(no subject)

Who: Everyone
When: July 1 and onward. See this post for info.
Where: Kauto + Chioni + Ingress Complex
Warnings: Potential violence. Please label warn-worthy content in your subject headers.

There's a burst of light in the sky when the Ingress breaks, a final flare followed by a shuddering that only those in the facility can feel. A flurry of panicked activity in the complex follows, ushering new arrivals to where they need to go in a hurry, with little time to give them the needed information, much less answer questions. The lights remain on, but dimmer now, life functions still operating but little else. On Kauto and Chioni below, the sky fades into an early twilight, followed by night, and day does not come again.

nerds save the world

Before the end of the day, all TABs receive an emergency broadcast notification outlining the situation. The speaker, a lead Savriite Ingress technician, does not invite panic but nor does he mince words. The Ingress is broken; their best efforts have failed to restore it. The time has come to turn to anyone who can help: scientists, engineers, those who have worked with advanced technology on any world. Formal qualifications don't matter when it could be the end of everything.

"Help us. Before it is too late."

Those who come will have the run of the complex and full access to the Ingress, as well as whatever tools are available and as much coffee as they can drink. People are encouraged to work in groups and share ideas, and a small number of young and nervous technical assistants will be on hand.

the land below

As Thisavrou is denied light and warmth, the weather becomes brisk and descends into bitter cold. Chioni is evacuated due to the effects on the already-harsh weather cycles there, although a skeleton crew of scientists remain behind. On Kauto, the arboreal Region Three and pastoral Region Two suffer the most from the temperatures and the snow that eventually begins to fall. Many crops are frozen over, and refugee citizens are driven from their homes to the Regions One and Five, where stored energy will keep dwellings warm. Save for those who choose to leave the underwater facilities, Region Four remains largely unchanged, but there are unverified accounts of strange aquatic animal behavior near the surface.

Overcrowding, limited supplies and a pervasive fear presents the opportunity for both heroism and foul deeds. Many come together to share resources, supplies and fellowship in what could be the end of worlds, while others take what they can from the unwilling or exploit the desperate. Sentient evacuees are followed by fauna from Region Three and unsettled lands beyond, in search of warmth or food or merely confused by the change in habitat. Some are unthreatening herbivores, while tanglesnakes and clownbees are more troublesome. Others are poisonous hunters, while still others are small, but dangerous when faced as a pack.

Just when all seems lost, light returns to the sky. The Ingress begins to function once more.

the coming days

As the temperatures rise, many demand answers, but most turn to the rebuilding of their lives first. Damage has been done that isn't so easily fixed, and even in the least-affected areas, remnants of the crisis show in the lack of fresh food, in the increased signs of criminal activity. Those who can help others through their own efforts of by organizing assistance are needed, but those with impure intentions are more likely to go unnoticed.

Eavesdropping on the streets may reveal a desire for vengeance. "Those intruders from last week. They're responsible for this, aren't they? What's being done?" But don't listen too closely, or a suspicious eye may be turned on you. "Aren't you one of the refugees from the Midway Hub? You should return to where you came from! All the trouble began when your people showed up!"

Life goes on. But life does not go on unchanged.

[quick ooc note: the Region 4 search & retrieval mission/RNG fight will be posted in a separate log.]

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Always a pleasant surprise to come across like-minded individuals.

[Of course anything was better than the hostile natives, right? At least the encounter had done a great deal to improve his mood, Dorian could have gone very sour very quickly.]

That's him. [So this man knew Ahab, not surprising, he had friends from his own world here as well.] He's quite singular and unexpectedly, he's gentle. You wouldn't think it though, not with his streak of sadism.

And, were I come from, such an unfortunate rarity.

[ on a number of different levels. not that he minded that much, however. ]

I've worked with him for years. [ keeping it vague, in accordance with the stories they'd set up. ] I even helped him raise DD, the dog he's always with. He's a good man to have as a friend, though I'd say you've yet to really see sadistic.

[ some might call him such, after all. and they might not be entirely wrong, when the occasion arose. ]

And yet a part of me can appreciate that uncommoness, it's the rare birds that are often the most intriguing. If everyone we of a similar mind, well, bantering would be less enjoyable.

[And bantering is about fifty percent of who he is, it's a lot like oxygen, if he can't have that back and forth badinage he'd simply die. On the inside.]

Ah...yes, DD is an improvement over the Dogs in Thedas...at least he doesn't smell like a Mabari. [Thank the maker, because Mabari war hounds could work up such an awful stink as to be enjoyed for miles around. Dorian's not the biggest dog fan, but a nice smelling, or even mildly pleasant smelling dog, that happened to be friendly, was a vast improvement.] No, I can't imagine him ever being truly sadistic, not with me anyway...he seems like the sort of man who would do what is necessary if it came down to it.

[Dorian is aware that Venom holds back on purpose with him, obviously because Dorian isn't a soldier.]

I suppose what I was really getting out of Venom was...play time? Sparring seems to be fun for him and he was baffled by my lack of knowledge in hand-to-hand combat, it was adorable, so I indulged.

[ it is somewhat refreshing to be bantering with someone who doesn't loathe every fibre of your being. not that Miller wasn't a joy to associate with. ]

You won't find a better dog than him anywhere. [ the pride shines through in his voice. as much as he is Venom's dog as well, he's probably the closest thing to a child that Ocelot will ever have. ]

He's probably... the second-best person I've known when it comes to hand-to-hand. [ number one went to John, of course. ] You're lucky to have him as a friend. [ a beat ] If you would ever like to learn about other weapons from our world, though, I'd be more than happy to give you a few pointers.

[ though, melting someone's face is again, pretty impressive. ]

[Won't Ocelot be surprised that Dorian adores Kazuhira, how could anyone not find the man charming, it would come as a complete shock to the mage.]

Heh...you may end up having an argument with Hawke over that one, she'll insist her Mabari is the best there ever was. Of course the dog lords of Ferelden and similarly the ones in the Free Marches take a lot of pride in their war hounds...expected when you worship dogs I suppose. [Dogs in the south...dogs everywhere...except in Orlais...well, okay, they had dogs, but they were the tiny ones, the kind that a Mabari could take a single bite out of and it would be finished.]

Second-best? Well, I would be curious to know who the best is then so I can avoid them, I've enough bruises from Venom, I should like not to tempt my fate. [Especially if number one was similar to Venom in his way of thinking that this sort of sparring was an exercise in bonding.] Well I'm not one to turn down a lesson in culture, so, by all means.

[ well, Dorian, that's a long story. one that involves Miller going behind Ocelot's best friend's back to work with the guy who helped ruin said best friend's life, then having those actions directly result in a series of events that led to his best friend ending up in a nine-year coma and Ocelot being used once again as a pawn in said life-ruiner's plans. while having to work with Miller, the guy at least partially responsible for this mess in the first place for nine years with no guarantee that his best friend would ever wake up. and then when said friend woke up, Miller had to go and throw a tantrum about not being kept in the loop when the whole point was none of them could be kept in the loop.

and THEN it didn't exactly help that when he arrived here, he found out that Miller would be at least partially responsible for said best friend's future death didn't exactly help their relationship here. or the fact that Miller insists on calling their mutual friend by his first name when that's his and John's thing.

tl;dr, he has GOOD reasons to dislike Miller. that involve more than his completely normal relationship with his best friend. ]

Well, those dog lords, as you call them have clearly never met DD. He's one-of-a-kind. [ it could very well turn into an all-out war. but, few had any hope of going against the Russians. ] People who worship dogs, and an entire country built on solely on breeding the perfect human. Your world sounds like an interesting place.

[ of course, Earth had its own share of quirks, but... ]

His name's Ishmael. [ seriously though guys, couldn't you have chosen better fake name. ] I've known him for... probably over twenty years now, and I still haven't been able to beat him.

[ much to his chagrin, though he has gotten close a couple of times. and any resemblance to Venom is because they're... definitely brothers. ]

Let me know on the TAB when you're feeling more up to it. [ don't want you to open up your wound and get yourself a nasty scar, after all. ]

[Nooooo. Not Dorian's Kazuhira, his too sweet for this world, Kazuhira! Given where he comes from Dorian would listen to the story with the notion that there are always two sides to every story. Still, Dorian couldn't help himself and his sense of loyalty, the man had done so many wonderful things for him after all.]

I'll have to take your word for it, I know very little of dogs myself -- never had personal pets. [Most of the animals on his family's estates were work animals, horses and cattle of some sort. Treated well, naturally. Still no dogs or cats for this one here.] Heh...my world is one, giant, cautionary tale where there are holes in the sky and demons fall from them, while under the ground we're besieged by darkspawn, and people on the surface are at ideological odds with one another. If you enjoy barely contained chaos, then it's actually quite pleasant.

Ishmael? [Dorian chuckled softly to himself, not because he had any idea about the relationship between Ahab and Ishmale to a certain story, but because the name reminded him of something else completely.] Where I come from there is a desire demon with a similar name, move a few letters around...

[Not that it was important, just an amusing coincidence.] Well, you're probably better off than I am, best I've been able to do against Venom islearn the technique, applying them against him has been a exercise in humiliation.

[Nedless to say he wouldn't be going up against Big Boss in hand-to-hand combat anytime soon.]

It shouldn't be long, once I get the okay I'll drink a healing potion and I should be perfectly well. So many benefits to magic.

[The brother story would actually be a sell of skepticism on Dorian's part who was under the impression that Ahab was a representation of someone else. A blank slate redesigned.]

[ of course, even if he knew about their friendship, he'd never say anything bad about Miller to someone he just met unless he had a very good reason to. he likes to keep his cards close to his chest, and Miller has become something of a sore spot for him in recent weeks. ]

I can't say that I did either. DD was something of an exception. [ but despite his codename, he had always liked the dogs growing up in the military, even if he never had one of his own. besides, it's not like his "guardian" would've ever allowed something like that. ] Sounds positively medieval. All we've had to worry about is someone setting off a nuclear weapon at the wrong time, and inadvertently destroying all life on the planet.

[ but, enough about nuclear Armageddon and back to a topic that he vastly prefers. hearing that almost causes Ocelot to burst into laughter. thankfully he manages to contain himself and instead manages a snort. ]

A desire demon. That's a good one. If you ever meet him, be sure to mention that to him. [ as much as he loves his best friend, this was still a man who'd thought someone was a cannibal when she told him she wouldn't mind eating him. ] He looks a little like [ almost exactly like ] Ahab, though he's got shorter hair and is a little grayer. [ it suits him, honestly. and while he tries not to sound overly fond, his fatal flaw has always been that he's painfully obvious about his feelings for his best friend.

~~well, obvious to everyone except for John.~~ ]

I've been told that I'm pretty good [ look, he can even be humble, too! ] but you seem like you're a quick learner. [ another flash of a grin. ] And, I'll be looking forward to it.

[ wow Miller, way to be honest with your friends. ]

[Everyone has their demons and Dorian found he was in no way in the right place to judge the matter or the people, but his affection for Kazuhira did make him somewhat biased in the favor of his friend. He already knew Kazuhira had issues with that and was concerned with letting anyone too close to him, but Dorian was far too irrepressible once he's decided he liked someone. There is certainly a loyalty about him that was uncommon in his countrymen.]

Oh? That's all you had to worry about...like a castoff thing, like waking up to a bad hair day...well it does sound a lot faster than being assailed by another Blight or a demonic takeover, I've seen the latter in an alternate future, nasty business the end of the world. [Something you might want to avoid, like stepping in horse shit.

But the end of all days is a very morbid topic, especially since he feels as though they are experiencing something similar to that now in this world, what with random attacks from their ever gracious hosts.]

Well, now I have to meet him, otherwise I won't be able to scrub that image out of my head. [Dorian has no filter really and he doesn't care for rank terribly much, he's no one's soldier after all and has even called Ahab insolent, bossy pants, and a few other names in play without fear of retribution.

Though when the topic takes another turns to what this Ishmael looks like Dorian makes a face, there is a spark of recognition in there as though he might be recalling a bit of information he'd been told under the strictest of confidence. He'll fix that expression quickly, however, with a nod and a grin.] Should make him easy to spot then.

[Were Dorian privy to such thoughts, he'd just have to tell Ocelot to be more direct in expressing himself, the worst that could happen? He'd turn you down...well maybe not the worst, but it certainly feels like the worst.]

It's a date then. [Not the candy and flowers kind, obviously, because he's teasing.] And with the Savrii behaving like savages my days are open.

[ well, there was certainly much more to his own world that he might be able to share, but unfortunately, Ocelot is anything but an open book. more of one with a very alluring cover, with all the pages stuck together. ]

I'm sure you will. He and Ahab are quite close. [ Ocelot definitely notices that face, though again, it's hardly something you talk to another person about when you've first met him. though, he can't help but wonder if Venom told him his true origins or if... someone else entirely did (Miller). a question for another time.

~~and look one of the last people to tell him he loved him did so while pregnant with his clone children it was not a good time for anyone.~~ ]

I'm looking forward to it. [ and with that, he takes a step back. ] You should be all patched up, with no scarring.

[Aren't they all a little bit tight-lipped? Dorian has no problem sharing information, but he's selective in the things that he'll share and to the degree of what he'll share until he knows someone.

Not that secret identities and code names have all that much meaning to him, he supposed it was better suited for spies and assassins, but everyone had their secrets.]

If he and Ahab are that close, I can only imagine that several of my acquaintances know him. [Kazuhira did mention this other man he used to love, though he didn't mention him by name exactly and Dorian didn't ask. He wondered if this was the same person, but speaking of, it was Kazuhira who mentioned it to him only because Dorian was keenly aware of the fact that Ahab lacked a self-awareness when it came to his appearance. Something he found odd.

~~And this is why Dorian chooses to avoid complications.~~]

Now I have to think of a way to repay you for this...especially since the no scarring bit is very important to me.

[ his tone is light. ]

I imagine that they would. He's got a unique ability to make friends with the most unlikely of people.

[ himself included, possibly (especially given the fact he was the one who shot his eye out, albeit accidentally). of course, out of everyone alive (barring quite possibly, Venom, given his nature), he probably knows Big Boss better than anyone else.

~~sometimes, Dorian, complications find you and before you know it's twenty years later and you've spent half your life loving someone who has the emotional intelligence of a rock~~.

another smile. ]

Your company will be repayment enough.

[ the man was certainly interesting. and he could use more people to associate with that... weren't from his world. ]

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