To Climb

[voidtreckermods]

Preparation

Just after light on the seventh day since boarding the train everyone’s SCA glows with the colours of the void before showing a message. A briefing for the mission to come. No one gets much time to process this before there is a shaking, like turbulance before there’s a jolt and flash of colour.

”Welcome to Hub World#5739. Our next stop will be Ciyesia in a few hours.”

Outside the windows the void is gone. The train is winding through a mountain range. The mountains tower up around them. The sky is a beautiful blue though every now and again there is a swirl of colour, like the void is trying to break through.

The countryside wizzes by, sometimes you go past settlements, small villages of wooden houses. Sometimes you pass farmers in fields. Sometimes herds of animals, horses, camels, strange animals with six legs and curled horns.

Eventually the train slows. ”Now arriving at Ciyesia. Passengers must wear their Safety Control Apparatus. Please ensure you take all equipment needed for your mission with you when you leave the train and take extra care when you step from the train to the platform. Next stop Ciyesia.”

Arrival

And in a billow of steam the train comes to a stop. The doors hiss open and there is indeed a rickety wooden platform, fallen into disuse. Sat upon it were two children, a boy and a girl who were staring at the train with open mouths.

Before the doors were even fully opened they were off running, “Ma! Ma!”

The platform is in a clearing, surrounded mostly by trees but down the path the children took a building can be seen. If you follow the children you will find it a large homestead, with a sign outside. The Weary Wanderer. The children are on the doorstep talking to a woman and gesturing towards you.

As you approach she smiles, a little nervously. “Well. This is not something I thought I would see in my lifetime. Welcome Treckers, I offer you the hospitality of my inn.”

She gestures them in. Inside is a large common room with wooden tables. There is a fire place but the day is warm enough that it is not lit. At first glance it looks old fashioned to anyone from a modern world, even fantasy-esque for those who would recognise it as such. Indeed her and the children are dressed in simple layered, loose tunics. But then you may notice some of the candles are battery powered and! there’s a coffee machine on the bar.

“Maia can you ask our guests what they would like to drink?” The woman hands the little girl a slate and chalk before she begins rummaging around on the bar for mugs and glasses. “I’m sorry, it’s the quiet season so we aren’t quite guest-ready.”

They become guest ready in an impressive amount of time. The little boy runs off and returns a short while later with a plate of oat biscuits that he begins handing out.

Sheltered and soon to be fed it is time to learn more about this land and plan for your journeys ahead.

(OOC: Information for this event is here and the initial briefing is here

Comments

[runs_on_batteries]

Yeah, well we can't all have biceps the size of donkey heads. Now shut up and show me what you got.

[His lip curls upward on one side.]

You don't do any silly war cry or anything before you do this stuff, do you? Because it's going to be really embarrassing when I win after that.

[thebiggestguy]

Not really.

[Carefully, Dread meshes his hand to Tony's. The metal makes him frown just because of how it feels, the uneven ridges promising more discomfort for him. That's not fair, but oh well!]

[runs_on_batteries]

[That just makes his smile more pronounced.]

Smack talk isn't a strong suit of yours, eh?

[Both of them are ready.]

3... 2... 1... Go!

[It is harder than he expected, but after a moment or two of pushing hard again Dread's hand, the larger man's hand hits the table. Tony lets out a cheer and stands victorious, arms outstretched over his head in excessive celebration.]

You're no match for Iron Man, my friend!

[thebiggestguy]

[Flex as he might, strain as best he can, but natural muscle can't compete with that suit of his. Dread grunts in frustration as the back of his hand smacks down, withdrawing it to flex his fingers.]

No match for his magitek, maybe. Care to try without it?

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony laughs and shakes his finger at Dread.]

Not magic! Science! Bio-physics-astronomic-little bit of chemistry just for fun.. the whole gambit! It's all about knowing mechanics and being their god!

[He hits the emblem on his chest and the suit falls away as quickly as it first appeared, returning to the impossibly small space of the emblem. He holds up his finger again for a much different reason.]

Fine but if you win, you have to buy the next round. I'm seeing the bottom of my glass and that is a real, honest to god tragedy. A real brother wouldn't let that happen, Dread. You let me down.

[Despite that, he puts his hand up again, ready for their next 'battle'.]

[thebiggestguy]

I'd think you were Garlean if you didn't lack a third eye. [Dread drops his arm back down, making the table creak a little as he matches his hand to Tony's.] I wonder if you can even channel aether.

[Dread's muscles flex a moment later, and without a suit to back Tony up the difference immediately becomes crystal-clear.]

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony puts his weight behind that arm but he's no match for Dread. The momentum and instability of the ale has him getting thrown to one side and down on the floor next to his chair. Instead of acting injured though, the man just rolls onto his back and laughs.]

If I wasn't drunk, that might've hurt. Help me up, you beast!

[The term beast is said as a playful jab, nothing serious. In fact, after a week of weird stress, nothing was being taken seriously tonight. At least, by Tony.

Once on his feet, he calls Albany for more ale. He jabs his finger at Dread's chest.]

We're drinking. We need a drinkin' song. I bet you know a song or two for just such an occasion don't ya?

[thebiggestguy]

[As Dread helps the guy up, he throws his head back to laugh -- boisterous and loud, the sort of laugh a guy his size and bulk ought to make.] One or two! Limsa Lominsa was a town of retired pirates, after all! Though I bet you don't know what Leviathan is

[runs_on_batteries]

Pirates! We should sing like we're pirates!

[He finds his legs underneath him and manage to stay upright.]

Course I know what a Leviathan is. They're beasts that predate the gods. I watched the episode of Supernatural too, you know? Tell me, do they really spill black blood?

[thebiggestguy]

[Dread tips his head back to laugh, thumping down one huge fist to rattle the bar.] Leviathan the primal! Lord of the Seas, summoned by the sahagin. We had to lash two boats together just to have a place to fight it!

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony plops back down on his chair and even then looks a little unsteady. Not that he is noticing, his face was bright and a little flushed with inebriation. He was enjoying this reprieve from responsibility.]

Big ass suckers, huh?

Thanos was massive too. I don't know what he was other than an alien, but he would've needed a second boat too.

[One just for his ego!]

[thebiggestguy]

'Thanos', huh? Sounds like a guy in a magitek suit the size of a building. And barely anything underneath. Trying to sound tougher!

[Names don't much impress a guy called 'Dread Thunderstorm'.]

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony almost laughs hard enough to fall out of his chair again. It feels like it's been far too long since he last felt up to laughing or acting a fool like he was now with Dread. This big ogre was a great man to allow Tony the chance to relax this much.]

He was taller than you! And he was tough. Successfully destroyed half the population on my planet.

[Somehow Tony is just drunk enough for this news to not dampen his mood in the least. It was like stating facts about the moon instead of the worst experience ever.]

If only we could do shots in here. More ale!

[thebiggestguy]

Heh! People always trying to do that on Eorzea. Last one was an Ascian hijacking an Allagan weapon. Before that they dropped a moon on us that turned out to be a primal! And we keep handling it! Songs about it are no good, though.

[Dread had heard 'Answers' on the orchestrion so many times that he wanted to hurl the thing out the damn window!]

[runs_on_batteries]

Were you able to stop the moon from colliding with your world or did you handle it afterward?

[There was a pretty big difference in their story if Dread had succeeded in keeping the population from being cut in half.]

[thebiggestguy]

Came down, popped into Bahamut. Archmage Louisoix took it out, but that got known as the Calamity. And it was a terrible time. [And definitely not one to suit the current mood, nor did he want the current mood to change, so...] Let's go back to singing!

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony throws his hand with his tankard in the air at that suggestion. The info had been kind of depressing. They should definitely be getting back to the fun now.]

Okay so there's this band called the Beatles that was transformative in music history. One of their best songs, in my opinion, was 'Little Help From My Friends'. When I point to you, you just sing 'Ah, with a little help from my friends'. That's it, got it?

[Whether Dread agrees or not, Tony starts singing. He almost knocks over the drink Albany just refilled.]

What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
I will try not to sing out of key

Oh, baby I get by- Dread!
All I need is my buddies- Dread!
I say I'm gonna get high- Dread!
Oh yeah!

[thebiggestguy]

[What song was this? Heck if he knows! So -- thanks to a little liquor lubrication -- Dread just tips his head back and appends his own song onto Tony's.]

Though our ship is small
Our crew won't break!
Cross 'gainst our axes
A bleak mistake!

Through storm or gale
Or Dalamud's fall
We'll never fail
Till sea swallows all!

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony laughs and.. well, just keeps singing. And yes, he keeps telling Dread to respond to his song even if he's already singing a different song.]

What do I do when my love is away?
No no
How do I feel at the end of the day?
I tell ya I don't get sad no more

Dread!
Gonna get by with my friends- Dread!
Yeah yeah, I'm gonna try- (Ah, with a little help from my friends)- whoops, forgot you!
Keep on getting high, oh Lord

Could it be anybody!
I need somebody to love
All I need is someone
That's just where I'm going, yeah
Somebody knows that's where I'm showing
Baby

Ah, with a little help from my friends!
Said I'm gonna make it with my friends - Dread you're slacking!
Oh, I'm gonna keep on trying- Fine I'll do it! Ah, with a little help from my friends!
I'm gonna keep on trying

[thebiggestguy]

[Slacking?! Is that even part of the lyrics? Whatever the case, Dread slaps one massive hand down onto the bar and half-stands to put some more oomph into his voice.]

Raise the sail!
Load your gun!
A loyal crew
Must fight as one!
Though we sail on
Through stormy seas
Our ocean-bred hearts
Make it an ease!

So brace yourself
Prepare for boarding!
Say farewell to
The gil you're hoarding!
Face your defeat
While standing tall
For pirates shall win
Till sea swallows all!

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony tries to keep singing, but dissolves into a fit of laughter at Dread taking his challenge to heart. That man could bellow! It was shaking the walls of the inn!

He waits till Dread is done, then shoots him a humored and thoroughly drunk grin.]

Your song was good, but it doesn't have any repeating verses you can sing to. Where's the chorus?

[thebiggestguy]

Not supposed to have one. Pirates want a song... you can break up. [Chop, chop goes one hand. Visual aids help!] That way you don't have to go through the whole thing. Sing a verse that matters and then back to business. It's a lot scarier when they leap ontoyer ship singing a refrain about pillaging and plundering than if they just gotta sing the whole thing for five minutes straight.

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony slaps the counter and raises his glass.]

That's a brilliant answer! I'll drink to that. Pirates knowing how to sing only part of a song- cheers!

[The motion of him springing to his feet and making a very broad cheer, not only gets Dread a little wet from Tony's beer sloshing in his mug but the engineer stumbles a bit, only barely keeping his drunk legs underneath him.]</small. Dread, man. You're the best! I'd love to do your wife, but seriously.. you're too good for that.

[thebiggestguy]

[Dread, sloshed himself, reacts in a way that probably relieves everyone in the vicinity -- he laughs, whomping the bar with a fist again.]

Anyone sensible would! She's smart, sexy, fun, and sweet! Tell me I'm not the luckiest damn guy in the universe!

[runs_on_batteries]

[ooc- sorry! html hates me]

As long as that universe doesn't have my wife in it, then yes! Absolutely!