MINI-EVENT ★ WELCOME/RESCUE PARTY

[futurologists]

WELCOME/RESCUE PARTY The temporal insects have all either been squished or hopped into another dimension and all of Oska's inhabitants have gone back to their (relatively) normal selves. However, they didn't leave before chewing through some of the rift magitek, causing the new arrivals to end up in a slightly less safe place than the castle. The new Audentes recruits are dropped right at the edge of this pocket universe in the untamed forest. It's easy to lose your way in here, and to make it even harder, it's dark and storming. Going off without a buddy or two isn't recommended; you may walk in circles for hours. Meanwhile, a select few recruits receive a frantic message from Dagny begging for their help in locating these members and bringing them safely home, promising a reward in return. The forest is home to a whole host of unusual creatures, some friendly, some not. While you're avoiding a run-in with them, you'll also have to be careful not to step into the pockets of distorted reality left behind in the temporal insects' wake. Each pocket seems to be from the time before Oska was ALASTAIR's HQ, when it was still just a crumbling universe. The feelings and sensations are vivid; the earthquakes feel very real, as does the falling debris, so watch your head. When everyone has returned safely to the castle, Dagny will be waiting with the promised rewards. Each established recruit who participated in the rescue and all the newcomers will receive two bracelets, both made of a thin gold chain, and the instructions to give the extra to somebody close to them to tighten their bond. OOC NOTES Established recruits are entrusted with diving into the forest and bringing the newbies back to safety. Once they have, everyone is welcome to get situated in Oska until the next mission starts. Characters aren't required to give their second bracelet away, but those who do (or have their bracelet stolen/lost/found) will find that the moment both bracelets are slipped on, they'll share a significant memory of theirs with the other wearer and vice versa. This is a one-time effect and will not work after the first time, even with different wearers. Please note again that this log occurs after the temporal bugs have been cleared out. Due to the OOC extension of the previous event as well as this mini-event, the IC time between the bug extermination and the start of the mission has been extended past the 24 hours stated in the dossier to around half a week. As a reminder, this log is open to newcomers and those who signed up on the OOC post only.

Comments

[zipped]

Pleasure meeting you then, Loki. [ Well she's pleased she's most welcome then! A Hero usually is. But she nods while she keeps her focus on their path, remembering where they are to head. ] Nope, not one bit. Normally you're to appear in the castle but we had a pest problem that messed with time.

[ She glances back to him as she continues. ] It's a bit of a mess, really. I'm sure they're sorting that bit out but in the meantime it's our job to get you guys back safely. It's there they'll brief you up on everything.

[mistruths]

That "messed" with time, you say?

[ Well, that's interesting. Time is, after all, one of the most difficult aspects of reality to master. Perhaps, if he has the chance, he might just study whatever it was had such capabilities. Certainly, having such abilities would do him no harm. ]

I shall await the opportunity, then, to learn of what it is has happened. I suppose you wouldn't be able to tell me where exactly we are at the moment in relation to where we ought to be?

[zipped]

Yeah! You know like, ripping fabric of time, things like that.

[ Even if time is her element with her abilities and all, it's hard for her to explain it. She's not an Expert when it comes to explaining the logic behind it. ]

Well, it's a bit of an edge from where we're suppose to be. It's not really under ALASTAIR's control so it's as wild as any forest is, what with weird creatures. Where you're suppose to show up is at ALASTAIR's headquarters castle which is in Oska.

[zipped]

Oska is the headquarters for ALASTAIR, that's where new people go and show up. The recent batch is you guys! You're the new recruits. It's a bit of a complicated jumble of a mess, really.. They'd explain it better to you there.

[ Her hand rubs the back of her head, sheepish as he thinks of the whole ordeal. It's.. a bit harder to explain she doesn't trust herself to do it. ]

[fintastic]

[ That doesn't help very much, but at this point, what's the worst that could happen. This must be her bubble though; at least, Feferi decides that must be so, despite the fact that something about her seems a little too lively. It's the most sense she can make of it at the moment, and she shrugs. If there's a better explanation to be had elsewhere, she has no problem moving on. ]

Whale... lead the way, I guess! Wherever it is we are going. Just be careful, there are some very thorny bushes around here!

[ ...maybe that was obvious. ]

[viscontree]

Everything turned out well, I'm relieved. [He lets out a sigh knowing they're safe. Teleporting is strange, yeah. Julius will never get used to this in his life time. It was worth trying once just to return where they should be.]

Thank you. [Without Riza's quick thinking they might have been stuck in the forest for a longer time. Thank goodness her ring worked. Julius pauses for a moment while contemplating on their situation. ]

Lieutenant, could you let me know when you're available? I want to speak with you more.

[onethousen]

[ Nature spirits might be more disinclined toward human associations in realms that weren't predominantly human, for their own reasons. Chihiro hadn't believed she had grounds for complaint. She doesn't recall all of it with the clarity she'd like, but it's not so different by now than not remembering events of a few weeks past back home. Like what her friends had said, or why she'd been bothered that her first bouquet was one for saying goodbye.

She hums her own agreement, an unintended mimic of his own humming. ]

Right.

[ She seems to have no more attached weight either. Death is a given, at some point. When she's dead, she will go on to the Spirit World. She has to concentrate on not leaving for there from here. ]

I... I think it was my parents? I don't remember everything still, I'm sorry. There was this tunnel, for one of those amusement parks? The ones that never opened. Then there was a creek, only later it was a river... and the sun set, and my parents didn't stop eating food that wasn't theirs. Then we were stuck.

[ She looks away from the bath house scene, holding up her hand in front of her face. Her fingers twitch as she stares at the lines etched in to her palm. The memory of looking straight through her hand is a chilling one, even distant and fuzzy in memory. ]

I was starting to disappear. Haku... Kohaku helped with that.

[ He remains Haku to her, but Kohaku was his more correct name. It feels right to use that name in a place like this, separate and distant from wherever he is now. Somewhere in the Spirit Realm, freed from his obligations to Yubaba. That's a more pleasant thought than the sullen worry over her parents and how, illogically, she worries they'll notice she's missing. They'd tell the police, she knows it. Would they search all of the woods by their new house? ]

[zipped]

I'll keep that in mind, thanks love! [ Whether it's obvious or not, she shoots her a smile. But she's more worried for the random creatures lurking about in these parts. It's probably a good thing she found her before trouble came around. She'll lead the way in the meantime. ]

Soo.. what are you exactly? If you don't mind my asking, that is. [ She gestures to the horns and, well, fins. ]

[ex_adept136]

[It's true that the numbers don't ultimately change the bottom line, and Haise has to agree on that point. They need to get people out of here before they get hurt, especially if they're non-combatants and unfamiliar with their surroundings.

Knowing just how many people they're looking for would help, but there's nothing for it]

Let's ensure that no one gets left here then.

[A pause, and he supposes there isn't too much harm in tossing a tidbit in here]

If we're somewhat close to anyone else, I should be able to pick up on it.

[ex_adept136]

[Haise isn't unused to eyes on him, though he's more accustomed to a particular sort of attention. Assessing. Scrutinizing. He wonders vaguely whether their little following is predatory or not, but he doesn't sense too much of a threat thus far.

When the ground caves in, Haise jolts — but it seems his companion isn't tripped up by it, at least]

I can't blame you... I remember showing up out of place, but this is something else.

[After glancing around, he tips his head to the right, indicating the direction he opts to veer in]

This way should be more stable, I've passed over the terrain.

[mistruths]

And Oska Castle is, I presume, is where we are now headed. [ He pauses, and then asks, curious: ] How is it you are navigating? We were given nothing to lead the way, so far as I'm aware. Through the dark and the rain, the path--if there even is one--is near impossible to see. How do you know which way to go?

[slapfight]

This seems fairly diabolical to me! Why wouldn't it be your scheme? [she doesn't release his vest, still scowling. logically, he's right, and she's capable of listening to her logic brain more than most people are capable of listening to their brains period (in her opinion), but right now she's soaking wet and angry and needs someone to blame.]

Then how come you know about Homeworld? That isn't something some random human who fell through a dimensional tear should know.

[fintastic]

I am a troll, what else would I be? What are you?

[ She knows exactly what a human is, but she's trying to make a point here. She follows along, hefting her trident over her shoulder a little more casually. ]

[strictdiscipline]

[When she lets go of the ring, she finds it dull and faded. No longer magical then, as far as she can tell, though it's pretty enough still as a simple accessory. It seems a shame to throw it away; maybe she'll keep it for luck. (But she's never been particularly lucky.)

His question has her standing at attention again, nodding once decisively.]

Of course. Whenever you're free.

[Though she imagines he might want to rest a bit in his room first...]

[zipped]

That's right! [ Though his curious inquiry doesn't so unnoticed. She'd be curious the same were it her. ] Simple, I'm just going back the way I came! Sure it'd be nifty to have a sign or two, but I decided I'd make my own.

[ Might be a few markings that can be spotted but they are more of the higher ledge ones which she could reach with a blink. It'd be easy to confuse any down below from any creatures getting hostile around the area. ] Sorry about the lack of lightin' though, don't want to attract any unwanted attention.

[zipped]

Well, human of 'course! I'm sure the chronal accelerator throws people off, but I'm definitely human.

[ There's a gesture to the glowing device on her chest before she's cupping her chin curiously. ] Troll, huh? Never seen any face to face before!

[mistruths]

Perfectly understandable. [ He's so polite and gracious wow. ] Might I inquire as to how much further we'll have to go? Do forgive my curiosity.

A; these two are gonna get along I can tell already

[prodigism]

Arima Kishou. I was sent here to help new recruits make it back safely to Oska. But you seem quite capable as is. [ Arima is in this forest for one specific reason and that's to get new recruits out alive and back to Oska. But he does nod silently before taking in his surroundings once more. The thick forest makes it hard for a man with only one working eye to really see well in, but his other senses are far more attuned to things now because of it. Despite all of that he seems way too calm?! Arima please learn to emote better... ]

This way then. [ He'll turn in the general direction he came from through the dense forest around them. ]

[viscontree]

Alright then. I felt the ground shake somewhat and it's rather concerning.

[Concerning but hardly surprising when you consider where they are. Julius grits his teeth in annoyance and tries to stop himself from walking into the wrong path.]

Did you feel it too? It seems like it would be hard to miss.

[twinpeak]

[ ... Waitasec. ]

It's just rain. I'll be fine.

[ And not a hurricane, luckily. But what has Dipper for a pause is that this guy speaks with a sense of familiarity—despite knowing he wasn't in the group sent out to rescue. Dipper would know; there wasn't many of them rounded up.

Before they set off, Dipper squints skeptically his way. ]

But, wait... You know where we're going? Aren't you one of the new guys?

[viscontree]

Alright. We'll talk more later then. [Pretty much. He's tired as hell from their trip earlier and the mission transfer. Resting should be his first priority. Catching up on past times can wait a bit!!]

Still, I can't believe we're working together again. I am grateful for this opportunity. Let's make everything count, Lieutenant Hawkeye.

[twinpeak]

[ ohhhh my gooood she's even smaller than him and yet so angry ]

I—I don't know anything about that Homeworld place! Someone named Pearl told me what gems were a long time ago and this isn't an evil scheme I came up with because dude, look at me, I'm just a totally normal thirteen year old!

[ SO PLEASE STOP YELLING... AND PLEASE LET GO. ]

[ex_adept136]

Some areas feel pointedly unsteady...though I've wondered if it was just me.

[Having more acute senses than his strictly human teammates, Haise can't always be entirely certain]

But I can't imagine anyone would fail to notice the tremors.

YES GOOD...

[viscontree]

You're part of the rescue squad? I was kind of hoping they'd bring someone to aid us. Looks like we're in good hands. [This is what he's been waiting for!! Horray!! They can go home soon, but they aren't out of the woods yet. Julius nods and follows behind Arima cautiously.]

My name's Julius Visconti. I'll follow suit. [Right, following seems easy enough. Too bad there's these weird pits if distorted space. They make it so hard to walk normally.]

[riastraid]

[ Not even on this plane of reality and getting shit on, sorry, Roy.

Anyway—why did he have to be incarnated like this, why couldn't he have been an actual dog with happiness dialed up to 11 over nothing. Except he looks pretty damn pleased himself, only softening his grin as he puts Hayate down. He trades him for the now inanimate stone, popping it up into the air and catching it again. ]

Yeah, this was supposed to figure that out for me. [ So this was its idea of a solution. ] Must've decided we should meet. Or... maybe fate brought us together—? [ Sarcasm. Not to be mistaken for a pickup line (probably). Much as he would like to strike up some friendly banter, probably best to get a move on first. ] In any case, you can rescue me now.