EVENT ★ THE HEIST

[futurologists]

THE HEIST THE GALA The atrium is packed with wealthy attendees decked out in their finest, most ostentatious clothing; most of the guests are the humanlike native Borivoskans, though there are a few aliens at the gala as well. A string quartet plays unfamiliar but beautiful music that floats throughout the atrium underneath the sound of chattering. Almost everyone seems friendly, and some might try to strike up a conversation. Aside from the guests, there are waiters with plates of hors d'oeuvres both strange and familiar. They come from all across the galaxy, and they’re all delicious. There's conversation, drinks, and dancing in the atrium, but guests are allowed to break off from the party and explore the rest of the museum as well. Each of its finest pieces of history are on display, accompanied by roaming staff who are more than happy to share interesting facts about them. And if you want to get away from the crowds, there are a few enclaves off the atrium where one can have a bit of privacy. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE At a precise time during the evening, all recruits' magitek should beam a synchronized, silent notice from George: it's time. Those assigned to remain in the gala should stay where they are (along with those who were not assigned a job). It's here that recruits must keep eyes and ears off the rest of the team as they split off into groups and seek out a path to the stolen Vyri diamond. Mingle, make friends, and drink -- but stay alert, since you never know when you'll need to distract a nosy guard or a curious partygoer. Keep suspicion off your teammates and it'll be smooth sailing. The seven teams assigned to make their way to the Vyri diamond have a number of options. George has provided maps of the museum along with suggested routes, though recruits are under no obligation to follow his directions; the only things you need to do are avoid cameras, guards, and raising too much suspicion, and steal the diamond back to complete your mission. How each team proceeds through the museum is up to players, but we have a few suggested paths: Through the air vents. Across the roof. Through the museum itself. Through the sewers? Any combination of the above. Or your own idea! Whether one or all teams reach the diamond, before they can make their escape, alarms suddenly go off. It seems your heist did not go unnoticed. There's a quick, staticky message from George across the magitek: "Oh no, oh no -- quickly, get out --" But it's too late. No matter where each Audentes recruit is, whether they're at the gala or fleeing from the museum or on the other side of town, they'll suddenly be hit by an immobilizing beam of white light. It's blinding and terrifying, and those who struggle too much will find themselves blacking out into unconsciousness. Somewhere in the distance, the native gala attendees scream. And then -- To be continued . . . OOC NOTES This log takes place over one IC day and two OOC weeks. In other words, the next log will begin directly where this log left off. Hope you like cliffhangers! As noted in this post, application acceptance and processing will be closing 18 June, to be reopened 5 August. In addition, hiatus missions and ALASTAIR-provided AC bank rewards will be closed 18 June to 20 August. Please direct all questions about Leramzen to this thread. Questions about the game in general should be directed to the FAQ. You may submit mission ideas or player plots at any time. COMING SOON: Dedicated hiatus mission page, mission summaries, and more!

Comments

02

[deemed]

[Odinson's escaped the dancing by sheer sullenness. He's stared down every woman (and man) who's asked him to dance until they gave up. It isn't that he minds dancing, this just isn't the party where he'll take part.

He joins Hayame as she surveys the crowd, noticing that she's clearly put out by something. (Or possibly it's how she is always? Last time he spoke with her her was angry as well?).]

Well met. How goes the night for you?

[kisha]

Greetings.

[Having something to focus on that isn't the slatternly display in front of her is a bit of a blessing, no matter what form it came in, and Hayame fights for a look of composure- and fails somewhat, still fluster cheeked and tense, oiled tail flicking out awkwardly with a scrape of back hoof, long sleeves of her silken garment fluttering with the cross of hands under breasts.

That man. The one who had been drinking during their... conversation.

It took her a moment to recognize him due to to his hair, which he seems to have... sheered off? What manner of disgrace had led him to cut his hair in shame? But it is not her business, not yet, and he asks something of her besides.]

... The customs of this place remain foreign to me, to the point I am reluctant to even hazard a guess.

[Read: she has inadvertently offended almost everyone at this gala who has tried to speak with her thus far.]

[deemed]

[Folding his arms, he looks out across the crowd. This planet's culture is one he dislikes intensely (the size of the drinks and food here are just one example) but it's close enough to others he's encountered that he's able to get by without too many problems.]

I have travelled to worlds like this one before and am familiar with some of their similar customs. I could help unravel some of their mysteries if you wish.

[kisha]

[He claims so casually things that to her are so wild they had never even factored into her imagination. Claimed to be a god of thunder, to have lain with women of species besides his own (but not in the way she was familiar), to have traversed worlds... she can scarcely comprehend the travel she is forced into now but ALASTAIR, yet...

She tries to act as if she doesn't sometimes fear she has gone insane.]

I would ask you to explain how it is these people so shamelessly dance against each other, but you perhaps view this as... normal.

[In her own world she cannot think of anyone who would have the gall. Cannot think of any time that she was touched or touched another in affection whilst in the public view of others.]

[deemed]

[He's old and well-travelled enough that he's seldom shocked by new cultures he comes across, no matter how strange they may seem. While his culture are fairly open about sex, he doesn't think less of her for not sharing that view.]

We do not dance like this in Asgad, but I am familiar enough with it. [This kind of dancing is far too refined for most Asgardian tastes.] Dancing allows partners to enjoy others' company while displaying their skill at moving gracefully in tandem with each other. Some use the dance for more intimate purposes- [He indicates a couple not far off who are dancing much more closely than the others.] but there is no taboo here against platonic physical touch.

[kisha]

[His gesture towards the pair in question only makes the red stain of her uncomfortable blush deepen, spine ramrod straight from the equine lower shoulders, frown deepening in disapproval.]

One can do that without touching.

[Just. To point that out.]

There are fans. And ribbons. And bells.

[She's only seen folk dances and kagura, but.]

[deemed]

[If he's amused by her reaction he doesn't show it. Instead he shrugs.]

Aye, that there are. [He imagines his stout friend Volstagg dressed in bells and ribbons and has to steel himself against smiling lest she misunderstand.] Do friends refrain from touching also, in your land?

[kisha]

[There is a visible shudder along her flank at the very word "touch", and a corresponding tightening in the cross of her arms for "friend". They are things she has never done, and something she has never had, and to try and act as if she knew-]

Intimacies are kept private, where they belong. You would see little more than the briefest touch of hand.

[That much she has seen. A hand on shoulder or head, a pat, a slap, a clasp.]

It is... far different from this place. From "Oska".

[deemed]

[It's hard to miss her discomfort. Odinson pulls his sleeve to check his communication device (a bronze bracer).] There's yet time before our missions begin. Would you care to look through some of the exhibits before then?

[It's not that Odinson cares about art or history, but there will be fewer people and less dancing, which might put her more at her ease.]

[kisha]

[Its a tempting offer. Even if it might could be construed as fleeing, she wants to accept, to escape this uncomfortable room full of contact that seems lewd to her prudish sensibilities. She almost does accept- but the call to duty is stronger than her own sensibilities, (made stronger, out of necessity), and instead she shakes her head.]

I must see to my lord's protection.

[She gestures to a young man socializing on the edges of the dancing, with long hair that partially hides two horns sprouting from his skull.

Even if there didn't seem to be any expectation of threat before the heist began... Hayame took her business more than seriously.]

[deemed]

Your lord? [He follows her gesture and studies the young man from afar.]

He cannot protect himself?

[kisha]

My lord may appear weak, but he possesses a power beyond just the physical.

[Spoken as only a woman who can pull the drawstring of a hundred pound plus pull bow as easily as breathing standing next to an insanely buff Norse god can. Honestly, Ninurrta is a perfectly respectable musculature for a young man of his age and race!!]

But a vassal's duty remains, no matter how strong their lord. No man is invincible.

[deemed]

With all the Audentes here, I doubt much harm can come to him. [He sounds amused as he says this.] Yet I respect your commitment.

Will your duty extend far enough for you to join me in getting something to eat? [There's a table with food on it a little way away, which still gives an unimpeded view of the young man.]

[kisha]

[Hayame has not actually drank or eaten since she arrived at this function- besides nibbling on things her lord seemed keen to sample. She cannot deny she is hungry- that equine body of hers required far more fuel than a human's. So with a critical eye she glances between her lord and the nearby tables to judge the quality of visibility...]

Very well. I shall accompany you.

[It passed.]

[deemed]

[Odinson does not offer her his arm, as he would another woman at an event like this. He may not like these events, but he has a mother who ensured he knew how to behave at them.

Together they move to the food table, where he attempts to draw her focus away from the dancing to topics a little more palatable. It is a pleasant way to pass the evening, until other things calls them away.]