Just Keeping Swimming | March Planet Mingle

[thespaceopera]

Who: Everyone!
Broadcast: If you want!
Action: Anywhere on Mafik
When: The month of March



[Welcome to Mafik, the water world! Hope you brought your best swimming gear and don't have a paralyzing fear of water, because that's all that's here! So get out those wet suits and enjoy life under the sea!

In other words, it's a mingle! ]

> System Information

Comments

[shockjock]

[A: Action, SS Heron]
[Guess who's been in panic mode since the descent? That's right, Captain Wint- just kidding, it's Livewire. It's absolutely Livewire.

During the descent, she'll have been frantically zapping herself from console to console doing everything she can to break the ship free, to no avail. And then stay hiding inside the ship's wiring for a few hours, because screw all of this.

Anytime after that though, she'll also be staying on the ship for the duration of their stay in the system- for everyone's sake, but especially her's. Feel free to notice how horribly uncomfortable she looks if you happen to stop by the ship after a nice swim outside!]


[B: Video Broadcast]

[While everyone else is off enjoying a little fun under the sea, Livewire's sitting right there on the bridge, sparking like mad and yelling her head off.]

WHOSE BRIGHT IDEA WAS IT TO DROP ME ONTO FREAKIN WATERWORLD?!

[Not that she was actually dropped, because one look at the wetsuits was all the warning she needed to NOPE right the hell to the opposite end of the ship to avoid killing everyone. She will accept thanks for her selfless consideration for the well-being of others in the form of sunken treasure, flattery, and/or punching the hosts.]

[C: Wildcard]

[Maybe she's taken one of the shuttles to the Iskaulit to go hang out someplace she isn't constantly aware of horrible, watery pain everywhere around her. Or maybe somebody took pity on her and invited her over to one of the other ships- either to try and take her mind off things, or just so she doesn't wind up spending the whole month in isolation. Just about anything goes, so long as it doesn't involve her going out to explore the rest of the planet!]

[ a ]

[axiomed]

[ Charles doesn't need telepathy to guess why she's so bothered. ]

You're going to burn out our circuitry if you're not careful.

[experiencepoints]

[A: Arrival]

[Upon seeing the planet, Nightingale had gone pale, and didn't seem to want to talk much. She'd said she would not go onto the planet, at all, and left it at that. And then her friends were too persistently nice and Nightingale agreed to at least try the planet.

So, she ends up in the decontamination room, gets the wetsuit, braids her hair, is totally ready for a water adventure. Except she doesn't get any warning, and just gets dropped into the water. So upon suddenly ending up in the water, well... She starts shrieking, and swinging a burning staff around in a panic. It's probably weird that she can carry around something on fire under water, but then, maybe you should be more worried about how she's trying to hit anyone nearby with it, or just clearly terrified.]

[B: Shopping]

[Once she's been sufficiently calmed down from her earlier panic, Nightingale's going to be out shopping. Maybe you saw her freakout and didn't want to get close, or maybe you just missed the whole thing and think everything is fine. Either way, Nightingale can be found shopping. Other than the obvious picking up ingredients for keeping the ship fed, she can be found checking out the bizarre fashion here, and if you're looking closely, at one point she buys a spear with a very large, serrated blade. Surely that's not worrying, especially with how on-edge she still obviously is.]

[C: Dungeons]

[Of course, once she finds out about the dungeons, that's where she's going to be spending most of her time. She already has a party for her first run through, but even after that, a dungeon run and solving puzzles? That's absolutely her thing. So even after she's got her item, she can still be found at the dungeon entrance. If someone looks like they're going to go in alone, she'll approach them before they can.]

Are you looking for help?

[She doesn't even care that she can't get more treasure. She's just here to fight monsters and solve puzzles. EXP is a hell of a drug.]

[D: The Goldstone]

[After her water adventures, Nightingale can be found back on the ship. She's hijacked one of the chairs on the bridge, and she is doing absolutely nothing but cuddling with her Flareon and feeding it treats.

Also, she's got a Flareon on the bridge. There's probably protocol of some kind about that?]

[E: Wildcard]

[Make your own! Go nuts.]

A!

[huaaaaagh]

[You ever hear that, like, encroaching Jaws theme? Or whatever her world's equivalent might be? Because Jaws is coming, and he's armed with swords and excess enthusiasm.

Kirito somehow got word that Nightingale's not interested in seeing the planet, and. Well. He's having none of it. Have an excited knock at your door, friend!!]

[axiomed]

[ a: otter up. ]

[ While Charles can certainly "move" around more in the watery depths of this planet, it's still difficult to gain traction and decent momentum. Thankfully, his other form makes it easier to swim around and collect his usual flora samples and store them in a tiny bag strapped around his form. Many of the fish circle around him, curious about this strange animal in their seas.

He dearly hopes he won't encounter any kind of predators. As he stuffs a few more leaves, he turns to catch the fish staring at him. ]

Ah. Excuse me.

[ b: talking to the locals. ]

[ The problem was the lack of communicator. Charles can pull on memories and thoughts just fine, but he doesn't necessarily remember every detail. Sometimes, it easily slips by, considering the noise and the wealth of information that filters through his mind. He is at least discreet as he flickers through their minds, looking for any signs of terraforming but he finds nothing.

Huffing quietly, Charles thanks them as he moves away, using his arms. He floats on one spot, mulling over the information. ]

All the signs are there, except for the big one. If it's not the terraformers, what's causing these planets to suffer the same symptoms?

[ c: wildcard! ]

a!

[arfvader]

[Ravi is on his way from the refugee camp, dragging a body bag behind him, when he spots the otter with the tiny bag. The otter with the tiny bag that just talked to him. That's enough to make him pause for a moment.]

... uh.

[outstandingbalance]

Underwater Exploring

[This is, by far, the weirdest place Natasha has ever been. She's not sure she likes it, especially at first.

But she's a strong swimmer and not one to be scared off by something unfamiliar. Maybe even because it's strange to her, she pushes herself to see what's out there. She can mostly be found around the cities, shopping, talking to the locals, trying the food. She might even consider some of the local jewelry.

She'll even give sleeping in a flooded hotel room a try, just for a little extra space.

That said, she still makes some time to stop into the dry bars. Look, sometimes even Natasha needs something comfortable.]

Air Diving

[Of all the attractions, diving does actually have a particular appeal. Natasha is athletic, trained in gymnastics and dance, the water is nice but there's something to be said for getting some sun and breathing real air.]

Wildcard

[Choose your own adventure!]

[goldenglasses]

[She's not the only one who visits a dry bar. Vash has entered as he had no idea how one would drink in this world and didn't want to waste alcohol trying to figure it out.

Hopefully Natasha isn't too bothered when he walks in and proclaims quite loudly.] Oh, thank GOD. I was worried when I was told it was a "dry bar" that it would be an alcohol free type of 'dry'. HAHAHA!

[Because that's a totally normal way to enter into a bar.]

max's tombstone reads: fuck water | partial ota to crew

[theroadwarrior]

SS STARSTRUCK | OPEN TO CREW

[Max had been anxious going into this whole mess. To take a man who had not only been from a world where bodies of water were exceptionally hard to come by, but also had nearly drowned once before on the last godforsaken water-related planet — and, well, he's already a bit of a nervous dog going in. But hey, he's holding his composure for... a very short time.

He's pacing around the ship as it docks, quiet and unhappy and trying his best not to think about the fact that they're under water, that they're trapped, stuck, unable to step out without being in it. Max is not fond of the limited space; it reminds him too much of other less... appealing times he'd been trapped. His brand itches on his neck, and he rubs at it, biting his lip.

Occasionally, he shakes his head, as if dislodging something stuck there.]

DECONTAINMENT ROOM | CLOSED TO PEGGY AND STEVE

[Aaaand this is around the time things are bad. He steps out of the ship with some... attempt at moving forward and Dealing With This. But the moment the doors all lock and the cleaning scans begin, he's starting to panic outright. The place is hardly just a room; it's a prison of sorts, and he's reminded of being a prisoner of his own accounts. The cage is bigger, and the people keeping him here are different, but it's all very much the same. He doesn't see his crew or the ship or the situation at hand.

He just wants out.]

Open the doors.

[Peggy, you'll probably recognize how not there he is, by the way he looks right through you, the way he paces like a cornered animal. There's no way in and out — and that's the worst thing that could be happening for him. He slams his shoulder into one of the doors, not fearing at all self-harm if it means busting out. The sharp ache is worth the possibility of undoing whatever's just been done. Voices tickle his ears and hands that aren't real start to grab at him, and he slams his fists into the door and breathes like he's already drowning. He feels like he is, like he's getting dragged right back down by a small hand on his ankle.]

Open the doors—!

[Not many words are gonna follow those, which are practically the last shred of composure he even had left. The local authorities outside of the place are monitoring the situation, and they're not exactly thrilled by the sudden freak-out. Not that Max particularly cares about credits right now.]

[Video - later]

[kill_switch]

Please tell me I'm not the only one who doesn't think this is okay.

[She's stressing out, and compounded on everything else she's looking really worn and just done with shit.]

[apurrstate]

All around the city, but especially in the refugee camp
[In nearly a year of being on the fleet, Anders had never felt more in his element. The water thing was strange, but he generally tried to simply not think too hard about it, but here he was actually needed. Here, he could do some good.

Anders spent nearly all of his time among the natives, whether simply finding sick within the city who needed healing, or deliberately wading into the refugee camp that reminded him of Darktown so much it hurt, Anders' mana was nearly constantly in use. Anyone who knew Anders on the fleet might notice his 'workahaolic' tendencies amped up to a hundred as food and sleep became secondary priorities compared to helping the Dasioe. He kept some potions with him, including his preliminary lyrium substitutes, to make sure he kept going from before dawn into a time well after dusk.

In the Twin Roses Lab
The rest of Anders' time was on the ship in the Lab. The science part of things he wasn't so familiar with, but the augment helped him finally put to use the tools he'd rarely touched before. He brought samples and notes in for Ravi and Kurt to maybe put to use on finding a source or a cure, and went to work making more potions. He used some of the deep mushrooms he'd found into antitoxins to help with symptoms of those ailing he hadn't gotten to and handed them out to any pilot willing to take them out to the population, he also made elfroot potions meant more to ease pain and bring comfort than heal for those who might already be too far gone. Those he held on to, choosing to hand them out only to those few he honestly couldn't waste his mana on. He could bring patients back from the brink of death, but those already over it's edge and plummeting into that eternal embrace he could only make more comfortable. The 'lyrium' potions were still a work in progress, they didn't have a trace of lyrium in them and they still smelled putrid, but they boosted and restored mana and those he would need to keep his marathon healing up.

Water Temple!
A very small list exists of people who could get Anders to put healing aside for a few hours and explore the temples with and, as always, the healer eventually fell prey to these individuals. It did seem like fun, but it was hard to put your all in it when half of you was still back with the patients you could be helping right now.

He was so lost in his thoughts, it took him a couple seconds to even realize he'd been spoken to. Anders looked up and shook his head, his longer hair floating a bit about him even with most of it in a braid.]

I'm sorry? Did you say something?

camp

[brainiest]

[ It didn't take Hermione long to find her heart dragging her to the camps - she remembers the poisoned planet and the work they did to help there and she wants to do the same for these poor people. It's not their fault their immune system is damaged and while she's filled up with potions and her own wand she's not entirely sure how much she can do. Her augment is screaming at her and her mind is filled with research ideas and possible outcomes, but it's not the same as actually knowing. She's confused, but trying her best.

It doesn't really surprise her to see Anders there, either, and she walks up to stand at his side, reaching around to offer him her bag and all the healing potions she's brought with her. ]

Want some help?

[wolfehawke]

a. Don't Panic
[Adalwolfe Hawke has never read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. If he had, it probably wouldn't help much with the current situation regardless, but he could have looked back on his first moments on Mafik proper with a sense of irony after the fact. As it stands - or, rather, floats - he's ill prepared to be suddenly dropped into the water and does, in fact, panic. He panics so completely that when he's forced to exhale the breath he'd been holding to, you know, not die, it comes out as ice. Ice starts to crystallize around him in small patches for a long moment before he realizes that he is not drowning and the water is as breathable as air.

He will never get used to these alien worlds.]

Andraste's consecrated tits, we could have used a warning!

[He yells, momentarily grumpy for the scare, and the ice bits he's produced around him swoosh with gently with the current.]



b. Adventure is Out There!
[Once Adalwolfe has settled into the tide of life here on the new planet (pun intended) he's eager to check out the temples dotted all around. Who knows, there might be sea dragons! More importantly, there might be coin for the having and considering how his funds are still not nearly where he'd like after the repairs to the former Three Twins, an expedition seems like a sound plan, especially now that he's gotten used to these flippers and the wet suit. He's even located a ribbon to keep his hair from turning into a sight-obscuring cloud in front of his face. With all that and his staff-sword (which easily functions as a harpoon of sorts) he's ready for action.

Which is how he's talked others into exploring this particular temple with him. It's close enough to the yawning chasm of the Depths that if he had to guess no one would have picked it clean just yet, but that does add an aura of creepiness to it, not at all diminished by not one but two intact skeletons that littered the entryway when they came in. It's really nothing new for experienced dungeon crawlers though. There's always a discarded skeleton or pile of torn trousers waiting around to be rifled through. It's just how things are.

This particular room, several doors with hidden switches and keys in, is far more grand that even the entryway. It's a large open chamber with three statues gracing its floor on tracks, the figures they're depicting long since having been worn away by time and ocean currents. Their weapons remain looking almost new, however; large warhammers, gleaming blocks of steel in in the dim light. On either side of the room across from the entrance are two doors, each diagonal to the entrance and barred over with two story portcullises. A lever and a dial grace the wall next to each of these doors and the one Wolfe enters into with his company. The lever next to the entry is down while the other two are up.]

Looks like a puzzle.

[He turns, scowling at the memory of too many puzzle rooms in Duke Prosper's mansion.]

Hopefully not a terribly annoying one.



c. Wild Card

[Anything goes! Feel free to run into Wolfe about town where he'll likely be shopping, working odd jobs, or helping the sick. He can also be found aboard ship, either the Twin Roses or manning Malum's bar on the Iskaulit. If you have something even more creative in mind, go for it!]

b

[brainiest]

[ It hadn't taken much to get Hermione to take part in the grand adventure - it's something a little more exciting than she's used to, wandering around in her lab and enjoying the new upgrades, and it doesn't feel like it's going to be too dangerous. It feels like it might just be a nice, fun adventure... But that doesn't mean she isn't prepared for the worst and expecting it, even if she's a touch optimistic. She has potions in her bag and her wand in her hand and she's ready to start to protect her friends if she has to - no hesitation and no pausing.

Walking into the chamber has her pausing and she frowns, looking around with a critical eye. It's definitely a puzzle, Wolfe is right on that, and she considers it for a moment. She doesn't walk forward, cautious of booby traps, but she does watch and consider what it might end up being. She wants to get this done, after all, and already her logical mind is in overdrive. ]

It seems a little dramatic, doesn't it.

[ Frowning, she tilts her head. ]

Do we need to figure out the code for the lever. Like a safe?

[halfbloodhatchling]

A. Action

[ Kai’s been doing the magical sleeping coma thing for a little while, though it felt like longer for him. The main difference is the presence of a dragon scale on his neck, visible sometimes when he lifts his chin.

The main problem is that he hasn’t learned to swim or gotten over his distaste of water in the time he’s been away. But he can’t stay on the ship the whole time, and Kai can be pretty good at lying to himself.

Which means that he’s told himself he’ll be fine in the water. He’s not good enough at lying to himself for that to survive being actually surrounded by water, so he focuses on staying still and hoping that he can at least convince other people that he’s fine. Even if he’s staying super still where he’s landed, that’s better than flailing about, right? ]

B. Network - Audio

Okay, so, important question.

How the fuck are we getting off this planet?

[ And when? Can it be soon? ]

C. Water Temple

[ Kai is currently attempting to pace around the entrance, but his feet are staying on the floor and it’s not really going well. He’s heard of people getting items and their pets out of it, and there’s something he wants. On the other hand, this seems like a really bad idea. Particularly for someone who’s not comfortable in the water and can’t swim.

The question is if Newt is there and by not going in Kai is leaving him trapped, because he’s not okay with this. ]

Sod it.

[ He’s going in. ]

D. Wildcard

A

[apurrstate]

[Anders isn't the biggest fan of this new environment. It's very interesting and a little fascinating, but it's certainly also unnerving. Most people seem to be freaked out by their sudden plunge. Kai, however, seems...immobilized by it.

Anders swims to his side, already a little used to moving around considering how much time he's been spending down here these days.]

Are you doing all right?

[widow_of_the_crag]

[A: Underwater]

[Living by the ocean all of her life, Jeyne had always imagined what it was to live like a fish. It had been a silly fantasy when she was a child, but this place had a way of making silly fantasies a reality.

Jeyne dove into the ocean waters as though she were returning home. The need for air no longer a great concern, she could fully explore the ocean as she had always wanted to. Rather than spending her time on the ship, she can be found more often in the water, searching for seashells and collecting aquatic plants. Running into her means receiving a seashell as a gift from a clearly happy and very contented Jeyne.]


[B: Shopping]

[The shopping on this planet is more suited to Jeyne than anywhere else they visited. Perhaps it was because of the ocean theme, but for once, she felt as though there wasn't enough room for all the things she wanted.

Bought already (and rather impulsively) is kelp that she could grow on her own and a rainbow flying fish. She stands in the plush toy aisle, smiling down at a stuffed sea serpent who seems to have a goofy expression in return.

It was completely useless, but maybe she should get it anyway?]


[C: Air diving]

[Riona had inspired her. The discussion about cliff diving had left Jeyne excited and hoping for the chance to try the activity that her sex had denied her growing up. She had watched her brother jump from the cliffs into the ocean with his friends, but she had never been allowed to join.

The moment she hears about air diving, she heads directly for the hovercraft, choosing one of the higher altitudes. Once over the ocean, Jeyne pushes herself from the craft, diving down towards the water with a triumphant cry. She was always a bit reckless in her choices, but at least this time it was for something fun.]

[D: Wildcard]

[Choose your own adventure!]

underwater (this is the lamest tag)

[kingofbadlifechoices]

[Robb wasn't that familiar with swimming in large bodies of water. He was quite good at it but then again, so was Jeyne. She wasn't scared of the water and did not seem to flinch at the sight of large fish.

It is Robb who swims to the beach first, eager to wrap himself into a warm towel to bask a little in the sun and wait for Jeyne to return.]

[arfvader]

[a: Waterworld-ish!]

[Upon being unceremoniously dumped into the water with no warning, Ravi can't help the modicum of panic that sets in. He flails for the surface immediately, lungs burning for oxygen, so it takes him awhile to clue in that he can breathe fine underwater. Which is obviously the coolest thing ever.

He spends the first day checking out the shopping area, cruising around for food and drinks, and can be even found contemplating a temple run!


[b: The Iskaulit, Surgical Centre]

[Of course, his carefree plans to study the water and it's cool oxygen-giving properties fall by the wayside when he learns about the illness ravaging the locals. He initially spends some time at the refugee camp, and after a few serious, respectful conversations has been granted permission by some families to perform necropsies to try and help find a cure.

From that point on, he can often be found at the Surgical Centre - a few sheets hung around his work space to preserve the privacy and dignity of the deceased. He keeps the area tidy to a point, but there are notes scattered throughout, wherever there's space for him to put them down.

When he's finished his work, he returns the bodies and more than once stays to watch the giant manta rays.]


[c: wildcard]

[If you need Ravi somewhere, there he shall be!]

a

[outstandingbalance]

[Ravi will find himself with company while he's shopping. Natasha appears beside and a little above him, hair loose which might not have been her best choice ever.]

Finding anything good?

[english_dignity]

Action: Arrival - Submerged Station
[When Arthur had been reminiscing about being able to go back on the ocean a while back, he hadn't meant going under it! For a nation who once owned the world's greatest navy, there's one little detail that makes this whole thing a problem.

Arthur can't swim.

The wet suits had already gotten him a little nervous, but surely the station would be set up for air breathers, right? There weren't any tanks with them.

But no.

At the end of decontamination, Arthur yelped when he was suddenly dropped into the water, immediately flailing in panic to try to stay at the surface before he sank.]

W-wait!

[He could talk under there?! Okay, talking meant breathing. That was good. What was bad was that he still couldn't swim, meaning getting around wasn't going to be so easy!]

Some bloody warning would be nice. I'd have stayed on the ship!

Action: SS Huntress
[After getting back out of the water, it's not too likely that Arthur's going to be willing to let himself be dumped in again. Instead, he's wedged himself into his cabin with a cup of hot tea, a blanket, and a scowl. The door's unlocked, but strangers wandering in will get glared at, and possibly cursed. Friends... might just get grumbled at. Come and drag him out. It'll be fun!]

Video: Fleetwide
[Arthur's still grumpy, but at least he's dry again.]

Whose idea was going to a world completely covered in water? Lunatics, all of them.

[Huffs.]

Anyway, I have a bit of trouble doing my own exploring out there so I wondered if someone might be willing to pick up some of the kelp varieties for me. It sounds like they might be good for soup. I'd be willing to exchange the help for some engineering services unless there's something else you might need that I can provide.

Arrival

[halfbloodhatchling]

[ Kai isn't much better off, although instead of flailing he'd just kind of gone down, sinking. It isn't much of a difference, but it's a little more dignified. Maybe.

It still becomes quickly apparent that he isn't any better at swimming than Arthur. ]

That's what we all should have done.

Furiosa

[kill_switch]

Action - First Breath

Nope. Furiosa isn't leaving the ship. There can be too much of a good thing, and being surrounded by so much water is daunting. Also, someone never learned how to swim -- not exactly uncommon when you grow up in a desert wasteland.

So, if you want to contact her in any way, it's either going to have to be through the comms or in person in the docks.

If you want to try to convince her to leave, good luck, but you'd better promise her a grade-A swimming lesson first.

[universal_charm]

Knock, knock, Furiosa. You have a visitor, and it's Kirk. It had been awhile since he'd spoken with Furiosa, and he had noted that she was one of the ones who was not taking to the water world - at all. He recalled her telling him that their world had very limited and very tightly controlled and monopolized water. A sudden abundance such as this would be shocking, he was sure.

So he came to the docks, a pack in hand as he called at the ship's door for Furiosa. Excuse the dripping.

[robitussin]

a. arrival

[The good part about being unceremoniously dropped into a large body of water is that she's shocked enough to inhale sharply. That, at least, helps her figure out that she can breathe fairly quickly. After the shock wears off, she actually looks fairly content, letting out a few awed words.]

Dude, whaaat.

[Breathing underwater!! So cool!! Not that she will ever admit this.]

b. post temple run

[After getting to the end of the temple and finding her reward, Opal is heading back pretty quickly to her ship. The reason for this is probably obvious - the treasure she found seems extremely unhappy about this entire situation, hissing and wriggling around.]

Yeah, I know, I'll get you dry as soon as we get back. Please don't bite me.

[At some point, she can probably be found swimming after the kitten after a particularly valiant escape attempt on his part.]

c. wild card

[Throughout the month, she can be found exploring the planet nearly anywhere, so come at me with anything you desire!]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash stares at a rather wet looking cat swimming away with no owner. Or at least hasn't put two and two together just yet that the woman behind the cat is chasing it.

That's probably normal. Maybe? This underwater world has been really confusing to him. He'll just watch this cat go on it's swim. He doesn't really want to get scratched after all.

Unless of course someone calls out to him and lets him know that there aren't wild cats without owners under water.]

[edwinjarvis]

[PLANET | REFUGEE CAMPS / GHOST TOWN / OTA]

[Jarvis had been very eager to shop at the last planet, but this one, it really leaves a sort of sad pit in his stomach. Not that it's a terrible place -- but the illness and the clear devastation it's left is absolutely terrible. So as it is, he'll be out most of the time he's in the water at the refugee camps. He's made it a point to learn at least the basic first aid for these particular aquatic folks; it's different to be sure, a whole other genetic make-up, but the people working there really, really appreciate a helping hand of any kind.

He stands beside a doctor and listens to the heartbeat of one of the patients there, nodding along to the information provided. He learns how to treat some of the unpleasant effects of the illness — since he isn't particularly fluent in science, save for repairing some things, he elects to at least try to ease some of the suffering. He provides medications and helps here and there when shortages run heavy. He writes lists and helps pick up some of the supplies needed when nurses and doctors volunteering there can't just go and do it themselves.

He also sits with some of the youngest ailing Dasioe children, giving them little trinkets from the local shops and showing them how to bead the scales of those strange sandbird creatures from the last planet he'd saved for a special occasion. Children swimming around the ailing area, sickly though they are, will have these necklaces sometimes, shiny and floating in the currents.]

Now, if you want earrings, you'll have to have your ears pierced, but we can also make bracelets —

Oh, floating, floating away.

[The children all laugh-cough and pull a crosslegged Jarvis back down to sit instead of drift off somewhere. One of the older Dasioe boys smartly weighs him down with a sandbag. Intelligent lad, that one. They all make his chest ache something fierce. They tell him about the manta ray that guides the souls of their extended family to the afterlife, and good god, he's so relieved that you can't tell when you're getting watery-eyed in this place.

He wishes he could do more.

Ifil'di is nearby, and he does visit the ghost town despite the frightening way the children describe it, like a horror story of sorts. It seems wrong to ignore it, and he finds himself swimming through on his own and quietly taking in the writing on the walls. He carefully touches the writing there, expression solemn and respectful. He is, after all, not too distanced from World War II, or even the plague, which — distant to people from the future — wasn't very long ago for his time.

“Grandmother is sick. I am sick. The children of the city are dying. Even the fish have stopped coming near this cursed place. I am sending my daughter to Dasil with every coin I own. My soul goes to you, salt of my sea. I will see you soon.”

He hopes the daughter is alright.]

[SS TOURIST | AKA THE LESS DEPRESSING ONE / OTA crew or visitors]

[He makes the temple challenge a priority later, if only to receive anything at all from home as he's heard. He's not particularly great at any of it, but he does succeed enough to earn himself something — a new suit! And more importantly, a very, very special tie that makes him genuinely smile.

The scent of sea food may waft from the kitchen as he prepares some non-fish things (wouldn't want to upset the people living here, you know): scallops, crab legs, and shrimp!! But most importantly in his opinion — clam chowder! A nice pot of it, and he sure is content to be making it. He carefully adjusts his tie with some fondness as he mixes a salad prepared from the gardens, one of the few things the planet couldn't really provide.

Kale is kale, okay. It's kale.]

ss tourist »

[mucked]

[ she lets herself onto the ship. give it another three-quarters of an hour, and she suspects jarvis would have made the reverse trip to deliver her food, despite the frosty detente between them. only now have her better angels gotten loud enough to drive her out of her pattern.

she makes her entrance into the kitchen with an air of purpose. of belonging, although it's not her ship. peggy doesn't pause until she's at the stove top, and dipping her little finger into the chowder. she braves its heat for a stolen taste. ]

Industrious as ever, Mister Jarvis. It's beginning to smell a bit like Maine in here. Or maybe Massachusetts.

Okita Souji

[ahappylie]

Shopping
[He'd avoided the water planet at first. The possibility of water entering his already ravaged lungs wasn't exactly a risk he wanted to take. But then everyone began coming back wet but otherwise unharmed and he eventually began to explore.

The markets and the food especially are very familiar to him, and he spends what little money he has on sugary kelp treats which he passes out to the local Dasioe children or to other Fleet members. It hurts him to see them suffering so much, but he isn't sure what to do that can help. So all he does is buy treats and pass them out, buy little trinkets that children pine over and pass them out.

Which is when he runs into people, a bag of candy kelp in one hand and a very difficult choice on the other - does he buy the purple rainbow fish plushie or the hot pink alien crustacean plushie? He turns to the closest shopper and holds both out.]

Which would you buy?

Temple Run: Treasure Room
[It hasn't been easy. The trials and puzzles and fights have taken their toll, but finally! They arrive at the treasure box that promises something "otherworldly." He can hope it means from home. That's what Nightingale got, technically.

So when it's his turn to open the treasure chest, he takes a deep breath (it still freaks him out to be breathing water), and opens the lid.

And a bright pink blur streaks out and heads straight toward one of his temple teammates - right at their face.]

Ah, watch out!!

Goldstone/Post Temple Run
[And now he has a piglet, an angry piglet, that is not at all pleased with being in water or in space??? Okita can be found anywhere in Dasil'di or on the Goldstone, with his piglet cradled in his arms. Somehow, even though he was always smiling anyway, now he seems actually happy for once since arriving in the Fleet.

He talks to the piglet and it grunts back at him as he tries to feed it some seaweed.]

It's the only food they really have here, Saizou. And you'll miss it once I can only feed you gel pastes.

[The piglet grunts and sniffs the kelp, then buries his head into Okita's arm. His owner laughs and taps the top of the pig's head.]

You're such a spoiled baby.

Wildcard
[Choose your own adventure!]

[ post temple run ]

[shamisens]

[ Kubo stares. That sure is a pig. ]

How . . .

Beverly Crusher | OTA

[dancingmd]

[a. illness]

[Beverly spends most of her time on Mafik tending to the sick Dasioe. It's a distressingly familiar scene, reminding her of the disastrous plague that struck her old home planet of Arvada III. Despite the emotional toll such a reminder is bound to take on her, she remains professional, yet compassionate, making sure to spend some time with each patient, offering what emotional comfort she can - especially for the children.

One little one clings desperately to her arm as she runs a scanner over them. So far, she's been unable to find their family, which only tugs at her heart even more. Beverly looks at them with a soft, sad gaze, but manages a smile anyway as she pats their tiny webbed hand in what she hopes is a comforting fashion. It's hard to say for certain if any of these physical signals mean much to the Dasioe, but none have reacted adversely yet.]

All right, I'm going to give you this injection. It might hurt a little, but I promise, it'll make you feel better afterwards, okay?

[The child nods, though their eyes are wide with concern as they gaze at the needle. Beverly continues to offer small words of encouragement, telling them how very brave they are as she injects the needle. In truth, it is not very large and she is swift and accurate in her injecting, so the child only flinches a tiny amount. Beverly sits with them a while longer, as the medicine kicks in and they drift off to long-awaited sleep.

As soon as she's out of sight of the child and other patients, Beverly lets herself float against a wall and closes her eyes, for just a moment.]

[b. looking for the source]

[When she's not with her patients or researching any possibilities for a cure, Beverly is out in dogged pursuit of a source of the poisoning. She immediately recognized the similarities between the symptoms the Dasioe were experiencing and what she saw on the toxic moon. Though no one has any memory of a terraformer or anything like it, she is determined to find answers and so she's out exploring: you can find her in the temples, the coral reefs, or the kelp forest, armed always with her trusty tricorder (albeit tucked away safely in a waterproof bag).]

[c. wildcard]

[Got another prompt? Go ahead!]

B

[experiencepoints]

[At the temples, Nightingale spots Beverly while she's loitering around there, looking for a party. She's still freaking out about the water, but distraction helps, so she swims over to greet her, her hair tied back in a looped braid so she doesn't look like a drowned ghost.]

Beverly? I didn't expect to see you here.

[helmsplitter]

A: Network Video - At the Ghost Town
[After the initial shock of getting his sword wet was over, Doudanuki sealed everything he could and set off across the world. It took a long while, since he wasn't used to swimming, but the reports of the dead city on the edge of the settlement were too interesting to pass up.

There's no life here at all. No sounds of people or animals, just a strange a sullen silence that descends over the abandoned homes. Plates left on tables, beds left unmade, food left to rot on countertops - it's eerie.

After investigating what he can, he flips open the communicator.]

Anyone know what this "Dark One" is? Heard the residents here talk about the "Three" but no Dark One.


B: SS Caprine
[Seeing so many people sick and not having any of the other swords around puts him on edge. Oodenta was the one known for curing illness, but without him here, it makes Doudanuki want to do something. He's largely ineffectual against an unseen enemy, but he heard someone asking communications officers to scan, so that's what he does when he's dry and on the ship.

He sits for hours at a time, listening and watching the radar blips on the screen until his eyes strain and he has to put his head down.]

I dunno what we're even looking for...


C: Market - Animals Hate Him
[He went on a temple run and killing monsters and trawling dungeons was fun, but the puzzles? Yeah, no. He hated those. Thinking was not his strong point at the best of times, so unless those puzzles needed someone to push a giant rock 40 meters, he was pretty useless. Still, he managed his way through and how he has a...gold ball? Yup, a gold ball to carry around with him - in a wetsuit with no pockets.

...

Well then.

On his way back through town, however, the shiny gold ball starts attracting fish. And then more fish. And more fish until he's got a school around him trying to peck and get at the shiny trinket in his arms. And he can't run because there's no running underwater. He can't attack the fish because they're sacred creatures and even if they're annoying as hell he understands that. So he eventually just lies down in the middle of the market square on top of the gold ball, hoping the swarm of fish circling over him will eventually go away.]



Wildcard
[Up to you! He's exploring the ghost town and willing to do as many temple runs as people need/want. Fighting is his thing, so let him tank for you.]

c, because it made laugh a lot

[stoccado]

[Asuna passes by once and sees this, slightly concerned, but she decides it's better she leave this person alone for the time being.

However, when she passes through once more a little while later, she changes her mind. This is worrisome.

Navigating through the crowded mob of adoring fans, she crouches down next to figure.]

Are you all right?

[exothermia]

a. Dasil'di city

[Would wonders never cease. Despite having been in the Fleet for over a year now, Erik had never anticipated they would end up somewhere as unthinkable as an underwater city. Much less one where he could breathe unassisted. He finds the alien peoples and culture all the more fascinating, feeling more at ease among those who are clearly not human. The sickness doesn't go unnoticed however, and it tinges the experience with disquiet.

Clad in the standard wetsuit Erik explores the city, checking out the establishments and the wares on offer. The weapon stores he frequents more than once. It's habit, at this point, to seek out better tools for defense and it's a consideration that's more on his mind after the raider attack. Soon enough he has a new hunting knife on his belt, and he considers the sharp-edged polearms closely as well.]

b. water temple

[Erik heads into one of the temples alone - not necessarily out of a desire to work alone, but more without forewarning that a group effort might be better. He does well enough for a while with the puzzles and traps, only to inevitably reach a room that can't be done alone.

Anyone entering this particular temple room will find Erik floating up near the ceiling, brow creased as he pushes in a switch and hears an ineffectual clunk behind the wall. When he spots you, he'll gesture for you to come over:]

Do you see that switch on the far wall? These both need to be activated at the same time, and by a person.

c. moonlight

[Fascinating though it is, it's hard to be contemplative while floating dozens of feet underwater. Every so often in the evenings Erik will swim to the surface, and perch on one of the building ledges of the city. He spends his time looking to the sky, watching the moons of the planet rise slowly above the horizon among the glittering stars. It's enough to breathe the air and feel the wind, to settle his unhappy moods.]

d. wildcard

[Got another idea? Hit me up!]

[noprophecies]

[there are very few things that are capable of getting Tempest to change her mind once she's set on something, but when Erik tells her about the temples . . . with Erik promising to go with her, she finally leaves the Goldstone to head to one of the water temples.

At least it's something familiar in a way. She was used to dungeons from back home, with traps and monsters and puzzles of all sorts. It doesn't put her at ease, though, and as soon as they stop to look around or to discuss a puzzle or whatever, Tempest immediately latches onto Erik's arm.

. . . listen, it's like putting a cat into water. It can swim, but it doesn't have to like it]

Is this one similar to the other one you went to?

[bythewaves]

A: Huntress

[ The sea calls him and he does not know how long he can fight, wandering the halls with eyes full of the ocean and a voice full of the sea.

(But he worries Maedhros)

He tries not to leave, but he's most often found staring longingly out of the window. ]

Ghost town/Temple

[ He drifts like a ghost himself, eyes unseeing (or seeing what is not there, perhaps). In the town he hums softly, the echo of a lament, maybe. The wandering may seem aimless, but slowly he is being drawn towards the temple.

Someone might want to stop him before he walks straight in. ]

Temple

[universal_charm]

<sub>[ Kirk had been out exploring when he caught sight of Maglor drifting down the path to one of the temples he had been directed to. He was unsurprised to see one of their own heading for a temple. Plenty of them had gone to test the temples, and Kirk had tested several at this point.

He glided towards Maglor, reaching out to touch the elf to get his attention, not quite realizing that Maglor was not himself yet. ]</sub>

Hey, you planning on going in?

Felix Harrowgate

[lord_wizard]

Landing/arrival - Goldstone

[As the ship started it's abrupt decent towards the watery planet below, Felix hurried to the cockpit to see exactly why they were going down when there was nothing at all to land on, as far as he could tell.]

What is going on?

[He's almost screeching at the pilot or whoever is responsible, but once it becomes clear their trajectory is out of their control, his already obvious distress increases by degrees at the vast stretch of ocean gets closer and closer. He stands on the bridge staring out the window with widening eyes, hands quivering at his sides, hoping that perhaps the ship with merely land atop the water or stop just shy of the surface. He had handled travel over the ocean a few times before, and he could endure it again, after all.

That hopes shatters the second the Goldstone crashes between the waves and Felix shatters along with it. He feels every inch they travel like a crushing weight. He covers his mouth to try to hide his rapid breathing and lurches away from the bridge like a wounded animal aiming for his room, but once it nears he knows his shaking legs won't be able to manage the climb.

Instead he veers into the nearest side room and sinks to his knees, letting out a muffled scream behind his hands.]

[onlyanapple]

[Crowley wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of going underwater, but it didn't bother him too much, either. Honestly, it was different shit, different day. It wasn't until Felix started freaking out that he realised what a problem this would be. ]

Oh, shit. We'll...want to deal with that. We really don't want him flipping out completely.

[Because magic. He'll be getting out of his comms chair with surprising speed for someone who spends 60% of his day lounging around and doing very little. He quickly heads off in Felix's direction. He slides into the room, crouching in front of Felix, his tone quiet, an attempt at soothing when it doesn't really come naturally to him. ]

Hey, look. It'll be okay. Deep breaths.

[bi_otic]

A - Temple

[So far, things have been going well enough. Sure, he's had to backtrack a few times because he forgot to flip a lever or took a wrong turn entirely, but biotics can be useful for manipulating puzzles.

He's made his way into a large chamber that looks like another dead end, but it'd be foolish not to check for any hidden doors before he gives up again.

Happily, it turns out there is one. Unhappily, it turns out there's one very large spined eel hiding in it.

Kaidan pushes himself off a wall to avoid the first strike and frowns. Biotics aren't really useful when the core principle to using it as a weapon is decreasing mass. And without a gun, well....this won't be easy.]

B - Watching the game

[There's something refreshingly mundane about sitting down in the stands to catch a match of Mafik's local sport. He doesn't really understand the finer points of the rules, but that doesn't really matter. It's fun to watch. To get caught up the excitement of the crowd. He's even got a snack in hand, what looks to be a tangle of bright fried kelp wound around a stick. It's kind of close to cotton candy? Maybe. If you pretend.

He's more intent on the game than his food anyway.]

C - First Breath (post-temple run)

[Safe and dry in the cargo hold, Kaidan's attention is bent on the device in his hand. The empty bag it'd been sealed it lays on the floor, and there isn't much ot see until he activates his omii-tool. The light construct springs to life around his forearm, display blinking with tiny orange and blue lights that he starts to poke at with a frown]

D- wildcard

[Kaidan will wander most places either by himself or via shuttle, and while he doesn't have the expertise to get involved in the search for a cure to the Dasioe's illness, he'll be happy to be of help in any way that he can]

A. let's do this, LEEEEROOOO--- /punched in the face

[helmsplitter]

[So far this temple has been boring. There have been levers and puzzles and pushing blocks and dead ends, but not a whole lot else for him to do. It looks as if someone else is in here, too, but they don't always cross paths and usually it seems Doudanuki has always just barely missed them.

Except now when he hears the distinctive snap of jaws coming from a room he skipped over just a moment ago.

Whipping back around, Doudanuki pushes off the walls to get more momentum as he swims back the way he came. It doesn't take long for him to arrive and there it is in all its glory - a large spiny....snake thing. He has no idea what it is, but it looks like fun and he isn't about to let the guy in there have it all to himself.

He rips the bag with his sword in it open and launches himself into the room, sliding over to the other occupant.]

Mind if I join in?

Kitty Pryde | OTA

[passingthrough]

Exploring
[She's just swimming through the motions of exploring, doing the things she always does with new systems. She learns it as best she can. Checks out the natural wonders like the kelp forests. Stocks up on supplies—especially food for the Twin Roses and the Tourist. This time she also tries to find things Winn might like, getting him some of the local fabrics just in case he doesn't wake up in time, so there's more wandering through the shops than usual. She takes a few piloting run jobs just to keep herself busy too.

Post Temple
[Her hands are slightly shaking as she looks at the disc she got from her puzzle-laden adventure. She almost hadn't gone through with it at all and now she'd be crying if she weren't also underwater rendering that a little moot. She needs to get somewhere to watch it again so if you don't catch her initial reaction you might find her when she swims right into you in her haste.]

Wildcard
[• Water planet: something not mentioned above.
• Iskaulit: you can find her in the gym, library, garden, or working on the dance studio.
• Twin Roses: it's home even if she's still adapting to the fused ship. She's been there a LOT more than usual with Winn in a coma and her sleeping habits are terrible. Some nights she just sits in her room reading and sometimes she's out when she should be sleeping. Maybe even working out to exhaust herself first.
• Tourist: she'll be by to drop off supplies and check on Winn.
• Your ship?]

WILDCARD - just in case we need to jump this ahead to post-Winn

[tallasaking]

[The message that comes through the video is one rather bemused Tyrion Lannister -- with a kitten in his hair. Yes, that's right, a kitten that is climbing his blonde curls, and he is making a quiet noise that sounds like 'owowowowowow'. He looks up at the feed, then gives Kitty a tense, almost hunted look.]

Kitty - you know about ... kitties, do you not?

Mon-El | OTA

[spacebro]

Recreation
[First, Mon-El tries the air diving and it's fun, but since it's kind of a solo thing he wanders away pretty quickly. The local sport, buoya, on the other hand, gets more of his attention. He watches a game and then later decides he needs to give it a try. Of course, when you have super strength you're still figuring out while playing a rough and tumble game things happen.] I am so sorry about your ear-fin-thing. I think it will probably heal right up! [Backing away quickly, possibly into you!]

Exploring
[You might run into him as he shops or visits one of the really disappointing dry bars. Or maybe you're enjoying a kelp forest and suddenly a daxamite pops out!]

Wildcard
[Anything you want! In the water or on the Goldstone, Tourist, or Iskaulit.]

recreation

[robitussin]

[She happens to be passing by when he backs right into here, and while she manages to avoid falling, looks towards him with a large frown on her face... Until she sees the other competitor coming towards him and looking displeased.]

What did you do?

[goldenglasses]

Entering the water

[Spending over a hundred years in a desert has completely prepared Vash to suddenly enter the water. Oh, wait. No it hasn't. When he ends up suddenly dumped into the water he's a mass of flailing limbs and panic. He had put the wet suit on at least so at least his coat wasn't slowing him down, but he had been expecting to get into the water himself after boarding the new ship, not suddenly meeting water from beneath him.

He spins uselessly and eventually breaths in some water. His usually spiky hair not so spiky. He'll need a hand getting around at the start as he only barely knows how to doggy paddle. He's not going anywhere very fast. Give him a hand?]

Helping the Sick

[Vash is no doctor so he can't help find a cure, but it's not surprising to see him running medicine to and from different places. Giving what comfort he can with words or just playing with those healthy enough to still run and play to get their minds off their pain. Or even just a card game or two.]

"Drinking"

[When he needs a break from the gloom of sickness. Vash is having a lot of fun trying out the different alcoholic kelp. Where did he get that tie wrapped around his head underwater? Best not to ask. Just have some fun with the happy drunk at the bar with you.]

Wildcard

[Insert your own prompt and adventure here!]

[bythewaves]

Vash?

[ Maglor's voice sounds... odd (water, in every breath), but his eyes are, for the moment, clear of anything but concern for him ]

Do you... know how to swim?

[monolike]

a. CLOSED to Mikleo

[Sorey spends most of the time preceding their dunk in the water pacing the airlock. He can see Mikleo trying not to look too giddy over in the corner, and failing. Sorey knows all his tells; the way he crosses his arms right over left, the way he keeps shifting his weight on his feet, how he keeps toying with his hair and fixing the way the part in the front swoops. They've really been fortunate with the number of planets they've visited here with water and seas; with the exception of that terribly polluted planet, Mikleo's gotten the chance to see bodies of water vaster than anything they've ever seen back home. The shock of the ocean has long since faded into eager anticipation (even if crabs are still creepy)-

Or it had, at least.

Mikleo had been right to ask him; Sorey hasn't stopped thinking about armatizing since Mikleo made his interest apparent. Lailah's words echo in his head and his heart, about how if he can't trust himself then he should trust his partners. The successful armatization with Dezel had been relieving. Sorey doesn't know if he'll ever get back to that naive, easy confidence he had before, but now he's sure that at the very least, he won't destroy his friends again that way. His utter revulsion with the very idea is evidence enough of that.

They're dropped into the water, their lungs adapt to the thickness of it through whatever magic the world possesses and, immediately, Sorey makes a clumsy beeline for Mikleo. His spirit longs for the gentle grace Mikleo displays as he turns in a perfect, beautiful circle in the water, hair fanning out around his head like the sun crown of a prince. Sorey admires the sight for a moment before holding out a hand wordlessly. The look on his face probably says it all.]


b. OPEN to all - armatized

[Sorey and Mikleo as separate beings are conspicuously absent from Mafik, but in their place is a young man with Sorey's face and voice, but absolutely not his usual look or dress. Finally, after months and a disastrous prior approach, they've managed to merge again and it's wonderful. Sorey can feel the water around them like its their own pulse, clothes and hair and various accouterments floating serenely in the currents as they move their body as effortlessly within it as the Dasioe.

Their holy domain is purifying and powerful to anybody who can feel it, and they definitely carry a supernatural air about them as a merged water spirit. Luckily they don't see the need for the bow but they're absolutely, a hundred percent, without a doubt enjoying the heck out of exploring, poking around at flora and fauna, and probably swimming up to their friends to check on them and see how they're doing.]


c. wildcard

[Feel free to use this for anything!]

[nerdeology]

[The water is warmer than he'd expected it to be, and for a long moment after they're dropped into it, Mikleo doesn't move. He floats, eyes closed, and reaches out into the element around him, feeling its call. He can sense the others around him, startled and struggling, discovering they can breathe; he can feel the air in the water, impossibly safe, an unfamiliar kind of magic. He spreads his fingers and expands his focus, and further out he can feel the life surrounding them, the residents nearby, the creatures outside their enclosure. The warmth that rushes into his heart, the peace that falls over him, quite literally washing away his worries- it's a comfort he doubts he'll ever grow tired of. There's just something about the ocean. It doesn't matter which ocean, which planet, which universe. Every time, it's just like this. Wondrous, amazing, beautiful, a domain all its own. He reaches towards it and it reaches back, itching to explore.

That's when he notices it.

Sorey.

There's a certain feel to the pact's connection when armitization is going to occur, much like being approached by someone familiar, that sense of incoming, halfway to anticipation. A quiet warning before one is called, before two become a singular being. It helps stave off the startling sensation of no longer having a body, to suddenly having a different body. A gentle feeling, even in the heat of battle.

A whisper of I'm here, and come to me, and I need you.

He hasn't felt that pull in so long he'd expected it to be unfamiliar, but he's feeling it right now and he knows, he knows in his heart and soul that Sorey's ready.

There's no hesitation in Mikleo's eyes as he turns to face Sorey, catching the glint in his eyes, sensing his intention. There's a smile in his eyes as his hand reaches back towards his lifetime partner, equally ready, waiting for those words to be spoken. Just as before he won't force it, won't push, but he's so eager it aches.]