station72 | [hatch log] i had a dream which was not all a dream

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[hatch log] i had a dream which was not all a dream

CHARACTERS: New Hosts & EVERYONE
WHERE: Station 72; Hyrypia - The Red Coast
WHEN: DAY :025 - DAY :026
SUMMARY: Somewhere deep in the void between multiverses, a fresh clutch of Hosts hatches; getting them down to Hyrypia proves to be more complicated than usual.
WARNINGS: Will update as necessary. Need a warning added? PM this account please!

STATION 72
DAY :025

NEW HATCHES
YOU WAKE UP and the universe and you in it are suddenly different. --No. That's not right. You're you, the universe is as it's always been, and there's no 'suddenly' about it. But it's been a while, hasn't it? It feels like waking up from a very deep, extended sleep or coming up from the darkness of some wine dark sea. Nothing is different and yet everything is.

Here you are, a small miracle of the multiverse: lying in a small, faintly hexagonal chamber with a gentle white light emanating from the surrounding walls. If you were injured during your escape, those injuries have been healed. If you were anxious or frightened or distraught, those feelings have been calmed. There's something peaceful about waking up here - like you belong. That feeling persists even as you find the tube running from the base of your neck to the compartment's rear wall.

But once the tube's disconnected? Things get loud. A wave of emotion fills that peaceful void - fear, uncertainty, relief, a sense of purpose or loneliness or anxiety. A matching dread. An easy comfort. Some of these emotions might be yours, but they can't all be. After the initial sensory overload, the mental buzz elongates: stretches out into a murmur like the sound of a party happening behind a nearby closed door.

You can sit up - barely -, and shift out of the pod. There’s a ladder at your feet and a little cubby just before it with anything you brought with you as well as a set of crisp, loose-fitting white clothes; while your injuries are healed, whatever you’re wearing is in the exact state it was before. Maybe it's time for a change? Drop down the ladder to the floor of the Nesting Deck and you’ll find you’re not alone. There are a handful others very like you here, all of them somehow intimately familiar.

Welcome to Station 72. Beyond this room, the vast Station is quiet and still. It feels for all the world like a shell for some vast dark thing.

Eventually, a sensation manifests out of the hollowness:

PREPARE YOURSELF
THE VOICE IN YOUR HEAD is sound and sensation: a brilliantly warm shaft of sunlight through smoky glass - a gauzy curtain twitching in some summer breeze - the blooming pleasure of a familiar face after a very long time away. It says or feels like:

( Come meet with me, won't you? )
Where exactly this meeting is supposed to occur isn't immediately clear, but head in the direction that seems correct and eventually Station 72 gets you where you're meant to be: a small grassy lawn in the center of the lush, circular gardens where an aging woman waits on a stone bench. The pin straight sheet of her hair hangs like a graying curtain and the sensation from her is lovely and golden, real delight pouring through her like light through a pinhole camera. She smiles and sets aside the book in her lap.

"There you are. Unfortunately, you won't be here long but we'd like to answer as many of your questions as we're able before you leave this place."

THE STATION
WITH A LITTLE UNDER 24 HOURS before it's time to make the trip to Hyrypia, this is as good an opportunity as you're going to get to familiarize yourself with Station 72 before you leave it. There's plenty to see, but other than the people you woke up with there's a distinct lack of company to make conversation with. It's lonely and quiet and there's a sensation of dust gathering even where there is none. Maybe studying the briefing files on your databank is the most proactive distraction? Otherwise-- well there's plenty of places to get lost...

By the simulated morning, a strange archaic ship has arrived on the Hangar. Its very alien pilots are in the process of unloading-- bodies. No, scratch that, they're clearly still alive, though in some kind of comatose state. One of the pilots - a pale female alien who calls herself Rhan - says, "Well, this is awkward. We were supposed to be done with this already. Uh don't mind us, darling. We'll finish up here and get on our way. In the meantime, why don't you go through your packs and get changed?"

She nods toward two trunks on the hangar deck where assortment of pre-prepared packs are waiting for each new Host. In each pack is a series of items, including a set of beautiful and very all-encompassing robes. Better get comfortable. Not hot on the fabrics or patterns in your pack? Mixing and matching with your new best friends is totally acceptable.

Eventually, you leave the Station. If you're lucky, you might one day make it back.

HYRYPIA - THE RED COAST
LATE DAY :026

A PURPOSEFULLY SUBTLE WELCOME
UNDER THE COVER OF DARKNESS, Collector and Lyr make their way through the barracks where the Hosts on Hyrypia are meant to be sleeping. It's nearing whatever the Hyrypian equivalent of midnight is; if you're awake, all the better. If not? Expect to be roused (gently and silently by Collector, rudely and abruptly by Lyr).

"Get dressed. We're going for a walk."

There's nothing quite so suspicious as bringing a bunch of reinforcements to the planet in the aftermath of a rather public murder, which means a highly ritualized midnight procession of Carbasuchians into the highlands. It's easier to secret a handful of newbies in an anonymous group, right?

That meeting in the dead of night in the rocky wilderness above the Red Coast bears even a passing resemblance to the strange occurrence on DAY :010 is probably just a coincidence. Besides, there aren't any mystery circles burned into the stone and grass here: just a stealth ship materializing out of the black night and touching down in a stony outcropping where it disgorges the freshly hatched (or newly reawakened) Hosts.

((OOC Notes: This log covers the hatch on Day :025 as well as the arrival of new Hosts on Hyrypia late on Day :026. Feel free to make your own logs and posts additional to this if you care to. You can find additional information pertaining to the Red Coast on the previous mission log (located here); newbies are welcome to utilize that log as well as it occurs within the same time period as the hatch.

You can find a more detailed overview of the host hatching process HERE and additional setting information about the Station HERE. Please be sure to review the MISSION: HYRYPIA ooc information if you're brand new to the game. 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 )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Station

[ This isn't the first time Helen has found herself waking on the station, nor is the distinct feeling that something is missing an unfamiliar one. But there is a stillness about the station she finds ever so slightly unsettling as her mind briefly reaches out into the quiet.

Well, it isn't entirely quiet. Others are waking around her and not all of them have had the benefit of going through the experience previously.

Her mind is calm, quiet. If only she were better at masking the heaviness that hints at someone who's lived a far too long life. Still, she's a friendly face, and almost unwaveringly polite. ]

It can be a bit much, can't it?

[ The voice is kind, softly British. She really does feel for those experiencing the hatch for the first time, knowing how overwhelming it can all be. ]

Hyrypia (Arrival)

[ They arrive in the middle of the night, masked by the darkness and their heavy disguises, and despite herself, Helen feels a certain warmth being back among familiar minds. Once safely back behind closed doors, Helen wastes little time stripping the excess layers of clothing. It's strange to be here again, to be connected to so many others, but it's also welcoming. She has a feeling there's a lot of catching up to do. Maybe someone could give her the highlights. ]

Hyrypia (Wildcard)

[ When given the chance to mingle with the locals, Helen readily takes it. She tries her hand at the jewelry making, but she finds she's ill-suited for it. The potters seem more talkative, and she spends more time in their stalls, watching those more skilled than herself shape dishes and clay pots. But what she seems most interested in are the weavers. She'll spend a great deal of her time watching them work and listening to their stories.

When evening falls, she's drawn back to the beach. So bustling with activity during the day, it's quiet and empty in the nighttime. She appreciates the hint of solitude, even if she can still feel her connection to the others under the buzz of her own thoughts. ]

Edited 2017-12-04 05:04 (UTC)

[When the new faces arrive... he doesn't say much. Doesn't peel himself out of the corner he's stashed himself away in for the time being. Keeping his mental walls up, keeping himself held back. It's safer for anyone new. His brain is a mess of worry. Of tension held in suspense.]

[No one else needs that.]

[He does crack an eye open as people start entering. It's not the face he was expecting to see. But even so--]

Helen... right?

[ She nods, smiling warmly. ]

Back again, it seems. Shiro, isn't it?

[ He'd kept his mind quiet the last time they'd met too, but there's something about the way he holds himself back, staying apart from the group. ]

I expect a lot's happened since I was here last.

[ It's a gentle prompt. They had just been starting this mission before she'd fallen into the coma, and she thinks she'd rather like to know what's happened in the meantime. ]

[ Aloy has been quiet during this part of their journey. She's had a lot to think about and there was that whole murder business. She's been spending some small moments with her companions and otherwise staying out of the way, stuck in an uncharacteristic melancholy. There's something in her mind that jumps into activity again, a familiar brush, as if she's remembered a piece of her exists.

Her brood is back! Or at least part of it. She hurries through the rooms and chambers belonging to their delegation to burst in on Helen, radiating excitement and happiness. Without waiting, she grabs Helen and tugs her into a warm embrace. ]

You're back!

[ Well that was...unexpected. But it's not unwelcome, and after that first brief moment, she returns the hug and can't help but smile. Aloy's energy is welcome, her presence warm and familiar in that way that's different from the others. She's very glad to see her. ]

It's good to see you too.

[ Aloy positively radiates good energy as she hugs Helen. True, she can't see her beneath all the clothes but the feeling of her... ah, that's what Aloy has missed. ]

...Have they filled you in on what's going on down here, yet? It's been...

[ Aloy frowns. ]

It's been lonely without you.

Edited 2017-12-30 06:27 (UTC)

[ It's difficult enough, that lingering sensation of loss, of something missing. It must have been terribly lonely for Aloy, being the only one of their brood still awake. She doesn't even attempt to hide the wave of sympathy. ]

I'm sorry.

[ She's here now, though, and she would like to know what's been going on in her absence. ]

I expect we know as much as they thought we needed to know, but I think I'd much rather hear about it from you. How has the mission been progressing?

[ The sympathy is accepted gratefully. Almost greedily. Aloy shrugs beneath her robe. Things are as they are--there's not much to be done about it, is there? ]

It's not your fault.

[ That's true. There's no blame from Aloy, only relief that Helen is now here. ]

It's been progressing... It's hard for me to say exactly how well since I don't have the un, wider view of things. There's been a murder of another delegate recently.

[ She pauses, then glances down. ]

Lavellan was killed during one of the challenges. That was hard on all of us.

[ Joshua's mind is a different kind of quiet - a forced quiet, like someone who's so close to boiling over that the only thing they can do to stop it is to just shut down.

And so, empathy isn't what he's looking for (he'll never admit that it's what he probably needs). He's more interested in information. ]

You've done this before?

[ His question receives a soft hum and a nod in answer. ]

Once, yes. It was quite an experience, waking up that first time.

What happened to make you do it again?

[ There's a quiet, humorless chuckle. ]

I don't that I had much choice. Once you're here, once you've become a host, [ Well, did she need to continue? ]

It seems I fell into a coma.

[ And now, she's awake again. All things considered, she thinks she finds this an improvement in circumstances. She isn't certain, however, that she won't one day change her mind about that. ]

But why the coma?

[ Is that considered normal here? Because that's alarming. ]

I can't say I fully understand it myself. It's something that seems to happen.

[ Sometimes. On occasion. She certainly wishes she understood it better. ]

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whereabout - 2018-01-04 23:04 (UTC) - Expand

[ Asuka's found herself drawn to the sea, even as it repulses her. There's something horrifically, dreadfully familiar in the dark, red waves that lap at the beach, but she can't really tear herself away from it. Instead, she's taken to coming out in the evening to think. To stare. To try and ignore the hollow, empty feeling where her brood should be.

Which is stupid. When did she start caring so much? When did she need any of that?

She's not alone, though. She can sense the buzz of thoughts and she glances up from her spot on the sand to eyeball Helen. There's something more familiar about her than any of the other newcomers and for a moment Asuka just stares from behind her veil. ]

Are you-?

[ She can't find the words and she frowns. ]

You're not totally... new, are you?

[ The veils and robes of their disguises do their job well, obscuring most distinguishing features, and the voice isn't immediately familiar. But Helen can feel her presence, especially at this distance. ]

No. The first time I woke on the station was shortly before this mission started.

And you were asleep or something?

[ Those comas that people fall into. She knows about those. Sort of. Most of her brood has fallen asleep like that, so seeing someone up and about is perhaps a bit of a relief. ]

Welcome back, I guess.

I was. Thank you.

[ There's time for the silence to settle before she speaks again. She doesn't necessarily like what they're being asked to do, fighting a war that still doesn't quite feel like it's theirs, not to her; but she is glad to be back. ]

A lot seems to have happened while I was away.

Yeah, it's been... intense.

[ She wrinkles her nose, not quite liking that descriptor but not sure of what else she can really say about it. ]

I guess you're gonna have to get caught up pretty quick.

[ It's been hours since Rogue woke in the stasis unit, and she's far more settled now than she was earlier. Having some time to breathe and adjust to things has done wonders for the ups and downs of her emotions, and when she stumbles across another recently woken host, she's even managed to shore up her mental shields a little. ]

A bit, yeah. It's not so bad, though.

[ That British accent is soothing, reminding her of old friends. Her own voice is equally soft, vowels rounded with a southern drawl, and she offers the other woman a slight shrug and small smile. ]

[ The young woman seems to be handling things relatively well, at least. Helen gives a slight incline of her head in agreement. ]

No. It isn't.

[ Of course, given the choice, she'd like to return to her life as it was; but they have a purpose here. Things could be worse, she's certain. ]

Helen Magnus. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[ Despite the fact everyone here is a little more closely connected than most would prefer, Helen likes to make her introductions the old-fashioned way. ]

[ They differ in that respect - Rogue has no desire to ever go back to the life she'd left behind. There's nothing for her there, and she's already begun embracing the opportunities offered by this new existence. ]

My name's Rogue. It's nice to meet you too.

[ She doesn't offer her gloved hand, but the sentiment is heartfelt. It's been a long time since she last saw any friendly faces. ]

You're taking all of this awfully well.

[ It's a statement meant to lead to something more. The other woman isn't angry or upset about their situation; there's no panic in her eyes or harshness to her words. Helen is the complete opposite of the others Rogue has met thus far; there has to be something to that. ]

[ There's a smile, warm and amused. ]

Ah, well, I believe I have something of an advantage. [ Just a slight pause. ] I'm afraid I've done all this once before.

[ She hadn't been terribly panicked by it then either, more curious than anything else, but she had certainly been confused. Even she can't deny it took some getting used to, being constantly connected to so many other minds. ]

How does that work? [ It's an automatic question, fueled by curiosity and a bit of concern. This is her life now, so she would much rather know the rules of the game than just stumble around in the dark. ] Did you leave? Or were you here, but not?

[ There's an intensity to the questions that surprises Rogue herself, and after a second she reins in her suddenly heightened emotions and sheepishly apologizes to Helen. ]

I'm sorry, sugar, I don't mean to pester you like this. It's been a while since I've gotten to have actual conversations with people, I think I might be a little rusty.

[ All she's had in years have been the chats with the psyches in her mind. There are a couple hundred of them in there though, which might explain why the hive mind has yet to really overwhelm her: she's used to having other minds connected to her own. ]

[ 'Sugar' It's been a while since anyone called her that. ]

It's alright. [ And she'll do her best to answer her questions. If their positions were reversed, she'd have a few too. ] I was...asleep, a sort of coma, I think. Then I woke up here, much like the first time, only to a quieter station and a different group of hosts.

[ That had been the most unsettling part of the experience, if she were honest. She somehow found she missed the others' presence. ]

[hatch log] i had a dream which was not all a dream

Helen Magnus | OTA

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