all this energy calling me

[agogemod]

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

TOUCH BASE;

backfill armed services echelon
COST re-appropriated vehicle 854A-5.2

read the base setting infopage

DEPARTING FRANCE

The order comes out the second day after the Tuileries is sacked:

PACK UP, 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, and it starts like a vibrating heat on the collar bone, not painful, not to start with. Just a hum of sensation. But the vibration spreads. Veteran COST soldiers often refer to this phenomena as 'the buzz'. The sensation builds, feeling not unlike standing near a great engine, or the wind rattling the branches of a great tree. There is long a moment of motion sickness, and one cannot always be sure if it is you that is shaking from the inside out, or the world that is shaking you from the outside in. It may just 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. Some swear they feel a touch of the divine; the eyes of the eternal look down upon you. Ancient bones rattle just out of earshot, cold and brittle. Or maybe it's an illusion brought on by powerful technology grafted into your skin.

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

Nausea is commonly accompanied by this shift. One moment, you're in the cold of France. The next, you're in a temperature regulated hallway, looking not unlike 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. Crows sit on high ledges, looking down, watching.

(For those of you who just apped in and didn't participate in the TDM, you'll appear alongside your comrades now, standing in this long hallway filled with droids and crows and men and women in clothing from 18th century France. Of course, you'll be wearing the minimal COST athletic issued underwear, and holding whatever one item you were allowed to bring. Surprise!)

At the end of the hall is a long table with heaps of used clothing on it. The sizes and styles vary, along with color and detail (AKA none look exactly like the linked pics, they're just a baseline, use your ~imagination~). One thing's for certain, all the clothing has been used before, with holes darned and worn edges. They're all clean, though, and each bears a single patch with the words 'KNOW YOUR RIGHTS, THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN' and 'COST sewn into the side.

They're not exactly high fashion, but they might be more comfortable than the late 18th century digs you're still wearing, if you showed up in France. Or, you know, the underwear.

Meet the Drill Sergeant

There is the echoing sound of hooves, and a strange creature emerges from a nearby room: a centaur. He smiles kindly, happy to see you've arrived. He has a significant limp in his back left leg, causing his hoof-beats to pitch an irregular rhythm as he walks slowly through the hall.

"Hello, all!" His voice is kind, but it's pitched to carry. "You may know me as Sergeant-- I am in technicality a drill sergeant. You may call me Chiron, if you wish, though I'm to understand some may know others with the same name." He laughs, amused. "In any case, welcome home. It is not much, but we have tried to make it hospitable for you in your time here. Your room assignments have been uploaded onto your BCEs, along with some technological upgrades we've been testing out. There are a few prototypes and experiments you may find in your rooms as well. Our agents are..." He looks up at the crows. "We are a curious people."

He looks over to the table stacked with clothing. "Please pick out what suits you, and make adjustments as needed. If you have any complaints, and wish to change your rooming situation, your username, anything of that nature, please send me a request. I am also known in some capacity as a trainer-"

One of the crows caws, and it sounds almost sarcastic.

Sergeant Chiron ignores it. "Hm. If you wish for me to make a training regiment for you, to better your skill in this organization, please let me know. But for now: I am to understand your last mission was... tumultuous. Please, rest and acclimate yourself to BASE."

He turns to leave, before stopping-- "And please be kind to the crows. They remember slights."

The crows' cawing sounds like laughter.

HOTSPOTS

There's been some technical difficulty since the prognosticators had their little meltdown. Coolant is in short supply, and some of the corridors of BASE are a little warmer than others. Pleasantly warm. Comfortably so, like walking through a sunbeam. In these hotspots, it feels comfortable and snug.

Characters walking through them will feel the urge to lie down and rest, maybe take a quick little nap.

Sleeping in these spots will cause unsettling or confusing dreams, but not nightmares. Dreams in these hotspots-- and sleeping in these hotspots will never be dreamless-- will be hard to remember upon waking, but they seemed very... strange. Almost as though you were intruding on something important but private.

Yet you can't quite remember it when you wake.

If you're clever and watchful, you'll notice the crows avoid these areas, so you can avoid them as well before you're seized by the urge to lie down and nap.

Particularly watchful characters may notice the hotspots are growing in size and number as the days wear on.

(More information about these and the forthcoming December plot will be coming in an infopost on the 12th, but if you have any questions now, feel free to ask here!)

read the base setting infopage

NAV. NETWORK LOGS OOC PLURK DISCORD

Comments

merlin | ota

[servant]

the time step:

[merlin doesn't know what he expected to find beyond the veil, when he slipped from the mortal world as he surely must've. but it wasn't this.

so maybe he can be forgiven if he lingers in the hallway a bit longer than others, when his eyes go from the strange droids to the crows. the latter are at least familiar to him, annoyingly so. but he's also not oblivious to those who pass him by, meeting their eyes before lowering them with a respectful nod of his head.]

My lord.

[Or lady. Those who haven't changed yet will be dressed in styles that are least somewhat familiar to him. The problem is that Merlin isn't dressed at all, standing this whole time in his issued underwear and clutching his stupid neckerchief to his chest. That notice at least gets him moving and making a convenient dive under the table full of clothes. He reaches a hand up over the edge of it, grasping at whatever he can find. feel free to help - or laugh.]

hotspots:

[for all that arthur has accused him of slacking off, of spending his days in the taverns, of napping in the stables, merlin doesn't actually get much rest and relaxation. in truth, he's one of the last to close his eyes in camelot, and among the first to open them.

and yet here he is, asleep in some hallway like he's feeling an urge to prove the prince right for a change. but in his defense, it was warm, and between his old life and this sudden new one, the weariness must've really settled in. he doesn't nap for long; the first of a strange dream makes his eyes fly open and head snap back until he bumps it on the corridor wall. merlin grimaces, rubbing a hand against the offended spot.]

...What just happened? I didn't seriously just fall asleep like a horse, did I?

[no offence to chiron.]

wildcard:

[anything else you can think of! you lead and i'll follow, or hit me up at legions if you have any questions.]

hotspots;

[hakanai]

[And what else does one say to that but:]

Yes. You look terrible for it.

[Nothing like the blunt truth, is there? Yoshitsugu is kneeling close to Merlin, just outside of the warm spot the mage had taken his nap in with his wand-like command baton resting across his lap. Anyone who isn't extremely perceptive might think that the little of his face that's visible above his face-cloth looks... bored.]

[He's not, though. Not at all.]

Fall for the enchantment, did you?

[servant]

[merlin's response to the criticism is a sheepish grin. he supposes it's true, and he's been called far worse things. but that smile falters at those last words.]

Enchantment? You think this was magic?

[it makes sense, now that he thinks about it. when has he ever been one to just fall asleep no matter how tired he was?]

Who would've cast such a spell? For what purpose?

[hakanai]

[Yoshitsugu shrugs lightly, and taps the floor with his baton. His own particular brand of magical training has not left him with the skill to uncover specific enchantments but he can sense something in the air here. Not what it is specifically, just... something. It could just as well be his sense of foresight picking up on small clues.]

I'm not certain it's magic as I, or you, know it, but there's something unnatural here.

[He grunts lightly, and after a moment of quiet thought rises to his feet. Yoshitsugu's gaze remains fixed on the floor, however, brows knitting into a slight frown.]

The crows avoid these spots, and every one I've walked through has made me feel weary the moment I walk into it. [His gaze shifts to gives Merlin a pointed look.] So you might want to move, unless you want to hit your head again.

[servant]

[he thought the lack of crows might've just been something to make the spot more peaceful, and therefore rest a little more likely. but now that the other points it out...why wouldn't they be here the way they're everywhere else?]

You're right, they are avoiding it.

[merlin backs out of the spot carefully, feeling an immediate difference between where he was standing and where he is now. of all the familiar things that he longs to see, a sleeping enchantment isn't one of them.]

Thank you. For the warning. [the young sorcerer turns and offers his hand.] I'm Merlin.

[hakanai]

[Once that gesture would have confused Yoshitsugu, but he's been in COST long enough now to have come across the custom. So he briefly and light grasps and shakes the offered hand.]

Yoshitsugu. [And lets go rather swiftly.] Three months a veteran in this unit. You're new to it, aren't you?

[Returning his attention to the hot spot, Yoshitsugu considers for a moment before reaching out his hand towards the warmth and summoning a scattering of violet balls of light within. There's no reaction to the magic, at far as he can tell, so he lets them fade away after a few seconds.]

The flow was kind to you, then. Most of us were plunged straight into missions.

[servant]

The flow?

[no matter how much he's told, merlin still feels overwhelmed by how much he's yet to learn, to truly understand.]

Erm, yes. What sort of missions have you been on? [he's asking so many questions, but he's always been that type. but the most important one of all comes after the other man stretches his hand out, with violent lights dancing around it.] You have magic?

[he looks at yoshitsugu with wide eyes before quickly glancing around.]

[hakanai]

You ask a lot of questions, don't you? [Yoshitsugu so helpfully points out himself with a slight snort.] The flow is the movement of the times, or what someone grander might call fate.

[He turns around, moving his attention away from the hot spot for a moment to regard Merlin with interest. Reaching out a hand, he opens it upwards and summons a glowing insect into his palm as a kind of demonstration, letting the illusion's wings flutter delicately.]

Yes. I'm hardly the only one, so don't act so nervously. Outside of missions it's not going to mark you as a target.

[France had taught him plenty about how people in that world, that time and place, had viewed magic: both incorrectly (or, well, stupidly) and with deep distrust. Judging by the way this Merlin reacted he probably comes from somewhere with its own issues with magic.]

[servant]

I've been told as much before. [merlin gives a little grin. at least yoshitsugu doesn't seem too cross about it. and the way that he explains it makes sense, especially the part about fate. merlin murmurs his next words with a soft sigh.] Sounds about right.

[he's not exactly surprised to end up here and almost immediately hear the word tossed about. but any further thoughts are pushed aside at the display in the palm of yoshitsugu's hand. he can probably guess merlin's personal thoughts on magic by the smile that crosses his lips.]

That's amazing. [he looks up from the insect, swallowing hard before continuing.] Where I'm from...it's believed that magic is used for evil purposes. But I know that isn't the case.

[hakanai]

[Yoshitsugu certainly can, which is why he makes more of a show of it and 'tosses' the insect into the air, summoning more so the two of them are surrounded by little glowing insects that flutter through the air.]

The last place COST went for a mission had books and the like which said the same... but their ideas about what magic was were ridiculous. [He shrugs lightly.] It's a tool, an ability like any other. You can't call something without thought evil. That's down to the person wielding it and them alone.

[He looks Merlin up and down, thoughtful. Already he has a few ideas about the kind of man this person is but these kinds of questions always get some entertaining responses, if nothing else.]

What kind of person are you? Aside from curious and prone to sleeping in warm places.

Time step

[mercurialize]

[Most people, or at least a decent number are taking their need for clothing in stride. Kylar genuinely couldn't care. The important parts are covered and at worse, he's outed for being physically fit and missing an arm, shucks.

Obviously, not all seem to be as confident or uncaring. He watches the man jump under the table and he wonders if it's for defense or just shame. He guesses shame. The hand reaching over the table edge gives it away.]

You know, [he says offering a pair of trousers that look like they might fit the man under the table,] people will notice you more easily when you do something weird like that.

[servant]

[merlin would call it modesty, nothing at all to do with gangly limbs and pale skin. he's not used to just anyone seeing him in his undergarments, much less in an area where a woman might happen to be passing by.

the fingers curl and stretch until the come in contact with the offered trousers, and then both things promptly disappear back under the table. merlin speaks up amidst the sound of rustling fabric.]

Is it really so weird? [merlin peeks over the top of the table as he pulls them on.] Are people really used to such a thing here?

[mercurialize]

[He gets the man a shirt next, offering it to him. He's guessing on the man's size the same way he'd guess on what dosage of poison to give him. It's a pretty close fit.

Kylar shrugs.] I just got here, but you're the only one under the table. Everyone else is just grabbing what they need and walking on. So my guess? Yeah, they look pretty used to it.

[servant]

[merlin offers him a nod of thanks for the shirt, pulling it on over his head as he stands. he looks around them, but it's true. at most he just catches a glimpse of people who've gotten their things and moved on.]

I suppose...there are plenty of other things to be unsettled about.

[his state of dress or undress the least of his concerns, which is a less than cheerful thought. but merlin does take a small measure of solace in one thing:]

You're new as well? How are you faring?

[mercurialize]

[He grabs some things for himself now, resting them over his right stub of a lower arm.]

Well enough, all things considered. This place doesn't seem so bad.

[Better than some places he's lived, but it doesn't take very much to beat alleyways, abandoned mills, and sewers.]

What'd they tell you to convince you to come?

[servant]

I was certainly expecting the other side of the Veil to be different.

[different and possibly worse. merlin offers him a smile, looking curiously but quickly at his arm. his smile fades again at the question, turning him solemn.]

I was a servant for a prince, one who I hope - I know will become a great king one day. They told me that his children would be targeted. I'd like to protect them however I can.

[destiny is troublesome and neverending, it would seem.]

What about you - sorry, I haven't asked your name. I'm Merlin.

[mercurialize]

Kylar.

[He extends his left hand to shake. Not exactly formal, maybe even an insult to some, but something tells him extending a stump for a hand instead wasn't going to go over any better. Besides, it's currently acting as a clothes hanger.]

They prove it to you at all? That there might be harm if you didn't come, I mean.

[servant]

[merlin doesn't take offense. it's nice enough that someone does extend a hand for him to shake. normally they just drop their things at his feet to be washed or put away.]

They haven't proven anything. [he admits quietly.] But if there's even a chance of it, I need to prevent it.

[maybe he can still serve arthur and albion in some capacity. he hesitates before finally asking.]

What happened to your arm, or would you rather not talk about it?

[mercurialize]

[He shrugs.]

I cut it off.

[It's not the whole story, not even close. But it's the best summary of it all. Don't mind the subtle subject change.]

You must really appreciate this prince to come here on his behalf. He didn't want to come himself?

[macginger]

Log. The word you're looking for is log.

[Also in the hallway and on the floor was a redheaded man dressed in the futurepunk stylings of the whatever-the-hell they were meant to be, though with the splash of blue that came with the French waistcoat he'd decided to keep wearing. He was sitting on the floor looking particularly relaxed and ready to just stay here and fall asleep. He even had a tin filled with some sort of alcoholic beverage that was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike beer.]

[servant]

...Yeah. I suppose that word works as well. I hope I didn't snore.

[merlin shoots the man a sheepish grin. but really, he's done a lot more embarrassing things in his life. his hand drops to his side, lips pressed together as he thinks. maybe he's just looking for weirdness in a sea of it, but the whole thing still strikes him as more than a little odd.]

That's not the sort of thing that I've ever done before. What about you, how did you feel?

[macginger]

Still working on it, bud. Now that you're not snoring, maybe I can manage it.

[Because despite the urge to nap, he hadn't been particularly successful at it. Not yet.]

[servant]

I really don't think that's a good idea.

[the warmth in the hallway, the quiet, it all seems a little too good to be true. maybe he's just not used to having nice things.]

The crows! Why aren't the crows here when they're just about everywhere else? [merlin shakes his head before taking a step closer.] I think we definitely need to move along.

[macginger]

What, so you get to sleep here and I don't? The crows not being here is a goddamn perk.

[And if they are here, well... maybe they're napping? That seems like a good thing.]

[servant]

I'm telling you, I don't think it was a natural sleep.

[and the unnatural kind are always bad news in his experience.]

I want to help you.