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the outer gate
"Open up, and let them in."
The Moira is no more.
With the damage done to the ship due to the timeslip, all that remains is a burning wreckage and parts to be taken—if the crew can find anything in the pieces. Recovery and headcounts are the main objective for the first several hours of being planetside, and once things have settled just enough, Captain Ira calls for a meeting and addresses those who are able in person to explain the situation. He draws a rough map of the area and explains where he believes they are - according to the terrain - and where they must go. For anyone who’s listening, he describes things like an “Outer Gate”, an “Inner Gate” and “gate sectors”. Believing this to be the best course of action, all crew are asked to explore and gather what they think they’ll need to make the long journey towards the central point of the Hub. Because the MIDs are no longer working due to the lack of a network, the Captains distribute a newer tech called the TAB. It serves the same functions as the MID but is lighter, slimmer, and has the ability to stick to any surface.
WELCOME TO THE MIDWAY HUB
Now that the smoke from the crash has cleared, and injured crew have been tended to, the Captains get everyone ready for departure by explaining what they know of the Hub. Almost stone-like, the creators built a domed workspace in the largest solid space on the planet they could find. Gates are the only way inside, and anyone who catches a glimpse of the compound will see that parts of the dome are cracked. Yet, everything still appears to be relatively intact. The Midway Hub’s terrain is very rocky and difficult to walk on at times. Below the surface is a honeycomb of intermittently dense and brittle stone that makes travel difficult due to the unpredictable nature of what lies beneath the crew’s feet. Those who can develop the tech from what’s left of the debris might be able to create something to determine which route is the safest. Ships and small crafts can be used to fly, but landing is a problem—rocks jut up in sharp peaks and the clearer spots can't handle their weight. Vegetation is sparse, consisting of twisted dark gray thistles that have sprung up from cracks in the rock and burn when in direct contact with skin, and what could be considered small animals here can be seen scurrying away the closer crew get to them.
☄ WEEK ONE
Crew are asked to hook cryo beds together and to use any appropriate vehicles that can be made or fashioned to fit the terrain to carry injured crew on the journey to the center of the Hub. Supplies are gathered, and the Captains, as well as any crew who want to, give the Moira a proper sendoff, heads bowed as they say goodbye to what’s been their home. Traveling starts out slowly, a line of a hundred-plus crew members making their way slowly forward. Stops are frequent, but camping for rest only occurs at night. Crew are assigned watch shifts, fires are built, injured tended to, and those who are able are asked to explore nearby caves and hunt for food.
Something akin to deer, though striped and only to be found in pairs, can be stumbled across at night. Throngs of dark purple mammels begin to follow the Moirans on their trip as well. They are friendly, curious, and eat the thistle. Meet the intelligent, watchful predators that aren’t easily scared away and follow the crew from a distance as if waiting to pounce. The thistle can be eaten, but only if cooked first, and those who sample the chewy plant raw will experience a burning sensation in their throat that doesn’t go away until the cooked version is consumed. During the first week, water can’t be found.
Anyone who does hunt, gather, or explore should make sure to that their TABS are on and it’s suggested that nobody goes alone.
Nearing the end of the first week, an Ingress can be spotted close by that crew can explore. If anyone dares to go inside, they will find the texture of the ground and surrounding walls to be rather soft. If inspected closely, crew will discover that what they originally thought to be rock is actually a living organism that’s fed off the energy of the Ingress it’s attached itself to. It’s not harmful and squishy to the touch. If pressed hard enough, it secretes a turquoise liquid with the consistency of water that might make a good substitute for that very thing. ☄ WEEK TWO
When crew finally pass through the sector gates, a strange sensation encompasses them, and a depowering of sorts goes into effect. The creators put in security measures meant to put all visitors on equal footing as well as to protect themselves from harm. All crew will essentially have the strength and abilities of the average human. An unforeseen issue, this causes Captain Thán to slip into a coma as he is no longer able to continue to recover at a steady pace, and with the loss of the former Captain’s abilities, crew can no longer be brought back if they die. For the first time, all Moirans are subject to permanent death.
During this week of travel, broken ingress machines and parts will be found scattered among the rocks, and new crew will come through. Unfortunately, these Ingresses aren’t in good shape, and anyone coming through will be in varying states of distress—some physical and some mental. New individuals will either have suffered an age slip, growing older or younger than their original body, some form of body transformation (perhaps that shiny thing they were wearing is now part of them somehow), or an extreme weakness they had never been subjected to before arriving on the Midway Hub. The new people will be offered to join their group, once found, and seasoned crew will be asked to explain to them where they are going and what they know.
The rest of the week will be a mix of greeting the new arrivals and continuing to travel to the center of the Hub. The closer they get, the less frequently they’ll see animals, and more caves will begin to pop up. ☄ WEEK THREE
Entering the third week of travel, settlements and houses begin to crop up and are prime areas for exploration and general supplies. Those who go inside may find items that have been left behind and evidence showing that those of varying species and cultures lived in the homes. Some appeared to have been scientists while others were explorers, but all living quarters are deserted. Crew who are less lucky in their search might come away with no fresh supplies, and others might walk into traps or safeguards left behind by previous tenants; these come in many forms, from mild paralysis to temporary unconsciousness. As there are more residences, there are also more caves. The entrances vary in size, and light sources will be needed to explore. Once inside, crew can find purple underwater streams, which can be consumed, and glowing surfaces. When crew drink the water, it temporarily restores powers, a few minutes tops, and then, extreme lethargy settles in for a couple of hours.
Further into the cave systems, crew will come across these lovely creatures that are attracted to sound and track through scent. They are highly dangerous and attack simply to feed. Killing them, though, is surprisingly simple as they are just as vulnerable and weak as everyone else. They are vicious in demeanor but only as strong as an average human.
The closer to the Inner Gate crew get, the less homes, wildlife, and more caves there will be. ☄ WEEK FOUR
The Captains, aware that the crew is exhausted, stop and make camp for the first few days. Someone mentions that it’s the holidays where they’re from, and the Captains do their best to throw a party. Set up at the base of a cave, tents are built and fires roar. Soft music is played in the form of guitar, thank you Ira, and Cúrre brings out some legumes that taste like cherries when roasted. There isn’t much in the way of decorations, but crew are encouraged to dig through their pac-discs and contribute to the festivities.
After a brief respite, crew learn that the entrances to Gate A and Gate B are inside one of the caves but any signs or markings have long since worn away or been destroyed. Groups are split, TABS are synced, and crew explore carefully until an entrance is found. Crew discover Gate A first, and all crew are contacted to gather there. The Captains will remain at the cave entrance until all crew are accounted for, and then, they’ll enter through the gate together.
( ooc; For questions, go here. Please comment to activity check to receive new ranks (if applicable)! )
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hohnkai) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thisavrou_log2016-12-02 06:54 pm
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Asriel shakes his head pathetically.]
I don't want to fight you.
[Please no.]
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[Mettaton laughs, with that same level of instability as when they'd been traveling in the timeslip, arms extended and everything about his behavior threatening.]
You. Don't want to fight me. But what you do want, is to toy with your own life when you are important to so many people--not just me. NOT JUST ME!!
What would I have told your mother?! Tell me, Asriel, what would I have told her if you broke that disk and everything you were was reduced to nothing?!
[He shakes his head, extending an arm.]
I will only ask you one more time. Tell me that you are the only one with something to lose. Tell me I will go home and everything will be fine, and that the monster I fell in love with will remember me for how I was on the ship, and I'll have my happily ever after!!! Tell me that or FIGHT!! There is no MERCY here. Reveal yourself to me!!!
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His life was wasn't important. He wasn't important - he only used to be important! Mettaton of all people should understand exactly how this feels!
But he doesn't - he doesn't understand what kind of hell is waiting for Asriel if he goes back and he can't hold himself together. He doesn't understand that he rip him from metal limb to metal limb until there's nothing but scrap left. And he'd do it slowly - because Flowey liked that best. He liked seeing their faces the moment they realized that they'd been fooled, the second before their lives were snuffed out.
Flowey was still Asriel. Nothing in the world was going to change that. He didn't deserve any second chances, he didn't deserve what he had. And he knew the cruelty of this world - it's proven to him over and over again how much he deserved to punished. This world would take everything from him, and it's enough to flip a switch in Asriel's mind as Mettaton presents him with two options:
Kill or be killed.]
It's. Not. Going TO BE FINE!!
[Asriel's teeth flash in a snarl, fur bristling in anger. He reaches down on all fours, his growing horns aimed at Mettaton.]
I won't go back to that hell again!
[And he charges forward, lunging when he's close enough.]
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[Finally. Goddamn finally, the boss monster attacks. Mettaton doesn't attack him immediately--instead he lets the blow strike him, allowing Asriel to get in his one good lick. The robot staggers back, a hand over his abdomen where Asriel's horns had grazed him.
He's still grinning in that unhinged manner, but there's something else there too. Something else behind that manic front.
It doesn't fade though, because what would be the point in showing one's hand immediately? Instead, he summons nearly every vestige of magic he has access to and aims it directly at Asriel in one bright, lightning shaped bolt. Not just the interpretation of what this world takes his magic to be--but an actual magical bullet.
It's small, but by no means weak...and for a moment, he can see where he's aiming, he can see because it's his turn. His turn, and the rules are clear.
Dodge, little Dreemurr, if you can.]
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Mettaton doesn't get a response - the wild look in Asriel's eyes is enough to tell him that he's beyond words right now. He sees Mettaton trying to form magic, and tries to summon his own fire - but nothing comes. As he struggles to get his fire going, he doesn't dodge the lightning bolt in time. He tries to leap out of the way, but it strikes him across his muzzle and scrapes against his shoulder.
It gets a surprised cry of pain out of him, but Asriel's lips curl as a growl escapes his throat.
It was fine. He could handle it. He won't let the next one hit him.
He runs again, this time aiming to throw his body against Mettaton's legs. Mettaton's height was an unfortunate advantage, and one that Asriel needed to fix if he was going to win this fight. If Mettaton tries to kick him away, Asriel will try to clamp his jaw down to keep himself from getting thrown back.
He'll fight. If Mettaton wants to fight him so damn badly, he'll give him a fight he can remember.]
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Mettaton didn't even bother fighting back when Asriel tripped him, instead letting himself fall to his back with a grunt. There's a placid expression on his face now, and he doesn't struggle. It's almost an invitation for Asriel to get closer to him.]
Finish it, then.
[Come closer.]
1/2
He has a clear shot. Mettaton isn't reaching out to fight or restrain him, all he needs to do is swing down and-]
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... was inches away from trying to crack through Mettaton's stomach and ending this fight in the cruelest way possible.
Asriel doesn't move, but his hands are trembling. Mettaton has an open opportunity to make his move.]
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I'm sorry, Asriel.
I had to make you fight, because otherwise...I wouldn't be able to see it. I wouldn't be able to show it to you because I don't have the magic that makes it possible to draw out a SOUL without a fight.
Isn't that funny?
But please, trust me when I tell you that you do have a SOUL. I can see. And I can--
[He winces, forcing the tiniest bit of magic out, just enough to heal Asriel where he'd caused harm. The magic doesn't go to Asriel's face. Instead, Mettaton uses it to influence his SOUL directly, the halo of green wrapping around the heart-shaped form set in Asriel's chest, upside-down. It was there...Mettaton wasn't hallucinating it.]
You have a SOUL, and you have the compassion that comes with it, because I can see it, and so should you be able to. You could have ended me, and you didn't. Monsters don't really ever want to kill...right? We do not want to kill, nor do we want to be killed.
I told you. You are a good person.
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Y-you...
[He trails off, not sure whether to be angry or start crying. Maybe a little of both? He isn't sure what Mettaton is talking about at first, until he feels magic tugging at something in his chest.
A heart-shaped gentle glow in the center of his chest. Asriel didn't even have to question what it is, he's seen monster souls enough times for him to realize what exactly Mettaton had done to him.]
T-that's... [His voice comes out weak and soft, in stunned awe. Thick tears form in his eyes in an instance as his mind struggles to accept what he's seeing.]
That's... my soul?
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Please, Asriel. Treasure it? Don't hurt it, and don't be sad anymore. At least not about this. You can come home. You can be a part of my world.
Doesn't that make you happy?
[Mettaton's hand falls away and he lays back tiredly. Damn it, that was exhausting. Why is his magic so difficult to use?]
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He doesn't want to ever, ever let this go.
He can go home. He's not sure what kind of home is waiting for them all, but he'll go there with Mettaton, mom, and Frisk and he'll be able to stay. He'll have a place that isn't just a dead prince or a long forgotten memory in monster history.]
It's real... for so long I t-thought... it's really real.
[Asriel opens his mouth to say something else, but a soft laugh comes out instead. And it continues, his laugh getting louder. He can't stop it or the tears dripping down his face, and each time he tries there's a fresh burst of high-pitched laughter.
He can go home.]
Thank you... thank you for showing me, thank you!
[He'll never be able to pay Mettaton back for what he's just done - especially not since he tried to attack him. But he's so, so grateful for what he's done.]
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Still, it was worth it.]
Of course, darling. You know, just because you cannot see something does not mean it doesn't exist. But in this case, I'm glad I could give you the push needed for you to understand.
Sorry that I had to say such terrible things to you.
[Some of it was anger...but some of it came from the right place. Finally, he'd done something right with his friendships.]
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[Mettaton could have been has harsh as he wanted if it meant having this.]
You found it. You found what I've been looking for ever since I was put in this ship. I can't... I don't think I can ever repay you for this.
[He doesn't want to let go, but the fur ruffling gets him to sink down towards Mettaton in an awkward but genuine hug. He slides off of him a little as he clings to him.]
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[Mettaton doesn't mind the hugging. After all, he's very contact-oriented. It makes him feel better to have someone so close, and God had he missed Asriel. Three weeks was a long time to swear off talking to a friend.]
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[Though he's been a lousy friend in the last several minutes. That thought doesn't dampen his spirits too much though, not when he can finally feel whole again.
He'll offer to help him up in a moment. Right now he just kind of wants to be selfish and hang onto his friend. Fighting aside, three weeks without Mettaton was just too long.]
Um... could you stay a little longer?
[He doesn't know what Mettaton's been up in the past few weeks, and he could still be busy. But he hopes Mettaton will stick around.]
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[Mettaton actually looks uncomfortable at the thought. Not because he didn't want to stay, but because staying meant that he would have the opportunity to spill his feelings on someone.
He didn't want to do that. Especially not when Asriel finally had something to be happy about. He would not take that away from the boy.
And he didn't want to subject Asriel to his unstable mind, either. The mind that screams to him that everything will be okay and that it isn't okay at the same time, to the point that he wishes he could sleep like everyone else, because then there would be respite.
Still. He can't really move right now, so...]
For a little while, sweetie. There's a lot to be done though. So I can't stay long. I'm very sorry.
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[Asriel sounds somewhat disappointed, but they're together right now. He rests his head on Mettaton's chest, feeling lighter than he has in... ever, he thinks.]
'm sorry I attacked you. You were trying to help me and I was acting like Fl... [Asriel stops himself.] ... a real jerk.
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[That's it. Don't agonize. Don't overdo it. Stop there.]
It isn't right that I have not been talking to you either. I shouldn't have been so distant.
[Stop, Mettaton.]
I'm the biggest jerk.
[Goddamn it.]
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[Asriel missed Mettaton, for sure. But whatever reasons Mettaton had, Asriel wasn't going to hold it against him. They all were torn up by recent events - Frisk was avoiding him, Mettaton was distant, and Asriel...
Almost decided that none of them were worth holding onto and made himself disappear. But that was wrong.]
And if you were a jerk, then I was a super jerk. I - I can't believe... I can't believe I almost said goodbye to you, mom, and Frisk. Y-you're all so important to me, you mean more to me than anything on this stupid ship or any planet we've ever been to.
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[Mettaton uses what energy he has to tug the small boss monster close to him in a firm hug. He couldn't say anything without screwing it up but he could still do this. He could still offer a hug.]
I'm just happy I didn't have to say goodbye. I don't want to say goodbye to any more friends, but...I know it is difficult. I promise you, I do understand how hopeless things can feel. To the point where you try to wrestle back control from your own circumstances, make it all run on your terms again even if it means making bad decisions.
[And this time, he bites his tongue because he does want someone to listen to him, but it shouldn't be Asriel right now.]
I will always forgive you.
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Maybe deep down, Asriel was worried about the reasons why Mettaton spent weeks away fro him. He rationalized it as him being busy, but knowing that he's seen his timeline and everything he did or was...
Hearing that he was forgiven lifts another weight off of him, even if Mettaton didn't know it was there. Tears threaten to form, but he blinks them back.]
I don't wanna say goodbye either - not ever. I... ever since I arrived on this ship, I always thought I was gonna have to stay behind, you know? And in the beginning, I was okay with that. Because even if everyone else went home, I could stay behind and still be me.
[He won't be isolated forever in the Underground. He'd have a second chance to say goodbye to his family. It was more than what he felt he deserved, but it was an ending that was better than what was waiting for him.]
But I... I really don't want that anymore. I don't like it here. I just wanna go home and see the surface and go to your shows and see dad again-
The closer we got, the more scared I got. Because I didn't want to stay. But I didn't want to go home and turn back into a flower, and lose everything I had here too. I'm so tired of it - of being scared, of different timelines, and I'm just tired of all of it.
[Asriel closes his eyes, looking away.]
I'll never be able to be the old Asriel again. Not after everything that's happened, but... I want to start over again. With all of you.
[On the surface. With his SOUL.]
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[Mettaton tries to summon up every happy thought, even though the longer he speaks, the more it hurts because he knows, truthfully, that he won't ever feel the same, and that it'll be hard to reconcile his feelings for Papyrus, and reconcile the discomforting notion that he won't be able to share the same relationship with Asriel and Frisk that he had here. Toriel had no reason to think highly of him, after all.
Still. Even as his voice wavers, he continues:]
I'll give you free tickets to my shows, like I said, and you can spend time with Undyne too. Anything you want, whichever monster you ever wanted to talk to you can! And the humans have started to come around to us, accept that we want to coexist and we mean no harm.
It'll be okay...and we'll be friends, so you'll never need to say goodbye to your family. Or to me...
[His grip on Asriel tightens as he speaks, but not uncomfortably. He'd replicate the sound Asriel made if he could...but it's not something he can do. He's just a ghost in a machine. All he can do is smile and say pretty words.]
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[It still doesn't sound real - and lately, Asriel's been a little afraid of seeing this world where monsters could be free and happy being reset back to nothing. He hates feeling like that. Deep down, he knows Frisk will do the right thing.
But why was Frisk afraid too...?
They've had this conversation before. There was an odd sense of fakeness to it - like they were just trying to convince themselves that this was what was waiting for them at the end of their journey. That all their pain would vanish the moment they go home. Of course, it never works like that.]
Mettaton... you know you're still gonna be part of our family no matter what happens, right? You're pretty much stuck with us now.
... I know going home isn't going to make everything that happened here suddenly go away. I think you understand how I feel about this place better than anything else. So... if things aren't okay, you've always got me to talk to. Okay?
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He couldn't. He couldn't impose it on Asriel, that was the whole point of these three weeks. It would all have been for naught if he talks about himself and his insecurities.]
...I know. And I appreciate that you would listen to me, really I do.
And...I am happy to be stuck with you, as you say. You have a very lovely family and I'm privileged to be considered a member of it. You've all given me something that I did not deserve but which I cherish.
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...I don't have a proper EX icon for this? Hell hath frozen.
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