EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

[futurologists]

ARRIVAL Recruits leave Oska at midday, with about 10 minutes of final warning given from over jewelcomms. Then the white mist rises as rifts open, and Oska is left behind. When they arrive in the new world, they’ll find themselves aboard a train, specifically seated in the coach traveling compartments. The other passengers -- humanoids with muted skin tones and bright eyes -- have already been notified of their arrival, so although there will be a good deal of curious staring, particularly from children, no one is going to be very alarmed at the strange, eclectic assortment of aliens that suddenly show up on board. It seems that, for once, recruits will enjoy a peaceful arrival. The dusty scenery flashes by placidly outside the windows, the rumble of wheels is constant and soothing, and there’s even a snack cart that makes its way around (the snacks aren’t free, though -- recruits are provided a modest sum of Qorral currency, and the locals are already interested in getting in on it). BAD COMPANY The first sign of trouble appears about two hours after arrival when there’s a faint BOOM and each of the train cars gives a little shudder. That would be the rear train car’s back wall being blown open. The other passengers know exactly what this means, and some lock themselves into traveling compartments while others haul out previously put away shotguns and pistols, ready to do what needs doing. And what needs doing is to fend off the troupe of bandits that have decided that this train looks ripe for the plucking. They board from the gaping hole they blew in the last car and begin shooting their way up the length of the train, robbing as they go, but they also circle out on their horses (mechanical and only vaguely horse-shaped four-legged contraptions that easily keep pace with the train) to provide an armed and unfriendly escort. They’ll shoot through the windows if anyone looks like a troublemaker, and are old hands at ducking to the other side of their horses to use them as cover from any return fire. The conductor and all present passengers would really appreciate a hand from any recruits who feel like stepping up. Those not quite ready to engage in a shootout can always keep the civilians locked into the compartments company. They, especially the children, might need some calming words (and the sage advice to keep away from the windows, and stop making faces at the bandits). The bandits put up a pretty good fight, but will eventually be driven away (hopefully without having snagged too many ill-gotten goods from the hardworking citizens of Perdition’s Rest), and peace falls back over the train. The passengers will be a bit frazzled afterward, though, and no one can quite ignore that whistling sound caused by the missing back wall of the final train car. It’s a long two more hours before they reach their destination. WELCOME TO PERDITION’S REST A dusty wooden sign swings on rusted hinges overhead as the train pulls into the station: PERDITION'S REST. The engine finally stills with one puff of smoke, and as the passengers begin to disembark, recruits will find a small group awaits them. The Mayor, his aide, and the sheriff are gathered just outside the train station, and once everyone is more or less off the train and conveniently gathered, the Mayor will clear his throat for attention. "I'm guessing y'all had a long ride here, didn't you?" He addresses the crowd calmly, with the kind of voice that doesn't need to be raised much to be heard. "Heard about them bandits.They ain’t gonna trouble you here in town, but best mind your wanderin’. I'm Mayor Mordecai Jones, and Perdition's Rest welcomes your company. You'll find our businesses hospitable and our services ready. We're a quiet place, keep mostly to ourselves and don't bother none. You'll do just fine here if you abide that." The aide waits quietly as the Mayor speaks, while the sheriff eyes the gathered bunch with a resigned wariness. She, and a few other locals who would be willing to speak up if asked, are of the opinion that they've gotten by just fine for 30 years without anyone's help, and they don't figure they need it now. But they'll tolerate the meddling, so long as everyone plays nice. Mayor Jones's speech draws to a close with a last note that trouble can be brought to him or to Sheriff Rosamund Holladay, and he, his aide, and Sheriff Holladay break the meeting without further ceremony and head away. Welcome to Perdition's Rest. It's recommended that you look around a little, familiarize yourself with the place, and find lodgings. It's going to be home for a while. OOC NOTES Welcome to Mission: Perdition's Rest! This mission will last for around three months, currently slated to end in mid-December. Depending on developments, this schedule is subject to change at our discretion. You can view the dossier here, which contains information that is ICly known to all characters, no matter their arrival time. You can find locations here. Please direct all questions pertaining to the mission to the dossier page to keep questions and responses in one place for easy player reference. General game questions should be directed to the FAQ. The Bounty Board will be updated this weekend, so keep an eye out! Remember you can also request bounty missions or submit player plots at any time.

Comments

a!

[daimeinashi]

[Someone is definitely watching. He was hunting the bandits as well, with brutal and deadly efficiency, but he'd stopped when he'd come across Koltira. His soldier's instincts tell him not to cross the man's path until he's finished. Technically, they are on the same team, but implicit trust belongs only to those who wear the same hitai-ate as he does, the mark of Konoha, and besides--the unnecessary display of power here suggests the man might not be distinguishing between ally and foe. Torturing just one could serve as intimidation, to make the others flee and call their fellows back with them, but all three is superfluous.

Nonetheless, powerful people are better to keep as allies than as enemies. Once the three bandits are clearly dead, Sai approaches, though not without having perform all but the last of the handsigns necessary for a substitution jutsu, in case he needs to flee.]

It might have been unwise to display so much of your abilities against such weak opponents.

[Information is power, after all.]

[respired]

[ Koltira doesn't recognize this person. A new recruit, he supposes. He turns 'round slowly, his expression unreadable. He doesn't really see the logic in that statement, though he also doesn't care much about it either way. None of these people can stand against him--they're free to know all they like. ]

I did not ask you for an opinion.

SORRY THIS IS SO LATE i blanked hard on a reply lmao

[daimeinashi]

[It's the other recruits Sai would be more concerned about. The bandits are nothing, and for them, he wouldn't bother to waste a drop of chakra--much less put abilities on display that he could keep to himself until the moment they are properly necessary.

But then, Sai is a ninja, a shinobi. They're a secretive lot by necessity, and some degree of paranoia is practically bred into them. Sai perhaps more than most; he was brainwashed and trained for the specific purpose of being the perfect weapon, after all. A sword trusts no one, merely allows itself to be driven into the flesh of its enemies.]

You did not. I read that it is not uncommon for teammates to offer each other advice, however.

np!

[respired]

[ Koltira returns his blood-slicked runeblade to his back. It's a tremendous weapon: a darkly glowing greatsword inscribed with constantly shifting symbols. He looks in on the family, all of whom don't look too pleased or relieved by his presence. Well, that's as usual. He shrugs at them, his expression unchanging, and slides the compartment door shut.

That done, he turns back to Sai. ]

We aren't on a team. We were simply thrown together by random chance.

[ Blood trickles down Byfrost's blade as Koltira walks forward, leaving a dark, sticky trail on the carpeted floor. His echoing, ghostly voice turns bitter. ]

And I do not require your advice. Would that everyone knew what I am capable of. Would that everyone saw it, and understood what it meant.

[daimeinashi]

[That's true. But then, it had been random chance for him to be assigned to Team Kakashi, back home, and then it had become...something more.]

There are some who would say that makes us teammates nonetheless, however.

[He sounds like he's thinking about someone in particular, there. The boy's largely flat tone tinges fond, for a mere moment.]

But if you do not think so...I do not understand, then. Why allow any stranger to have information about you? What reason do you have to trust that such knowledge will not be used against you?

[Sai knows he would. If it came to a situation where he could get home by cutting down every member of Audentes, he'd do it. Or die trying.]

[respired]

[ He shrugs--those people would be wrong. He's not fit to call anyone here a comrade. Not fit to expect their support, in battle or otherwise. ]

It is not a matter of trust. I have no fear from anyone on this planet, Audentes or otherwise. If they see me and know what is best, they will stay away. If they see me and choose to attack, they will die.

[ There's no arrogance in his voice; no swagger, no confidence. He speaks calmly, tonelessly, like someone reciting facts from a textbook. ]

[daimeinashi]

Be that as it may, it is always wise to be cautious. Observing you in battle also allows one to determine your approach to combat and your potential weaknesses. It is best to allow as few as possible to be ascertained.

[Sai can tell that this man is strong, after all. It's obvious. But--]

There are more ways to fight than head-on, after all.

[Take it from the baby assassin.]