onemind: (Default)
THE N E S T ([personal profile] onemind) wrote in [community profile] station722017-08-09 10:04 pm

[mission: hyrypia] give me my scallop shell of quiet, my staff of faith to walk upon

CHARACTERS: EVERYONE
WHERE: Hyrypia - The Graze
WHEN: DAY :013
SUMMARY: A day of competition begins, and Hosts put their newfound skills to the test.
WARNINGS: Will update as necessary. Need a warning added? PM this account please!






THE GRAZE
DAY :013

A MOURNFUL SOUND passes across the Graze in the early hours of the morning: the mingling drone of the wind coming up across the flatlands and funneling into the depths of the Finger Maze. It saws, a tired, hollow constant noise. Carried with it up through the Great Flat are maybe forty visitors carried by a variety of carts and wagons, automated and incredibly austentatious live mounts. Apparently the events of the day are drawing a crowd from the surrounding farms and homesteads on top of the various diplomatic envoys already in attendance.

After a brisk, light breakfast the short blare of a horn cuts across the encampment. It seems it's time to saddle up.



I. THE SIDELINES

A CHEER SWELLS up from the assemblage of Rabadoceans as a team successfully completes their event. On a nearby platform, musicians takes turns striking up a series of fast paced, sparkling tunes and the tang of roasting meat is heavy in the air. There's a sense of festival in this that quickly becomes lively as the Hyrypians' official pleasantries cede encourage the Meradan's cheerful, competitive shouting and the Descendants'' entertained clapping and smiling. There might even be a few smiles to be seen among the typically grim faced Carpathan diplomatic envoy.

Get something to eat. Talk to a stranger. Make friends. Sabotage a competing team. Most importantly: keep your eyes and ears open. For every moment you might spend machinating, someone (or something) else might be doing the same.

II. THE SORTING

THE SUN HAS FULLY RISEN by the time the first event is ready to begin. There has been a constant bustle up until this point, people meeting up and splitting off again, members of Envoy’s checking in with each other, carefully discussing their strategies- or laughing the challenges off as a game. Now, all of the competitors are gathered together to be given their tools- the ropes and crooks of the Gryer wranglers- even as the spectators begin to gather at the edges of the large pen, some standing at the fences, other on long staggered benches along the edges. There are a flags strung up all along the fences and large banners fly from the outermost posts of the pen. When it is nearly time the teams are split- each of the members led to a different point on the outside of the pen, to the gates that will set them loose upon the false gryer within.

When it is time for the Hosts to begin, the gates are again reset, the Gryer are all released from their holding pens, and the spectators have become no less raucous. They’re so loud it’s almost hard to hear the horn that calls from the holding pen, but the gates that spring open in front of the hosts are signal enough for them to begin. They are afforded just enough time to make their way fully into the pen before the three Gryer are lit, scattered through the herd and still milling about. The clock- or whatever passes for a clock- is ticking, and the faster they manage the task- if they manage it- the better.

When it is over, the crowd cheers, either way- energized by the competition and the strong grassy flavored drink that seems to improve every Rabadocean’s mood.

III. THE MESSENGER RACE

A SERIES OF FLAGS marks the route of the relay race that runs along the edge of the outermost cliff faces - not that it's necessary. Spectators are strung along the sidelines that it might be possible to run the race using only them as a guide for where to go. The course itself is studded with obstacles - logs and ditches, stacks of brush and at least a few imposing walls made from coral harvested out of the Finger Maze. The riders of each team are dispersed along the length of the course toward the finish line, quiet and lonely (if you disregard the forty or so other riders from competing teams in your company) and waiting in the midday heat for--

The short burst of a horn. The first string of Elin and riders, each in possession of a ceremonial scroll, launch forward across the starting line. Hopefully. What would be even better? If they keep all their riders in the process.

IV. THE ELINMASTER RUN

THE FINAL EVENT comes late - so late that the sun is already beginning to move towards the high horizon of the clifftops, leaving a cool purple cast across the landscape as the competitors and spectators alike are gathered at the yawning entrance of the isolated splinter of the Finger Maze. Unlike the other events, there is no seating, no rows, no stretches of banners or strings of flags. The environment doesn’t allow for it. Instead there are ropes separating the milling crowds from the riders. There are no gates and no strict starting point; rather, there is an area the width of the entrance and forty feet behind it that the racers may begin from. A large number are clustered near the very front - eager but clearly at extra risk, the metal and rubber flesh of the Elin automatons pressed close enough to crush. In the stillness of the near-evening air, the anticipation for this event is more subdued. More hushed. It's clear that the majority of the race will not be visible to spectators or judges. There will be only a small party waiting at the end of the course, ready in the clearing to mark places, and no witnesses before that.

The most senior members of House Basittia stand on either side of the entrance, protected by the ropes and flashy in their officiator-wear. When the horn is blown, sharp and with very little warning, it echoes down the length of the waiting canyon walls. It echoes strangely, broken only by the sound of metal hooves pounding forward into the maze and out of sight.

The first challenge is immediate - beyond the wide entrance the canyon begins to narrow dramatically. Those who have chosen the front of the pack will be forced to either get ahead or muscle their way through the others around them. Those that have chosen to stay further back will find that the distance between them and the next rider ahead of them narrows. Before there is much chance to adjust to the new positions, there is the first obstacle - a ditch, narrow but sudden, ready to take the legs out from under an Elin that fails to jump. From there the course begins in earnest. A number of paths split off from the main line, each with their own challenges. Coral branches fallen in the path, others arching just over rider’s heads. The course is full of switchbacks and sudden turns and in places the ground is made of pebbles that slide beneath the metallic hooves of the mechanical beasts. The course narrows in sections, barely wide enough to allow one rider to pass, and as the race stretches on fewer and fewer are able to continue. Some riders simply fall, others are knocked off, others foul their mounts and end up as new obstacles for those behind them.

By the time the end is in sight - a large open clearing, the far end of which has a simple stage where the judges wait - many racers have been unseated and countless others have simply fallen behind. But for those who make it to the end, there is a note in an ancient looking tome and a ribbon to be tied around their wrists to show that they have completed their trial. They will linger there in the winner’s circle until the last of the racers trickle in. Once that happens, they will be allowed at a much more sedate pace to make their way out of the canyon and into the awaiting cheering crowd - into the beginning of night and the lighting of the great braziers and flames, the scent of a well-earned meal that awaits them carried across the Graze by the mournful sigh of the wind.

V. BEFORE, AFTER, AND BETWEEN

THE COMPETITION stretches long, each individual challenge met by scores of Envoys eager to impress or simply eager for something to entertain themselves with. But the day is made far longer by the time between the competitions which is filled with talk, general chatter, and some good- and less good-natured betting - all lubricated by a constant stream of the cool grass drink that’s growing rapidly more popular as the sun’s heat increases. There's plenty to do- and plenty to enjoy between the events themselves. People will have little trouble finding things to keep busy with. And after the competition is said and done there is dinner (of course), the great dining tents pulled open and even more crowded than before with the additional local color. It’s those locals, and perhaps the camaraderie born of shared experience, which seems to help encourage some of the Envoys to intermingle more than they have before.

Of course, not everyone is in a good mood. Some of the participants didn't perform as well as others. Bruised egos are as abundant as bruised bodies among some envoys... a potentially volatile situation considering the close quarters they share with other Rabadoceans who clearly think very highly of their own performances.






((OOC Notes: This log covers the competition events of Day :013 and any related sideline activities. You can find a full breakdown of the events/a place for mini-event specific questions HERE. Sign-ups will remain open until the next event log goes live, however going forward please make sure to either join the individual event or have a full team selected for the team events. Please be aware that signing up late won't give you extra time to finish your thread to qualify for the finale event.

Have more generalized questions? Drop them on the MISSION: HYRYPIA OOC POST or get in touch with us on the Mod Contact page.))







somnifacient: (22)

the closed prompt that i forgot about

[personal profile] somnifacient 2017-08-18 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
(I raced chocobos in Lucis.)

[The response is simple and straightforward, as if it was supposed to present some kind of comfort. Some kind of faith in his riding abilities. There's anxiety in the air, but Noctis is determined not to let nerves get to him. He can lose himself in the race, of that he's certain.]

(This can't be all that different. I've only been bucked off once, and that's because I made a bad jump.)
sistershoggoth: (pic#10136231)

play with meeeee

[personal profile] sistershoggoth 2017-08-18 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
( I dunno if I can keep up with you, so be careful. )

[ She feels worried, and earnest in it. ]
somnifacient: (39)

grabby haaaands

[personal profile] somnifacient 2017-08-18 04:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[Annie's worry, of course, manage to slip through to him completely. He tries to send out comfort in return, though it's stifled by the way his own concern tries to latch onto her.]

(You going to be okay? Don't do anything you're not comfortable with, unless you want to end up like me with your face in the dirt.)

[Or worse.]
sistershoggoth: (pic#8730488)

[personal profile] sistershoggoth 2017-08-18 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
( I'm not gonna sit on the sidelines, I'm gonna knock some of this idiots off their robot ponies and it'll be fine. )

[ She's accepted the reality of ending up with her face in the dirt, ok. ]
somnifacient: (15)

[personal profile] somnifacient 2017-08-18 04:37 pm (UTC)(link)
(Because slamming mechanical Elin into each other sounds a lot safer.)

[Dry, slightly sarcastic.]

(Might be safer to just try to frighten the other animals, if you can.)

[Does it even work that way? Can Annie focus her monstrous presence towards a specific Elin? It would take some orchestration on her broodmates' part, but it's an interesting thing to consider.]
sistershoggoth: (pic#10136242)

[personal profile] sistershoggoth 2017-08-18 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)
( Don't argue with me, just win the stupid race. )

[ She suspects he's the only one in this group on their side with any real chance of it. ]
somnifacient: (28)

[personal profile] somnifacient 2017-08-18 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
(What, I can't be worried?)

[A mental sigh of exasperation.]

(We just got you back. If you crack your head open, both Nyx and I are going to be very disappointed.)
sistershoggoth: (pic#10136230)

[personal profile] sistershoggoth 2017-08-18 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ That actually draws her up short. The idea of losing what had just so recently been reclaimed. ]

( I know how to tuck and roll, ok. I am not gonna crack my head open. The worst that's gonna happen is I break some ribs or an arm or something, and we got healers for that. So just close me off for a little bit so you don't feel it. )

[ On her end, she feels like she is being very pragmatic. ]
somnifacient: (49)

[personal profile] somnifacient 2017-08-18 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[It is pragmatic, actually, but Noctis is filled with empathy that he tosses freely at mere strangers. Annie gets this tenfold.]

(If you get hurt, I want to feel it so I can decide just how worried I should be.)
sistershoggoth: (pbsbyariel_eriko130)

[personal profile] sistershoggoth 2017-08-18 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
( Aw come on you dickhead. You think that's gonna help you cross the finish line? Fuckin' focus! )
somnifacient: (41)

[personal profile] somnifacient 2017-08-19 06:37 pm (UTC)(link)
(I am focused!)

[He's not. But to be fair, once the race kicks off properly, he will be.]

(I can multi-task just fine. You sound like a mom.)

[A mom that calls their kids dickheads, but a mom nonetheless. Let him worry about you, Annie, not the other way around!]
sistershoggoth: (pic#8730488)

[personal profile] sistershoggoth 2017-08-20 01:34 am (UTC)(link)
( Uh, yeah, I'm headmistress of a fuckin' school. )

[ This is her way of completely deflecting.... ]
somnifacient: (39)

[personal profile] somnifacient 2017-08-21 04:07 am (UTC)(link)
(And do I look like a young woman to you?)

[This is his way of being a tiny bit sarcastic back.

That or he just leaves himself open, let's be real.]
sistershoggoth: (pic#8730488)

[personal profile] sistershoggoth 2017-08-21 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
( A beautiful one, at that. )

[ That one was too easy to even take any pleasure in. ]

( You don't need to mentally break your bones with me, literally anyone else on our stupid brain bug bandwagon will tell you that. )
somnifacient: (49)

[personal profile] somnifacient 2017-08-21 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[Easy or not, he's still frowning at it. A hand comes up to rub at that sorry excuse for facial hair at his chin, almost self-consciously. By the Six, he doesn't look like some beautiful princess, geez...]

(I just want to know whenever you get in trouble -- which we all know you will -- just how bad I need to worry. Pretty sure you'd say the same thing to me.)
sistershoggoth: (pic#8730471)

[personal profile] sistershoggoth 2017-08-21 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ One day he's going to think to ask her why she's always making cracks about how he looks, and she's just going to blithely tell him she obviously has to pick on him because she loves him. ]

( Yeah, well I'm a raging hypocrite. Get used to it. )
somnifacient: (04)

[personal profile] somnifacient 2017-08-21 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
(Still going to worry about you if you get hurt, no getting around that.)

[Stubborn, "said" with finality.]
sistershoggoth: (pic#11184321)

[personal profile] sistershoggoth 2017-08-22 08:14 pm (UTC)(link)
( Yes, mom! )

[ CAN YOU FEEL HER EXPANSIVE EYE ROLLING RIGHT NOW? ]
somnifacient: (06)

[personal profile] somnifacient 2017-08-24 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[HE LEAVES IT AT THAT but there is also the sense of an eye roll here.

Children.]