epidemiology | 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! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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?

Well...

[The gem hums as she considers the differences. She starts to count off on her fingers.]

We don't need to eat, breathe, sleep, or drink. Some of us choose to, but it isn't required. We can choose what we wish to experience with our human constructs, that you see before you. Our bodies adjust to gravity according to whatever planet's atmosphere we're on...

Many differences, really. [Her hand gestures to her Gem.] Magical properties being the main difference.

[the magic is expected, but the little ticks between magic and living-- the eating, breathing, sleeping, or lack thereof- piques his interest immediately, eyebrows raising into his hat.]

... Sorry. You can "choose" what you wish to experience? [did she just mean their form, or... you know, he wouldn't be too surprising if <>reality bending was in a few people's skill sets.]

[Pearl smiles sheepishly before she nods.]

In a way, yes. For example, if we wanted to experience breathing, we would create lungs in order to do so. I guess I should have specified it as 'human' experiences.

[a beat.]

Could you take it away? Take away-- what you didn't want to experience, if in the midst of, I don't know, something... inconvenient.

[like drowning.]

It depends on what that inconvient thing is.

For example, if I ate something [A small shudder.] and I suddenly wanted to get rid of my stomach, well. There'd be complications with the food inside me. I can make the stomach go away, but not the food. It could disrupt my human construct as a whole.

That's vaguely terrifying.

[as if commenting on a cloud, quite matter-of-fact. because what! it was!]

[the telescope beeps, drawing the blond's eyes back to it. when it doesn't continue for a second, he re-adjusts the scope, talking all the while.]

So, uh, it sounded like... Humans and Gems, they... have a situation similar to the humans and goblins here? [forgive the mood whiplash.]

[Pearl shakes her head.]

Not really. It was more like a civil war between Gems. Those who wanted to use earth and destroy all organisms on it, and those who wanted to protect it.

[The Gem takes her own telescope out from her sash and extends it as she too speaks.]

Luckily, the Earth is in one piece. [Pearl offers him a small smile.]

What about you? What is your home like?

[that illustrates quite the picture. one he quietly turns over she sets up her telescope, his head tilted, expression subdued.]

As for as sentience goes, it's mostly human. There are ghouls, but... it's closer to a war of extermination, from humans to ghouls.

[with a lower voice, one finger tapping on the shoddy plastic.]

Protect or destroy - and the humans didn't know any better on your world?

[Pearl lowers her telescope. Ghouls? Pearl was a little skeptical when it came to 'ghosts' and things of the like. She furrows her brow.]

Humans were innocent by standards for the most part.... But these ghouls you speak of. What made them so different from humans?

[There were many interpretations of ghouls after all...]

[skepticism from the magical space rock... Hideyoshi would've laughed if he'd known. as it is, this is a common question, so - after a considering noise, hand scratching again at the back of his neck and sudden diversion to cocking an ear toward the edge of the roof, he answers easily enough.]

Foremost, their durability. Second, their ability to manifest an extra appendage at will - usually a lethal one, as it's a natural weapon for them. [he stills before he can continue, head tilting further toward the edge, as if straining to hear something.]

[after a moment of that -]

Company incoming. [uh-oh. she wouldn't happen to technically be a fugitive, would she.] Might want to relocate.

[Pearl bristles, hearing the noises. She, too, peers over the edge to see the none-too-please guards, and immediately pulls her head back from the edge.

Yeah she's not on good terms with the Guardsmen.]

Right, we should do that.

[Last thing she wants is for someone to get in trouble for the jailbreak that happened so long ago. She places her telescope in her sash and glances back at him as she stands.]

Can you make it down alright?

PLAYER EVENT ★ HELIOLOGY

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sorry for how late this is...!!

It's okay I'm no better!

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