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

Alice Liddell | OTA

[digophelia]

A - Stargazing

[ In order to get a better vantage point and away from others, as usual, Alice has perched herself up on a roof, for peace and quiet. Bundled up in a blanket around her body and over her head, she's sure that she looks like a caterpillar in a cocoon or something along those lines. It's easy to assume it's Alice for the fact this little bundle is small and blue, with bits of her dark hair falling out from underneath.

In between stargazing, she's finished off a dinner consisting of dried out meat and bread, with an empty cup of what was once tea. It's perfect up here, offering limited distractions, so far. As always, Alice opts to sit in the dark, refusing to carry a lantern and only using the dim glow of the screen on the telescope and communicator. ]

- Light show

[ As soon as the lightning comes, Alice makes a point to move down, lower to the ground and hopefully further from trees, on the ground now with her blanket around her shoulders, like a shawl. No matter how bright it gets or how loud the thunder erupts before the claps of lightning that startle natives around her, Alice doesn't budge. Heaving a sigh to herself- ]

Goodness, I hope it doesn't last long before bed time.

[ She's tired after the walking around from tonight, already. Even with the loud spectacle around Alice and a few natives turning around and heading back inside, Alice lets out a yawn, unphased by the dispersing group around her. Even now, the lights seem to be affecting her visions, as bits of Wonderland drop in the world around her.

Crazy lightening and minor hallucinations aside, Alice decides to stick it out and continue to watch the show. ]

C - Wildcard, chose your own adventure

[ For the rest of the night, Alice decides to stay out late, despite exhaustion, to continue to try and collect data or visit friends. ]

a;

[naturallywavy]

Oiii, oi. Miss, is there seating for one more? I'm not one to really get reserve tickets most of the time, but I thought it might be worth it..—
<sub>[ Calling from another rooftop is (1) Gintoki, holding a lantern of his own. Looks like they decided to few the sky in close proximity by consequence. Fancy that!

Alice cannot see much of his face other than what the lantern reflects off him— and yes, there is a little smile there.
He's in town. Of course he'll visit her. ]</sub>

[digophelia]

Of course there is.

[ But she may not be willing to share that blanket with him, on the other hand. She says nothing about the lantern, outside of her wince at the sight of of it. ]

It's not that very exciting, but it is nice and quiet up here, far away from people.

[naturallywavy]

Aaaah, you like the solitude?
<sub>[ Oh, right. She doesn't like the fire. He sets the lantern down on his roof, along with his other items and shifts towards the edge of the roof he is on, walking back and forth as he watches her. Give him a moment and he turns around to back up before getting a running start and .. —

jumping across the gap between both of their buildings, landing on her rooftop smoothly. Nice going. She probably had seen moves similar to this back during the riots.

He invites himself down right next to her, and whether she's willing or not, he's going to yoink part of that blanket from her and curl it around himself. ]</sub>

Hey, it's cold. You don't need that much.
_{[ you tiny thing. Of course he says this after he takes part of it, tsk. ]}

[digophelia]

Mpmh.

[ Alice resigns herself to sharing part of her blanket, still huddling up into it, as well as her cloak underneath. It is cold and naturally because she's very thin, it feels even colder. She doesn't put up much of a protest as Gintoki takes the opportunity to use part of her blanket. She's still small, after all. ]

Sometimes I like the solitude. After a while, that many people can be a bit annoying.

[ And overwhelming, though she isn't going to admit to that. ]

It's easier to focus. [ A glance up to the sky- ] - if I had something to focus on other than blackness.

[naturallywavy]

<sub>[ She's speaking Gintoki's language. Even with as much as he cared for other people, their exteriors and general presence could be irritating. That's why he can be kinda standoffish, especially to new people.

Anyway, he shifts, looking over at her. ]</sub>

Focus on the future.
And how happy everyone will be once we figure all of this out.

That's what drives me.

light show~!

[sunderings]

Before bedtime? [ —Sion echoes softly, for while he'd taken notice of her from afar as she'd dismounted her perch, planting her feet sturdy and well upon the ground, he isn't certain if she's taken notice of him in turn. But then again, he sorely doubts his presence might startle her—if anything at all, she's likely to be vexed even as he bows his head in greeting, expression warming with a smile. ] Isn't it after it, already? Your yawn, Lady Alice, was rather impressive to behold.

[ Truly so! And how could it not have been endearing, with the way she's bundled up in a blanket of blue? In contrast, Sion is underdressed for the weather, bereft of a coat, his only winter-proof garments a pair of fingerless gloves and matching scarf. ]

Shall I escort you home, then? We are very much in the midst of a storm.

[digophelia]

[ Interestingly enough, Alice doesn't see him out of the corner of her eye, not beyond the dark tendrils of her hallucination obscuring her vision. By this time, she's gotten so used to bits of shadows and other frightening visions that she doesn't bat an eye at it.

She flinches, turning herself to him as she pulls strands of her hair out of her face and turns to him. ]

I'm not ready to go back inside quite yet.

[ As much as a good, warm bed sounded so very tempting, Alice stubbornness would likely multiply with him around. ]

I'm fine the way I am.

[sunderings]

Then I am fine as well. [ —his answer is a seamless thing, coupled with a too-elegant shrug of his shoulders. For once, he'll not contest her: he'll merely smile and obey her wishes, the little light of karasagi hovering overhead. Though the spell of brilliance is enough to provide ample illumination for the area surrounding, it is not nearly so bright as to drown out the lightning storm which has seized the landscape of the sky, nor its accompaniment of thunder. ]

If not inside, where shall we be off to? Is it your wish, then, to better survey the storm?

[digophelia]

You're an odd one, you know, you're almost glowing each time I see you.

[ She can attempt to tease, looking at the hovering light above him and looks down to him with an awkward, forced smile. ]

Lower grounds, no doubt, I'm not climbing up any further.

[ And withe some natives taking this less than gracious than her, as calm as she is, she prefers to be away from others, so Alice to proceed to turn away and to a part of the Chantes she knows isn't frequented too much by people and where she tells the native children stories during the "daytime". She's ill tonight and does what she can to hide it, turning back to add to him. ]

I'm happy to see you again.

[sunderings]

And I you, my friend. [ My friend, it has a different ring than Lady Alice, doesn't it? But for all that it is different, there is no less sentiment to the endearment—for it is true, isn't it? They're friends. ] Which is why we'll go into recluse together, for along the way, you're certain to need a light, and admittedly...!

[ Unabashed, he teases back: ] As someone born to be King, my shine is different.

[ And he, the Hero King of his country, is so often compared to a beacon of light that he has become one, shrouded by a golden aura upon the battlefield, known for his fiercely determined golden eyes, and here in the persistent dark of Chantes, he is never without karasagi to mark his path.

Or rather, Alice's path, because she seems quite keen upon leading the way once again, leaving Sion to follow and to wonder at her small frame.

(Better than anyone else, Sion knows the look of a smile made for the sake of appearances alone.) ]

You are not unwell, are you? [ —he asks no sooner than they've reached a more peaceable place, the only sound stemming from storm itself and not those fearful of it. ] The change in the atmosphere, I hope it hasn't worsened your fatigue.

[invisiblade]

[the legendary blue caterpillar...!!! where is your hookah???

Saber spots Alice amidst her own roof hopping adventures and aims to land softly nearby so as not to startle the slightly smaller girl. Alice sure looks cozy. the sight urges Saber to gather her scarf a bit tighter around her as she approaches, calling out gently once she's within close range.]

Greetings, Miss Alice.

[she's carrying a lantern, it's soft glow illuminating her face and blonde tufts of hair as she stops a pace or two away.]

Might I inquire as to how your night is progressing?

[night/day- they're both the same here, aren't they?]

[digophelia]

[ Between the darkness and erratic sleeping habits of Alice, she couldn't say she knew of any distinction between night and day anymore, aside from the exception that was this evening. The sight of Saber catches her by surprise; she was sure that after the jailbreak, approaching her may have been the last thing to cross her mind. But truth be told, Alice knew what she did and did what she could to try and block it out. Gintoki was safe and free from the king's jailhouse and that's all that mattered to Alice.

Despite herself, hesitant eyes dropped to the lantern. She wouldn't mention her unease with lanterns, but there was a reason why Alice chose to sit in the dark. ]

Hello.

[ That's the only thing she manages to say before turning away back to what she's looking at. She had seen Alice at her worst and Alice isn't proud of it. But, most times, Alice is surprisingly level-headed and collected. ]

It's been very dull; I haven't seen a change in anything, aside from the usual.

[ Despite her lack of findings, Alice was content with the silence and the distance from others. ]

[invisiblade]

[it is most unfortunate that Saber's mere presence serves as an unwanted reminder of Alice's regretful actions that night of the jailbreak. truth be told, she would never dream of judging Alice for such a thing, even if it had been a vulgar sight to behold at the time. Alice was merely defending herself, and humans are no stranger to acts that may be perceived as inhumane when pushed. Saber lived in a time when brutality was not uncommon, casualties are unavoidable in times of war.

sensing the other girl's discomfort, Saber decides to remain a few paces away on the rooftop, lowering the lantern to her side as she lets her arms hang freely.]

I see... Perhaps you may find some measure of solace in learning you are not alone in this...? Many others have expressed their disappointment with their findings- or lack there of, as well.

[not her, of course, as there's no telescope on her person. but this isn't the first rooftop she's decided to make a pit stop at.]

[digophelia]

I certainly don't mind it, it doesn't make a difference to me if I find anything or not.

[ Lowering the lantern will actually help alleviate that tension in her. After believing for a decade a lantern was the source of her family's death. She turns around and glances at her again, looking her over underneath the huddled mass of blankets.

She still couldn't really see it, the supposed Once and Future King standing beside her, just another English girl close to her age, that was it. ]

It's quiet up here and it's away from people.

[ It was the same sort of behavior she displayed at any public gathering. Alice would linger until she couldn't take anymore and slink away, in her own thoughts. The only complaint she had was the screen of the telescope wasn't bright enough to draw. ]

I will just wait here to see if I can find any friends of mine.

[invisiblade]

Would you mind terribly if I joined you?

[Saber too is a fan of peace and quiet, and it seems like Alice's rooftop is an ideal place for it. still, there's nothing wrong with sharing silence in the company of others, is there? plus she finds there is some small bit of comfort in sharing the same air as her English brethren. it stirs a hint of nostalgia in her, a small piece of home that's managed to travel it's way along with her.]

I promise I shall strive in earnest not to prove a bother to you, should you permit me the good fortune of sharing in your company on this night.

light show

[winces]

It is a little loud, isn't it?

[ there is a voice just behind alice — soft and tentative, likely familiar in how inherently uncertain it sounds. if she turns, she'll find olivia standing just a few feet away from her, cloaked in a thick, brown and green coat, holding on an arm what appears to be a basket of&madsh; are those rolls of bread?

she smiles at the younger girl, drawing her attention away from the lights for the moment. ]

But it's nice to see this space lit up, for once.

[digophelia]

[ She's right, it is nice. It's beautiful, in its own way, when they've gotten used to the black void that was the sky above them. Come to think of it, it was unnerving, in a way, that after the revelation that Shiki provided that it was a shield, of the sort, blocking out the rays of the sun. Hopefully, it could be a sign that things were about to change. ]

Indeed, it is. I hope this means we'll actually be able to see without relying on lanterns.

[winces]

[ olivia ponders on that for a moment, turning her gaze back up to the sky. ]

I don't know if I want a lightning storm to last that long, [ she admits, in a tone that seems rather bashful about the confession. ] It would make it seem a little less special, I think.

[digophelia]

Why, you don't think it's nice to have some light in the sky?

[ How long would it last? How much longer would they be sent into the darkness? Alice is actually enjoying it. ]

It's special, it must mean something. Someday, I hope we are able to see real stars and a blue sky. I haven't seen any of those in years.

[winces]

Oh, I'd love for more lights in the sky. I'm just not sure this is the kind I'd want.

[ she smiles a bit wistfully, lifting her shoulders in a shrug. lightning storms were beautiful, as were the rains that inevitably followed them, but they were the sort of beautiful that's meant to be fleeting. evanescent.

the young girl's next words, though, has olivia pulling back from her own thoughts, blinking owlishly back at the brunette. ]

Years...?

[ a pause. a venture, ] Have you been with ALASTAIR for that long...?

C

[perma_banned]

[When Alice did finally decide to return to her room, she would find the children laughing and playing as if it hadn't been well past their bedtimes. They were wearing new clothes that was a bit less ostentatious compared to what the thief had given them before. Ban, seated in the window, thumbed a bottle of wine with a sleepy expression.

There was a plate of cookies on a table by the wall, nearly run dry. He didn't pay attention to any of the kids as they ran around and played, looking out towards the town.]

[digophelia]

[ These are the same children Alice has frequent contact with, from Ban dropping them off in October. It's good to see them happy and with new clothes, but more importantly- ]

You again? What are you doing here?

[ Slowly, she makes her way through rowdy children, having to deal with one familiar freckled-face boy coming up and hugging her. After a few gently reassurances, Alice makes her way over to Ban with a heavy distance in mind, crossing her arms waiting for some sort of response. ]

[perma_banned]

[Ban reached up with his free hand--lifting his index finger to the air in a 'shush' gesture to Alice as he hefted up a fresh bottle to drink.

He was nearing the end of his night and the last of his supply for the day. He drank overtime if only because of the lightning storm and all the noisy people running around.

When he was done, Ban smacked his lips and huffed.]

Your room's a good place to gather 'em up, ain't it? That oughta explain iiiit~.

[digophelia]

I'm surprised you're even bothering with me.

[ She won't dare be too confrontational around the children, doing what she can to keep an even tone. Moreover, Alice is reluctant to do anything, period, lest Gintoki involve himself with Ban, again. He makes her nervous, there's really no telling what he'll do around here. She would have thanked him for clothing the children, at least, and is secretly grateful that they look happy and warm. It's still not enough space for Alice to care for them. ]

Especially everything that has happened.