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

[cutlery]

It is. The young lady and I have no expertise in such a thing.

[ Sebastian can speak for both of them on that confidently, since between a demon and a genius of chemistry... A telescope was definitely outside of both of their areas of expertise. He looks down at the telescope curiously for a moment, then to Sieglinde. ]

I suppose we may as well, yes?

[grunehexe]

[What Sebastian said was true- they had no expertise in these sorts of devices. Of course, Sieglinde had used telescopes before, but nothing like this...

Yet at Sebastian's question, Sieglinde looked rapidly between Peridot and the butler, aghast at the very suggestion- and not because she was necessarily opposed to modifying things so much as,]

She just said she doesn't even know.

[No offense, but that doesn't inspire much confidence... nor much tact in Sieglinde's own comment.]

[runningjoke]

[ Peridot isn't much of one to use tact herself, so she isn't bothered. In fact, she goes right back to working on her own, not even bothering to face the two anymore. ]

If you don't want me to, fine. Not my problem when your face melts off from using it. But if you aren't asking for my help, then hurry up and leave. I don't want any distractions.

[cutlery]

Well, please, just a moment...

[ Sebastian shifts Sieglinde in his arms carefully to the seated position on one of his arms. This shift is ultimately so he can simply raise a hand peacefully as if to stop Peridot from dismissing them so quickly. He'll go a long way for a purely polite gesture. ]

May I ask why you have concerns about the danger it may present?

[grunehexe]

[That was something Sieglinde was interested in as well. If the other had some more legitimate reason that they could explain clearly as to why they thought the equipment they'd been given wasn't up to par, she'd be willing to listen...

So she stays quiet, deferring to Sebastian's question.]

[runningjoke]

[Peridot sighs, and steps over to Sebastian, pointing to various spots on their telescope.]

Exposed wires. Incomplete plastic tubing. Poorly soldered alloys. Inner lense is slightly cracked. The only complete part of this is the closed circuit connection.

Have you seen the guy that put it together? And have you actually looked at yours? It's some of the WORST work I've ever seen!! Even Gem tech from five thousand years ago holds up better than this hunk of garbage!

[And with that, she rolls her eyes, and goes back to her own telescope, still manned by her Robonoid.]

But like I said. If you want to keep using it, go ahead. I don't care.

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian frowns as Peridot explains, though his displeasure is two parts here. For one, he admittedly doesn't quite understand the implications of everything she points out... Even though he's wickedly smart, he's still ultimately limited by his time period. But. For what he does understand, he is a bit concerned about it. ]

Well... No, I have not exactly spoken with him at length. And admittedly, the young lady and I do not quite have access to technology such as this where— Excuse me, when we are from.

[ He nods, though it's to Sieglinde. ]

I believe it would be worth a little fine-tuning, hearing that.

[grunehexe]

[Now that was a much better explanation than "I don't know". It actually sounded more like the strange woman knew what she talking about, so Sieglinde was far more willing to listen.

As Peridot listed off her issues with the device, Sieglinde took to examining it. It admittedly wasn't the most stellar looking piece of equipment, but then again... she'd attributed that not to the man's incompetence, but to the scarcity of usable items in this world. She'd had to make due with things subpar to what she was used to working with herself, after all- this place didn't seem to have nearly as strong a magnifying lens as she was used to, for starters-

But that was beside the point. Wire, plastic, alloys... these weren't words she'd heard the Chanteans using. Still...]

- Let us see these proposed repairs, then.

[She'd like to see what Peridot planned to do to her own before handing over theirs.]

[runningjoke]

[Inwardly, Peridot was laughing to herself. Sure. She'll run through the whole thing. Explain all the upgrades, and repairs.

And then totally not do it for them. After all, she doesn't owe them anything, and even if she did, they're humans. Why would she do something for them?]

Sure.

[The Gem grins, gesturing to her own telescope.]

As you can see, I've made my own paneling to cover up the parts that were left open, and while the rest is inside now, I can assure you that there's no wires out of place, or any lenses left cracked. I have extremely high standards when it comes to technology, and engineering, so I wouldn't even be using mine if it wasn't as nice as possible.

[cutlery]

[ When Peridot motions to her telescope, Sebastian walks closer to take a look. Peridot may not be planning to help, but Sebastian is a devoted student!! So unless she stops him, he'll be taking a look at each area as she explains, since he's naturally curious, but also just interested in technology. ]

Ah, no, that does make sense... I had wondered about the state they were in, but I thought it a bit rude to ask, since I thought these were on loan.

[ He leans closer to look at some of that panelling. ]

And where did you get the spare parts to make the necessary repairs?

[grunehexe]

[Well, it sounded nice in theory... though it also didn't sound terribly complex as of yet. Rearranging the wires, covering it in a better plating, switching out the lens for a better glass...

In front of Sebastian, Sieglinde is a bit more reluctant to speak her mind, lest he call her out on her manners. Thankfully, he's also at least of similar curiosities with her on this one, because he asks the same question she planned to.

It seemed the key here was materials, after all.]

[runningjoke]

They are. Except mine. I already told him I wasn't giving it back.

[She didn't even ask, she literally just said "you're not getting this back."]

I recently received a tool kit from ALASTAIR. Any other parts I didn't have there, I had my Robonoid fabricate.

But as you can tell, this wasn't a simple process. In fact, the more you're making me think about it, the less I want to actually help you, because it wasn't easy.

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian did have a sarcastic comment about her thievery on his tongue, but with that additional comment, he ends up just laughing softly. What a disagreeable person! It's a good thing he's quite used to them, since the rudeness just rolls off him easily. ]

Oh, dear, is that so? I would think that an engineer and scientist would be quite excited to share their work, but forgive me for that assumption...

[ This is a passive-aggressive jab, absolutely ]

[grunehexe]

[Requisitioning others' equipment? Well. "Robonoid" sounded interesting, but-

Sieglinde's expression grew somewhat sour, nodding along vigorously in support of Sebastian's statement. If she had something useful she would be more than willing to share it with those who needed it-]

One would think so.

[Chimed in her agreement loftily- though she was taking the chance to keep looking the other woman's telescope over in case she did plan on withholding aid.]