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

[onemind]

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. :(

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((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 )

Comments

[adamance]

( And what led you to those words? Were you so blinded by what you felt for me that you couldn't hear the words out of my mouth? ) [The question is phrased in a manner that is meant to be antagonistic, but there's an underlying current of wanting to understand. Admitting wrongdoing is hard for her, especially since some part of her is stubborn enough to not want to do that. It's meant to bring peace between her and Aloy. Clarke had said she didn't want Lexa to lose her friends.

Friendship had never been a priority for Lexa, possibly to a rather destructive degree. Still, she turns her back on it now, out of habit and little more. For the most part, that is—no matter how antagonistic her question is, she does want an answer.]

[huntsmachines]

[ Aloy flinches mentally. That one strung and it isn't what she remembers happening at all. But it might be what Lexa thinks happened. Deep breath. There's a sense of centering. She pictures water rushing past her, cold and clear and lets her frustration run away with it. Focus, Aloy. You didn't come here for another fight. ]

( No. That's not why I reacted the way I did. I thought... )

[ This is the difficult part, putting her thoughts into words. Words into thoughts. She wants to show Lexa but she's not sure that's the best idea. Words first. ]

( I was angry because I felt like you didn't understand me or what my regret meant. I'm a warrior and a brave. I've fought and killed. It's not something that shames me. I will always fight when the need arises and I'll do it without faltering. But I hate seeing families ripped apart, villages burning, people's lives destroyed for no reason except one man's delusion and other men's greed. Life is precious and taking it isn't a light thing. No matter what you kill, whether it's a rabbit for food, a machine for parts, or a man who threatens your world, you're taking something away that had so much potential. )

[ She pauses to collect her thoughts, then continues onwards. She remembers arrows taking men in the eye, throat, chest. The grim satisfaction at spitting her vengeful words into Helis's face as he died. ]

( I've killed men, Lexa. Many men. I enjoyed killing some of them and I don't regret a single one of them. I did what needed to be done. I... War just leaves so many scars and I wish that the world had fewer, that's all. )

[ She isn't sure she's made sense. Aloy hopes so. ]

[adamance]

( My people have been at war for almost a hundred years. They were used and preyed upon by the Mountain Men, forced to believe things that were untrue so that the Mountain Men could use my people to survive. Even as we fought them, we fought among ourselves. I was the one who united my people, to end the war between our many clans. Do you think I would risk something so fragile, so difficult, without knowing the danger of war? Without knowing that my people might one day wipe each other out? )

[Lexa doesn't point out any number of things within these words: that she trained as a warrior since birth, that her people celebrate warriors, and that warriors are the ones who fight for the beliefs of her people. Having to put down arms had been just as difficult as taking them up. She's not someone who believes in needless violence, regardless of how she feels Murphy views her. It's why she had accepted Clarke's notion that blood must not have blood, as it would only continue the perpetual cycle that she hoped to break with the coalition.

Her stance on the matter remains firm: warriors are meant to be viewed as strong, as people to be celebrated. They shouldn't view their actions as regretful, as they are doing that for their people (or, in Aloy's case, for her world).

But then: Lexa will never believe that all life has value. That part of Aloy's speech achieves the least for her. In fact, it's that view that makes her believe that one day, Aloy would be her enemy. Given their dire circumstances, that may come soon.]

[huntsmachines]

[ All life is precious. Something she had learned both from GAIA and from Doctor Sobek. Two mothers she had never met but who had influenced her in such dee and abiding ways. Well. Maybe Helios and Ted Faro didn't have value, but they were an exception, not a rule. ]

( No! No, of course not. I've never doubted that you understand what war is, Lexa. I just--I was angry and hurt and I said things that were unfair to you. )

[ They are so similar. Both of them are unifiers, leaders, and heroes. Both of them are great warriors. So why can't Aloy seem to bridge the space between them. It feels as if for every step forward, she's taking another step back, struggling against a mighty wind for even an inch of ground. ]

[adamance]

( It seems to me that what you acted upon that day was pride, as well as a belief that I somehow viewed you as someone less than who you are. In that, I have to ask again: were you hurt by believing that someone you cared for could see you in a light you viewed as false? If someone else said the same thing, would you have acted with so much anger? )

[In all this, there is a singular truth: Clarke had been right to not say that Lexa hadn't meant any of her words. She had, like it or not, and she isn't rescinding them. Not yet. Pushing now might be hurtful, but she wants everything to be laid bare between them. It will be necessary moving forward, or it will decide everything about the course they'll take.]

[huntsmachines]

[ That question takes Aloy aback. She hadn't thought about it and in confronting that question, she's forced to confront deeper truths about what she thinks about Lexa and what this will mean for them and their working relationship. Or any relationship. ]

( I was angry. And you're probably right that it was pride. I've my share of it. I can't be untruthful and say otherwise. I cared--care for you a lot and I considered us comrades, friends. Before I knew about Clarke, I... hoped. I saw a lot of where I came from in you, a lot of the ways we were similar and I just assumed that meant we would think the same way about the world. I felt like you understood me better than the others here. So when you said something that felt like a complete misunderstanding, it hurt. So no, I wouldn't have been as angry if it were someone else. )

[ Well. That's said. Aloy has never been fond of confronting uncomfortable truths about herself and this is no different than those other times. It aches, but soon, she hopes, that will fade and wounds will heal. ]

[adamance]

( We are comrades. There never could have been anything more. ) [For many reasons. Lexa saw a kindred spirit in Aloy, but had never viewed it as a matter of infatuation. Instead, she hoped to guide her here, to ensure that she would have someone to see eye to eye with her perspective. Time showed that Aloy was far more optimistic than Lexa would ever be, and in that, Lexa had tested her. She knew that they would never go to the same lengths. It was a matter of acceptance with her.

In all that, she saw Aloy as something like one of her people—not an equal, but someone she could guide, could help, could inspire. And she had been. But that unequal footing would always cause a divide. While she recognized the blushes and depth of feeling from Aloy, she had never intended to return it. It was out of the question.

So, without anger, she makes it clear now. Her words that day were ones she meant.]

( We come from similar civilizations, Aloy. We both know how much we need to end the war with the Enemy. But Clarke has always existed. If what occurred happens again, you will not receive a third chance. )

[Lexa knows that she's controlling matters here, but it's easier to do that than to admit that Aloy hurt her. She refuses, just as she refuses to apologize for her general sentiment.

Aloy had hoped, and Lexa hadn't intended to grant her that hope. For her part, she's known from the very beginning, when she had been close with Angel, that there would never be anyone like Clarke, that would be able to measure up to Clarke. She intended to fight this war alone, and little could change that—except for Clarke's arrival.]

[huntsmachines]

[ It's actually a relief to hear Lexa put it so plainly. Aloy can almost feel a weight lift off of her shoulders, one that she never should have allowed to settle in the first place. But if she hadn't Aloy wouldn't be who she was. Hope and promise and the optimism that something better could be done, that nothing is truly over until the end--it defines her. Aloy is putting these feelings away now, closing them up and burying them away. She doesn't need them any longer and possibly never needed them, but it had been nice to think about, hadn't it? Before she knew Lexa as she did now.

There's something like a mental nod. ]

( I don't think there'll be a need for one. )

[ Aloy wants this to be done with. Lexa has never been exactly chummy. In fact Aloy isn't sure she's even heard the other woman laugh. Even the business-like brusqueness had been preferable to this though. Baring herself to Lexa felt awkward and uncomfortable, as if she laid out and disassembled on a workman's bench so she could be examined and picked over. Move past it. ]

( I'm still working on getting the information you asked for. I'll let you know when I have something more concrete. )

[adamance]

( See if you can expand from the Seconds to the Hyrypians participating in the races. How they view these competitions will prove to be important to our overall goals. )

[When it comes to providing leadership and direction, Lexa seems to fit into it rather easily. She has to act with ease, like she knows what she's doing. And Aloy's words welcome a return to that.

It's where things should have been from the start, but complications were complications.]

[huntsmachines]

( I will. Is there anything else you need while I'm here? Or should I focus on what you've already given me? )

[ Aloy is settling back into being business-like. It's easier now that the argument isn't hanging over her head and she can focus a bit better. There are things to do. That's the important part. ]

[adamance]

( Focus on that now, and take note of which of their warriors are the strongest while you compete. We'll need to know that moving forward. )

[That last bit is all about comparing notes. They may perceive different things from whatever angle they take.]