PLAYER EVENT ★ HELIOLOGY

[ricksybusiness]

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! ]

Comments

[riastraid]

[ Chin up, Pearl. It's nothing a little bleach can't fix. Plus, he doesn't seem all too impressed with her dainty choice of footwear, peering at them with one brow lofted up. ]

Not my fault you didn't change outta your slippers today.

[ Those belong in a bedroom or something, not out on the field... He finally picks himself up to sitting properly, trying to shake himself dry. The tree's flimsy defense against the rain means it doesn't work for long, though. A sigh. His waterlogged stare goes back to her. ]

Whatever, anyway—who said I was looking for stars?

[ Very different investigation, here. ]

[beyourrock]

[Her foot slaps back down on the ground as another crack of lightning highlights the displeased look on her face. Really? Slippers? Pearl picks off a few more twigs and pieces of grass from her arms before she flicks off some more mud from her hands.]

Then what are you looking for? [She shakes a few stray twigs from her head.]

Perhaps I can assist you, if you refrain from insulting my attire.

[bougy]

( wait she actually did it. kind of impressive to be honest, if not a little worrying. )

How high up were you?
Not that you should go higher. I think it's safer than to stay inside and try and wait it out redecorating can't be that tricky.
Do you have a way to dry yourself off?

[riastraid]

[ No pain, no gain, Hide. If he helps you up every high slope, there will come a day——okay whatever the truth is that he doesn't feel like it, and there's a perfectly good(??) mount right there. Just use the resources provided.

And it's not as though he's trying to sabotage him, anyway (funny as it'd be, he doesn't set up tricks so elaborate). It's true that he's got the luxury suite's view here, though: Lancer sits, dangling one leg off the edge of the roof and bracing his chin lazily against a propped up knee. He's rather plainly waiting on Hide—it's not like he went rushing for a telescope when they were being divvied out.

C'mon, hurry up.

Rather than shout and destroy all semblance of their 'stealth' mission, he mind-texts straight back. ]

do i look like a thief to you——? geesh. it just showed up and started following me the other day... may as well put it to work if it's gonna stick around.

no i'm pretty sure she started it

[keeper]

Did he? I received this from him as well...

[ Must be 'cause they've been so nice...!!! (—Or maybe Aqua's been bad, because the kigurumi kind of feels like a punishment...)

Anyway, she smiles appreciatively as Olivia displays the garment for her to see. ] It looks lovely on you. [ (Please don't return that compliment...) Not to be ungrateful or anything but Aqua isn't exactly... gun-ho about her own duds...

She motions for the other girl to sit, if she so pleases. ] A little drowsy, to be honest, but not so bad.

[ Also hungry... She can't help but wonder what Olivia's toting around...

Aqua turns to her attention to her telescope for a moment, peering through the sight before responding once more, ] It's been mostly dark, but I've finally managed to pick up on some activity. Would you like to take a look?

[ She'll scoot over if Olivia's curious; the stars she's currently trained on are unusually bright and red. ]

[riastraid]

[ Actually, he's probably got another insult right on the tip of his tongue—but he perks up slightly under all the downpour, like she's reminded him of something. Forget the mud and achey bones and soiled slippers, this is clearly much more important. ]

Oh yeah, now that you mention it—

[ If this were the Grail War, this would also be about the time he'd try to up and murder her. But instead his already mild irritation fizzles into the start of a small grin. ]

I was searching for you.

[ ...Maybe a little too vigorously, considering what happened. ]

[bougy]

( it's always pleasant to be surrounded by a fairly relaxed aura. even if she's not one to be particularly affected by another's general self-presentation--overly empathetic, in a word--she smiles at the greeting and gives a smile right back in return. ) At least it's consistent, so I don't even have to feel bad for distracting you.

( quite gratefully, she plants herself down well within the glow and warmth of the fire. she gives a small little sigh of appreciation in being given the chance to take her weight off her feet with company. ) Don't mind if I do, but I'm going to have to ask the obvious question first, why in the world are you grilling one? ( she points to his own one held over the fire, obviously amused. )

[beyourrock]

[After some more preening of twigs and leaves, she turns towards him. She looks around, as if he were addressing someone else. Just what on earth was this man up to? Too bad she had never caught his name when they met at the tavern.

Slowly, she points a gloved finger at herself.]

Me? Why are you looking for me? You're not looking for another drinking buddy, are you?

[Her hand falls, slapping against her side with a small groan.]

I already told you, I don't drink.

[bougy]

Tiring? ( she laughs a bit. ) I would have said sedative, but--( and here she shrugs, shaking her head once. not to disregard his concern, but more to express that, really, there's a reason why that might not be a good idea. ) well, what do I know.

Regardless, I think that's a fine idea, safe for one small detail. I might need a bit of instruction on how to use one of these 'sky-tubes'. ( it's her, not him. also, she does know that it's a telescope, she's seen them before, but they're not something she's ever had the chance to use. she gives it a small little shake as she admits this in so many words. ) So I guess I'll be requiring your assistance, too.

[headlining]

You're most wel- hey, wait, right here?

[Next to HIM? Lady, this is not good at all. He was here. He's going to find whatever cool thing is in the sky first! HOW DARE.]

I've got this place covered, what are you doing?

[runningjoke]

I'M ON A MOUNTAIN.

Ugh.

No, I don't. Figures. At least it's not toxic.

[adlantisag]

[ She smiles at the look of satisfaction that crosses his face. She's glad to share a piece of her culture, small though it may be. ]

What has it told you so far?

[ She looks at it, wondering. She doesn't really know how it works, and despite her misgivings about the open sky, she can't help being curious. ]

[keeper]

[ You're a strange one, Ban... ]

Oh? I rather enjoy stargazing myself.... I have to say I've been curious to know what the stars look like here.

[ Her watch had been rudely interrupted by the thunderstorm of course, but she'll find someplace else for a stakeout once it passes... Besides, she hasn't caught a single peep of the true sky since her arrival, and simply can't pass up the opportunity now.

(Distantly, she wishes for certain company she won't find here... for home.)

Not that the current crowd is terrible or anything. She smiles a little at the blunt admission. ] ...And cooking too, I wager?

[ —Of course, it begs the question, ] So what has you outside in a storm, if you don't mind me asking?

[bougy]

One man's mountain is another man's hill.
Toxic rain? You must come from an interesting world. ( really, toxic rain but no thunderstorms? )
Anyway if you want a blanket & fire let me know. I am sure this group endeavour can spare me for a few moments.

[runningjoke]

No. I'm literally on a mountain. The highest one I could find. You wouldn't be able to get to where I am. I flew. And even if you could, I don't want you to. Whatever a "blanket" is, I don't want or need it. Or fire. I know what that one is.

[bougy]

Right, well. That is indeed a mountain. Don't try flying again until the storm breaks. It shouldn't be long.
A blanket is something you could hide your head under if you wanted to. Though I take it you're not an astrophobe--that's fear of lighting, by the way. Lightning is that flashy stuff that's making everything for a moment look like serial killers. It's also the most dangerous thing right now especially since you're so high. Try counting between each strike.

[digophelia]

If you needed a catnap, then perhaps it's close to your bed time.

[ Alice has no room to talk, here, she's exhausted from running around. ]

[runningjoke]

No, it's not the flash of light, that's average for any planet that experiences frequent temperature changes, it's the...

The sound.

BUT IT'S FINE, I KNOW IT'S NOT BECAUSE THE PLANET IS GOING TO BE RIPPED IN HALF NOW, SO I'M NOT EVEN AFRAID OF IT!

but now are you sick of A

[powerdriven]

[ Levi's been away from whatever duties the resting majority of ALASTAIR have been assigned to for a short time, assigned elsewhere, but retaining access to the jewelry meant he'd kept the chance to see a few of their faces from time to time.

though now that he's back in time to be thrown wrist deep into this pile of shit, a telescope tucked away into a bag to avoid getting in the way of his mode of transportation for climbing, his memory is failing him on this wailing kid. hadn't he seen him somewhere before? speaking in human words?

needless to say, he has to stop to investigate, and that means the grapple of his gear digs hard into the bark of the tree beside Steven as Levi launches himself up next to him.

he says nothing, and yet his stare demands an explanation. ]

[viscontree]

I can think up a few reason why none of us have thought of using this type of method.

[Stress, confusion, and there's the whole "you were tossed in here by ALASTAIR" deal. Julius thinks we might have been busy doing other things to think of using science. It ultimately depends on the person.]

Hm...

[Julius peers into the telescope more. He observes the sky some more before giving her a final answer.]

Lieutenant, it's the stars. They lost their glow.

[viscontree]

It's showing us things that we can't see with our own eyes.

The stars seem unusually bright. [That's only for a second though. He sits there being puzzled.]

Would you like to see it, Kida?

[aspearation]

[ Now that's one heck of a trick. It reminds her of something she can't quite pinpoint. For a second, she stares a bit dumbly as a question's posed to her, because the gears are turning, though not enough to click into place. Driving the tip of her spear into the ground, she leans on it, settling in at least for the time being. ]

Hah! Just Undyne is fine! Nobody one ever really calls me Miss! [ Oh, right. Manners. ] Nice to meet you. And, uh, you are...?

[viscontree]

Let me show you how to use it. [Julius approaches the telescope and points to a couple of buttons on it.]

Use this switch to turn it on. You can adjust your view by turning this knob.

[His instructions are as clear as day. It shouldn't be too difficult to understand.]

rude fairy dust

[powerdriven]

[ of the things he was sure of about Gilgamesh, his value of extravagant things was one of them.

from the magic sword he'd been extravagantly lent to the Vimana which Gilgamesh had most extravagantly and needlessly had him ride through the city, this strange business of flying seems exactly in line with that trend. more importantly, it also seems distinctly mocking—Levi is checking the settings of his telescope from the rafters of a building when his hold on gravity slips along with the blurred vision of the unfocused lens. a voice is burrowing as if it were a dirty rodent into his ears.

Levi balks at nothing, remarkably clumsy without control of himself until he catches some kind of stride. from there, he manages to stay upright only so long as Gilgamesh lets him. focusing like he were flying on his wires. ]

What's with you... trying to show me around things I already do fine?

[ his voice is strained and irate, referring of course to his borrowed blade. ]

[hideyourself]

[sentient space rock sure was an efficient way to put it. Hideyoshi couldn't stop a half-amused snort, hands waving quick in what had to be an attempt at apologetic.]

That doesn't do you near enough justice. [just saying!!] What's the-- aside from your looks, what-- are the differences? -- Can you breathe in space? Or, I guess, do you not need to breathe in space?