[mission: hyrypia] hey kid wanna see a dead body

[onemind]

CHARACTERS: EVERYONE
WHERE: The Second Flight
WHEN: DAY :021 - DAY :022
SUMMARY: Leaving the Graze and flying over the Finger Maze. [insert Psycho music cue here]
WARNINGS: Corpses. Will update as necessary. Need a warning added? PM this account please!

HYRYPIA - THE SECOND FLIGHT
DAY :021

I. ALLLL ABOARD
THE SOUND OF HORNS has become familiar in your time on Hyrypia, but the low drone seems out of place here in the great open space of the main hall of the Second’s Flight. The space here is fantastically and beautifully ornate, the pale polished wood floors and rich dark paneling strangely reminiscent of sand and stone, loamy earth and some rich, dense forest not native to the arid lands of this planet. The space seems to dare the sky to claim it, acting out some daring violation of delivering the earth into the heavens. The twin heads of House Tyrisson are equally lavish both in their appearance and welcome. Two brothers, draped in elaborate pastel fabrics and glinting with enough metal accents to put the ornate robes of Seconds to shame, they trade a short speech back and forth between them:

"Once, our ancestors would have travelled the depths and turns of the Finger Maze in an effort to follow the footsteps of the First. Luckily, we don't live in such dangerous times; the gifts of the First and this planet we call home have allowed us to grow up out of our desperation. Consider this comfort our gift to you and enjoy your time on the Second Flight."

A band strikes up the moment the Tyrisson twins take their seats and you are left to your own devices. So much for living simply.

II. A MURDER MOST FOUL
A SCREAM PIERCES THE SILENCE of the saunas. The low sound of gently flowing water and the soft piped music seems to fade to nothing in the wake of the raw, terrified noise. Unsurprisingly, it draws immediate attention as a horrified Descendant practically falls into the arms of the servant that comes to his aid. The outburst is easily forgiven as word travels like lightning through the ship.

There has been a murder - or rather, two murders. Two bodies, damp with humidity and beginning to give of a distinctly unpleasant smell, have been found in one of the hot bath grottos. The mineral water they've been soaking in has reverted from a milky white to a terrible, blood rust brown.

And while it's unlikely that any Carbauschians were sharing the pool with them (robes make for unpleasant waders), the dryer albeit stiflingly hot areas of the conjoined saunas are such a communal meeting places that it wouldn't be out of the realm of imagination that one or two Hosts might be nearby… Regardless, news travels quickly and the chilly atmosphere that descends over the Second Flight is palpable. A horrific hunting accident is one thing, but murder? That's something else altogether.


HYRYPIA - THE SECOND FLIGHT
DAY :022

III. A SORDID AFFAIR
TO SAY that the atmosphere is somewhat tense is an understatement. It seems that everyone has something to say about the murders- but these things are said tersely, in whispers under the breath, with darting eyes and suspicious glances, and security- once hidden, secret- is now easily visible. They can be found at the entrance of each of the broad areas, patrolling down the paths that run alongside the outer walls of the Envoy’s cabins- never intruding, but ever present. Still, there seems to be an insistence that it will be dealt with by a member of the Tyrisson protectorate guard - Detective Savela, a hard-nosed, serious woman who seems not to want any assistance - and that the guests should continue to enjoy themselves. The bands still play, the games are ever present. Of course, those that are enterprising may wish to try poking around, instead.

IV. THE SHOW MUST GO ON
MURDER SCHMURDER-- In what's very clearly an effort to retain some sense of normalcy, an elaborate meal is served late on Day :022. The dishes are so complex that might as well be show pieces of their own, the music has an air of desperation, and the display of technomancy from a pair of Seconds is so delicate and ornate - centering almost entirely on a cloud of small metal coins that shifts shape constantly to illustrate scenes from the famous epic poem The Arion throughout the course of the dinner - that under any other circumstances it might be a singularly memorable moment.

Unfortunately, the palpable sense of suspicion between the envoy factions persists and the temper of the room is anything but celebratory. Late in the evening when most people have retired from the stifling atmosphere, a scuffle breaks out between some Meradan bodyguards and a clutch of Carpathan servants.


HYRYPIA - THE SECOND’S FLIGHT
DAY :023

V. A FAREWELL TO ARMS
THE ENGINES ever-present hum ticking down an octave is the first sign that the Flight has almost reached its destination. By the time the servants are politely knocking on the entrances of the berthings, the new dawn reveals that the cliffs and the winding passages of the Finger Maze have finally fallen behind the ship. The land here consists of rocky, relatively bare hills and is accented only with occasional short, sparse woody tree and straggly clumps of red grass. From somewhere in the distance, salt touches the wind. The Second Flight lands, setting gently down into the trough between two hills. Its now familiar gangplank extends, ready to send the Pilgrims again out onto the road.

---

((OOC Notes: This log covers days :021 and :022 on the Second Flight. A log will be posted for the walk on DAY :023 and the arrival at the Red Coast. Please be sure to review the MISSION: HYRYPIA ooc information to find setting information for the Second Flight. If you have any questions, please hit up either the mission's question thread, the FAQ or MOD CONTACT pages!))

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

( CODE BY WHAMBAM )

Comments

[otrazhenie]

[ Shiro. Of all the people who could have shown up to her sad little party, she's so glad it's him. Shiro, who she doesn't have to justify herself to, who understands the feelings she's grappling with even if he might not always understand the cause. Shiro, her white knight black paladin who means the absolute world to her and who she trusts in all things.

Glancing down at her cup, she has to think for a moment, the others having all been whisked away and immediately replaced by the servants attending the cabin. ]

My fourth, I think.

[shiro2hero]

Same here.

[There's the trace of a smile under his disguise. Something tired. Something sympathetic. His hand reaches across to rest on hers. Attempting comfort.]

Anything I can do?

[otrazhenie]

[ She abandons her cup to rest her other hand over his, creating a sandwich effect that isn't nearly enough. With everything that's been tumbling around her mind, she feels like she's floating out in the middle of the ocean, just waiting for something to come along for her to grab onto. ]

I don't think so. I just-- I've been thinking about a lot of things, you know? Heavy stuff.

[shiro2hero]

You can talk about it, if that'd help.

[He's not sure if it would. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it just drags things to the surface you'd rather not think about. It's sort of a crapshoot for him. Elena could be the same way.]

[otrazhenie]

[ It's more than she's not used to people asking to hear about her problems. Usually, almost always really, she's the one worrying about others, hiding how not okay she is and pretending that everything's fine. Fake it 'til you make it. But this is Shiro, so... Maybe. ]

I'm worried about whether we'll ever get home. Whether Gildor will wake up. Whether Damon and I will make it.

[ To name just a few things. ]

[shiro2hero]

You weren't kidding about the heavy stuff.

[He blows out a breath, but doesn't take his hand off hers.]

I don't know if I can help with any of those things. But... for what it's worth. I know Pidge hasn't stopped trying to figure out how to get home.

She's doing everything she can. And... I trust her.

[otrazhenie]

[ It's all heavy and completely important. None of those things are the sort that she can brush aside or just not worry about; instead, she's turning in circles trying to wrap her mind around it all.

She gives his hand a little squeeze and nods. ]

Thanks. That helps.

[ As much as anything can, at least. ]

[shiro2hero]

Good. I know it helps me.

[As much as anything can, is right.]

[He shifts idly in his seat, looking down at his own "coffee". Damon and I, she'd said. And it echoes in his mind, an image of his hand, pale fingers entwined in darker ones, forever isn't meant for people like us.]

... I wonder about the rest, too. About making it with someone.

[otrazhenie]

[ That part takes her a bit by surprise, because she doesn't question it at all with him. She's seen the way he and Sam are together, knows the affection they have for each other. Maybe it's being naive, but what else really matters?

Leaning in a little closer, she tilts her head and put forth a tendril of concern of curiosity toward him. ] Why are you having doubts?

[shiro2hero]

I -- no, I think I said it wrong.

[He doesn't have doubts Sam loves him. Or that he feels the same. That part isn't even remotely in question. It's something else. It's the thing they aren't talking about. Trying not to think about.]

... we're from different worlds. And... if we go back. We go back alone.

[otrazhenie]

[ Oh. Suddenly, she feels rather lucky that she and Damon are from the same world, although... They don't really know that, do they? They're from different times, and there's another Elena asleep up on the station. But, no, no, she's not going down that path. When the time comes, when they get to go home, they'll figure something out. ]

We don't know that's how it has to be. We were pulled here from different places, different times, so who's to say we can't go back to one that isn't ours?

[shiro2hero]

... could you?

[He wishes, actually, that they weren't disguised here. That he could look her in the face for this conversation. Maybe it would be easier to do. Easier to say these things.]

[He splays out his free hand on the tabletop, looking down at it.]

Could you go back to someone else's world? When... there were obligations bigger than yourself?

[otrazhenie]

I don't know.

[ An honest answer for a very difficult question. She's never been in a position like his, the leader of a team, fighting like that. To even begin to try to tell him what choice to make... would be wrong of her. But she can offer him advice. ]

But I think there's someone else you should be having that conversation with, Shiro. That isn't something you decide on your own.

[shiro2hero]

Yeah. I understand.

[The look he gives her hand isn't really a smile or a grimace. It's somewhere in between. But he definitely nods.]

We're... touching on it. When we can. But I guess, the point is, we're all feeling a little strained anymore.

[otrazhenie]

Yeah.

[ It's a lame response, but she doesn't know what else to say. She's not exactly overflowing with quality relationship advice, just look at everything with her and Stefan, and now she's with Damon and-- ]

I wish I had some amazing words of wisdom for you, but... Just hang in there, Shiro. I believe in you two.

[shiro2hero]

Thank you.

[An equally lame response. But sincere, regardless. He hadn't meant for this to be a pity party anyway. His fingers curl around her wrist, idly supportive.]

Can I do anything for you? For... what it's worth?

[otrazhenie]

You being here like this? It helps more than I can say. Everything else...

[ She sighs heavily and wishes that they weren't wearing these costumes, that they were back in their shared berth and could see each other. But they aren't and they can't, so the shake of her head is a bit exaggerated so he can clearly see it. ]

It's all stuff that I have to work through on my own. It's just-- hard. Being like this is hard.

[shiro2hero]

Hey, I'm here any time you need me.

[It just makes sense. She's a friend. She's like family anymore. The least he can do is be there for her. As much as he possibly can.]

[Both of his hands curl around hers.]

Being here, or...? Just this mission?

[otrazhenie]

[ What would she do without Shiro in her life? Her days would be so much more empty without his constant, supportive presence. As much as she wants to go home... she'll miss him desperately when that happens. ]

I meant-- Me, being like this. Being a vampire. It makes everything... harder.

[ In ways she's not quite sure she can explain. Tightening her grip on his hands, she leans just a little closer toward him, as if trying to find shelter in his presence from her problems. ]

[shiro2hero]

How can I help?

[It's a kneejerk reaction. Instant. He has to. Even if they weren't so close, he'd have asked.]

[There's also a sense that he'd do as much as he could, for her. Anything she asked.]

[otrazhenie]

[ That lack of hesitation, the instant need to help, that leaves her throat tight, makes her glad she's wearing these veils so he can't see her expression crumbling, tears threatening to fall. She's so grateful and cares so much for him. ]

You already are, by being my friend despite what I am.

[shiro2hero]

I could say the same thing, but about you.

[His head tilts. Under the veils it's hard to really see expression, but, hopefully the slant of his head tells her something.]

[He cares for her, as well. He knows she can sense that readily enough.]

[otrazhenie]

[ For a few moments, Elena is very still, everything about her calming like the sea before a storm. But then she slides out of her chair, walks around to his side, and wraps her arms around him. ]

We're in this together. You and me.

[ No matter what. ]

[shiro2hero]

[He shouldn't be surprised. Maybe he should have expected her to do this. But... he still stiffens, briefly, before putting his arms around her in turn.]

Yeah. Yeah, you're stuck with me.

[otrazhenie]

[ She waits until he returns the embrace to give him an extra, gentle squeeze, a reassurance that she doesn't hold his reaction against him. They've all been through things, and they deal with them in whatever way they have to. ]

And I'm so glad of that.