epidemiology | PLAYER EVENT ★ HELIOLOGY

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! ]

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[ olivia can't really judge ~~look at what she normally wears~~, especially since she'd been given a similar gift as well, though hers had come from a friend. she's only worn it while she slept, though, as she was under the impression that was the purpose of the garment... but she thinks she likes aqua's idea better — it's definitely much easier to spot who they are among the crowd with these things on! ]

Oh, can I?

[ olivia takes the offer without hesitation, happily shuffling over to peek into the telescope. only about 60% of this is for her actual curiosity, though that is often the motivating factor. this time around, a good portion of it is olivia's quiet desire to simply show off that she knows how to use one of these thingies now...

LOOK AQUA LOOK ARE YOU LOOKING LOOK HOW WELL SHE USES IT CAN YOU SEE CAN YOU SEE ]

Ohh, wow!

[ No Olivia... That is definitely Not the purpose of this kigu, at least not for Aqua... (She'll be sure to leave it home next time, or at least in her hammerspace...) ]

Of course.

[ She smiles at the dancer's enthusiasm, feeling a sense of added fulfillment for the long hours she's hauled for this particular project. (She's been struck by lightning, chased by guards, etc. etc. with very little to show for it, up until now that is.) ]

It's fascinating, isn't it? I never thought stars would be that red...

[ ALSO SHE NOTICES OLIVIA, SUGOI OLIVIA!!! (Of course she doesn't realize Olivia's putting on a little extra for show.) ]

...Do you do this very often? You're quite good at it.

[ (It had take Aqua quite a few tries to get any reliable readings, though luckily she's had an entire day to learn.) ]

Oh, not really...!

[ she giggles softly in her joy, pleased that aqua has somehow noticed her prowess with the equipment. ]

I've never really seen anything like this before in my world, actually, so I've only started learning how to use it today... [ ah, but while she's bragging, she has to give credit where credit is due— ] Lea was nice enough to teach me how to use it. He was a very patient teacher!

Well, I'm impressed. [ A thoughtful pause. ] What's your home like?

[ Kind of a giant question for small talk, but it doesn't stop her from asking... And, her smile perks a little at the familiar name. ]

Lea, is it? [ She wouldn't have guessed, not by any fault of the young man in question, but merely because it's an unexpected, mutual acquaintance. ]

I'm glad to hear it. ...He's from the same world as me, actually, though I only met him when I arrived here.

[ (He's... also from the future... Though perhaps that's a bit too heavy of a topic for second dates...) ]

[ olivia lifts her gaze from the telescope, straightening up as she considers that question. ]

It's... a lot like this, actually. Not the constant darkness thing, but. But the feel of it, I guess. Towns and villages and kings and humans and non-humans and magic... [ she smiles a little, though her accompanying shrug is mildly helpless. ] Sometimes I really miss it.

[ but ah... enough about that. ]

What about you? What is your world like? It must be nice to have someone around who understands.

[ Home sickness is a strange thing, isn't it? Aqua had been ready to finally venture out from the serene confines of the small world that had once been her home...

The smile she returns to Olivia is subdued, almost sad. ]

It was peaceful... Isolated, but beautiful. I lived most of my life high up in the mountains, though I've seen places similar to Chantes.

[ It would be nice to return someday to the Land of Departure, but it's a place that no longer exists. (She herself doesn't exist in the future that Lea comes from... Not in the Realm of Light, anyhow.) ]

My world... is made of many. Sort of like fragments, scattered through space. [ She points overhead where the rest of the galaxy is supposed to reside. ] Just like the stars. I come from one fragment, and Lea from another.

[ ...It occurs to her the meaning behind Olivia's words, and she asks, gently, ] You're by yourself, then...?

[ it's clear that olivia is struggling to understand, piecing together what she knows of the world and what aqua is telling her. sadly, the more her own world expands, the less she feels she is able to really understand anything... but maybe that's sort of the point, too.

in the end, she can only smile, attempting to add more lift and light to aqua's solemn one. ]

I am, [ she confesses, and it sounds a bit sad itself. but she's resolved to be happier now, for aqua. ] It's been... really great getting to know about all these other worlds and people, though.

[ Aqua will do her best too, not to get bogged down by memories of places and people out of her reach. (Besides, in helping ALASTAIR she's indirectly helping her friends, or so she believes.) ]

I agree. There's just so much to learn, and so many interesting faces to meet.

[ She matches Olivia's smile genuinely. ] ...I, for one, am glad to have met you.

[ She still has hope that they'll both make it home... eventually. (And that too is a bittersweet thought.) ]

[ how easily such a simple statement causes a blush to bloom across olivia's cheeks. she looks flustered for a few seconds, stammering uncertainly, before her hands reach up to palm at her warm cheeks. ]

Gosh, that's so nice of you to say... I don't know what I've done to earn that but — I'm glad to have met you too, Aqua! You're so nice and strong and pretty... If I didn't like you so much, I'd totally be envious!

[ ??? tmi olivia ]

[ Olivia's reaction is far more intense than Aqua might have expected, and she can't help but fluster a little herself at the sudden compliment. (OLIVIA PLS...) ]

I— There's really no need...! [ To be jealous, she means. ] I would say the same for you.

[ Her smile turns a little shy; Aqua isn't used to receiving such open compliments, much less trying to convince someone else of the same. ] You're... Well to be honest I almost mistook you for a princess when we first met.

[ GIRL HAVE YOU LOOKED IN THE MIRROR LATELY. ] ...And you managed to sneak up here past all the guards. That isn't something easily done... [ Please give yourself more credit?? ]

A pr—!

[ olivia's gasp can probably be heard for miles around them, as quick and as sharp as it comes, thereby effectively ruining her great skill in sneaking up past all those guards... but that seems to be the last thing on her mind right now as she flounders about, waving her hands frantically as if to ward off such a thought from aqua's mind. ]

N-No! Oh gosh, no! I'm far from it! I'm just a simple peasant girl, I barely even matter...!

[ she seems almost panicked at the thought, as if it were somehow her fault and grave mistake in fooling the other girl to think such a thing. ]

[ Oh no. Oh no oh no Olivia...!! Aqua quickly raises her hands, waving them about in a desperate effort to placate the other recruit. (They're going to hear us...)

The guards in fact do notice the sudden conversation from somewhere above, and one of them calls out gruffly to the other to grab a lantern.

Hopefully Olivia's taken a hint from the frantic waving and shushing (if not Aqua may have to gently cover her mouth with her hand)... Either way Aqua tries to nudge the both of them to the opposite side of the tower, away from the probing lights. ]

......

[ When the coast is clear she finally breathes out a faint sigh of relief, and quickly gives Olivia her space back. ] Sorry about that...

[ olivia can barely do anything in response to aqua's quick thinking, her squeak of surprise muffled by the other girl's hand as they're moved away and against a wall, deep into the shadows where they won't be seen.

she holds her breath as the guards pass by, completely missing them, and only relaxes when aqua steps away. ]

U-Um.... No, I'm sorry — I didn't mean to give us away...

[ she looks quite sheepish and embarrassed, ducking her head a little to avoid the other girl's eye. ]

That was, um. Really cool of you.

[ She gives Olivia a kind smile and a quick shake of her head. ]

It's alright. No harm done, really.

[ (Not that she wouldn't have beaten off the guards, but it's always good to avoid any unnecessary heavy lifting.)

There's a brief moment of silence as she tries to think of a way to politely deflect Olivia's compliment... She ends up switching topics instead. ]

So... What's in the basket, if I may ask?

[ (Yes, she has been smelling the food for the past however many comments...!) ]

—oh!

[ well that's certainly a good way to distract her, drawing olivia's mind back to her initial intention before this all began. with the coast clear, she scurries back towards the basket, which had been left by the telescope that the guards had fortunately glossed over, and proceeds to draw out a single wrapped up lump.

this she starts to unwrap, holding out towards aqua. it isn't nearly as hot as it had been when it was fresh, earlier that evening, but the scents of bread and chocolate still permeate. ]

I made some chocolate rolls for everyone... Would you like some?

[ Oh Olivia, you sweet angel of mercy.. By now Aqua's virtually unable to resist the siren call of bread and cocoa, and has to actively stop herself from reaching out and grabbing impolitely. (She should retrieve her telescope as well... Yeah... She'll do that...) ]

If you don't mind... I'd love to try some.

[ When she receives her portion (with plenty of thanks), she also has to refrain from cramming down the entire thing in her gullet in one go. (The smell up close is enough to flip her stomach twice.)

With practiced patience, she takes a dainty bite and chews carefully, properly savoring the treat. Blinks back to Olivia in wonder. ]

—It's delicious. Where did you learn to make it?

[ olivia looks pleasantly surprised at aqua's reaction; she always is whenever someone seems to enjoy something she's done or created. she holds her hands up to cup at her warming cheeks, looking properly flustered. ]

Oh, it's one of my grandmother's old recipes... Most of what I know how to make is from her, actually...!

That's wonderful. She's taught you well.

[ Unfortunately Aqua can't say much for her own family, biological anyhow; she's never known them. (But there's no sense of sadness there, rather she views her kin to be the ones she grew up with.

...Of course she's more or less lost them as well, but nevermind. No need to spoil the mood again.)

After finishing up the snack, and checking the telescope another handful of times, ]

Perhaps we ought to retire soon. May I take you back to your lodgings?

Oh, that would be lovely! [ a nice walk back, together... it's certainly a better option than walking back home herself. ]

Where are you staying? Maybe we're neighbors!

[ Aqua's thinking of flying, or magicked free-fall, actually... They're a long ways up and it would be a hard climb down in the dark. (How did Olivia get all the way up here again??) ]

Abel Inn. And you?

[ (The other places or either too rich for her blood, or simply unfriendly.)

After stowing away her makeshift equipment and listening for any nearby guards (none, walked somewhere further along the ramparts), Aqua summons her Keyblade, which disassembles and expands into its Glider form. ]

I can take us both, if you're alright with that.

[ Olivia's a dancer... She's got v good balance, right... ]

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PLAYER EVENT ★ HELIOLOGY

naaah you're wrong

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i swear she's not trying to pick up Olivia (tho i deffo am)

oh my /)//w//o

I HOPE THIS IS OKAY...

kyaaa aqua-senpai touched me...!!!

u////u

/)//w//o

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