EVENT ★ ZETA-12 WEEK 5

[futurologists]

ZETA-12: WEEK 5 As the journey wears on, the land underfoot dries out. Team Audiences has reached the highland desert… and of course, once again the squidges begin to transform. For each choice your character has made, select one squidge evolution. Please note, you must have submitted your choice to the threads in the previous logs in order for your squidge to evolve. For those who encountered the swamp creature: If they stood and fought, their squidge has taken on one of the following features: hardened pangolin-like plates of armor, higher tolerance of loud noises, sharp(er) teeth. If they outsmarted it, their squidge has one of these: slow color-changing to match the environment, catlike eyes with enhanced vision, long ears. Those who made someone else do the work, will have squidges with one of these attributes: small horns, spines along the back, mildly toxic skin. As for dealing with the tornado: Everyone who found shelter will find them with a greater tolerance for enclosed spaces as well as giving off their own very slight heat. For those who powered through, their squidges will no longer be afraid of heights and be able to float several feet off the ground, regardless of whether or not they previously received wings. THE DESERT (WEEK 5) The desert has a little more to look at than the grasslands offered, as the grass begins to yellow and thin. Some stretches are just wide, empty swaths of dust and dirt, with not much more than the occasional rock or low, desperate scrub brush to color the horizon. Here and there are impressive outcroppings of rock, thrust up from the parched ground. Plateaus and mesas make the scenery, and overhead the sky is a wide, clear blue. The sun is merciless. Hopefully you filled your canteens in the swamp and the grassland, because water is going to become a pretty valuable resource out here. There are a few helpful flora to be found, though. Those Beachwoods will be pretty handy if you run out of water, just so long as you keep an eye out for the Red Stellas that tend to grow nearby. The Scarlet Oasis can even send you on your way with a meal, if you play your cards right. Have a care if you’re gathering any bristlegrass, though. While scenic in its way, the view doesn’t offer much clue as to what progress has been made so far. Three days pass in this way. On the fourth day, however, the recruits encounter their first choice. The ground has cracked open in their path. It yawns into a wide and dark cave, wonderfully cool after the scorching sun and heat of the desert. A breeze can be felt in the mouth of the cave, and their maps will indicate that any exploration into it is sending them in the right direction. It provides an alternative route to walking over the surface of the ground, a much cooler route. There might even be hidden streams of groundwater down there, who knows? It could be a refreshing jaunt. Of course, recruits can also choose to play it safe, and continue overhead as they’d been doing so far, where they can trust they won't run into any dead ends or have to backtrack. The going goes well for those who chose the caves. The cave system is apparently pretty extensive, because they manage to walk along in generally the right direction for a good half a day. Around dusk, though, this little dwarf planet hits a run of bad luck. Meteoroids. Those who chose to walk above ground will find the darkening sky suddenly growing brighter again as a meteor shower begins to burn in the atmosphere. Some of them don’t burn up entirely, though — meteorites begin to pelt the desert not far from the procession. Some of them might even be scattering into the procession. Heads up! But while those above ground only have to worry about dodging, those below ground will have much more serious concerns. This planet isn’t quite as sturdy as recruits may be used to, and the impact of the meteorites is enough to trigger a small earthquake. An underground cave is really not where you want to be during an earthquake, because even this small one is enough to cause a cave-in. Players of recruits who choose to take the cave route can opt to be trapped by this cave in, or can have their characters in the right place at the right time, to have their way to the exit unimpeded. Characters trapped may be freed at whatever speed players find realistic, but to find and free everyone will take no less than three days. Hopefully you brought a flashlight. Communication between those trapped and those above may be difficult, as the meteorites will cause interference and make the jewelry flicker in and out. We ask that you indicate the length of time your character is trapped along with your sign up. After the cave in ordeal is passed, though, the recruits aren’t quite in the clear as they finally reach the end of the desert. It seems the impact of the meteorites and the resulting earthquake released a few gases that had been held under the surface of Zeta-12. They’re invisible and odorless, and harmless to the squidge’s caretakers. The squidges, however, may begin to react to them. Squidges exposed to the post cave-in gasses will begin to get aggressive toward their caretakers and other squidges alike. The level of aggression can range from grumpy to murderous and last from 10 minutes to a few hours, depending on the size of the dose. If anyone has been training their squidges to fight, they may regret it. OOC NOTES We decided to split things up a little! This log lasts ICly for one week, and OOCly for 1.5 weeks. Our next log will encompass the last biome and the final event, and will go up on August 11th. Characters may proceed at whatever pace they'd like, but going too quickly or too slowly will mean they travel alone. (And those going too quickly will probably have to contend with screaming squidges, who prefer to travel at the speed of an easy plod.) New characters will find one of the unbonded squidges toddling after the group takes a shine to them. A squidge will imprint on them very quickly, then refuse to leave their side or rejoin their unbonded friends. Direct questions about the Zeta-12 mission here. And don't forget about the bounty board! Please remember to select your choice in the thread below! Late choices will not be accepted. How you choose will determine how your squidge grows. Please choose before August 8th, 11:59 PM GMT!

Comments

[ex_adept136]

[Though Haise would hardly presume to guess at what sort of answer he might get from King, he's clearly surprised by what he ends up hearing. His eyes widen and for a bare moment, he debates on how he should answer something like that. It isn't that he'd call it praise, but it's a thought he may not have expected to hear.

At least, not from someone who wasn't simply supposing that he must be a little more than human]

I guess you could say I've always felt strongly about teamwork.

[Is what he thinks to offer with a soft, easy smile]

[agrizzlysin]

[King doesn't suspect Haise's species quite yet. He is, however, coming to terms with the fact that in a world where most humans lack humanity Haise clearly doesn't.

It's frustrating. It's also pleasant.

With a bit of a groan, King stretches out his arm to return what's left in the vial. Though he's far from comfortable, he does try to smile. Sort of.]

I couldn't tell from all the other times you brought it up.

[ex_adept136]

[Haise accepts the bottle, tucking it away in his pack for later. Perhaps it would see some use...but he sincerely hopes that no one will be injured further on this journey]

Ah yes, I'm a man of many subtleties. Back home, they'd call me Subtle Sasaki. [A pause for effect] Subsaki.

[Yes. He went there. And not for the first time, but he thinks right about now they could use a little bit of humor, what with their cute little charges turning violent seemingly out of nowhere.

And he's just the kind of man for this job]

[agrizzlysin]

[That ridiculous pun earns Haise a stunted snirk despite the situation. Really? Really? King almost can't handle humor that terrible, but it's 110% better than trying to handle Helbram, so it's very much appreciated.

For once, he can be embarrassed for someone else rather than himself.]

Are you sure "subtle" was the word they were they were going for when they called you that?

[ex_adept136]

[Just as planned. Haise smiles cheerfully, folding his arms across his chest with an air of mock-confidence]

Of course, I'm a man of many mysteries.

[Actually he sure does keep a lot to himself, not that he's about to call attention to the fact. It'd put one hell of a damper on the humor, which they don't really need when their squidges have gotten aggressive]

Sublime seems much too ostentatious... And I'm not the only subordinate out there... But then everything's subjective, right?

[Don't let him dabble in wordplay. Just don't]

[agrizzlysin]

[So King is learning. He refrains from mentioning anything too terrible, like "substandard." That's too mean for this silly display.

Instead, King lets his focus settle once more on Helbram who seems to be pacing. Then it's back to Haise and the ornery squidge pulling on his hair. They have no choice but to have to wait this out, do they?]

...Maybe they were just trying to give you subtext.

[ex_adept136]

[At least they can entertain themselves while their squidges are working through whatever this aggression is. Maybe they've entered their rebellious teenage phases.

Haise is actually surprised that King is rolling with it, but he's hardly one to fail in appreciating that]

Far better than subliminal messages, wouldn't you say?

[agrizzlysin]

[Talking distracts from the pain, and from the fact that King can't do anything to help anyone right now, least of all Helbram.]

Wouldn't any of those options be somewhat subliminal?

[ex_adept136]

Thinking that way might be a little subversive...

[Just a little. Maybe.

But then their conversation has gotten far past being grounded in logic, not that Haise minds. Sometimes it's good to take a break from rough circumstances]

[agrizzlysin]

I'm starting to think you're a bit too submerged in this subject.

[The strained and sheepish smile King offers Haise says in no uncertain terms that he's out of sub- words.]

[ex_adept136]

I'll have to submit, you managed two in one sentence.

[Said with a light, airy little laugh. All hail the King of Puns]

[agrizzlysin]

[That is not what he is king of. Do not ever tell anyone about this conversation, Haise.]

Good thing too. I'm starting to feel light headed.

[ex_adept136]

[Your shameful secret is safe with him...]

Maybe we should see if we can lure Helbram somewhere we can rest up.

[Procuring more squidge food from his bag as he speaks, because this seems like the most effective method. At least if squidges are occupied with food, they might be alright staying in one place]

[agrizzlysin]

Are there any big rocks nearby?

[Shade would be nice. And maybe Helbram will direct its rage at the larger target when given options.]

[ex_adept136]

I passed a formation not too long ago...as for what's ahead of us, we'd have to take a look.

[Sadly, Haise can't see quite that far in that direction]

[agrizzlysin]

That works. [King snorts like he wants to laugh but doesn't have the energy.] Taking a few more steps back isn't gonna hurt anything at this point.

[ex_adept136]

Alright, let's head back then.

[It shouldn't be too far for them, and just a matter of baiting Helbram there]

[agrizzlysin]

[King's already thanked Haise. If he keeps it up, he's going to start sounding too pathetic. So instead of thanking his savior again, he just nods. His conveniently floating pillow follows Haise's lead so that he doesn't have to, but King doesn't bother to help with baiting his own squidge. He has the distinct feeling that Helbram would get stubborn again if King were the one behind it.]

[ex_adept136]

[At least knowing that food works as effective bait, Haise doesn't have too much trouble luring Helbram toward the rock formation he'd mentioned. It's soon visible at a distance, stone lancing up from the sand like some buried giant's fingers, casting long shadows in their wake.

Once they get near enough, Haise drops the food within Helbram's reach, letting go as soon as eager jaws rise to catch it]

Given the time of day, I think it'll stay shady around here for a while.

[And so they can relax...at least as much as anyone can with unruly squidges]

[agrizzlysin]

[Another nod lets Haise know that King's heard him. His focus, however, is on his squidge, now hoarding a good amount of Haise's bait even as it chews on the rest. He's worried but determined to keep his distance. The reason is obvious when he clutches his injured arm again.]

You should try to fit in a moment of rest too. How long are you going to let that thing tug on your scalp?

[ex_adept136]

[Haise tips his head back as little, like that'll give him a better view of Haku. Of course, it doesn't really]

Ah, I heal too fast for him to really do any harm up there...

[agrizzlysin]

It's your hair.

[King shrugs, then pauses struck by a thought.]

Does Nalanni's stone help with healing too, or is it something else?

[ex_adept136]

It's a genetic trait, you could say...

[It can be said because it's very biological, although he doesn't elaborate further than this, moving right along]

I think the stone only provides warmth, but it's been very helpful for that.

[agrizzlysin]

Genetic, huh?

[King accepts the answer, even though he doesn't understand it completely. He's met some seriously strange human beings. With a sigh, he relaxes into Chastiefol's soft pillow form.]

As long as it doesn't start biting too, I guess.