap]

[sure shep]

Oh, don't worry. I'm not about to start picking random things off the ground and put them in my mouth.

also for Aurelia

[petridish]

[She's only here for the food.

[That's what she thinks as their disgusting insectoid hosts give her a sequined headband and an impractical and itchy ivory dress with a lace and sequinned bodice, a bow at the belt and a long lace skirt, and an open back with more dangling lace. With every step, she has to pick up the skirt and cape to make sure she doesn't trip on them.

[It annoys her less at the party. She eats (and isn't poisoned by the strange alien food), and drinks, and listens to the music, and doesn't notice she's relaxing until she's there. Maybe this warm, mellow feeling is how Shepard feels when she drinks alcohol - she wouldn't know, too scared of letting her guard down to drink. And yet despite avoiding alcohol, she's even relaxed enough to dance, albeit partially because she's disgusted by Shepard's 'dancing'.

[Dancing better than Shepard makes a woman thirsty. She steps away for some juice, and catches Aurelia's eye. And then an eyeful of the rest of her.

[Ah. That's the touch of familiarity in this feeling.]

Aurelia. [For the first time, the weight of her fondness for the woman is in her tone, mingled with aren't you a sight for sore eyes and damn.] Glad you're here.

HOH OH OHO

[diamondslap]

[likewise, aurelia is not going softly. she still has her gloves on, but that's only so she can keep her diadem on hand. literally. boom boom.]

Now, where else would I be other than the heart of the part? How do you find yourself this evening, darling?

[petridish]

I'm good. [She says she's fine a lot, but for once she actually is good.] Just thirsty - I've been dancing.

[She gestures at the dancefloor, and inadvertently in the direction of Shepard's... whatever that movement is supposed to be.]

What about you?

[diamondslap]

[aurelia follows the gesture, then laughs into her hand.]

Oh, goodness! I trust that godawful flailing isn't a part of you?

[she doesn't really understand or care why the two shepards are the same.]

I've been having fun, too. I've never really seen non-hostile aliens. Least of all ones that give out free finery. It's a nice change.

[petridish]

[Without even looking, she knows she's pointed at Shepard, and scowls accordingly.]

Definitely not.

[Actually, she's not sure how she's ended up a better dancer than Shepard... But it made Aurelia laugh, so she relaxes.]

I've met some, but the finery's definitely new. Yours looks... [stunning!] good. Is it as itchy as mine?

[Emboldened by her relaxation and the fact that Aurelia's already touched her out in the jungle, she reaches out to brush a hand over the sequins on her waist.]

... I mean, I guess it's not as bad with your gloves on.

[And then she just stays there.]

[diamondslap]

[ohhh shepper ohh]

Not itchy at all, darling. I'd say it's rather... [she grins at the contact, putting her own hand on shepard's cheek. lightly stroking her cheekbone with a thumb.] soft.

for big Nate

[ascendit]

[Perched on a rock on the beach, it's probably not a surprise to anyone that Nate is drawing. His left hand's doing double duty, holding his page down in case of wind and also holding another sketch clearly ripped out of his journal, an unfinished one of the aliens' main building with a jagged line across it. Some of the line is erased, a sign he tried to salvage it, but from his redrawing it now, he's given up on the original. On the opposite page are a few doodles of crewmates in their party clothes.

[He looks up at his older self as he approaches from the Moira, and pats the sand next to him by way of invitation to join him.]

Hey. You think Sam would like this one?

[One day Sam will appreciate one of his drawings. Plus, they're cheaper than it is to print a photo. (Ah, the nineties.)]

[sketchycharacter]

[Nate doesn't make a point of hovering and staying annoyingly up to date on what his younger self it up to--he knows it's both obnoxious and unnecessary. He was pretty capable at that age. But he does seek out his company periodically because he does worry a little and because he actually enjoys the kid's company. Who knew--he remembers being more of a brat.

Plopping to the ground beside him, Nate hesitates before answering. What a question to face first thing.]

Why wouldn't he? It's pretty good.

[ascendit]

[He shrugs, refining a line on the side of the building.]

You know how he is.

[Although with the way he's only mentioned Sam once, and that during that weird time when people were the wrong ages, Nate's beginning to wonder if he's had some kind of falling out with him.]

At least he'd probably like the subject more.

[A little bratty, sure, but he does think Sam would enjoy this place.]

[sketchycharacter]

It's coming up on a couple decades since I was your age. [God, he feels so old now.] Guess I forgot how he could be back then.

[He lowers his gaze slightly, an unexpected wave of guilt rising over him to go with the sick feeling that comes anytime he talks about Sam. The way he makes it sound, it's like the advance of time or improvement in his own skill that mean Sam doesn't tease him about his drawing anymore. But god, what he wouldn't give to hear his big brother's affectionate mocking again.]

I guess he probably would like it more.

[ascendit]

[Nate glances sideways at him, but draws for a moment more before deciding to bite the bullet and just ask, setting his pencil down.]

Did you guys have a fight or something? You never talk about him, except that one time you thought you'd just been in jail. [That part makes sense. It figures that eventually he'd end up in jail too.]

[sketchycharacter]

[Nate looks up sharply, eyes gone slightly wide, before he forces to relax and breathe out through his nose. He should have known this question would come eventually—he's too smart for it not to, and it's not bragging to think that.

Doesn't mean he has to answer, though. The kid doesn't deserve to have his heart broken before he has to.]

Nah, we didn't fight. Not more than usual.

[Brother stuff. But they were on the same team afterward, always. He's quiet for a moment, thinking. He doesn't have to talk about what happened, but...]

But there's something I should tell you. Put the sketchbook away.