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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[Her thoughts exactly. People are creatures of habit and comfort, she's learned from years of experience. They would never leave their homes, willingly or otherwise, unless it were due to some cataclysmic event, especially for a city of a size considerable as Xerxes.]

No, none of the explorers who've visited managed to find the root cause. There's speculation that it was due to alchemy of some kind, but it would have had to have been extremely powerful alchemy to wipe out an entire city.

[After all, the buildings themselves had been left largely intact, save for the weathering of rock from natural causes over hundreds of years. Rioters or armies would have left some other kind of imprint.]

I remember you said that alchemy was the act of equivalent exchange. [It's been a while did he recall that correctly? Julius doesn't sound entirely certain for that matter.]

If that's the case then I wonder what kind of exchange was being made. It must have been big enough to destroy the city no less. Lieutenant, what did you think of it when you heard the story?

I'm at a loss of words. That's due to my lack of knowledge on alchemy.

That's correct.

[Mumerred quietly in affirmation to his assumption.

She shivers, trying to imagine the full extent of whatever exchange might have been made using the entire city of Xerxes as a bargaining chip. (She fails, because the dark roads she starts to step down are those she has no wish to revisit again.)

Despite the fact that they've been instructed to look up towards the stars and record their observations, Riza can't help but let her gaze drift back towards the ground, suddenly feeling very small in the light of this retold tale.]

I thought it was a terrible thing, to have lost so many lives so suddenly. I never thought it might be the result of something more sinister though.

[But to be fair, she'd always been quite busy, the few free gaps in her schedule devoted to mundane chores instead of philosophical considerations.]

If there is a mystery though, I don't know that I'll ever find out.

[Mostly because she's going to be stuck here for life, RIP.]

Your thoughts at the time were only natural. It's a tragedy.

I wish that something like that never happens to your world again. [Alchemy should be used properly. It's pretty obvious that the alchemist had ill intentions from the start and that's something he can't forgive.]

Thank you for telling me more about you. I feel less ignorant when we converse this way.

[Sharing information and learning about others--it's one of the good things about this place.]

[His wish mirrors her own and she dips her head in acknowledgement, a thankful smile spreading over her face. A world in which alchemy'll be used for beneficial purposes rather than destructive ones is a long time in coming, but she'll do her best to make that dream a reality.

Though her thoughts don't linger upon that dream for long—at his thanks, she looks up, surprised.]

Of course. [She leans back slightly, glancing downwards.] It's hard not to feel ignorant when the world around us is continuously expanding. I never imagined that anything like this would be possible, or that things such ghosts and magic and goblins could exist.

[There's a quick laugh, light but good-humored.]

It makes a lot of my own problems seem small in comparison.

We'll need to gradually handle any issues as they come. There's no use on us dwelling on things that we don't know. Either we learn and adapt or living will become more challenging for us.

[Julius is ready to accept huge changes. As long as they can build their own path he's fine with it. ]

You've adapted to everything fairly well, Lieutenant. Whenever a new situation arises you keep your head on your shoulders.

[It's not something he can do sometimes in spite of his experience. Riza's skilled in handling herself and others.]

[So wise, Julius...!

But the advice comes welcome and Riza takes his words to heart, tucking them away for use another day. For all that she'd never liked the military set up and the ideals the majority of the military displayed, she counts herself lucky to have met such people as Julius through it. (Though indirectly, in this case.)

Though she can't help but laugh sheepishly at his compliment, eyes crinkling at the edges.]

I haven't always been like that, even in recent times. I've been chastised by Colonel Mustang for losing my calm when I shouldn't have.

[He'd been in the right too - she shouldn't have lost her head as she did.]

It's fine. I was the same way actually. Without my comrades I wouldn't be where I am today. [Sad to admit, he'd be the worst person alive if his friends didn't correct him every time he made an error.]

For you--the person that helped you the most was your Colonel.

We can never truly repay them for changing our views. [Everyone needs to grow. Julius can sympathize with Riza somewhat. She walked down a similar path, one filled with trial and error. It's nothing to be ashamed about. This is just the way life is. No one's really perfect.]

[None of them would be who they are now without the ever-shaping hands of their environment and those surrounding them. That much she can wholeheartedly agree with, even if the thought of those people who had shaped her the most have her lips tugging down in a sad frown.

It's a moment of weakness sure, but she can't help wishing that he were here and then subsequently voicing that wish aloud, albeit in a low murmur.]

He would know what to do about this situation if he were here. He's always been good at dealing with complicated - and grand - situations.

[There's fondness in her voice, and wistfulness too, all rolled up into a messy ball.]

[Riza obviously confides in Mustang and trusts him with her life. Their situation would probably be different if Mustang were present here. Julius can agree with that much. Someone with military authority and knowledge on commanding chaotic situations would help them out here in more than one way.]

He may show up here before you know it. We've been getting a lot of recruits lately.

[Her heart skips a beat at his statement before she forces the burst of hope at the thought back down, lips pressing tight for a moment. The steady influx of new recruits isn't exactly news to her, but she's never really thought of anyone she personally knows being brought to work for ALASTAIR.

To think that the colonel might join them......no. She shakes her head.]

It's better if he doesn't. There's a dream he's been working on for years now and that he's devoted his entire life to. Being here would prevent him from achieving his goal.

[As much as she'd take comfort in his presence, he's needed elsewhere. She won't be - can't be - selfish enough to wish for him here.]

You're right.

[Riza sure is strong. Julius often finds himself wishing that his squad would be here for him ,but he understands that he can't rely on them for everything. Perhaps Riza feels similarly towards her own Colonel. Her independent nature is something he can respect. ]

It'd be unfortunate if they continuously recruit devoted individuals.

I doubt there's anyone out there powerful enough to stop them if they really set their mind to it.

[A shadow passes over her face at the thought, but she pushes it aside. There's nothing they can do about that now, and she's never been the type to worry unnecessarily about unsolvable problems. Besides, she's curious about other things.

Until now, she hasn't inquired to his own personal life and the people he considers important. With the relative silence and peace of the evening, she figures it might not be a bad time to ask.]

Is there anyone you'd like to see here, Captain?

Someone I'd like to see here? [Julius thinks about it for a moment. That question's really easy to answer, there's no hesitation in his tone.]

My new squad leader, Blood's current captain. They took over my duties after I left. I entrusted everything to them and they're still so young.

[His new captain is just a teenager, even younger than he is. There's no doubt in Julius mind that they'd be able to handle all of his former responsibilities. Riza opened up to Julius so he doesn't mind talking about his life.]

[omg Julius aren't you already teeny enough....this sure does make Riza feel old.

Or would, if she weren't more focused on the tidbits he's sharing about his own personal life. In a way it's an honor to be able to listen to such things as things, especially since she's known him so far to be nothing less than professional at all times. (Not that much different from herself, if she has to admit.)]

They must be an extremely talented person to take on so much responsibility so young.

[Being professional usually means never talking about yourself. Be as business oriented as possible...that's how Julius usually operates. Riza's a friend so saying this much is fine.]

It's true, they are. They managed to scar a fearsome monster called a "Marduk". I promoted them for their efforts and within no time at all I believe they surpassed me.

[Either he's getting rusty or they're too good. Julius knows when he's out skilled by someone. Riza's not really wrong so he nods.]

Did you ever see someone within your military ranks accomplish a lot in a short span of time?

[Riza will be forever convinced that it's a matter of exceptional skill and not Julius getting rusty, even if it has been some time since she's seen him fight.]

It must have been quite the awe-inspiring feat for you to promote them so quickly.

[And at such a young age, but she's inclined to trust in his decisions. The question's an interesting one, and she lets a few beats of silence pass in between as she thinks.]

There's a particularly talented alchemist I know and have worked with - his name is Edward Elric. He's only sixteen but he's accomplished far more in a few years than most people have in their lifetimes.

Well, yes it was. I was proud of them for working so diligently under my command.

Their name is--[Suddenly a loud noise interrupts Julius speech and Riza probably missed it. Alas...The protagonist is unnamed and thus it will not be said.]

Edward's still growing up and he's already learned the foundations and process of alchemy? That's incredible.

[Ed kinda reminds Julius of Sieglinde. A young genius with many talents.]

[Incredible....

Anyway I'm going to godmode and say that loud noise was a low rumble of thunder that causes Riza to glance back up at the sky, brows furrowing. It's hard to make out against the already-dark sky, but it looks as though storm clouds are quickly moving in. Still, she smiles at the mention of Edward's genius.]

He really is incredible. He's the youngest person to become a State Alchemist in the history of Amestris. [Here, her smile fades.] Though sometimes I wonder if it wouldn't have been better if he'd spent his childhood somewhere else other than in the hands of the military.

[Not that it's possible anymore for him, but she wonders it all the same.]

I imagine that there's no use dwelling on such things.

Although...if you were to ask for my opinion I'd say that it's entirely possible that he could have ended up some place better. The military isn't an easy place to be in. You and I are both aware of that.

[He frowns at that mention and starts to feel a chill up his spine. Being outside for so long might have been a bad idea after all.]

Lieutenant, I think we should go back inside.

[She would have asked, and she's grateful for the answer he gives, reaffirming that they're like minds in this one topic. Two topics, if his second comment regarding the weather is any indication. Even so, Riza doesn't immediately get up.]

Have you managed to collect all the data you need?

[She's not going to drag him back inside if he's not ready!!]

We've been observing the sky for a few hours. The data that we currently have is sufficient. [So yeah, basically. They're done here.]

Once we're inside I'll make some changes to our report and share it with everyone.

[He highly doubts they missed something important. So many people peering into the sky tonight. It's going to be a miracle for them to overlook something really vital. ]

[Well in that case! She unfolds her legs and pushes herself back up into a standing position. Black Hayate, who's been napping nearby for the duration of their conversation, stirs at the commotion, opening one eye and yawning before getting up himself.]

Then let's get going before we both get wet from the rain.

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PLAYER EVENT ★ HELIOLOGY

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firefox crashed ithought i lost the val tag...

ah, truly a national tragedy!!

:'( ikr rip

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LMFAO NAMI REALLY.......i'm losing it

I COULDN'T HELP IT..! conveniently interrupted by storms

the most convenient

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