Deep Dweller: Start

[voidtreckermods]

After the dreams some of the voidtreckers report on day Four of Grasshopper those that have been on the train for a little while will be expecting what comes the next day. Their SCA's glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image will appear.

Preparations and Arrival

As promised the dressing carriage is opened for optional extras. There are flight suits, similar to those they wore into space but without the helmets. There are instead hard hats and some basic climbing gear as well as bags to put supplies in. There are even a few red tents if any of those planning on tackling red's mission want to grab one, they hold six people in two inner compartments and are relatively easy to put up and take down.

They have a few hours of preparation before the announcement comes. Soon approaching system #789327772. Planet Terra. Drop order: Orange, Red, Blue, Purple. Orange to doors. Leaving the void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. A sharp jerk, a judder and the view from the window changes from the void to dark cloudy skies and very red sand.

They land smoothly, and indeed it seems they have landed on train tracks. A few moments later they pull up outside a huge metal and glass building.

Orange Team

Arrival

Jumping down from the train they will find themselves outside large metal gates. Noticable is the spotlights that shine even in the day time, reflecting oddly off the red sand. It is hot and dry outside, a slight breeze sending red dust rolling around their feet.

The gates aren't locked. There is no lock though they will notice devices that are probably security cameras. The doors are glass and inside is light and airy. They enter into a large lobby, a large circular desk in the centre and a glass walled waiting room to the side.

It is empty. No people at all. All the lights are on. Time to explore.

Exploration

Going up two floors and down five the lab is large and full of all manner of interesting things. Scientific equipment, monitoring stations measuring chemical levels in the air, temperature, water levels. Where to even start is a good question. The lights remain on, which might be annoying at night.

Red Team

Arrivals

Red team to doors. The train continues travelling along the train tracks, looking out the windows they will see endless rolling red sand. Factories rising up from the ground, dotted across the landscape. As the train gets close the air outside seems hazier, through the fumes. They may even see in the distance, strange silver floating orbs.

Eventually it pulls up at a station. Just a raised block really, but easy enough for red team to disembark.

The land stretches out around them. Train tracks criss cross the surface but apart from that there don't seem to be any boundaries. No fences, roads or sign posts.

It won't take them long to find the first orbs, strange silvery spheres and seem almost liquid, until they are not.

Night Time

It grows dark quickly after sunset here, which might take them by surprise. Taking them more by surprise however may be the scraping, scuttling noises in the dark. Skittering close. There is no light out here on the surface, they are far away from the research facility that Orange found themselves in.

If anyone manages to catch a glimpse they will see grey, long limmbed creatures. They shy away from light but anyone in the dark is likely to be attacked. They fight with claws and teeth.

When the sun rises they are gone.

Blue Team

Arrival

Blue team to doors. The train continues across the landscape, passing more orbs, just floating there silently. It stops at the entrance of a cave.

The cave slopes downwards into darkness and soon turns into small tunnels. They don't need to go far when they meet the first ground of Gry. A group of young Gry, practising with spears in an wider section of cave.

Despite being very surprised at the sudden visitors no weapons are pointed at the voidtreckers, instead they are met with curiosity. They are soon led further into the tunnels and soon come to the living areas.

The Gry lead simple lives but they are all pretty fascinated to see their visitors and will allow them to look around their home and answer any questions they have.

Night Time

Most of the Gry sleep in a large communal sleeping area and the Voidtreckers are welcome to join them, though the Gry won't be insulted if they choose to seek out a more private area.

If the Voidtreckers awake in fear in the night, after strange dreams they will find they are not alone. Many of the Gry have awoken too and will reassure the Voidtreckers, tell them it is an honour to communicate with The Burrower.

Purple

Arrival

Purple team to doors. The train continues on the tracks and soon enters a tunnel itself. It's a bit of a bumpy trip, this train was clearly not made for warren systems but after some uneasy twists and turns they pull to a stop.

They are at a train station, not that it's easy to see because it is pitch black. But it is clear there are people around, some looking very confused at the very odd train.

Once the last of those going on the mission leave the train it speeds off into the darkness.

The Terran's are large and tower over most of the voidtreckers but they are friendly enough, if a little confused, once it is explained that they are here to help. They will be led over towards the collapsed section of city.

There is a lot of activity. People digging at rubble, others using their sheer size and strength to hold up beams. There is an array of rescue equipment and a group of official-looking Terran's holding large devices that are comparable to a tablet-computer and discussing solutions.

There is plenty to do to help, smaller rubble to clear, injured people to tend to. Worried Terran's to calm and reassure. Those brave enough can volunteer to use their smaller size to help get supplies through to those trapped and those with any scientific know how, great strength or magic can put their skills to good use.

Rest Time

Throughout the day people are rescued and other parts of the tunnels stabilised. There is more work to be done but the Terran's seem to be working in shifts and they will encourage their surprise allies to rest as well. They will offer to host them.

They live in large groups and will happily invite the voidtreckers into their homes. They will be curious about the voidtreckers but will also answer questions. Telling them about the strange storm and the collapse of the tunnels. They are urged to sleep early and the next day it will be back to work.

(OOC: Information is here)

Comments

Gerome - Purple Team - OTA

[wyvernmaster]

Mission Prep: There were not many times in Gerome's life where he was uncertain of his actions. Those times stood out as very annoying points in his life. Now was one of those points. He wasn't entirely certain what it was he was meant to be doing, so he just followed.

From observing he realised that he should be changing from one set of strange clothes into another. And given the colour he wore he assumed that meant he would need a corresponding colour. So he grabbed a jumpsuit and took it to a changing room to do just that.

When he left, many minutes later, having had some issue working out just what in the world he was supposed do with the jumpsuit, he was dressed. His mask was, of course, still in place.

"... And now what?"


Arrival: 1: The jolting and jostling was not something that eased the tension in Gerome's stomach. Nerves. Amazing. When was the last time he had been nervous of battle? Not having Minerva or a weapon bothered him greatly.

Eventually the train ceased it's rocking and came to a stop. And Gerome stepped out into darkness. And in that darkness he gave a soft, muttered curse as one leg buckled and he went down to a knee, stumbling on a rock he hadn't seen.

2: Gerome was in no ways a healer. He was a fighter.

So why then, was he moving rocks from one place to another?

There was dust in his hair and on his clothes. His shoulders ached, but he continued to assist with the removal of the rubble from the cave in.

Did he understand why? Not in the slightest. But it was making him feel useful.


Rest time: When the work for the day was done, Gerome was exhausted. They were offered places to rest and he was grateful to accept.

He had energy enough to shuck off his boots and his mask before he dropped down onto his back onto one of large beds they had been offered. The beds were built for strange creatures far larger than himself.

"... This is... not what I expected." He muttered into the darkness.

Re: Gerome - Purple Team - OTA

[laurefindil]

Departure:

Glorfindel smiled at him, in a matching jump suit. "Help me gather these ropes and climbing equipment? We are rescuing people trapped underground, it may come in handy.

[I'd like to carry this on through arrival with you, if that's okay? Glorfindel IS the light source ;)]

Thats fine with me!

[wyvernmaster]

Gerome looked at the man, trying to remember the name he'd been given... He thought he had it as he moved to do as he was bid, gathering ropes and shoving them into a pack for ease of carrying.

It was only when he was looking at the strange metal rings that he remembered the man's name. Glorfindel. A strange name, he would do well to remember it better in future.

[laurefindil]

"Don't worry, the Train stops long enough for a dignified exit," Glorfindel added. This was the newcomers first time and he remembered all the questions he had on his first mission. Admittedly he hadn't asked many either.

He moved out of the way as the Train came to the first stop and Orange disembarked, calling out to a couple of people and wishing them luck.

[wyvernmaster]

Another look, though this one was puzzled behind his mask. A dignified exit? Whatever did that mean? Gerome turned back away so he could finish with his pack and then... seemed genuinely confused with how to close it up.

"Dear Naga, how do you seal this dratted thing...?" He looked but there was no flap, it was just open to the elements and risked everything falling out. It was the least effective pack Gerome had ever seen.

Arrival 1

[sos_pilot]

"Easy there, kid. You okay?"

Getting help from a woman who looked like a duck was... probably not what Gerome was expecting. Hard to say what he had been expecting, though. Any way, she offered a hand, eyebrows raised.

[wyvernmaster]

It was very strange to be offered a... hand? A hand by a woman who was... a duck. Gerome couldn't help stare for a moment before he reached out to accept the hand. Luckily some of his shock was hidden by his mask, so he didn't look too foolish.

Non-human beings were not uncommon for him, he had just never seen her like before now.

"I am... whole, at the least." He brushed off the knees of his outfit of dust he couldn't quite see. "... Thank you."

[sos_pilot]

"Happy to help." She chirped, only letting go when she was sure she was on his feet. "You sure the... costume isn't getting in the way of your sight?"

The mask. She 100% meant the mask.

[wyvernmaster]

"You would think so... But no." Gerome said with a sigh. It wasn't the first time someone had questioned his ability to see with the mask. He had the same range of vision he would have had he been without.

"... I underestimated the terrain. That is all."

Arrival 2

[thebiggestguy]

One good reason, perhaps, was that the work he did helped those who could heal. Such as Dread. Though the Roegadyn looked like he ought to be using his size to haul and lift, healers were in even more precious supply. So he did what was most needed.

As Gerome hauled aside a large chunk of building, Dread spotted a figure within. Lifting his star globe, he channeled aether through it as the cards spun around it, then threw a healing spell onto the fallen person.

[wyvernmaster]

A little warning could have helped. The suddenness of the spell was almost enough for Gerome to drop the chunk back on the person, but he at least had the presence of mind to twist himself and toss the heavy slap of stone and mortar away.

Then he stepped to the side, removing some of the smaller rocks and allowing the other male, the one who had spooked him with the spell, deal with the fallen Terran. Gerome... was not exactly a people person. He had no idea how to handle it other than to demand they get up and out of the way now they'd been healed. And even he knew that would have been rude to say...

[thebiggestguy]

Nothing personal meant -- in the heat of the moment, Dread simply didn't think that other people were unused to this sort of thing. It was common, after all, in Eorzea, and not unheard of on the train.

"How are you doing?" Dread said sidelong to the other man, even as he put his shoulder into moving some rocks so the trapped person could get free.

[wyvernmaster]

Spells and magic were not new to Gerome. However... this kind of magical spell was. And it had been startling to say the least.

He shook himself free of that shock to move and assist, reaching in to help pull the individual free.

"I am well, thank you..." Polite. Respectful. This man was large and it seemed he was also on his side, somewhat? Inigo had insisted he should do well to be polite at the least. So Gerome was making an effort.

Re: Gerome - Preparation

[only_one_wei]

"Good question," Wei Wuxian said. "Guess we wait until someone with more experience tells us what to do?"

[wyvernmaster]

"Oh, it's you..." Gerome remembered him from back in the rain. Somehow... that was reassuring.

"Yes... I suppose we shall." He looked down at the clothing he wore with a frown and tugged at the front of it. "... The armour of this world is lacking."

[only_one_wei]

"You usually get armor?" Wei Wuxian asked. "What are you usually up against?"

[wyvernmaster]

"Back home... Yes."

What was he up against... Now that was a question. "The Risen... and dragons." Or one in particular at the very least.

rest time

[flatteries]

Make that two exhausted people. Or.. well, Inigo is exhausted, but you wouldn't be able to tell from just looking at him. He seems to still have the same excited puppy energy about him as he had this morning during their departure. Even though he's been by Gerome's side the whole day hauling stones around and trying to help people, Inigo smiles as if they had some nice, relaxing beach day.

Granted, part of it is just relief that there seems to be no fighting involved just yet. He may carry the sword with him that he accidentally looted from the other world, but he still can't feel at ease as long as Gerome is walking around weaponless. But they got through a whole day with nothing terrible happening, so.. it's going well so far! And besides, he's with Gerome. On a mission. Sure, it's nothing like the kind of thing they usually do back home, nor are their surroundings like anything they're used to.. but they're together. Working on things. It's so nice and familiar, and exactly what Inigo needed after feeling like his world was falling apart.

You'd think night time would give Gerome some rest from Inigo's seemingly relentless energy, but nope. Here he is. Still. Just.. casually sitting down on the edge of the bed Gerome is lying on and turning his head so he can smile at the other.

"You did so well today though, Gerome! You truly gave it your all, despite it being your first time." He is genuinely proud of the other, okay. No teasing. This time.

.. for now.

"And look at these beds, they're just enormous!"

[wyvernmaster]

Teasing or honesty, it sounded vaguely mocking all the same. Luckily for Inigo, Gerome was much too tired to rise to the bait.

He just kept his eyes closed and gave a noncommittal grunt. Words were hard, okay?

Though the next comment caused Gerome to crack a single eye open.

"Yes. They are. And you should be sleeping." Not keeping him awake with his yammering.

[flatteries]

It says something about either Inigo's unwavering projection of energy and optimistim or about how well Inigo knows the other that the first response being little more than a grunt does absolutely nothing to keep him from rambling on all the same, even though others may have taken it as a sign to get the hell out of there.

But then Gerome speaks up all the same, and Inigo's smile grows just a little wider despite what the other is telling him.

"Aw, come on! We're on some strange new world! We can't just waste our time with sleeping." He says it as if it's not a totally normal and reasonable thing to do..

After a second his expression changes though. The smile doesn't drop, but there's a hint of more genuine concern in it.

"Or did today really wipe you out that badly?"

[wyvernmaster]

"..." Why was he feeling judged here? Was hauling heavy rocks not supposed to have caused his muscle to fatigue? Was he supposed to be better than that somehow? What did Inigo believe he was? Some tireless individual that could go on forever without pause? Perhaps... Given how energetic Inigo sounded, maybe he really was wrong to feel as tired as he was. Gerome wasn't sure how to reply in a way that wasn't to tell Inigo to jump into the nearest pit or to force himself to get back up and return to work to prove he wasn't tired. Which he was. But he was beginning to feel like Inigo was deliberately poking at his pride to get some kind of reaction.

What he did instead was to roll himself on his side and face away from Inigo.

"I don't care about this world, Inigo... This is not my world." He was just doing what was expected of him. Was that not enough? He was still uncertain of his role here after all. He had worked until he'd worn little holes in his gloves and scraped up his hands. He didn't know how more he could have done to please the other man.

Re: Gerome - Purple Team - OTA

[strawberryprotector]

[Arrival 2]

Ichigo heaved a rock up and hauled it over to a pile in an out of the way place. "Hey, I see a big rock I can't get on my own. Can you give me a hand?" He was sure he could cut it down with Zangetsu, but that would just create more work.

[wyvernmaster]

Gerome normally would have ignored the call, believing it was for someone else. But when he turned his head it was to find the man looking right at him. Clearly he couldn't get away with thinking that he was not the subject of the request.

He heaved an inward sigh and picked his way across the fallen rubble toward the man to assist him in lifting the larger rock. Gerome grabbed one end and waited for him to grab the other.

[strawberryprotector]

Ichigo gave Gerome a grateful smile and reached down to get his end. "On three. One, two, three!" He hefted his end of the huge stone up and began shuffling a little to the side where the pile of removed rubble was being placed.

[wyvernmaster]

On three Gerome lifted with a low grunt and moved with the other man, removing the slab of rock from one place to a much safer place out of the way.

He dusted his hands off once they'd set it down, flexing his fingers some.