EVENT ★ ROLLING 'ROUND THE BEND

[futurologists]

ASTERION PRISON The white light is blinding. The weightlessness continues. The air thins into nothingness, though those who breathe won't feel the pain of suffocation -- in fact, they won't feel the need to breathe at all. The sensation continues for what may seem like a second or an eternity; it's impossible to tell. And then the floor hits you. Or rather, you hit the floor. It's cold and metal and as your vision returns, you'll find you're not alone in this small room, though you're definitely not with anyone you know: standing in front of you is a brawny alien in a black uniform, its many purple eyes staring at you. The alien is flanked by a pair of robots, who take advantage of your dazed state and grasp you in their metal arms to drag you from the room into what appears to be a gigantic prison. As the robots drag you past cells -- some containing other aliens, some containing humanoids, and some containing your teammates -- you'll catch a glimpse of the outside through a window. You're in outer space. If questioned, the guard will only tell you that you've been accused of conspiracy to commit grand theft, and your trial will begin soon. But in the meantime, you'd better get cozy. YOUR NEW HOME Asterion Prison is a dreadnought class spaceship with several different cell blocks making up a majority of its innards, with the rest of the space designated for day-to-day running of the ship and living quarters for the guards. Audentes is housed in Block 26, which has six tiers of cells situated in a circle around the main recreational area, out of which juts the Block 26 guard tower. Each inmate, including Audentes recruits, has a glowing blue symbol emblazoned on their forehead. Though it's not immediately clear what the symbols mean, inmates who have been around longer will explain: it's a record of how many lives you've taken, a way for the guards to know who's the most dangerous. The symbol glows through any kind of attempt at covering it -- whether by makeup, clothing, hair, or something else -- so it's best to learn to deal with it quickly. Speaking of clothing, whatever recruits were wearing upon their abduction has been replaced by a uniform orange jumpsuit. Similarly, any weapons are no longer present, though those with a special connection to their weapons will feel that they are being held elsewhere on the ship. Luckily, the guards appear to have overlooked jewelcomms, so Audentes will be able to communicate with each other via magitek (text only is suggested, of course, unless you want to get caught!), though contact with Oska or any other outside ALASTAIR recruit seems to be blocked. LOCKDOWN As long as inmates keep to themselves and don't bother the guards, things run pretty smoothly. Two meals a day, five hours of sleep, and all the weights you need to get yourself swole. But on the sixth day in Asterion Prison, all hell breaks loose. No one knows who started it, but there's suddenly a loud roar from the milling crowd in the recreational area. Most inmates scatter, but some rush in -- to see what's going on or to get a piece of the action themselves, who knows -- and then everything becomes an all-out brawl. Super strong aliens with various powers fight each other loudly and violently while others cower and run for cover. The old alien ducks behind his chess board just in time to avoid a barbell sailing overhead; a six-armed being shoots lava out of its mouth, which does nothing to the metallic floor but severely burns a group of humanoid toads wielding shivs. The fight goes on for a few long minutes before correctional officers and their robot guards pour in to try and get things under control. Those who are still around once the officers come in are in threat of being dragged off to solitary, even if they had nothing to do with the brawl, so make yourself scarce unless the idea of sitting in the dark for another six days seems appealing. OOC NOTES Welcome to space prison! We hope you'll enjoy your stay. There is a plotting write-up here with extra information about the prison ship, and please note that participation in the symbol directory is mandatory. If you have any questions about the prison that aren't answered here, please direct them to the Leramzen dossier. Questions about the game in general should be directed to the FAQ and you may submit mission ideas or player plots at any time.

Comments

[twinpeak]

[ Yeah, """normal""". For all the crazy things Dipper's heard throughout his time with Audentes, though, he still narrows his eyes skeptically. ]

I—wow. Maybe that is worse. [ A beat. ] ... Unless the guys in charge here decide our punishment will be deathtraps. That's the kind of stuff that seems like would happen in an alien prison, right? Then it'd be just as bad.

[ Dipper inhales, carding fingers through his hair. ]

I still can't believe this is happening.

[littlestguano]

[He's in the circus, that's his story and he's sticking to it.]

Doubtful. If they wanted us dead, they wouldn't be wasting money and resources feeding and housing us. Someone's taxes are paying for this. [But that's...not really that helpful probably.]

...what's your name?

[twinpeak]

[ Yes, taxes. Whatever! For all he knows they could be trying to put on a face of RIGHTEOUSNESS and JUSTICE to cover up just how badly they may want them dead. Over... attempted thievery of a diamond, sure, but that could have been any diamond if ALASTAIR wanted them to go after it!

UGHHHH. ]

It... it's Dipper.

[ That's the easier part to respond to. ]

[littlestguano]

Dipper. I am Damian. [This is the part he isn't good at, the part where he's supposed to talk to someone and help calm their fear. Grayson was an expert at it and Grayson had told him that Father had been even better. Damian is...still getting the hang of it.

But it's important, that had been made clear. Important to being Robin.]

Would it...help to talk about your fears, Dipper?

[twinpeak]

[ The question actually catches him off guard. Dipper's posture freezes for a moment, staring briefly before sheepishly averting his eyes toward the floor, rubbing the back of his neck. ]

... Sorry, man. [ It didn't occur to him that perhaps his excessive worrying would be a cause for concern, especially from a stranger. ] I—yeah, I'm not really one of those cool guys who can put on a straight face when they're afraid. Bad habit of mine.

[littlestguano]

There isn't anything wrong with showing fear in a worrying situation. [Not for Dipper anyway, for Damian that would be a horrible weakness, but Damian can do hypocrisy with the best of 'em.]

You've been here a while I presume? [The lack of a reaction to the symbol was a dead giveaway. Either that or he was from some really weird world, but then he doubts Dipper would have been responding like this if that were the case.]

[twinpeak]

[ No... No, there isn't. But he still wishes he could be more like his friends, sometimes—cool, collected, and badass enough to probably make a difference in their awful circumstances. Dipper is definitely too normal teenager for this. (He thinks, for the nth time.) ]

Oh—yeah. [ Look, Audentes is full of murder happy folks. It's whatever at this point, although it is odd that someone who looks so young is among that party. (Is... is he young. Is he being deceived here. Is Damian even human, to ask a better question.) ] Basically forever. Though, uh, I guess I don't look like much of a seasoned veteran, huh?

[ Or act like it... ]

[littlestguano]

[Damian shrugs and shakes his head.]

I believe someone less accustomed to a place like this would have reacted much more strongly. [Nervous pacing isn't exactly the most extreme reaction to being in a space prison after all.]

Are the missions they send us on always so dangerous?