STAND ASIDE, HANDLE MINE, ADD THE CHEDDAR.

[agogemod]

WHO? Everybody!
WHAT? The eclipse and surrounding events.
WHEN? Lead up to and resulting eclipse shenanigans.
ANYTHING ELSE? Please warn for anything besides physical violence and move to a personal journal if it's beyond PG-13.

nah—gut, skin, and eat the chef;

before he eats the rest

READ THE JHASHCH INFOPAGE.

THE CLOSING CEREMONY

The arenas close with another ostentatious celebration designed by the Great Houses, and with an air of regret even amidst the applause. COST and the Regency are again expected to attend, still given positions of honor, and particularly ardent fans may toss trinkets of favor and affection onto the stage. So pick up a couple bedazzled flowers on your way out...or get seriously hassled, if you never dedicated your victory proper. Whoops.

After that, however, the regret quickly transforms into fervor of a different sort. It's the holiday season and the following week is filled with enthusiastic preparation. The lucky among you might even spot Araneans from outside Ythaway, bringing in goods at the behest of nobles.

Unlike alien visitors who enter the Inner Rings by terminal, Jhashchan natives use eleven gated checkpoints spaced around the Third Ring; with the terminal, the spacing is almost like a clock. COST recruits are summarily warned to keep their distance; while these Araneans are commoners and would be sentenced to a quick death for even challenging a diplomat, that doesn't mean they're guaranteed to play by the rules.

Some of you just look way too tasty for that.


A MESSAGE FROM OUR SPONSORS

The day after the closing ceremony, recruits receive a bulletin.

@SCOUT | @ALL

expect a briefing at 0900
it'll be executed through the bce, so find a private location
while the declared victories favor the queen, we can't expect the regency or princess chch to accept this outcome
the eclipse will provide them perfect opportunity

stay sharp
keep track of each other

THE SOLAR ECLIPSE

The solar eclipse marks the beginning and end of the Jhashchan year, with Araneans speaking excitedly—or, in the case of the more religious, reverently—of its upcoming eve. This year is particularly special; it's an incredibly rare total eclipse when viewed from the eyes of Ymir, where the sun will only be visible as a halo around Cre. The last one was centuries ago, before High Queen Thsh ascended the throne in her mother's stead.

Recruits may find themselves accosted by Araneans eager to hear about eclipses from Earth; the old planet is famous for them, with a moon and sun perfectly distanced to create the halo effect. This, among a few other phenomenon, made it a popular tourist attraction.

Its rarity on Jhashch, however, means that the feast this year is an especially grandiose affair.

» ECLIPSE'S EVE

The Royal Family holds yet another banquet. They extend invitations a week beforehand to anybody who is somebody, esteemed diplomats included, and anticipate your RSVP. Rather than sending a daughter from a Great House, however, recruits each receive a formal letter, handwritten by one of the High Queen's many daughters.

The feast itself is one of gluttonous abandon; again hosted at the royal ballroom, it features a brand new chandelier wrought from processed Ymir (in consideration for their visitors' health). And it's remarkably unlike anything recruits have seen while on Jhashch. The Araneans still have certain social expectations, but there's something wild and near frenzied to their mannerisms on this day. Consider it a lack of poise, almost feral.

The spread of food is as varied as it is gratuitous, primarily meat from every corner of the Thshan Empire and then some. Spiders drink and devour all they're offered and expect their guests to do the same, though their scrutiny is perhaps a little impaired this eve; the wine is plentiful and strong, with toasts made to Queen Thsh.

She made an excellent showing in the arenas, with over half of the victories dedicated in her name. Her daughter earned no small amount of favor, carrying over a third of them, but it's apparent in the High Queen's bold, haughty pride (her declarations of seeking out those who were too foolish to pass their conquests where they're due) and Princess Chch's pensive silence—though she's always quick to spare a smile, genial and gentle, to any recruit who looks her way—that she finds it less than ideal.

Nonetheless, the revelry carries on well into the night.

» THE ECLIPSE

The day of the eclipse is an event unto itself. Food and drink is still plentiful, as the Araneans prepare to venture out into the wilds of Jhashch. It's almost a pilgrimage of sorts, with several members of House Jankeh arriving at COST's quarters. They're young daughters of the house, just beginning to brush over two meters tall, and they flash sharp teeth before they titter behind their hands in the presence of recruits.

They're here to equip you with suits that will allow you to step outside Ythaway's protected halls, so hopefully you didn't think you'd avoid venturing into Jhashch's red landscape. You're instructed to take your assigned visors, distributed by Young upon your arrival, and use them to protect your eyes from the sun's unforgiving glare.

And you have an audience, whether you want one or not, so it might be a good idea to stick together as the Araneans size your suits on the spot. It turns out it's one size fits all, but the tech is a little finicky and House Jankeh's daughters are here to make sure everything is set up properly. So while they probably aren't going to eat you...better safe than sorry.

Taking off the suits while outside Ythaway is ill-advised, if occasionally necessary when eating or drinking or if, y'know, you need to pee. While the effects of Ymir aren't as strong as inside the caverns, the average human will notice it's much harder to breathe in the thin atmosphere and likely experience effects similar to altitude sickness. Prolonged exposure, especially when coupled with Ymir poisoning, can easily kill a human in under two hours.

All recruits are permitted to carry weapons into the field. For those of you who came unarmed, House Khah provides basic melee weapons of your choice. They're all high quality make, but lack any of the fancy accessories found in House Jankeh's goods. A sword is just a sword.

But you'll need it, to survive a landscape rife with overgrown invertebrates all keen for a meal.

You're sent into the wilds with only a pack for food and sleeping gear; the visors come with maps installed. Recruits also have the option of riding skrit chri, but it's on your shoulders to obtain and transport anything else. It's a long trek to get clear of the cavern walls and it's expected everyone stay in the Jhashchan wilds overnight. Go prepared; the gates to Ythaway won't reopen until tomorrow.

The Araneans—nobles and commoners alike—scatter through the twin valleys, eager to claim the best vantage points and idle away their wait with hunting. The Royal Family takes the center of Ythaway's valley for themselves, with extravagant awnings to protect against the sun. They remain in full regalia, with an entourage of Aranean servants to cater to their needs. It's more practical than bringing out human servants, after all.

The eclipse itself is only a couple hours, with the period of totality lasting mere moments. Don't waste this once in a lifetime opportunity.

» ECLIPSE'S MORROW

However, as soon as the eclipse ends, the Araneans seem to almost...slow. The frenetic wildness that possessed so many of them dissipates, replaced by torpor. Many of them turn in for the day on the spot; while they may keep to daylight hours in Ythaway, protected from the sun, they favor the damp and dark by nature.

It is, as Young put it, a perfect opportunity.

But it isn't the Regency who makes the first move.


CHAOS THEORY

In the lull of the eclipse, the first target is none other than the High Queen herself. A male Aranean throws himself upon her as she stretches luxuriously in the shade, his mandibles clicking and a blade drawn. The edges shine with venom and it's only the Queen's hardy exoskeleton that sends it skittering askew.

General Shai is upon him in seconds and General Aythy turns on the other servants, already set to swarm them, as their mother skewers the Aranean with one long leg. The Royal Family dwarfs the servants in size, but they make up for it in numbers. And it's in this moment that it's obvious this isn't the Regency or Princess Chch's doing; while the princess is a skilled actor, she's taken just as off-guard as her mother. She doesn't recover enough to even stab the queen in the back before the flashbangs detonate.

When the eyespots clear, a cry goes up.

The Twin Generals Shai and Aythy have vanished.


WHILE YOU WERE AWAY

While the bulk of Araneans are overwrought at the thought of their missing Generals, it quickly becomes clear they aren't the only absent royal blood. Queen Thsh and Princess Chch are accounted for, but Prince Shch is nowhere to be found. Rumors immediately begin circulating; the Prince had a few victories dedicated in his name, so perhaps his mother wasn't pleased by what he did with them (what did he do with them? no one can seem to agree). But what better chance to dispose of him, so he can no longer conspire with his sister.

Fishier still is the absence of several elder daughters of House Khah. The Great Matron and her heir are present, but only they remain of important rank.

Meanwhile, COST has some of their own to locate. But even before the recruits on Jhashch can return to Ythaway, they receive a terse bulletin.

@SCOUT | @ALL

the commander is down
do not report back to our quarters; they've been compromised
blend in where you can and focus on your tasks for now

if you need gear, i've salvaged what i can
wait a few hours to meet me in the servant corridors
i'll set my location to public so you can find me

If you want to return to the comparative safety of Ythaway, you'll have to fight your way back against rogue Araneans and the Regency alike. Because far be it from the Regency not to capitalize on the situation, once they find their feet. Now might be a good time to call in any favors you earned in the arenas, provided you trust the Araneans enough to honor them. Or if you're confident in your ability to sweet talk them into not selling you out.

For anyone who does return to the villa, they'll find it a smoking husk, abandoned save for the Regency and Araneans seeking their favor. And they make it no secret they're hunting COST.

But, in the next breath, some of you are hunting them.

READ THE JHASHCH INFOPAGE.

NAV. NETWORK LOGS OOC MEMES PLURK

Comments

Meliorn

[verumdicit]

i. Eclipse' Eve
[ Perhaps it's the Seelie blood in him that's wary of food while dining in general, but the moment he realizes their hosts are getting a little too heavy handed with pouring and behaving gregariously, he declines to drink. Best be safe instead of sorry, although he is quite pleased with the fact that his table manners have vastly improved since training.

There's a nagging feeling in the back of his head, something he can't shake as the night grows more and more raucous, and the reason why finally hits him. It reminds him of feasts prior to his Queen making an unsettling announcement. Despite the different setting, the feeling is the same-- he's waiting for the other shoe to drop.

But Meliorn smiles to the person next to him, and breaks his newly set no-drink rule just this once to try to pull himself out of it. He raises his cup for a cheers. ]

I must admit, this is far better than trying to avoid being eaten. To the eclipse, then, or shall we toast to something else?

[ Anything to get his mind off of the weird feeling he has. ]


ii. Eclipse
[ He feels a bit better once they venture out, uncomfortable suits aside. Skrit Chri are strange but relatively easy to handle, and the scenery is breathtaking. Nothing like his true home, the Seelie Realm, but perhaps likened to futuristic Arizona. Beautiful and dazzling and far more natural than the hustle and bustle of the city and palace.

It calms him more than it probably should, and he has to fight the urge to remove his helmet altogether. The air isn't similar to Earth, even if he wishes it was, and he'd rather not pass out. He's easy to approach and while it's difficult to tell his smile from the helmet, he'll nod politely and greet you warmly. Nature is nature, no matter how strange or barren, and nature recharges him.

By the time the eclipse happens, Meliorn is absolutely transfixed--it's a rare moment where he's caught completely off-guard, in awe and overwhelmed. ]

Despite everything that's happened, we've been able to witness this. That in and of itself is a thing of beauty.

iii. Return
[ If only he'd had the same sinking feeling now instead of during the feast. Everything happens quickly, and Meliorn is caught up in the absolute chaos that is politics and heated blood all at once. He's reminded of the last excursion to the New York institute in his home world--how he'd been forced (sabotaged) to sit a battle out. It had been a losing one, with half of the Downworlder forces destroyed thanks to the Shadowhunters, but he had felt just as useless.

It's not a feeling he likes.

Disguising himself is difficult, but he manages to convince an Arenean to let him through via words alone. Once he arrives at the villa it's not surprising he's met with only ruin. Meliorn may be on COST's side, but he has to give it to the other team: the Regency is very, very good at what they do.

Two members pass and Meliorn spots another from COST in the nick of time--he grabs them by the arm to pull them into the shadows, his other hand putting one finger on his own lips. 'Quiet, at least until they pass.' ]

ii!

[withimagination]

[Eames has asked to sit with him, and watches the eclipse with him, almost more in awe of how alive Meliorn seems out here than the eclipse itself.

He smiles a little at him, if he can even tell, and turns back to the eclipse.]

It's amazing, really.

[He pauses.] Would I be interrupting your experience if I asked about your home?

Eames | open

[withimagination]

a. eclipse's eve - banquet

This is the first time Eames has been in this room, with his late arrival to Jhashch, and the entire party is a bit overwhelming. He walks around, says a kind word here and there to his fans, but mostly, he watches. His nerves have lured him into drinking a bit more than he would usually, though he's tipsy if anything. His eyes are bright, and he seems more relaxed as the evening wears on.

He approaches another COST member, eyeing the dance floor.] Can I get you a drink?

b. eclipse

[Eames has claimed his own vantage point, sitting down with his sleeping bag. He crosses his legs, wishing he could take off this suit and actually relax. He feels a bit off his guard; The need to rest is overwhelming. But hopefully nothing will happen during this.

Nothing has, so far, so he spreads out a little, deep in thought. He pulls the poker chip out of his suit to hold, as he usually does when something's bothering him. What happens when reality is crazier than dreams, where he could actually get hurt, in more than one way? He sighs, shaking his head. He doesn't have an answer.

Later, as it gets closer to the eclipse, he calls out to COST members looking for a good spot, seeing if they'll join him in watching.]

c. halls in the chaos

[It's easy enough to get back inside when you have some Aranean friends. Eames finds his way to Young and grabs some gear before leave voice messages for a few friends to make sure they're okay. A stupid thing to do when running around a scene in chaos.

He runs straight into a distracted Regency member, and their heads crack together hard. Eames curses, and both their swords clatter in the opposite direction of each other. Both run for their sword, and Eames swivels on his knee to point it in the Regency member's direction, and they're at a stalemate, swords in each other's faces, as blood trickles down Eames' forehead. Maybe help a fellow COST member?]

a

[pointedlook]

[ It feels like deja vu, standing in this banquet hall. It also feels like that the first time he'd been here was a million years ago, so much has happened since then. Utilizing his natural status, he slips through the crowds carefully, never staying in one spot for too long. He takes the opportunity to dance a little here and there, but his concentration is shot, pointed inward instead of firmly here where it needs to be.

Frustrating, to say the least.

Citing that as a temporary lost cause, he makes his way to the edge of the party, a fringe of hair falling over his brow the only indication that he's not as put together and pressed as usual. Arthur looks up, eyes immediately connecting with a familiar figure and just catching the words before they get drowned out. ]

You can get me five, Mr. Eames.

c

[omniavincit]

[ William has only just reached the corridors, and for a moment his attention's on the world outside—a wild look to be sure nothing's skittering after him. He turns to see a standoff, a pair of swords drawn in close quarters.

His breathing suddenly loud in his ears.

The Regency agent has their back to him. William doesn't reach for his pistol—doesn't think to, after weeks of swords and spears—instead creeping forward. He grabs for the agent's night vision goggles first, wrenching them from their face as the other person moves not like a person but a force, taking hold of William and slamming him into the wall one-handed. ]

Move. [ He manages to gasp out. ] He can't see.

closed to Jon Snow;

[withimagination]

[It’s been discouraging, to say the least, doing awful on those interviews. He’d even gotten them through his spider fans, and boy, were they put off. If Eames could just control his anger for a second...

Nevertheless, he and Jon still had a lot to do with this mission, had to make it even a little successful. They’ve had a lot of interviews, a whirl of activity which Eames pretty much tanked with him getting defensive, and which Jon didn’t help with how somber he was.

Now, they’re working on sabotaging a Pro-Regency network, sneaking in. Eames is able to pick any locks they need open, and they make their way into the part of it that has the computers they can hack to mess with the station. Eames really has no idea how to hack into anything, as evidenced by him relying on Arthur constantly for that sort of thing. He looks at the door anxiously.]

Any luck?

John Constantine | open

[inconstantly]

A. ECLIPSE'S EVE BANQUET

[Since the success of Joe Strummer’s Pipes, John has become something of a celebrity on Jhashch. His banquet invitation had arrived in a shimmering envelope with flattery upon flattery almost begging for John’s presence. Though it sounded like a good way to dress up a fancy snack of a magic user, John couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

His scruff has begun to grow in again with the end of the mission drawing near. With his newfound money John wears clothes of his own, pleased to have possessions not provided by COST. If it were up to John he would have arrived in a brand new spider edition of the rumpled white shirt and loose red tie look, but his date for the evening had vetoed that in favor of something a little more sharp.

After arriving to the banquet side by side with Dorian, John immediately spots a large pipe display selling a new line of Strummer Pipes for only the most fashionable of Araneans. John gives Dorian a quick pat to the shoulder, promising to catch up with him as soon as a bit of business is conducted. John inspects the merchandise, complimenting the pipe representatives on quality craftsmanship. And a beautiful display. He remains at the setup for a while, mingling with fans and soaking in the attention. If approached he will extend a piped already packed with tobacco and grin widely.]

Care to give it a try? Or are you looking for an autograph?

B. ECLIPSE

[The one size fits all does not, as one would expect, fit all. While John is certainly tall enough, his lean frame neglects to fill out the wider bulk of the suit. The loose fitting suit does nothing to dampen his sense of discovery. Eager to see the eclipse, John adjusts the pack on his shoulders as he walks amid the red earth. Always one to be as thoroughly prepared as possible, his bag bulges with more items than he was given. He sticks close with the other COST members. As much as he’d like to wander he still has his instinct of self-preservation to stick around and not leave a job unfinished. John looks to the person walking alongside him, eyeing their pack with curiosity.]

What did you bring with you?

C. WHILE YOU WERE OUT

[The residence has been utterly destroyed and John is too late to do anything about it. He stands amid the ash and rubble in disbelief, looking across the quarters and assessing what was once his temporary home. He remembers the hallways and various rooms – upstairs, downstairs. The mental image combined with muscle memory guides his steps as he wanders to what had once been his personal quarters.

There was once a bed here as evidenced by a scrap of blanket. This has been an item bought and earned after the success of the pipes, a reminder of independence. Pieces of smashed glass litter the floor and though John wears heavy boots he remains mindful of his step. It’s too much to hope that there is any wine left to salvage. In truth he can’t really blame the Regency for taking the wine when John had taken it from the Araneans only weeks before. Or at least, he hopes they had the good sense to take it and that the smashed glass was only remnants of what was already empty. If not, what a waste.

He bends to pick up the scrap of blanket, brushing the ash off his fingers and the fabric. As he reverses his crouch into a standing position, that is when he sees it: the last survivor of the Regency’s destruction. With a hunch he walks briskly to his trophy made of various body parts with a spider foot as its center. It’s a bit charred in places, and certainly worse for wear, but here it is, mostly intact. John picks up the artwork from the ground with both hands, shaking off the ash and dirt as he looks to the hard fought prize with a renewed determination.]

Looks like we’re the only two souls left, mate.

[Even now he can’t resist the easy joke.]

D. WILDCARD!

[Got another idea? Hit me!]

banquet;

[verumdicit]

[ Meliorn's eyebrows rise, even if his face looks utterly amused and--well, yes, curious. The whole banquet itself is already unsettling him, reminded too much of Seelie feasts and the countless ways they can go wrong. He's learned that being cautious (and slightly paranoid) is better than just rushing in, but eventually the need for a distraction outweighs the need to watch and observe.

And, if he's being honest, John Constantine is an absolute enigma. ]

Trying to catch up, I've been gone for a short while.

[ Oh, hell--he is curious. ]

May I?

eclipse

[doublejumps]

[ Another camping trip? Genji hadn't expected they'd be venturing out of the safe confines of Ythaway, but it had been made clear to all of them that staying behind would not be allowed. While he'd enjoyed the time spent exploring the coelacanth for the most part, this particular outing isn't nearly as relaxing.

The suit doesn't fit him right, either. Given that he's used to wearing clothing or armor that allows him a full range of movement, the fact that he feels so bogged down in the suit is the first thing to weigh on his mood. Then there's the knowledge that this suit is the only thing protecting him from the elements. It's difficult to enjoy seeing more of an alien planet with that possibility floating around in his head.

The one thing to keep in mind is the coming eclipse. It does sound like something worth beholding, and maybe it will be worth all this effort.

Genji's been silent during the walk, more caught up in his own thoughts than focused on the people around him. So when someone asks him a question, it takes him a few seconds to reply. ] Oh! Sorry. [ He turns his head as much as he can in the suit to look over his shoulder at his pack. ] I brought what they provided, and my sword.

[ These days, he's not that material of a person. ]

[prizeneck]

[He is also crouching, but taking in what the system in his sunglasses can project into his retinas. While Mamoru doubted that he could find anything of use here, it's not a bad idea to look into the wreckage to find some sort of clue. Demolishing and burning down COST's headquarters seemed somewhat petty to him. Sure, it scatters their forces, may cause some discomfort in terms of where to gather, where to find rest. But Mamoru has learned from his fellow recruits that whether by force or habit from previous endeavors, a lack of a place to ground themselves on was something they were already accustomed to (or should be, at least).

Nah, it's a low blow - even if he's not above throwing a low blow every now and then.

Without standing up, steady in his crouch, he snorts.] Ain't that supposed to be three, or are you lacking a shoe?

wildcard-ish at the banquet

[excelsus]

[Dorian was never really good at taking orders or listening to advice, in spite of how helpful helpful Eames was trying to be....everybody is so helpful when it came to Dorian's life. Helpful little idealists with their little jewels of hope offering pearls of wisdom in hopes of reprogramming all of his formative Tevinter years so easy. All that he knows telling him all that he feels is wrong, even though he's aware that there is a special connection with John, it's all completely implicit, but it's still good...why ruffle feathers and make more of it than what it was? It was good, right, they had fun and Dorian could leave it at that.

Except Dorian finds himself distantly gazing at John the same way he would gaze at Rilienus or anyone he held a torch for, but none of them burned quite as bright as this, none of them felt hot enough to scorch and leave behind wretched scars from the burn. Glittering to gloss a hidden hurt. Unlearning not to hope for more. Stumbling steps where the wall used to be. Now he's channeling thoughts that aren't his own, he wished that he hadn't invited Cole to take a drink, but his words feel more valid now than they ever did before, he almost wished the spirit was here now to give him better insight. He would have said yes. Missed opportunities--he could drink another one down and ride out the pain until it became a dull throb that ebbed and flowed with his moods, eventually disappearing.

Feelings were complicated, messy, tangled up things that hurt to talk about that were dangerous to talk about and they could ruin everything and he wasn't good at talking about these things. The idea of it being all on him made the follow through that much worse and he couldn't help waffling over what Eames had said, well it was all good that things worked out with his fellow wasn't it, but his fellow wasn't John. There weren't many people quite like John, not many people could make Dorian this anxious inside, unsatisfied with the implications and the shadows of feelings--he wanted to know where they were going. The uncertainty of it still gnawing at his twisted insides and he wasn't sure what ate at him more: keeping it in and walling it off or spilling his guts.

Can't hate you for hiding if you burn so brilliantly. Not his words, but they were so spectacularly Dorian who always took comfort in his own radiance and charm, gifted enough to hide everything, dancing beneath the disappointment and the rejection. Confession takes a great deal of work and in his case a great deal of wine, he's already had several glasses, but he's not drunk...or maybe he is and he just doesn't recognize it anymore. Not that it matters, he's still going to snatch another bottle before he approaches John, but only after his adoring crowd fades.

Let his glory linger for a bit longer, he's in for a crash landing, or perhaps that's just Dorian.]

[horsepowered]

I. The Eclipse
A) En Route
[To move into the wilderness and see the rest of Jhashch almost makes up for the stress of the mission over the past...whatever number of days it's been. As alien as it is, Chiron cannot help but be grateful for the twinge of familiarity that all wildernesses seem to carry with them, and he admittedly moves a bit slower so that he can take in the scenery.

He's not quite stooping over to observe things, but his eyes linger every so often, and there's soft sounds that show some level of internal consideration going on inside his head.]

It's impressive that they've built these suits to enable exploration. I wonder what they're based on.

B) The Eclipse Proper
The actual event isn't something new to Chiron, not really. He's seen these things before, but the novelty of the location is what makes the whole thing worthwhile. He sits quietly as the totality nears, eyes fixed skyward. But then in a moment, he breaks that gaze and looks around, as if expecting something.

He doesn't vocalize why, but his mouth is quirked into a concerned frown.

II. While You Were Away
A) That text message
[Chiron's eyes skim the missive on the BCE. Ever cautious for the mission, this feels like failure. He only has one reaction though, and that is a heavy sigh coupled with:]

I don't know what I expected.

B)Hauling Ass Part I
"Grab my hand!"

The chaos of well, everything, meant that hauling ass through the wilderness was something Chiron at least felt familiar doing, even if it wasn't a landscape that he knew. The required suit didn't seem to have too much impact on his speed, and all of his other skills were perfectly useable.

It meant that Chiron felt absolutely required to help anyone who seemed to be sluggish or in need of getting out of a scrape, either by bodychecking Aranean or Regency operatives and caring not of reprocussions. His face was serious and all too keen to see this mission done with.

C) Hauling Ass Part II
The minute it was safe to take off the damned suits, Chiron did so. There was no fussing about it, there was slipping into spirit form, exiting, and then reappeaing beside the suit, allowing it to crumple down on the ground. With speed a problem and too many people to be concerned about, Chiron then relied on the little bit of magic granted to him by COST.

Throughout the mission, it was clear that he needed to remain in human form in order to survive. Right now, all the rules were broken. So he was going to go right back to his natural centaur form and get as many people on his back as possible. He was speedier that way, and it helped more people.

The transformation was quick, and he was ready to get going, eyes looking out for any fellow operative that might need a lift.

C) The Villa
Perhaps the state of the villa shouldn't be a surprise. But as Chiron's hooves come to a stop in front of the ruin, still smoking, still cooling off from the destruction visited upon it, it still throws him for a moment.

"We need an organized plan from here on out," he says softly, taking the few seconds afforded to him to try and process what the best thing to do next is. "Running around in madness is only going to lead to more deaths here, and that's not our goal."

hauling ass pt 2 --> villa? c:

[dorzalta]

Chiron will find that his Master needs more than just a lift--she needs his expertise in battle.

She's separated from the others in the chaos, Irriella lifting her and making a speedy escape when Dany least expects it. The problem, of course, is that an Aranean attacks them while Irriella is en route to what should be safety, and Dany's thrown like a doll from the force of impact. She tumbles, rolling a few yards and grunting in pain from the force of that initial hit. Further ahead, she sees the silhouette of a horse.

Chiron, we need your arrows!

"Irriella!" she shouts, hastily tugging off her mask and tossing it toward the Aranean. It bounces off like a piece of balled up linen, and the larger Aranean clicks her mandibles angrily, then stabs one of its many legs at her spider-daughter, who dodges, but just barely.

Dany's already in the process of stripping out of her suit, pulling out one of the spearheads she'd lined with poison from the Princess. Betrayal, that had been. Never trust a being with perfect words--she'd learned that already, hadn't she?

the eclipse proper

[doublejumps]

While the journey itself hadn't been that enjoyable for Genji, now that they're settled in and the eclipse is actually taking place, he feels differently. An eclipse the likes of this one is not something that happens very often on Earth, so he can't help but appreciate what he's seeing now. The visors allow them to look at it without any risk of damaging their eyes, and he's taking in the view.

He has to wonder if the eclipse itself is part of the reason why they'd come to this specific time. Does it somehow play into what they're doing here? It's such a rare event...

Chiron is seated near him, and when Genji glances over to see how he's liking the eclipse, he notices the way his brow is furrowed above his visor.

"Chiron? What is it?" Much as Genji would rather his mood not be spoiled now, he can tell that something must be wrong.

lena oxton ☼ ota

[desynched]

the eclipse

party

[ Lena's first thought: not this again. Their last major party ended in murder and cannibalism, so she's understandably a little wary. The Araneans keep insisting that she eat more and drink more. Lena tries for a diplomatic smile each time, then takes another bite or fakes another sip. Fortunately, they're less attentive than usual, even to an Augmented Female. So she slips away when she can and does her best to occupy herself with the first non-Regency, non-drunken-Spider person she finds.

You, perhaps? ]

Blimey, they're not holdin' back. [ She says it with a twinge of apprehension. ]

camping

[ In spite of the unforgiving landscape and oppressive gear, the camping bit actually isn't that bad. None of the Araneans are around, so she's blissfully, finally not the center of attention. Being an augmented female and the co-"owner" of two of the hottest "commodities" in COST, she's been observed both closely and ceaselessly.

She takes her time and really observes the landscape. This is her first time on an alien planet and, although not the prettiest, it's still somewhat breathtaking.

But it's only a matter of time until Lena stumbles on danger. ]

Augh! Stupid bloody thing!

[ She could be talking about her sword, which she's only somewhat capable with, or she could be talking about the Hthi ceaselessly stalking her. Turns out that she's never truly out of the spotlight, is she? ]

while you were away

[ She should've seen that coming. They'd focused too much on the princess and the Regency and ignored all other possibilities.

And then the Commander... "down" can mean a lot of things but Scout's lack of specificity puts her on edge. She pushes that down as much as she can and tries to focus on the task at hand. Getting out of what could easily turn into mass slaughter. With only a sword, she's at a major disadvantage.

But that won't stop her from jumping into someone else's fight, determined to save someone unarmed or to aid someone in the midst of taking down someone trying to wipe out COST. ]

Hold on, we're gettin' outta here!

[doublejumps]

[ It's a bit like deja vu. Genji would like to claim that he didn't hesitate when he found himself going toe-to-toe with a Regency agent for the first time since the arena fight, but here he is, pinned to the ground with the agent bearing down on him.

The man winds up a punch, aiming it straight for Genji's face plate and visor. While the metal absorbs some of the blow, Genji's head still spins from the impact, and he wriggles underneath the agent's weight, doing whatever he can to try and shove him off. If his suit gets dislodged too much, this could become a serious problem.

Then he hears a familiar voice, and the agent turns to look at Lena when she suddenly appears at their side. It's a brief distraction, which allows Genji the opening to jam his knee up toward the agent's abdomen, knocking the wind out of him for a moment. ]

prompto argentum | ota

[millimeter]

1 | CHASING SUNS;

A | soaked socks and bug bites;

[It doesn't take long for Prompto's mood to lift once he's left Ythaway. The only spiders are silhouettes in the distance, the sun is visible without trekking all the way to a terminal window, and he's riding an alien chocobo...if chocobos were naked and had weird spiky limbs, stalk eyes, and an antenna thing instead of cute little wings. Whatever.

He's drumming his fingers on the saddle pommel when he hears a splash and turns, using the rifle stock holstered at the skrit chri's side to keep his balance. And, well, his first thought is he's staring at a hundlegs. It's leggy enough, that's for sure, but the colors are all wrong as it rears out of the stream. He doesn't get a chance to think much else, because the hthi practically body slams him off his skrit chri.

He hits the ground hard, winded, and the skrit chri bolts.]

Oh shit... [He wheezes as the hthi grabs him by the leg and starts to haul him into the red water. Pls help.]

B | love the lighting;

[He bounces on the balls of his feet, taking full advantage of the reduced Aranean scrutiny to lapse back into his usual energetic behavior.]

Ok, whatever else I might say about this moon full of spiders, [he says to his camera, adjusting its solar filter; pricey but worth it. No way is he missing this photo op (and the fact it doubles as a great distraction doesn't hurt, either).] This is pretty cool.

[He gestures up to the sky, where Cre has partially eclipsed the sun.]

Have you ever seen a total eclipse before?

2 | BACK TO YTHAWAY;

[He's nowhere near the royal family when all hell breaks loose; he just knows it does. It's not hard to figure out; he can hear the flashbangs and takes them as some kind of signal, because suddenly an Aranean drops over a ledge and seems absolutely invested in eating him.

He bolts, unfortunately on foot and without enough time to enough time to pull his rifle into firing position; he has a lot of regrets about slinging it over and behind his shoulder. He's also not totally sure if he's...allowed to fight this spider. All the court rules get muddy in his head.]

Hey! [He makes an inelegant, one-handed get moving wave when he spots another COST recruit ahead.] Dude, move!

3 | You Don't Need a Witness;

[Wildcard or idk HRHR-related shit. When in doubt, hmu.]

william;

[millimeter]

[Ythaway: Become Arachnid is just as dark and over the top as actual Ythaway, if with an extra labyrinthine twist and filled with enemies. Prompto crosses his arms, disgruntled, as an Aranean player skitters away, before he looks up at a large gate that leads into the Second Ring. Or its video game equivalent, since apparently they don't get free passage here; they have to earn their way through. His player ID, LOKTON, and health bar are visible over his head.]

Dude, if one more spider compliments my LARPing, I am going to flip a table. Multiple tables. I picked a totally normal human avatar to stay away from that stuff! [Because no way was he picking something artificial or magical on the spider hierarchy.] I'm so over being on some spider's dinner menu.

[He makes another indistinct grumbling sound before he shoots a look at William, nose wrinkling. He still isn't used to William being, well. A spider.]

Can you read that? [He nods up towards some scrawl at the top of the door. While the Aranean developers apparently forgot humans are diurnal—Prompto has discovered he can see perfectly well in the dim light, despite not wearing night vision goggles—the angle is less than favorable to someone under six feet tall.]

Dorian Pavus | OTA

[excelsus]

· eclipse eve

[It's not that Dorian was a suspicious person, you'd think he'd be less cautious in surroundings that suited his talents, but you'd be wrong. He never really trusted any sort of gathering that involved royals and nobility most especially when surrounded by creatures that wanted to eat you. He trusted the atmosphere even less with the change in the Araneans behavior, more gluttonous and feral were hardly appealing to Dorian who was worried about being a snack at any moment. That would explain why he kept his back to the wall scanning the floor with a great deal of scrutiny, glass of wine in one hand, fire dancing over and between the fingers of the other like a rolling a coin across the knuckles.

Every now and then he would pause, his eyes falling on John, he was absolutely not languishing over the loss of his companion to his crowd of admirers. He was making sure no one tried anything peculiar while John had his fun, and while he wasn't languishing he was certainly distracted enough to miss anyone approaching him while his eyes are fixed on John. For someone so concerned about the current attitude of their hosts he's quick to start at an unexpected approach. How unbecoming.]

Apologies, I didn't hear you approaching, you should probably announce yourself or, as an alternative suggestion, you could wear bells. That would make you difficult to miss. Unless you're going for unobtrusive, then you might have a problem.

· the eclipse

[Dorian is no stranger to long walks through dangerous wilds and so he's fully prepared, food, gear, some wine, his staff, and extra change in clothing, toiletries...granted he's not used to being quick about his grooming, eating, or anything else...but he wasn't going to be caught unaware in this rugged landscape or any rugged landscape. He especially wasn't going to be caught unaware after pissing on a rock, and that was just one thing he could bemoan about.

There was also the suit, one couldn't expect quality from one size fits all, but he tried to dress comfortably underneath and silk did make the suit move smoother in some places--other than that it wasn't much help. Dorian also loathed leaving all of his possessions behind, but he took precautions, keeping the most important things hidden under the floor and secured with a barrier. What could be said, he really liked his clothing, his armor, and his ill-gotten gains.

After their exodus to their viewing spot Dorian picked a reasonably secure location, laid out some glyphs to protect himself and anyone sharing his chosen space (careful where you step fire and ice glyphs ain't no joke), set out his sleeping gear, food, books (he was hardly interested in the eclipse), and wine...wine is the keystone to any good viewing ceremony. After such a long journey and all of the preparations he's earned a good sit down and rest.]

I'm expecting something spectacular of this eclipse--a large pot of chocolate or battle fairies, if there are no battle fairies I'd say the whole trip was wasted.

· the aftermath

[Do not return to your quarters they say, compromised they say? Well Dorian left quite a bit of his goods guarded in his quarters and he's not about to leave them there...especially given how protective he is of what he considers his in the first place. There's armor under that rubble and good silk, and equally important is the wine he worked so hard with John to get. So against all of the warnings he makes his way back to where his room should be, not interested in playing, especially given his last encounter with the Regency should he run into anyone on his way.

Dorian doesn't hesitate to resort to fadestep to move quickly but also to rip through those in his path if they get in his path and he's less interested in drawn out confrontations than quickly settling things if he must. While not a violent man by nature, he's had his full of being caught off guard and he's been tricked once by the Regency, something that can't be allowed to happen again. Regardless of the circumstances he does make it back to his room and with the aid of magic he's able to clear aside the majority of the mess and even rebuild the place somewhat. If he was going to fight then he wanted to wear his own armor, stubborn ass that he is.]

Can't say that any of this surprises me really [he gives the wreckage another glance before making a derisive noise and ripping up the flooring for his belongings] looks like Minrathous after Satinalia.

eclipse eve!

[withimagination]

[Eames has a similar idea, keeping himself mostly to the walls and watching and all players in this game. His movements are swift and smooth as he wanders through the crowd, looking over everyone he passes with a curiosity that's never dampened, even with the amount of alcohol in his system. He's not drunk, but tipsy enough to be a little uninhibited.

His eyes go to John for a moment, and he smirks, hoping John rolls in the cash with this, but then he feels another pair nearby. He finds Dorian's eyes on John, and he remembers them walking in together. Easy. Natural. Not entirely sure of his name but certain this may be what John's been hiding, he makes his way through the crowd to him, pausing when he startles him.

He smirks.] I suppose then I could tell people I'd be there with bells on all the time. Can't doubt the enthusiasm of a man wearing bells.

[He holds out a hand to shake.] My name's Eames. I'm helping John with the pipes' advertising.

Samus

[raisedbybirds]

I. Camping during the eclipse

In another life Samus could have appreciated this astrological splendor much more... but here and now it's just an opportunity. After the mission briefs she decides to plan ahead and make use of what the wilds of Jhashch has to offer. She takes to the bulky suit quickly, ignoring the dull pang that she's still been without her own suit this entire time. A rocky outcropping somewhere reasonably close to the gates makes for a suitable camp. She doesn't waste much time and loads up with as much ammunition and weaponry as she can carry. Like the spiders, she's going hunting.

Join her in the hunt, or perhaps you stumble upon her camp after she's already made several accomplishments; single-handily dragging large hthi carcasses to a small pit she's dug out. Then she promptly starts burying them. She wonders if these will be enough or will be insufficient... or if they'll even be here by tomorrow.

II. Hell in a handbasket

When all the chaos erupts she makes a beeline for her rendezvous point with Eren, fighting anything that stands in her way. Spiders, Regency, hhcho, uthcki; doesn't matter what. If a battle is proving to be too much of a waste of time she doesn't have any shame in running away, though she would much prefer to finish the job. She certainly won't say no to a helping hand, but don't expect lengthy conversation or for her to stick around long.

III. ‎Rachnera Arachnera

The time has come for her mission and it requires (well, it was optional, but seemed like a very good option) disguising herself as an Aranean. She feels like she's spent enough time in their insufferable company to blend in seamlessly enough, though she still loathes the idea of embracing it this much. It's fine. It's for a mission, hopefully a quick one.

She picks a quiet dark corner somewhere near the gates and the transformation itself is painless, if incredibly weird. New limbs sprout and parts of her anatomy shift, change, swell or seem to disappear entirely. The end result is roughly something like this maybe with patterns like this. You know, a hunting spider. It's appropriate.

It doesn't take long for her to catch her new appearance in a reflective surface. She's seen what too much Phazon did to her physical appearance once before, and that wasn't pretty... but this is something else entirely. She still recognizes herself in those dark black eyes, the faint scars that mar her skin are appropriated in all the right spots and even her beauty mark is still right there on her chin. If she had the luxury of time she'd labor on the bastardization of her body but the important thing is it's very convincing to look at. She just has to move and act as convincingly. As if on cue she becomes cognizant of a ceaseless urge to eat. Right. She should go find her hidden hthi stockpile. The sooner she does that the sooner she can go down into the mines. She has precious little time to waste.

Maybe you run into her on her way to said stockpile or on her way back from it. Or maybe on her way to the mines--with all the chaos going on there's fallen Regency agents here and there, maybe a skrit chri or other Aranean who met with an unfortunate fate by being at the wrong place at the wrong time, or scattered bits and pieces of something another Aranean already had their way with. Samus is a little late to the proverbial feast, and while there are bodies to pick from they're slim pickings. She thinks it a little desperate but she sees no reason to not grab additional food on the good. She's voracious as she moves, snatching clearly dead bodies and breaking off limbs as she runs, splattering blood and gore all over herself as she consumes them on the run. There is a level of self-disgust that borders on nausea as she was hoping her stockpile would have been sufficient enough or that this hunger would be ignorable but it absolutely isn't.

Eventually she comes across a Regency agent who was somehow still alive, crawling and struggling to get into a standing position. Samus is hyper focused on the small twitchy sudden movements and pounces on the agent with a fearsome speed. Her teeth sink deep into his neck and there's a distinct snapping squelch sound. Immediately she relishes the markedly different taste fresh meat has. It's so much better. She pays no mind now to how her satisfaction manifests as an audibly amorous sigh or how his warm blood runs down her torso and drips all over the ground.

Maybe don't. Bother her. Until she's had her fill. It would probably be bad if she mistook you for another fresh and very tasty thing.

VI. Come Ymir and look at this [closed to Eren]

It's immensely challenging trying to coordinate limbs she's never had before and try to shovel as much food in her mouth as possible as quickly as possible and not attract the wrong kinds of attention but somehow Samus manages. She satiates her appetite as best as she can (it seems endless but she's confident she won't be distracted by it now) and finds Eren at their rendezvous point. She approaches slowly and as non-threateningly as a blood-covered Aranean can possibly approach. To reaffirm it's her she uses the BCE to say hello.

...It's not mine, if that's reassuring at all.

That is very reassuring, right.

V. A brief respiderite

After their explosive exit from the mines they made off like bandits but things are a little (more) chaotic. Samus has the luxury of being assumed dead given the method of her "escape". She'll escort Eren as far and as as safely as possible until they're able to get the Ymir safely stored away but after that it's unclear how much longer she'll have to wait to get her own bios back. She'll just have to use the cover of her "death" and lay low for a little while. She needs to get away from the mines for a lot of reasons.

She keeps to shadows, prowling and sneaking, stealing clothes or armor if it helps disguise her looks even further and seeks out other COST agents specifically. Don't be alarmed if you're suddenly being stalked by an Aranean.

VI. Backdated post-Arena death BASE catch-all

WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN. Waking up on BASE is a startling affair, as is dealing with those visions and the concept of death not being quite so final after all. It's a lot to take in and Samus spends much of her recovery in an apathetic haze, going through the rounds of puking up/peeing/sweating/whatever all that black ichor. She doesn't necessarily go out of her way to avoid socialization like she usually does but interactions with her are muted, conversations met with one-word answers or even none at all. It's hard for her to not be stuck in her own head after all that and it's not a great place to be. She's not remotely comforted by the idea she's not the only one either.

V

[horsepowered]

Everything came from chaos. It was a universal truth, one that Chiron felt deep in his bones as the world shuddered and shaked and exploded all around him. His job, his only job right now, was to ensure the success of COST in all of this. If anything looked like a Regency agent, it was being dealt a flurry of furious arrows, all neatly landing and felling the target.

It was after that exact moment that Chiron realized something was behind him, and he spun around on all four legs with his bow raised, arrow in it and ready to shoot at the shadows.

He said nothing. He simply waited.

FOR MATT ( HRHR-TIME )!

[bivariant]

[ Randomized assignments were, among the Kel, few and far between. As an infantry captain, she had commanded her battalion for quite some time before they were dismantled, brought to bear the weight of her command and the decisions she had made. They belonged to one another, in a way that COST has belonged to her -- albeit tangentially, a confusing assignment she cannot parse nor deliberate over. "Matt Murdock" is a name she's not familiar with, but she knows him from a cursory look through COST's personnel files. Capable enough. She doesn't know if he was present at any of the arenas, nor his level of success.

His location is a public thing, and she endeavors to meet with him before they approach. A brief message submitted to his BCE, hailing him in greeting: Murdock, this is Cheris. I'll be serving as your partner for the duration of this mission. I'm coming to you, be prepared to move. Waste no time, waste no resources. In the wake of the carnage, the notification that their commander has been compromised -- killed, she assumed -- they must make every movement count.

It takes her a little while to find him, approaching on nearly-silent feet: ] Any questions?

[ Make them quick, her tone suggests, as she crouches alongside him. ]

I have one, for you -- have you done anything like this before?

[murdocksboy]

[ This assignment is a godsend for Matt. Where he was uncertain and a little at sea upon his arrival, this is a mission with a very specific goal. One that he can get behind morally, and which feels well-suited to his abilities. An opportunity to throw himself into his old role as Daredevil without any of the baggage he left behind in Hell's Kitchen.

Of course he feels a little guilty for being so eager. But not guilty enough to let it weigh him down, for a change. ]

I'm sure some will come up along the way. [ He's looked his partner up as well, so at least he has no concerns about whether she can take care of herself. ] And yeah, actually I have. Different kind of setting, of course. Yourself?

hrhr; closed to dany

[inconstantly]

[Neither of the two partners have any cause to trust the spiders, yet it's the Araneans who unwittingly lead them to the first broadcasting station. Getting there takes careful observation and stealth, the right questions asked to the right people. When John and Dany arrive the place seems almost abandoned. The screens reflect no activity with all electronic equipment powered down.

The emptiness of the station seems almost too quiet. No enemies in sight is a blessing, yet with no activity comes the challenge of actually figuring out how the technology within the station works rather than simply grabbing a microphone and hopping in front of a camera. Or at the very least, the challenge requires enough know-how to barely skate by.

John approaches a darkened control panel, waist high and filled with buttons.]

I don't suppose this is your area of expertise?

[dorzalta]

[ She's troubled, not only by the loss of Grothia, but by the events which have transpired after. Like a mudslide, things go from bad to worse, until COST members are literally fighting for their lives. Not so different from the other countries they've been to, but entirely different all the same.

She steps up beside John, studying the buttons with pinched brows. ]

We don't have this sort of technology in my world. [ She skims her fingers over a number of buttons, as if searching for the one which will blink to life from her touch alone... which of course doesn't happen. ] This is like the games on our BCEs, no? We might as well press a button and see what happens.

mamoru. come on in we're OPEN

[prizeneck]

1. Tfw you win free tickets for the Twilight Saga Movie - aka Pre-Eclipse

[This time, he keeps to himself. Mamoru is normally not one to party, even if the mission mandates it so. But something about this one has an air of finality, of barely held together giddiness that tastes thick in the back of his tongue. He had danced, eaten and socialized (badly) before. This time, he just maneuvers himself to the outskirts of whatever is the focus of this side of the party. The blind man stands back and watches. Catch him smirk at a fumble of yours or maybe just creeping oh so casually at an Aranean conversation.]

2. The curse of the resting bitch face - aka the Eclipse itself

[They're giving him a suit, and he's considering his options. Go with everyone to watch something that he obviously can't watch, or stay behind and not go (and perhaps piss on some Araneans' cereal while he's at it). While Mamoru isn't really afraid of staying behind, he ponders if he should use the opportunity to sneak into places he otherwise wouldn't be able to.

So he's running the material between his thumbs as he thinks, and spots your character perhaps fumbling with the suit itself. He just waves you over with a 'c'mere already' to help you out with that. Four hands are better than two.

Or maybe you spot him in the site proper, having decided to play escort, once again. He's not really taking in the environment, or looking up. Look at him through the helmet, and you see him looking like a tool with his shades and just taking in the muffled sounds around him. This was worse than the gas mask he had to wear in Gallipoli, so he is focusing on the little he can catch.

The eclipse starts, and he can only imagine that were this back home, he'd only be able to feel the temperature drop with the sudden shadow.]

3. What doesn't kill me, it better run - Coming back from the HuRrHuRr

[His party comes back from Cre after aiding the Twin Generals in the fight. This is your chance to catch him on the BCE, or for him to reply to whatever message you may have left him. He had been too busy fighting to focus on whatever was happening on Jhashch. Both Ryuji and Genji are badly injured, too, so if you want to know details of what happened while not bothering the wounded, that can be done, too.

Be prepared to read a very badly translated text, though, as Mamoru is quick to slip into the shadows, his lip twitching fueled by his own victory-induced adrenaline. Very quickly that he feels a target on his back, and he's reveling on it.

He's managed to lure the Regency agent stalking him into a very cluttered space. The old bait and switch. Maybe you stumbled onto this place in the wrong (or right) time, and Mamoru is quick to signal you to stop. The boot of the Regency agent cracks as they step closer.

Mamoru gives you an arched eyebrow, hand on the hilt of his sword. Ready?]

4. Strip poker - aka nah, just kidding, Wildcard me

[You already know the dealio. ;) mikefoxtrot if you wanna discuss but you know I'm good with anything]

3 - bce

[mylawn]

[76 had known going in that this wasn't going to be a short mission, but there's something about carrying out the bulk of it underground that makes it seem even longer. Separation from the main group, coupled with being so deep undercover has him feeling like it's been an eternity. The lack of contact with others in COST during that time has him on edge as well, though given his current situation (and state), he's reluctant to contact his own people right away. Someone else reliable will have to do.]

I'm topside. You want to fill me in on anything I missed?

[There's a reason he's communicating over text, and it mostly involves the fact that he hasn't been able to meet up with Young yet.]

Matt Murdock | Open

[murdocksboy]

1. BANQUET:
Matt is looking subdued, forehead creased as he listens to the proclamations and the featured activities, as well as the conversations going on among his fellows. As he's become used to the Araneans and their way of doing things, it's become easier for him to figure out what's going on around him, but there's still a great deal that's puzzling to him.

He might approach a recruit with a restrained but friendly smile, and a request that they describe for him what's happening at that moment. Or he may simply be standing or seated nearby, head cocked slightly to one side, seemingly lost in thought as he processes everything his senses are telling him into as close to a complete picture as he's able.


2. ECLIPSE:
This is in fact Matt's very first experience with camping, or of spending any time at all in any kind of wilderness. He's sure immediately that he doesn't like it, but he'll keep that sentiment between himself and his fellow recruits. The more important thing is staying close to the others; the sounds and smells of Jhashch's natural environment are disconcertingly alien. Although he's armed himself with a set of billy clubs (and yes, he expects to hear opinions on his poor choices in weapons), Matt is far more concerned with his lack of experience at outdoor survival than he is with having to fight off a wild animal or two.

His nervousness is probably obvious, if not in his general demeanor than certainly in the way he attaches himself to anyone who seems at ease with this part of the excursion.

Once the eclipse itself begins, Matt simply hangs back, once again listening in on the reactions of others, attempting to learn and enjoy the experience through them. There's a sad, pensive look on his face as he tries to remember what the sky looked like back home.


3. ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT:
He's reluctant to get directly involved in this part of Araneans' business, unless prompted to do so by COST. But Matt will do his best to help keep people safe during the resulting chaos. Those looking for assistance may encounter him; those looking to aid others decide to intervene if the blind man with no common sense wanders too close to real trouble.


4. WILD CARD:
(If there's some encounter you'd like that isn't covered above)

ECLIPSE

[inconstantly]

The group has stopped for the moment to set up camp, and after getting his own space situated with his companion John begins to wander, taking stock of the situation at hand. Through the confines of the suit John can't recognize much of anybody, but one is exceedingly easy to spot. Those stupid billy clubs.

John takes a leisurely walk toward Matt's area, noticing a visible discomfort in the other man's body language. Good to know he isn't the only one.

"Are you really that attached to those sticks that they travel everywhere with you?"

hrhr - jeyne

[mylawn]

[If there's one thing that's good about having a talent for compartmentalization, it's being able to handle a mission like this. 76 has become so accustomed to fighting down any discomfort or doubt for the sake of an objective that he can take all of this in stride. It's not the first time he's turned over his body for the greater good.

That's not to say it isn't uncomfortable. He'd rather it be over sooner rather than later, but for now it's what he needs to do to complete this mission, which means he's going to weather it without complaint.

Besides, his concern is more for Jeyne, anyway. He's under the impression she's not a combatant--or at least, not a combatant the way he's a combatant, so at least some of his attention is on her, and on keeping her safe, especially as they descend into the mines.

This isn't going to be easy. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't apprehensive. He can feel the Ymir underneath his skin, right along the lines of the branch-like markings that stretch across his shoulder. Better to focus on how she's doing, instead.]

You holding up all right?

[goodandtrue]

[She was no fighter, but enough weeks in this world and an increasing number of injuries and deaths in the arena had hardened her nerves. There were only so many times that she could patch someone up before she began to feel her fear and anxiety seep away. She might not know combat, but she understood courage and she had an ample store of it in her reserve.

The mission seemed simple enough, though the risks never factored into her mind. She was a natural and very few noticed her...or used to not notice her until she acquired an entourage. Her followers were left behind for this and instead, she assumed the role of a spider, wearing some ridiculous contraption that made her seem as though she belonged here.

If 76 was scared for her, she didn't notice. She simply wanted this over with.]

Yes. Are we coming close to a colletion of Ymir?