World Log: Tundra Arrival

[hadrielmods]

Who: All characters in the city
What: The log for the city's arrivel on the ice planet
Where: All around the city
When: November 21st-November 30th
Warnings: None

You all get some warning to prepare, which is great. A little time to stock up on supplies, make sure everything's where it supposed to be, call your friends in from their fishing boats. And then the city moves. It happens in the blink of an eye - one moment you're on islands, surrounded by ocean, and the next? The next you're surrounded by frozen ground, the temperature has dropped significantly, and even the sky looks different. The air has a bite to it, that familiar feeling telling you it's thinking about snowing soon. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday soon.

The city has rearranged itself back into that old, familiar shape, instead of spread out across islands like it was a moment ago. Maybe that'll make things easier for you, maybe it won't, but it also means the return of the lake and river that used to bisect the city - only now they're frozen over. This climate also means it'll be hard for any plants not otherwise protected to survive - and that you, too, will start feeling that cold if you're away from a warm place for too long.

And warm places might be in short supply, because when the city moved the gods did not. What does that mean for you? Well, whatever supplies are in the shops at the moment the city moves are the only ones left. No new food supplies, no new clothing, nothing. In addition, the power across the whole city is out, including water and heating. Anything else powered or supplied by gods (the hot springs, the mopeds, what's left of the orchard, the armory, the GPS) will not work.

You're on your own. Try not to die.

► This log covers November 21st-30th.
► Feel free to make your own logs, as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If you freeze to death, starve to death, are eaten by the local animals, fall through the ice, or find some other exciting way to die, please let us know here, and be aware resurrection will not be currently happening. You stay dead - for now.

Comments

Sharon da Silva | OTA

[fogsong]

AROUND | 22nd

[ In the grey of their new home, Sharon stands out like a sore thumb. The bright orange of her hoodie is pulled up, covering her mop of bleached, tangled hair. She's got a vividly pink and black striped knit sweater pulled over said hoodie, paired with dark purple leggings that look too thin to provide much warmth. It's not like she's just out wandering. She's got a destination in mind and layering up isn't necessary when she's going to be inside.

But that doesn't stop her from regretting not slipping on another sweater and maybe that beanie she found.

She trudges onward, stomping a little. Her cheeks and nose are rosy. She blows into her cupped, ungloved hands in an attempt to warm them before she realizes the futility of it—or that she was capable of creating warmth on her own. She stops suddenly, palms open and up.

One breath, two, and then a flame blooms in her hands. It's not a perfect ball and the fire flicks and whips. She lacks in control but a small satisfactory grin blossoms across her often sour face. Her fingers aren't cold anymore. ]

NIGHT | 27th

[ The sky is beautiful and in the cool air of the night, the stars seem brighter. She watches as she leans up against one of the apartment spires, arms crossed tightly. She breathes in deeply, somewhat at peace with the knowledge that the gods weren't here. When she hears someone nearby, entering or exiting the spire, she speaks up. ]

Isn't it the prettiest thing you've ever fucking seen? [ It seems like such a stupid statement but, in this newfound feeling of hope for freedom, it's the most amazing thing she's seen. ]

27th

[toiletseat_girl]

[George is actually on her way home back from the Lab when she overhears Sharon. she'd been so entirely focused on getting home as she's wearing two sweaters and still doesn't feel warm enough, but the comment makes her pause and look around the sky.

she can't deny that it's beautiful. rippling waves of light and color in the sky with the stars and the moons peeking through. it's stunning. nothing like she's ever seen in Seattle.

she takes a moment and drinks it all in before she responds]

I think it might be. It's fucking gorgeous. Never saw anything like it before. Have you?

[fogsong]

Never. [ She admits, trying to sear the image into her brain. Her fingers itch with desire to put it to paint on canvas. She glances at George for just a moment. ]

I've always wondered what two moons would look like. It looks... I don't know, dreamy? [ Or is it the feeling of relief and satisfaction at the empty temples? ]

[toiletseat_girl]

[George glances back with a smile]

Yeah, it's like something out of "Star Trek" brought to life. I never thought I'd ever be on a world with two moons. [a short laugh] Never thought a lot of things 'til I was brought here.

[fogsong]

[ Star Trek, huh? Sharon smiles to herself, small and personal, and then it's gone, expression at ease. It kind of is like Star Trek. That's the one with doomed red shirts, she remembers that, and something about earl grey tea but she never got into it. ]

...Yeah, we kind of get to experience all sorts of shit that would have been impossible back home, huh? [ Rhetorical, really. Does that mean she should feel a sense of gratefulness towards the gods? The Door? No. She rubs her hands together briskly. ]

I bet eclipses here are unreal. [ She can only just imagine. Chilly but clearly in a bright mood, she faces George. ] Hey, you think if you ever come across paint in the shops you could grab it for me? I could turn this into something that'd look great on your wall.

[ If life had been normal, maybe she would have become an artist. ]

[toiletseat_girl]

[George was into it. she's a total nerd. probably why she's never had a boyfriend or a girlfriend]

Yeah, no kidding. I guess that's--something? [what it is, she's not entirely sure what. she feels like she's grown up a lot in Hadriel, not that she's sending the stupid gods a thank-you note]

Maybe we'll get to see one? [when Sharon turns to face her, she smiles] I'll do that. I've seen your art and murals, you've got a real gift for it.

[George has no idea what she would've been. she had no direction and was spinning her wheels right before she died]

[fogsong]

Maybe. [ She agrees, not even considering that this planet may have strange cycles in comparison to what she knows. The compliment makes her rosy cheeks rosier, ears warming. If she'd been younger, she'd have brushed off the compliment, certain the other girl was saying it for some nefarious reason, but now she takes it with appreciation. ]

Thanks. It's a good outlet for me and, I mean, it's not like I have much better to do. [ Back home or here, if she's honest. ] You got any artistic talent in you?

[ George seems the type to have a hidden talent or two. ]

[toiletseat_girl]

It would be pretty cool. [it's going to take a while to figure out the cycles and rhythms of this place. and that blush is adorable. it's not fair. because it makes her blush in return and now they're both blushing and now what? say something? prrrrrobably not the right time. she'll know it when she sees it. or she'll make an idiot of herself, even odds]

Yeah, this place is woefully short on fun options. Why d'you think I spend so much time at the Speakeasy? [because people watching is at least something to do] I can write, a little? Nothing big like a novel, but little short stories.

[which she shows to no one]

[fogsong]

[ George's cheeks seem pink and Sharon wonders if she's getting cold. ]

Because you're an alcoholic? [ She's just joking, the left side of her lips lifting in a smirk. That's not a funny joke, Sharon, people here have some serious problems. ]

Wait, really? Have you written anything here? [ Because Sharon would be happy to take a peek. ] I don't know if you've noticed but we're lacking in the books department. [ That's definitely not a talent Sharon has; she loves to read but she can't write for shit. ]

around

[knifecollecting]

[Jo is wandering much more aimlessly, but when she sees someone she heads straight for them. Soon enough, she can pick out Sharon's figure and she smiles before she sees the fire. Damn, that's-]

Was that a lighter?

[fogsong]

[ Sharon laughs and the flame ripples along with it, the tip of the flame rising up higher than necessary. ]

Like a lighter could hold up well to this wind. [ A zippo, she knows, could probably withstand the cold wind but nothing regular. ] I'm not a fan of using it usually but if it's cold, I might as well take advantage of what I can do.

[ She wishes she could offer some ball of fire to Jo but it can only exist as long as she's got an active mind on it. Plus, lack of control; Jo probably wouldn't enjoy her warm clothes to catch. ]

[knifecollecting]

[No, Jo wouldn't want any of these clothes to catch on fire. And Pell would probably be upset about having to heal her because she was playing with fire. (No, he wouldn't.)]

When did you learn magic? [Jo is curious.]

[fogsong]

I've been able to do this since childhood, actually. [ She admits somewhat quietly. ] I just... don't advertise what I can do. I've got a handful of, uh, 'magical' abilities, though magic feels kind of like it's not the right word?

[ Though, she's not sure what else it could possibly be called. It all may as well be some type of magic. ]

[knifecollecting]

Yeah? [Interesting. Jo didn't realize that. Obviously.

She nods.]

That will help a lot here.

[fogsong]

[ Sharon gives a rough shake of her head. ]

My control isn't the best. [ She attempts to form the fire into a neat ball but it resists, licking her fingers and singeing the edges of her sweater. ] It's probably something I should work on but, I don't know, I kind of hate what I can do so...

[ A shrug. It's probably why she doesn't practice. ]

[knifecollecting]

[Jo might not have approved of it back home, but here... Well, she's learned. It's not always the bad thing she thought.]

Why do you hate it? It's part of what makes you you.

[fogsong]

Why wouldn't I hate something the world hates about me? [ She isn't defensive just sadly factual. ] I'm a demon or a witch or sin incarnate back home, all because of how I was born and what I was born into; it kind of ruins the whole fantasy of magical powers, you know?

night.

[garbagemarvel]

[Noh-Varr chooses to exit his apartment in the spire not in the usual way, by stairs and doors, but rather by walking down the outside wall of the building. It's faster, more efficient, and he can stick to walls, so there's no good reason not to do the thing.

He drops to the ground and leans back against that wall next to Sharon, arms folded across his chest, looking up at the sky as he considers her question.]

I wouldn't say it's the single most beautiful thing I've ever seen ... but it is beautiful.

[She might recognize his voice from that somewhat-pedantic post he made on the network shortly after arriving.]

[fogsong]

[ If she weren't in such a chipper mood, she'd have rolled her eyes at his walk down the spire. What is he, a fucking gecko? ]

It's kind of surreal. The lights, the moons... Hell, even the stars look fake up there. [ She always lived in cities and the stars were always so dim. The islands had a nice night sky, too, but this sky was so much more. It was beautiful because of more than it's twinkling lights.

She pulls her gaze from the sky to Noh-Varr, curious. ] So, what's the single most beautiful thing you've seen?

[ because it honestly can't beat a beautiful sky over a city without gods. ]

[garbagemarvel]

[Part cockroach, actually. You can thank the Kree empire for that.]

Oh, they're quite real. Some of those stars may have burned out long before the light reaches us, but still ... they existed. [He smiles faintly.] When I was a boy, I'd dream of leaving Hala and seeing the stars up close, in my own galaxy and beyond. But I didn't imagine my travels would have so many side trips.

[Like the one that brought him here. Well, you can't predict everything, right? At least he doesn't seem too upset about being taken off course.

He glances briefly to Sharon, then considers her question, mouth pursed in concentration. It takes him a moment to decide on his answer - he's seen quite a lot of beautiful things, and at least as many that are ugly.]

I think ... it would have to be the way that someone you love smiles when they're happy.

[He thinks of Merree, and Annie, and Kate, and his expression sobers. Merree has been long dead, and Annie and Kate - the distance between them is no one's fault but his own. But he loved them all, and seeing them smile was always a beautiful thing.]

[fogsong]

[ Does he skitter away if someone turns the lights on in the kitchen? A real cockroach test.

His reply seems to catch her off guard and then she falls quiet, seriously considering his words. In the end, it just causes a sadness to settle in her chest that she pointedly ignores. ]

...Yeah, I guess that deserves to be up there. A little lame, though. [ A shrug of shoulders. Hey, she's honest. ]

[garbagemarvel]

[Nah, he just got the wall-walking and hard to kill roach parts. Totally fine with lights!

And even though he doesn’t have antennae for sensing out emotional reactions, it’s not hard for Noh to notice Sharon’s shift in mood. Frowning lightly, he turns slightly toward her.]

Did I say something out of place? I sometimes still have trouble grasping the intricacies of human language. [He pauses for a moment, then:] You are human, correct?

[fogsong]

[ Oh, so the good parts. Still gross. ]

I think I'm human and, no, you didn't say anything wrong. [ You just made her think about the happy faces of people that may as well be dead. It's all good and she pulls the focus of the conversation to him. ]

So, what are you? [ 'intricacies of human language' god talk more alien. ]

[garbagemarvel]

[WELL he could talk Kree atcha if you really wanted.]

I am Kree. [And he’s never actually introduced himself properly, has he. Oops.] My name is Noh-Varr. Humans sometimes also call me Marvel Boy. [Among other things.] You don’t know for certain if you’re human?

[fogsong]

[ Sounds dirty, lay it on her. (She'd just roll her eyes because, hi, yes, English please.) ]

Marvel Boy? [ Mostly rhetorical. She tries not to grin along with that raise of her brow but it's difficult because Marvel Boy. She won't be able to call him anything else now.

At the question, she just shrugs. ]

Nope. I can do things humans can't in my world and Dahlia never really came out to anyone who the sperm donor was. [ In fact, there were times she said there never had been one but no one believed her. Sharon didn't know if she was lying to avoid the shame or not. She's carefully detached from all that because A) fuck Dahlia and B) fuck this subject. ]

So, why Marvel Boy, Marvel Boy?