voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2021-09-16 05:59 am

Wings of Wonder: Ongoing

"We do not apologise for acting to protect our own. But Hemla has given you their trust, and we will pay back on the debt of any harm given.

You say you are here to help - then do. We will lend out resources needed, but expect to see results. Help at the farm, help us investigate - help in whatever way your talents provide.

'Give, get back' -- this is the way of our people. Every person has a purpose, a place, a skill. In return, speak to us your cost.

If you truly have the power to help, then you will be respected. We would expect the same rules to be applied to us."
Despite rough beginnings, relations between the Voidtreckers and the sali people are neutral. They do not fully trust the Voidtreckers, will not allow mindless entry into the East village (Nossofh as they call it -- 'Home'), and visits inside the commune building in the South will be limited. However, appointments with the sage can be made for those who have some skill with crystals, magics, and energies. Those who have spoken with the Forever One on the arrival island may also be granted access, if they wish to speak.

They will have tasks for the Voidtreckers to do, jobs that are necessary. Sali will be doing the same, and will be working within the same spaces at them. They will not stop Voidtreckers from setting up camps and give permission for them to settle on the centre island, under Helma's - the Forever One - protection.

While there may be some tensions, the sali will not attack the Voidtreckers. But now, plans must be made how to proceed, as the skies from the south bleed red...


WINGS OF WONDER: ONGOING

A TL;DR notes version of event/prompts: (click to show)
EVENT BASICS:
    Contact with the sali has been made, and relations have come out neutral. The North and East bridges have been fixed by Voidtreckers, with materials sent to the South too by them.

    Ongoing runs through N8 to N11, when the finale also starts. The following is a TL;DR for what will be going on at the islands, at the time.

    NORTH: Fixing the aircraft found on top of the mountain, finding missing sali in the woods, dead and alive. Helping to transport goods to the aircraft so it can be fixed, and also spruced up/modified. Also still good for fighting characters.

    EAST: This is where you send characters who would want to work on designs, magical crafting and so forth. They won't be in close contact with the rest of the Voidtreckers, but is good for nerds. Voidtreckers who help here will be allowed to ride mounts to the central island if they leave, as the sali recognise they will be too exhausted otherwise. And so you guys can still have threads with other people.

    SOUTH: Birds will be mainly coming from this direction, so fighters can still do patrols. Mainly needs those willing to do labour, rear animals, skin dead animals and so forth. Characters can also get involved with repairing clothes, washing and cleaning, if they can't last long doing land work.

    WEST: The Reds that went this way will have found out that going through the interior or around will not get them far, and more birds showing up makes the area more dangerous. On N8, there is an operation shared with the Voidtreckers that they are doing a mass transport of goods from the West, to take North. Help fighting off the birds they attract is needed. From then on, it's better advised to stick to the other islands. Reds who like to just fight will be good in the South as patrol.


[ TASKS ]
WORK TO DO. There is much to be done. Buildings need to be fixed, places need restored after the storms. But more than that the general needs of life don't stop. Farms need tending, animals need caring for. There are jobs for anyone willing to work.

The different islands need the following:

NORTH ISLAND: Fighters, those willing to labour and repair, and those willing to search are needed.
EAST ISLAND: Those with experience in magic and energy, crafting (making designs, modifying; blueprinting is involved) are needed.
SOUTH ISLAND: Fighters, those willing to help out with farm work, meat skinning, clearing up the surrounding farm area. Also those who can push back the birds.
WEST ISLAND: Fighters, during N8. There is help needed to protect the sali as they transfer materials and the Forever One stationed there, and to rebuild the bridge. Otherwise, the island will be deserted while plans are made by N9.
CENTRAL/ARRIVAL ISLAND: There isn't much that's needed but for birds to be taken down who might hover over, or get attracted by activity. Those who can supply Hemla with energy are appreciated. The sali here will act as communicators to other sali for Voidtreckers who don't want to make long journeys.

Voidtreckers should decide what will be a better use of their skills, and move accordingly. While faster methods may be found over time, initially, using those who can flight and walking are the only options. The North and East bridges have been patched up, and the South Island has materials for the bridge. West's bridge will be fixed by morning of N8.
[ ARRIVAL ISLAND ]

ON ARRIVAL ISLAND. Five sali will come on N7 to fix up the broken buildings here, using the cuttings of the long grass, and drying them out with their own talents. They will accept help in doing this, and will offer to show a few Voidtreckers what to do, but will expect them to fix up the rest themselves, unless they offer services for help. A few of the buildings may make a good resting point, with an enclosure to keep off the wind and a cooking hole to sit around, but Voidtreckers will find their attentions split between the islands. Still, the centre island is only of important as a crossing point, and for the Forever One that stays there.

There will not be too much activity here over the next few days. Voidtreckers are welcomed to camp here, and sali will also come through here, helping to move the leftover overgrowth, moving through the two areas. The South and West bridges still need fixing (while the East and North bridges have been taken care of).

FOREVER ONE: HEMLA. Two sali stay after the rebuilding on N7, to take care and help Hemla. Hemla is distracted, attempting to work on the energy problem for Voidtreckers, and keep the island safe. But the Forever One will take time for anyone who wishes to speak to them, and will accept help and energy.

By the morning of N8, they will have a request. The sali will explain it to any Voidtreckers who come through the island, holding out clear white crystal stones. Hemla is attempting to harmonise their energy and the world's, at least with a middleman in the form of stone. They warn there will be possible side-effects, and ask Voidtreckers to only take one at a time, and to bring it back later.
Through days N8-10, these crystals will have a variety of effects, lessening over time. Those with magical skills/who use energy are asked to take one. They will need to supply Hemla some power, and then after carry it on them. The possible side-effects are:
    - Dizziness
    - Exhaustion
    - Confusion
    - Weakness
They don't last more than a day but it might be best they find a buddy to watch over them whilst it does.

[ EAST ISLAND ]
EAST VILLAGE/NOSSOFH. It is still a treck to reach the East Village, especially for those who don't have any way to fly or cover large distances; and for those that do, they will arrive exhausted.

The village is still very wary of the newcomers, and those that arrive are stopped and questioned. Those with legitimate business are allowed in and as the days go on more individual sali will be willing to exchange information or help. There are sali who will roam out with Voidtreckers to fight the birds, and those wishing to patrol the East Island will be told to help in the North or South - the sali of the island can cover the vital areas.

The two main areas of interest within the village are:

( SAGE'S HOUSE ) The invitation to help the energy weavers comes during the call on the SCAs on the morning of N8. Within the village is the sage's house, the largest building that sits in the centre, legs supporting where it has be built out over the hill. Voidtreckers are welcomed here if they ask, and those wishing to learn means of purifying the infected sali, and to help with their crystal research are best suited to come this way.

Those needed: magical experts, those strong of mind, volunteers with energy.

They will work amongst the sages, the sages in training, and the Forever Ones. In truth, these people are all one and the same, and Voidtreckers that come here will figure out quick. The Forever Ones sit, completely stone, while the sages are in various states, with limbs crystallising. They rarely speak, though the less-formed may do so with the Voidtreckers if inclined. However, those training are the ones that provide the needs of the more experienced, as well as speaking.

Working here will be difficult, exhausting on the mind and body. The sages-in-training will communicate and explain, but much of the work is done through telepathy, and crystal work - tools that will be difficult on the Voidtreckers. But it is good for the Voidtreckers to be here, so that their reactions to the crystals can be documented, as well as a way to keep them safe during their stay, and also their companions.


( CRAFTING SMITHIES ) While the Sage House works on energy and modifying crystals, for those with experience building, designing, modifying, they will find their talents more useful in supporting the creation of prototype weapons that the salis have planned.

A request for help in this will come on the third day (N8), through the hacked SCA channel. Anyone who believes they can help make efficient blueprints - and even make them better - are asked to come on down, and those with experience crafting. The plan is to make an equivalent of air cannons and air megaphones, using a mix of air and power gems. There is sure to be a lot of backfires, especially for the Voidtreckers. The sali will also be taking crystals adjusted by the sages that will hopefully allow the Voidtreckers to use the weapons being made too.

Suggestions from the Voidtreckers will be listened to, and there are other gems around, ones that can be made for specific functions.

[ SOUTH ISLAND ]
STATE OF THE FARM. The South Island is a mess. There is a large clean-up operation in place and Voidtreckers that can help clean up and haul debris will be welcomed.

As well as the storm damage there are quite a lot of animals that have been killed, even by the storm directly or as a result of them turning and attacking the sali or Voidtreckers. The Sali are not ones to waste resources and so there is a drive to skin the animals and preserve the meat as quickly as possible. Any Voidtreckers who are willing to help will be paid in portions of meat.

FARMING, GARDENING. Here nature seems to have won the war. Many of the buildings look like they have been left to the wild for decades and not just a week or so. Buildings need fixed, plants need cut back and brought under control. Weeds need to be removed so that the plants for food can be allowed to thrive. Gardening at its most extreme, the first step is to identify which plants should be growing here and which ones are results of the Red Storm.

Many of the animals have escaped because plants burst open fences and gates. Rounding them up is one job, making sure there are enclosures to keep them is another. It's going to be a lot of hard work and of course the farm animals are not the only creatures out here, wild creatures will attack both the farm animals and any one else.

It's hard labour, but the sali will give to those that work with them. They will locate drinks safe for them, share the abundance of food, so they can see what agrees with their diets. They will answer questions about their people and their world during world and during breaks; and as the days go on, they will invite them inside to eat, or will join them at their own camp, bringing meals.


UNWANTED VISITORS. The birds still attack. Every day and night patrols are needed to fend off the constant threat of bird attack. The Sali have fighters stationed here too but there aren't enough, they need help.

The Forever One Enshala works to keep the red shroud from getting too close to the farmland but her power is still weak and so there are gaps in her defences. It is easy to get overwhelmed since the birds often flock together, concentrating on weak points and bringing the storm with them.

Keeping the storm away from the farm is vital, the Sali will share food and resources with any who join them in this constant vigilance.

FOREVER ONE: ENSHALA. There is a Forever One here, but unlike central island's welcoming Hemla, they will only speak to Voidtreckers depending on the subject. They will accept donations in energy, but otherwise they work hard to try and keep the island safe, to push back the red storms they return again through the days, birds carrying it on their wings.


[ NORTH ISLAND ]
NORTHERN. The sali will explain an expedition was taking place, to investigate the North Island in general. The group must have been assaulted by the red storm - the birds - while travelling, and crashed, scattering the survivors with the infliction of red storm.

MISSING. Help is needed to locate the still-missing sali, both dead and alive. Any Voidtreckers who offer to help will be asked their methods- the Sali want no harm coming to their own. They will hand out blow darts with sleeping powder laced bark stems and they will be asked to either bind or leave behind any powerful weapons. Especially powerful weapons that the Sali don't recognise like guns.

The sali will set up a small camp by the woods, where sali can be brought, dead or alive, to be transported by cart. There will also be one above on the mountain, trained sali using air-crystals to push back the lingering red storm from the site.

AIRSHIP, SUPPLIES. Hearing that the ship is still on ground, the Sali are keen to fix it up. Its state is no problem, and they believe it's the answer to meeting the birds head on. Initially on N7 to halfway through N8, materials will need to be transported by climbing gear and going through the forest.

However, they will then have access to carrier airships. With a crate/carrying space on the bottom, and a space on top for two people two sit, only so much material can be lifted up at a time. Voidtreckers will not be able to immediately, but by N9, and by being a familiar face, those who want to fly the ships can*. These can also be used to transport anyone from the upper mountain, to down.

Once the metal and materials are at the air ship, it's going to be all hands on deck to fix it together.

(* some of the mini-ships have a prototype attached that allows the air gems to be activated by the sound of music. singing, guitar playing - there's even an alboka and taepyeongso-esque instruments already attached on some, acting as a steeing wheel. )
[ WEST ISLAND ]
WESTERN. The Reds find that their attempts to infiltrate the mountain from the inside will not go far, with dead ends and the red shroud finding ways in. More birds come from the south and even west, spreading the shroud farther around the mountain.

Another method must be found. Fortunately however, it will not be an entirely useless endeavour, as help is needed - one that promises a fight.

TRANSPORT. The sali in the enclosure and those who come from the village to help need aid bringing supplies from the enclosures, and also extra of the metal trees (from the White Forest), repair equipment, to take to the North island.

This island is still circled by birds, so those gathering and packing supplies onto transport air carriers - small boxy airships with a lower crate area and an upper navigating section, no bigger than cars - will need fighters to take down the birds as they follow after them.

Bow and arrows can be exchanged, as the salis know how to operate the air carriers. They are also transporting the Forever One of the West Island, so the cargo is fairly precious to the sali.


OOC NOTES

NOTES: OOC info is here, map is here, info about powers/magic here. Ask questions here, submit shenanigans here, submit rewards here.

Ongoing starts on N8 and goes until around morning-noon of N11. Finale goes up on 21st September (later N11-N12).

This log gives more of an indication of what's going on, to let you play out going ons, or imply them in the background and focus on what you want for Ongoing. Consider putting in Island locations than team colours into headers.

Remember to let us know anything your character does/might want do under shennanigans! Any conversations you want to handwave with the sali or Forever Ones can also be brought up here for discussion. Actual threads can be requested here.
onehandsomeslickninja: (by my blade)

Notifs are still doing that :/

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-09-29 01:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Maybe it wasn't necessary, but it helped, and right now pride could take second place to surety. Especially when Edge lacked his best tools to handle this madness. Ninjutsu would have cut through this flock in no time flat, but it remains beyond him here. How damn annoying!

Still, where the magic of Eblan fails, the sword shall prevail. In a whoosh of scarf, Edge takes up position next to her, the Masamune in one hand and the curved blade of a folded-up fuma shuriken in the other. "Mind if I cut in?"
eternalinquiry: (Default)

Re: sage's house

[personal profile] eternalinquiry 2021-09-29 04:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Wangji grimaces, "I watched one voidtrecker leap out of the train and land...Face first. I am also grateful for any improvements over that." He takes a sip of his own water and tries to relax as much as one can when exhausted and on edge. "It was incredibly draining to traverse until the bridges were repaired. I will not be doing that again unless incredibly necessary. Have you spoken to the watchers of this place?"
eternalinquiry: (Default)

Spoilers are a-ok

[personal profile] eternalinquiry 2021-09-29 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Your...star has a Name and a Will." Lan Wangji could hear the capital letters that showed this was important. "I imagine not in the same way one can look up at stars and name them." This was going to be something to pick at later, when they aren't in a mission that effects civilian lives.
"If it does not wish to harm us, perhaps it seeks to protect by ensuring we cannot harm those that live here? It just seems a totalitarian method to do so."

He listens to the idea of aether with interest. "Do all worlds have aether? Is that what you call the energies of this place? I know of some places in my home world that had innate energy to them, but I do not think it was present globally."

He offers a softened face in response to the smile. "Mn. I do not think anyone is welcome here, and they are not shy about showing it."
irrationally: (reverberating through my dreams)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-09-29 07:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Alice does study Guri's face for a moment. Sure, she's a little worried about her own situation as well, but Alice has way too little self worth to focus on herself over anyone else.

Let alone over a person standing right in front of her like this. It's obvious that something is bothering Guri.

".. it's alright. I don't feel very strange." Just a little dizzy, but that isn't too bad, right? As long as it doesn't evolve in anything worse, then Alice can certainly deal with it. "So.. you do not have to worry about me. After all, if anything does happen with me, you will be right there to help, won't you?"

If not just because Alice knows Guri, and how the other is. Despite the odd, awkward situation the two of them went through during the previous mission.
jinlingers: (JL-50-58)

[personal profile] jinlingers 2021-09-30 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
Jin Ling doesn't feel very comforted by that if he's being honest. Maybe it makes him more nervous about her. It reminds him too much of things that he doesn't want to remember and how no one can really be trusted.

"Why does it scare you?"
calmness: (gather myself ☁︎)

[personal profile] calmness 2021-09-30 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
But why was it so easy to trust him if others showed he was not worth that trust? Xichen wishes to ask but still does not. Not now, not when the wounds of the war are raw and the answers terrifying.

He wants to know and doesn't; for that he is not brave.

"You said it was years before this reality was uncovered?" he asks, just needing to confirm.
calmness: commissioned; DO NOT USE (Default)

[personal profile] calmness 2021-09-30 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
It's still strange to hear his name like that from Jingyi's lips but over time, he thinks it'll be easier and easier. Slowly but steadily.

"I'll note to bring a blanket," he shakes his head, sighing before he follows the other young man as they head toward food. "There's a low bench and furs for us to sit on, a small set up that's comfortable. After we eat, I can keep watch while you get some rest first."

After all, another attack could happen any moment.
wewillwewill: (Elidibus-faintsmile)

[personal profile] wewillwewill 2021-09-30 03:16 am (UTC)(link)
Still it's weather on a train an... well, never mind. Come to think there's probably plenty of reasons to use weather changing powers on the train.


"Keeping a supply of ammunition for such weapons is certainly problematic," Elidibus answers with a thoughtful nod. He might ponder over the matter further at another time. For now he turns to the second answer Emporio gives.

"Ah, something from your life on this train or before?" It appears he's not one to presume it's only recent circumstances that have shaped the youth's life, despite his age. Elidibus appears curious about it though.
wewillwewill: (Elidibus-thoughtful)

Re: Spoilers are a-ok

[personal profile] wewillwewill 2021-09-30 08:17 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes," Elidibus answers simply and leaves it at that. The story is complicated and really not easy to explain in the time they have. The important thing is that it is possible for such a world to exist.

The Ascian shakes his head, "Perhaps. Or it is protecting itself. But this is only one explanation for why this world's aether rebels against our presence. There may be more and I don't know if I will have the time to spend discovering the full truth."

Which is like saying there are more issues that need their immediate attention. And maybe not present it as the gospel theory Elidibus has imparted about why this world acts like it does.

But there are easier topics to speak about. Like aether, a subject Elidibus knows very well. The assurance that he knows what he speaks of returns to his voice. With it comes a faint smile. "All worlds with the pulse of life are comprised of aether. For it not to be present at all would be a barren and lifeless."

There is a pause while he muses. "This world is an anomaly, but it is still possessed of aether. All I've seen since I left my Star has not suggested any differently." He focuses on Lan Wangji again. "Aether runs through you. With your will, it's what comprises your soul. Without it you would be dead. I do not say this to claim your perception of what the soul is may be wrong. Nor that your words for the power you or others harness are flawed. Even on my world, many terms are used to describe aether's varied manifestations."

The Ascian closes his eyes momentarily. "Aether is the foundation of the forces behind existence. The way that fire burns," Elidibus nods to a hearth fire kept by the sali. "Or the fertile bounty of the earth beneath our feet. The way your very form is woven together to provide a vessel for this current life you live."

Elidibus pauses here to offer his listener a chance to react or question or offer insight of their own.
jingyeets: (peer | the kings and queens oh yeah)

[personal profile] jingyeets 2021-09-30 08:29 am (UTC)(link)
Twelve sounded young to him, given most women weren't of an age for children until years later, wasn't that true? He briefly wondered why that was the case, but decided it was no less weird than how she'd married two people at once: concubines not being part of his world view, but one in peripheral he could loosely understand. Still, her phrasing of it puts him in a particular mindset.

"You had an older husband and an older wife?" Presuming when they died of illness it wasn't one that struck the young at healthier ages. "My apologies for the losses."

One shouldn't congratulate a person on losing spouses, generally speaking, though he wasn't sure what was really due here. Was it good? Bad? She'd lived alone for five years since the death of both spouses, and spaced years between then. What was all this about grids, too? The language was so obscure to him in concept he simply didn't know.
jingyeets: (chat | come back)

[personal profile] jingyeets 2021-09-30 09:04 am (UTC)(link)
Jingyi gestures for Xichen to step up toward his side, given toward easy company if he's being made to ignore his self-imposed vigil on the woods.

"Or we can both rest and trust in the sali's scouts and watch. Then wake up to take our own shifts."

He's partly being contrary, but also pointing out a solution he can see, that's less about anything like sacrifice, and more about practicalities. They expend more energy than the sali while existing here. Rest for them is imperative in a way it wouldn't normally be.
fivemilesdeep: (Default)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-09-30 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
Much of this still isn't making sense to him, but Ryo has long since learned to deal with a total lack of context in his conversations. Most people's worlds are extremely different from his, after all. "We have skates, and it's fun in winter, but I don't know how you'd make a sport out of it." Evidently Murphy's world enjoys seeing people slide around elegantly, as he'd put it.

It's a pity they'd both missed the winter carnival a few months back.
fivemilesdeep: (Really. *Really.*)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-09-30 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Boy, that explanation really does not help. Ryo closes his eyes for a moment and sighs, mentally adding Jake to the list of people he's going to need to watch out for after fights. Congratulations on having something in common with Otoha.

"I'm a healer," he says simply, getting back to work on the plant. "I don't like when people don't get their wounds taken care of."
fivemilesdeep: (That smile)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-09-30 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"Good. I'm glad to hear it." And he is; he's in no shape to help anyone who's hurt right now, so hearing that Romeo and Madoka avoided that is good.

And then Romeo offers his opinion on the birds' potential flavor, and Ryo has to fight to stop himself from laughing. Gods, but he loves this kid. "You know, you're probably right. I wouldn't want to eat anything that mean either."
fivemilesdeep: (Default)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-09-30 11:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's good." It sounds a bit like the same thing affecting Potato had been affecting her as well, and it's good that the crystal helps with that.

There's a beat or two as he tries to put his thoughts in order. "And your other one? The, uh..." His brain completely dumps the word sheep, and instead he makes a round sort of motion with his hands. "Is he okay?"
fivemilesdeep: (But if we try this)

[personal profile] fivemilesdeep 2021-10-01 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
He hands the vines over and picks up his trowel, breaking up the soil around the plant. "I don't think so? I should be able to dig it up as long as the vines are out of the way. It's not like it's going to fight back."

He remembers the mission where the (fake, still painful) plants had fought back. That had been terrible.
weisexual: (serious thoughts)

[personal profile] weisexual 2021-10-01 12:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Sixteen years passed since Nightless City...." Since the day he watched Wei Wuxian fall out of sight. He was in seclusion for part of that as he healed but he remembers how difficult those years were. Playing inquiry in the thought he might be able to contact the wandering soul. Searching the Burial Mounds for any sign of the body. And then the following years which were spent simply trying to move on.

Sixteen years before they uncover the truth behind everything.
the_aunt_general: cap from aromanticmara at tumblr (Default)

[personal profile] the_aunt_general 2021-10-01 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
She gestures broadly, to indicate 'by all means', the only distraction she allows herself from her own task.

She pulls her shield back, springing forward to bash one of the creatures out of the air.
marvelous_murderbot: (dramatic pose)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-10-01 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
Awkward, odd - and wonderful, to someone who was certain it could never happen again in reality.

"Yes, I will be," she replied, remembering, belatedly, to let go. "Your well being is a primary concern."
onehandsomeslickninja: (throw time)

[personal profile] onehandsomeslickninja 2021-10-01 01:36 am (UTC)(link)
He really hadn't expected her to be the shield-bearing type, so that's a bit strange to come to grips with. Still, he'd worked with a paladin for the extent of his last adventure, so the technique wasn't foreign to him... though she was a bit more aggressive using that thing as a bludgeon!

Now Edge knew perfectly well that showing off for Amaya was completely pointless. Somehow, that failed to stop him at all, as he whirled the Masamune around lighting-quick. The Lunarian weapon passed through a bird without resistance.

"Stupid birds! You've picked a bad fight!"
jingyeets: (wtf?! | and we'll be carrying each other)

[personal profile] jingyeets 2021-10-01 08:02 am (UTC)(link)
Jingyi catches the sheath as it arcs toward him, spinning out of the way of a low strike aimed at his calves when the spider likewise tries to recover from Sizhui's most recent hacking through of a limb. It can't balance correctly, holding itself lower now to offset the change to balance, and its cries, or the sounds made by the brush of its legs against each other, are distressingly inescapable.

Jingyi has no idea if these spiders work in groups, if they're solitary, if this one's an adult or not. What he does know is he now has two weapons again, and with the spider starting to wheel toward Sizhui once more, he has a moment to make his actions count.

He turns and runs the other way, crouching to leap upward at one of the massive tree trunks. His feet hit, together, and he twists around, knees bending before he shoves off the tree, leaving cracked and broken bark behind. The spider can't move as swiftly as it did before, and as it lurches around, close to the ground, he has an imperfect moment to aim, his sheath up and knocking aside the globule of webbing the spider shoots over its back at Sizhui as he comes down. Gravity and momentum work with him, his sword brought down, piercing through the spider's multi-eyed head, and through, and out the other side, until he feels it sinking into the ground below.

The spider doesn't die neatly. It jerks in spasms, its system firing off random synapses that make complete and shattered limbs twitch and curl up underneath it, the spider unable to roll with how Jingyi's sword keeps its head pinned to the ground. Mandibles twitch and close and open and shiver, and eyes gone lifeless.

Jingyi rides it out less from choice and more circumstance, as his precarious perch on the spider's head and the embedded nature of his sword make it difficult to move, and like hell is he abandoning his sword here. Once the twitching appears to have ridden through its worst, he braces and pulls his sword out, thickened spider ichor dripping off his blade to his visible disgust as he leapt away, stumbling as he landed.

"Oh this is so incredible gross," he says, holding his sheath out. "Sizhui, hold my sword while I get dressed, I need to wipe this thing down—you don't think these things move in groups, do you?"
zombiemessiah: (m37)

[personal profile] zombiemessiah 2021-10-01 08:52 am (UTC)(link)
"It's performative. Like a whole dance thing, judged on how complex it is and how little you fuck up the moves. And it has tight outfits."

Look, he's a shallow man of shallow needs and he can appreciate something pretty and performative and built to last. All of his club dancers were like that!

"Oh, and certain moves are illegal 'cause you can maybe kill yourself or your partner if you get it too wrong."

Just merrily discussing figure skating after all that end of the world talk.
seacub: (AND NOW A PIPE TOO??)

[personal profile] seacub 2021-10-01 10:19 am (UTC)(link)
Emporio nods- and also decides not to note that his pistol was a ghost pistol and couldn't actually do anything substantial as well.

And then he nods once more. "Before the train. Actually, it's been really nice since I got on the train..! I um. I didn't really get to talk to anyone before then, not often anyway...
luckydragonsfoot: (nyh-)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2021-10-01 10:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Huh! Cute..." Hey, it's as good a reason as anything! "Is th' repeatin' jus' for kicks then? Or is it more like 'shit changes after 100 years, so it probably feels different'?" Technically speaking, Death would've only had to do it once otherwise right?
luckydragonsfoot: (nyh-)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2021-10-01 10:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Amar? Yeah, they're good," he nods, smiling. "They're uh... ...well, they're somewhere. Th' woolie-things get along well w'th 'm so. Wooloo are just normal type, so there wasn't much trouble for 'm."

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