Fissures of Time: Start

[voidtreckermods]

"Good Morning Voidtreckers, today is day eight of the month of Poi."
The voice echoes through the train as passengers wake up in their beds. Not long afterwards their SCA’s glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image appears...

---

FISSURES OF TIME: START

---

... BASE CAMP

THE VOIDTRECKER EXPRESS LANDS CLOSE TO A GIANT OF A FORTRESS SAT ATOP A HILL, A RIVER BORDERING THE WAY TO A NEARBY TOWN. 'Please head to the location marked on your map,' the Voidtrecker Express speaks through the intercoms before opening the doors out.

Passing the threashold, Voidtreckers are welcomed to a mild heat, accompanied by a passing spring breeze; the grass underfoot is a healthy wheat-yellow, with a few unfamiliar flowers dotted about. Checking their maps, they'll see they're at the very far southwest, and their their destination is the fortress - or temple - a small walk from way they are. They'll know they're heading the right direction when two figures dressed in their own military gear meet them halfway, neither human.

'Voidtreckers?' One greets with a nod, then jerks their head to the fortress. 'Follow us. We'll tell you and give you what you need; get you ready for the week you're in for.'

Voidtreckers that follow are led into spacious halls, a Grecian-like architecture with columns carved into flowering patterns, statues of idols lining the walls. There's a faint murmur of activity, but they don't see too many people before they're led into a nearby room filled with containers that close in the space. Even as they enter, a holographic map floats visibly mid-air like the one on their SCAs.

The two people go to either side of it, and it's the one from earlier that speaks again.

'This is Kolokifi's domain- most of it, anyway. Down here where we are is Eilifi's land. Another god, but a history lesson isn't what you need unless you ask for it. All up this way-' the person makes a circular motion in front of the map, leaving a visible mark on it. '--is where time distortions will be happening. The easy explan' of them is that points in the past get pulled into the present - echoes of them. Fragments, moments - Time here got well and screwed up, and tries to bring up points in the past to the present.

'Now, some have a problem with getting rid of the slips of the people that come through, so I'm going to get into that now. Thing is, if they can stick around? They will, but most of them can't. All of this is just Time trying to make a copy of the past appear, so thinking you can leave the distortions alone make everyone whole? Isn't going to work as well as you think. It just makes more problems, and that isn't pretty.' They snort. 'They're gonna fight and sound like people 'cause they are - real unfortunate, unlucky sods. If you're gonna have problems with it, don't deal with them. Leave 'em to whoever with you can, or send a signal for us on the maps. Double tap the area and then get out. There's no point gettin' trauma on top of what's already on your plate.'

Finally they nod to the various containers around.

'But don't worry, it isn't all sad shit. You've got fields to deal with too, open spaces. Boring work, but it's what we're here for. So if you're going, let's get you ready. And you come back here when you need anything.'

---

GEARING UP. They go through the different roles required, what's best to be done, what does what. They'll be shown how to work an equaliser, how to fit and wear the eye and earpieces - with other designs available if needed - to use the remote-controlled scouting drones.

Take the time to open up an equaliser box yourself, try to work a scouting drone. There are also medical kits, with boxes containing herbal medicine 'blessed by the Spring god here - make sure you can take it,' the Ministry worker helping them warns. There's devices in all of the kits, small scanners to double-check that a medicine won't react poorly to whatever it scans. Similar technology to what the SCAs use, but more advanced.

There's no rush to leave, and the group will also be shown where some spare carts and animals for pulling are outside, for packing up supplies on.

---

STAYING BACK. But people don't need to go. They can stay with the Voidtrecker Express, use a few facilities in the Ministry base, or wander the immediate area, so long as they don't go beyond the river that down the hill the fortress sits on. There's the train itself that people can stick to, take pillows and their blankets outside to enjoy the fresh air.

Or you could be coming back this way during the mission. The Ministry base has a kitchen free to use, water, and every day fresh fruit and vegetables come in carts from the same figure, flour and oats. If someone wants, they can take some of the food, or use it to make supplies for the Voidtreckers to receive if they come back this way, or other missionaries.

How they spend their time is up to them.

... KOLOKIFI'S DOMAIN

FOR A WEEK, VOIDTRECKERS WILL BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE SAME TORN, SCARRED LAND. Despite the skies being a clearer silver-grey nearer to the Ministry base, it keeps close to a blood-red as Voidtreckers wander its terrain. Heat clings to them in the dry air, the dirt as parched as the scenery leaves the eyes.

Those with scouting droners would do well to getting used to their new toys while they travel, watching out for what lies ahead. Though just from looking at it, there's nothing but the same drained landscape. Those who can fly may be tempted to do so, to get ahead. Those with superspeed, what's the point of hanging around? But eventually, everyone will learn what happens if you simply wander around here...

---

WHAT ONCE WAS. Sometimes, the time distortions are innocuous - a glimpse into peaceful times, a view of the world as it once was. A step, one single move forward into a time distortion, and the world around you changes. Gone is the suffering heat and chalky environment, and the world blossoms. Wild yellow-grass sways every-which way, the sky sits with fluffy clouds against and blushed pink than the blood-red.

You can move around, explore for a little while, but up until a point, the world just stops: you run, you fly, you walk, but it makes no difference.

...It also means you can't leave. Well, good thing your SCA still works to ask for help.

These time distortions will be the simplest to deal with, only occupied by a few wild animals, maybe fish in a stream. A good place to practice with the equaliser, and to watch as the scenery fades to the stark reality of the present day.

---

UNEARTHED WAR. But then, peace isn't what led this land into the state it is. The skies are a lavender and red, and sometimes:

1. Those tranquil landscapes are bursting, wild, a tangled mess you've stepped into. You hear the sounds of war in some too-close distance, but there's nothing save thorns and trees. They try to trap people, fruit thorns wrapped around in an embrace that seems also loving, if crazed.

Equalisers will be need to set in their proper locations, the people kept safe using them, but also the way to the most effective spots reached first. And Mother Nature - or whoever controls this particular life - doesn't seem willing to leave its visitors to do as they like.

-
2. Or the way is clear, bright skies a burning red, and the thundering of ride animals clad in armour approach the road you've found yourself on. Something buzzes close to them, come out to scan the Voidtreckers who have ended up on their path.

'Who goes there!' One of the riders shout.

'You're no warrior of Kolokifi! Come quietly under her mercy, or suffer her judgment!'

Cooperation might do well, but the warriors can only be fooled for so long: as the distortion will make them unable this moment in time, and the Voidtreckers will be blamed.

And who says you want to mess around, anyway?

-
3. Or there's no instance for being careful. Amidst a battlefield, or even in a town of square roofs, fires burning and the ground breaking apart for roots thicker than tree trunks bringing those houses to rubble. Ordinary people run and try to find refuge, to escape the madness around them; without anything to signify which God you stand for, each side turns its attacks on you, only knowing foe in this chaos.

What you do is your choice: Disarm or slaughter, aid or ignore to get the job done. Bring some semblance of peace, briefly, to this troubled moment or time, or get the job done quickly, and silence the screaming with the equalisers disappearing the past.

( MOD NOTE: Play these scenarios to whatever degree you like; people can be knocked unconscious or situations can't be helped. Choose what is best for yourself or your character. )

---

IDYLLIC LIFE. Except, it's not a battlefield that is the hardest to deal with. There are the instances of peace, but when it comes with those more aware than just the flowers or animals - but with people.

Sometimes, they might be moved around: a pair on a picnic, or people with tents by a lake, enjoying themselves. Or, you might get asked what you're up to, asked to join them. Perhaps it's a merchant going to the next town. 'Kolokifi may be a blessed God, but you know Silifi's fields bring their best this time of year.'

They may disappear, without knowing what you were doing - or realise something is wrong, just towards the end. Steel your heart.

The hardest are the towns, sections of them, and moving around them, trying to find the best place to set up.

But if an equaliser goes off too early, doesn't get set in the best place (was it because the best place was in a river? Where a house is, with nowhere to set the equaliser?), then fractions of this settlement will start to disappear - and the civillians will notice, and the panic will be quick.

If it becomes too tough, remember: A marker can be set on the maps and a call made for another group - non-Voidtreckers - to do the job.

---

HEAVY HEARTS IN REST. There will be enough for four separate camps to be set out from the supplies, the tents wide and spacious to put in simple bedding for the stragglers from the time distortions that do make it out.

It's here where they should be brought. Calm them down, reassure them, until you can find someone to take them to the Ministry base. This will be some work, depending on how panicked they are, distrustful. The less care and stealth used when setting Equalisers and getting rid of time distortions, the less reason these people will have to care about what the Voidtreckers have to offer - and they're already scared.

Kids, adults, the elderly - they'll try to make their escape, and sometimes end up in new distortions.

Voidtreckers will need to coordinate well with the different camps, with where their people are going. There's only so many Equalisers, and it is good to keep moving around.

And very likely, this will be a mission heavier on the heart than the body. Speak with one another, share in the weight of this world's tragedy.

OOC NOTES

OOC post. Ask questions here. Let us know about shenanigans here. NPC requests here, set up a thread here. Rewards go here.

Reminder of goals: Red Team is to deal with the heavier war-time distortions, keeping Orange people setting Equalisers safe, who will also use scouting drones + other methods to locate distortions. Purple Team aids in the smaller, more scattered distortions (includes 'idyllic' distortions), and helping Blue locate misplaced people, keeping them safe. Blue also protects and moves the camps.

NPC fighters: Their skills vary, depending on what you want to come up against. But they have guns, swords, shielding; nature can be particularly vengeful, and even typhoons might be deployed. People will be rewound from where they're going to where they were; and warriors sometimes have their own quick means of healing.

Play with whatever obstacles you want! As ever you don't have to stick to the prompts we write, this is a setting where a lot of wildness can happen so feel free to write your own distortions to take down! Also, again: For anything traumatic, you can have your characters miss anything too distressing for them. There are a lot of time distortions in very ordinary settings.

Further Prompt Ideas: Click!

Blue Team:

• You're dealing with a misplaced person, and how agreeable are they? Did they run off on foot? Or use the cart animal in the night? Now you're looking for them - and either with or without them, you've ended up in a time distortion.
  
  
• The camp's moving, and you're setting up for the first time, packing away for the second. Are you used to the heat? The repetition?
  
  
• You've got food from the train to work with for meals, but the Ministry has packed everyone a mix too. Some ration foods that you add water to, but also an orso-like pasta and types of chicken breast (at least, it tastes like chicken), cooking sauces, pita breads. Does your character know how to cook?
  
  
• You just want a change of scenery, and someone in the camp is going to one of the time distortions. Maybe you go along, just to bring out some food, or just out of curiosisty.
  
  
• There's nothing stopping you from using a scouting drone - actually, being in one place makes it easy. You can speak to people through the drone. How much can you help from afar?

Orange Team:

• It's your job to set up Equalisers. How confusing are they to you? Do you get unlucky? Does it jam at a bad time?
  
  
• You have to set up an Equaliser in a settlement. And if it wasn't bad enough, there's nowhere good to put them except in someone's backyard/right in front of a shop stall. These people aren't pleased. They're going to get suspicious!
  
  
• This distortion is too big for the amount of Equalisers you and the other person have with you. Do you realise this? Even when it's a peaceful distortion, this can be tricky - you have to pack one up and move it! Or the worst happens when you set them off, and only erase half the place - and people notice.

Red Team:

• Fire burns around you as war rages. The equalisers need to be set but to get them in place the fires need put out. Tricky when there are a whole bunch of soldiers currently lighting them.
  
  
• Red's job is to deal with the obstacles of the more physical-demanding distortions, but that doesn't mean they're easy to find. You end up in scenic landscapes - and you're not the person with an equaliser.
  
  
• Sometimes - or most of the time - the fighters are not match for your strength. But sometimes, these warriors have skills that can manage to get you defenceless, maybe even nullify your powers.
  
  
• Do you care about murder? Sometimes, it's simple self-defence - they're attacking first. But not everyone in a war time distortion is an attacker - sometimes they're normal civillians caught up in the chaos. Maybe they even help you, take your side - and you know they're soon going to disappear.
  
  
• Even Red Team needs a break now and then. Wandering around at random just drops you into distortions that you can find a way to deal with. Or are you seeing what you can do? Maybe there's more that can be done than just waiting on Orange Team.
  
  
• But even so, there are camps moving around - you should head back to one. Or will you risk sleeping out where a distortion might hit?

Purple Team:

• Whilst helping in a town based distortion so thing goes wrong. The market has vanished and people have noticed. Specifically these angry traders, heading towards your team with the intent to stop them in their tracks.
  
  
• People aren't the only problem. A distortion has spooked a heard of animals and they are stampeding. This makes it very difficult to place Equalisers.
  
  
• You stumble upon a couple of chatty locals in this distortion. The equalisers still need to be set without causing suspicion so someone needs to be a distraction. How do you make small talk with people you are about to erase from time?
  
  
• Often it is the terrain that makes things difficult. Clear trees or rockfalls or find a route across a difficult river.

Comments

NPCs ~ God Shenanigans

[voidtreckermods]

There's a room within the Ministry base on the lower floor, easy to find. Statues line the wall that greets the viewer, human-like figures all posed in positions of awe. Eleven statues in all growing in height, with the centrepiece larger than any other.

Names are etched into the stone beneath them, starting left and going right:

[SMALL] EILIFI (SPRING) - SILIFI (NATURE)
[SMALL] HERIOS (WEATHER) - MERIOS (DEATH)
[LARGE] KOLOKIFI (SUMMER & LIFE)
[LARGEST] SYLNIS (TIME & ORDER)
[LARGE] KRIOS (CHAOS & JUDGMENT)
[LARGE] NYPSIA (NIGHT & CHANGE) - CHEMILICA (WINTER & REST)
[SMALL] SKONISICA (FALL) - IMERSICA (AGE)

Any spiritually or magically inclined will have an inkling that these have a connection to some other force... except for the statues of Herios, Kolokifi, and Sylnis. Still, offering a message may receive them one in turn.

Or not. Gods are fickle creatures.

[ OOC Note: Interaction with the gods/NPCs aren't necessary for the mission, but are available if people want them.

If your character attempts to speak to a god away from the shrine through their own means, please also leave it here as it's tracked. Even if it's a link to a thread!]

Sylnis

[sevenyearsasleep]

Hyrule's goddesses didn't really require sacrifices or offerings. At least not to Link's knowledge. Lord Jabu Jabu had accepted offerings, but, he wasn't an actual god, more on par with the Great Deku Tree. A very powerful spirit and guardian.

Still, gods were gods, and respect was naturally given on his end. He knelt and bowed briefly before the statue. As the Hero of Time, he felt it was the obvious choice.

"Please help us keep these people safe, and aid us in returning the flow of Time to how it should be."

NPC ~ Ministry contact.

[voidtreckermods]

Most of those working for the ministry are very busy, bustling around and getting on with their jobs. They aren't unfriendly, they will answer questions and signpost to information or equipment but they aren't their to chat.

If anyone has any more involved questions they are pointed towards the person who first explained things when they arrived. "Speak to Zhak."

Zhak is also never still but he does pause when approached by voidtreckers. He has a gruff demeanour but it is busy-no nonsense rather than rude or unsociable.

"What do you need?"

[sevenyearsasleep]

"Excuse me, sir."

Link fidgeted with the blue ocarina he'd kept on his person ever since Zelda had given it back to him.

"I--I have a little experience with...time things. I could control time to a certain extent back home, and...if there's any way I can help with my Ocarina, I'd be, uh....happy to do so."

Masumi Sera | Purple Team | OTA

[tactlesstantei]

1. Prep

[It's the first mission in a while, and Masumi is in a familiar rush to get geared up for it before the train lands. Catch her either going through her backpack to make sure she has everything she might need, rushing to the armoury car to go get her knife and sword, or making a pitstop at Medical to portion out enough of her HRT pills to get through the mission.

Or maybe she turns to whoever's next to her, a focused and perhaps nervous look in her eyes as she waits for the train to arrive at the world.]

Been a while since we've had a mission, huh?

2. Distortions, Part 1

Crap!

[That's Masumi, accidentally setting off an equalizer a bit too early in her efforts to set one up in a town distortion. As the mass panic kicks in, she scrambles to get out of the way, not wanting to get caught in the crowd, or worse, publicly called out for what just happened.]

Might want to hurry up!

3. Distortions, Part 2

[Or alternatively, she's stumbled into a wartime distortion in her efforts to help. She's quick to get her sword out, recognizing that it might not be wise to use her fists against someone actually armed, but she's also leaning into just disarming attackers, holding off on actually killing anyone.

After all, these are humans, and she's reluctant to actually kill someone, even with lives on the line here.]

4. Camp

[Eventually she's back at one of the camps, in need of a chance to get away from the distortions and do something else for a while. And it looks like there's plenty to do here as well, with the refugees from the distortions coming in and the general tasks associated with keeping a camp like this running.

Feel free to rope her into whatever you're doing, she'll probably be willing to help.]

[fivemilesdeep]

Masumi?

[He can Sense her nearby, and when he sees her passing by, he waves at her.]

I could use your help if you have a minute.

Tidus ; going Red but everywhere ; OTA

[blitzcheer]

1 GETTING READY (train) ;

'Well, it's that time! If you want some extra equipment, medical supplies or a spare weapon, come down to the armoury and see what there is. And let's hope half the stuff works this mission!'

Hello from the ICPs, and previous mission goers (and fake mission goers) know what Tidus means. As usual - though with the usual set-up - Tidus has the double lockers open in the armoury with the communal supplies inside. Wooden spears, throwing axes, and even a few guns -- though any interest in those will receive the unfortunate news: "Sorry, there's no ammo for those. I can give you some of a charge, but once they're empty..."

Whomp whomp. Still, there's a few pieces that might be worth attention, like the odd tiny shuttle-shaped devices - "Don't get air sick easy? Those can give you a good jump!" - or bucker-shield shaped pieces. "If magic works, those're good for healing or helping people if you're interested. I can show you how to use 'em easy!"

Then there's the collection of medkits brought out in view, some more ...Earthly medkits, and then the bottles of potion healing that he'll nod to.

"Take a look in the kits, see if they're any good! Most of the potions are magic."

He's got nothing better to do than sit around being a promoter of wares. But, why not; he's used to it by now. Still, feel free to just come and say hi. if you're a familiar face, he'll nod and even be the one to start the conversation.

"Hey. You picked a team?" Or even- "What you think about the mission?"

2 DROPPING IN (ministry base) ;

( a; debriefing, gear )

Okay, so this wasn't going to be as bad as the sali mission (or the fake one). The ball dropping for magic use never comes - just be careful with it - and Tidus is tired (and a little itchy) after the debriefing, idling a bit uselessly once it comes to the gear.

He can be spotted looking through one of the medkits with a pulled brow, puzzling over the vials with no intention of reading instructions right now, or at one of the equalisers. Because why not learn how to punch a few buttons?

...maybe a tad too enthusiastically (read: impatiently), where he somehow manages to causes the flowery design to burst out more rapidly than most are, getting him to fall back on his already crouched butt.

N-nothing to see here!

( b; animals and carts )

Is this a horse.

No, it's not, but Tidus still takes some time to stare at the otherwise indifferent creature up close. Peering at an angle to try and look at its eyes, and receiving a sneeze of hot, rancid breath right in his face that gets him startling back, then turning on his feet with a "bleeerrgh".

Otherwise, he'll be good and help get the gear on the back of the cart (feel free to tell him to get a move on) and jump on in soon after. Fine with bothering anyone with a scouting drone ready and out, nodding to it.

"So that's gonna figure out which way we need to go?"

Was that what they were saying in there?

3 TIME DISTORTIONS (purple&red) ;

( a; stuck in motion )

Even Reds are on the path to get stuck in the less exciting of time distortions, whether through a hiccup or otherwise. It's almost relaxing though, or something of a relief - coming from the hot desert-like terrain into less suffering air, peace around them.

Bizarre, too, the way everything just changes around them. Tidus, in a confused awe, tries going back a few steps the way he came (will he tumble back into reality?), but finds the scenery sticks.

"So... this is what this place was really like? I wonder what happened..."

Was something like this even that harmful?

( b; high tension )

But those moments were far and few between for Red-goers. The warp into a wartime setting comes in many shapes. One out on a stormy scenery, wind and rain thrashing, and Tidus blinks rapidly, puts up a hand to even try and see anything. Battle cries can be heard, people seem in some not immediate, but also not too far away location.

They'll need to be quick, before they're spotted. Tidus can guard an Orange working to set an Equaliser, using a barrier spell to give some relief from the wind and rain. "C'mon, we need to hurry up!"

Or he'll team up with a fighter if need be - if it's a small hurricane or a warrior on horseback, with a weapon or magical skills, throwing the winds their way.

Tidus can dispel an immediate attack coming their way, rid a energy-crafted hurricane, if at the cost of making himself immediately useless after, calling, "Get them!" to another; or there can still be some blowback from the winds, where his magic wasn't good enough to rid the thing entirely.

Or cover a blindspot for him, when dealing with one of the fighters he does come in contact with, a clash of blades makes him unable to see another drawing on him.

It's a messy scene. And it'll be strange once it all disappears, and the small team come out the other side, dripping wet under a scorching sun.

4 A LOAD OFF (camps) ;

( a; initial ease )

Getting to and from the different camps isn't as much of a hassle as in the past, and it's nice, to end a day with more than a few tiny tents in a dead field. If food is being made, Tidus will come over to its chef, an eager, "What's for dinner?" on his mind.

Or if healers (or others) are caught looking at where blood has been left on his clothing, he'll pat over the place - an arm, against the side of his head - with a thin smile. "It's healed. No great place for washing up, huh."

( b; stragglers of war )

...but what becomes more difficult in those first few days are the people left over from the time distortions. As they come to make up the larger camps, the few he even brings with him. He comes once with a less than thrilled captive of war, hands tied behind him, around the same age as Tidus himself. A scene breaks out before he gets immediately close to the camp, where the young soldier shoves him nearly over, then makes a break for it.

"Hey!"

( c; uneasy mind )

'What have you done with our people?' - 'Deceivers! As if we would believe any of you! O Kolokifi, hear our prayers...'

The stragglers from the time distortions are less than appreciative for their rescues - why should they be, when this land looks more foreign than theirs?

Tidus sucks on a bottom lip, and it's a few days into the mission. And he'll make conversation with any others around - perhaps over a hot meal, or after a certain flair up with the displaced folks, ranting after a particular reassurance of the Voidtreckers being there to 'help'.

('Help? You call this help - stripping Kolokifi's lands, taking us to that wretched Eilifi? Oh, Kolokifi...!')

"Have we got- any clue why these people show up, but no one else? There isn't somethin' else happening, is there...?"

His brow is drawn close, an uncertain expression. He hasn't really taken the time to think about what's happening; but now that he is, he isn't sure if he isn't just overthinking it.

5 WILDCARD ;

( feel free to mix and match any of the prompts, or have Tidus get involved with any of your own ideas! He'll be moving around the place as he's needed, and the mission is an open field for easy bumping-into-everyone fun. )

( b; stragglers of war -- enter Yota to make things better(?)! )

[bitternessoflife]

"HEY!"

Yota saw that! Angry that someone tried to bowl over Tidus, Yota tried to corner him. Unfortunately, as his brother would often point out, Yota was a slow runner and couldn't exactly intercept the man the way he'd like... so what he did instead was fire a bullet in his path, hoping to make him turn back around. Was it an unwise use of limited ammunition? Well, sure, but Yota was mad and he didn't tend to think clearly when he's mad. Besides, helping Tidus is worth it!

Maybe it bought Tidus more time? Or enough time for Yota to get at the soldier himself! A bound opponent was probably easier for the cat to deal with!

Yota | Orange (mainly!) | OTA

[bitternessoflife]

1.First Distortion

Yota stepped through the desert, sweating profusely in the sweltering heat. The blazing red skies look like a fire that's been raging forever. He felt only the tiniest bit of regret for abandoning Patty and friends in the middle of the desert that one time, but at least there was a road to follow. It wasn't completely deserted like this...

Yota wondered if he'd ever recognize a distortion when he saw one or if he would just be too unlucky to find any—then, his next step landed in rustling yellow-green grass and a pleasant breeze blew past him. He felt refreshed, however stunned, as if he'd slipped into a pleasant dream.

"... wow."

What a beautiful place... wildflowers and grasses all around.

He quietly sat down and watched the area around him for a moment, cooling off, but also admiring what it had once been. Was this really all gone? It couldn't be, right?

But... he still had the equalizers with him.

He could hear a faint song echoing in the distance, saw a figure guiding creatures similar to the ones carrying their supplies—it the only way he could really believe it was the same world! They went slowly up a mountain... Yota tried to follow the sound, but he only ran about four or five paces before he felt like he hit an invisible wall. Was this is the boundary for him, then? Even though everything around him looked like it stretched on beyond what he could see?


2. Cat on the Market Stall

Now, this was a much more densely populated distortion! And Yota had already turned a previously peaceful, if noisy and active marketplace into a rather screaming chaos with the crumbling, disintegrating only one side of the world, as if a cat had grabbed onto wallpaper and tore it off in strips while slipping down not that Yota's ever done anything like that!—only instead of wallpaper, it was the torn fabric of a (former) reality, revealing the current one underneath.

It seems he set off the equaliser was too close to the edge, having climbed on top of a market stall, in the hopes of not being seen? Was he really supposed to set it off in the middle of the square in the middle of this panicking crowd?! He peeked over the edge and retreated in fear, watching fallen fruits crushed underfoot. Those giants could crush him too!!

Camps

Yota isn't often in a charitable mood, but after making places and people disappear and having been in rough patches himself, he couldn't help but want to help those he can!
Nearly everyone Yota's had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with on the Voidtrecker Express has shown him great kindness, so he wants to return the favour whenever he can.
Anyone who needs to learn how to make shelter, how to make a bed, a lean-to, or anything of the sort, Yota will do his best to help!

... comforting someone else, Yota isn't too great at it, but he can lend a sympathetic ear.

Cat on the Market Stall

[tactlesstantei]

Hang on!

[Masumi isn't really familiar with how to handle cats, let alone humanoid furry cats, but she won't leave a fellow Voidtrecker stranded in the midst of a panic. Spotting Yota on the stall, she runs up and reaches towards him, hoping she can get him down quickly.]

I'll help you down, hurry!

Link | Blue Team | OTA

[sevenyearsasleep]

Camps

Link could practically feel the fear radiating off of the people. Some of them had the wide eyed stare that the people of Termina had on the Third Day, as the moon loomed, leering at them as it drew ever closer.

Link sat nearby the ones who looked worst off and played his ocarina. The Song of Healing he learned in Termina, that had soothed the dead and dying, that healed the cursed...

He hoped, even if it had no magical properties in this world, the music would still soothe and help calm the refugees.

Camps, Part II

(Feel free to get Link to help with whatever needs done)

[bitternessoflife]

Hey, was that… someone playing music?
Yota’s ears swivelled to listen. Then, he turned towards the sound, leaned his cheek into his paw, and quietly enjoyed the unexpected performance.

Yondu Udonta | Blue Team (Guesting on Orange) | OTA

[yondu]

Wishing you luck - GEARING UP

There's a lot to be wary of in their instructions. Because the justification of greater good for getting rid of copies of people? Yeah, doesn't sit right considering their current situation. Though it'd be easy for Yondu to go into any one of those battle scenarios and help clear it out (psychologically easy, he's sure it's still a hell of a challenge fightwise). He'd not give a damn about it while in the act and make it quick and clean.

He doesn't say it. Best not to mention it here and just see how this all plays out and mull it over then. Instead, he just offers to take a scouting device and an eyepiece, and once he's instructed on how to use it he goes to find some on his team.

"Hey, I'm better set-up to help out with Orange this time. I'm gonna help them out. Don't do nothin' that'll drag ya. It ain't worth it. We're showin' what kinda people we are just the same as we're doin' a mission." Because no matter what they're equipped with, what they're gifted with, they shouldn't have to compromise a chance for a better moral standing or a calm nature for it.

Damn Spooked Animal - UNEARTHED WAR

He's been doing his best to mark safe routes with the scouting equipment, occasionally turning it over to someone on the equipment wagon near him so he can take breaks between using it. During one of those transitions, though, something spooks the wagon's big animal. It lurches forward and Yondu stands there for a solid two seconds wondering what the fuck just happened before he chases after. Before he can do anything much about it the furry bastard gallops right into a surprise warzone, cart and all.

All those animal handling classes that he wanted Blue to do? Yeah, he didn't manage to do much of those. Hopefully someone else can handle the big dumb critter can deal with that 'cause now he's gotta keep the equalizer safe until more people arrive to help him out. And first big issue? There's a very angry root system making its way towards him.

This is like suddenly facing the Red Sea and realizing you're only three-hundredths of a Moses. He is pretty sure this was reported earlier, people should be around, or coming to help, but for now all he can do is lunge forward, put his hands on solid bark, and angrily force one clamoring root to wind back through the others, hopefully veering them off course. He can hear fighting nearing and whistles his arrow up, and he hopes they can clear enough ground to plant this equalizer quick because thanks to this ox-flavored jack-ass now they're in a tight spot.

Cruel and Sunny - IDYLLIC LIFE

The quieter spaces are easier and harder to work in. Setting up the stuff is rough, but sometimes when he takes breaks he wanders off and takes notes in a physical journal. He'll ask some people their name, where they're from, what they do. He'll ask vendors what they're selling and says he'll make sure to spread the word.

Yondu's been in the habit of collecting the names and the stories of the dead ever since his first mission. He knows these people are experiencing a fleeting moment, out of time, where they shouldn't exist. But they still existed, and as has become his tradition he remembers them.

After a quick break from set-up, he returns with a page of notes to help finish everything up. "Alright, let's get all these down. I dunno about you but I wanna make sure this goes as smooth as possible."

Let it Be - HEAVY HEARTS IN REST

After a couple of days of helping lay equalizers, Yondu decides to just take a break at camp. He's tired, and has traded in his Ravager gear for his VT uniform (as usual, his coat over it). Though the weirdest addition to his outfit is that he's wearing his rucksack backwards, and in that rucksack is a little baby that he's minding until their mother gets back from being treated for injuries. The items in it emptied in a pile in his tent, and he's pacing outside of it.

Whistling notes of "Let it Be" are directed at the kid, lulling them to sleep in the blanket-lined cacoon, their small head resting against his collarbone as he tries to keep them calm 'cause he doesn't want child screams to create a cascading effect of juvenile squalling throughout this part of the camp.

Once it seems suitably asleep he quietly says to no one in particular, more like he's musing to himself. "I don't think Mother Mary is Mary Poppins in that song..." just as an idle, pondering thought that wandered its way to his outside voice where it had no place being, and is probably the lightest thing he's thought about in a bit.

Unearthed

[asheaveniswide]

It just makes sense to have enough people onhand to do damage when needed, or scout when needed, or even use a handy medpack when needed. Zenos felt himself versatile enough to tag along, partly ... perhaps only because Yondu was there, and there had ocacsionally been snatches of the sounds of battle through the thorns and vines.

He is very much keen on finding out what that arrow actually did. While using them on vegetable matter would be informative only by way of whether or not Yondu could kill a marlboro and kin with it, it would at least provide a baseline.

Annoyingly, for quite some time, nothing at all had happened. Up until the beast spooks and runs, and Yondu runs after it, and Zenos follows them both.

The beast doesn't get far, its bridle and reins seized by the Garlean, who by brute force alone drags it to a puffing, stamping stop. The sounds of war are closer now, the acrid burn of smoke and charred flesh somewhere not too far away, and its familiarity has Zenos on high alert -- but more importantly, or at least to him, he's going to get to see that arrow do its work. He noticed the whistle, and the little projectile, and the sea of angry vines.

"Can you handle those?" If not he's going to find something to tie the beast to and lend a hand, but he wants to see the blue man do his work.

Usagi Tsukino (AU) | Purple Team (but all over the place) | OTA

[another_moon]

Gearing Up

The last few missions, Usagi had been more than useless, what with her powers going screwy or not working or just not being able to be able to help the other Voidtrekkers. This time, however, Usagi was going to be the best help that she could be. She was already transformed as New Sailor Moon, but she could be found messing around with the Equalizer as well, making sure she knew how it worked. She wasn't going to get caught off-guard this time around that's for sure.

Once she was set up, she went to fit herself with one of the eye and earpieces, taking a scouting drone with her.

"Make sure you get everything you need...!" she said, idly.

Kolokifi's Domain

A) Scanning the Scenery

If you are walking around, you might see Usagi sitting down on a hill, trying her best to not move her head around. If you try to talk to her, she'll hold up a hand, asking you to wait.

"Sorry, I'm trying to get a better understanding of what's going on." she said, apologizing. "What's up?"

B) Unearthed War - Part One

Usagi grumbled as she stumbled into this strange land. A weird, ravaged world filled with nothing but wildly grown trees and vines. "I guess this is where I need one of those Equalizers, huh?"

With a nod, she went to set the Equalizer down on the ground when something caught her by the waist. "Woah, wait, hey!" she cried out as she found herself pulled away. More vines shot out to bind her, thorns poking into her uniform. "Owowow! Someone, help!"

C) Unearthed War - Part Two

Great, of all the things Usagi wanted to deal with, soldiers turning around and going after her was the one thing she didn't want. Her earlier foes looked human, but they always had monstrous looks that made them easier for Usagi to destroy. But, these were more human-looking. They were soldiers fighting in a war.

Summoning up a group of ribbons and forming them into a sword, she blocked their own sword before using her Moon Stick to strike them away.

"I don't want to hurt you, but if I have to... I will!" she shouted. She barely dodged another sword slice, the blade cutting part of the bow on her chest before she kicked them away.

"This is my last warning!" She might have to get dangerous here...

Wildcard

(OoC: Feel free to run into Usagi elsewhere in the event - at camp, at distortion, back on the train, whatever. She's running the gamut here.)

Unearthed War One

[redmeguca]

Mars Flame Sniper!

[Several flaming arrows fly through the air, severing the vines holding Usagi captive.]

Vines off my girlfriend, you overgrown weeds!

jake peralta | camps & such | ota

[monkeyinthewrench]

the fortress

Frustratingly, Jake still lacks a gun. He's definitely not a computer guy either. That means he's left to support. Which isn't a glamorous job at all, but it needs to be done.

He hikes from the fortress to the secured camps at least once a day, carrying food and supplies for the scattered populations. He's washed vegetables, wrapped fruit...restless souls will be quelled when they're no longer hungry, right? He's no cook, but he's willing to support anyone who is. As long as you don't give him something too complicated.

"Health food truck coming through. Beep. Beeeeeep." It's a poor excuse for a joke, but even as far from the battlefield as he is...it's starting to wear on him too.

lighting fires

Jake might not be equipped to battle, but that doesn't mean he misses out on how gruesome the mission can be. Sometimes he can hear the screams from all the way back here at camp. Sometime's he confronted with a person screaming for their loved ones...loved ones long dead.

His face is unusually solemn as he addresses people. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened, but I promise people are working on it---"

Aaaand he's punched in the gut. "Sorry won't bring them back!"

He wheezes. "I know---" and they storm off. As soon as his strength returns, he kicks a rock in frustration. And then he has second thoughts, crouching to pick it up. It's representative of the wasteland around them.

"...what do you tell someone who's lost everything?"

getting into trouble

Jake honestly intends to stay out of trouble. He does for a while! But the restlessness and helplessness grow each day, and when he sees a person making a break for it, back toward the direction of the distortion he came from, he gives chase.

"I, uh...wouldn't do that if I were you!"

He tries to catch them before they get too far, but...the sky opens. The ground wavers. Crap. Hopefully there's someone nearby with an equalizer in hand?

Lighting Fires

[sevenyearsasleep]

"It depends. I usually listen." Link glanced at the person who'd stormed off, debating if he should follow that one or let them be for a bit.

He decided to leave them alone for the moment, and gave Jake a sympathetic look. "Even if we understand exactly how they feel, they won't believe it right away. They're in too much pain. They might need to scream for a bit, get it out, and then maybe they'll be more receptive."

"The quiet ones are the ones you really have to worry about."

kaiba | camp n' tech | ota

[blue_ice]

setting up camp

There's a certain tension in Kaiba's face as he begins to set up the evacuee camps. Should any of the survivors reach them, they've likely had to leave their friends and family behind. Thrust into a barren world that's all new to them...he's not sure there's any kindness to that.

He has his own thoughts about mortality and grief weighing heavily on his mind as he tucks an equalizer into his bag. "Of all our tasks so far, this might be the dirtiest."

time locking

There's a rather gnarly looking time distortion ahead, apparently. He waits near the outskirts of it, supplies at the ready.

"I've practiced with these, I can activate it in a few seconds. I won't need cover for long."

It's his rather blunt way of asking for help from a warrior. But if he sees someone else with a box in hand, he'll instead say:

"Two...hm. Think we can cover the whole radius?"

day's end

It's getting late, and certain people are making noises alluding to the need for Voidtreckers to sleep. Kaiba knows there's still much work to do, but he relents---an angry friend can be quite scary in certain circumstances.

Should he spot someone trudging along, he'll nod and make room for them to sit. Probably not the kind of thing people want to talk about in too much detail. But maybe if it's addressed more abstractly...he looks up at the darkness, just as barren as everything else. And sighs.

"Think this is a problem on other worlds too?"

time locking

[miseris_socios]

"I can cover you for a bit." Ken's been circling back around to the camp to keep it protected. He's a little hesitant on killing things that look like people, even if he knows they're just pieces of time, not real people.

(At least he hopes they're not real people, given how some of Red operates.)

"We'll just be in and out, no problem. Right?"

Otoha | Red Team | OTA

[bakegarasu]

Train

Otoha's got a job to do, and he's damn well going to do it. He stands nearby the supplies, trying to catch the attention of any red team members who pass by - or those who have let him know they're going to be tagging along. "Hey, come over here. At least grab a potion or something."

For other people he's simply staying as a presence by the table, ready to talk to people if they come up to him. (He's trying to get better at the whole social thing, okay?) ... And this is a good way to keep an eye on who's doing what.


War

Otoha dives right in to the nastiest time distortions, especially ones that have been marked as too difficult for most people to deal with. He's in his element - after all, they were told they have to get rid of the slips of people. There's no more efficient way than by the sword, really.

Need a rescue from a difficult place? Need someone to slaughter with? Otoha's there, sword at the ready.


Camps

... But even he gets tired sometimes. Marching back to the camp, bloodstained and with a blank look on his face, Otoha manages to get himself back into safety. He goes and attends to his wounds when he needs to, though occasionally he'll head to a healer for help. Most of the time in camp he can be found eating in a more secluded area, doing his best to not nod off, or restlessly patrolling around it until he gets sufficiently antsy enough to head out again.


Wildcard

Of course, he can be found other places, as well.

war

[knifewithnoname]

The main thing she has gotten better at over the missions she has taken part in has been working as part of the team. Red team was a strange one, with most people like her- used to doing things alone. But their tasks were often ones that required more than one person.

Like right now. She spots Otoha and runs to his side. "I did be spotting a group over there, they do be having fire sticks."

And they looked angry.

Idia Shroud | Orange Team | OTA

[flameinthedarkness]

I) Base Camp and Gearing up
The fortress they arrived at was… strangely rather familiar to Idia in a way, though certainly less blue or grey than he was used to. The Grecian architecture, the use of holograms to display information, there was a moment of him feeling like he was either back at the Ignihyde dorm, or in STYX. It offered both a feeling of comfort… and a level of homesickness.

He listens quietly to the information provided to them, taking in enough to get the idea of it, as his focus was primarily on the tech available here. And how he can get his hands on it. In a way, despite the horrible clashing colours, he’s glad to be in Orange Team, getting his hands on those items offered to them. Idia will spend time looking over mainly the headpiece and the drone supplied with it, and also gathering enough information to feel confident about using the equalisers.

…then realizing the weight of one of them. “…really?” There’s no way he will be able to pick it up with his own strength alone.

II) Kolokifi’s Domain
“I instantly regret my decision.” Ugh! It was so hot here, and dusty, and horrible, he’s torn between trying to fan himself from the heat, and keeping his head and face covered as much from just how dry everything was and all the dust that got kicked up. He’s certainly regretting not staying behind with others who chose not to take part in the mission. Yet Idia reminds himself he was here to get his currency levels up, to be able to buy more stuff.

And a chance to play with these drones. Idia’s been wearing his headset as he’s trudged along with the rest of the teams, getting use to how it worked and being able to use it at the same time as he walked. He would prefer a chance to sit somewhere comfortably to do so, but he would make do, zipping the little drone around to get a feel of it before letting it go out and explore around the surrounding areas.

III) What Once Was
“Aahhh!” This was so much better! Not as good as air conditioning, but better! Idia is not made for much physical labour, and at the first chance of teams taking a rest in this far nicer setting, he will just drop down and rest on the ground. Leave him here. He’s had enough.

Or at least it appears that way physical for him, as the drone he’s using is still active and quick to shoot around, taking in what was happening around them and looking for any threats.

IV) Unearthed War – 3
How did he end up here, of all options! Let him go back to that nice time distortion! Rather than… this! This was all pure chaos, he doesn’t know where to start, huddling away inside the hood of his hoodie, his computer floating closer to him than he normally would have it, to make sure it was safe and away from danger. He just hopes no one notices him while he quickly tries to figure out via the map the best set up for the equaliser.

Though as several figures rush at him from within the disorder of this all, Idia snaps a hand up towards them, “G-go away!” Fire flaring up around his skull computer before barrelling out towards those coming at him in a large fireball. He’s not aiming to hurt them, just scare the off, the fire while large and imposing, dissipates before it came into full contact with them. Against another magic user he wouldn’t had held back so much, but another magic user should have a shield up around them to limit the damage. These… were just people, as far as he knew.

V) Rest and Recovery
Honestly, Idia needs a rest from all of this. It was too much. Was this all really worth it for some extra currency? …well, he supposes so if he wants to get his stuff from home, or a copy of it, or whatever it was. Managing to find a spot in one of the camps set up, Idia’s mostly keeping to himself as he recovers from the latest adventure out to try and stop these time rips. Not helping at all with caring for the camp or those within it. That’s just not his thing.

Instead he will try and take some comfort out of playing around with the headset and drone he received at the start of all of this, looking it over for useful parts and scribbling out ideas in his note book for how to use it towards his own projects.

VI) Wildcard

II) Kolokifi’s Domain

[bitternessoflife]

Yota didn't want to talk about it much, the heat was intense, his vision was blurring (or was that sweat falling into his eyes?), but hearing someone else complain got him to let loose a few of his own too.

"Tell.. me... about it..." Yota managed between ragged breaths. "It's hot! ... way... too... hot!"

He quickly shook his head, then belted out, "Money's money!!"

Kitty Pryde | Purple Team | OTA

[goingthroughaphase]

A. Gearing Up

After the information they were given, Kitty could be found experimenting with the scouting drones and learning how the equalizers work. Since the Purple team was meant to help the others neutralize the time distortions and protect the people, she figures it be a good idea to at least know some of these things, in case she needed to help out with them directly. Having a scouting drone would also be good to see who might need help or see if danger was coming.

She also grabs a couple of the medical kits as well, to have on hand just in case there were people who needed some immediate medical attention.

B. Camps

Kitty stays close to one of the camps to help protect the people there, keeping touch with what's going on to make sure everything is going all right. It's difficult, though, with the people who are scared and upset, and many trying to run away. She tries to help as much as she can to calm them down, and reassure them that they're here to help, but there's only so much they can do.

Still, she does her best to be as comforting to them as possible, while still keeping a look out for anything that might try to attack the camp.

C. Ministry Base

Kitty sometimes also heads back to the Ministry base with some people, especially when she needs a little break from the heaviness of the campsite. She mostly takes the opportunity to gather supplies though, food and water that she can take back to the camps to hand out to her fellow Voidtreckers. She still can't cook that well, but she'll try to make some food as well, with...mixed results.

She won't waste the supplies in the kitchen, though, because she knows that she can't afford to. But she'll still try to help out where she can.

D. Wildcard

((Feel free to catch Kitty somewhere, or make up another prompt to do with her!))

[longforgottenpromise]

"Ah Kitty." He smiled at her, spotting her in the kitchen.

And well, he had seen her in the kitchen before and he knew that her attempts sometimes ended in disaster.

It's not exactly a place where they want to cause more issues, but luckily those of them who had been mostly setting up the camps had pre prepared some food knowing everyone else would be hungry after a days work.

"I made some vegetable soup earlier, it just needs warmed up."

Senku Ishigami | Guesting on Blue! | OTA

[10billionpercent]

I. Setting up Camp

There was a cart and an animal to carry everything, which was a godsend, but that didn’t stop Senku from walking on his own next to it. The longer he walked, the more out of breath he seemed, a fact he was distinctly ignoring.

The supplies he’d chosen leaned heavily towards the medical kits and food. Normally, he would’ve been messing around with the technology but with the emphasis on herbal healing, that was probably more in his domain since magical healing was far more recent to him. He could certainly treat patients without it.

Once arrived, he might peg someone down to help him unload the supplies, and he knew his way around building a tent by now. He could be of help to anyone struggling.


II. Cooking

The supplies were limited, but that was fine. Pasta and chicken, sauces and vegetables – that sounded like a hearty stew to Senku and on at least one day he was easily preparing it. It could be made in large quantities after all, and pita would go good with a soup.

It was possible that someone coming close, looking like they need a task might get a knife pointed in their direction idly.

“Grab one of these and start chopping.” Senku said, his tone more absent than commanding as though he was focused on the task at hand.

III. Doctor Senku is in

Outside of preparations, once misplaced people start coming in, Senku can be found mainly with a stethoscope around his shoulders and beckoning them to be looked over.

“You should come this way, it’s better to be safe than have some problem show up later and be more of a pain to fix.”

He was used to dealing with people who weren’t trusting of what he was doing, and the herbal kits were on full display. He had no intention on whipping out magic here.

Then again, perhaps a Voidtrecker has gone and injured themselves and like any time he was minding medical he was easily accessible.

IV. Choose Your Own Adventure

[What it says on the tin. Maybe someone’s having an equipment issue and Senku can take a look and help resolve. Maybe they just want to talk to him. He’s mainly going to stick to the camps with the blue team this mission.]

iii

[blitzcheer]

"Senku!"

Tidus knows Senku's in this camp; and if he wasn't desperate (please don't already be busy, man!), he wouldn't be calling, hoping to get attention. Because Tidus? Has someone on his back.

Though what's actually immediately evident is the struggle he's going through to keep them on there, and to walk. Every part of him feels stiff from the journey, mind racking over ways he could be doing this easier, but here he is, trudging forward on automatic.

Maybe there's nothing that Senku can do either until Tidus gets him to the tent. But good to let the doctor know what's incoming: a ragged figure on his back with a leg covered in a hasty bandage, but stained red from white.

Ruby Rose (CRAU) | Purple Team (but everywhere) | OTA

[silver_eyes_rose]

What Once Was

Ruby sputtered as she stumbled into one of the time distortions. No longer was she wandering the heat-soaked world before her, but a world luscious with grass and streams. "Where am I?" she uttered, wandering around. "Must be one of those odd distortions..."

...aaaaaand she didn't bring any of the equipment. Darn it! She sighed as she fiddled with her SCA. At the very least, she could let someone know she's here and they can come and save her. She'd hate to fix this, but it's something they have to do.

So, for the moment, she removed her boots and stuck her feet in the stream, enjoying the feeling on her feet.

Unearthed War

"Come quietly or suffer her judgement!"

Uh-oh, it seemed that Ruby had wandered into another area and this one wasn't friendly at all. She shook her head and unsheathed Crescent Rose, setting the scythe to its full length.

"Sorry, I can't let you catch me!" she said. Flipping the scythe around, she slammed the soldier with the staff part of the weapon, only for another to catch her from behind, a sword cutting her back. It passed through her Aura! There's no way!

"H-How...?" Ruby gasped, surprised by that.

"Godless heathen! Your blessings don't work against me!" the other soldier shouted, slashing again, only catching her hoodie this time.

Heavy Hearts In Rest

Just outside the camps, you might find Ruby flanked by a few other girls about her age. They're obviously not of the train and most likely survivors of the time distortions. The way they hang onto her, though, makes it seem like they revere her. Perhaps even... love her?

There's an interesting scent in the air and it could easily draw you to Ruby as well. It's a power she didn't want to use and, truthfully, hated - the ability to spread pheromones. The girls she gathered had tried to escape, they refused to listen and Ruby used this as a last resort.

"Gehh... get them off me? Please?" she'll ask if you approach.

Wildcard

(OoC: Other ideas? Hit me up!)

Unearthed War

[gathersnomoss]

"Two against one? Hardly fair." This is the first serious fight Zelgadis has been in since his return to something resembling his original body. And it both makes clear that he had needed the practice he'd gotten on the train and that he still had some ways to go to unlearn relying on his old reflexes when using a sword.

He did have magic but that was even less practiced in his restored body. He knew his limits were lower, but not by how much.

Esteban Drake | Purple Team (mostly trying to find his place) | OTA

[crowneddragon]

I. Camp - Trying to Help
Esteban is still not too sure what he can do with all of this. The teams seem to be breaking down into smaller groups, but he has no idea how helpful he can actually be. Fighting is not his absolute forte, particularly against people, and what is his spinning going to do for them?

So he's trying to see what he might amount to-- there's oxen that are required to pull the carts, which he can do. Or maybe-- maybe? Urf, this is stupid.

"Hey, d'you need any help?" Give him something; he'll make himself useful. He's just not sure what he can do right now.

II. Camp - Touch the Sky
The Grav-Con unit is his new favourite tool.

Whoever invented these is a genius. Absolute genius. Esteban's in love.

He has yet to read the manual (because urf, reading), but the device is pretty straightforwards, and without even an interface (bonus points!) and Esteban has been taking it slow. Ish. He's still learning.

He hopes Tidus is aware, he's not about to give it back without a bit of a fight. Or maybe he just won't mention it ever again. For now, the half-elf is satisfied with using it to jump off short boulders, letting his feet brush against the ground lightly before gravity takes effect again, and learning how to jump higher. He's so focused on his self-task, he can barely hear anything outside of his immediate range.

III - Idyllic Life - Whispered Echoes
It's... surprisingly easy for the half-elf to provide a distraction when people are nearby. A few stragglers too close to a distortion point, their lives a thread snatched from their tranquil times and pulled into a different tapestry. Esteban is quick to reach out to them and greet them, grinning sunnilly and asking his questions-- questions, questions, questions, always so full of them!

He picks up their lingo easily, soon dances along the name of gods he doesn't even believe in. He mentions he is from Eilifi's lands just down south, but had come traveling north to see their sights. He encourages people he does not know to enthuse about landmarks he won't be able to see, has them wave out the general roads and attractions until at last the thread is pulled and the tapestry reforms around him.

It's... a bit hollowing. Giving to these people that vanish, wishing he could do more. But he's able to help, in his own way, and he tries to think that this is enough, even as he stands to see their eyes widen, the flash of betrayal as the world fades out from between them.

Just plucking at strings, and trying to untangle the mess. He takes a deep breath and turns to his companion, grinning again.

"So, 's there 'nother one nearby?"

III - Idyllic Life - Townsquare dancing
Distracting an entire town full of people? Yes, actually! That is in Esteban's skillsets! He's whistling and causing a ruckus, calling out to people to clap their hands and accompany him.

It's one of the rare, rare things he feels comfortable doing right now, eyes on him as he find a spot convenient enough to start spinning. It's another type of distraction, and the bright red of his poi catch in the sunlight-- briefly, he mourns that the sky isn't blue here, to make the colour pop out even more. So he twists them in body tracers and stalls as he dances instead, clashing red with the purple of his shirt to make his artificial sky.

He really does hope that his companions are quick at setting up the equalizers. There's only so many times he can impress the crowds with the same tricks after all, but he will buy them every second his skills can barter for.

townsquare dancing

[flatteries]

Inigo kind of feels out of place here. He's been trying to stick to the distortions where there would be more danger to deal with so far during the mission, but it was only inevitable before he'd eventually be dragged into one that doesn't seem to have even the faintest danger lingering around.

It leaves him a little awkward, though he's trying to not show it. Instead he's trying to organize, mostly. Watching which people of the orange team brought along the equipment, watching where they're setting it up. Keeping an eye on the crowds of people, so no one who disperses from the crowd Esteban has gathered heads in their direction.

Which is why Inigo is standing here now. Not as part of the crowd, but at the side - keeping an eye on everything, his sheathed sword hanging off his belt.

Occasionally his own gaze is drawn to Esteban's act too. But unlike the time he watched him dance - if Esteban happens to look at Inigo at all during his act - there is absolutely nothing in Inigo's eyes. Not a single emotion.

Lan Wangji / The Untamed AU / Blue Team / OTA

[eternalinquiry]

Gearing up and between time instances
Wangji can be found prepping most of the time, if that's maintenance of the items they are given or writing out a hundred standard talismans he likes to use. He won't mind the company, if you are willing to lend a hand.

Unearthed War
Whatever the scenario, Wangji will be doing his best to minimise any casualties and transporting people to safety. He will fight back when he has to, but without weapons he will call for assistance where he can. Not all the rescues work out, some fight back and others run from him but he will offer his aid to anyone who asks. If a fellow voidtrekker needs help, you can bet Wangji will show up where the confusion and tension is thickest to try and do what he can.

Idyllic life
In many ways these instances are harder for him than any that involve battle. Sitting back and letting them play out makes him restless, attempting to meditate so as to be unobtrusive as possible. The worst are the ones that realise and then seek comfort when he has so little to give and fewer words to express it. But eventually all things must pass.

Heavy Hearts in rest
Being a guard is a skill Wangji has in spades, he's quiet and unyielding with just enough intangible menace to send the weaker willed scurrying back into their camp. That is where he will be found, if he isn't returning more found survivors and refugees to their newest temporary home. Standing on the fringes of the camps and trying to keep all who should be there in, and trying to keep all that shouldn't be there out.

heavy hearts in rest

[happyends]

Madoka knows that Wangji is busy. She really knows it, but.. on the other hand, he's one of the most reliable adults around. Someone she knows she can always ask for help.

So after a while she inevitably shows up at his side, her big eyes looking up at him, pleading.

"Um.. Mister Wangji, could you maybe help me with something..?"

At least it doesn't look like there are any stragglers to guide into camp for the moment.

Vegeta | Red Team | OTA

[renegadeprince]

I) Base Camp
The message they had received before the stop itself for each team had been… concerning for Vegeta. Red Team’s requirement of ‘shutting down’ war and strife, it left a few too many questions unanswered for him and raised some silent concerns for Vegeta.

It felt a little too similar to what he used to be.

He knows he will have to wait to see the situations as they arise, but Vegeta has one too many memories of wiping out entire armies with a single attack, of enjoying the rush of killing, of destroying entire populations of a world. He doesn’t want to be that any more. But he also wants to fulfil his team requirements. It’s with this that he made a choice while prepping, a noticeable one for those aware of how he normally preps for a mission; arming himself with a sword. He had been training with Trunks for just over a month, well, half a month in train time, to use a sword. This felt like a good chance to put that practice to use. Having borrowed his son’s backup sword, unlike Trunks Vegeta wears it in a sheath on his hip, his tail offering extra support to hold it there as he silently watches the presentation given to them by those who greeted them here.

He takes time to make note of the information and locations provided, and when they have a chance to gear up Vegeta will also learn about the equaliser’s operating system as well. He may be here as Red Team to protect those who will use them, but it’s better to know the systems for a worst case situation.

II) Kolokifi’s Domain
During their travels to their destination, Vegeta will be splitting his time between flying and keeping an eye on all from above, and walking alongside the others who are more earth bound. There was little point in getting too far ahead of everyone else, not when the whole point of this was to transport items to be used to secure the situation.

Talking of which, as Vegeta comes back down from one of his flights to scan ahead, he spots those that may be struggling under the weight of those boxes containing the equalisers, realizing not all were suited to be carrying such a weight. “Do you need help?”

III) Unearthed War - 2
Considering some of the other distortions they have come across, this so far felt rather… calm. Not that Vegeta isn’t ready in case it wasn’t, he casting a glance as those riders drew nearer to him and any of those with him. He casts a glare towards their orders, before ignoring them and asking any of his fellow Void Treckers, “Where does the equaliser have to be placed?” They were here on a mission after all, no time to play games with echoes or whatever these beings were.

Would it be received well? Maybe not, but if it came to that Vegeta would not allow them to get in the way of them getting this mission completed.

IV) Wildcard

1

[happyends]

Madoka is polite enough to at least stay quiet and listen while everything is being explained to them.

But as soon as they're able to move around, getting the last bits of preparations done before heading out, Madoka does go around to find some familiar faces. To at least say something to them before they all go their own ways.

And when she spots Vegeta, of course she's going to approach him. She doesn't expect to see him very often during this mission, after all, since she's sure he will be going with the rest of the red team..

"Mister Vegeta..!" Look, it's the familiar pink girl trotting up to him once more. "Mister Vegeta, um.. the blue team is going to be setting up camps to take care of the displaced people.."

Honestly, it's mostly her way of letting him know where she's going to be. For a very important reason though:

"If you get hungry, or thirsty, or need anything else.. please come find me at the camp, okay? I'll help you..!"

Death, Guesting Blue

[acapriciousthing]

Camps

Death knows where here strengths lie, and that's in people wrangling. She's intentionally seeking out the people who are least trusting of this whole scenario. Getting tossed out of time isn't like dying, exactly, but the level of distress is just as bad.

So she's often on the outskirts, trying to coax them in to accept help. "Even this will feel better with a hot meal."

It's the little things, it has to be.

She's also looking for her fellow Voidtreckers as well, often with a "How are you handling it?"

The caregivers can get themselves in just as much distress, after all.

Distortions

She does sometimes venture out from the camps to engage in the distortions. THere's a lot to do and she can move more easily than most. SHe might not be a fighter, but when she finds the aftermath of battles... this is familiar territory for her. Not necessarily for those tasked with setting the equalizers.

"I can go in with you, if it helps."

Camps

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos isn't sure Lady Death will be able to do something or if she would refuse to get involved. However, when she asks how he's doing, he figures that is a good enough invitation to talk and at least inform her of what he's learned: Death entity to Death entity to Death entity. Between what he senses and Merios's words, there is a lot on his mind that he doesn't know how to solve.

"You sense what remains of them, don't you?" His eyes glance over to some of those who managed to escape from a time distortion. Thanatos keeps his voice low. "They aren't going to live long past this, and Merios says they won't be able to reach Rest when they die. As we solve the bigger problem, I worry for them."

If they manage to stop the time distortions, those people are now outside of their normal time. Their situation may not improve with the rest.

Thanatos | Red | OTA

[controlsthedie]

Time Distortion: a war not of Ares's making: cw: violence, NPC death(s)

Though the weapons and location differ, Thanatos is familiar with a battlefield. The fight shudders to a pause as Thanatos and others suddenly appear. Before anyone has a chance to do anything, Thanatos floats into the air and summons his scythe and his wings (for extra flair).

His voice still remains gentle, but the air just seems to change around them. The VoidTreckers should remember that Thanatos is a god. "I am Thanatos, Death Incarnate and working to aid Lord Merios and this world. Do not interfere with what we do. I will strike down any who attempt to harm me or those with me. Stand back and let us work."

As Thanatos regrettably expected, one soldier shouts a battle cry and charges toward him with sword drawn. It has been so long since Thanatos had needed to call upon his power, but there is no sign of hesitation or a degrading of his skills. He twists his scythe in one hand and points it at the soldier. Those able to see his power will a purple spectral scythe appear about the soldier's head. It slices a downward arc through the man's fated thread, ending his life.

To others, the man falls to the ground seemingly untouched but dead. For the time being. How many times have he died already? But was not allowed to stay dead and be at peace?

"You would do well to listen." With a graceful flourish, Thanatos spins his scythe again and points it at the mass of fighters. A large purple magic circle forms under their feet. Thanatos holds his power but doesn't release it. "Leave or share his fate." Please just go.

A sizable number of soldiers decide this strange god who invokes Merios's name is not to be crossed. They run away from the glowing circle at their feet and continue running. Others leave the circle but stare dumbfounded. And some press forward and attack the VoidTreckers, courageous but foolish.

"Here they come."

Camp: among the dying but unResting

Thanatos doesn't really rest when he's at one of the camps. He's thinking about Merios and the other gods. He's thinking about the damaged souls forced to die and be brought back to life over and over. He thinks of those who will be unable to even pass to their afterlife from all this. Merios's words repeat in his head. "Death comes to them all... and they will never reach Rest."

Thanatos thinks of his own world, snowy white to this world's dusty red but having so many similarities that it brings a fresh wave of homesickness. Still now he knows for certain that messing with time is not a solution for his world. Not if this is anything to go by. What is going on there? How much are the mortals suffering? Has the Ministry made contact?

Mort nuzzles Thanatos out of his thoughts, earning the mouse some pets. He needs to concentrate on this mission. He can think more about home when he's back on the train.

He walks over to where VoidTreckers seem to be preparing for the next outing. "Have the scouts sent any word of the next time distortion?"

Or

He walks over to someone looking drained. Thanatos is going to make sure no one is trying to be too reckless and exhaust themselves. He did threaten the whole train to send healers after people. "Are you well?"

Wildcard: Choose Your Own Adventure

[[ OOC: Got an idea? Write up a starter or plot something out. Feel free to contact me by journal DM, aviekokyre, or Discord: aviekokyre#3411 ]]

[voidtreckernpcs]

As he continues to cut down his enemies it begins to rain. The rain falls heavier and heavier, thunder rumbles overhead and the sky becomes dark as night.

Wherever he was on the battlefield there is now a temple, long and open air, stretching out before him. Thanatos will feel a pull, a desire to go closer. He will wish to fight through the storm to reach it.

"Thanatos." There's a voice on the wind, booming but distant. "Thanatos".

It may be that Thanatos is not alone. If he has a companion with him they will also hear the voice, but to them the voice will be calling something very different. "Merios".

The voice is calling to him and he feels a tug on his heart, beckoning him closer.

(OOC: Feel free to grab a friend or two if you want!)

Ryo | Camps | Closed Prompts

[fivemilesdeep]

[I'm not topleveling with Ryo, but I'm up for discussing specific prompts! Hit me up at kiaxet or Kiaxet#7085!]

Camp

[dyingpro]

Zagreus spots the familiar shock of white hair at one of the campfires late one evening, just before the stars begin to come out in full. He'd seen the public blow-up between him and Thanatos on the comms, but he'd tried not to interfere, tried not to talk one of them out of it when they're both still so fragile.

Seeing Ryo looks so glum by the fire, though, tugs at his heartstrings. Now he feels like he has to say something, he can't see his friend and his... "friend"?... carry on like this any longer.

"Hey Ryo," is all Zagreus manages to come up with by the time he reaches the fire. He settles in next to Ryo, resting Stygius on the other side of him. He tries to come up with something witty to say, but the only thing that comes to mind is, "So you spoke with them too? The Gods of this world, I mean?"

... this isn't how he meant the flow of conversation to go! Dammit.

KIYOIRI - OTA/RED TEAM PROMPTS

[jan_ken_hacking]

[GEARING UP - MEDICAL TIME]

Kiyoiri is Red Team. The team meant to be walking into scenes of war, 'putting down' the shades of forever warring combatants, making certain that stabilizers can be placed. Kiyoiri is no combatant herself, albeit not for lack of skill, but it doesn't mean she's joining a different team.

Instead, she takes her medical pack and starts preparing. "Bandages. Splints. Gauze," she lists, gently setting each object in its place. "Disinfectant. Tape..."

The list isn't too extensive, but she goes through each part, just to make sure it's there.

Her hand pauses over the provided kits. "...And blessed additions." Hmm. Kiyoiri blinks at it, not looking up to whoever is near.

"...Did they explain what the blessing is meant to do?"

On her shoulder, her 'crow' gives a low crooning sound.

[KOLOKIFI'S DOMAIN - THAT'S A STEW CHEF]

Well, now that they're meant to be taking off on the mission it's about time to set up. As they stand in Kolokifi's Domain, Kiyoiri adjusts her medical pack and frowns- sending the strange, fish like scouting drone ahead.

"...Takechirou," she begins as the drone takes off. "We need someone who can face violence with discretion. You'll be expected to kill," the girl emphasizes with a near whisper, "...even if I don't want you to. ...So please, take a form of someone who understands this," Kiyoiri pleads. "...above anything."

The crow caws- and with a slight flap of his wings, darts forward before melting on the spot- a black lump drooping shadow from the air, until it gathers and grows and coalesces. It keeps going- gathering form, shape, definition, and then-

"...Archer. Jean Chastel."

Kiyoiri...

Stares.

"...Okiya-san...is..?"

It looks more like a bespectacled college student, hair pale and smile warm, even if there's a rifle upon his back.

[UNEARTHED WAR - AWOOOOOOOO]

The minute they enter the battlefield and distortion, 'Okiya' changes. The sun doesn't shine above them here, and Kiyoiri jolts back as her partner servant seems to writhe while standing. The clothes change with the rest of their form impossibly- molting with black feathers and hair as fur and claws appear. Jean Chastel's legend was one that was twisted in fiction and media over time, and the Spirit Origin as Takechirou copies it reflects that; a werewolf, the 'Beast of Gevaudan', stands strong before her- garbed in black formal wear that more befits his wild nature, and holding his rifle ready.

Kiyoiri pants, still trying to catch her breath.

And no doubt, she was not the only one who witnessed the change with shock while they stood there on the burning battlefield.

[WILDCARD - want to encounter Kiyoiri elsewhere? As Takechirou is now 'Okiya/Jean Chastel', she'll be accompanied by him even outside the domain- though he'll only be a fuzzy werewolf at night. Hit me up!]

kolokifi's domain

[flatteries]

Although Inigo has headed into some of the distortions to try and help out the orange people placing the equalizers there by providing distractions or protection - he's been hanging out more here, in the space between the distortions and the camp. Trying to guide displaced people over, taking care of threats once they emerged from the distortions before they can reach said camp.

But it also means that he spots Kiyoiri out there. He recognizes the drone from what the ministry was handing out to them, even though it still looks kind of weird to him. So he can ignore that part, but..

.. well, then things get a little more weird.

Weird enough for Inigo to frown, looking serious as he approaches her.

".. Is everything alright here?"

Look, he doesn't know what her crow just did, or.. changed into? But he might as well check up on the situation, especially with Kiyoiri herself looking so confused.

[crouching_sin]

Landing

Naoya doesn’t care much for gods or prayer, and so moves on from the starting area as soon as he can. He steps out into the bright sun and mutters something unkind under his breath before he turns towards the group again.

They’re going to need several camps, so he goes to see what he can help move. He can at least store things in hammerspace... he sighs and goes to check on supplies.


Idyllic Life

Naoya misses these kinds of places. Much as he celebrates human progress, the small natural places are easy to miss. He’s got an equalizer next to him, but he looks ready to doze off as he sits against it, hair blowing gently in the breeze.

... He probably shouldn’t stay here, though.


War

Some places aren’t nearly as peaceful, though. Guesting on orange team or not, he’s still equipped for a fight. It’s easy to find him throwing up a temporary magical shield around someone else with an equalizer - or someone defending him while he sets one up himself. Equally possible is him disarming someone with one of the demonic daggers, thrusting and parrying with inhuman speed.

Far less likely is finding him directing a storm of sand against enemies, breathing hard as he swirls it around to serve as a shield for the team working on an equalizer nearby. “I can’t hold this too long, so work fast!”


Camps

Naoya has been playing delivery boy between camps. Hammerspace is useful for carrying large amounts of stuff, and his lightcycle lets him zoom around the domain faster than on foot or cart, its white lights creating lines across the wasteland. He screeches to a halt near the camp and hops off, the vehicle returning to a tube form and getting shoved into storage.

Of course he’s not always zipping around. Sometimes he’s in the camps themselves, helping prepare meals. He can make a lot with a little, and he’s not bad at making adjustments for people who need it if they’re not irritating about it.

After people are fed, he can be found telling stories to the children about monsters and magic from beyond their world - though he sanitizes them a bit to fit the younger ears. The last thing he wants is to get their already stressed parents mad at him.


Wildcard

Of find him elsewhere! There’s an excuse for him to be nearly anywhere, after all.

Camps

[myninjainfocard]

As might be predictable of him, Kabuto stayed back in the camps, knowing full well that he was more useful back there as a medical type than anything else. Is he annoyed by the lack of communication among the healers/medics/whatever before this mission and it seems like chickens running around with their heads cut off? Absolutely.

Though he's taking somewhat of a break from his duties, knowing using his chakra is a bad idea and thus looking far more human and normal than might be familiar on the missions. A small hint of a smirk plays on his lips as he tilts his head in question at whatever ridiculous story he's come up with this time.

"And just how much of that did you need to change to be appropriate for those children, hm?" Calling him out? Of course. What else does he do?

Nell Ingram | Orange (and guesting Blue) | OTA

[nell_of_soulwood]

Gearing Up
After her interactions with the gods of this world, Nell had headed out of the temple where she was met by the creature she'd been promised. The Moliff eyed Nell, a bit suspiciously she felt, so Nell took a deep breath, nodded, and took a calm, but confident step toward it. "Greetings to you," she said. "I'm thinking you must be the blessing the gods sent so I can help their people better. I have to practice a little with the equalizers so I can go into Kolokifi's realm and help with the time distortions. Then we'll see about helping the people in the camps. If you see there's anything I'm missing, maybe you could nudge me gently so I don't miss it."

The Moliff watched her, unblinking, as she spoke and for several long silent heartbeats after. Then it made a sort of nod and moved to her side, then took a few steps forward and stopped, looking back at her as if waiting for her to follow.

"I guess that's a yes," Nell said with a smile, and followed.

She could be found collecting gear and learning about the equalizers with the Moliff rarely more than a step or two away and watching her every move.

Kolokifi's Domain
There was a thundering of animals approaching as Nell struggled to set one of the equalizers. "Who goes there?" One of the riders shouted. "Your clothes show you to be no warrior of Kolokifi! Come quietly under her mercy, or suffer her judgment!"

Nell's heart raced, but she forced herself to stand and turn slowly, the Moliff by her side. She didn't want to lie, but with luck and wit she might not have to.

The lead rider stopped, confused for a moment, and Nell raised a hand behind her to ask any of the other voidtrekkers to give her a moment before coming to her defense. "But you travel with...? You are a Messenger of Kolokifi...?"

"The gods sent me with this blessing," she gestured to the moliff, "So that you would know I was here to help. We won't stay long." The Moliff shook itself slightly and with a soft sound moved to place itself between her and the riders.

Heavy Hearts in Rest

After some time deploying equalizers, Nell found herself at the camps and quickly found herself surrounded by people who saw her companion as a sign that she was there to help. Wherever she went she collected people who wanted to speak with her, to pour out their fears, and to be near her and the Moliff.

Nell could be found walking with a distraught father, sitting in a circle of frightened people, singing to a crying child, or simply working to be present and supportive for anyone needing comfort and reassurance. And on occasion she escaped for a brief time to get something to eat or simply recharge for a bit before heading back to work.

Wildcard
[Let me know if there's anything else you'd like or anywhere else you'd like her to be.]

Heavy Hearts in Rest

[cureofmanyworlds]

"Nell?"

Nozomi had stopped to see her dear friend resting away from all of the others and got worried. She slowly approached her, concern in her voice.

"You okay?"

Eli Vanto | Orange (and others) | OTA

[backwaterimperial]

Gearing Up
Eli's first mission since his abduction. This should be fun. It wasn't as if he wasn't used to going on missions planetside and taking care of trouble, though usually those problems were time anomalies. Eli wasn't too worried. He would do what he could. This planet gave him a sense of melancholy, which he hadn't felt on most of the planets he'd visited in his home universe. He got the sense that this place had been through hell.

He fitted the eyepiece on, according to instruction, and then took one of the equalisers, taking his time to examine it and see how it worked.

"This shouldn't be too hard."

Unearthed War
Even with all his military training and experience, this was something Eli couldn't prepare for. Time travel. Even in his home galaxy, this was in the realm of science fiction. The thorny landscape put him on edge. What he wouldn't give for a machete to clear some of this out.

Equalisers in hand, Eli began looking for a place to plant one. Too late did he notice something wrapping around his ankle, until it tightened and pulled, making Eli fall over. Eli kicked at it, reaching for his blaster as the plant crept up his leg. "Kriff!"

Idyllic Life
Eli never thought he would be in a situation like this, where he had to make such a tough choice and steel himself to make a hard choice. This wasn't like when he was just an aide, where he had no choice by to go along with the bad things the Empire did.

He gazed around the peaceful lakeside, with lake houses on the other side of the bank, not wanting the sight to vanish to time.

Wildcard
[If none of these work for you, feel free to PM me or contact me on Discord so we can work something out. He's very open to tagging along with another team.]

idyllic life

[flatteries]

Inigo, part of the purple team, decided to head in here with the orange team to protect them while they were placing the devices and setting them off.

.. then again, upon entering the distortion itself, it didn't seem like there was a whole lot of protecting to do. He glances at their surroundings, looking for any potential sign of danger in this quiet and calm landscape, before his gaze instead lands on Eli.

Or rather, perhaps it lands more on the look in Eli's eyes.

He steps over towards the other.

".. Everything alright?"