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

[perma_banned]

Well, it ain't as if you could outdo my greed, anyway.

[Lancer didn't show Ban any signs of that sort of trait. He was battle-hungry but definitely not a proper criminal. Ban had met men like that among Liones' knights and they tended to be the bruisers that would go to the local bars after a big fight and enjoy their free time telling long-winded and extremely embellished stories of battle.

Though, Lancer didn't seem at all as boisterous as them. He was getting an 'old man' vibe from the fellow all without Lancer commenting on it.]

You remind me of the old veteran knights from my service.

[He looked back to the path with a 'humph'.]

Were you more like me, once? [Obnoxious? Greedy? Needy?]

[riastraid]

[ Was that a compliment? Hard to tell, but Ban's not wrong. Though he was younger than most of the Red Branch, they were a rambunctious bunch to keep in line, tireless and vibrant and unruly as a pack of dogs. It made him old. Kept him young.

And now, he's nostalgic. ]

Well, I was a brat once. So yeah.

[ He shoves Ban lightly by the shoulder with a snicker, slowly trailing off into a thoughtful hum. ]

But that depends. [ On a lot of things. They've got some stark differences, but Cu Chulainn of eons past wasn't exactly the same as Lancer now, either. ] Lemme ask you this first—what's it you want? You're saying greed this, greed that. But I dunno what it is you're really after.

[ He talks a big game about avarice, so there's got to be some kind of desire there. ]

[perma_banned]

[It could have mistaken for boredom or simple passivity but Ban's entire presence became flat in a heartbeat. A void walked in his place, dragged down by every whim he ever had. In truth, Ban had never really been a greedy person. He stole when he needed clothes. He stole when he needed to eat and he stole to sleep in beds every night. He had never worked on a farm or in a shop like a decent human being but he never took more than he really needed.]

Among human beings, I deserve even less than most folks~. [His voice came up with a hum and he let a sleazy grin slip Lancer's way. Constantly coating himself with the filth of a mean looking expression did plenty to hide his actual concerns. Lancer seemed too upstanding a man to need to do small and hideous things like that. He looked like he could smile earnest whenever he wanted.]

It only stands to reason that if I want something, then I'm the greediest man there is, no matter what it is ♪. Buuuut, what I want is... something I'd give up my life for.

[riastraid]

[ There's a fine line between self-deprecation—letting yourself be the butt of a joke, having it come from a place of confidence—and self-loathing. The more Ban talks, the harder it is to say what side he's standing on. Only so much an ugly smile can hide, guy. Lancer slows down a bit, looking incredulous, playful edge dulled. ]

You don't have anything you'd die for?

[ It's not a fair question, but considering his own fate—sufficed to say, he's a little biased. A warrior of his times would lay down his or her life for pride alone. ]

[perma_banned]

[Realizing he was the butt of his own joke, Ban didn't hesitate to laugh whether it was rueful or not. Lancer, who likely hadn't felt more than a moment's regret in his entire life, likely wouldn't be able to sympathize with Ban, who had felt nothing but regret for a great portion of his own. The two were walking side by side and yet they were miles apart.]

Does it matter~? Seeing as I can't die, it looks like I'll never get what I want--no matter what it is.

[riastraid]

[ They're different, maybe too much so—he can't empathize. But he still remembers a woman who lost death, and what that'd taken from her. Living in the twilight of the living and the otherworld meant being robbed of fate. Of choice, and circumstance.

His response is the same as it was centuries ago. ]

Sorry.

[ Time to actually answer. ]

Can't say we're very alike. [ With that, he pauses, nearly a beat too long. ] Not that that's a bad thing.

[ He's content with what he had, and Ban is always wanting—didn't make either of them the better man. ]

[perma_banned]

[A brief glance stolen in Lancer's direction didn't tell Ban very much. Lancer didn't hide his expressions very much from what he surmised. It looked as if Lancer wasn't particularly capable of dwelling with as much fervor as he had. Ban found himself breaking into more familiar forest suddenly, leaving himself and Lancer near the bordering woods leading to Oska.]

Couldn't tell you if that's a good thing or not. If you understand, then you know why I am the way I am. If you're just guessing--then, you're really good at it.

[He offered a half-hearted shrug.]

Here's to hopin' you couldn't guess to save your life~.