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

[Actual cinnamon roll Steven Universe, too good for this world....

She takes a step forward. Does the tiniest of hops into a nearby puddle. It's not a large and showy display of ~*~fun~*~ just yet but baby steps.]

Your parents never minded you making a mess inside the house after coming inside?

[He flashes a proud beaming smile at just those baby steps.

Huh. Was that an odd flicker in the smile at the mention of parents? Maybe it was just imagined.]

W-well if you mean the Crystal Gems... Pearl would get upset about the mud definitely. But Amethyst would always want me to bring more mud into the house! Garnet... is always kind of in the middle. And then there's Dad - he doesn't mind a little mud in his van!

[Luckily for Steven it's dark and wet outside, making small nuances in facial features difficult to catch. His words end up getting taken at face value—though admittedly there's enough of an unexpected reveal to them that she likely wouldn't have focused on his expression regardless.]

Amesthyst and Garnet? [Not to mention his dad.] Do you all live together?

[Are those his sisters or something....]

Amthyst and Garnet are the other Crystal Gems, with Pearl! My mom was their leader. They all live together with me! And Dad lives in his van, but I got to see him all the time anyway! ...Or, I mean, I did when I was back home. You know what I mean!

[They all live with Steven instead of Steven living with them, huh? Sure looks like Steven's gonna turn into some hot stuff when he's older.

Though sorry Steven, she's going to ask more (potentially) uncomfortable questions about your family life.]

You live with the Crystal Gems? Your father doesn't live with all of you as well?

Well... no, not really. It's kind of a complicated thing! It's cause I'm half-gem, so I live with the Crystal Gems so that they can prepare me because there's a lot of complicated things about being a gem!

And my dad... well, he and magic stuff like that don't mix, and he doesn't always get along with the Crystal Gems perfectly, so he just lives elsewhere. ...But like I said, I see him every day back home anyway, so it's not so bad!

[What an interesting setup. But Steven seems perfectly happy with it so who is she to say otherwise? If nothing else, it seems like a happy house filled with cheer and good memories, unlike the lonely hallways she'd always walked through when it had been just her and her father.

There is one more thing she's curious about.]

Being a Gem sounds like a lot of responsibility. [If what she's heard from Pearl is any truth.] You don't mind being a half-Gem at all?

[Your dad sucks, Riza.

He smiles.]

It is a pretty big responsibility... The Crystal Gems do a lot to try to keep the Earth safe from all kinds of threats. But I don't mind it. Even if things can get scary and dangerous, I like being able to make a difference, and being able to spend time with Amethyst and Garnet and Pearl. And I wanna live up to my mom.

I- I just don't wanna be anything other than me!

[Yeah, he sure fucking does.

But man, what a good kid. Steven deserves so much better than being stuck in Chantes with an almost-war raging in the background. His optimism and determination make her smile, and she closes the gap between them to give him a quick (non-condescending!) pat on the head.]

You're strong, Steven, and with a lot of personality. [In many different senses of the word.] You'll do a great job at whatever you put your mind to.

[Nearby, Hayate barks once in agreement.]

[Aw... he blushes and smiles warmly as she pats his head, which has formed a natural perch for many hands over the years.]

You really think so? Thank you so much, Riza. It... it means a lot to hear that from someone as strong and great as you!

[Then he looks at Hayate with a chuckle.]

And from someone as cute and sweet as you, Black Hayate! [He looks back up at her.] Now I know that I'll do my best!

[Both Riza and Hayate are glad to be of service! But alas the rain is falling down more heavily now and Riza's expended her minute amounts of fun into splashing into two puddles.]

I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. But I should probably head back now, before the rain gets me any wetter.

[Steven keeps on beaming, grateful to know such a great lady and a great dog, and he nods.]

Good point. I don't want you to become a puddle too! [As soggy as he's getting himself.] And you did do two whole puddle splashes. That's a lot of progress for a beginner's course! I think we can call it quits for the day. Good job, everyone!

PLAYER EVENT ★ HELIOLOGY

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and then my internet decided to die for five minutes, thanks internet

wow rude

you know it!!

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