station72 | [mission: hyrypia] then the holy paths we'll travel strew'd with rubies thick as gravel

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[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.))

NAVIGATION • GAME CALENDAR • MISSION: HYRYPIA • FAQ • MOD CONTACT • GLOSSARY

( CODE BY WHAMBAM )

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( How did you end up there? )

[ There's a hint of amusement in the words, because of all the people to be stuck up there, it's the most unfortunate for Gildor. Still, he's her broodmate, so even if it wasn't in her personal nature to do whatever she can to help him, the symbiote certainly edges her toward it. She's not exactly the sports commentator type, though, so giving a running commentary of the various rounds of competition might not be all that exciting, but...

There might be another way. ]

(You might be surprised at the places you can end up by simply acting as though you belong, Miss Gilbert.)

[ For someone who has never really belonged anywhere, it's how he's rolled through life. That and typically no one wants to be the one to tell him he can't be somewhere, and he's fine with using that to his advantage. But today he does have a reason, which he explains with a bit of an exasperated mental tone- ]

(To be honest, I just wanted to be well out of range of anymore projectiles for the rest of the day. Care to join me?)

[ She's definitely utilized that method before when trying to follow through on some reckless idea; hopefully things turn out better for him than it ever had for her. Though it seems that his day hadn't started out all that well. ]

( So that's what happened this morning. I wondered. )

[ And worried a little, since he'd been so startled by the experience. She's glad to have it confirmed that it wasn't anything serious. ]

( I'd love to join you. I was hoping to get a good spot to watch, might as well have good company too. )

(Yes, Miss Katsuragi nearly killed me with a spear, so now I have a couple bets on her winning this event.)

[ Sure it was accidental, but he's banking on karma to pay him back. With the dread the continued emphasis on riding is causing him, Gildor could use a lucky break. ]

(Well if you don't find any good company's at least there's tea. I'll see if I can get a second cup while you make your way.)

[ Oh. Misato nearly killed him with a spear. That... actually isn't all that shocking to Elena, since she's actually met the other woman. At least it was just nearly killed, and she hadn't felt any injury from Gildor, so really it could have been much worse than it was. ]

( Has anyone ever told you you're hilarious? You're some of the best company around here, Gil. And tea would be really nice, thank you. )

[ It'll take her a few minutes to make her way up to him, since so many of the dignitaries stop her along the way for a few moments of simple conversation. Commentary on the competitions, congratulations on her performance a few days earlier, and one who questions whether she'll be betting on her bodyguard during the hunt. She isn't the betting type, of course, but if she were... Absolutely her money would be on Damon. ]

(No one recently, but thank you.)

[ His mental voice is warm and grateful. He knows he tends to strong-arm his way into relationships and can come across as annoying, so he's pleasantly surprised when others seem to reciprocate his good intentions.

By the time Elena has made it up to the highest viewing area, he's managed to secure a second tea. ]

(I can't wait for the day we are done with these disguises and I can greet you simply by knowing your approach.)

[ It's something he's never been able to enjoy before - the simple task of looking up and knowing who is walking towards him. Recognizing someone by their voice or footstep isn't impossible, but it takes time and being around someone frequently. The symbiote has added another method of identifying people he never imagined possible.

But for now, he remains seemingly unaware of Elena's presence as he sits alone with two cups of tea. They are still under cover, and it would be strange for the blind Carabauchian priest to offer greeting first. ]

[ It's a relief to finally reach where Gildor's settled himself after having had to wade through all the dignitaries who wanted to speak with her. Playing the part of a noble is difficult enough when she's with Sam and Damon, but on her own? Ugh. ]

Thank you for the tea.

[ It's said aloud as she takes a seat beside him, in the hopes that they won't be the freaky Carabauchians who don't speak to each other. Really, that's the last thing they need coming up now, so early in the mission, so she'll play along to the best of her ability. ]

Ah, My Lady, hello. Of course, though I owe it to the wonderful service of our hosts.

[ He waits while she sits beside him, listening. He already knows she's come alone, though it's apparent from what he hears as well - just being as cautious as she. ]

Is your guard off duty today? [ Casual small talk, though he'd been hoping to bring up her 'friend' since morning. ]

(We recently met.)

[ His mental voice lowers to a flat tone that contradicts his more cheerful physical one. ]

[ Oh, if only Gil could see the smile she's wearing as he plays the part. He'll certainly be able to feel it through their bond, the amusement at all of this that hovers just over the realization that all of this is actually very serious and should be treated as such. She's not playing with fire, though, not with so much at stake. ]

He's participating in the hunt. My brother and I are looking forward to seeing his success.

[ Because it's Damon, so of course he'll succeed, and probably come out at the top of the ranking. But speaking of Damon -- her mood flattens a little and a nervous hesitation rises up in her. ]

( What did he do? )

Oh, is he? I wish him luck, despite that he was quite rude to me this morning.

[ They may be playing nobles and tea party, but there is still honesty in everything he has to say out loud. Anyone could have seen him and Damon earlier. It's true they met and that it was hostile - he's just leaving the details unspoken. ]

(He approached rather aggressively without introducing himself and proceeded to probe me with questions I felt were personal.)

[ His mental explanation weaves together with the physical one- ] I believe he was trying to win a staring contest with me.

(And determine whether or not I am a threat to you through intimidation.)

[ Unfortunately, none of this is at all surprising to Elena. Honestly, what is surprising is that she hadn't even considered that he might do such a thing, when it was so clearly his next logical course of action. Damon logic. After what she'd gone through with Lakshmi, of course he would want to check out Gil and see what the story is with her other broodmates. ]

Was he? I apologize for that. He's a very effective guard, but sometimes he lacks... people skills.

( I really am sorry, Gil. Damon's impulsive and can take things too far where I'm concerned, I know that, but he shouldn't have put you through all of that. )

[ There's a genuine apology in the words even as a trickle of affection works its way through her thoughts. In this place where she knows so few point and can only really count on a few, there's something comforting in knowing that Damon will always be one of those who will protect her in any way he can. It's just part of who he is. ]

(He'll need to be stopped before he does the same to Shinji. The boy is having a hard enough time settling and refuses to allow us to help. If Damon comes at him the same way he did me, Shinji may have such a tantrum he'll blow all of our covers.)

[ He hopes it is clear he expects Elena to talk to Damon on the matter. If they are such close friends, then perhaps she'll have a better chance of convincing him to go easy on the youngest member of their brood, or better yet, leave him well alone.

That done, his mood resettles from serious to his more easygoing self. In fact, he's just a tad smug with himself as he replies aloud- ]

It's quite alright my Lady. I've already forgiven him, though I think he's still a bit sore. He had to learn the hard way that it's impossible to win such a contest against me.

[ He very carefully takes a sip of tea, holding the cup under the draping veil attached to the hood of his robes. A single embroidered eye on the hood stares into distance at nothing and everything. Yes, Damon is still sore because he won their argument, (or at least he thinks he did). ]

Hopefully he'll have better luck in the hunt. How does it seem to be going so far?

[ It's crystal clear what Gildor expects, and Elena was already planning on doing so. She hasn't even spoken to Shinji herself yet, which has been a awful oversight when he's so young and dealing with who knows what, so there's no way she's letting Damon threaten and intimidate him while they're on this mission. No, she can't make promises for when they eventually (hopefully) return to the station, but for now she'll do what she can.

She watches as he drinks his tea, then follows his example to carefully do the same. It's interesting tea, not bad after she's let it sit on her tongue for a moment. ]

The hunt will begin soon, in the canyon where I raced a few days ago. It'll be difficult to watch the progress when it happens, it's not an easy structure to navigate. The event right now is... entertaining. A few of our party seem to be doing well.

[ Thankfully, she doesn't need a pair of binoculars to follow the festivities, her enhanced eyesight doing a much better job of it. But they're so far away that he likely can't tell anything of what's going on, which leads her back to-- ]

( Would you like to see it? I could let you see what I do. )

[ He listens pleasantly, only a bit surprised that the second event hasn't even yet started. Come to think of it, she's right - he hasn't heard the horns that signal the beginning. He's been interrogated and nearly killed, and while he's ready for the day to be over it seems to insist on dragging itself out.

Elena's suggestion is an interesting and hopefully change of pace. ]

(Oh? Do you think you can?)

[ He turns his head to face where he thinks the races are off in the distance, trying to listen. During the first events he could at least hear the action up close - now the clatter of hooves is barely distinguishable over the clinking of cups and plates around them. His hearing is ridiculously good, improved even more by the symbiote, but it's still not enough to hear for miles. ]

(A few days ago Miss Pidge allowed me to see what a mechanical Elin looks like through her mind's eye. It was easier to comprehend with my other senses attached. I'm not sure what distance will be like.)

[ The day will be over before they know it, and in the meantime they just have to keep themselves occupied. Lucky for Gil, she can hear those clattering hooves just fine, she can see what's going on amidst all that silver grass, and every so often she can pick out a shout between the various teams. ]

( My vision and hearing are better than a human's because as a vampire everything is enhanced. I've never tried it before, but we're more connected than you are to her. So I'm willing to give it a try if you are. )

Edited 2017-09-04 21:23 (UTC)

(Oh, interesting. My non-human half allows me that as well, apart from vision.)

[ He still hasn't mentioned just what his non-human half is to Elena, but then, she hasn't asked. ]

(Hmm... if you think it's a good idea... I'll trust you.)

[ It's a bit hesitant. Images re-imagined in the mind's eye were enough to puzzle and overwhelm him emotionally, if they were comprehensible to him at all. But he's had a small taste of it now, and the artist in him is too curious for what the real sense might feel like. ]

[ She'll ask at some point; she's curious, but it's not like it matters all that much. What he is isn't as important as who, after all. ]

( We'll take it slow, and if it's too much for you, I can just play commentator. )

[ Hopefully it will work out well for him though; being blind isn't something she can even imagine, to not be able to see the beauty of the world and only know it through other senses. If she can share even a small piece of that with him...

Taking a deep breath, she reaches out with her mind to gently nudge at him along the connection they share, which is so much stronger than what she has with anyone outside her brood, only Damon even coming close because of their history. If he'll follow her into the surface of her mind, she'll set the stage for him, like being in a movie theater before the film begins rolling. After a moment of thought, she closes her eyes and focuses on everything else - what she can hear, feel, taste on the air. Her intention is to ease him into this, but since she really has no idea what she's doing, she can only hope for the best. ]

[ He follows the mental nudge as he would a physical cue, like holding onto someone at the shoulder as they walk together. It takes a certain amount of mindfulness to let go and allow himself to be guided mentally, since his mind has never really traveled the way his body has. Being conscience of the breath helps, and he breathes deep as she does - oddly in sync. ]

(This is... interesting!)

[ So far so good. Wading deeper into Elena's mind is rather like wading into water. He doesn't know what it's doing either and it's a little frightening, like being at the edge of the ocean. If he falls in, he's not sure he'll be able to swim back to shore. But then - he said he would trust her, and he does. ]

(Your senses are a little more clear than mine, I think.)

[ Ah, to be young and clean and... supernaturally preserved. ]

( Well, here comes the really interesting stuff. )

[ It takes work to lead him into her mind, to maintain a small bridge back to his so they won't lose the way. Everything's she's doing is on the fly, piecing together what she's experienced with Sam and Damon, and she crossing her fingers that this won't be too much for him. That he'll get something enjoyable out of it.

One more breath, two, and then she opens her eyes, her focus going to that stretch of grass on the Graze. She narrows in on those tall blades that move in the breeze, associating that motion in her mind with the feeling of the air on their costumes, and the package is presented to Gil for examination. ]

[ She opens her eyes, and from under the veils of his disguise, Gildor is almost compelled to open his. ]

( Oh! What... is this? )

[ The view Elena provides is much more clear than memories rendered in images, but he's still as puzzled by it as any image. The sensation of wind helps a bit - he feels that breeze and pieces together the movement of the grass. But that's something he's used to feeling through the earth with drow-sense, and he can't feel any grass nearby. ]

( Is this... distance? Knowing what is beyond you without feeling it? )

( 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. ]

( Yes, it is the same with sound, although... not at all. )

[ It isn't a bad comparison. Naturally things can sound distant to him, and perhaps that makes them seem smaller, but the information being fed to his mind here is entirely different. He wants to reach out and touch what she shows to get a better understanding in a way he's comfortable, but can't.

He presses a hand to his eyes under his hood, opening and closing them to the relative darkness there, though some light is filtered through. In that way he gives Elena a sense of what he can see - light, in a fuzzy, grey-ish blur from behind the safety of his veils of dark lenses. Without those, it would burn. ]

( Ah, I'm sorry. It's a bit overwhelming. )

( It's okay, we can take a break. I can show you more later if you're up for it, or save it for another time. I think you're gonna be stuck with me for a while. )

[ It's all said with playful affection as she carefully begins to separate their minds, easing him out of her own but not severing that connection. She likes Gildor, and it's nice to have him be close, both physically and mentally. ]

( Thank you. Yes, perhaps we can start again later, with something simpler. )

[ Preferably, with something he can hold. He has a few ideas, but at the risk of causing a deeper headache, he saves them. ]

( That I could be so lucky to be stuck with you for a while, Miss Gilbert. That I could be so lucky. )

[ There's a tinge of doubt in that thought, but it's still a warm one. There's a firm underlying belief proven correct time and again that nothing, and no one, lasts forever. Not in his life. Though rather than letting that idea upset him, he simply sips his tea and cherishes Elena's presence beside him all the more. Even if she says nothing and eases off their mental connection, he is content to spend the rest of the afternoon here, 'watching' the competition below. ]

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

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wrap this y/n?