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

[prizeneck]

But a good fighter uses them to their advantage. [He states, and it sounds so matter-of-fact that it’s evident Mamoru not only believes it, he uses it often. Just as casual as the way he holds the sword like it’s part of him.

He raises it just a little, holding it sideways. This guy - what was his name, Saber? Sounds like code, much like Blade - looks unarmed, even if in the echoing quiet of the room Mamoru could even tell just how odd his strength seems to be. Unlike the foe the Regency snatched from his path, there’s something just simply unstudied about him.

He had felt the same thing with the teacher in the Marie Antoinette.

So he stretches it out for him to see.] Not this one. This was in my room when I arrived. I usually have my cane with me. And the other sword the cane encases. But that’s a razor compared to this.

[bivariant]

There are many other ways. All of them guarantee I die as well -- stab me, poison me, shoot with one of COST's guns.

[ She says it plainly, with only a fraction of a wince on her face. The way her eyebrows crease, the twitch of her nose. She doesn't like the idea of dying, not even in the slightest, if only because she has far more use alive, and can do so much more if she still breathes. That, and she hopes that it won't come to it. Jedao consciously will not threaten the hexarchate, or COST. But his madness... it is an unknown variable, and she's heard the way he sounds when he acts. ]

The gun I am asking you to shoot me with is the only weapon I know of, in this very moment, that may spare me. It's designed with him in mind.

[ A nod to her shadow, as it rolls up the wall. Eyes and darkness. ]

Neither of us knows what will happen, ultimately. He's been shot with it before, he's informed me -- but he doesn't know the fate of previous anchors. All he hopes for is -- [ She frowns at her shadow, at the general, at whatever he must have just said to her. It takes her a moment to relay it to Percy: ] He hopes that I survive. And he apologies, for the burden this must be on you.

[dorzalta]

"A dragon?" She glances up, considering the area around them. One of the dragokeets fusses with a curl of hair. "I think we'd have seen one by now."

Besides, there would be no way to smuggle a dragon onto Base. She doesn't have the heart to take these sweet little talking dragons, either. They likely grew in this place. To take them from what is familiar would be cruel.

"I think we should focus on flying. We've the perfect chance to here. You know how to work this?"

[dorzalta]

"Mn, I think he's too wild to be considered a pet." She lifts her hand, higher than one would expect. "He's this high. The only way you'd miss him is if you were unaware of him stalking you."

A pause. She admits too much with the next part, but--

"He sometimes wanders Base with me in the evenings."

LMAO i was like *hover txt?????

[dorzalta]

One looks as if ice has covered Ghost's head. Is this normal?

[dorzalta]

It's notable in his stance, his gait, his tone. She may not've seen his face, but a figure is difficult to forget.

Or perhaps she's merely made it a habit of noting these sorts of things... and people.

His question rubs raw nerves even rawer still. Shoulders stiffening, she lifts her chin and meets his gaze. A dragon does not cower or show fear. She would need to correct that sign of weakness.

"Something that will not occur again. The mask prevented me from consuming foods or liquids."

[inconstantly]

As far as titles go, not really. But if we're going to become acquainted I'd rather you use my name. Addressing someone as General makes sense. Addressing someone as "wizard" though? You'll sound awkward at best and mad at worst.

So. [He tilts his head to the side, regarding the man and wondering what details around here wouldn't matter to him.] It's John Constantine, if you prefer neither of those options.

[dorzalta]

There was , of course, far more which occurred than she is willing to speak of. Her own experiences are admittedly not the sort that would leave her traumatized. But someone like Noctis? She doesn't believe him to be broken, but there is certainly a need for him to recover after whatever he'd seen with Kebechet.

"Very well." She takes a sip of her wine, leaving the subject be. It was ultimately his decision whether he felt safer with her or another as his supply for energy. "I can assure you I've no intention of being taken again. Nor can I imagine them being stupid enough to try, after the last attempt."

[inconstantly]

[A slow, broad smile spreads across John's face as he finds himself surrounded. He looks up from his seated position to make eye contact with the person kneeling above him. The out is not necessary.]

You talk more than I do. That's quite a feat.

[The hand on Dorian's shoulder shifts across the length of his shoulders to loop around his neck, pulling him in close enough for an unambiguous brush of the nose against his cheek.]

But do me a favor will you?

[Resting the uncorked wine bottle against the wall while still on the bed would certainly not do anymore. John grabs his own bottle and slips out of their current positioning to place it carefully on the ground. When he returns, John ducks back under Dorian's arms to allow himself to be contained on either side. This time he kneels also, keeping himself at an even height with the other mage and resting both hands on leather-clad hips.]

Save the wine.

[heilt]

( she's satisfied with the exam, making a mental note of where his complaints came from but happy enough with his physical condition. the years have begun wearing on him and who knows what happened in those years of his 'death'. she drops her hands from him, pulling a chair over to sit in front of him )

Were you able to?

[horsepowered]

"Let's hope that they decide you're better left alone, rather than decide that they wish to settle scores."

It's a thing that Chiron does not want to consider, but he must just in case the Regency is indeed that foolish. With that thought, he does take another sip of his wine, lingering.

"This is exceedingly good."

Focusing the conversation on the wine, where it came from, what the lands that produced it were like, that was a better way to talk, wasn't it?

[horsepowered]

I did, but I was genuinely worried that I might not. It seems that those bikes are fairly good, so long as say, cliffs aren't involved.

[Chiron gives the bike a respectful nod.]

We may need to keep an eye out for such sudden drops in the future though.

[mylawn]

I heard it was haunted.

[Not that he believes in ghosts or anything, but the shower had been enough for him. 76 heads off the way he’s familiar with by now, through the clearing that BASE is currently stuck in, weaving in between some trees as the primordial forest grows thicker around him. It’s harder to hear now that there’s the wind in his ears, so he raises his voice.]

I'd rather take my chances out here.

[excelsus]

I would blame the ground floor debates, but the truth is I do enjoy the sound of my own voice.

[Dorian has a rather high opinion of the velvety smooth tonality that makes him naturally bias, but he's been told there is a nice quality to his voice--so who is he to ignore flattery?]

Mmm?

[A noncommittal sound that replaces what he intended to say which was anything...and he's acquainted with the notion that anything could be dangerous when granting someone a favor. Still, he's aware of his own weakness when it comes to seduction and John's nose brushing against his cheek is dangerously tempting so he'll wait for the plot twist and when it comes it is almost half-expected.

Granted, it inspires a short, breathy laugh--not from surprise, but delight.

Neither one of them has an interest in wasting alcohol, especially when anything potent is rare on the base and getting wet and sticky in a bed that's already wet and sticky was never very pleasant, so when John relocated his bottle to the floor Dorian followed suit. Of course his methods required less moving and more magic on his part and ended in both bottles corked with a barrier spell and out of the way...it would hold until either exhaustion set in or his mana ran dry.

He wonders which would come first.]

That's the sexiest favor anyone has ever asked of me.

[Well, maybe, but with John bracketed between his arms and the man's hands on he's hips Dorian's hoping for more provocative requests in the near future. Not one for hesitations, he surges forward, claiming John's mouth in a kiss, assuming this was te direction their flirtations were going and usually adept at reading a mood.

He could only hope they were both in a similar mood.]

[bloodings]

[ It would, so he's right not to say that. Instead, she laughs. ]

I could wear it over my armour... but it's not really my style. Maybe if it was red.

[ She shrugs the coat off her shoulders, leaving it on the bed as she heads for the door. ]

Ask for something in my size next time, okay? [ Not that they really get to ask for anything. It's a joke. ]

[courtintrigue]

[ He tests her, of course. In another set of circumstances it might grate, but here and now she wants that.

There is something refined about Natasha that she does not think he shares, but he is collected, as though there is little someone learning to rely on strictly physical instincts could do to surprise him. She likes that; she did want a challenge and when she does take him off guard it will please all the more.

When it becomes clear that he means to lock her arm she lets the way he hooks it turn her in toward him, her free hand riding that momentum and sweeping to strike his groin. ]

[courtintrigue]

[ That makes half a smile tug at her lips. ]

Indeed.

[ She may have learned to work with a team, but she is not a particularly good soldier. And she has no desire to play the hero. She never has, but now she has seen firsthand where that can lead.

Her head tips, a hesitation but a very slight one. ]

I am offering.

[ The bottle is hers, but she takes the refilled cup and holds it out. A small laugh rises her throat. ]

I doubt anyone would call me generous, but you paid me a small kindness in the trenches and expected nothing for it. I have not forgotten.

[ And since she does not love the taste, she does not feel as though she deprives herself. ]

[duskmeadow]

[ There's a hum of acknowledgement in answer, bike falling out of consideration as Vax takes in what Chiron is telling him. He isn't expressing an unfamiliar sentiment. He's heard similar things from Vex and from Keyleth in turns. Even though Vax wishes he shared that kind of love of nature, he'd always been more at home in the kind of shadows cast by buildings rather than trees. He'd been drawn to the bustle of the city as quickly as Vex had been drawn into the solace of the forests. Vax can appreciate it from the outside, but he knows he won't find the kind of pleasure Chiron is talking about when he ventures into this territory. ]

Until you stumble into something with teeth, [ Vax points out, though there's no concern weighting his tone. ] Do you find places like this often since joining up with our friends here?

[ Though Vax really wants to ask if Chiron remembers joining. Does anyone? Or is Vax some kind of exception, in that he can't remember how he woke here. ]

I'm so sorry for the wait!

[courtintrigue]

As a general rule.

[ Her mouth twists wryly. ]

We were given full permission to do as we wished on the beach. A bit of a last stand, I suppose. But otherwise any too obvious use of magic could have alarmed the locals or singled us out to any Regency agents lurking nearby.

'Tis a trial, to say the least. I wait impatiently for a change of scenery.

[inconstantly]

[Dorian has nothing to worry about misreading a situation. John pulls him closer by the hips, returning the kiss with fervor and slipping his tongue between Dorian's lips. He allows his hands roam, first to the small of Dorian's back, then up to his inner shoulders before spreading out again. The kiss feels like the reward of a long time coming, from the very first drunken lean against Dorian's not any more sober frame. Why bother denying something they both clearly want?

When John is forced to come up for air he presses his face against Dorian's neck, a broad grin flush against skin. Breaths exhale heavily and he trails his fingertips from the top of Dorian's shoulders down to the tops of his hands. John lifts his head, regarding Dorian with a teasing glance.]

I did ask to see your tattoos. Or did that not register?

[His hands travel back up to the shoulders again, attention clearly caught by the subject at hand.]

I have four of my own if you're interested.

[faenthras]

[ There is a comfort to Percy being closer, the light pressure of his shoulder pressed up against hers. She leans into it, indulges in the feeling of him there, the warmth that seeps through. ]

Of course, Pike was there and if there was any chance we could have brought you back we had to take it. We had to take you home.

[ It's what he wanted after all, even if his letter said he would have been content with being left in a ditch. They... Vex couldn't let that happen, no matter what. She couldn't leave him like that if there was still a chance. ]

Cassandra, she didn't arrive until after the ritual. We didn't tell her any of the particulars but I think she managed to understand what had happened. We were all a mess.

[ She glances over at him, dragging fingers across the surface of the water. ]

She called you useless, told you to eat, and slapped you a little.

[horsepowered]

Something with teeth is not an issue as far as I'm concerned. [He was a big, grown centaur who could take care of himself in a fight. Monster encounters were hardly an issue.] But as to your question, this is really the first time that we have had the good fortune to find ourselves in a place like this.

[Forests, he means. Something that isn't a war zone or the inky black floating space that BASE occupied between missions. Chiron's tone makes it clear that for him, this an absolute blessing, and not one that he's very keen to question any further than he has.]

now I'm reading all the side materials and I just want to die

[garbagepilot]

[As they walk she considers that, the way he refers to himself, and wonders exactly what it could possibly mean. He doesn't look like a droid.]

Slicers can be anyone, it doesn't matter what species they are. Humans are only one part of a huge amount of creatures where I'm from.

[She motions with her hand when they get to a turn that will take them to her room, and by now the path should be looking pretty familiar to him.]

What do you mean by units like you?

[dorzalta]

"They lose the connection they believe to have to my world by harming me." She circles the table, tracing her fingers along its edges, nursing her glass of wine as she walks. "I promised Kebechet no mercy and fully intend to seeing that through."

She looks to Chiron now, the chill in her gaze melting away into something warmer.

"Some of the best from the Reach. I'd heard a number of stories about Arbor Gold, but never had the opportunity to try it. Do you have wine in your world?"

[horsepowered]

There's no doubt in Chiron's mind that Dany will deliver on that particular point. He also has zero desire to think any more about the Regency (at least, not while sober) so he pursues no questions to the effect.

"Wine, of course. Usually far safer than water," he says with a sort of ease that means he's absolutely falling back into a comfortable conversation. "The Reach is a particularly fertile region, I presume?"