THE AMAZING BASE.

[agogemod]

WHO? Everybody!
WHAT? Welcome home, nerds.
WHEN? Outside time and space, in the aether between dimensions.
ANYTHING ELSE? There is also a fish. Please warn in subject lines for anything beyond physical violence and move to a personal journal if things go beyond PG-13.

MYSTERY FISH;

question the mystery fish

DEPARTING GALLIPOLI

The order comes the day after the Marie Antoinette sets sail:

PACK UP AND GET READY TO MOVE OUT. WE'VE DONE ALL WE CAN HERE.

DEPLOYMENT: BASE.

WE NEED TO RESTOCK. BE PREPARED FOR MORE TRANSFERS ON ARRIVAL.

STAY SAFE. TIME-STEP EXPECTED TO BEGIN WITHIN THE HOUR.

FOR THOSE OF YOU NEW TO COST: FIND A SECLUDED SPOT AND TRY NOT TO EAT ANYTHING BEFORE THE JUMP.

The Time-Step

The transfer begins like a vibrating heat on the collar bone, just a hum of sensation.

But the vibration spreads. Veteran COST soldiers often refer to this phenomenon as "the buzz". The feeling builds, not unlike standing near a great engine or the wind-rattled branches of a massive tree. There is a long moment of motion sickness and you can't be sure if the world is shaking you from the inside out or the outside in. It may be better to close your eyes against the growing nausea, as the world blurs out of focus.

A star shines in the distance. You may hear the faint rustling of leaves. Some swear they hear voices in this moment, indistinct words echoing off nothingness. Others say they feel a touch of the divine, that the eyes of the eternal look down upon you. Ancient bones rattle just out of earshot, cold and brittle and nothing more than the suggestion of sound. Or maybe it's only an illusion, brought on by the powerful technology grafted into your skin.

One thing is for sure: One moment you are here and the next you are not.

The shift takes you from whatever solitude you could find aboard the Marie Antoinette to the temperature-regulated hallway of what looks like a very poorly put together space station. Droids rush up and down the long hallway, fixing broken bits of machinery or just chattering with each other. A few crows sit on high ledges, looking down and watching. Someone mutters something about a centaur around the corner.

And you might just notice, provided you were in Gallipoli long enough to acquire stowaways, that the parasites lurking on your skin are mercifully gone.

For new arrivals who didn't experience Gallipoli: You, too, will appear in this long hallway, filled with droids and crows and humans (still filthy and clad in ANZAC uniforms, carrying battered equipment from the first World War). And you'll be wearing the minimal COST-issued athletic underwear and holding whatever one item you were allowed to bring. Surprise!

READ THE BASE INFOPAGE.

home away from home

Those who have been to BASE before may find a strangeness to it all: BASE seems...still. The windows show a verdant world instead of the usual aether (though with the typical paranoia), and the halls are bereft of all but a few crows. A man stands at the end of the long hallway you arrived in, waiting for you to get your bearings before he speaks.

Except, you know, he's not a man. He's a centaur.

"It's been barely a week since you left, by my reckoning. But for you, I'm sure, it's been much longer. Still, much has changed. You may have noticed we are...becalmed. This is due, it seems, to an error in our ways. We kept something that does not belong to us, several wild creatures that are meant to be free. They seem to have psychically called out to their home, and their home responded; we are now somewhat stranded.

"But let me explain—the Aether is the nexus between worlds and times, but it is not a dead thing. Creatures live in it. We have crashed onto the back of one such creature, a mighty beast, as large as a small country and entirely undiscovered. We have found why the creature has intercepted us: we have accidentally taken captive some of its children. Shapers, the wild creatures I mentioned, it seems they form a symbiotic bond with the creature, and live happily within its stomach."

He frowns, considering this.

"Shapers, I should mention, are creatures that briefly infested our fair BASE. The issue was dealt with, though we kept some for experimentation. The coelacanth took issue with this, it seems. It can speak, of course; we are stranded very near its head, and if you wish to ask it a question, I implore you to do so. The creature is older than creation—older than me—and only speaks once to any creature it encounters. It's said its wisdom brings kings to their knees."

His eyes crinkle in humor.

"My name is Chiron and I am the caretaker of this place, for those of you whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting. More importantly, I am a trainer and a teacher of some experience; if you wish training or schooling of any sort, do summon me. I will be happy to assist."

He's easy to contact, often found in the library, the training area, his capsule, or elsewhere in the station, attempting to fix what he understands and arguing with crows.

"We intended to spend this time exploring, for this is a rare opportunity to discover more of an entirely uncharted world. I hasten you to see if anything on the coelacanth can be of use, but be careful. Take only what you need, not what you may want. I intend to learn my lessons well; these creatures are not pets. Takes food, water, and any materials of use to us for our survival and perseverance, but no more. We task you with this: explore the coelacanth, and see what of it can be understood. Bring us back samples, but do try to interrupt the natural habitat as little as possible. We are guests here."

He bows and the action shows a slight limp in one of his back legs.

"I would join you, but I am far too old for such activities. Still, do pepper me with any questions you should encounter. I am always available on the network, or in person, within this hulking mass we call home."

And then he leaves you to find your capsules and rest.

CAPSULE ASSIGNMENTS

Once you've found your room and settled in—perhaps taken a shower, collected clothes, and eaten—a droid will approach you with camping equipment and give you a brief explanation of how to access and use the database. It's time to get your gear and go.

Of course, you can decline. You can stay and tend to the fort, maybe try and clean up this patchwork jumble of metal and machinery. But seeing the sights on the back of a giant fish flying through non-space? Who can say no to that?


the undiscovered country.

BASE's airlocks open into a lush valley, vibrant with color and rustling with life that has thrived on the coelacanth's back for millennia. It's a striking shift from the rot and gunfire of Gallipoli, unmarked by shrapnel, bombshells, and never-fresh air.

No, the air here is clean in a way that can leave you breathless, untouched by pollutants and stirred into a gentle breeze. It's a marked departure for anyone used to a more modern Earth or rough equivalent; letting the air sit on your tongue leaves a crisp, unsullied taste behind. And the whole forest feels alive, in a way that reminds you of how small you really are.

A white crow perches in a tree near BASE's exit, too high up to properly engage but a stark contrast to the bright leaves around her. She merely watches recruits come and go with a shrewd eye, feathers fluffed against the light chill. There are other crows scattered throughout the wilderness, some easier to find than others as they flit through the trees, sit on camping equipment, or hitch rides on the hoverbikes.

Besides those brief flashes of black feathers, however, you're left unsupervised.

Try not to fuck up anything too badly.

EXPLORE:INFOPAGE|DATABASE
talk to a fish | destruction report

NAV. NETWORK LOGS OOC MEMES PLURK

Comments

[handsomefoil]

[ He just gazes blankly at her excitement, unable to completely feel her excitement but at least able to understand. They are rather cute, and of course otherworldly bizarre. He looks back up at them. ]

An Owlbear. [ A beat. ] Is that exactly what I'm imagining they are?

[handsomefoil]

The torture began the moment the first signs of a stubble appeared. So yes, very slowly.

[ A little faux drama in his gesture, waving one arm a little around his chin area. ]

Right, come to think of it, I do believe you mentioning that. I may require more than just a shaving service in the future, if you're still offering.

[ Runs his hand through his short hair. Though it's not as long as it used to be before the shave, it feels unkempt and weird. ]

[faenthras]

[ Yes, him. She would say the same to Percy if he told her that he is thinking of teaching Vax how to shoot, considering how well she knows them both. Vex just smiles, knowing, before her gaze also returns to the water. Reflections rippling with the movements of his toes. ]

He would.

[ Her smile fades, sadness washing over her expression. ]

He hates being in cramped spaces, he wouldn't have been able to move. You might be right.

[ Still she can't help but miss him, the comforting presence he always brought when he was beside her. The wonder bed he made when there were none available. ]

─Ow. [ Thoughts cut short she scowls a little at him, swatting his hand away. ] As long as you stop pulling at it.

[inconstantly]

[The unexpected flame is surprising, but what is done with it is even more so. John barks out a rough laugh, clapping his hands together in delight as he faces the deliverer of such punctuation.]

For a woman after my own heart, I'll give you plenty.

[The smoke fades slowly as John approaches, taking in her appearance.]

The provided alcohol is far too weak for starters. Scavenged better stuff in Gallipoli. Don't understand why we couldn't keep our own damn clothes. But the weather here is decent and the company even more so. [He tosses her a smile with a quick cant of the head.] And what about you? Any thoughts on this fine mess we find ourselves in?

[inconstantly]

Well you see [with his free hand not currently aflame, John mimes pushes up invisible glasses further up on the bridge of his nose] fire is a chemical reaction that requires oxygen and fuel.

[Yeah yeah, he knows she didn't ask how fire is made, but he can never fully quash the instinct for a smart remark.]

But it needs a spark, yeah? [He extinguishes the flame in his hand to withdraw the lighter from his pocket once more and touch a flame to his fingers. Instantly the hand is once more covered in flame and in a more complete answer to her question spells out a new word in the air: M-A-G-I-C.]

[prizeneck]

that tells me nothin

[prizeneck]

[It is tell-tale, even if he doesn't really recognize it as Cockney - merely British.]

'Shepherd's pie'? [He heard of it, or at least the name sounds familiar, but he's not really sure where from. Probably mentioned by someone from The Wall? They were a team of people from all over the place, after all.]

's the thing with the kitchen here. It smells okay, but the taste... ain't really right.

[cutlery]

In a way. I cannot be certain that this is truly the same creature, but I have heard tales of something that is described to look quite similar.

[ The kelpie, to its credit, at least doesn't seem to be too spooked by their presence. It's never seen anything like them before, so it's more curious than anything, though still wary. It starts to approach, but with the slow, measured steps on an animal trying to figure out whether to trust something or not. ]

Though if so, they do have a penchant for trying to drown people.

[ He says it casually, since it's personally not a concern for him... And he has a suspicion it may not be for Chiron either. ]

[excelsus]

[It's true, Dorian can't put a name to the face of the man who steps up to him so suddenly, but there is something about that voice that rings a bell...he just doesn't know what it is. Annoying considering that the mage prizes his own memory.]

It's called a Hart, I don't blame you for your confusion he's unique to my world. [But that's hardly the point here, the point is...where in the Maker's frilly knickers has he seen this man before.] Do you not interact with animals often?

[Now Dorian's just trying to get him to talk.]

[cutlery]

[ The explanation at least clicks easily, and Sebastian nods in understanding. He may not have encountered an android, but the dactyl robots are hard to miss. It's also quite clear where the distinction is to have a different term, since they're hardly as conversational. ]

I see! Then my, if my own time is quite a long time ago for you, your own must be quite far flung. It is difficult to imagine humanity creating such a thing, but... [ He shrugs with a smile ] I am always surprised by innovation.

[ It's part of why Sebastian is a rare demon to be willing to bow his head and serve, though not without strings attached. He enjoys observing humans and seeing what they make, since it's been a fascinating show to see how they've developed over the millenia. ]

I imagine you may be better suited to this work than I in some cases. There is much that I have to marvel at for being so ahead of what I know.

[thunders]

[ Thor stills at her chiding. He heals more easily than most, but she's right. Leaving a bullet lodged in his shoulder is still taking a chance that it will trouble him for however long he's here. ]

If you won't let me talk you out of it, is there anything I can do in recompense?

[ He moves only enough to allow her to cut him out of his clothing more easily. ]

[excelsus]

Cheeky. [Dorian sees your joke, Chiron, and it inspires a grin.] He has a saddle, I just opted not to put it on him today. Maker knows when he'll be able to run around like this again.

[You know, like a fool, a very happy fool.]

Well, Hart's are known for being rather hardy, though you seem to be quite smitten with him. [It's hard not to, if only people could be so carefree then the worlds would be better places...or maybe ignorance was bliss. Who knows.]

I don't think it is ridiculous, this is your body after all, I might find any other body aside from my own impractical as well...but I quite like my body so I am a bit biased. [More than a bit, but that would be bragging at this point.] You think so? I'm not as confident as you are.

[cutlery]

[ He considers it for a moment with a thoughtful expression, since there are many kinds of tales he likes, though they do tend to be a bit darker in content... He supposes he'll settle for something "lighter", though he does have a genuine interest to see how it might be translated. ]

Well, it is a bit simple, but I do enjoy Shakespeare's works when I have had occasion to see them performed...

[ He's at least watched a bit of one enough to know that they're not exact analogues to stage plays, but it's still his best frame of reference. ]

But I would be interested in whatever you can recommend. I admittedly do not often have such free time, so my tastes tend towards the curious as a result.

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian chuckles as he nods, since it's actually in agreement. ]

I am of the same opinion myself. I cannot think of a question that would be answered simply with one, or perhaps even with two. It is an interesting prospect, though the limitation makes it even more curious...

[ And though he does have some questions he might ask, it's still very limited anyways. He may not be anywhere near as ancient as the creature they're riding on, but he has a few millenia of knowledge to draw on. Granted, it's limited to time on Earth and to his own realm, but as a result, there's nothing he would ask about either. If he were to ask, it would be about the surprises beyond it—Things like the coelacanth itself or about the nature of COST. But one is a curiosity, and the other is something he feels he should be cautious about. ]

It is kind of you to offer your own question to someone else. If I can think of nothing myself, I may do the same.

[reillumination]

[ Ryo knows that kind of look. He's seen it on nights where he's given earnest praise, shoved at a broad shoulder just to hear a laugh. He's seen it when he's turned up the radio just right, repeated his beliefs when doubts started to cloud the air. It's almost distracting, how much he suddenly aches for the familiarity of that. Almost, because Prompto is suddenly in his space and angling the camera in his direction, heedless of the way that Ryo's eyes temporarily widen at the intrusion. He almost opens his mouth to say something, but the dragokeet on his shoulder ruffles up its bright feathers and tucks its warm face against his hair. It chirps something, like a bar or secretive utterance, and Ryo sighs and wills his body to stay where it is.

And oddly enough, despite how tight his posture is, his mouth hikes up at one corner. It is small, almost indiscernible, but it's there. ]

You're not bad, [ he says, after a long moment. It's odd to see himself in stillness, much less at all beyond a mirror or the odd reflection here and there. His brows furrow minutely in concentration as he takes in what details are presented to him. He actually doesn't remember if his parents had ever bothered with pictures, but he supposes they might have. He tries not to make a habit of returning to what remains of his father's study as much as he can. If there were any, they're bound to be there. ] How long have you been at this?

[ At this! At this! is the chorus near his feet. Ryo doesn't look at Prompto when he asks this, but his eyes do flit to the dragokeet that makes itself at home on the back of the hoverbike in the interim. ]

II) a

[doublejumps]

[ Genji is as ready for the great unknown as he can be, the pack full of camping supplies slung over his shoulder, his wakizashi sheathed in place across his back. While he hasn't secured a traveling companion for the first stretch of exploration, he isn't that concerned. He's traveled solo often in recent years, so this should come easily enough to him.

That's not to say that he'll begrudge some company, though. When he comes across a young man mounted on a beautiful red elk, Genji stops in his tracks and looks the pair over. Honestly, the stranger looks like he could have come straight out of the past, given his clothing and his choice of transport. ]

I'd be happy to.

[ Genji draws a little closer, holding out a metal hand to see how the elk will handle his presence. He mentally prepares himself for some uncertainty. ]

Yakul, you said? He's beautiful.

roomies!!

[doublejumps]

[ It's been a long while since Genji has had to share a room with anyone, but he can appreciate that BASE isn't exactly full of room. He doesn't take up much space himself, so he doubts that it will be a problem, unless his roommate is some kind of terror. Even then, he hopes that he would have the patience to deal with such a thing.

Either way, he's curious to meet this person, and when he opens up the capsule assigned to him, he's quick to stride inside and take a look around. "Capsule" is a fairly accurate term for it; the room is designed to conserve as much space as possible.

He spots a woman who also looks as if she's just arrived. He's a little surprised that they're allowing for co-ed rooming situations, but chances are that COST isn't picky about that kind of thing. ]

Ah, hello. [ Genji lifts his hand in a quick wave and steps closer to the woman. ] It looks like we'll be roommates.

[prizeneck]

As much as any ordinary guy. "Hart", huh? [He's taking in the... it's a mixture of a moose with some sort of antelope and it's... huge. Looks probably bigger in the small confines of the ship. Even if Mamoru only sees the outline of the animal, the grid laying out its antlers.]

Where are you keeping him?

[dipolar]

Gathering resources is necessary, but the fish has no intention of letting us leave.

(doesn't seem particularly displeased with the fact, after the hell hole they were in before. this is a much needed reprieve, though he can't often define that word for himself. this act of sleeping in tents and cooking the fare they catch in this alien landscape is rather... peaceful. he'll give it that.

eyes cast further down their path, trying to ascertain where it leads — unworried, now that both of them can access the full extents of their abilities.)

Putting everything to a vote may be the democratic, COST way, but it's impractical. There are civilians on board and many of them have hearts far larger than their brains. Some even kept one of the creatures, that's why we're here.

[dipolar]

"Couldn't you repurpose something like this? It could help in the kitchens..." How, Hei?

Reaches to slap a hand against the side of its bright, metal body, before tilting it forcibly onto its side. Like cow-tipping. Holds it there for a moment, before raising his hand and pushing off of his thigh to stand.

Quiet robot bullying.

"Maybe someone's mocking you. Still, it's not doing any harm."

[inconstantly]

[John lifts his eyebrows taking in this information. He'll have to look into gaining more supplies for himself, though more of the wine variety and less of the wild animal variety. Possibly his own clothes as well. John has never been very particular about how he dresses, but he's found that he misses the familiarity of the dress shirt and loose tie.

When information turns to offering John twists the cap of the bottle back in place, turning it over idly in his hands as if he hasn't already made up his mind.] I am a little put out. [The bottle is returned back under the bed and John rises, brushing his hands against the front of his shirt. He meanders slowly to the doorway leading away from his bedroom, standing in Dorian's space. It is still his own room after all.] Are you inviting me to your capsule, Dorian?

[cutlery]

That may be so, yet somehow I have the feeling that will not be the plan of our superiors.

[ Nor is it his, but he doesn't exactly have the same reasons to not enjoy being stuck in one place. Sebastian just doesn't want to be bored, and it would take quite a long time before that happened. But. If there's something he has confidence in the higher ups for, it's for figuring out what's to be done about this situation. If they can grab people from all kinds of times and places, he thinks they can manage this.

...Though the fact that it's the fault of some of their "coworkers" is a little irritating, he has to admit. ]

Well, I suppose they will learn in time, though I do not look forward to the interim... [ He sighs, but shakes his head with a light smile ] At least they should be hoping that their hearts shrink. The alternative to not adjusting your worldview is quite a bit harsher, I would say.

[ aka you'll definitely die ]

[dipolar]

You could.

(almost mechanically, his position shifts and his binoculars follow the motion she directs him with. a weakened drumcrown, signs of talon scarring on the hind legs. the deep gouges are impressive — how it managed to escape whatever was after it is something that makes hei wary. they'll use appropriate caution, like they would with any enemy. any prey targeted to capture and cook.

another shift. a cliff that gives them altitude. height advantage they can use to drop onto their target and take it down from the sky. hei lowers the binoculars after getting a good map of the terrain in his head and nods once.)

I'll come at the herd from the front and distract them. They'll protect their young, not willing to risk charging me and leaving them open. (a point to her, then the cliffside.) You drop in with the lame beast and then together we'll separate it from the rest. Comments?

[dipolar]

(they came with him...............

doesn't ask, doesn't want to.)

What do you mean, what's my idea? We make something to eat right now. (reaches for the bag, too interested in it to really give a damn if akira wants to hold onto them for some strange reason.) I haven't had fresh fish in many months and you've brought these to me.

(readies what he can to prepare for the fish, minding where the servitordacts' set paths in the kitchen are and avoiding them almost politely.)

I'll only make you something this once. What do you want?

[gerechtigkeit]

[He actually chuckles a little as the husky happily takes the ear scratches, and even tries to lick Prompto's hand as it passes over her head. A small bark is given when he coos at her, and whines for more attention.

Siegfried, however, rubs the back of his neck at the question. It almost seems like he's hesitating before he speaks.]

She doesn't have one yet. I'm... not very good at naming animals.