EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

[futurologists]

ARRIVAL Recruits leave Oska at midday, with about 10 minutes of final warning given from over jewelcomms. Then the white mist rises as rifts open, and Oska is left behind. When they arrive in the new world, they’ll find themselves aboard a train, specifically seated in the coach traveling compartments. The other passengers -- humanoids with muted skin tones and bright eyes -- have already been notified of their arrival, so although there will be a good deal of curious staring, particularly from children, no one is going to be very alarmed at the strange, eclectic assortment of aliens that suddenly show up on board. It seems that, for once, recruits will enjoy a peaceful arrival. The dusty scenery flashes by placidly outside the windows, the rumble of wheels is constant and soothing, and there’s even a snack cart that makes its way around (the snacks aren’t free, though -- recruits are provided a modest sum of Qorral currency, and the locals are already interested in getting in on it). BAD COMPANY The first sign of trouble appears about two hours after arrival when there’s a faint BOOM and each of the train cars gives a little shudder. That would be the rear train car’s back wall being blown open. The other passengers know exactly what this means, and some lock themselves into traveling compartments while others haul out previously put away shotguns and pistols, ready to do what needs doing. And what needs doing is to fend off the troupe of bandits that have decided that this train looks ripe for the plucking. They board from the gaping hole they blew in the last car and begin shooting their way up the length of the train, robbing as they go, but they also circle out on their horses (mechanical and only vaguely horse-shaped four-legged contraptions that easily keep pace with the train) to provide an armed and unfriendly escort. They’ll shoot through the windows if anyone looks like a troublemaker, and are old hands at ducking to the other side of their horses to use them as cover from any return fire. The conductor and all present passengers would really appreciate a hand from any recruits who feel like stepping up. Those not quite ready to engage in a shootout can always keep the civilians locked into the compartments company. They, especially the children, might need some calming words (and the sage advice to keep away from the windows, and stop making faces at the bandits). The bandits put up a pretty good fight, but will eventually be driven away (hopefully without having snagged too many ill-gotten goods from the hardworking citizens of Perdition’s Rest), and peace falls back over the train. The passengers will be a bit frazzled afterward, though, and no one can quite ignore that whistling sound caused by the missing back wall of the final train car. It’s a long two more hours before they reach their destination. WELCOME TO PERDITION’S REST A dusty wooden sign swings on rusted hinges overhead as the train pulls into the station: PERDITION'S REST. The engine finally stills with one puff of smoke, and as the passengers begin to disembark, recruits will find a small group awaits them. The Mayor, his aide, and the sheriff are gathered just outside the train station, and once everyone is more or less off the train and conveniently gathered, the Mayor will clear his throat for attention. "I'm guessing y'all had a long ride here, didn't you?" He addresses the crowd calmly, with the kind of voice that doesn't need to be raised much to be heard. "Heard about them bandits.They ain’t gonna trouble you here in town, but best mind your wanderin’. I'm Mayor Mordecai Jones, and Perdition's Rest welcomes your company. You'll find our businesses hospitable and our services ready. We're a quiet place, keep mostly to ourselves and don't bother none. You'll do just fine here if you abide that." The aide waits quietly as the Mayor speaks, while the sheriff eyes the gathered bunch with a resigned wariness. She, and a few other locals who would be willing to speak up if asked, are of the opinion that they've gotten by just fine for 30 years without anyone's help, and they don't figure they need it now. But they'll tolerate the meddling, so long as everyone plays nice. Mayor Jones's speech draws to a close with a last note that trouble can be brought to him or to Sheriff Rosamund Holladay, and he, his aide, and Sheriff Holladay break the meeting without further ceremony and head away. Welcome to Perdition's Rest. It's recommended that you look around a little, familiarize yourself with the place, and find lodgings. It's going to be home for a while. OOC NOTES Welcome to Mission: Perdition's Rest! This mission will last for around three months, currently slated to end in mid-December. Depending on developments, this schedule is subject to change at our discretion. You can view the dossier here, which contains information that is ICly known to all characters, no matter their arrival time. You can find locations here. Please direct all questions pertaining to the mission to the dossier page to keep questions and responses in one place for easy player reference. General game questions should be directed to the FAQ. The Bounty Board will be updated this weekend, so keep an eye out! Remember you can also request bounty missions or submit player plots at any time.

Comments

[ryusoken]

[Sabo makes no word of it. He knows this is a stranger who probably has no idea what the rim and the hat meant to him.

But it still boils him to see that he's not listening. (Sabo, you're a quite a hypocrite.)

Instead, he brings up a flame to his eye, and holds up a hand. The hand lights up, and aims an ember diagonally to the ceiling, in Lancer's direction.

The debris falls from above the other man. Will it hit? Or will it miss? It's Lancer's call.]

screams quietly

[riastraid]

[ This guy's serious, but he'd expected as much. The way he'd been looking to the hat—well, he doesn't know Sabo. Not as a man, not as a teammate. But it was enough to see there was something there.

That said, he won't take a challenge issued lightly. Lancer snatches the burning debris out of the air, letting the flames smother out in his hands. Even beneath the ash, it doesn't seem to have burned him. ]

Hey now— [ He tosses the wood with an agitated sigh. ] If you're gonna pick a fight, do it outside.

pats

[ryusoken]

[Sabo steps to the side...facing away from Lancer as he holds out his pipe this time and clanking it to the ground. The debris that had fallen near Lancer blew toward Sabo as the shop's door was still open.]

Drop the hat and I won't.

[He's definitely wasn't thinking straight initially from that first reaction, what with the sentimental thoughts on an item interrupted by someone who casually took the hat as just another accessory...he decides to take a breathe slowly then, calming his anger for a moment.]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough.

[riastraid]

[ Lancer's good at finding buttons and pressing them, though to be fair—it'd been like shooting fish in a barrel here. Still, there's a measure of something more reasonable underneath, a glimmer of it showing in his response. He claps off the soot from his palms, regarding Sabo curiously.

Soon enough, he points a thumb to the pipe with a wry smile. ]

You willing to use that on me for it? Because I gotta say, I don't think that's gonna end well for you.

[ But Lancer doesn't make a threatening move, crossing his arms lightly. It's a genuine question. ]

[ryusoken]

I've got more than that. Trust me.

[He makes pretty big talk.. though whether he's aware of whom he's fighting with doesn't really matter. He knows he stepped on a boundary at a moment's notice. He covers part of his arm in a slick black coating, while holding onto the pipe.

Sabo doesn't fidget, not a bit while he stares into the servant's eyes.]

I take it you do want to fight then?

[Not that it matters. He doesn't care to lose nor win. He'd rather try to explain why he's up in arms on him on a sentimental matter.]

[riastraid]

[ There's a moment where Lancer looks him over, pupils narrowed thin like a cat's. In a second he could summon his spear and make a mess of this place, and his smile cracks—before he breaks out into a laugh, sharp and hearty. Once he's collected himself, ]

Some other time. I'm just messin' with you, here— [ He pops off the hat in one easy go, placing it on Sabo's head—where it belongs—before landing a good-natured pat on his shoulder. ] It looks better on you.

[ For all his goading, Lancer seems nonchalant now, picking up a different hat and spinning it between his fingers idly. ]

Why'd you hesitate?

[ When he'd reached for it originally—there was a pause. ]

[ryusoken]

A moment of sentiment, you could call it. [He pushes in the hat further onto his head, not even taking a glance at the other. His mouth still at a frown while his ears are succumb to the sound of Lancer's amusement from a distance.]

You sure know how to provoke someone then. [His words, though a bit of teasing did in fact made him twitch-- it reminded him of Blackbeard's crew back home. At least he's aware now that he's not here to dance on someone's grave, but just a mere remark based on the Revolutionary's actions just a few moments before.]

Thank you. [His mouth curls up into a smirk. The storm of his mind calms as he's less on the lines of angry, more on the lines of contentment.]

What's your name?

[riastraid]

[ At least he's a good sport to take it in stride, though it's true: Lancer's pretty good at heckling, poking at soft spots and seeing how people react. But he doesn't make a habit of taking it too far, and he seems sociable enough. ]

What can I say, it's a talent.

[ But he gets sentiment, too, even if he avoids indulging in it too often. Though he offers a bit now, extending a hand to Sabo for a shake. ]

Lancer.

[ryusoken]

Sabo. [He greets back with his own name, holding out his gloved hand to the spear wielding man and gripping the other's hand with a strong shake before letting go.] It's a pleasure to meet you, Lancer.

[He nods in a modest manner before turning away as he faces towards the door.]

I need to head back out now and find my brother again. I'll probably see you then.