EVENT ★ LABYRINTH II

[futurologists]

DEEPER Following the marked path near the lake leads Audentes (and George) further into the maze, closer to the goal found at the center. Some other inmates (including Zymandis agent Mavahari) and correctional officers follow along, having picked up on the organized manner of Audentes and figuring it’s their best bet on getting out of here alive. Unlike the dry stone and sand in the outer ring of the maze, this next section is overflowing with flora. Jungle vines cling to the walls to the point where seeing the stone underneath is a difficult task; trees sprout from between cracked tiles, bearing alien-looking fruit; branches and brambles cross certain parts of the maze, and will need to be hacked through unless you want to find another way around. Water is more plentiful now as well, since obviously the plants need it to flourish. For the first time since setting foot in the labyrinth, a rain begins to fall, drizzling and gentle. This can be a respite or an annoyance, depending on how you look at it: while it’s soothing and can make collection of fresh, clean water easier, walking around in wet clothes is probably not that pleasant. Your fellow ALASTAIR recruit George has inexplicably struck up a friendship with the Zymandis agent Mavahari, and they can often be found exploring the maze together, with Mavahari helping him due to his broken arm. They seem to be getting along well enough, but maybe checking in with George is in order. Otherwise, survival is the name of the game; though the center of the labyrinth is closer, it’s impossible to tell how close, and how long to expect to be here. Collecting water is simple enough, but food is growing scarce. The tree fruits may be a good solution, but it seems as though some have unfortunate reactions to them, ranging from stomach cramps to rashes to fever and temporary blindness. But an allergic reaction may just be the least of your worries. LOVE ME LIKE A REPTILE The monsters seen so infrequently in the outer ring of the maze are now a common nuisance. Giant insects and rats scurry about, hungry for whatever flesh they can find, but they’re easily defeated, particularly if encountered as a group. But with new terrain comes new, adaptive animals, and the labyrinth is no different. Lizards are now the main threat: enormous and camouflaged, they stalk their prey and take their time, looking for the perfect opportunity to ambush. The lizards are three-headed, with each head containing fangs dripping with venom, capable of rendering its victims paralyzed within five seconds flat. Their blood is also poisonous, capable of burning through metal, not to mention flesh. If a head is severed, the lizard will retreat back into the jungle, presumably to nurse its wounds but possibly to grow another head -- no lizard will ever be encountered with less than three heads, so it’s possible they have regenerative abilities. The best way to defeat one is to remove all three heads at once, or simply kill it in whatever way possible. The lizards are quick and mean, but not invincible. Now more than ever, it’s important to take care in exploring the maze. Stray too far from the group or try to make it alone, and you might not survive. OOC NOTES Once again, we have a plotting post here and search requests for the next ring of the maze. Please note: during the labyrinth event, all drops are ICly delayed. What this means is that characters who drop will be handwaved to still be around on auto-pilot until connection with Oska is resumed, at which point they will be transferred to a different team as usual. If you have any questions about the labyrinth that aren't answered here, please direct them to the Leramzen dossier. If you have questions for any NPCs, please direct them there as well! 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

[keystaff]

No? You don't get cold?

[She isn't sure if she recalled that he wasn't affected by the cold or heat on top of his whole healing thing or not. For all she knows, he's lying knowing if he said he got cold that she would decline his offer. But regardless, she pulls it further around her as she shifts her head slightly in looking to him.]

[perma_banned]

Nah, I get cold. It just doesn't bother me much. [Having to sleep in the cold on a daily basis as a child kept Ban somewhat hardened to the elements. Just the same, he spent 8 years in a cell without any warmth or even sunlight, so he imagined he could handle a little bit more of it without complaint.]

I'm just used to it, missy.

[keystaff]

Being used to it isn't good though! Doesn't that mean you were cold a lot to need to get used to it?

[That is not necessarily a good thing, Ban. At least, to Sakura, when she actually sits and thinks on the implications there, even as she accepts the offer of warmth from the other.]

[perma_banned]

Kahaha ♪. [Ban had initially paused, finding it strange that he was still stunned by the things Sakura said. He shook his head, smiling at the thought.]

Yeaaah. By now, I shouldn't be surprised. Though, you really don't gotta worry. There's no changing the past for me and it ain't like I'm in any pain.

[keystaff]

Well. Maybe it doesn't hurt and maybe I can't change the past for you, but I can make things more comfortable now.

[By reaching out a smaller, shorter arm in attempt to share the blanket around Ban's shoulder too as she leans in more again. It's something of a compromise at least. Allowing herself to accept this, while also not wanting to entirely deprive him as a result.]

[perma_banned]

[Very few things could prompt Ban to give up. No matter how little he seemed to care for the opinions of others or even the kindness they showed, he didn't seem to have it in him to turn away someone like Sakura. Where there were walls that were rebuilt immediately after being broken for him, he always kept a door unlocked off to the side for them.

Because, it was never the cold nights that kept him awake at night. Even back then, he had someone he could sleep with and keep warm. Ban lost more than warmth when Kilia died.]

...Alright. Just this once. [Even if it was a lie, Ban still felt satisfied pretending it was a favor. He dropped one arm over her shoulder, remembering a few secure, comfortable nights.]

[keystaff]

Good.

[Even if seemingly reluctantly, she could accept this if he allowed her without a fight over sharing. Over curling up together. Once she has that reassurance, it isn't long before her weight rests more against him, head at his shoulder as the blanket shifts down her own shoulder with the movement of her lolling forward slightly. Her fatigue catching up with her, finally now that she feels safer, safe enough to rest properly for the first time in a while since they entered this labyrinth.]