EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

[futurologists]

With the storm gone, the water surrounding Komo has calmed considerably. Much of the affected area is in ruins, but thanks to ALASTAIR, a large contingent of Komo survived the disaster. However, with parts of Komo uninhabitable, they need to be able to reach Nalawi’s other islands. With their technology so limited due to dependence on their Gifts, it’s all they can do to build a few tiny, shoddy canoes, powered solely by elbow grease. They only fit two regular-sized people (but four Nalawi), and the wait time is long, but they do the trick. If you aren't willing to wait, you can always try to get creative. Strangely, though, anyone trying to use their magic to cross the waters will find that their powers are beginning to dampen. Similarly, anyone with superhuman abilities at all will find them waning, albeit at different rates. Those without any special powers at all will be completely unaffected. But that's nothing to worry about, right? It’s time to see the rest of Nalawi. PU’ULAI PU’ULAI is the centermost island of the archipelago and by far the largest. Most of the travel between islands is to and from Pu’ulai, as it’s the cultural hub of Nalawi and the location of Nalanni’s largest temple. It’s very populated during the day, but isn’t a residential area and clears out once the sun goes down. The first thing you'll notice is that the deer hate cats. The citizens of Komo are far more likely to let it go, but if you have anything slightly cat-looking with you here, at best, you'll be yelled at. Some Nalawi try to start fights, and no one but Komoans will allow cats anywhere near their homes or inns. Recruits might notice children running away from cats, screaming, "Dakal!" THE TEMPLE, referred to as Nalanni’s Garden, is closest to the Nalalona volcano on a neighboring island. The regular ash from it was viewed as a good omen from Nalanni, who’s rumored to live within the volcano, but it’s been months since anyone has seen any activity from it. The temple is dark as obsidian, which is coincidentally what it’s made of. There’s a copious amount of brightly colored flowers around the temple, hence the name. The gardens are free for anyone to walk through, as is the temple. One image is constant throughout the temple: an inhumanly large, vaguely feminine being made in stone and fire, a walking volcano. It would be easy for such a woman to look frightening, but she looks welcoming and caring, arms outstretched to embrace her children. Inside the temple are more murals of Nalanni, but also some curiously unrelated to her. They depict the Nalawi fighting against large, predatory cat-creatures, finally culminating in their enemies attacking Nalalona. This is when Nalanni reappears, striking them down. The temple is tended to by several Nalawi of varying ages, all very welcoming to strangers, especially those they’ve heard heroic tales of. News traveled fast once the Komo villagers crossed the waters and spread the news of their timely rescuers. There are plenty of Nalawi in the temple, making offerings and asking Nalanni to return to them -- some are hopeful, but others appear desolate. CITY HALL is where the ten members of the Council convene. No one is allowed in, as they’ve been discussing the changing state of Nalawi nonstop for days. There’s a group gathered around the hall each day, hoping their leaders will emerge and announce their plans, but nothing has happened yet. It’s a good chance to sit around and listen, though -- you’ll quickly find out that Nalawi is a meritocracy; the Council have the strongest Gifts of anyone in Nalawi, determined by a nationwide competition to prove their worth every time a seat opens. Some of the more disgruntled deer whisper that some must have lost their powers by now and no longer deserve to sit on the Council. A few arguments are beginning to break out around the city hall, and even a few scuffles. Luckily, their weakened powers have also dampened the damage they’re able to deal, and no one has been injured too badly. Just try to be respectful -- otherwise, you might upset the wrong person. Those hooves can hurt. ELSEWHERE, there's a marketplace where traditional Nalawi clothing can be bought, among other things, inactive spas shut down due to dormant volcanoes, and maybe -- if you’re very lucky -- you’ll stumble upon a ferry that still works. It’s unlikely, though, and haggling with its owner will be difficult. You could always steal it, but you wouldn’t do that, would you? You can always explore the SURROUNDING ISLANDS, which are mostly residential areas, similar in theme to the parts of Komo that haven't been destroyed. Oh, and if you're disrespectful to the islanders or were at any point rude to the people in Komo, you might wake up to find a bunch of tiny, adorable Nalawi around your bed, swinging around bars of soap in socks. Don't worry, they won't actually do anything but threaten you for a minute before storming out. ...Yet. The moral of the story is 'don't mess with the Nalawi.' OOC INFO The entire map of Nalawi is now available to characters. Updated location information can be found here.

Comments

[weirdologist]

[Hesitating, he places a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. He's only known what Dipper and Mabel have told him so far - to think that Dipper has been through all that and possibly more frightens him - but he knows one thing, and his voice is soft as he responds.]

You couldn't have known. If there's one thing I've learned in my travels, is that it's rarely possible to do things for the greater good.

[As much as he had wanted to take up the title of hero, he'd had to do some...less than stellar things himself. Not to mention what happened towards the building of the portal itself. Ford drops his hand, glancing up towards the mural that they stand in front of.]

I tried to stop what I had started but in the end it cascaded into an unavoidable apocalypse that put my family in danger. [He purses his lips and shakes his head.] As much as we wish, some things are just inevitable.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl frowns a little. She was a Crystal Gem. The greater good was always their goal. To protect living things, just as Rose would have wanted.]

That doesn't mean we have to think pessimestically. [Pearl nods in absolution as the light of her gem runs over the surface of the mural again.]

Things may turn out bad, but that doesn't mean we have to leave the situations in that state. You didn't just leave your family behind, did you? You must have done something! Or you would have, especially if your own flesh and blood were involved.

There's always room for good things to happen within the world-- the universe even. There is good in everything. You just have to look hard enough.

[weirdologist]

I was basically a golden statue for a week. There wasn't much of anything I could do to help my family during that time. Even when it came down to the wire, I was powerless.

[He stops himself short of rambling on, breath hitching as he clenches his teeth. Ford then sighs and raises a hand, rubbing the back of his neck before he glances at the mural, watching the light from her gem dance over it. Once upon a time he might have been naive enough to believe that, but he doesn't really know what to believe anymore.]

We did the only thing we could do, my brother and I, to keep the kids safe. If that counts as good, then...I guess there are good things in the universe.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl glances over at him and bites the inside of her lip. It looks like she had brought back some bad memories for Ford. She bows her head a little, apologetic.]

I didn't mean to being back bad memories, I apologize. [And she truly means it as she rests a hand on his shoulder in turn. The Gem offers him a much more confident smile.]

After a few successful missions, I'm sure ALASTAIR will find a way to send us all back home. Then, you can spend some proper time with your brother and kids. Once and for all. From the sound of it, you could use some down time.

[weirdologist]

No, no. Don't concern yourself with it. It's nothing to apologize over.

[He hasn't really had a chance to process everything since his arrival into ALASTAIR, nor slow down since Weirdmageddon began. Ford looks at her, returning the smile a bit gratefully before shaking his head and crossing his arms behind his back again, inhaling. He actually has the decency to look a little embarrassed at his outburst, ears tinging a bit red.]

Yes, while some down time would be good in the future, I don't quite like the idea of the kids being on these missions while we're here. I don't suppose there's any way to convince ALASTAIR to keep them away from them?

[beyourrock]

[Pearl's eyes widen as she pulls her hands back to cover her mouth, inhaling sharply and softly.]

Your kids are here?

[Oh dear stars, Pearl found it hard enpugh with just Steven around. It wasn't because he got into trouble or anything, but the worry she felt outweighed most emotions. Would he be alright during a mission? What if she wasn't there to protect him? What if--

Pearl's chest puffs up, hands balling into loose fists.]

I don't believe we can prevent it. Children are also determined to show what we've got and... it's up to us to look out for them. I do that with Steven, a child I look over at home, who is also here.

I can offer any kind of assistance I can to your children as well.

[weirdologist]

My great niece and nephew, yes.

[Her reaction makes him feel a bit more justified about his worry over them. They might have survived the apocalypse, but it was obvious to him that they had been through much before he got here. It's Ford's turn to place a hand on her shoulder, an understanding look on his face as his lips quirk.]

Children are a little too determined to prove themselves sometimes. [He recalls Dipper placing the mind helmet on him to see what he was hiding, and shakes his head.] They've proven their worth to me many times, but I was a bit blind to it until just before my arrival.

[His lips quirk into a wry smile.]

I thank you. Dipper and Mabel can...be a handful sometimes. I'm not experienced much with children I'm afraid.

[beyourrock]

Dipper? Oh yes, I know of him!

[She smiles alittle with a small laugh. Whaddya know! Small world. She remembers meeting Dipper when they went out on their sungazing stake out. Mabel, on the other hand, she had yet to meet.]

I can see where you'd worry, if Mabel is anything like Dipper. [She pauses though and looks him up and down. Oh family trees were always so topsy turvy to the Gem.]

Are you... their great uncle then?

[weirdologist]

Then I thank you for looking out for him. He's a good kid, but he doesn't quite understand when he's in over his head sometimes.

[Perhaps better than Ford had been at his age, but he digresses, and he chuckles softly at her assumption of Mabel. He had been far too hasty to equate her with Stanley and Dipper with himself, and he regrets it, even if she has told him not to worry about it. Ford shifts his hands to his pockets, tilting his head at the question.]

Yes. Their grandfather Shermie was my brother, though not the one I spoke of before. I believe they've coined the term "grunkle" to make it easier to say.

[He takes notice of her unsure nature over the terming.]

I take it "gems" don't have familial societies?

[beyourrock]

Grunkle... Rolls off the tongue at least!

[Pearl smiles at the word. Oh Steven would certainly get a kick out of that. At the question, Pearl curls some peach pink hair away from her gem, which dims but still shines within the limited light surrounding them.]

Gems are created by other Gems, using rock minerals and other components, injected into a planet's crust.

We have no brothers, sisters, mothers or fathers. We're created in "Kindergartens" in large groups. Even though some of us are created in the same Kindergarten, it doesn't mean we're related.

[She shifts her weight on her feet, smiling apologetically.] Sorry if I seem rather.. ignorant to some human customs and traditions.

[weirdologist]

Oh it's fine. I'm a little unfamiliar with modern human customs myself, so I won't take offence.

[Still, it's definitely interesting, and it makes him look at her gem in a new light, remembering his conversation with Garnet. Were they from the same Earth then? Ford ponders this as he takes in her words, rolling them around in his head. Familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, though for other reasons. What must it be like, to not be related to ones just like you. He used to wonder that most as a teenager.]

I did some geology in my years, mostly as a way of figuring out resources to power the portal. You'll have to forgive me if I'm a bit ignorant myself, but it sounds like how some gems are man made, though I don't think they're "injected" into the crust, per say.

[His lips quirk, before he taps his chin.]

At least you have that Steven boy you told me about. It would be a rather lonely world without company.

[beyourrock]

It's quite alright! Really. Most people here don't know of Gems. I don't mind it. I do see some similarities between is and man made gems.

[Pearl folds her hands in front of herself with a fond smile, looking down at her feet.] I also have Garnet here now, thankfully but. Steven is a very different case. He's different from Garnet and I. Despite the fact he has a gem... he's actually half human. There's not much he knows about his Gem heritage.

However, I am grateful to have him here. I would rather have him here than not knowing where he is, or what's happening back home on earth.

[weirdologist]

Ah yes, I actually met Miss Garnet during our arrival. She, ah, saved me from one of those crab beasts.

[Ford's cheeks colour a bit at his admission before his interest is piqued. Half gem and half human? He adjusts his glasses, wanting to know more, but he refrains, instead giving a nod and a small smile.]

I feel the same with Dipper and Mabel. I would rather have them here with me, and me be here, than back home.

[Right now there was nothing waiting for him back home except the inevitable cleanup of Weirdmageddon and facing the knowledge that Stan's memories were gone for good. Ford runs his fingers over his neck, shaking the thought from his mind.]

As much of a handful as they are, there's no one I would rather have with me.

[beyourrock]

[Pearl smiles at the mention of Garnet. Of course, her fellow Crystal Gem is always on the ball, helping organics. She wouldn't put it past her, punching those crab beasts and all.

The Gem laughs softly.]

Children have so much potential. They can surprise you at the last minute. [Steven has certainly proved that time and time again. The same could apply to Dipper and Mabel, she assumes.]

[weirdologist]

That they can. Sometimes more than you thought they would.

[There's no end to how proud Ford is of his niblings because of how brave they were against Bill, even if he'll never be able to tell them that here. He turns his head towards her, smiling slightly.]

It seems as though whatever was affecting your physical form has dispersed.

[For now? There was no way of telling, but he's glad that she seems well enough.]