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epidemiology2018-02-17 04:33 am
futurologists) wrote in epidemiology2018-02-17 04:33 am
Entry tags:
- ! plot,
- aloy (horizon zero dawn),
- bellamy blake (the 100),
- daenerys targaryen (asoiaf),
- fiona (borderlands),
- giovanni (dogs: bullets & carnage),
- hayame (jinba),
- jason grace (camp half-blood chronicles),
- jin kung (mortal kombat),
- keith (voltron),
- khada jhin (league of legends),
- laphicet (tales of berseria),
- lucina (fire emblem: awakening),
- rey (star wars),
- rhys (borderlands),
- scott summers (marvel comics),
- shouta aizawa (my hero academia),
- simon jarrett (soma),
- veronica lodge (riverdale),
- wylan van eck (grishaverse),
- yusuke urameshi (yu yu hakusho)
EVENT ▸ DIPLOMACY
DIPLOMACY  As the skirmishes between wandering Mountain and Sea Clan groups continue in the Flowerlands, by this point enough attackers have been interrogated by Guild Ophelia to paint a compelling picture of unorganized chaos. Each time a skirmish is interrupted, both sides blame the other for starting the impromptu fight, claiming no knowledge of or participation in an organized cabal; the conflicts are entirely coincidental, they say, just a situation where enemies clash in neutral territory. The Flowerlands are suffering, crops trampled and livestock traumatized, and more and more Mountain and Sea Clan people are terrified to leave their cities, lest they be set upon by warriors from the opposing clan. Under this type of political strain, Hanabira threatens to erupt into full-out civil war at any moment, with or without the sanction of the empresses. Two weeks after Ophelia's arrival in the Empire of the Crashing Wave, Doro sends word: Empress Nama and Empress Youmi have agreed to meet and discuss the term of an alliance. Doro's castle will serve as a meeting place, but the difficult part is bringing the empresses there safely. You foreigners have already proven yourselves to be capable and invested in seeing the conflict to a peaceful conclusion, so Doro contracts Ophelia to act as escorts and guards. This might just be the perfect opportunity to whisper proposed solutions to advisors or, if you're lucky, to the empresses themselves. ▸ THE RETINUE Ophelia has a few different options if they choose to take Doro's contract: escort Nama or escort Youmi and/or guard the Flowerlands castle.  It's a week's worth of travel to return to the Land of Celestial Mountains from the Empire of the Crashing Wave, so the sooner Ophelia starts out, the better. Skirmishes between clans still dot the forests and farms of the Flowerlands, and each time the retinue encounters one, they must decide if they have the time to interfere or if they must push on. After all, the longer there is no peace in Hanabira, the more dire the situation becomes. When the group finally reaches the Land of Celestial Mountains, they'll find that the entire city is locked down. Guards bar the gates, but upon seeing Doro's seal, they'll let the guild members inside and explain the situation: Mountain Clan rebels have stormed Heavenly Summit, cutting a large swath through the castle. Much of Nama's court and guards lay dead inside, with the rebels holding the remainder hostage -- including Empress Nama herself -- unless war is declared against the Sea Clan. The city guards are afraid to approach, worried that this will only anger the rebels further and cause Nama's death, and have directed all townsfolk to stay in their homes until the situation has been resolved. The guards caution Ophelia not to try any rescue efforts themselves, and instead ask them to either find a building to barricade themselves in or leave the city. Of course, it's not like they're keeping a close watch on everyone. Those who choose to slip into Heavenly Summit Castle will find guards surrounding it, trying to stop anyone from coming in as well as keeping arrows trained on all windows in case a rebel shows her face. Stealth is the name of the game, or at least enough brute strength to knock a guard out in one blow before she sounds the alarm. Inside the castle, rebels stalk the halls of every floor, masked in the green color of the Mountain Clan. Some are heavily armored and some only wear peasants' clothes, carrying farmers' sickles; it seems as though the attack on the castle was planned very quickly, too quickly to evenly distribute armor and weapons. There are corpses left where they were killed, with splashes of bright red blood beside them; there are hostages huddled in the corners of rooms, wide-eyed but silent at the sight of foreigners ostensibly here to save them; and, in the heavily-guarded throne room, Empress Nama herself. Fight through the rebel guards with Nama's help, or find a back door and snatch her up before the rebels notice. Either way, once Ophelia lays eyes on her, the magitek will project words in front of them that only they can see: » EMPRESS NAMANama doesn't ask questions, recognizing the foreigners of Ophelia as those who were meddling after the festival attack and trusting they're here to help her escape. Longbow in hand, she leads the group through secret passageways in the castle, insisting they rescue the nobility on the way out. From there, Nama suggests stealthily escaping the castle and quickly riding out of the city to the safety of Doro's castle, unsure who she can still trust in her own empire. With Empress Nama and her surviving courtiers added to the retinue, it's time to ride back to the Flowerlands -- and hope you aren't chased by rebels along the way.  It takes half a week to travel from the Empire of the Crashing Wave to Doro's castle in the Flowerlands. Youmi and two advisors ride in a carriage, with an entourage of royal guards on horseback in front and behind; those in Ophelia who choose to escort this group will either be on foot or must find a mount themselves. The journey is peaceful, allowing for time to make camp by forested hot springs and in farmhouses (in which case Ophelia might need to sleep outside, depending on the size) along the way. The Sea Clan guards are open to idle chatter with the foreigners, curiously discussing cultural differences and indulging in quick lessons in archery. Everything seems to be going smoothly until the entourage enters Flowerlands territory and is confronted by a winged spirit of the forest, angered by all the recent bloodshed in his home. There is no time to talk; the spirit does not wish to negotiate, only to stop the crew from moving any further into his territory by any means possible.  Once he is finally defeated, his spell on the forest animals is broken, and even the most aggressive of them scatter. His feathers are black, but up close, seem iridescent in the light, differentiating them from a common bird's. Youmi's guards suggest everyone take a feather to prove they felled a legendary beast. GUARD ▸ FLOWERLANDS CASTLE. Until the empresses and their escorts arrive, it's very uneventful at Doro's castle. It's a smart idea to keep an eye out in case someone hears about the summit and tries to interfere, but so far, things seem to be peaceful. Take the time to bolster defenses, relieve a guildmate of guard duty, or explore the castle. ▸ THE SUMMIT Youmi and her entourage reach Doro's castle first, her royal guards immediately making a sweep of the castle and the grounds to ensure there is no danger lying in wait. Once the castle is cleared, Doro and Youmi disappear into a guarded room to begin discussions. Youmi's advisors are left out of this initial meeting, making now the perfect time to start some discussions of your own. Days later, Nama's retinue arrives, and Doro and Youmi (and the rest of her entourage) meet her at the castle gates. The two empresses step cautiously forward to meet each other, bowing politely. Moments later, Doro steps forward to gather Nama into a hug, which she gladly returns, giggling like the young girl she is. She's had a rough time, which she quickly explains to Doro, and asks if she can first have a bath and a moment to breathe. Doro and Youmi are more than willing to give it to her after hearing her experience. Doro tells Ophelia they have their run of the castle until dinner tonight, when Doro, Youmi, and Nama will all be together in the same room with the team. Sounds like the perfect time to propose a plan, so you'd better finish up discussions about what to do! There's a bit of a time limit. ▸ OOC NOTES If you have questions about this log or the overall mission, please ask them on the dossier. Questions about Futurology in general should be directed to the FAQ. ▸ Up now:
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no subject
It's an unattractive sound, the popping of bones from their proper places, but it's one she's become... somewhat used to, after some of the autopsies she's performed along the way to understand other species they've encountered. The Nalawins. The Qorral. The taraxa... though they hadn't had bones.
So she compartmentalizes it like she always did, ignoring the unpleasant sound and blood and bits, following and pulling Masamune's dagger from her sash to begin carefully excising the heart.]
It might be easier to try and wash up than to pass off this much of it.
[As anything but wading in dead forest spirit, anyway.]
no subject
As opposed to this grim, unpleasant affair, which holds some new knowledge to it. Urahara was curious about the "spirits" in this land, and none of them have been very talkative.]
We've been so occupied, preventing a civil war, I haven't even stopped to think about these creatures or the ogres and imps. I suppose they're all just a natural part of the scenery, but they're still curious.
no subject
I did find it curious that we were told to avoid using our own powers when this world has a variety of what most people consider "magical creatures"...
[Sieglinde pauses for a moment to work her blade through the thick aorta, biting on her bottom lip.]
Admittedly, I suppose they do not use magic directly, but...
no subject
Which is a bit funny, considering. [At least he can laugh about it. While wrist deep in the chest cavity of a spirit and/or demon.]
no subject
[The air quotes are almost palpable, clearing the rest of the veins and leaning down to gently wrap her hands around the heart, lift it just barely (using her... full strength...) and trying to wobble there in place while the remaining blood drains from the organ.]
I suppose we will just try and follow the rules...
[Sigh.]
no subject
The fact that this is all instinctual- happening without him having to think about it as he prattles on- is kind of comforting. As much as he goes against the grain, that feeling of rapport with people where you can just fall into place without much discussion is a thing he craves, and only gets with so many people.]
And for a second mission, it's been pretty breezy. After the last several with ALASTAIR were so harrowing, I was concerned we'd be in for more of the same. Worth it for the perks, of course, but no less frustrating.
no subject
[And also appreciated, the fact that he just gets it, that she doesn't have to justify herself or explain what she's doing... but that's always been the best thing about Urahara.
He understood. Even when that meant holding a tengu heart in the middle of a forest with blood getting all over her shoes.]
I certainly would prefer if things carried on at this pace... if it becomes more dangerous...
[She shakes the heart a bit, biting on her lip in concentration.]
I would have to reconsider.
[Because as much as she wants to learn, to know, to see... she can't risk dying when she has duties back in her own world, and no pressure to remain and inability to return home that had kept her in ALASTAIR.]
no subject
Well, I can't allow that, as selfish as that may sound. [He smirks, still looking down.] If things become too dangerous, I'll just have to make sure to keep you safe as much as I can.
[Sentimentality, but spoken in a way that sounds like it's unmitigated Fact.]
no subject
[She replies to that part automatically, addressing SuLIN, the sin she had spent her life committing, the last of her experimental batch used on the Zymandis mothership to kill Doctor Mills.
Urahara had been there, too. Since Perdition's Rest... he's been there.
And the rest registers a beat late, half missed, and she blinks, squeezing the heart with her thin arms to get the last of the blood out.]
- what now?
no subject
I said I won't let anything happen to you, Sieglinde-san. [Still speaking as if it were fact, even more decisive now.] I'll do whatever is in my power to make certain you can return home and right the wrongs that you're carrying with you, so you can have a little bit more adventure here with us. I think there's a lot more you can do here, and it would be a very different group without you.
[He tilts his head up, the light catching his eyes- tired and gray where even a cheerful smile can't quite reach them due to time and suffering.] That's all.
no subject
Sieglinde pauses in her work, (quite unusual, she’d a very skilled multitasker), the heart suddenly very heavy in her arms. Heavier than... a heart the size of a human toddler already was, anyway, the last of its lifeblood staining her leather apron and shoes. ... She had a spell for washing, it was fine.
For a moment, she thinks of Wolfram, who had sworn his life to her service and betrayed her- betrayed again for her, and got shot for his efforts. She thinks of Masamune, delirious with fever as she struggled to purge the infection from his arm and save the limb. She thinks of Gilgamesh, and the way his blood had splashed against the stone castle walls. She thinks of Graham, his false heartbeat slowing as the magic drained from the world around them. She thinks of Achilles, and the way he had howled like a man dying over Patroclus’ corpse. She thinks of Haise, and Ban, and too many she has put her trust in over the years, too many who had been injured for her sake, or who had left her behind. To keep trusting, to keep hoping...
Tremulously, she smiles.]
If I did not know better, Urahara, I would think you were quite partial to me.
[But though it’s easy to imagine Sieglinde saying that with a tease, a blush... there’s none of that. Despite his power, his spiritual energy, all things that she normally selected for when choosing targets for her future heir’s father... she’d never really thought of Urahara that way. Strange.]
no subject
He adopts strays. He mentors people. He pretends to be aloof, but his heart is a lot bigger than it seems, burdened with all the things and people he can't fix. He is an unfit Avalokiteśvara and Sieglinde is another wanderer that has crossed his path, but she's so much like him, and yet so different.]
I think everyone you meet is just a little bit partial to you. It's just a part of you- you inspire people. [But that is not an answer, and she has always earned more than deflection.] But we're quite the same, you and I, and that's not something we can share with anyone else. And, more importantly, we both know how lonely it can be.
no subject
Slowly, she remembers how to move, clutching the heart tighter and moving slowly to wade out of the corpse and over to where she's laid out other organs to dry, setting it down with a soft oomph. Buying time, until she straightens back up and pull a bloodied glove off one hand in order to push her long hair back out of her face.]
... that is true.
[The rest. That they were the same. That they know that loneliness... and that to her, Urahara had soothed some of that loneliness, in his time. Recently... more than usual, filling the hole others had left behind.]
I suppose in light of this... I would gladly accept your protection.
[And his company. And his esteem. And his heart.]