epidemiology | PLAYER EVENT ★ HELIOLOGY

PLAYER EVENT ★ HELIOLOGY

INTRODUCTION.

It's difficult to tell time without the presence of a sun or moon. There are no stars. The world is in constant blackness, the heavens barely visible from below and the only light artificial. It's been like this for months.

Suddenly, those who expressed interest in observing the sun (or lack thereof) will all at once receive a text message on their ALASTAIR jewellery from 82736775:

Get your shit and go look at the sky. Now's the time. If you need me, I'm around.

It's time to get to work.

OBSERVATION.

Find the highest point you can and point the telescopes at the sky. Should be easy, right?

Be mindful that there are still guards patrolling the city, looking for escaped prisoners, and some citizens would be very happy to tip them off to your presence. There are still animals in the forests to contend with, and there are still nosey citizens who may ask you too many questions. There are also your fellow ALASTAIR agents, who may not be very willing to share the spot they already staked out before you just showed up.

People and animals aren't all you need to look out for, either. Seven hours after the observation starts, there is a lightning storm. It lasts for 30 minutes, bolts of electricity arcing across the sky. It might be a good idea to scurry down someplace lower when this happens -- you know what they say about lightning and height.

82736775 doesn't contact anyone after the initial text, so observers are free to give up whenever they decide they've been sitting out in the freezing dark for long enough.

[ note: even if you didn't sign up, feel free to tag in! your character won't have a telescope but that doesn't mean they can't mingle. ]

[ previously: ic info | ooc info ]
[ direct questions here! ]

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[ There's definitely something at the base of the tree.

It's not human, though. It might be cat-shaped, but it's hard to tell in the darkness. A blue, glowing stripe runs down the length of its long--long--back. Whatever it is, it's big. And it definitely hears Steven.

Its head jerks up, and it pinpoints him with baleful yellow eyes.

It begins to circle the bottom of the tree. ]

No, I've only been with them a few months.

[ She was used to the dark; lanterns were deplorable and Alice refused to have them anywhere in her room. The sky lit up like this was a joy, even beautiful in its own way. ]

The city I lived in was very polluted, it would be hard to see the lights of the stars in London, even if it wasn't cloudy.

[ Never mind those ten years she spent locked away. ]

[ She's found a pretty decent building ledge to set up her telescope on, that part wasn't too hard. Neither was setting the thing up, these things are pretty idiot-proof. The hard part is the rest of it. Ramir spent about 10 minutes gazing up at the flat, dark, boring sky, and now she regrets everything that led her up to this point.

It doesn't matter how far away her nearest neighbor is, or even who they are, they're guaranteed to be more interesting than staring at the sky. So she shouts across the distance, whatever it is to them: ]

I am so fucking cold! I'm dying! Freezing to death! We should huddle together for warmth and get really cozy!

[ Is that a pick up line shouted across a few rooftops? Very probably. ]

[ Ramir gets bored fast, she probably shouldn't have volunteered to help out with this one. But she did, so here she is, for better or worse.

For worse, probably.

About an into alternatingly staring at the totally lame sky and trying to amuse herself with anyone in the area she refocused the telescope, turning it back down toward earth and readjusting a few settings. This is exactly what she was told not to do, but you know what, fuck it. Everyone has finite time in this life, you may as well spend it doing what you want to.

So of course she's checking out residential windows, looking for the money shot. A handsome guy peeling off his shirt after a day of work? Yes please. A goblin lady getting ready for a bath? Right on. Hopefully Rick is getting his money's worth, here, because Ramir is paying exactly zero attention to the sky at this point. And zero attention to anyone that might be around to catch her at it, for that matter. ]

[ At the first sign of the shitty weather rolling in, Ramir loses what little remaining interest she had left.

She doesn't even bother to pack in her telescope as rain begins to fall, just leaves it set up where it is, hunches her jacket's lapels up around her ears, and beelines to whoever first catches her attention: ]

This blows! Let's go demand food from somewhere! [ Restaurants can soothe any ailment, she's found, even boredom. With the right company, anyway. ]

[No. No they couldn't part like this. Last time they parted ways, her heart felt warm, at peace. Now? Cold and brittle. This was her own fault. To see him so forlorn made her chest tighten in regret.

She shakes her head and steps forward, grabbing the lower part of his sleeve. Tightly, but doesn't tug on it. Not wanting to force anything. Pearl knows he could easily break away if need be but. The Gemouldn't part ways on a note like this. They had promised to be better to one another. To be a better Servant and Master. It was a team effort. They couldn't work like they were right now. This Gilgamesh here wasn't the same one the others knew. They weren't the same person, right? He wasn't planning to destroy humanity here.

Her grip loosens. Eyes glistening, staring down at her branded hand. Angry at herself.

What could she possibly say after all that?]

Edited 2016-01-11 04:14 (UTC)

[Even though she's accommodated his small size by coming down to his level, he still leans up a bit to get a better look, curiously. Although he's definitely looking at it with something more than simple curiosity...]

So I'm guessing that means the real you is the rock, right?

Is the rest of you...for communicating with people? Err...if that isn't invasive. ...I've never met an alien before.

[ He...

It's a rather odd sensation, isn't it, wanting to comfort her; to apologize for his own presence, because that very thing is what's flustered her so. But to do as much would only worsen the situation (or so he fears!), and though he is King, though the daughters of countless noblemen have often found him in court, pushed upon him by their fathers so that they might one day become the Empire's Queen, Sion...

Truth be told, Sion has always run from them, evaded them with too-polite smiles and apologies. Forgive me, I've council to attend. I'm needed by my Field Marshal. Tensions have very suddenly and very conveniently escalated upon the border, and I must see to it that the conflict is quelled..! So on and so forth, the story goes, and truly, he has no idea how to settle a girl who doesn't also so happen to be his bodyguard, she who is of House Eris, and is quite often (and easily!) placated with dumplings, of all things.

But... that is a life a world away, and Olivia is before him now, asking for his name as though they were newly met with the intention to become lovers, rather than so simply gaze at the city from impressive heights.

Ah. ]

Sion. [ If he's to be honest, he'd forgotten to introduce himself because who would not know their King? But then, they are in Chantes, and those who hail from other realms do not know of him (and perhaps that is for the best). ] My name is Sion Astal, please do overlook my negligence in introducing myself.

[ And as if to further cement his apology, he extends an arm for her to take, should she so wish to! ]

Shall we, then, Lady Olivia? [ Gallant as he is, he'll undoubtedly make for a fine escort. ] I'll not let you fall.

[ It's hard to say whether she's more worried about the tree or about the anthropomorphic figure blurring toward her, and either way there isn't any time to properly make a decision. Fortunately she's spared of any injury, but the impact knocks the wind (and vision) clean out of her and she spends a good moment recuperating from the screeching stop, before she's able to interact with her benefactor in any meaningful way.

She registers a familiar voice, and looks up to see an also familiar mess of pale hair. ]

B-Ban?

[ They always seem to meet in the strangest places... ]

How did you...?

[ Where? When?? (She'll thank him properly once she's slightly less bewildered...!!?) ]

[There's no need for her to say anything at all. Gilgamesh heeds her and smiles despite himself. He holds tight to her hand and brightens, reflects peace in his thoughts even if they are troubled and torn, because ultimately...]

I do not love you any less than before.

[...it hadn't been a lie after all. There is no farce in this; the affection for his little knight-in-training had always been genuine.]

And there was no time, because Lin and Su were coming down from the dome to get Korra—totally in plain sight! Third Eye [ - the firebender known as P'li - ] would've totally blown them up on the spot if I didn't do something.

[ Bolin pauses for effect. ]

And that's when I took action. [ He earthbends a small pebble up to hover over his palm. ] I got a pebble like this, held it out and, bam! Took a shot, and got her right in the third eye!

[ Stargazing is boring. Bolin hadn't even bothered to ask for a telescope, because he doesn't know the first thing about astronomy, and he's not sure what they're meant to be looking for. Working with devices like these is probably a task better left to Asami. Instead, the earthbender had wandered around chatting people up, and his current companion is Oikawa, who, willingly or unwillingly, is being fed Bolin's account of the Team Avatar vs. Red Lotus showdown that took place in Zaofu. Pabu, who has been previously tucked against his owner's neck, had long since checked out of the conversation, opting to nap on top of Oikawa's bag instead.

Tale thus told, Bolin shrugs with exaggerated indifference. ]

I mean, it was no big deal.

I'm tougher than I look.

[He replies, huffy, as he peers through the telescope and tries to set up a good view. He's not going to discuss this, nope.]

Whatever. Are you going to stargaze now, or what?

[He instinctively moves his knees away at the impact, though he doesn't twist away from her, entirely - he's still facing her. He moves his arms so that his elbows rest on his knees.]

Yes, well, they looked a bit like stars, didn't they? I wonder what it means.

Yeah, I guess so.

[ Honestly, the actual stargazing part seems pretty boring. She makes a face, then — steps off the ledge. That stopped being terrifying pretty fast after gaining her powers, then eventually stopped being exhilarating, too. She has to admit it's still pretty fun, though. She lands heavily on the ground, straightens up, and strides on to collect her telescope. Scouted back up to the rooftop: ]

Think I can get the angle right this time? Now accepting bets!

[Tension leaves her shoulders, and entire body goes limp. All that built up anxiety, gone in an instant at the feel of their bond. His grip on her hand. His words. Her fingers thread with his. Her gaze can't meet his though. Not after seeing that exhausted expression on his face. On the verge of disappointment, even. After what she had done...

She sniffles. Letting out a weak chuckle.]

Some Master I am, huh?

[He doesn't even care. She could've sprouted wings and turned into a fairy and he just wouldn't find a single ounce of emotion to feel surprised. Okay, she can jump down and jump up really high. Great. Good for her.]

[He scowls, even though she can't see it, and raises his voice so she can hear.]

No bets! The only bet I would make is that any bets with you would result in you trying to get another kiss out of me, or something equally silly.

[Kida and Julius had a lengthy conversation before. Her voice is familiar to him. He straightens himself up immediately when she approaches.]

Hello Kida.

[Good afternoon? Good night? Without a sun, it's hard to say, but he's happy to see a face he knows regardless.]

That's generous of you. I appreciate your kindness. [Julius was shunned by others back in his own world. Here it's different. When he's with Kida he feels as like he's being treated normally. It's a nice change.]

Have you eaten yet?

Yeah, right. I did that already, I don't do the same trick twice!

[ That's a lie, she does the same trick as many times as it's still hilarious. He doesn't need to know that, though. She crouches, gauges the distance, makes an attempt to gauge her own strength (still basically just guesswork), and springs upward. It is a little better this time, and she lands with a brief wobble pretty near to where she'd jumped off. ]

Nice.

[ That's where she immediately drops her telescope, uninterested in it as soon as it's in the general vicinity, and heads for where Keats has set up his. ]

So, spot anything good yet?

[ She hadn't been expecting anyone to climb up to her current spot, much less descend from the sky in the manner that Sion does, and for a moment she's too stunned to offer a reply.

...But when the compliment finally catches up with her (or vice versa), Aqua quickly darts her eyes away and reflexively pulls her hood lower down her face. ]

Well—! I—...

[ No no, that's no good, she has to get out of this thing...! She hurriedly flips the hood off and begins struggling out of the garment. (She should've known this would've happened again...)

Her alibi: ] It was cold...

[ She's completely turned away from him as she talks, voice lowered to a near-mumble. (She hopes Mister Astal isn't watching, even if she's fully clothed underneath...!)

...

With the kigurumi shed and draped respectably over her lap as a makeshift blanket, (awkward) conversation can now ensue. ] ...What brings you here?

Edited 2016-01-11 04:37 (UTC)

[ Lancer isn't at all out and about to try and study star patterns, the tiny distortions in vast pockets of darkness in the sky or whatever else—science was druidwork in his time, and not anything he's so adept with. Instead, he's taking a detour. An 'enemy' Master's signature is something worth weathering a storm for, miserable as it is, and when he happens to cross one in his wanderings...

Worth checking out, surely.

He's about to hop into the tree to investigate, but—instead, in a fit of the absolute worst timing known to man (if anything could manage it, it's #erankluck here), he... collides straight into Pearl as she falls down.

Sorry, Pearl. If it's any consolation, this is gonna hurt him as much as it hurts her. ]

You are the ones doing the work. I thought I would help.

[ The lightning flashes and illuminates her face, cuts him out again. Kida shivers a bit, blinking. She pulls out a large pouch and pulls out--carrots, hard bread, some cheese, and fried...seaweed? She hands some of it over to Julius to taste. ]

Hm. Not yet, no. [ She looks out at the angry sky, brows furrowed, rendered uncomfortable by the sight. She refuses to be cowed and stay below, no matter how vulnerable she feels so close to it. ]

My appetite wanes.

A sharper one than I could ever ask for, yes.

[Which is as close as he'll come to admitting he himself was at fault. If he hadn't been posturing around Rin, if he hadn't harassed Saber, if he hadn't pushed Archer, if he hadn't done so many things... but it was in his nature to be wild, to do as he pleased with little regard for everyone else. It was a lesson she would've had to learn sometime, same as the lesson instilled within the Gate. To command such power came with a serious price.

She commanded madness itself, and that was not an easy feat to manage for anyone, no matter how adept.

Gilgamesh leans forward and sneaks a kiss to her gem, quick and companionable.]

Rest without worry for now. I will consider alternative strategies. I will...

[It's not a mistake. It's not.]

...not allow this to happen again. You have my word.

[ So distracted that he's regrettably slow to notice Riku's state of unease. The thunder reminds him only of a friend (cherished and loved), a woebegone, sleepy-headed man who he needed to forget (cast him aside, Sion, sever all ties), and somehow yet protect (because you will be the one to devour him, consume him and send him to the gates of Hell).

Thunder. Lightning. That mage's favorite spell had always called upon them both, Izuchi. ]

Riku. [ —when Sion's focus slips back to the present, no longer commanded, pulled, and tugged by the feeling of hunger gnawing in the pit of his stomach, the sensation creeping into his chest, he is steadfast, his voice a soothing calm: ] There is nothing to fear here.

[ Though he remembers, yet, how Riku had flinched away from his touch when he'd placed a hand atop the boy's shoulder in support, these are different circumstances and it is a different time, and so after bridging the distance between them with a careful step, one of Sion's hands comes to rest soundly atop Riku's head, the other...

The other, he raises skyward, as though tempting lightning to strike as he draws an an array in the air. It is none other than the seal for Izuchi, of course, for the spell used to summon forth lightning may be used to absorb it as well. ]

This place is safe— [ And that? That is the absolute truth. ] —and I am glad to see you are well.

[She blinks away the tears which sting the corners of her eyes. Her gem is warm to the touch, especially when Gilgamesh places a small kiss against it. She smiles, weak but considerably warmer.

But at his gesture, she returns one of her own. She lifts his hand up to herself, placing a small kiss against the back of it. Just as quick as his own to her gem. Eyes meet his yet again, a warm affectionate blue hue settling itself on her cheeks.]

And I will do better to communicate to you more often. It's not fair to you to be kept in the dark.

Sure you don't.

[He's not going to trust you as far as he can throw an anvil, Ramir. He only glances at her briefly when she lands, before returning to the CLEARLY IMPORTANT task at hand : trying to see something through the damn telescope.]

No, not yet. I'm still adjusting it. It takes a bit of time to get it ready.

[Hellboy takes an instinctive step back when Pearl jumps down, the tip of his tail flicking once. The beam of light emanating from her forehead is enough for him to see she's blushing (blue? Does she have blue blood?), and he steps forward again to lay his flesh hand on her shoulder reassuringly.]

It's okay. I didn't mean to embarrass you. [He pauses, glancing backwards at the church.] I guess you don't really have this sort of thing where you come from.

[He wants to believe in it. In her kiss. In her faith. In her, in all that she is, all that she will ever be to him. But there's no erasing that earlier sting and it takes significant willpower not to ask do you even mean it this time? Then again, perhaps the same could be said for him. Perhaps he should've expected this ever since he showed the truth behind his own existence. Such was the path of the lonely king of all kings.

One Master drove him to ruin. Another would've tried. This he does not tell her as he himself cannot find the right words to speak of it.

Gilgamesh looks ready to say something else, but hesitates. He gives her hand one last squeeze then retreats to spirit form, sailing off into the darkness. True to his word, he will not be heard from by anyone for several days, sequestered in his melancholy—or something like it, that even the great Gilgamesh might suffer from.]

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PLAYER EVENT ★ HELIOLOGY

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