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

[headlining]

[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.

[winces]

They did... [ she seems uncertain though, worrying on her bottom lip a little. ]

But. I mean — they didn't look like the stars I'm used to... They started to kind of — glow red after a while?

But, gosh, maybe it's just been so long since I've seen real stars that I don't even remember...

[headlining]

You make it sound like it's been years since you've seen them.

[He agrees with her, they were awfully strange-looking, but, well, maybe it was this never-ending darkness that was messing with them.]

Whatever they are, I'm sure the telescope man will figure them out.

[winces]

[ she blushes brightly, suddenly abashed. ]

I-I mean I guess you're right... [ she tries to recall how long it's been, exactly. a couple of weeks...? maybe over a month...?

gosh — thinking of it that way makes it seem like forever. ]

I hope it'll help, somehow.

[headlining]

It probably will. I mean, a few lights is better than just eternal blackness, right?

[He lets out a huff, his usually serious expression turning into one that's more softer, almost wistful.]

In any case, it gives us a bit of hope to hold on to.

[winces]

[ she smiles then, reaching up to curl her hands around her warmed cheeks. ]

That's true, [ she concedes, ] I didn't really think of it that way. I didn't realize you were so optimistic, Mr. Keats!

[headlining]

Ah, me? [He almost looks sheepish - he attempts to hide his face by turning away and scratching the back of his neck.]

Nah, I just like saying how it is. I mean, this all could end in nothing. It could all just be a waste of time.

[winces]

[ she blinks at his gesture for a moment...

before her lips purse into a small, knowing smile. ]

Mm, that's true. But that's not what you thought to say first.

[ SHE SEES THROUGH YOU, KEATS, SHE KNOWS WHAT YOU'RE DOING ]

[headlining]

[MISTER CELLOPHANE, SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY NAAAAMMMME]

[He lets out a very grumpy huff at that. She saw right through him, TIME TO TURN ON THE TSUNDERE.]

Whatever. It's just an opinion. Nothing to make a fuss about.

[winces]

[ her grin splits right across her face, almost leering at this point. how dare she look so smug, tbh. leaning towards him, she cups her chin in her hands. ]

I don't know, Mr. Keats, it's very easy to think negatively. It's a lot harder to be so positive. And if I don't make a fuss about it, who will? You're too modest for that~

[headlining]

I would rather nobody make a fuss about it at all. Especially you.

[He tries to save face by staring her square in the eye, doing his best not to focus on the fact that she's grinning so mischievously.]

And it doesn't mean I feel positively on everything, you know?

[winces]

[ she pouts a little, looking injured. ]

"Especially" me? What did I do...!

[headlining]

You're making a fuss about it! That's what you did. Just...just let it go.

[You're embarrassing him, Olivia!! Also, time to activate his special ability: SUBJECT CHANGE.]

Don't you own a coat or something? How did you wander around dressed like that in the rain?

[winces]

Easily, [ olivia sniffs, straightening up a bit and turning back towards the fire. yes, she's a little petulant, but she didn't like the sound of that especially you at all. as if she were some sort of bad exception. >:'c ]

[headlining]

I don't think you wandered around "easily" in the rain, Olivia.

[He lets out a short sigh. Don't take his grumpy nature personally, Olivia, he's like that to everybody.]

You need to invest in an umbrella for days like this. Though I would still go for the coat, personally.

[winces]

[ her lips purse briefly, though he was wise to call it an "investment" rather than a "purchase." it appeals to the frugal, practical side of olivia's nature — at least when it comes to spending money. ]

I'm wearing a coat, [ she insists. it's the one "santa" had gotten her, but it did better to serve her in the snow than the rain, admittedly. ]

[headlining]

I mean a better coat. The one you're wearing doesn't really work.

[This is the look of a man who is doing his best to quell the urge to just go and buy a coat for her right this minute, all while trying to hide the kind gesture by complaining about it.]

You'll catch a cold, you know.

[winces]

[ she sniffles once, reminiscent of the time he'd caught her standing outside his apartment door, trying to be sneaky... ]

I don't get sick, [ she claims simply, which is also. reminiscent of that time. ]

In any case, you're just as wet as I am.

[headlining]

I can survive. You - [he pauses, gesturing to her with a finger] - have already been sick, don't you remember? You're more likely to catch something bad than me.

[winces]

[ she turns towards that finger and gives it a lofty stare. ] I don't know what you're talking about.

[ a few sneezes doesn't make a cold, keats, gosh!! but of all the things to be stubborn about... seriously, this girl. ]

[headlining]

Hmmph. Don't come crying to me when you find yourself bedridden.

[It's a somewhat harsh statement, and he knows it - but it comes from a good place. Too bad he can't say a totally 100% nice thing to anyone without some effort on his part.]

At least stay indoors. It'll do you good.

[winces]

[ she bristles a bit, sitting up that much straighter as if that might somehow prove her point. ]

I can't stay inside all useless while everyone else is out here doing something to help.

[headlining]

An admirable reason, but you're sort of acting on it in a way that's probably going to backfire on you.

[He reaches up to start loosening his tie - it's wet and heavy and it's starting to annoy him.]

Did you have any plans? On how to help. Or did you just run out here without a clue on what you were doing?

[winces]

[ she heaves a heavy sigh, reaching up to push some of her bangs out of her face. they stick up awkwardly for a few seconds, held against her headband by lingering raindrops, but flop back down over her forehead before too long. ]

I made food, [ she answers simply. enough food for everyone out there, actually, and she's thankful she'd gotten most of the loaves out to people before the rain hit. she stares down at the basket she'd set down beside her feet, looking at the few that are left, a bit soggy from the rain. ]

And I was going to ask someone to explain the telly-scope thing.

[ see! a plan! ]

[headlining]

Oh. [Well, that's...actually kind of nice, making food for people, so he can't really say anything bad about that. He follows her gaze to the basket at her feet, having not even really noticed it before.]

And the telescope? [He tilts his head, leaning forward.] So, did someone explain it to you?