EVENT ▸ RETURN TO HQ

[futurologists]

RETURN TO HQ After a tough mission, it's time to return to Headquarters for a well-earned rest. Hathaway's medics and healers are there to patch up any lingering injuries (as are any teammates with healing abilities!), everyone's room is tidied up for them, and the entirety of Hathaway HQ is ripe for exploring. Take your time -- you earned it. Also sharing downtime at HQ are Guilds Horatio, Montague, and Watchman, composed of humanoids of various shapes and sizes. Temporary pop-up shops down in the promenade include a spa where one can get a manicure, pedicure, or other beautifying procedures; a yoga studio; and an imported salt cave for meditation. After a few days of silent relaxation, members of Guild Ophelia will all receive a text message on their magitek from Imogen -- their Guild Master, if they don't remember. Imogen, while not directly involved in any world-saving affairs, has a rather sizable amount of inheritance that she puts towards the Hathaway cause. Specifically, she uses it to finance Ophelia's endeavors. This sort of makes her in charge, or as much in charge of this rag-tag team as any one person can be. Hello, Ophelia! Once again, allow me to congratulate you on your successful mission in Hanabira. I hear the wedding went smashingly. Hathaway's analysts should rift down someone to check in on your success in several years, but the mathematicians are confident your solution has brought peace to the region. One should never rest on their laurels, however. From what I've seen in magitek messages, this guild is sorely lacking in the ability to work together and trust all guildmates, regardless of who they are. I've spotted more than a few barbs exchanged. Hanabira will be only an exception if you continue to behave this way. We'll be conducting guild bonding exercises today. While they are not mandatory, I assure you I've procured incentive for you all to participate. It isn't cheap to finance your exploits, and I won't spend my resources on a group of ruffians slinging insults at each other. Meet by the memorial fountain in one hour, and do try to bring a positive attitude. Your Guild Master, Imogen Those who choose to participate will find Imogen, a very prim and graceful elf dressed in elaborately embroidered robes, standing near the fountain. She greets everyone by name -- "nice to see you" and "glad you could make it" -- before directing them to the training rooms on the upper deck. The training rooms include run-of-the-mill exercise equipment and the training simulation room, both of which are free to use by participants and non-participants alike. A tall, strong-looking man whom some may recognize as their recruiter is making use of the equipment. His name is Khalef, and he is happy to answer questions about the training facilities or anything else about Hathaway. Between exercises, Imogen is available at the memorial fountain to chat but she's otherwise busy with paperwork. ▸ SECRETS Two partners sit in a room furnished only with two (very comfy, if it matters) chairs and a table between them. On the table sits -- floats, really -- a colorful orb, softly glowing. It is comfortably warm to the touch. The instructions automatically flash across the participants' magitek, thanking them for participating and asking them both to answer the following questions with complete honesty to gain the most from this exercise. Then, the first question pops up: What is something you like about your exercise partner? It seems simple enough. If a participant tells the truth, they will notice the orb's glow brightening, almost as if it is starting to flame. If a participant lies, they will notice the orb's glow dimming. Otherwise, there is no penalty for lying. The questions slowly get more personal, with the aim of getting the two partners to open up to each other: If a crystal ball could tell you the future, what would you want to know? What’s the one thing you would like to change about yourself? What are you most proud of accomplishing? What do you think existed before the universe was created? What do you think is the worst crime a human could commit? Do you think jealousy has value in driving people to improve themselves, or is it a purely negative emotion? If you could start your life over, what would you do differently? If you were given only one week to live, how would you spend it? Who had the greatest impact on your life? What was it? What’s the difference between justice and revenge? Is it possible to live a normal life and not ever tell a lie? Do the ends justify the means? Are some people’s lives worth more than others? Why or why not? Complete this sentence: "I wish I had someone with whom I could share..." If a loved one died, but someone created a perfect copy, would they be the same person and would you love them just as much? If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know. ( Mod note: the above are just ideas! You can pick and choose, or come up with your own. Whatever is most fun for you! ) If the two partners truthfully answer their questions, the orb will eventually catch fire, although it will curiously still remain only pleasantly warm if anyone attempts to touch it. It will blaze until it burns out, leaving two small marble replicas in its place. When one of the partners grasps it in their hand, they will be able to see through the other partner's eyes for one minute (although they will not be aware of their own surroundings, so you might want to be in a safe area). The other partner will be aware of this and able to sever the link by removing the marble from their person. These items are bound to their owners and cannot be used by others. If one or both partners lie, the orb will eventually fizzle out entirely, and the magitek will inform them that the exercise was failed due to deceit. ▸ RIFTING Next, guild members are directed to the rifting pad located on the upper deck. Technicians scurry about in the rifting area, spinning dials and taking readings, as volunteers are directed to stand on the rifting pad and wait. It's just like rifting to a different universe for a mission -- the world goes bright and then, in a flash, you're standing somewhere else -- except the technicians emphatically explain this is not a mission. It's still part of the training exercise, you see! Participants have been rifted to an unpopulated garden planet, in the middle of a forest clearing. The grass is tall -- nearly 150 cm in height -- and is surrounded on all sides by forest. A notice pops up on your magitek that informs you there is no aggressive local wildlife, but there are aggressive plants: including, unfortunately, your goal for this part of the exercise. Spread throughout the forest are aggressive willow trees, sentient flora that will lash out with sharp, clawlike branches at anyone who comes too close. The branches have incredible reach, but the trees have no other defense, and are rooted to the spot so they are also unable to maneuver. The goal of the exercise is to gather as many willow seeds as possible, ostensibly without hurting the trees themselves. Willow seeds are around the size of a small marble and have a fluffy attachment that will allow them to blow away on the wind; you can scour the forest in search of them, of course, but the highest concentration is below the willows themselves. Once participants feel they have gathered enough seeds -- or if they simply want to give up -- they need only speak to the rift technicians via magitek and they will return back to Headquarters immediately. The participants will each receive a pot of soil and a seed to plant within it. The plant that sprouts from it will be no ordinary plant; it will require no water to sustain itself, but it will require something else: friendship. As the relationship between the two participants strengthens, the plant will grow, its appearance representing how the other participant feels about the plant owner -- pink and red blooms may represent romantic love, whereas bright, multi-colored petals may simply represent a strong friendship or budding blooms may represent... well, a budding friendship. (Of course, there's no "flower guide", so it's up to them to decide how to interpret this.) As the relationship weakens, the plant will wilt and, if the relationship turns sour enough, die. So take care of your relationship and take care of your plant! ▸ COMPOSURE This exercise completed, participants are free to return to the first deck and go about their business. But on the elevator back down from the rifting pad, the elevator suddenly jerks violently and then stalls. You're stuck! The emergency button doesn't seem to be working, no matter how many times you press it. And for that matter, no messages seem to be going through the magitek, either. You're effectively trapped in here with whomever you stepped aboard -- a friend, an acquaintance, or even a stranger. But don't panic -- surely Hathaway hired you for your ingenuity and not just your pretty face, right? The elevator can be broken out of in a number of ways: If you brute strength the doors open, you'll find that the elevator is stuck halfway between floors. This means that you must either climb up or down to escape the narrow opening, and, if your partner isn't the athletic type, help them out as well. If you hack the elevator's control panel (prying the panel door off first, obviously), you may be able to guide it up and down the shaft. Depending on your expertise in this sort of thing, the ride may be jerky and uncomfortable, and there's always a risk of the elevator plummeting down to the bottom if you lose control -- although strangely, there's never any impact if this happens, only the elevator springing back up the shaft after the fall. Either way, you should be able to figure out how to get the doors open. If you open the access hatch at the top of the elevator, you'll be granted access to the elevator shaft. It's a dimly lit tunnel of cables and wires, and unless you're lucky enough to find a service ladder in the midst of all of it, you'll have to use the cables to climb. It's dangerous -- you could lose your footing at any moment and slam back down onto the elevator below -- but you should be able to find a door eventually. And then it's only a matter of figuring out how to get it open. Or you could try a combination of these, or something entirely different! No matter what method you choose, once you find your way onto solid ground, your magitek will light up: Congratulations! You passed the final exercise. Rest assured, you were never in any real danger, I promise! Your Guild Master, Imogen Indeed, if you found yourself falling too far down the shaft, you would have found yourself instantly buffeted by invisible winds to keep your landing soft -- and if you found yourself unable to find a way to escape within two hours, the elevator would automatically start up again. Those who succeed will receive a flashlight that does not seem to work at first; however, it is capable of taking and storing light from its immediate surroundings, which it can then release into similar light sources or, in the absence of those, floating orbs of light. It is incapable of taking light out of an entire building, for an example, but can darken a room. ▸ OOC NOTES If you have questions about this log, please direct them to this comment on the plotting post. Questions about the game in general can be directed to the FAQ. ▸ Up now: Hanabira Bounty Board is still open! Bounties must be turned in by the start of the next mission on 15 April. Congratulations, Guild Ophelia now has an official uniform! The uniforms may be modified in any way characters like. The FAQ and Headquarters pages have been updated to include the uniform information. ▸ Coming next: 25 March: Mandatory How's My Driving meme. Participation is required to pass March AC. 28 March: April calendar, including news about apps. 01 April: March AC begins, ending on 5 April 23:59 UTC. ▸ Plotting ▸ Hathaway Headquarters ▸ Hanabira Bounty Board ▸ March Calendar

Comments

i.

[hothead]

[ This was a mistake.

Bakugo sits through the rambling in a way that's distinctly more sulky than it is patient, waiting for the guy to finally answer the damn question — and then he doesn't, and Bakugo's half tempted to throw the orb in his face.

But annoying or not, he's still a teammate. Between the chastising PSA from earlier and the inevitable judgment from Aizawa, he trades in outright violence for a slightly petty: ]

Nothing. He's a jackass.

[ He does kind of like that Rhys finally stopped talking, but that seems like a technicality. ]

feel the fire!

[hothead]

[ Bakugo isn't nervous. He looks annoyed and impatient, leaning back in his chair and reluctantly splitting his focus between the strange orb and the guy who takes a seat across from him. ]

I don't care.

[ Which is true, but passive isn't really his default setting. After a short beat: ]

I don't know him.

[ That's the most honest answer the orb's going to get. If coming up with one thing he likes feels like a stretch, then it's basically a lie. ]

[hothead]

[ Bakugo isn't sure why he thought the questions would stay surface level, external, but that delusion's been firmly shattered just two questions in. He stiffens slightly in his seat as text flashes across the magitek.

He waits a few seconds for Bortz to take the initiative, and when it seems like he won't — Bakugo hesitates, second guessing his answer. He knows what others would say. Arrogant, violent, too competitive. But the question's for him, not them. ]

I'm too weak. [ Weak enough to get captured, weak enough to need help. There's an embarrassed edge to his clipped tone, and he's quick to turn the question back on his partner. ] Answer the damn thing, already.

[abortz]

[Bortz's stare lingers on Bakugo for a moment, but the only reaction they give to his answer and apparently embarassment is a simple nod. It's a pretty good answer, as far as they're concerned; one has to be conscious of their own weaknesses if they want to get stronger. Being self-aware is better than the alternative.

They absently finger their magitek necklace -- a pristine, clear diamond, because of fucking course it would be -- staring down at question with an expression that looks nearly lethal.]

...I always say the wrong thing.

[conqueress]

[ She knows the message was not intended for her, trying (and in some cases, succeeding) as she had to mediate the conflicts at Doro's table. Nevertheless, Dany had frowned in annoyance upon receiving it. She has been too long a queen to gracefully tolerate a chiding tone.

Tolerate it she must, however, if she is to gain her protection--and ultimately, her army. She has never filed papers herself, her latest experience in sums found in counting enemies or in tallying data for Sieglinde, but she is the blood of the dragon. She can learn to file, however much it is the duty of a seneschal. ]

I cannot stay long, [ she says pleasantly, ] but I have a dragon's eye for letters, and quick hands, as well.

[ And questions, and curiosity. Because of course. ]

daenerys targaryen | asoiaf | ota

[conqueress]

a. truth and flare (works best with someone she doesn't know!)

[ The moment Dany learns of the orbs' purpose, she wishes to leave. But the partner she's been assigned seems so earnestly determined to participate that she sighs and rearranges her hands in her lap.

What is something you like about your exercise partner? She composes her face into a smile. ]

That you seek to improve your understanding of our guild. Many would not have come.

[ Sorry, buddy! It's weak, but she doesn't know you, so it's the best she can offer as yet. The orb flares softly in answer. ]

b. whomping willows (works with anyone)

[ More surprises. This time, it seems, with vicious trees. Wryly, the queen reminds herself that she had been curious.

It quickly becomes apparent how far-reaching these trees are. Before she can observe them long enough to come up with some inevitable strategies, one branch cracks before her face, sending her stepping backward and nearly losing her footing upon the ground in her haste. She fumbles and reaches for the closest Ophelian to steady herself. ]

My apologies, [ she manages to gasp out, sliding back into her queenly composure to right herself as quickly as humanly possible. At least she'll have some ideas; just give her a moment. ]

c. claustrophobia (works with anyone)

[ Of course the elevator stops.

For the second time running through the training exercise gauntlet, Dany nearly loses her footing--but thankfully, there is a little railing protruding from the steel wall she was standing by. She grasps it the instant their box begins to shudder, her knuckles turning white as it halts. Without a word, she turns to examine the panel of buttons, one of them red and labeled EMERGENCY. That seems urgent, and so she presses it, hopeful that it will do something--forcefully open the doors, perhaps.

(Nothing happens.) ]

Oh, [ she says, her face falling in disappointment. In a girlish way, she finds pleasure in making technological advancements work for her. This is the first time it has not. ]

[tenthousandmiles]

[Ginko is no Tanyuu when it comes to paperwork--he certainly cannot memorize and reproduce volumes upon volumes--but he is patient and diligent, and thus pleasant enough to work alongside.

At one lull in the work, he turns to her, and asks--]

If you have a spare moment, after this, I had a couple of questions I was hoping to get the chance to ask.

Hayame | Jinba | OTA

[kisha]

０１ ↣ 引き籠る ↣ QUARTERS;

[Hayame does not like Headquarters. Does not like the deep black scattered with tiny dots of light through which they sail, cannot catch her breath or feel anything like comfort anywhere near a viewing window, no matter that this is no longer her first time. Their time in the Leramzen prison had been more than enough to cement her distaste (fear) of space.

She had found something, their last time aboard, that had allowed her to momentarily forget it all. Someone who had said we'll neither of us be alone so long as the other is here, one of the few people she had allowed into her cautious and closed off world... and now, he is gone. Like her lord before him.

For the duration of their stay aboard, the only place Hayame can be reliably found is in her quarters.]

０２ ↣ 美容法 ↣ SPA DAY;

[But she has to go out sometimes. So while the rest of the group is participating in their ridiculous "bonding exercises"... Hayame is at the spa, seated on a long dais with hooves hanging the edge in better reach of the attendant currently buffing her newly filed hooves, another in the process of trying to oil her mane and tail. A somewhat daunting task, when unbound her hair is a good five feet long, currently hanging loose about both her pairs of shoulders as the alien woman struggles instead with her long tail.

At the sight of another recruit, whether it is another playing hooky from their ridiculous trust exercises or someone who has already finished theirs already... she doesn't have to actually speak for the message to be clear. Say something about my absence, I dare you.

A message only slightly ruined by a wince as the attendant behind her snags a delicate comb in her tail.]

０３ ↣ 運動 ↣ GYM;

[Sparring physically against a human isn't exactly fair sport... but Hayame wants to hurt something. The desire doesn't win against her sense of honor, at least, but there's a training room, and once the nonsense bonding is over, this centaur hits the gym.

Hits the gym a little too hard, if the sheen of sweat lathering on her flanks and dripping off her hocks is any indication, having found an alien from one of the other teams to spar hand to hand with until they end up moving on and Hayame is left in the middle of the ring, both sets of lungs heaving in a pant as she shoves her hair out of her face, looking about for another sparring partner.]

０４ ↣ 鬼札を引く ↣ WILDCARD

[If there's several replies already to one starter, or you'd like a different prompt, just hit me up via comment or at stormcoming for a custom starter!]

Secret

[ceruleo]

[ Lance isn't nervous about these trust exercises, exactly, having shared headspace with four other Paladins before. But he is feeling a little raw in light of how Hanabira ended for him, even though he isn't the type to stay closed-off for very long.

When he sees he's been paired with Jason, he offers the other man an earnest grin as he takes his seat. ]

Yeah, sure, I'll go. This guy, [ he tells the orb conversationally, ] seems pretty responsible--the kind of teammate you feel like you can rely on.

[ The orb glows a little brighter, because it's true. ]

c.

[dailydouble]

[ Not even an elevator suddenly coming to a stop can make Ahad lose his footing. The inconvenience of the moment makes him sigh, but only in a mild way. It's not as if a stopped elevator is generally a problem for him.

He'll wait as Dany attempts the emergency button, then nearly smiles at her change in tone. It's not often that he hears her so disappointed over such a little thing. ]

A moment, and I will have us out of here.

[ ...but the moment passes.

Nothing happens, except that his expression deepens into a frown. ] This...is unusual.

[ceruleo]

[ Lance gestures emphatically, even as he's leading the way into the costume store. In fact, he picks up the vampire cape as a prop. ]

You know, the trans...transylvian? Transylvanian? Yeah that's it. Accent. I vhant to suck your blahd! [ He sure just did the cape swoosh. ] Like that.

[ He looks so hopeful. Surely you don't want to crush a young man's dreams, would you Alucard? ]

Secrets

[catphishing]

[Oliver laughs. The question isn't that bad. At least, not so long as your partner's someone you get along with.]

Come on. You can't think anything that bad.

[He hopes.]

2

[catphishing]

[Oliver gives him a funny look, not convinced that would help much even if they did have one.]

I think the trees would break a net pretty easily.

[On the other hand, a net is far more dispensable.]

[ceruleo]

[ Lance's partner seems--younger than him, in attitude if not in age, armed with that spiky carapace of aggression that lets Lance know he's in for a rough time.

Normally, Lance is pretty patient. But right now his fuse is pretty short. He leans back a little in the chair, crossing his legs, figuring he'll get comfortable. ]

I'm Lance, [ it's said in lieu of a proper introduction, though he does offer the guy a more earnest smile, ] and you're...Katsuki, right? [ He doesn't want to try the last name because he's pretty certain he'd get that wrong, he went over the files like, once. Whatever was actually in Katsuki Bakugo's file is completely out of his memory by now. ] I like your hair.

[ The orb flares just a little bit brighter. See, that wasn't so hard, Lance's expression seems to say. ]

Sieglinde Sullivan ⚗ Kuroshitsuji ⚗ OTA

[grunehexe]

01 ⚗ BONDING EXERCISES ⚗ SECRETS

[Well, this could be interesting. The chair is a bit large, or rather, Sieglinde is still so petite that it dwarfs her, small, oddly arched feet hanging off the edge as she makes herself comfortable. The first several questions are quite easy, but as they begin to get more philosophical, a bit more intimate... her fingers twisting somewhat anxiously in her lap as she smiles nervously.

Who had the greatest impact on your life? What was it?]

... after you.

02 ⚗ BONDING EXERCISES ⚗ RIFTING

[Now plants she can handle. In fact, it's rather fascinating, and she is keen to get started on finding a way to get to those willow seeds... the problem is... the grass... is too... high...

Leaving Sieglinde just after the rift completely swallowed up by tall flora, not even her horned hennin headdress visible over the grass wafting in the wind, cheeks puffing up in frustration.]

If you would not mind...

[She could use a ride.]

03 ⚗ BIRTHDAY BASH

[If you responded to Sieglinde's invitation and stop by her quarters, you will find a very charming party. At least- there is the makings of a party in between all of Sieglinde's stuff. She uses her bedroom more as a laboratory than a living space, but in between magic tomes and beakers and half-finished experiments, there's food, there's drink, there's fresh cookies, there's a few presents on a table, there's a large skull-faced canine gnawing on a bloody bone under said table...

And a tiny Green Witch, who pops out of the small crowd in a whirl of new dress and smiles, dipping into a small curtsy in greeting.]

Welcome, welcome- do come in! I am glad you have decided to join us.

[justbeingknife]

You're right about that.

[ Majima smiled. He liked Oliver, and he could just leave it at that, but -- ]

Anyway, you're a pretty good dude. Connor told me ya do some hacking on the side, but I figure it was for a good cause.

A lotta people freeze up or run when they're in a dangerous situation. Not doggin' on 'em for it; it's just the truth. But you stood yer ground, even against opponents a lot bigger'n meaner than you. So color me impressed.

I figure you make people proud and worry the hell out of 'em at the same time.

[justbeingknife]

[ This was something of a difficult question, with many different answers. Murder? Destroying someone's life? Killing someone would probably be the standard answer here, but next to some fates, getting offed would be a mercy.

He'd just have to give his own personal answer, and trust that that would be enough. ]

Betrayal.

Is it possible to live a normal life and not ever tell a lie?

[ Majima narrowed his eye ever so slightly. ]

Not where I'm from.

[sololoquy]

[The first thing Kylo Ren had done was to get his hands properly seen to -- healing with a less technologically advanced world was a new experience for him, one he wasn't eager to repeat if only for that problem alone.

Needless to say, the very next place he went was the training room, though he is slowed by Khalef's presence when he enters. He recognizes him at a distance.]

No more new recruits?

[He's not really disappointed about that. Less people to argue with at the end of the day. But that doesn't make him any less curious. He asks the question while moving toward a sandbag.]

feel the fire

[eyedrop]

[ Sure, he'll start. He actually has a concise answer for this particular person, anyway, so that makes the exercise immediately more tolerable. ]

He's a good shot.

[ The orb brightens, naturally. Aizawa isn't the kind to mince words, whether it's praise or criticism.

Plus, sharp eye that he is, he can tell that Lance is a little anxious. ]

[futurologists]

I've met a fair few in my time here. Most seem kind, if not a bit... scraggly.

[But kind nonetheless.]

Why do you ask? Would you like me to ask about your payment? It's a bit gauche, but I suppose I could.

[futurologists]

They give us some information, but we've a wonderful group here who research the worlds you're sent to before the drop-off. The information in the dossiers is compiled by them. Of course, I review them before sending. I wouldn't want any sloppy work.

[She nods once. Only the best for Ophelia.]

They're all a bit pale and skinny, but I suppose that's to be expected. Truly, they're basement-dwelling angels.

[futurologists]

[Slowly, as if he is a small child:] That is the meaning of the word 'solar', yes.

Was there something you wanted to ask, or did you come to talk currency?

[hackedhistory]

No! No, no, no.

[That isn't what she's trying to do at all. She just knows that this situation is tricky and she doesn't want to be spending this time away from her team and away from her real end goals without making sure that they're going to follow through on their end. Trust is still a fairly dubious concept but she's trying to have faith.

And maybe if she actually follows through and gets the information they need on Mallus, Sara will stop treating her like she constantly needs a chaperone.]

I just wanted to know if you considered them trustworthy.

[Kindness only gets you so far - kindness isn't always a promise of trust. And trusting other people to do for her what she should be doing for herself is ... hard, to say the least.]

[futurologists]

[Imogen smiles, her eyes brightening.]

Queen Daenerys. [She has been practicing the pronunciation.] I recognize you from your file. I would gladly take your help. Take a seat, if you'd like. I do hope Hanabira wasn't too trying. I'd hoped for a gentler pioneer mission for Ophelia, but it seems it turned a tad sour near the end, at least among the guild.

[futurologists]

[Imogen stops what she's doing, folding her hands in her lap primly and turning to face him.]

Of course. What would you like to ask?