epidemiology | EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

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EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Ban stared at Sabo. He had been standing outside of the dressing room, waiting for him to leave. Equally shirtless, Ban opened his mouth with a measure of boredom that showed he had other things on his mind--]

Hey.

[He looked aside to the dressing room that was left open.]

...What'd you pick?

[Better to poll others to see what acceptable fashion was among the other recruits. Though, Ban didn't look as pleasant or innocuous as he was trying to seem. It seemed more like he, a shirtless man, was trying to accost another shirtless man.]

[Sabo pauses....

and pauses...

and blinks at Ban twice.

He is in this walk-like pose staying really still because he had realized he was not only shirtless but in front of someone else who was as well. Though being equal in showing that much skin shouldn't phase him....

But he blushes out of embarrassment anyway. He's usually used to being clothed, after all. ]

I..uh...[Play it cool, Sabo.] I picked.... a half coat? [He slowly turns to the side.] Something like that.

[He relaxes his body then.. slowly walking without being too awkward in front of this... vaguely familiar man..]

...

[Taking a wild guess at who it might be.]

Ban?

[Weird. He saw that sort of look only once or twice before on Sabo's face. It wasn't an expression he was terribly used to seeing so he couldn't read too much into it. The young man looked startled, so Ban decided to avoid doing anything too dramatic.

That much would be easy, given how sedated he actually felt. He was already readying himself and resigning himself to the boredom that would come from a mission's initial lull. They would have little to do until the scouts among them figured out more information or something important came up.

Ban opened his mouth to reply when it seemed like Sabo managed to find an easier time of talking--]

Half-coat? What's--

[Then, Sabo suddenly came out with his name. Hiking a brow, Ban nodded.] That's me. You heard of me?

More like I met you. [The awkward moment was over as he realizes that the Ban he was talking was the same brat from the temporal bug invasion. Comfortability level? A tad higher than a moment before. While Ban was a constant look of dull going on, he's more or less went down to a calm expression.]

Do you not remember? [He recalls Luffy remembering when he was being teased by and held up by Sabo as a kid in Oska. He was also told by Nami that she remembered being here briefly as a child. He's now guessing it doesn't seem the case for everyone.

He decides to go to a nearby rack, trying to look for more clothes then while talking to the "stranger".]

A coat that goes just below the chest. It's pretty hot in this weather, so I thought it might be wise to wear lighter clothes. [Sabo, you're made of fire, that makes no sense. You just wanted to join in with Luffy and his fad of changing clothes in this area.]

[The tension in the air lessened and Sabo's impression seemed a little stronger, according to Ban. He didn't think much of the young man until that moment if only because of the sheepish introduction. When Sabo inclined to him that they had met, it didn't surprise him but it was still something he supposed he should have asked about. Ban would have assumed they met when he was drunk--not when he had turned into a child.

Ban didn't remember much of that. He only had one small memory left of ALASTAIR in his childhood and it was of the 'girl with no feet'.]

I don't remember a lotta people~. No offense. [He tipped his head back and made a faux 'drinking' motion with his thumb and pinky finger.]

But, this coat--I think I've seen folks wearing it. [Ban lowered his hand to a spot just below his pectorals in emphasis as if to measure distance.]

It goes down this far?

None taken. [Sabo looks back at Ban, and then shrugs. He remembers the knife threatening kid... who almost tried to kill him that one time but considering how laid back and uncaring this guy is, he doesn't blame him for a lack of memory. If it was trauma related, he'd probably rather not want to recall it. He knows this from personal experience.]

Ah.. yeah it does. That's what I was going for. [As he pulls another one of those coats out. It was dirt brown and while pretty short, he nods at it, seemingly wanting to try it. He walks back over to the other guy, holding the jacket in front of him.]

.... Uh.. do you mind if I grab my usual clothes from the dressing room first? Haha. [Nervous laughter..]

Sure. [The shifty expression Sabo wore was mistaken for something a little more fiendish on Ban's part. He was used to people taking on looks like that when trying to fool someone. He hiked a brow, wondering what could have possibly been going on. Was he trying to steal clothes? It could have been a simple con to keep him and the clerk distracted.

Sabo must not have known him, he supposed. If Sabo knew him--he would understand Ban wouldn't mind anyone stealing around him. It was pretty much par-for-course with him.

Even so, he let him go. Ban waited, looking around the store without a hint of caution, otherwise. He looked around for half-coats like the one Sabo had been talking about.]

[Well Ban, it wasn't about the stealing.. or even the thought of stealing that he has his mind on. He has a slight insecurity on his body in front of others. If it was a disguise that he was covered in, he'd be okay with. But being completely shirtless.. that's another story. He's come to accept the scar on his face but I guess the scars he still wore on part of his shoulder blade and upper arm, they're usually not shown as he's normally covered up.

He rushes over to the dressing room and closes the door He grabs some of his own clothes and slips on the white collared shirt and blue vest he had on. What a relief to be covered now. Sabo then ties the cravat around his collar area and puts on the half-coat he had chosen. Donning the bottoms and boots he had on, he comes out looking like this minus the hat and goggles. He shows himself in front of the shirtless Ban, just for another opinion on the half coat now that he's not shirtless anymore.]

How's this? [His arms spread out, and the price tag of the half coat just from behind him dangles.]

Ahn~? [When Sabo popped back up, Ban looked over the outfit Sabo had created with a measure of piqued interest. The hat itself seemed like it wouldn't work for him--his hair was usually too messy to look fine with anything on his head; however, the coat, the dress shirt and the boots especially called to him. Ban looked Sabo over and even took a few steps aside to look at the ties into the fabric at the shoulders.]

That's a pretty sharp get-up~. Jeez, right off the bat you're lookin' fashionable.

[Ban hadn't really been aware he was always into half-coats by accident. He always stole clothes small for him that just ended up being half-coats automatically.]

I'm really likin' the coat the most, though ♪. Jeez, I kinda wish I had one of those camera things... [It was certainly a strange thing for him to say to a stranger.]

Camera... things....oh you mean one of those Den den mushis?

[Because what is this foreign word of "camera".. he's only used to den den mushis.. doing all sorts of things. Phones, camera-like functions, even film. But that is his extent of his knowledge.]

Thank you though. It does fit my range of style in clothing. [He shines a smile at Ban pretty carelessly.]

Hopefully you'll find something to wear as well. Didn't know you were into these. [He tugs at his half-coat.. as much as he could while looking at it.]

Den Den Mushi? [Ban hadn't yet become acquainted with magical snails--though of all the weird things he had seen lately he would definitely be most amazed by something like that. 'Animal technology' wasn't quite a thing where he came from or had traveled to. That was a novelty even when looking to ALASTAIR's works.

Ban ran his fingers along his chin after taking another look at Sabo's outfit. He raised his hands, running his fingers along his own pectorals and his biceps as if measuring something out. He reached over to pat himself square on the back, looking at the ceiling and sticking his tongue out.

With a 'poof', Ban was suddenly wearing the same outfit as Sabo--though unfortunately, it was the same size as what the young man was wearing. Ban frowned inwardly, feeling the outfit become tight on him immediately. The pant legs even pulled up to the level at which they may as well have been capris. The boots were also quite small on him.]

Well~. That didn't work out the way I wanted.

[Ban you so tower over Sabo so much.. though it's not as sheer as say the Tennryuubito who are like ten feet tall. The pat Ban made and poofing himself with a change of clothes left Sabo a bit startled though. He turns around to see the taller man in his tight fitting clothes.]

I wouldn't think so. [What was that, magic?] I'm sure they have one in your size. [He points in the direction of where he got the half coat.]

A Den Den Mushi is the technology I use back in my home world. [He takes one out of his pocket and holds it up to Ban.] This one is like the voice communication we use with the magitek.

[He chuckles.]

Neat, huh?

Oof. [Ban began to loosen a few buttons to compensate for the poor sizing he subjected himself to. Sabo wasn't small by any means but Ban made up for the difference with broad shoulders and a poor sense for measurement. He paused only when Sabo pulled a snail out of his pocket. Ban, of course, was forced to react to it in the only way a sensible man should have.

Even the cashier peered over at Sabo with a puzzled expression.]

That's a snail. [Both Ban and the cashier echoed it, clearly having practiced just for that moment.]

[He blinks twice, looking at the other man.. and how confused the cashier looked with saying that term. Two different kinds of reactions, but both said the same thing.]

Huh. But it works like the communication device would function, except there'd be no video. [He tilts his head, lost at what both Ban and the cashier. Who knew? It doesn't help that he's from a world that thinks animal hybrids are practically normal, and Devil Fruit users existing with the most ridiculous powers but he has yet to realize that such things aren't really something you see commonly.]

I guess if what you're wearing is okay with you...it should be fine. [He has some doubts, but he shrugs. As long as he's comfortable... ]

It's free. [The cashier glowered at Ban. There was no arguing that what Ban did was technically not actually stealing but he felt the spirit of the law itself was what was violated. He obtained an item that wasn't his without paying for it even if he didn't take from their inventory.

Even the cashier saw the magic and took it at face value. He wasn't some bumpkin--he was as much a traveler as the rest of his people.]

But, why are you using a snail?

[As much as he listened to what Sabo said, the whole 'communication device' notion didn't quite flow properly for Ban. Translating media to a gastropod was difficult.]

What, does it have an incantation orb in it or somethin'...?

No....[He looks down at the snail.. it's kind of shivering a little from Ban's unimpressed expression that it's crying in tears. Ah.. well.. he stuffs it back it into his pocket.]

Because I was. It's not functional though, not in this world. [He gives a shrug, not caring much about the communication devices he's had to use now.. what with futuristic it is and everyone using as instructed anyway. Sabo's just learned to adapt instead of sticking to the same old.]

I guess you could say those are free.... [He sweats a little, jaw dropping slightly and gawking at the other like it's kind of just.. weird. Making clothes with magic??? I guess he'll buy it. (Sabo you're no better with being literally fire here.)]

[Ban ended up staring at the snail until Sabo put it away. Was it crying? Did he bother it by looking so doubtful?

It understood him!?

He had to pry himself away from those thoughts to respond to Sabo. Ban simply looked disturbed the whole time.]

Wait--that thing obviously knew I was talkin' about it! Don't gloss over that!

What? [Sabo blinks at the other man as he tries to take out the snail again, bewildered by his words.]

I don't think it does... it's just crying crocodile tears? Or maybe it was scared of you. [He looks at the Den Den mushi again, looking back at the blond and then at Ban. The snail cried a 'hiiii' sound as it chatters his teeth when he looks at him in the eyes.]

Wanna look at it yourself then? [While scratching his head, Sabo holds the snail out to Ban.] I'd offer a spare but this is the only one I have.

Crocodile tears make it even weirder! [Obviously, Sabo was insane, because totally sentient snails weren't supposed to be real. It was even weirder than a talking pig because--well, they were smaller, right? Their brains had to be tinier.

So, Ban snatched the snail and held the poor creature close to his face, staring it right in its shaky gaze.]

Don't blame it for bein' scared but... Well, it's a damned snail! It... It understands me, right?

[Any intimidating factor Ban had going for him dripped away like a candle burning wax at both ends. It was rapidly disappearing as he looked to Sabo with nothing but childish wonder in his eyes.

Sabo and the snail had every right to feel disturbed.]

Yeah...it at least understands what humans say.. not anything complex but.

[The snail did shiver some more when it peers at the curious Ban, and says "Don't.. eat me.." as if it were being served before it hides into its shell. His face expressing a rather intriguing look, Sabo furrows his brows as his as it goes into hiding.]

It's not going to help with its main function if you keep frightening it. [He pouts at Ban in a huff as he snatches back the shelled in snail, looking rather agitated at Ban's interest with his Den Den Mushi. It's a talking snail... but it's still a snail to him. It's able to talk like any other snail in his world!! Is it that weird??]

Don't you have talking animals back in your world?

Wh--I'm not trying to make it scared! I'm just amaz--

[Ban hadn't reacted right away when it spoke. He stopped talking, gawking at the poor creature as it retreated into the safety of its shell. He sudden had to rethink escargot on his usual menu. He had already been having reservations about eating pork near Hawk and briefly wondered if he could live without any meat. How many talking animals was he going to meet?

He set an accusatory look on Sabo, blaming him for the situation at hand. He was lucky, living in a world that probably had talking animals stuffed literally everywhere. The envy was rapidly building up in Ban's easily excited skull.]

--I've only met one and it was a pig. You're tellin' me there's more where you live??

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

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