onemind: (Default)
THE N E S T ([personal profile] onemind) wrote in [community profile] station722017-08-23 07:57 pm

[mission: hyrypia] then the holy paths we'll travel strew'd with rubies thick as gravel

CHARACTERS: EVERYONE
WHERE: Hyrypia - The Graze
WHEN: DAY :014 - 016
SUMMARY: Two days of horseback hunting training, followed by the second round of competition.
WARNINGS: Will update as necessary. Need a warning added? PM this account please!






THE GRAZE
DAY :014 - :015

THE DAY FOLLOWING the festivities finds the majority of competitors and spectators still buzzing with the competition’s failures and successes, but there is little time to gloat or moan about the results. By the time the sun has risen over the graze there's a new announcement: there will be two days of additional training followed by another day of competition. Today and tomorrow will be dedicated to learning skills vital to the hunt.

0. TRAINING

THE TRAINING FIELD has become familiar, but the decor has changed- as have the the teachers. Unlike the previous riding and herding lessons which featured ropes and hooks, today's syllabus includes a series of more dangerous tools. The short spears that line the racks may be dulled but they still look painful, and the speed at which they're hurled from the intricately carved Sarvat - the traditional spear throwers - is intimidating.

At first glance, the slings of woven and stained Gryer leather are less impressive-- but the different ammo that can be loaded in them proves interesting: a bio-luminescent tagging liquid that stains the targets that it hits and leaves distinct trails, hard metal weights, and carefully handled poison globes.

Over the next day the envoys are are trained to use the weapons from Elinback in addition to being schooled in a number of simple traps and snares that leave little confusion as to the nature of the next challenge events...



THE GRAZE &
THE MINIATURE FINGER MAZE
DAY :016


I. THE CHASE

THE HERD of technomanced automaton Gryer sits idle in the knee-high silvery grass of the Graze. They're nothing like the Elin (who exhibit all the traits of live animals); these automatons seem to know only two basic concepts: don't run, and run. Right now they're practicing the former as the competing riders are divided into large, mixed hunting parties. Once the parties have been formed, they take turns taking their runs at the herd. Among the herd of thirty, four Gryer have been painted a brilliant sapphire. To strike one down requires either two metal weights to the head, a spear to the neck piece, or two spears to its midsection.

When the hunting parties take off so do the automaton Gryer. And they're fast, moving as of one mind - a school of mechanical fish through a sea of silver grass. It'll take cleverness, skill and a bit of daring riding to either cut the targets free of the herd or go crashing through among the running Gryer to strike a target down among its brainless brothers and sisters. Once struck enough times or in the right place, the sapphire Gryer will lose power and drive spectacularly into the earth.

The attentive audience (many of them armed with an array of binoculars from their personal belongings) might cheer when appropriate, but due to the distance at which much of the action takes place most of the observation is spent eating, drinking, and enjoying the shockingly pleasant weather.

II. THE 75th HUNGER GAMES PURSUIT

THE BREEZE GROANS through the shadowy pocket of the canyon system, whistling tiredly through the coral structures - along narrow bridges and between tight passages. Familiar to anyone who competed in the individual race on Day :013, this shadowy miniature canyon is crawling with automated creatures to 'kill.' The only problem? Beating everyone else to one of them. With the blare of that now-familiar horn, the hunters mounted on their Elin take off into the canyon and rapidly splinter into disparate groups or simply go off on their own into the tangle. It doesn't take long at all to lose sight of other riders, to begin to feel completely alone in the low light of early evening. Mist rises from the canyon floor and the breeze moans ominously through the pockmarked coral structures.

It'll take more cleverness and accuracy than high speed riding skill to claim a prize here. But best work quickly and quietly to avoid having your target poached out from under your nose…

III. THE AFTERMATH

THE SECOND CHALLENGE ENDS with a long, mournful cry of the now-familiar horn. All of the possible targets have been captured and to the victors go the spoils in the form of the accumulated scores, carefully kept by the judges. The losers are left empty handed-- at least until the spectators and competitors alike have made it back to the tent encampment. Then their hands are filled with the same liquor and a new spread of simple, filling, and delicious dishes expertly prepared by the servants of the manor.

There’s some ceremony to it - the meat they are eating is the same that they would have served if their hunt had been for something more than machines. However, mostly this seems to be a chance to relax sore muscles. That's aided by the addition of several leather-enclosed tents raised earlier in the day. Once the sun sets, these tents are filled with hot, relaxing steam and lined with benches: saunas! ...which might provide some comfort for anyone not stuck wearing a heavy robe. :(






((OOC Notes: This log covers the two days of mounted combat/hunting skills training and the competition which follows. 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 for the finale 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.))







deployed: (072)

wrap this y/n?

[personal profile] deployed 2017-10-12 03:13 am (UTC)(link)
[ Don't ghosts between them. It's an unspoken ward against the heat of Asuka's self-loathing. Bellamy isn't sure how to counteract that yet. ]

Okay.

[ Sealing this pact with as little fanfare as possible. Bellamy doesn't want to keep pushing her, not when he's already gotten her to take a lap. ]

Come on. We can get a plate from the buffet table.

[ And break up some of this tension. ]
redheadcarrier: (Flowing hair.)

y!

[personal profile] redheadcarrier 2017-10-12 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
...Okay.

[ This still feels like a betrayal of herself in some ways. But food sounds good. Even if her appetite is horrid. She starts to move,
stiff at first, but starting to loosen a little as she tries to let the tension drain.

It's not much, but it's a start.
]
perroquet: (10)

[personal profile] perroquet 2017-10-15 12:02 am (UTC)(link)
I'm sure he has reasons, and perhaps being similar is one of them. Though I would still like to know more... for just as we are adversaries, that does mean we are on the right side of... whatever this is.

[ His mind hums as he tries to come up with a more proper word for it. ] Conflict. Battle. Strife.

[ A defeated sigh. They simply don't know enough about the ones they are fighting and why. ]

Lovely chat, Miss Katsuragi. One we should continue it after you win this next competition.
perroquet: (07 notice)

[personal profile] perroquet 2017-10-15 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you, Bellamy. Singing is just fine really, just... anything musical, even an old remembered hummed song.

[ He's not sure why he just referred to something so specific as a hummed song. For a second he thought he heard one somewhere between the black spaces of his connection and Bellamy's, but no, it must've been an imagined thing. ]

Otherwise distance will do it. Which, I think I'll create now by retiring to our quarters early tonight. Would you care to join me, and perhaps... elaborate, if that was something you'd like to talk about?

[ He's not going to hide the sad curiosity at the mention of bombs, and the bitter tinge to Bellamy's surface thoughts, but now may not be the time. He'll let Bellamy decide. ]
perroquet: (05 feel)

[personal profile] perroquet 2017-10-15 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ He seems unbothered by Rust's lack of reaction, and actually lets out gentle laugh at the question. ]

( No, not so much anymore. The same set of stories grow tired when you live in one place after a while. )

[ And to the other question - a simple what's that? - Gildor provides a much more detailed answer than perhaps Rust was expecting. It's simply a good distraction, and as he recalls this other story, his mind wanders further from the cravings he'd been fighting. ]

( Drow are the descendants of a former clan of elves. They waged a bloody war against the dwarves for their treasure and won, but at a cost. The Warrior was not pleased with their motive, as the dwarves had been their most devout worshippers. As punishment, the Warrior condemned the drow to lives of darkness by taking away their eyes, so they could no longer lust after anything that glitters. They were locked in the underground land they conquered and forced to drink the blood they had spilled for eternity. )

[ He pauses there for effect, but not for long. ] ( It is true they lack eyesight, but the rest is likely myth to warn against fighting for the wrong reasons. Really, they are just a subspecies of elves living in a closed society, and maintain a reputation of violence to keep it closed. One mountain they are known to dwell under is said to leak blood, but it is only clay. A nice touch, though. )

[ He sighs and twists the end of his staff into the ground. How many times had he been asked if he was a blood-drinker? He's long since lost count. ]

( I don't know which of my parents was one, but I know I am half because all records of half-breeds describe someone like me. Somewhat tall, elf-looking, thick hair, long-fingered, with delicate diets, and blind since birth. My teacher told me to insist I am fully elvish and that I lost my eyesight in an accident, but everyone knew. )
Edited 2017-10-15 05:00 (UTC)
shri: (» the colours disappear)

[personal profile] shri 2017-10-15 12:00 pm (UTC)(link)
She sighs, terribly, like somehow given how half her conversations go, it is to be excepted. Who keeps fish in a hole in the ground? Her response is emphatic: "Nature itself, seems to find that suitable to its purposes," and for that matter... the, an afterthought. "That is an appalling waste of glass and water. Our elephants also carried us into battle at least."

But even so next question then. "Least favorite field of combat?"
earthborn: (Default)

[personal profile] earthborn 2017-10-15 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"Alright, Lakshmi Bai," If that is your real name, "First of all, it's not glass, it's plastic, which is cheap. Secondly, the only natural thing to do in space is die. Just surviving long enough to get up in the morning is a fuck you to nature."

appalling waste of glass and water she called it, and in the same breath mentioned Elephants. Shepard agreed, it absolutely was a wasteful use of water, but could see without thinking that the end of that phrase was 'for mere ornamentation,' and not 'for any reason whatsoever.'
aluminumandash: (and papa rode shotgun for the fargo line)

[personal profile] aluminumandash 2017-10-16 08:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Rust watches the interplay between the two of them, absorbed for a moment in their private language of contact.

He lets Misato take the lead as they're ushered to the Meradan section of the camp. ]
( Think we fucked up, not getting her attention. ) [ An observation tinged with urgency, a sense of shifting equilibrium. Can they compensate for it, that's the important thing.

He sits after Lakshmi does, looks sharply to her before clearing his throat. Starts out in tones of forced joviality, irritation slowly leaking in. ]
Well, I don't know about you, but I've had enough of arcane rituals. Games where your opponent not only determines the rules but refuses to tell you what they are.

[ A pause, to let the anger ebb from his voice. ] We're here to offer transparency. [ With a delicate strain of self-deprecation: ] That least Carbauschian of boons.
deployed: (023)

wrap this y/n?

[personal profile] deployed 2017-10-17 12:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's a kind invitation. Bellamy hesitates over it for a moment, but ultimately his thoughts shift back to the festivities; he's left Murphy and Lexa and Clarke alone in them. While no overt signs of sabotage have surfaced, Bellamy doesn't like the idea of leaving them completely to socialize and drink with other factions. ]

Not tonight, [ Bellamy tells him. ] But thank you.

[ Since it feels like the kind of invitation that should be declined with gratitude, politely. ]

I don't want to abandon my post.

[ But he does want to talk. Even the edge of curiosity doesn't quell that desire. ]

Next time, alright?
wille: (@ battle room)

[personal profile] wille 2017-10-17 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ Never a fan of glass-half-empties, Misato's response is swift: ]

( We'll get her attention another time -- or through him. )

[ As swift as the way she follows, also choosing to stand at a choice corner of the room with arms crossed, as if her role is done and that she's deferring now to more refined minds. ]
shri: (» the colours disappear)

[personal profile] shri 2017-10-17 12:07 pm (UTC)(link)
( I'll aim for it, when the time is right for it. )

[ She sits beside Rust, at odds with Misato, her back stiff and shoulders rolled back under her long robes. Her attention kept without strict direction - oh, how she loves veils. She could be yawning under here for all they knew. ]

If the price is worth it. [ Is the unimpressed, bored drawl. The counterpoint to Misato's eagerness, Rust's ownership. ]
shri: (» and if that's true)

[personal profile] shri 2017-10-17 12:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Jokes on you, no one gets to find out her first name. There is a very, almost childish want, to poke her tongue out at her - but rather than any of that, she snatches at the edge of her veil as she begins to laugh. A warm earnest sound that is - delighted, rather than put out. As quick to her goodwill as she is to her rage, her face turns away with it out of habit more than anything. Not so much at Shepard, nothing so cruel as that, but at it all.

Space - honestly. If it wasn't happening she would think Tesla was dreaming up fantasies again.

"I asked my next question, off you go, if you are quite finished."
earthborn: (like the well-timed swoop of a falcon)

[personal profile] earthborn 2017-10-17 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Shepard makes a face, one hand lifted in exaggerated disgust at the notion. A large part of her training had been about making her comfortable in any combat situation. It was specialists who had the luxury of opinions, people with long rifles, like Garrus.

"Hospitals," She quipped, "I've heard good things about fighting through classy antique shops, but in my experience it's not all it's cracked up to be."

What kind of qeustion was that, Lakshmi?
perroquet: (05 feel)

yyy

[personal profile] perroquet 2017-10-18 03:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ Gildor inclines his head in acknowledgement. The least he can do to thank Bellamy for his help tonight is offer a listening ear, for it seems like something that troubles him. He'll do so at a time of Bellamy's choosing. ]

I understand. Next time, then.

Thank you again, Bellamy. Goodnight.

[ He clumsily pats Bellamy's arm before turning and slowly making his way back in the direction of the tents. ]
wille: (* no easy way out)

[personal profile] wille 2017-10-18 12:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ A need to be charming is a show of vulnerability. To Lakshmi then: ]

( He wants you to like him. )

[ Lakshmi can press for better terms with her disinterest, while Misato plays at being impatient and anxious, eager to close the dicey deal. ]

Our style of honorifics would take the entire day to explain. You can call me Wille. [ With a nod toward Rust: ] Sehen. [ And Lakshmi: ] Wahrheit.
otrazhenie: (150)

[personal profile] otrazhenie 2017-10-20 02:32 am (UTC)(link)
[ If something happens. She's almost afraid to ask what he means by that, what he thinks might possibly happen. There's so much she doesn't know about Shiro, she realizes, but it's never mattered before. It doesn't really matter now, except that she can't comfort him over that warning without understanding it first. Nothing's going to happen, Shiro--

Except there's something, a brief shift in his world that's gone before she can grasp and make sense of it. There's an instinctive knowledge in her that it's something important, but so is this moment, right here and now. He needs to drink so he can be healed; they can deal with everything else later. ]


It's okay, Shiro. You're gonna be okay. Just drink.

[ That determination is strong, unshakeable. She's standing her ground and he won't be able to fight that stubbornness in her. ]
shiro2hero: (that wasn't coffee in that cup)

[personal profile] shiro2hero 2017-10-20 06:46 am (UTC)(link)
[If something happens...]

[Something almost does. He doesn't know what this memory is. If it's real, if it's a nightmare leftover, or something else. If he really did have the taste of blood choking in his mouth. In his throat. Face burning the slice across his face a brand and he can't breathe.]

[If something happens.]

[Her words. In his head. In his ears. Cutting through the apprehension and rising almost-memory. She's so certain. She sounds like him. Like the faith he always had in the people around him.]

[His whole body shudders.]

[But he does as she tells him. Because she's promising it's going to be all right.]
shri: (» i'm speeding up and this is the)

[personal profile] shri 2017-10-20 01:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She does nothing to acknowledge the smile, only - when Misato gives her a 'name', does her head turned. Direct forward and still impossible she supposed to tell completely where she was looking. ]

( Then he can keep trying to earn it. )

[ her hands settle flatly, waiting for whatever Rust had to angle that way, let him start to become desperate for the words then, him and his smiles and all. ]
otrazhenie: (035)

[personal profile] otrazhenie 2017-10-20 10:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Oh, Shiro. Her heart breaks at that shudder but she stays strong because he needs that from her. She has to take care of him, see this through for him, no matter how hard it is for either of them. So she leans in closer, placing her free hand gently on his shoulder and bending down so she can softly speak in his ear, keeping her voice as soothing as possible. ]

It's gonna be okay. You're okay, I promise.

[ And after he's had a few mouthfuls of her blood, she gives a slight tug of her arm, and adds just a little pressure with her hand on his shoulder. ]

That's all you need.
shiro2hero: (help im too pretty for this hell)

[personal profile] shiro2hero 2017-10-20 11:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[Metal creaks. His fist purposefully clenched as hard as he can keep it. If only to keep his brain in line, keep it from thinking this is something he needs to lash out at. This hand... it could hurt her more terribly than the other, no matter if he intended it.]

[He wouldn't hurt her. Not if he can help it. But the memory of metal striking glass, long fractures running through the tube like cobwebs -- it says he may not have a choice, if he gets too far gone in his own mind.]

[Focus.]

[Focus.]

[Listen to Elena. Listen to her voice. She has this controlled. She can handle this. Thoughts he repeats in time to her assurances. Thoughts he doesn't bother to hide. You - she - you can do this.]

[When she pulls her arm away, he doesn't fight. He does cough, though. Trying to shake the last traces of raging memory off him.]
Water-?

[No offense, Elena, blood tastes gross when it's not your primary food source.]
otrazhenie: (198)

[personal profile] otrazhenie 2017-10-21 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
[ Those echoing thoughts from Shiro are heavy in their connection, unconcealed and burdened with purpose. He's doubting - not her but himself. Whatever terrible things are in Shiro's past still haunt him, the things she knows he was forced to do. To become. Because she knows who he is and he isn't the monster he thinks he is. Just as he says she isn't the one she thinks she is. ]

Water, right. I'll be right back.

[ Blood is gross, but when people are constantly trying to kill you and you have to have a mouthful of it every other week, you kind of get used to the taste. She hopes he never gets to that point, though. She'll make sure he doesn't.

Shrugging quickly back into her layers of scarves, she tugs her gloves into place as she exits the tent, using the darkness and distractions of the evening to cover her as she blurs back to where they'd been earlier. She's back in no time at all, probably just enough for him to take stock of things, and she slips into the tent with a cup of water and something sweet and breadlike in hand. ]


How's the arm?
otrazhenie: (199)

[personal profile] otrazhenie 2017-10-21 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
( That's right. The farther away things are, the harder they are to see, just like how things get harder to hear. Everything seems smaller at a distance. )

[ Explaining aspects of sight to someone who's never seen before is... complicated. Like trying to explain vampires to someone who has no concept of the supernatural, perhaps, but exponentially more difficult. She's probably not doing a very good job of it, either. ]
otrazhenie: (117)

[personal profile] otrazhenie 2017-10-21 02:49 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's in her own best interest to make the song something enjoyable and not completely annoying, so she's happy to grant him that allowance. But what song should she choose, then? Something she won't mind hearing again in the background... ]

I've got a good one then. It's from a movie I loved when I was little.
perroquet: (07 notice)

[personal profile] perroquet 2017-10-21 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
Oh? [ His interest is piqued, but with a bit of confusion. ]

Movie? I'm afraid I don't know what that is.

Page 20 of 21