( september event log )

[hownkai]

Who: Everyone
When: September 19th and on
Where: The Fixed Moons of the Runoff and the Moira.
What: Everything comes to a head.
Warnings: Nothing for now. Please label your content!

E V E N T L O G

the lucid disparity revisited "Never be the first to arrive or the last to go, and never, ever be both." By now, time has passed, and most of the crew have found some sort of comfortable groove with the natives of the unnamed island they crashed near. Partying, gambling and drinking, and more… Even the mysterious pool has given people who could answer its riddle insight in this confusing time. However, as the nights and days continue to progress and the parties begin to blur together, things are… odd. The hosts are still as kind as ever, offering anything and everything those at the temple-like building could ask for, but every so often, the world around them appears different. Clear, as if a fog had been lifted. Yet, it’s only a blink, and then, it’s gone, returning everyone to their regularly scheduled eternal party. Down on the beach, the Captains are still as busy as ever working with those capable to restore function to the Moira. On the morning of the 20th, Navigator Manasseh’s vitals begin to slowly return to normal, her status on the Directory reverting to GREEN, and with it, life is brought back to the Moira. This, of course, means everyone is able to board the ship and leave, but most of the crew who traveled through the jungle and stayed at the party aren’t exactly willing to go just yet. Prior to this, a few of the crew who suddenly realized things were strange and that the people around them were acting strange - themselves included - approached Thán with this particular revelation, upon which Nathan Drake planned to bring back things from the temple to be tested for irregularities. Each sample returned to Cúrre does not alert her to anything abnormal, comprised of similar compounds—except for the water brought to her from the pool. Acting quickly, she reaches the same conclusion as a few of the other crewmembers do: that the water neutralizes the mysterious intoxication caused by everything on this unknown planet. ☄ FROM UNDER THE VEIL The combined efforts of the crew and Curre have resulted in an “antidote” being made from the pool water; crew members pass it around to those down on the ship and beach, then utilize caution while administering it to those at the party. The change happens slowly for most. A drink that was perfect only a little while ago is suddenly sickeningly sweet and no longer enjoyable. The food tastes wrong. The music no longer urges you to dance but instead reminds you that your feet are aching. The magic is fading, and as it does, the cracks in the facade begin to reveal themselves. The elegant city built into the rocks is faded and cracking at the edges. Nothing is as it seems, especially the hosts. Their eagerness to please now has an edge to it. They try and ply their guests with new food, drink and distractions, but they know when the game is up. Do you try and slip away when they’re distracted, or do you demand to know why they’ve done this? Do you dare to find out? ☄ AS TIME GOES BY Crew have begun to filter to the beach, and as the ship reboots, its systems expelling water and allowing it to float on the surface, all Moira-connected technology refreshes. MID devices, to those who check, will show that a year has passed since they crash landed on this strange planet. Those that did not join the party would not have been aware that so much time had passed as the planet seems to be under the influence of a blurring of time, probably due to the fact it is so close to the Luminous Sea. Crew would have gone through the motions and not realized that supplies were dwindling, and anyone who has themselves looked over in the Medbay will discover that they are, in fact, physically one year older. With the Moira finally functioning and with everyone on board, the ship finally begins to ascend and leave the planet behind. The Captains are all working together to get the crew settled back on board and help those who might need some adjusting to this particular news. Since it has been such a long time, fresh supplies are badly needed, and the ship is directed towards the closest known place: the Mini Colony. ( ooc; For questions, go here. )

Comments

Zam Wesell | OTA

[backsassin]

I REGRET NOTHING [still partying]
[It’s a while before Zam gets a taste of the antidote. Until then, she’s content to stay in the endless party, blissfully unaware of how much time has truly passed. It’s only been a couple of days, right? Three, at the absolute most. Still, she feels no fatigue -- perhaps there’s some kind of stimulant in the drinks. Certainly she’s had plenty since she got here. It hardly matters. She doesn’t want to go back, doesn’t want to be faced with that sudden flood of memories that had accompanied her shift back to adulthood. Things are better here. Even if they can’t last.

It’s why, even through the haze brought on by the myriad substances the hosts have been plying to her since their arrival, she still notices her fellow crewmembers trying to slip away

Her words aren’t threatening, the hand on your arm not forceful, but both are at least insistent.] You’re sure in a hurry, aren’t you?

I REGRET EVERYTHING [no longer partying | medbay]
[It turns out that by the time the bulk of the crew is back on the Moira, the medbay has been returned to working order and is already doing what it can for those recovering from an actual year of debauchery.

The good news is that the technology is such that the withdrawal period can be compressed into the space of a couple of days. The bad news is? All the symptoms get compressed into that short amount of time as well.

Which is why if you happen to find Zam in the medbay, she’ll be in one of the cots, tossing and turning as if she’s lying on a bed of nails. She manages to force herself to lie still when someone comes near, shoving her hands under the sheets to hide their shaking. If she doesn’t know you, she’ll give you her best can’t-be-bothered-right-now glare. If she does?]

If you want to smother me with my pillow? This would be the perfect time.

medbay

[a_shadow]

[ Tex is getting a little tired of being Zam's neighbor.

When the Moira crashed here, Tex's cloned human body suffered an injury, and the lack of care over the last year means the body has been healing in stasis, losing muscle tone and strength all the while. Tex has her body back, but she has to stay in it to help it heal. And it's too weak to do much. She can't even walk yet.

Tex and Zam have never really been the best at ease with one another, at least not since they visited Zam's home world in the alter-Ingress and Tex got killed. It seemed to be Tex's own tendency to be reckless that got them into the situation they were in, and that isn't something she likes to admit to herself. Anyway, right now Zam's in a bad mood and Tex's isn't much better. She's stuck in a cot in arguably a worse condition than Zam's, so what's she complaining about? ]

The only reason anyone would smother you is to get you to stop whimpering.

[backsassin]

[Zam’s not really in the mood for a contest of whose condition is worse. It’s a contest she would be happy to lose and her biggest regret right now is that she’s not losing by a wider margin. Tex’s comment gets the former bounty hunter to shift onto her side and give the woman a glare that’s equal parts ill-tempered and miserable.]

That “anyone” wouldn’t be you, would it? [The words are bleakly sarcastic. She takes in Tex’s anemic frame, a shadow of the fearless armored form that had accompanied her to Coruscant.] Guess not, [she says, trying not to distract from the insult with her own restless fidgeting.] The pillow might give you trouble.

[a_shadow]

No, not me. I'm getting quality entertainment out of watching you writhe.

[ She sighs and leans her head back in the pillow. ]

Besides, the doctors would have my head for putting you out of your misery. They do love misery here, haven't you noticed?

[ The latter is more a commentary on Adrien's attitude lately than anything, but of course he isn't here to hear her jibe. Too bad. ]

[backsassin]

Oh good, [Zam grumbles,] I’d hate to bore you. [She flips onto her back, trying to ignore how her uniform feels like it’s made out of sandpaper.]

They willingly work in an infirmary. What do you expect? [Maybe Zam’s assessment of the medical profession is just a little less positive than usual due to her current state. The doctors are the reason her withdrawal symptoms are being compressed to such a degree, after all. She turns her head back towards Tex.] So, what’s your problem? You forget to eat for the year or something?

[a_shadow]

Something like that. [ She sighs. ] The settings on the cryochamber were left so that the brain injuries could heal, but that left the body weakened.

[backsassin]

Cryochamber? [Zam twists her head to look quizzically at the women before an expression of understanding and then surprise overtakes her features.] Wait -- were you in cryo for that entire year? [Fierfek. Zam hadn't even considered that possibility as a result of their little year-long vacation.]

[a_shadow]

Yeah, that's the shape of it.

[ She doesn't bother to clarify about how she wasn't actually in the body at the time—though more people now know she's an AI, she doesn't feel like explaining every detail of that situation. ]

[backsassin]

Stars, [Zam mutters, feeling a bit more understanding of the woman’s foul mood now.] I’m surprised you’re still kicking at all.

[She gives a wry huff of laughter.] Too bad. You missed a hell of a party.

I REGRET NOTHING

[justice_from_above]

[It only feels like it's been a couple days, but Pharah has since unknowingly gotten a drink of the antidote, and finds herself needing to step away from the festivities for some fresh air. She stops with Zam's hand on her arm, looking at it, and then looking up to Zam. Her brows furrow slightly, torn between the urge to stay and celebrate and relax, and get away and just think for a moment. Either way, she doesn't try to break away.]

I just need some fresh air.

[backsassin]

[Zam recognizes the woman as one of the newcomers she’d met some months ago -- the one with the jetpack if she remembers correctly. But there’s something else about her, something familiar that Zam can’t quite put her finger on. Zam stares at her for another beat and then shrugs.]

Mind if come with? I could use a breather myself. [Not really -- she feels like she could stay at the party forever -- but she’s curious. She could swear she knows this woman from somewhere and it’s going to bother her until she figures it out. Maybe stepping out of the party, even for a few moments, will help jog her memory.]

[justice_from_above]

Not at all.

[The request surprises her, but she sees no harm in letting the woman join her. She's still feeling the slight pull of the party, and even enjoying a moment away from the din is better with company than alone.]

[She leads them away from the party and finds a place to settle down, sitting and smoothing out her dress against the rocks. She pats the ground next to her.]

It's quite the party, isn't it?

[backsassin]

[Zam follows, eyes never leaving the woman in front of her. Everything about her screams familiarity, but the reason why still eludes Zam, leaving nothing but a stubborn curiosity that’s enough to overpower even the pull of the revelry behind them.

She settles next to the woman, feeling strangely at ease, though perhaps that’s just the effect of one of the many party favors she’s indulged in. That might also explain the haze over her memories -- though Zam’s largely grateful for that much.]

It is. Feels like it’ll never end. [There’s a wistful note there. It will end eventually. And then it’s back to life on the Moira. And all the memories that entails.

At least there’s one thing that she actually wants to remember.]

Have we met before? Besides at the Ingress. [She gives the woman a bemused smile.] I swear I’ve seen you somewhere else before.

[justice_from_above]

[A moment away from the dancing and the food and drink is already allowing her to breathe deeper and think more clearly. She glances over at Zam at the question, taking a good look at her, and tilting her head slightly.]

You're right, I think we have met before.

[The woman does look familiar, but - like Zam - she can't exactly place it.]

[backsassin]

No guesses where?

[Her gaze grows searching as she studies the other woman’s face. Where could she have seen her before? It must’ve been on the ship, but that hardly narrows it down. And Zam’s normally so good with faces...

For her part, Pharah may find Zam’s expression more familiar than anything else. After all, it wasn’t too long ago she may remember someone else studying her face with identical intensity.]

[justice_from_above]

[Pharah narrows her eyes, thinking back. She did remember meeting her briefly after arriving through the Ingress, but no, she knew there was something more than that brief interaction.]

[The way Zam is focusing on her, it finally clicks, and she smiles and opens her eyes wide with the realization.]

Zaida! We met when we were children, earlier? On the ship?

[backsassin]

[The name hits Zam like a thunderclap, her expression immediately changing to one of shock as the recognition finally strikes home. Oh. Oh kark.]

Pharah. You’re-- you actually-- [Zam sputters uselessly for a moment and if she were human, no doubt she’d be flushing red right about now.] How much do you remember?

medbay buddies

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

[After spending over a day bedridden J had managed to muster up enough to strength to get up and take a small walk around the medbay. She's still weak and her muscles ache both from the nasty withdrawal symptoms and from lying on the bed for too long.

She pushes the IV stand as she slowly walks, not really looking for company or whatsoever but then she notices Zam whimpering in discomfort in one of the cots. This time she actually recognises her from the earlier. There's no malice or bitterness as she observes her on the side for a while, really if anything she feels sympathy towards her current state. She had gone through something very similar on the first night she arrived on the Medbay. Hands shaking and whole body sweating like a pig.

Then, after hearing her attempted joke J walks over her bed and grabs one of her pillows, pressing it then on her face]

i love j

[backsassin]

[J may be pleased to find that Zam does panic for a few seconds, struggling weakly to push the pillow away from her face -- and then remembers that she’s wearing her breathpack and doesn’t actually have to breathe manually. It does not change the fact that there’s a pillow being pressed rather uncomfortably into her face though.

She squirms for a couple more seconds and then lies still, almost feigning suffocation -- except she's making no effort to hide the fact that her chest still is still rising and falling with obvious breath. Is her would-be smotherer done? Zam can do this all day.]

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

[Well, fortunately for Zam it's not in J's intentions to actually smother or cause any pain to her. It's really a bad joke on her part.

When she first starts flailing J loosens her hold on the pillow, keeping it only lightly against her face. But she doesn't move it away either, not even when Zam relaxes on the bed.]

[backsassin]

[Growing tired of their little game, Zam eventually reaches up and pushes the pillow down so she can at least see over it. Eyes widen when she sees exactly who her visitor is.

There’s a brief, awkward silence and then Zam speaks, voice muffled by the pillow in the way.] On second thought, maybe smothering isn’t the best way to go about this.

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

[J on the contrast keeps her own expression under the control, giving out nothing but collected calmness, mixed in with some hint of coldness when their eyes finally meet. She keeps her hands on the pillow and adds more pressure on it, leaning in closer when Zam breaks the moment of silence between them.]

I'm open to other suggestions. [She says, her voice quiet and raspy from the still sore throat.]

[backsassin]

[Zam may still regret what happened on the Runoff, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t still have it in her to get irritated. She grabs the pillow herself and pushes back against J’s attempts to apply pressure.]

Show some patience and this place might just do the job for you, [she growls.]

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

Ha. [She huffs a mocking laughter in response, not caring about the growl. She sits up by straightening her back, leaving the pillow rest on top of her.]

With any luck this place will spat you out from the grave just like everyone else. Although. [She pauses and looks the other woman with measuring gaze.] Looks like the party with bugs did a real number out of you.

[backsassin]

[Zam pushes the pillow onto her lap with a frown.]

Already did, [she mutters to the first part. And then, with a huff:] Yeah, well, I’d probably be in better shape if it hadn’t lasted an entire year. Even I have my limits. [She squeezes her eyes shut, trying to focus on the conversation instead of seemingly every part of her body crying out in discomfort.]

Don’t see why we had to leave. Not like the next place is gonna treat us any kinder.