EVENT ★ NALAWI INTRO

[futurologists]

Recruits leave Oska at midday, with about 10 minutes of final warning given from the jewelry. Then the white mist rises as rifts open, and Oska is left behind. The transition into Nalawi is not a peaceful one. When the mist fades, recruits are immediately hit with a face full of lashing rain and driving wind. The recruits have arrived in the middle of a nasty storm, but that’s not all that greets them. Seawater surges all around, breaking against -- houses? It’s a little hard to tell at first, in the chaos of the storm. Half of these buildings are made of rock, not carved, but shaped, and the other half seem to be living trees, thin wood and thatch, and a handful of more ornate (and more fragile) material, including clouded glass or obsidian. The stone houses are standing up best to this onslaught of waves, but even they weren’t made for this, and they shudder and crumble in the thrashing storm. Thin screams can be heard over the wind and water, too. The locals are having some trouble not being washed away. The people here are small bipedal deer, and those hooves were not meant for swimming. They struggle in the water, some of them trying to snag a few precious belongings from drowning houses, some of them not even able to do much more than hang onto some jutting stone or tree. There are a few heroes among them, putting superhuman powers to good use: here a young man hovers in the air, dragging others out of the water and toward safety; there a girl parts the water with careful gestures of her hands, enabling a whole family to dart from their ruined home and run for higher ground. These feats are rare, though, and on the whole most of these natives are in trouble. They don’t look too stunned to see the new arrivals -- they don’t have time to, and will push roughly past a new arrival to deal with some crisis sooner than stop and stare. They’re mostly just grateful for any offered help, generally seeming terrified and shellshocked by all of this. If any of them are asked what happened, they’ll point with varying degrees of wordlessness toward a high stone wall between the village and the sea, with an enormous gap broken through the middle of it where the sea rushes in. Like many of the houses, this dike was clearly shaped from living stone. But whatever shaped it apparently has no power to maintain it, and this is the storm that had finally taken advantage of that. This long, dark afternoon provides plenty of tasks: help the Nalawi people evacuate from their ruined village, try to find material to rebuild their shattered (and still crumbling) dike, or take care of the hungry sea creatures that have taken notice that the deer, usually safe on land, are suddenly in easy reach. They look like crabs with too many legs, but each of them is nearly the size of one of the villagers. They’re more than capable of seizing a struggling villager and scuttling back toward the break in the dike to drag their prize into the sea. Their shells are difficult to get through, their pincers terrible and sharp, but their joints and eyes are unprotected and tender. The storm won’t last forever, though. It blows itself out in a few hours, just in time for a truly beautiful tropical sunset over the western edge of the island. Exhausted locals will finally begin to talk a little more. They’ll explain to their rescuers that the Stone Shapers have all had their Gifts faded out: there’s not a single one left. Without these abilities, the dike was left defenseless against the storm and the water rushed in. Their despondency and resignation suggests this kind of disaster is not new to them. They are, however, very grateful for the help: anyone who lends a hand over the new few days (thankfully sunny and clear) sorting through the wreckage, rebuilding, and setting up new dikes will be given food and shown to the inn for free lodgings. Welcome to Komo, Nalawi. OOC INFO ICly this log will cover the day of arrival and the following few days of recuperating and rebuilding, if you would like to include that in your top level prompts. OOCly it will last until the 26th. New information will be available at that time. As some quick refreshers, we have our Mission Overview here, which also includes a questions subthread for general questions. For intro event-specific inquiries, please see the comments below. Additionally, be sure to have read the Chantes epilogue as well as the Nalawi: Locations page. Note that we will also have new characters arriving during the event, so be sure to give them a hand!

Comments

Sieglinde Sullivan | OTA

[grunehexe]

⚝ 01; HIGHER GROUND TRIAGE

[Her gown may be soaking wet and her slick hair barely pulled back from her face, but there's really no time for anything else. Sieglinde has tied back her long sleeves and is rifling through her bags, pulling out bandages, potions, and all manner of other items. With all the storm damage there are natives with injuries, broken bones and cuts, and not to mention the crabs, and their own number-]

You, set up something to keep the storm out of here! You, keep these people back! You, bring me some water and start a fire! You, you're a healer, aren't you- give me a hand with this patient!

[She isn't just delegating at whim, at least, grabbing people she's known to have healing powers to assist and shouting at those who look strong to help set up better makeshift cover from the storm.

If you have injured natives, or injured selves or ther ALASTAIR recruits, bring them on over- Gently.]

⚝ 02; BABY'S FIRST OCEAN

[It isn't that Sieglinde's ignorant of the ocean- of course she knows it exists, and she's read about it, and viewed illustrations, but. ... The real thing was far, far different. She'd seen it in the storm, but then there had been no time to truly take it, only to get out of the water, get to higher ground, treat the injured-

As the storm breaks she can't help but lift her eyes from her work, patching up the last and least injured of her patients, (sprained delicate cervid ankles, cuts and bad bad bruises), eyes growing wide as the sky turned colors and dyed the surface of the calming sea.]

It's so large...

[It went on even farther than she could see.]

⚝ 03; TROPICAL BLUES

[Once the state of emergency has subsided and it's time to focus on repairs, Sieglinde can be found perched in one of the delicate wicker chairs of the native people salvaged from an abandoned home, perfectly content with the size and strength of their furniture. One of the benefits of being a tiny child, one supposes.

Spread out on a table she's also managed to get in position, (under which pants a skull-faced canine), are all manner of native plants and what might be seaweeds, all of which Sieglinde is in the process of memorizing, taking notes on a scrap of parchment she'd managed to salvage.

Until she suddenly throws her head back in frustration, groaning and moving to fan herself with the parchment.]

Why is it so godawfully hot...

[The heavy gown probably isn't helping...]

⚝ 04; WILDCARD

[Always welcome, or hit me up on plurk to plan something in particular!]

03

[perma_banned]

[Sieglinde's size had helped her, while Ban's did nothing but cause him grief with the tiny villagers. He had to struggle to get around. Everything was too small and he couldn't really get comfortable with them. He had, in one hand, a small bottle with a sickeningly sweet smell to it. He hadn't sampled the drink itself, yet. He was still willing to try to get comfortable and one of the residents offered something they said would take the edge off of things.

He assumed it was liquor, offering the young and former homeowner a smile. She smiled back, as much as he thought she could for someone who had just lost her house. Ban was grateful that heroism came with a handful of perks--one of which was a perk he abused all the time. People valued their lives more than their possessions in most instances. She didn't mind parting with some drinks as thanks for it.

Sieglinde didn't possess the same sort of pleasant atmosphere as the woman he left. He settled beside her in the dirt and brush, not bothering to look at her as she complained. Ban stretched his legs out and sniffed the mouth of the bottle, smiling to himself.]

I like it. Always did like warmer seasons.

[grunehexe]

[It never got this very hot in the more moderate climate of southern Germany. Sieglinde was accustomed to cold, wet winters and warm summers spent in the shade of the woods. Tropics were a first-

A very sticky, nastily humid first. When Ban plopped down beside her she looked him over with a passing glance before she returned to fanning herself with one hand, picking up her heavy, long hair and trying to keep it off her neck.]

Well, some of us like to wear clothing.

[There might be a tiny pout there, but she tries her best to not, instead turning her attention to the bottle Ban was sniffing.]

- is that native make?

[perma_banned]

Is that some sorta jab at me? [He touched a hand to his leather top--which fell off of him as the last thread came apart. It did a hero's job, especially all day. Khisanth's loving, tender bites to his abdomen did plenty to ruin it. Ban frowned inwardly at the getup as it neatly broke apart.]

Eh.

[Then, he lifted the bottle up to give it another sip. He smelled strong spirits before. He knew it was strong stuff--just, not how strong.]

It's local. Course, those folks are so tiny, I bet this is the best they've got. Never underestimate a hero's reward-- [He leaned back to give it a sip and then choked, one hand thrown over his throat. He looked at the bottle incredulously, as if he'd been bitten.]

02

[hsalf]

[Wells has taken to assisting the Nalawi people as well, mainly helping with clean up and excavation work (his "Doctor" position is closer to a researcher than a proper medic.) It's while he's gather supplies from the broken remains of homes does he see Sieglinde staring out to the ocean. ...She did mention before that she had lived in some sort of village most of her life - is this her first time seeing an ocean perhaps?

He approaches, a little worse for wear from all the weather, with a small smile.]

Do you see anything of interest out there, Sieglinde? [His tone is only half-innocent.]

[grunehexe]

[It doesn't exactly register at first that she's being spoken to. A beat too late and she finally looks behind- up.]

Oh, Doctor Wells-

[Her hands are still on her patient, but that particular native has been given a sleeping potion and isn't likely to be bothered by its healer taking a quick break to talk. She turns her gaze between Wells and the sunset, unable to mask the absolute awe the sight inspires in her.]

Have you ever seen its like... ?

[She feels foolish asking it, surely he wasn't like her and had seen its equal before, but she can't help herself.]

[hsalf]

[He nods as she trails off, looking to the sunset for only a moment - the glare a bit harsh on his eyes - and then looks back to her.]

I've watched them before, yes. [But not much. They make him think of Tess and the beach - the last day she was alive. It's irksome how it still affects him.] This one is particularly beautiful, especially the colors of the sky.

[The warm shades of orange, mixed with purple and blue. It's rare to see such a perfect mixture of color hues.]

01

[sengetsu]

[Kojuro is thoroughly soaked - on top of the rain, he's been going into the ocean flood waters in the village to haul people out again. He doesn't seem to notice or mind, though, looking more concerned about the villager he's carrying in his arms. A woman, it looks like, and there's a large gash on her head still oozing blood into her short fur]

She's breathing, but she won't come to.

[grunehexe]

[Despite her obvious youth, size, and handicap, this is Sieglinde's element. The storm doesn't phase her in the slightest beyond her irritation at its interference in the work at hand, even though she had jumped at the crash of waves and crack of lightning before she'd set to work. But once begun-]

You were good to bring her- Quick, lay her here, and watch her head, gentle now-

[She guides as best she can, placing both her hands beneath the Nalawins head to cradle and cushion as she's laid down on the makeshift bed of large palm fronds.]

Did you see it happen? How long as she been out?

[Already she's moving to thumb up an eyelid, peering at the dilation of pupil and roll of the organ, frowning slightly at the harder to interpret pupils of the cervid creatures with their dearth of easily read white.]

[sengetsu]

[He's painstakingly gentle as he lays the woman down - not too hard for him, given her size. He can haul Masamune around, so this is nothing. When he's done, he shifts to kneel by her side.]

I don't know - she was already unconcious when I found her. [and it was a small miracle she hadn't ended up with her face in the water.] The storm is throwing a lot of debris around, though.

wildcard, as promised!

[thebelly]

[ The day is long - filled with relief efforts and fighting giant crabs and it's been forever since North has this much fun. Because unlike Pitch Black, who overpowered them within minutes, everything here is doable, even if slightly difficult. But he'll take "difficult" any day; there's no thrill otherwise.

The tropical climate is a nice touch.

His giant fur hat and coat are laid out in the setting sun beside him, already dry with a snap of his fingers. North settles in the sand, and around him are the natives - even smaller than the average, likely children - that have joined him, their chattering surprisingly unnerving him. He's a Guardian, yes, but it's been ages since he's actually dealt with children, let alone children that aren't... human.

But they're a curious bunch, prodding him with questions and requests. ] Alright, alright-! [ He eventually speaks up, voice booming over the others, and the effect is immediate; the children settle down. ] I will show you. But! You must keep quiet. [ It takes him a moment to get past the awkwardness of it all; but it happens, and slowly his eyes light up with their usual wonder. With a raise of his hand, a sand castle appears in front of him, intricate in a way that screams of magic. Next comes the seashells, no more than 3, that sit up (for the lack of a better term) to circle the newly created moat like guards.

There's a chorus of oohs and ahhs that appear to encourage him, until he notices a new audience watching in the distance; a young girl, this time human. ] Ah!

[ His shoulders jump, and for a moment the seashells fall back again to their lifeless forms. His eyes dart back to the castle, and with a hurried wave of his hand they're circling again as if nothing happened. ] You are here to join us? [ Normally he'd stop, but -- he understands that the children need a distraction, something to marvel at, after what happened today. And what better man than Santa Claus himself to provide what they need? ]

[grunehexe]

[For the record, Sieglinde would like it known she didn't plan on coming to watch, or anything like that! It wasn't like she was a child or anything, distracted so easily by play. So maybe she'd been a bit curious what all the Nalawin children were so interested in, and maybe she'd sort of crawled over to look, tugging up her heavy gown to keep it out of the sand as she scooted over on her knees, dragging unnaturally tiny feet behind her.

But if pressed, she would like it known that the only reason she really was watching in the first place was because the animal companion she heavily relied on for transportation had decided now was a good time to run off and try to bite the waves of the incoming tide.

Really.

But once the display starts she's definitely watching, wide-eyed and curious as to what sort of magic he might be imploying to animate the objects without a spoken spell at the very least, completely focused on figuring that out- so much so that she actually started in surprise when spoken to, looking up flustered.]

Ah, no- I mean-

[Damn it, Sieglinde, you are looking a fool in front of all these native children! She cleared her throat hastily, waving her hand and trying to appear as if she was simply passing through.]

I am merely interested in your methods- do carry on...

[thebelly]

[ Luckily the Nalawin children take little note of the unintended pause in their entertainment, giggling when a stray seaweed joins the castle, flowing at the top like a small flag. The laugh is infectious, and North joins in, a low, booming sound underneath it all. ] Quickly, get some water for moat! [ He urges, and some of the children stand, looking around the area for some sort of container to carry the water over.

It gives him a little time to remind himself (again) that having children look at him is an acceptable thing here, at least for the time being. He lets out a small breath (ridiculous, considering he doesn't need to breathe), watching the small display he put on with fond eyes.

But none of this means that he's forgotten about their new guest - he's been glancing over at her now and then, blue eyes bright and curious. ] Methods? [ He questions, raising an eyebrow - ]

Hah! [ He waves a hand, which accidentally sends a seashell flying off to the forest. ] -- Oops. [ He summons a new one to join the marching crew again, pretending none of that happened. ] Come here, come here! You can be sitting here and be "interested". [ Don't you know, Santa does better with an audience. ]

01

[servant]

[Merlin follows the sound of her voice, carrying one of the small natives in his arms. He places him down when he finds a spot that's dry enough, safe enough that he can work on healing him without the fear of the both of them being trampled. He murmurs the words and moves his hand slowly over his injuries, letting the magic do its work.

It's only the beginning of what they need to do here, so Merlin assists with as many of her orders as he can, starting a fire, seeing to the next patient. He finally makes his way to her side to see if he can help with any of the unpacking.]

All right? [He glances over at her. If she's tired, it's not showing.] What can I do next?

as I start s3 of Merlin...

[grunehexe]

[Sieglinde is aware of Merlin's presence in the corner of her eye, a helpful presence that supplies her with what she needs- a crackling fire to warm her patients and begin drying out wet clothing, a helping hand with the overflow. It's much appreciated even if she doesn't spare the seconds to say it just yet, instead focusing on what she can do. Unsure of how long the storm will last or what more serious wounds might present themselves, she tries to preserve her magic when possible, saving it only for the unconscious or those with broken bones and deep lacerations.

After all- she knew little of their biology just yet, but the natives appeared cervid, and a deer could go into shock and die easily from wounds like that. Play it safe.]

Could you hand me one of those potions? It's the blue vial with the green stopper.

[She was starting to tire, starting off their day nearly drowning herself hadn't helped, but she refused to begin flagging just yet, not when there was more she could do, currently testing the range of motion of an elder Nalawin's potentially sprained ankle as she also appraised a cut across their flank.]

say goodbye to the simpler joys of the s1 & 2 ;;

[servant]

Of course. [He turns away just long enough to get the vial, pressing it into her hand once he finds it.] Here.

[Merlin casts a glance around them, and there's still so much to do. It shouldn't surprise him, not anymore. Such is the case wherever ALASTAIR sends them. He takes a deep breath and crouches down beside her.]

Do you think the worst is over? [And he really hopes he's not jinxing it by asking.] Which potion are you using?

03!

[keeper]

[ Aqua's always been a light dresser and so the weather isn't quite as taxing on her... She notices however a very familiar recruit suffering from the sun and makes her way over with a faint smile on her face. ]

Sieglinde. It's good to see you.

[ This is surely a nicer way to meet, instead of being trapped in a castle chock-full of demons... Anyhow, Aqua offers a friendly greeting to the pup as well, before taking a seat next to the girl, on the ground. (No way she'll fit into one of those chairs, and she's hardly the tallest recruit around...) ]

...Would you have anything else to wear? That dress must be quite heavy...

[ It's lovely, just... perhaps not the most appropriate for a tropical island... (Of course, if Sieglinde doesn't have a change of wardrobe on hand, Aqua's got a trick in mind!) ]

[grunehexe]

Oh, Aqua- greetings!

[Sieglinde raised her head at the approach, giving a small smile to find it was someone she knew. Isengrim seemed pleased to sniff after the new person, even with the skull that made up its face lacking an obvious nose, but.

Semantics.]

I have the "uniform", but...

[Her expression grew somewhat pinched with the idea of wearing it, what with its dreaded trousers and strange make.]

[keeper]

[ She holds out her hand for the canine to get a better scent (it looks like it's trying to catch a whiff of something anyway, judging from its inquisitive movements), blinking up at Sieglinde as she speaks. ]

You aren't so fond of the uniforms?

[ Aqua's more ambivalent herself; while she does find her own clothes more familiar (thereby 'comfortable' if boob belts can be considered 'comfortable'), she doesn't terribly mind being ascribed a set wardrobe, either. ]

Well... There may be another way to cool down for a bit.

[ Glancing at Isengrim, ] Your wonderful friend here won't be too bothered if I use a bit of magic, will they...?

03

[humerous]

[It really was convenient not being on the taller side around here. His brother? Not so great for him, considering the guy's a good two feet taller than he is, but Sans hasn't had things this perfectly suited to his small stature even back home. Even his bed was more suited for a larger person, but admittedly that wasn't something he'd have ever complained about...

That being said, he comes across Sieglinde as he's walking, and it's hard for her whole setup not to catch his attention considering how much it stands out, not to mention her complaint about the weather. He stops in front of her table, leaning against it with one arm.]

It'd help if you were dressed for the weather, kiddo.

[Not that he's one to talk - the jacket he's wearing with its furred hood is definitely winter apparel...although the t-shirt and shorts are more appropriate.

Meanwhile his slippers only really beg the question of who the hell wears slippers outside.]

[grunehexe]

[It isn't hard to guess the identity of a short, talking skeleton. How many of them could there be, honestly? Still, she always did appreciate not having to crane her neck to look at someone.]

And you are one to talk, brother of Papyrus?

[The lofty tone didn't even need to be affected, still fanning herself ineffectively with the parchment.]

01

[fearward]

[ Anduin's carrying a badly injured native in his arms as he stumbles towards Sieg's little set-up. The poor deer bleeds from a gash on his side, obviously made by a monstrous crab's grasping pincers.

Like everyone else, Anduin's soaked to the bone; his clothes cling to his body, and his long hair sticks to his neck and the side of his face. He breathes hard as he sets the deer person down, glad to have found a safe place to work. ]

I need a little help here--can you keep him steady?

[grunehexe]

Anduin- ?

[She looked up from her work, mixing a potion to alleviate pain and purify wounds in between patients, never knowing how much would be enough, be needed, when she catches sight of him through the rain, peering out from the makeshift shelter to try and make him out. The voice confirms it, and as he gets closer and she sees the native in his arms Sieglinde hastily sweeps her potion work out of the way, (careful not to spill), clearing a space and lifting her arms to cradle the back of its head as Anduin laid them down, gently easing the patient on to the makeshift bed of palm fronds.]

Of course-

[She reached for strips of cloth she'd requisitioned for this work, beginning to wipe the rain from the native's deer like face with soothing words even as she carefully sized up the wound. Blood loss- she had potions to stop bleeding, and magic of her own, but- Anduin had that "Light", didn't he?]

What will be done?

[You or me- they needed to make the call quickly.]

05 | for Masamune

[grunehexe]

[The problem with trying to hail someone over the network device was that you had no way of knowing why a reply didn't come immediately. They could be busy, they could be sleeping, they could be ignoring you, or they could even be dead. And considering the last she had seen Masamune they'd been half beneath the waves of a storm, that only she had made it to the deck of the Golden Hind...

Looking for him wasn't easy. She'd lost her crutch in the sea, and Isengrim had run off to terrorize giant crustaceans, but she hitched a ride down back from higher ground towards the ruins of the village, and from there she had made it to the beach, stumbling an balancing precariously on the unsteady footing sand provided. She's exhausted from tending to the injured, but what if he was? What if he needed help?

What if he'd drowned, after saving her- even after all the things she'd said to him?

She doesn't know how long it takes to see something- a dark blur lying in the sand, figure hidden by the night until she gets closer, heart lodged in her throat, until she recognizes him, until she's trying to run but she can't, falling into the sand. It was a soft landing at least, and she hurried to pick herself up, desperation clawing its way past her heart to come out in a strangled, too quiet cry.]

Masamune- !

[She cursed her bindings, her helplessness, for the thousandth time, fingers curling in the sand as she hauled herself up, forced herself forward in what could only be called a series of controlled falls if one was being polite, until she collapsed at his side. He was breathing-

Afraid for the worst, she hurried to press her ear to his chest, not even considering that he might... Just be asleep.]

[wardance]

[ It's irresponsible for him to be out here in the night alone when they know so little about the area but he finds a strange calm in the aftermath of the storm. He's been so exhausted lately, the emotional skews all colliding together at once admittedly more difficult for him to handle than he had wanted to admit.

When the rushing water stopped and the wind quieted, leaving the sea to recede, Masamune gave in to the tempting notion to lie down and rest. Sleep hadn't been expected, but it came.

So did the dreams-- torn and twisted variations of things that happened and things that didn't. The good feelings and the bad ones playing games off of one another leave him uncertain which the dream leans more towards, but, currently, he wanders aimlessly on a now silent battlefield littered in casualty for miles. He sees broken flags and tattered crests, but none of them match the last or are intact enough to make them out.

The distant rumble of thunder rolls its way in the sky, dark clouds lighting up to the east. Stopping, he's crouching down at the broken body of a battle-fallen, but even staring straight down at them he can't identify any features.

The young Date lord looks up, however, when he hears a voice calling, it having a strange unidentifiable sound--as if distorted in ripples several times over before reaching his ears. It causes him to get to his feet and start to walk in one direction, but he doesn't know exactly why. The warped calling continues, never changing but still somehow communicating becoming more desperate each time to him. That desperation turns into his own by somehow pushing him faster. The battlefield fades as he keeps going and his limbs start to feel heavier with each step until he can no longer stand-- nevermind move forward.

Everything is exhausting, he thinks. Even in a dream, it's just so exhausting ( and futile. no matter how hard he presses on he gets nowhere fast ).

Head bowed, Masamune contemplates lying down fully instead of fighting more. The barely-detailed and unfamiliar dark terrain is no different than the beach in the night where he sleeps in reality.

—Then, the voice calling his name is different. It's small and helpless and terrified, but it's clearly calling his name-- calling for him. Forcing himself to look up, he finds no longer a dark void spanned out in front of him but a small figure huddling over one on the ground. They are familiar. Masamune knows he knows them-- is one of them possibly himself?

Another figure is there watching now, also, closer to him than the other two. Again, this one is so familiar, the name is on the tip of his tongue and he wants to call to both that one and the smaller one further away of but no names reach him. No sound at all can be produced from chest.

When the shadow closest turns, however, the distinctive and crisp jingle of metal coins chiming against one another is heard and the flash of light glinting off the gold exterior makes itself known. It lights a so very familiar smile on the otherwise unidentifiable face, but he needn't see anymore for to find the identity. His mind fills in the rest as the shadow reaches towards him to offer a helping hand.

〈 …やっぱり、あんただよ。〉

He takes it and the weight holding him down evaporates, gets him to his feet and the young Date lord tries to speak again but can't, tries to hold onto the helping hand even when he feels it slipping away. It makes his heart sink and he wonders if he will fall again when he loses the touch (but that isn't the only reason he wants it to stay).

〈 待って！〉

Just give him one second more—

《 今彼女には政宗殿が必要でござる。》

Fingertips separate in his dream and Masamune's eyes suddenly snap open, awake from the dream but with no jolt or hint of such save looking to his face.

He doesn't need to see to confirm Sieglinde's presence. Very gently he reaches to lift a hand to rest on her head, running his fingers in a soothing motion gently through her hair. ]

...What's the matter?