thisavrou_log | ( may event log )

Entry tags:

( may event log )

Who: Everyone
When: May 1st and on
Where: The Moira + Amissis-Re
What: The crew finds themselves visiting the very barren planet of Amissis-Re.
Warnings:None, but please label your content!

E
V
E
N
T

L
O
G

far from nowhere
"the trees rustle in the evening when we stand uneasy before our own thoughts."

With the events of Del Pascia behind the Moira, things are only now beginning to settle—and not very well. Through the combined efforts of some of the crew, D-E-L and her permanent residents were incinerated into the dust of space. While it’s not the most peaceful end, it is one, and not many are going to be thinking back on how nice Del Pascia’s facilities were for quite some time. Repairing what they could of the ship’s interior and putting as much distance between the Moira and the prison as possible, those aboard are informed by Navigation that they are approaching another planet. This means, of course, the potential for better supplies, as some things are beginning to dwindle, and the Captains elect to dock so long as the crew follows protocol.

WELCOME TO AMISSIS-RE

Amissis-Re is an unregistered planet with no documented histories or signs of life. The Moira’s Navigation crew have scanned the planet for any usable resources and have discovered a faint signal emitting from beneath the surface of Amissi-Re. Using the transporters and any other crafts located in the Cargo Bay, the crew are able to travel to the source of the signal. Upon arriving in its exact location, they’ll find a small series of lakes that lead to a tower-like structure that appears to be in use. Crew must cross a poorly assembled bridge system that sways and dips when weight is applied to it in order to gain access to the entrance. Once there, a woman comes out to greet them and explains, excitedly, that she is so very happy that they have come to Amissis-Re.

Everyone can go home.

Their host insists that she has done the impossible and has somewhat fixed the Ingress that’s been built on Amissis-Re a long time ago, and what’s more, she can send crew home for short bursts of time. Upon following this woman inside, crew will find that the planet is not, in fact, barren at all. Diving deep into the underbelly of Amissis-Re, it’s like an eternal factory of machines, and while vast, for whatever reason, it also seems incredibly welcoming...

☄ LEAP OF FAITH ( 05.01 and on )

The barren planet of Amissis-Re is devoid of vegetation and organic life except for a lone woman, and the planet itself is an intricate honeycomb of machines that go for miles below the surface. Yet, that seems insignificant and unimportant in comparison to the news that the crew has just received. After Thán has looked at the Ingress, he tells the crew that he cannot say for certain that it is properly functioning, but Emiri native, Ben Link, will volunteer to test it out.

An elevator takes crew down to a glass platform that overlooks an inverted Ingress portal. In order to return home, the Moirans will have to take a leap of faith and jump in. Ben, in order to show his commitment to the crew and willingness to help get them home, takes that jump with Captain Thán seconds behind him. Jumping feels like dropping through wind; lights swirl, it’s warm, and a soft buzzing encompasses you as you fall. You don’t feel the landing. One moment you’re falling, and the next, you’re in a new world.

A few hours pass before a similar elevator rises from below and to the left of the Ingress, stopping beside the platform. Ben and Thán step out unharmed.

It works, and everyone can temporarily go home. Will you jump?

☄ COMBINE THE EXTREMES ( 05.01 and on )

The woman that greeted the crew and led them to the platform will allow anyone that wants to go home the opportunity to go. There’s only one catch: it’s not permanent. She’s worked for years to fix the Ingress so that she can return to her own home but hasn’t been able to make the trip an everlasting one. Everyone always comes back. Always. They go for a few hours, at first, but that amount of time increases with each visit.

The one guideline, she says, is that you can’t go alone. Each trip requires a partner, or it becomes too much for the mind to bear. These rules are simple: the world takes shape depending on who jumps first, but if crew go hand-in-hand and leap at the same time, the worlds combine. This new world will be populated with people that existed in both and may appear to be a jarring combination of both worlds. It may seem unusual, but if the woman is asked, she’ll explain that the combined world does exist as there are more universes than can be imagined. The Ingress tries to take the person to their own home, their original home, but when jumping together, it finds the closest possible match and deposits them there instead.

From that point on, you can travel the world together or split up, but remember, this world is a living, functioning world. It doesn’t matter if it’s the home of one crew member or a combination. You meet other people. You can get hurt. You influence and are influenced by others.

Be cautious, and enjoy your visit “home”.

☄ LINGER ON ( 05.05 and on )

The more times the Amissis-Re Ingress is visited, the more it seems that your trips last longer and the experience becomes even more vivid. More real and harder to distinguish from the current reality that you know. It’s difficult to explain why, but you get the feeling that maybe if you went without the aid of the host, that perhaps you’d be able to stay. Forever. It takes some subterfuge, but in time, you see your chance: she’s nowhere in sight, and you take it.

The world you are in now is completely your own, whether another crew member accompanied you or not. The people you know are there, everything around you is exactly as you remember. A few hours pass, and you don’t feel that familiar tug, that invisible hook at the base of your spine that signals that your visit is over. Even more time goes by, and you’re still in that world, your home. When the first day has passed, you begin to question if you’ll ever go back, or if life on the Moira was all a dream. The person with you won’t be able to convince you otherwise, and they’ll start to feel less real, a stranger that you used to know.

There’s only one way to go back to the Moira. Someone from the other side has to come in and retrieve you both. Once in, contact with a third will jump-start a link through the Ingress, and it will pull all crew back to the platform.

( ooc; For questions, go here. Please comment to activity check to receive new ranks (if applicable)! )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Luke watches with stupefaction and guilt-- if this man gets hurt, it will be Luke's fault, and for that, and the fact that he's clearly outmatched, Luke appreicates his bravery. If he can risk so much for a stranger, surely Luke can do the same. Maybe this was a test, in its own way. If it is, Luke has to pass it; the consequences are too dire, otherwise.]

[It's not a very heartening thought. Luke hasn't passed a test in what feels like a very long time.]

[Luke shifts a bit, grasping the rock with what remains of his right arm while he reaches out with his left. It's enough that he can grasp the other man's wrist.] Thank- thank you.

[Of course, Luke has never been in a scenario like this before, and he has no idea how to move forward. He's not even sure the twig can hold them both-- wood always seems to brittle-- and it leaves Luke stuck, hooked onto the rock with one arm and grasping at a stranger with his remaining hand. Um.]

If I can get out of the water, I can- I can probably make the jump. [And, what, throw the stranger? This is a terrible plan.]

[ miles shakes his head hurriedly. ]

I'll lose my grip on you. Look, I'll count to three, and on three, you let go of the rock and jump forward. I'll pull you back -- we should be able to get past the main current and close enough to shore.

[ should, right. it's a risky move for sure, but there isn't exactly a safe play right now.

[On instinct, Luke opens his mouth to argue, but he closes it just as quickly. He wouldn't be in this mess if he knew what he was doing. Luke wishes he had more practice using the Force against the current. The constant pressure makes it hard for him to pull himself out, and the lapping water suckers his concentration. Luke wonders if it's because of how the water isn't living, doesn't generate the Force-]

[But there has to be bacteria in the water and the mud below it, Luke realizes. Living organisms teem around them, in the air and the grass. The Force is always there. Luke just wasn't thinking, wasn't prepared. In the interest of not drawing this out (or confusing his companion), he keeps the plan to himself. He just nods, eyes feirce with determination before he closes them, expression gone placid.] Alright. Let's go.

[When Luke jumps, it's farther than it should have been for a man his size in this strong a current. He keeps his grip on his companion's hand, and he's a bit lighter, a bit less effected by the water's pull. It's not easy to concentrate, but it's some kind advantage, for as long as Luke can keep it up.]

[His eyes are still closed.]

[ miles takes in that shift in expression on luke's face but there's only the blink of an eye to think about it before luke's lunging forward and miles, according to plan, pulls back with a firm grip on luke's wrist. he's stronger than he looks for a man of his size, and between that and luke's use of the force, all that momentum pitches them far back enough that they tumble back to the shore. miles, miraculously, manages not to break anything else, although he's pretty soaked from the waist down and his sling is a little...well. he'll get to it in a moment. he sits up with a cough, wiping a stray spray of water from his face as he stares at luke in pure fascination. ]

What was that you did just now?

[Luke, meanwhile, is lying back on the bank, utterly boneless. He's happy to be alive, doubly so not to have accidentally gotten a stranger killed. He sits up after a moment, rubbing at his eyes.]

I called on the Force. Let me guess, [He smiles,] you've never heard of it?

Afraid not, no. [ miles, still trying to catch his breath, pushes himself up a little straighter to sit up properly so he can support his casted arm. ] How's it work?

[ he's a very curious man, and it shows in his intent interest as he looks over at luke -- that, and the more he gets to know luke, the closer he'll get to figuring out...something to do about the fast-penta. something. ]

It's... the life energy of all things. Sometimes, with a lot of training, it'll do what you ask. [That is, he's sure, a terrible explanation, but Luke is tired. Maybe a demonstration would be better? Luke reaches out, and his prosthetic arm begins to float toward them. He plucks it out of the air, and begins affixing it properly to his arm.]

But- you saved my life, and I don't know your name. [He reaches out with his right hand, all shining metal, for a handshake.] Luke Skywalker. It's nice to meet you.

[ miles watches luke in fascination. everyone around here seems to have special powers, it seems like. ]

Don't mention it. Daring rescues are my specialty. [ he gives luke a somewhat breathless and irreverent grin and shakes luke's prosthetic hand with his own good one. ] Miles Naismith Vorkosigan. The sentiment is mutual.

[Luke is just pleased to have gotten out of another attempt at explaining the Force. Explaining the mystical forces behind the universe is not, strictly speaking, his strongest suit.]

Well, I owe you one. That'll show me for trying to swim. [He says it with good humor.] Is your arm alright? It was in a sling.

Oh, this? [ miles lifts his casted arm at luke before he pushes himself to his feet, shaking some water from his sodden boots. ] It's broken, but it's alright. It's mostly healed by now. This, though...

[ miles plucks his sling from the edge of the riverbank and shakes it a little -- it's just as wet as he is from the waist down -- and makes a face. it's a little stretched out and torn from its labors as a tether. ]

This may have outlived its usefulness. [ he lets out a small sigh, mostly for effect. ] I'm never one for leaving troops behind, but I'm afraid this is where we part ways. You served me well, soldier. I shall toast to your memory.

[ with that odd and needlessly dramatic proclamation, miles drops the now-useless sling back to the ground and shrugs. he's nearly ready to have the damn cast off anyway. ]

If you wanted to learn to swim, I could teach you once this cast's off. I've been swimming since I was a kid. Although, er, I don't think river rapids are a great beginner's course.

[Luke snorts. Military humor was a staple of... oh, the last three years of his life. Which is to say, he appreciates the display.]

Rapids-? Is that... [Luke's never heard that term for water before, but it's pretty self-explanatory.] I guess I wasn't thinking. Or, well, I was, I just didn't think it'd be hard. I've never seen anything like this before.

[He gestures to the river. Luke can't quite keep the wonder out of his voice, try as he might to seem casual. Showers are one thing, and he appreciates them deeply despite taking them regularly for the past few years, but natural water sources just flowing freely in the dirt? It's amazing.]

[ miles grins despite himself. okay, so his primary interest is really in getting to know luke so he can solve this fast-penta problem, but he's so damned affable it's almost impossible not to like him. he listens to the awe in luke's voice and tilts his head at luke with a slightly arched eyebrow. ]

Let me guess. You're from some kind of desert planet?

Ah- [Luke ducks his head bashfully, scratching the back of his neck in what would be an obvious tell if he had anything to hide. Does he really act like that much of an Outer Rim bumpkin?] It's that obvious, huh?

[ miles just laughs, shaking his head. ]

My mother's from a desert planet. Beta Colony. [ and if luke paid enough attention to the label on the hypospray, he'll recognize that name. ] The surface is too hot for human habitation, so they mostly live in domes underground. I'm told that when she first came to Barrayar, she couldn't get enough of the open sky and all that water. The lake behind one of my family's houses is bigger than the largest body of water on Beta.

[Luke paid attention, but only for like five minutes. 'Beta colony' rings a bell, but it's one of those little ones they have on convenience store doors. Luke thinks it sounds familiar, but he can't place it, so he shrugs it off without a thought.]

[He thinks, after hearing Miles' story, he can sum up the situation on Tatooine very succinctly:] On Tatooine, my uncle, who lived there his whole life, was a moisture farmer.

[And, if fate hadn't been fate, Luke would have been as well.]

When I saw that... well, you saw what happened.

[ yeah, that sounds like a desert planet, alright. miles's eyebrows raise slightly in acknowledgment. ]

Just couldn't help yourself, eh? [ he chuckles slightly. his eyes light up with a sudden thought, and his grin widens. ] This place is...kind of drab, as far as planets with water go. How'd you like to see some real water? And the green to go with it, to boot.

I- [Luke's brain rushes to catch up with him. You couldn't help yourself reminds him too much of leaving Dagobah for him to grab at any offer with both hands.]

[However, the offer's tempting. And, Luke reasons, if he does it knowing full well what he's about, that's completely different than running off on a hunch. And isn't a Jedi supposed to learn other cultures and see other worlds, to widen their understanding of the universe?]

[Luke grins in return.] You- you mean your planet, through the portal?

[ miles jerks his head back toward the reverse-ingress. the more he talks to luke, the more he genuinely likes the guy. he'll find a way to work this fast-penta thing out, and if he's got a good rapport with luke, all the better. ]

That's right. I'll take you to Barrayar, if you like. I need a jump partner, anyway.

[Okay, Luke can't resist any longer, he beams.]

Sure! If you don't mind the risk of ending up on Tatooine instead.

Well, if we do we'll probably dry out a lot faster.

[ he flashes a wild grin in response, brilliant and a little manic. he waves luke over to the reverse-ingress and holds out a hand. ]

Count of three, or should we just go for it?

[On the one hand, thrill-seeking is a soft sell to gain Luke's approval. On the other hand, doesn't this guy have a broken arm?]

[Luke ultimately decides he probably knows his own limits best.] I'd race you, if it didn't mean we might end up in different places. [Great plan.] Count of three.

Count of three. [ miles grins at luke with a nod, and on three, they jump...

...and they're most definitely not on tattooine.

the area is a mix of earth-imported green vegetation and barrayar's own native reddish-brown flora, but it's all set beneath a bright blue sky. miles and luke find themselves between what looks like a comfortable, well-furnished residence built out of the remains of a castle and a sprawling, shimmering lake. miles shakes out one still-wet boot absent-mindedly and beams up at the sky, eyes lighting up. ]

Ah. Vorkosigan Surleau it is, then.

[Luke just sort of... gapes. It's somehow more beautiful than Yavin. He wishes Beru and Owen can see it, it's everything they ever told him other planets were like when he asked. It's beautiful, lush and green and full of life, almost overflowing with it. He hears a birdsong in the distance, the far-off buzz of instects; it's all so pleasant. The animals here haven't been soured by evolution fitting them into the roughest terrain. Even the warmth of the sun is kind and warm, totally unlike the unforgiving heat of Tatooine's suns.]

[Luke realizes his mouth has dropped open. How charming. He laughs despite himself.]

It's paradise. I'd never want to leave, if I were from here. [A heavy statement, for someone who longed to leave home as much as he did.]

[ AWWW, LUKE. it's clear from miles's beaming face that he takes that sentiment to heart. he loves his shitty planet, so much, and usually galactics think it's just an ass-backwards planet full of barbarians. well -- ]

Well, you haven't met the people. [ he's joking. mostly. well, there is a reason he wanted ship duty so badly. but miles loves barrayar and its people, for better or for worse, even if its society has tried its level best to trample and suffocate him. he's still proud to call barrayar his home -- it's a part of him, just as much as his own skin. ]

Come on, I'll show you around. I grew up here -- sort of -- we split our time between Vorkosigan House here and our residence in the capital. My father's Prime Minister, so most of his work is over there, but he's the district Count here, too. And my mother's got plenty of philanthropy projects going out here as well.

I've met one of them. [He gestures toward Miles with a smile.]

[Now that he can tear himself away from the scenery, he notices something about the houses. The architecture is... off. It's not what he expected at all. He frowns. Maybe he'll ask Miles later.]

[Anyway, he's still talking. Luke tries to pay attention; it's not that Luke finds him boring, simply that he's always had a short attention span, and gaping at the local flora is a magnificent distraction.] He's a politician and a count?

[It sounds like Alderaan, a core world and bastion of civilization in his galaxy. He stands up a little straighter.] Wouldn't that make you...? [Something? He's not sure how their nobility works, but isn't that thing usually hereditary?]

( may event log )

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)