epidemiology | EVENT ★ GILLIGAN'S ISLAND

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EVENT ★ GILLIGAN'S ISLAND

MAROONED

Three days after the eruptions wrecked their havoc, a storm begins. It's not so different from the storm the recruits first encountered upon arrival, but this storm seems oddly and peculiarly driven. In some places of the islands it's nothing but pattering rain, but in other places it's strong enough to lift a fully grown human off his or her feet. And that's just what it does. It sweeps up recruits here and there -- not all of them, and there is no apparent method to who it takes and who it leaves. Some stay on the Nalawi islands, some are simply swept up into the sky. Here and there the storm grabs a Nalawi as well, but these victims are always dropped again. Sometimes out over the water, sometimes crashing down into land. They do not generally survive this.

The recruits stolen by the storm aren't aloft for long. They emerge eventually from the tumbling, buffeting, blinding winds, spewed out onto the beach of a strange new island. This island, to anyone paying any attention to their surroundings, is a recent addition to the surface of the ocean. In fact, flying in the face of physics and statistical likelihood (much in the way the storm had), it seems to have recently been on the seafloor.

This island was clearly once inhabited, although it's been a long, long time since then. Uniform structures can be found arranged in streets and avenues, now all thoroughly caked in barnacles, coral, seaweed, and other assorted debris of the sea. Here and there can even be found dead fish, suffocated when the water began to drain away and turn to open air. Most of them are horrifying, the things that tend to keep to the dark depths of the water. Toward the center of this empty, silent, sea-claimed city a giant sea serpent threads around and through several buildings. It's just as dead as the rest of them, its huge, pale eyes staring at nothing.

There are a few things here that aren't quite dead, though. Sometimes something armored, dull red, and hungry crawls out of some dark place. These creatures can't really be compared to anything on the surface, but they are each about the length of a human, with three sets of sharpened limbs held up off the ground, used for stabbing forward to pierce its prey, and one set of pinchers below that. The pinchers might anchor prey in place for easier stabbing, but they also create a tiny sonic boom when clacked. Standing too close to this can leave you dazed and momentarily helpless. These creatures aren't fazed by the lack of water around them, they're just hungry and ready to feed on anything nearby -- even each other. The danger they present to recruits is at least slightly mitigated by an unknown force, though. If a recruit finds themselves unable to handle one of the creatures or overwhelmed by it, the storm itself will lash out at the thing. This isn't a very precise defense, but it is generally enough to pick up one or both of the contestants and separate them.

Nothing here looks anything like what can be found on the Nalawi islands, except perhaps the flora. It's difficult to tell. What trees have been left are waterlogged, petrified mockeries, it's unclear what they may have looked like while this island still lived. The buildings are all very inorganic, made of processed material and with the obvious aid of machinery. Whoever lived here was actually very proficient with machinery, it seems. Within the buildings, some residential and some commercial, can be found the rusted, now-useless remains of a technologically advanced society. Personal belongings can also be found, waterlogged and largely ruined, and all in an upset as if they had gone through frequent and destructive earthquakes. Still, they can tell the story of mundane, day-to-day lives here for anyone who cares to look.

Food is going to be a little tricky to come by unless you're a fan of seafood; fishing will be possible for anyone who opts to brave the edge of the storm, and of course there are the bizarre delicacies so thoughtfully raised up from the seafloor, dead among the streets and buildings. Recruits would do well to be careful with those, though. There is a particular kind of seaweed that, while it looks perfectly innocuous, will cause vivid hallucinations an hour after ingesting, for 10 minutes to three hours, depending on how much was ingested.

Above all else, though, is the eerie silence. The storm rages on, but although it completely surrounds the island, it keeps to the perimeter. Even the rain stays off of the island, though the sun is obscured by the heavy, ominous clouds. Thunder rumbles now and then, punctuated by lightning flashes, but there isn't a single sound on this gray, dreary, dead island that wasn't made by an ALASTAIR recruit.

OOC INFO

Recruits will ICly be here for one week, and OOCly the log will last for two. The storm will prevent any travel off of the island. Should anyone feel brave enough to try risking a trip into it, they will find it still possesses that ability to literally sweep recruits off their feet. It might also be due to this mysterious storm that no one on the island can seem to reach out to anyone on the Nalawi islands via jewelry network, nor to any of the NPC recruits they'd met at Oska.

Players who signed up for plot slots will be receiving additional information, which we ask they share with the rest of the characters. You may sign up here for information that can be found while exploring the island, as well. Please direct any questions to the OOC write up.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[A wider smile tugs into view as she listens to Ford's story. It's funny how things turn out differently than what's expected. Like these deranged unicorns Ford spoke of. This whole situation of theirs. The explosions. Getting powers back.

The Gem folds her own hands behind her back.]

I've never dealt with such creatures myself but... that is much different than what's usually spoken of in human culture. [With unicorns being so pure and magical.]

It's funny, though, how children can just surprise you sometimes. Worrying so much, and when they prove you wrong.. it seems like the worrying was all for nothing. Then again, it's such a relief to know they're safe, and until they are. Well. We deal with it, right?

Many things are different to what's found in mythology, I've discovered. You wouldn't believe how alike zombies are to teenagers.

[He gives her a smile, though it's a smaller one than her own. At the very least he's managed to make her feel better. Good. At the very least he was able to accomplish something today. Ford inclines his head, humming. He'd grant that, he thinks to himself as he recalls the events of Weirdmageddon.]

Yes. They're stronger than we realize...stronger than us sometimes. Mabel and Dipper both have surprised me and surpassed what I expected of them. I'm sure Steven has done the same with you, am I right?

[For all that she's told him about her boy, Steven sounds much like Mabel and Dipper. Full of surprises and discoveries.]

We can worry all we want but they pull through. Dealing with our worry is all we can do.

[Pearl nods before her gaze turns towards the storm swirling around the island. While she has all the faith in the world in Steven, she can't help but worry now, especially when they're far away from home. On a different planet and everything. Her arms move to hug themselves as she sighs heavily.]

I do hope Steven and Dipper are alright. I mean, I know they're resourceful, but I also hope they've found some other ALASTAIR members to stick close to.

If anything happened to Steven... I don't know what I'd do. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.

Edited 2016-05-11 13:57 (UTC)

I'm sure they have. We can't all be stranded here.

[It's something that he's been wondering about. How many of them are stranded and how many are back on Nalawi. Whether or not there's someone responsible and capable among those left behind, no matter how low their numbers. Ford shifts his hands into his trenchcoat pockets, looking at the water before turning his attention back to her, a small sigh leaving him.]

I understand how you feel. I've...never had to worry about others before. When I was traveling dimensions, I was just looking out for myself, but, in the short time I've known them I've come to care about them so much.

[He bites his bottom lip.]

My research almost cost them their lives once. I just hope I can keep them safe here, in this...group.

[Pearl meets Ford's gaze, a bit of worry being shaved away from her expression, curiousity slowly replacing it. Ford did mention that he had travel dimensions. Rick had done something similiar. For what reasons? Who knows, for all she knew he was drunk for most of his travelling.]

You said you were gone for decades, travelling dimensions. Did your research cause you to travel?

[To be away from his family for so long... Certainly the loneliness would get to him. It certainly would with Pearl. She's feel aimless, that's for sure.

Maybe it was some kind of mistake, his reseach gone awry...]

[Ford pauses then gives a small, mirthless chuckle, fingers picking at the lining of his pockets.]

Something like that.

[He reaches to rake a hand through his hair, suddenly feeling older than he should. His lips quirk a bit, unsure of what to say. It was easy talking about it with Dipper, because Dipper at least understood some of what had happened to him, understood the dangers that Ford had brought upon them. He hunches his shoulders, glancing away.]

In a way, my own hubris was my undoing.

[His ideas had been noting short of hubristic, really, but what else could you do with a dream demon manipulating your every move.]

I had intended on separating my journals so that they might never come together again, as I'd come to learn that someone I'd put my trust in had betrayed me, and I called my brother up to assist me. The portal had been shut down for some time, but I still had everything - the coordinates, the settings, etcetera - written down in my journals. We...we fought, and somewhere along the way the portal activated.

[He remembered shoving Stan in the vicinity of the console, remembered the shove into the switch that activated it. The vortex swirling behind. Ford crosses his arms, turning slightly.]

I was sucked in before it shut itself off completely.

[Oh.

Pearl suddenly regrets asking. It looks like it brought up some pretty bad memories for the man. But at the mention of the journals. It suddenly clicks.

At one point, she had discussed the book with Dipper, having seen it in passing. Supernatural things were listed inside it. It was something Dipper held close.

A small smile tugs at her lips.]

Were you the author of that journal Dipper carries around? [It would make sense, given his extra finger on each hand.]

Filled with supernatural occurences and creatures. [Pearl laughs and shakes her head.] I'm sure your world is full of them! Never encountered any in my time of existance. Usually humans on earth mistake Gems for ghosts. [She points to her forehead for emphasis.]

Edited 2016-05-13 13:30 (UTC)

[Honestly it's probably for the best that he got it off his chest now rather than at a difficult time where he might say something he regretted. Ford grouses over the fact that he actually said so much in the first place, and is about to apologize when she brings up the journal. He blinks in slight surprise, a flush crossing his cheeks.]

You...you've seen my journal?

[One of the three, but regardless it's still a journal. He proceeds to look a little bashful, scratching his cheek. Once upon a time he might have taken her words as an insult but Ford knows better, has grown up. He laughs a little, this time not so bitterly, before he nods when she points to the gem, remembering their first encounter at the temple.]

Well, to be fair, you're still kind of supernatural, pardon my saying so. Alien lifeforms and extraterrestrials, etcetera. I'm sure that we were just as fascinating to you when you first arrived on your version of Earth.

[She lifts her hands, waving them a little. Oh gosh she should explain herself. The way he says it almost sounds like she had peered into his personal life.]

I didn't read it or anything! Dipper had shown me a few examples of pages within it. I didn't exactly read it...

[Pearl stares up at her gem, almost comically cross eyed as he mentions how she's somewhat supernatural. Which is true, she will give him that much. But when he mentions about her arrival, her bashful smile has edges of bashful regret.]

When I first came to earth, I actually didn't think much of humans. I mean, I've grown up so much in five thousand years, but. I had always thought they were a novelty. Something that was gone within a blink of an eye.

[Her gaze lowers a fraction as she stuffs her hands in her uniform coat pockets.]

I've learned so much from Earth, from humans... I would have never gotten the chance to do so, if I had stayed on my home planet.

Oh no, it's...it's fine if you did. I'm a bit, ah, over my research being exposed to others.

[Truthfully, he knows Dipper's shown the journal to others, it just never got brought up. Ford drags a hand down his face, realising he must sound like an idiot, cheeks tinged pink with embarrassment. This would have usually been the point where he shut up when he was younger, embarrassed to go on further, but noticing her own bashfulness makes him feel a bit better, even if it's for the wrong reasons.

Ford's mouth quirks into a wry smile, crossing his arms a little languidly and inclining his head. He can certainly understand that, imaging how it must have seemed from her point of view.]

Well, we did live shorter lives back five thousand years. The average human life span was about forty, give or take. Heck, I'd be a local oddity myself. Still, I get what you mean.

[If he had never fallen through the portal, what kind of life would he have lived? Something quiet, but still always looking over his shoulder, watching for signs of Bill.]

I'm the same. If I hadn't fallen through the portal, I never would have grown past my hubristic thinking, never would have learned.

[A gentle smile graces her lips. It's funny how she keeps running into organics who share similar thoughts and values like her. Even similar situations, like Ford here. Her features relax considerably, compared to when Ford first came upon her on the beach.]

If anything, you're pretty fascinating, Ford. I mean, traveling through dimensions for nearly 30 years, going through so many adventures...

[She sighs, almost dreamily at the thought of going on grand adventures in other dimensions, or even other planets. To go back up into space was a dream of hers, but. It couldn't ever come to fruition. Not with what the Earth faced back home.]

You humans have come a long way in a few thousand years. I wish I could say the same for Homeworld. Still stuck in their old ways.

[That makes him smile a little, looking bashful. He spent so many years loathing Stan for putting him in the compromising position that led to the accident, loathing himself for falling for Bill's flattery and loathing Bill simply for being Bill that he never really thought of it that way. And to be honest, Dipper's hero worship miiiiiight have gone to his head.]

Well, thank you.

[Ford rubs a hand against his neck, lips quirking. They weren't so much adventures as they were mishaps, but, well, he really had done a lot on the other side. He looks at her when she mentions Homeworld, curious.]

I'm sure there's some parts of Earth still stuck in old ways. Tradition is sometimes important to cultures. Of course, it might also be part stubbornness. [He reaches out and gives her shoulder a comforting pat.] If anything I'd say you're proof that your people can change.

[She stares down at his hand on her shoulder and rests her own over his with a nod.]

It took a few thousand uears but... yes. I do hope maybe, just maybe, Homeworld can change their ways. To see what good can come out of planets, especially organic ones. That they don't need to be harvested and--

[The Gem shakes her head with a small laugh.]

It's all really long and complicated. For now there's nothing we can really do, being stuck under ALASTAIR's thumb. While it might not be such a blessing to most, I've been able to meet so many people. Like you.

Edited 2016-05-15 13:40 (UTC)

[He wants to ask what she means by "harvested", but Ford gets the feeling that he really wouldn't like the answer. Instead, he smiles slightly softer this time, hand warming with hers over his.]

One of the better things about jumping dimensions was the people that I met sometimes. This seems to be a...safer environment to do so, especially for a child like Dipper.

[Well, the ones that weren't actively hunting him down for Bill in any case, and as safe as things could get here he supposes. He shakes his head.]

I suppose at least this time, I actually know what's happening, rather than winging the whole thing.

[A small blue hue rises to her cheeks, but she only smiles wider. It's true, while the whole idea of jumping to different planets was worrisome, there were good people working under ALASTAIR. They all shared the same prediciment after all. And they could only get out of it by working together.

Her smile widens to a much more confident one, chest swelling, almost beaming.]

Exactly! Plus, you have plenty of people who have your back. We all have each other's backs.

I mean, I would hope most of us do anyways.

[Pearl waves her other hand dismissively and glances inland.]

It doesn't look like there's much sustenance on this island. [Granted, she can sustain herself, but she's worried for the other Ford and the other recruits.]

[He hoped so as well, though in a group this big there were bound to be some with questionable intentions, though he wouldn't say as such. He hums with a small nod, placing a hand on his hip.]

I hope I can count you among those that do. Sorry, I'm...new to trusting others. It's been a long time since I felt I could.

[Maybe it wouldn't be so bad relying on others this time around. Ford purses his lips together, looking around them at her comment about food before he shrugs, gesturing with his free hand.]

When you grow up in a place called Glass Shard Beach, you learn a thing or two about fishing. I can catch something if nothing else.

[Pearl's blush brightens at his first comment, and she shrugs her shoulders up to her ears.]

You can count on me, Ford! You've proven yourself trustworthy to me, especially back at the temple. You know what they say, about the rule that's golden.

[Back when her magic was nearly depleted. He was there to make sure she kept herself stable. Anyone could have walked past, or never bothered to give her a second glance. It's little gestures like that in which made Pearl appreciate humans even more. Maybe that's what Rose saw as well.

Pearl tilts her head, trying her best not to smile.]

Glass Shard beach? [Bajeebus that sounded painful...]

I'm glad. There's not many I can say I do trust, family aside.

[Because he learned. Learned and grew attached and fond of what family he did have left. There's something fascinating about himself when it comes to that, but Ford pushes it aside for now in favor of humoring her with a bit of a wry smile.]

It's not the most aesthetically pleasing name, is it, but trust me it's just that. [He scratches his cheek with a small blush.] One of my first experiments was determining the glass-to-sand ratio.

Oh dear... [Her eyes widen a fraction before she covers her mouth with a small chuckle. An experiment definitely gone wrong. She had witnessed something like that back on beach city, creating their own glass shards by heating up the sand.

She looks down the shoreline and gestures to it.]

Well, how about we get some fishing done? We can catch some fish and get you the proper nutrients you need. Well, ah, along with the others of course.

Right! I'm sure there's something in these ruins that could make for a satisfactory fishing rod. Otherwise I might have to roll my sleeves up and do it the old fashioned way.

[Which was the way he did it in the other dimensions, more often than not. A fishing rod had simply not been easy to carry around. Besides which, exploring things might take their minds off the loved ones waiting back with the others. Ford makes a small gesture with his hand, a friendly smile crossing his face.]

Would you care to accompany me?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT ★ GILLIGAN'S ISLAND

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whoops I lost this

No worries! c:

;w;

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Ahh so sorry for how late this is ;;

shhhh call this thread a wrap?