epidemiology | EVENT ★ LOST IN TRANSLATION

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EVENT ★ LOST IN TRANSLATION

RETURN TO OSKA

Upon arrival in Oska, new and returning recruits alike will find that something strange is going on. Any attempts to communicate with someone who doesn't speak the same language as you will be just that -- like you don't speak the same language. Let's hope everyone is good at charades, because you're going to be out of luck for a full day.

On the second day, a text comes across -- surprisingly intelligible to everyone. Is it over? Well . . .

crowley:
Hello, Audentes. We are currently experiencing magitek difficulties, as you may have guessed already. Temporal insects have arrived with our latest arrivals, and as you may imagine, we have had our paws full.

cherenkov:
We are working out how to mitigate the pest problem for good. For now, please put your unpleasantly huge feet to use and stomp them out. Or other such methods.

crowley:
We have created a quick patch to facilitate text-based communications, but verbal translation will continue to be down until the insects are exterminated. Thank you for your patience.

It's not over.

TEMPORAL INSECTS

This invasive species has worked its way in through the rifts along with the newest batch of arrivals, and information on them is available in the library (provided you can read the language it's written in!). It seems they behave like locusts, living quietly within the space between rifts for many years until their numbers suddenly balloon and they begin to swarm in search of food.

These bugs move fast and pack a nasty bite, but are unarmored and easily squished. Each one is about the size of a football, and leaves a little tell-tale slime trail that makes it easy to track. They can cling to any surface, and won't hesitate to leap onto attackers and bite if they feel threatened. One can take a decently sized but non-lethal bite out of someone, but a number of them together will pose a real danger. If punctured or squished they tend to explode into moderately acidic goo that can cause caustic burns if not immediately washed off.

They are attracted to any area of high temporal energy, which can be literally any surface, corner, or point on or within the castle and its grounds. As they begin to feed they cause temporal distortion in the area. This manifests as the immediate area seeming to flicker backwards and forwards through time. An insect gnawing at a table leg in the dining area, for example, might cause the area to stutter between years and years of dinner parties, ghostly attendants of all fashions and species appearing and disappearing as they enter and leave the affected area.

An onlooker can't interact with temporal distortions directly, but if the insect is left to its own devices, it will eventually eat through all of the temporal energy and render the immediate area gray, frozen, and completely inert. It's highly recommended you kill or otherwise chase off an insect before it manages this, as it can do irreversible damage to a world.

For affected Oska locations, please see this post.

OOC NOTES

The translation errors will continue through the rest of the month. For more information or to ask questions, please check the plotting post here!

New bounties are available in Oska!

Please remember to fill out your squidge success form before August 31, 23:59 UTC! Filling the form out is mandatory, even if you do not have the 3 squidge threads. You will not pass AC if you do not fill out the form. Characters who have been accepted on August 20th are exempt. Please direct questions relating to the success form here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Somewhere along the way, Sanji lost Nami. And as much as a part of him is kicking and screaming about going to find her and make sure she's okay.........

there are just....

bugwormspider things....

everywhere........

And. You know. Nami's strong, he knows that. He knows she can run and keep herself safe and fry anything in her path with lightning. So that's. Fine. And, you know, if there's one thing Sanji's really fucking good at, it's running.

So when he rounds a corner and sees fire, sees someone seeming rather content to fight the bugs, the first thing he thinks isn't "oh thank god!" or even "someone I can ask for help!"

Oh no. The first thing he thinks is OPPORTUNITY.

Arms up and pumping frantically, Sanji runs as fast as his legs will carry him. He sprints across what Sabo's cleared of the dining hall, yelling all the way. Although whether that's still from abject terror or a way to get the other blond's attention is up in the air.

Either way, when he passes Sabo, he's just gonna turn around and give him a little haki enhanced kick to the back (since, you know, the guy looks pretty fiery), holding up a hand in a thumbs up as he does.]

Right. I'll let you take it from here!

[Enjoy the like ten bug things that Sanji basically just propelled you into, Mr. Total Stranger!!!]

[Well you're in luck, because Sabo heard that screaming coming from across the hallway. It was loud enough that he turned his back for a moment to see the running kicker of a cook whom vigorously stepped on Sabo, plopping him to the ground for a few seconds. His face side planted to the ground, looking rather annoyed. What kind of person does that? ... Okay, besides himself.]

Hey. I know we're on mission, but you still gotta be a man to fight these things. [He yells towards the other guy, who may or may not have stopping dashing towards the end of the hall. Sabo incinerates the sudden ton of bugs off his back with his own flame as they crawl up on him before attempting to stand back up.]

That's no way of handling the assignment... [Sighing, he immediately combusts his feet to catch up with the stranger in any case. What a way to make a 'first' impression on Sabo. Giving all those worms to him while dashing away. Truly a winner.]

[Oi. Oi oi oi.

Is this guy insulting Sanji's manliness?!

He stops his retreat with a good stomp, hands shoving their way back into his pockets so he can whirl back around with a "Ehhhh?!" ]

Edited (oops i forgot to split it) 2016-08-22 06:30 (UTC)

[.... only to have one of those bug things detatch from the ceiling and try falling right towards his face.

Which, of course, has Sanji wide-eyed, pale white, and opening his mouth in a great big silent scream.

All before backflipping, spinning to light both his legs on fire, and yelling out a mighty DIABLE JAMBE POÊLE Â FRIRE: SPECTRE and basically smashing that poor little ugly shit into a fiery grave.

PANTING LIKE HE'D RUN A GODDAMN MARATHON, he whirls back on Sabo, pointing at him dramatically.]

TO HELL WITH ASSIGNMENTS! Why should I go near these disgusting things?! [He's... still yelling. Why is he still yelling?]

[BEATS HIM. These bugs aren't even that big. Okay, squishy.. full of acid, so annoying at most even with the numbers. Wow his reaction to that last bug though.. it was pretty interesting to say the least. He blinks twice at the man, turning his head to the side while his eyes still look at him with this unsure look. His hands held up... not up high!! But enough to say.. hey, chill. Back off. They're just bugs.]

Because if the bugs do destroy every part of this place, you wouldn't be able to go home. That's what. [He places the palm of his hand on his forehead, giving a bit of a sigh. Though, when he turns back to face him... only to come in a bit closer...as if recalling something he's seen plastered on a wall.]

You...you seem familiar. Though I can't pinpoint who. [He just stares at him curiously.. like uh, well I think I've seen you in a picture before.. or a wanted poster. Maybe.]

THEN KEEP BURNING THEM!! Just keep those disgusting bastards over there! [emphatically pointing ALL THE WAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM] THERE!

[Look, Sanji just really needs these things gone. Shichibukai? Whatever. "Gods"? Eh, sure, he'll kick their asses and ruin their day. World Government? Self-important assholes, not a threat. Yonko? Self-important probably strong assholes, but he can deal with them. Bugs? Especially giant weird alien bugs? HE WOULD RATHER DIE THAN VOLUNTARILY COME WITHIN FIVE FEET OF THEM.]

Familiar? [It's almost, almost a strange enough statement to break Sanji out of this abyss of fear and horror. Almost.

But then the bugs come just a little closer and he's just zipping back as far as he can, all color draining from his face as he moves.]

Oi, oi! Kill those things and then talk!

Yeah, yeah. Okay. Geez. [You sound like the bug's a huge fucking monster or something. Sabo's seen bigger. Bears.. tigers, you name it. Talk about being scared of the slightly bigger sized worms. He just takes the lead in fighting by dousing more flames onto the ground. A fire shot here, a fire shot there. Put a few fire shots to the wall. Oh and let's put more flames on his boots sure and hover his boots over to scare them away. If these don't burn them, they'll at least flee in terror.]

There.. is this fine? Do I need to start shooting fire to your head too? [You know since one of those bugs landed right on you?? He shakes his hands off of any leftover flames and then crosses his arms in this rather annoyed look.]

Well, I'm saying because... [Looking upon him closer.... yeah it's pretty close to what he pictured. Though with less hearts.] I've seen your face before. ....Sanji of the Straw Hat Pirates, I presume?

Edited 2016-08-29 07:53 (UTC)

[DON'T YOU JUDGE HIM, SABO >:C

But as Sabo starts in with the whole fire and frying thing, Sanji's heart rate is finally going back to normal. Sure, he's still on edge, still more than a little jumpy (his senses are going crazy, the muscles in his legs tensing, his stance shifting every time he picks up the presence of another of these stupid bugs, even if they aren't in the room yet), but the more Sabo burns them away, the more he's able to breathe.

The more he's able to think.

The first thing he does is roll down his sleeves, making sure the ends are able to cover the metal around his wrists. The second thing he does is dig a cigarette out of his pocket, holding the unlit stick between his fingers as he observes the rest of Sabo's fighting. His techniques.

His abilities.]

Burn my hair and I'll kick your ass. [He says nonchalantly, sounding as if he'd never been reduced to a shrieking mess over all those creepy crawlies.

But then, this guy recognizes him. He knows him by name, and he knows him by crew. And Sanji knows for damn sure he hadn't seen this guy back during all their time with the squidges.]

You know, the issue with someone recognizing our crew is that it's a dead giveaway of where you're from. [He reaches his hand out, holding out the unlit cigarette and raising an eyebrow, almost like a challenge.] So, how did you manage to get your hands on Fire Fist Ace's devil fruit?

[Honestly, he's just trying to figure out if he needs to kill this guy for Luffy's sake or not.]

It's not like I'm trying to hide it. [He shrugs, placing his hands on his hips while looking toward the other blond. Is there a reason to? Even from Blackbeard's crew, he has a notion to blaze the powers rather than just keep it from them - being fully aware that they're devil fruit hunters.] If anything, I didn't expect it.

[The last thing Sanji had asked was pretty peculiar. He would guess not all of Luffy's crew members were informed of the status of the particular devil fruit. However it's also not like Luffy is able to keep secrets himself (He's just a bad liar). Sabo dips down his hat in an intense expression, recalling what had happened prior to coming here.]

I was on a mission in Dressrosa and requested that I investigate the coliseum because I heard that there was a tournament going on and that the winning prize was the Mera mera fruit. [He stops for a few seconds before continuing.] What I didn't expect to show up was Luffy being one of the combatants. I found out after sneaking about the area... and managed to confront him about the fruit in partiular. [He gives out a chuckle, remembering Luffy's crying face and how he was so glad to see him again.]

He entrusted me the devil fruit by fighting in his place in the final match. [Another pause.] I made a promise to retrieve it as a momento to our brother, Ace - to carry on his will. [With an enpowering tone. He lifts his head up again, and holds out a hand, igniting it once more.]

[Of all the explanations Sabo could have given, that's the one Sanji was expecting the least. They all had known about Ace, had met Ace, just as they had met Garp, had heard about Dragon. He knew Luffy's family was nothing conventional, that it was mostly built on bonds and was something their Captain only spoke of when it was relevant or necessary.

Honestly, it doesn't surprise him that there's another brother. With how the guy befriends everyone, wears his heart on his sleeve, and binds even the strangest of people together... yeah. Sabo being Luffy's brother doesn't surprise him in the least.]

Dressrosa, huh? [Unlike the slightly threatening tone he'd had just a few seconds ago, Sanji's tone is lighter, easier.] If Luffy let you get through that mess with Ace's fruit, you must be someone he wanted to have it.

[With a grin, he leans forward, taking full advantage of Sabo's lit hand to light his cigarette and take a drag.]

So. His brother, huh?

That's right. We actually did go way back as kids. Though... I was actually presumed dead years ago. Not intentionally either. I had experienced some memory loss prior to my "death", 12 years ago. [He holds his lit hand back down, taking out the flame, and his head is now faced down, recalling the significant moments of his life.] It was only after Ace's death, that triggered those memories. It was pretty ironic.

[Whether to tell the whole story to someone who's mostly a stranger.... well, it's something he'd normally be overly wary. He doesn't entrust his story about his upbringing for one. The time he spent with his brothers are also something he wouldn't reveal to just anyone. The fact that this guy was was ready to fight him over the fact the fruit he obtained was Ace's? Yeah it's something he'd need to reveal, especially if he is that guy that's part of his brother's crew.

He looks back up, his mouth into a curl, his hair partially covered by those bangs as he talks.]

It was by chance we got to meet. I didn't expect him to be there at first. But once I was snooping around enough, I noticed he was one of the participants there. [He makes a bit of a chuckle.] The face he made when we finally met again was something I would not forget.

[Hold on, Sabo. Sanji has to make a very long suffering, confused face at something you said.] Participant? What the hell did those idiots get into in Dressrosa?

[UGH NO, that doesn't matter. Just give him a moment to rub a hand against his forehead and try and forget everything about Dressrosa and Doflamingo and Zou and Whole Cake Island for a second here.]

Whatever happened back then, if you're here now, Luffy's gonna want to celebrate. [Sanji grins around the cigarette in his mouth.] If you can clear out the rest of these bug bastards from here, we might actually be able to have a proper feast for once.

[Notice how he is once again putting all the bug duties on you, big bro.]

My pleasure.

[He doesn't really mind though, Sanji. You're good. Without another word, he angles both of his hands like dragon claws and and holds out a defensive stance - one clawed hand in front, and one hand faced towards the back. He begins to spiral flames from the frontal palm, almost is if it's a sideways fire tornado. The fire is aimed toward the mass trail of bugs that Sanji left to him.]

Moeru Ryusoken... Kaen Ryuo!!

[In this amazing combustion of flame, the bugs that had been creeping and crawling in the ceilings and to the floor have diminished. Anywhere the fire hasn't touched, Sabo shoots fireballs at any leftover bugs from there. The effect of the attack disperses then, seeing as the carpet was slightly burnt. There was still smoke as far as you can see. Sabo looks back toward to Sanji in a calming manner.]

How's that? [He lifts his head, showing this perfect grin.] I was on fire.

[When Sanji was a child, he once read a book on Devil Fruits. In it where the fruits that had most commonly shown up in the world, the ones that had belonged to famous fighters, kings, and pirates of the past. Things you would expect from a book such as that. But another thing that was in the book was a good few pages written of observations. Things the author had made note of when it came to the consumption of Devil Fruits. And one thing Sanji definitely remembered was that, in most cases, it took time for a new fruit user to master their new powers.

From what he'd managed to gather from the few things Sabo had said to him about Dressrosa, about acquiring Ace's fruit, it couldn't have been that long. He was too emotional about the things he said, too involved in the memories. And while it's easy to see that he was a capable fighter even before eating a Devil Fruit, the fact that he's so effortlessly cleaving through the bugs, the fact that he's not leaving the room completely on fire? For some reason, that's proving he really is Ace and Luffy's brother even more than his words had.]

Ha. Keep making jokes like that and Luffy will be trying to make you a replacement Usopp. Or Franky. [He takes a few steps forward, wrinkling his nose as he moves closer to one of the half burned bugs. It's dead. It's dead it's dead it's dead. It's gross, but it's dead. Which means he can go forward and see what the hell it really is. Okay. He's got this.]

How many of these bastards do you think are le--

[Of course, just as he stopped and bent over the half-incinerated thing, it just had to give a little death twitch.

Which is how Sanji went from cool and calm to shrieking at the top of his lungs in half a second.

Without even thinking about it, he coats his leg in probably way too much haki than this is worth, draws his leg back so fast it bursts into flames up to his goddamn hip, and just punts that twitchy little half-bug all the way to the charred back of the room.

Which just leaves Sanji panting heavily in the middle of the room.

He really, really hates these disgusting little hellspawn.]

[Sanji, you're the best comedic act he's seen. The first impression he made being weirded out with bugs? Okay, he thought you were just strange and cowardly, not being able to handle a little insect here and there. Now? He's just laughing at the show of display you have with the pests. Even if half dead, totally crisp to a burn, you freaked. Sabo can only be amused at the shriek of a girl to how quickly you extuingished the leftover of that particular bug.]

I only just did what you told me to do. [Teary eyed from the laughter, he finally stops.] You should probably rest now.

[Though he puts a hand over his mouth, trying not to laugh any more. It was that hilarious to see the other blond just suddenly combusts his leg with fire. .... It doesn't make sense either since he himself is the one with the flame powers but hey let's enjoy the moment.]

I'll double check myself. If you see any twitch, just let me know.

[Not that he'll need it with that Haki of his, but it never hurts to lend a hand. He decides to embed flames to his boots and skid around the hall once more for any leftover pests.]

Edited 2016-10-01 00:25 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ★ LOST IN TRANSLATION

b!

sanji is beautiful goodbye

UR beautiful 1/2

2/2

ur even more beautiful tbh

oh you flatterer, you

it is the truth and nothing but the truth

OH STOP /)///(\

doki doki

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