driftfleet | Fourteenth Blight

Entry tags:

Fourteenth Blight - video and action

Who: Is that... yep, that's Riona. A bitty Riona. And you, you poor schmuck
Broadcast: Yes
Action: Also yes
When: April 14th through April 21st (aka drift week)

Video - broadcasting from the Iskaulit

[When the camera turns on, it initially faces the ceiling. There's some chatter in the background, but it's not easily made out. A moment later, Kiter the mabari's large face comes into view. He looks rather worried, whining as he noses the device.]

What are you doing? [It's the voice of a young girl that carries over. Footsteps approach, and Kiter steps back as the camera gets picked up.] What is this odd thing? [Eventually, whoever is playing with the device turns the camera so it's facing her.

It's Riona, no doubt, but she looks a tad... different. Like, twenty-years-younger different. She tilts her head curiously at the device.] Some kind of metal, but it's so... shiny. Well, whatever it is, I'm keeping it. Whoever left it on the floor obviously didn't care much for it.

[Kiter barks, trying to communicate... something or other.]

Hm? What are you trying to say, boy? I assume you're a boy? [He yips.] Boy it is. I'll have to think of a name for you. Of course, you might have one already, but I don't see your master about. It'd be nice to find SOMEONE to speak with and ask them they return me home. I don't know where we are, but my father will find me soon enough, and I assure your master that there'll be consequences. [Despite only being 12 at most, Riona tries to hold herself up high and haughty. If one listens closely, however, they may hear the fear in her voice.] Go get him and bring him here. I want to go home, and I'm going home now.

[Kiter whines again, clearly unsure as to what to do here. Help a poor dog out?]

Action - On the Iskaulit

[There's a child on the loose on the Iskaulit, tailed by a concerned looking war hound.

Riona darts about the ship, running down the halls, making the mabari chase after her. There's so much to do and see! And she's young and curious, so when she tires out a bit of running around like a little maniac and running into people, she sets off to explore. There are three areas in particular that interest her:

The gardens. Many of the plants look unfamiliar to her, and she can be found checking them out, poking and pulling them. At one point, she pulls an entire plant loose by mistake, her eyes wide as she realizes it. Glancing around - hoping no one's around - she quick tosses it off to the side and out of sight. No one will notice at all, right??

The pool. Growing up near the sea, Riona learned to swim early. The idea of a pool baffles her a bit: it's clearly not a natural lake, but the water looks so clear (and why does it smell so funny?). But as a girl, she hardly concerns herself with that question for long. With a laugh, she throws off caution and jumps into the water, clothes and all. Hey, she doesn't have a suit and she's not about to go looking for one. She does what a child does and swims and splashes around. And because she's a little shit, if she spots you, she'll snicker before splashing some water at you.

The Space Bar/Malum. Taverns are no place for children, but Riona doesn't know where else to go. She's found more people here then elsewhere, and she wants answers.]

Excuse me. [Look down and you'll find her staring intently at you.] I need to be escorted back to Highever. My father's the teyrn. I have no coin on me, but he'll surely pay you when I get back. [If they've been watching her, they'll know they're not the first person she's asked since arriving in the bar. But she's persistent if nothing else.] Oh, and don't mind the mabari. I think he's supposed to be guarding me, but he's doing a terrible job.

[Kiter, sitting a few paces away from her, huffs in offense.]

Tell me when you're ready to leave.

Action - On the Blue Fish

[At some point she comes back - or gets dragged back - to the Blue Fish. Her reign of terror gets contained, but the ship might not be too glad for it for long.

Riona pries and snoops everywhere, getting into the guns and playing with them. At one point, she accidentally fires one by mistake. Luckily it hits a wall and nothing else, but she quickly puts the gun down and puts on her best innocent face.]

It went off on its own! I swear! [Uh huh.

Of course, Riona still has her pilot augment, even if she's not quite... mature enough at the moment to handle it. Not good. She does eventually find the pilot seat and sits in it.]

Oh! What does this do? [The augment guides her still, helping her grab the controls and flip the right switches. But instead of just, you know, guiding the ship, she decides to yank on the controls as hard as she can. The ship swerves to the side. Whoops, hope you weren't doing anything too important, like making a meal or sleeping. Riona nearly falls out of her seat as well, but she's far too entertained to care. Laughing hysterically, she yanks it in the other direction. This is grand fun, she decides. The ship's in for a joyride.

Someone might want to get her away from the pilot controls. Granted they can stay upright long enough to get to her...]

((OOC: as I'm sure you've guessed, Ri's been glitched to de-age to about the age of 12 for a week. Each header has mini prompts within, but you're also free to put in your own prompt if you'd like!))

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[Now she's gone from confused to alarmed. She doesn't remember him? She told him his name? How is that possible? Riona takes a panicked step back from him.]

You're lying. How could I have forgotten? I've never seen you in my life. For all I know, you're the one who - who kidnapped me! That's what this is, isn't it?

[Why else would she be taken someplace and unable to get home? She's a teyrn's daughter. Easy hostage money, or so one might think.]

No, we were both kidnapped. We were taken by something called Atroma, though I am still unsure of why. [People have tried to explain. He still doesn't quite get it.

Despite her panic, Justice keeps his tone even, though clearly he's not handling it well. Normally, he'd ask Riona for advice on how to do this better, but...]

This occurs occasionally, when people change or forget. It has to do with the device by your ear. [Justice gestures to the spot on his own head.] The effects will wear off. You will remember again soon, most likely.

[She's not sure if that makes her feel better or not, knowing he's in the same boat as her. At least he's probably not a bad guy then, but what does that mean overall? It's hard for an adult to comprehend, let alone a kid.]

What thing behind my ear? [Her hand slaps the area around her ear, trying to feel for something.] What are you talking about? You don't make any sense! [Now? Now she's getting really scared, and it's starting to show. But she still tries to maintain her bravado.] How do I know you're not making this up?

[Justice is clearly not dealing with this well. Maybe he should go get Alistair. Or Anders. Or Leilani. Or literally anyone who is not him.]

You do not know, at the moment. I invite you to confirm what I have said to you with the others on the ship. Perhaps that would give you more cause to trust me.

[Justice doesn't move to touch her again, remembering that he is not meant to touch mortals who do not know him well, but he does gesture to invite her to walk with him.]

I hope that you will trust that it is my desire to see that you are safe, but I understand that my social skills are lacking. I can lead you to someone with more tact, who may be able to explain this better.

[Honestly that would be the best thing he could do at this moment.]

Ship? Is that what this is? But it's black outside.

[It doesn't make sense. None of this makes sense.]

Yes. Take me to someone else. You aren't speaking any sense.

[Kiter whines, nudging her gently, picking up on her distress. Riona buries her face into his fur, trying not to cry in fear.]

[Oh no, he's really not done this right. Once she's back to normal, Justice should ask Riona how he could have done this better.]

There are many stars outside. You can see them if you turn off the lights. [He keeps his voice soft and gentle, hoping that maybe he can find something to cheer her up.]

I will do so. In the meantime, is there something I could do that would make you feel more at ease? [When in doubt, Justice just asks mortals what they'd like him to do.]

[There there, Justice. You tried.]

Stars? Are we out on the sea then?

[Though she hasn't felt the rocking of the ship from the waves. It's very odd.]

Well... [At least he's asked. That's something.] Can't you just take me home? If you do that, that'll be good enough.

No, we are not. If you would follow me to a window in a room I can turn off lights, I will show you where we are. [Justice, through many months of hard work from Anders and Riona, has developed enough sense to figure that maybe she won't believe him when he says 'we are in the sky' unless she sees it for herself. Someone give him a pat on the back.

He softens at her request.] I am afraid that I cannot. I can take you home no more than I can go home myself. I am sorry.

Is there anything else, perhaps, that I can do for you?

[Maker this is all just so strange. But he sounds confident enough in this assertion (and she's too headstrong and haughty to consider that he might be luring her into some kind of trap. Stranger danger, anyone?)]

Very well. Show me then.

[At least she has a mabari with her, even though she has no idea why.]

Oh. [Sigh. So much for that.] Do you know anyone who could take me home, at least?

Follow me. [Justice starts leading her through the Iskaulit, away from the more popular areas deeper into the halls towards the emptier rooms.]

I do not know of anyone who can take you home. I know that we all will eventually return, but we do not know when. Luckily, there are many people here who wish to see you safe and happy.

[He opens a door to an empty room with wraparound windows. He leaves the light off, gesturing for her to look outside at the swathes of stars.] Take a look and tell me what you see.

[Riona hesitates a moment before following him, Kiter on her heels.]

So I'll definitely go home someday? [That's comforting, actually. If she just has to wait it out, well, she'll do her best. Still, her father will be worried, and so will her mother and brother. Everyone will be looking for her.] What people? Who would care what happens to me?

[But she pauses after she steps into the room. Even from where she is, she can see what's outside. Or, what isn't outside.] There's... nothing. Stars, maybe. Like the night sky.

Yes, you will. [That's what everyone's been telling Justice, at least, and he has no reason to disbelieve them.] Many people care what happens to you, though I doubt you know their names. Alistair. Anders. Sokka. Leilani. Myself. There are many more.

[She's well-liked. What can he say?

Justice walks all the way up to the window. He enjoys looking outside the ships, when there is little to do.] You are correct. Come here and look down through the window. [Maybe it'll be easier for her to believe him if she sees no ground below them.]

...no, I don't know them. And I don't know why they would concern themselves with me. Unless they know my parents?

[They don't sound familiar, at any rate.]

O...kay. [She eyes him warily a moment before she slowly walks up to the window. Still the same, though now she can see below them, somewhat. And there's more stars. They're floating in the air, and she's not sure if that's exciting or horrifying.] So it just flies in the air?

No. None of them know your parents. They care for you because of who you are.

[Justice admires the stars outside and nods before glancing at her face, gauging her reaction.]

It is a ship for the sky. We are so far away from the ground that we do not see it, and there are many stars between us and anywhere we could land.

We are flying, Riona.

But who do they know who I am? How is that even possible if I don't remember them?

[Her head feels like it's going in circles, not helped by the sights outside and what more he tells her.]

Like birds? Does this ship have wings?

Think of this place as though it is your world, but with some rules of the Fade applying. Time is inconsistent, and people here come from different times. We know you from your future. We care because you will meet us and make us care.

[Justice is never one to be dishonest, even if it would make things simpler.]

It has wings of a sort, but I do not pretend to know how they work. All I know is that it is able to fly between worlds.

I... don't know anything about the Fade. [Justice, buddy. You might want to just stop while you're ahead before she's even more confused.] You're still not making any sense.

[It's exhausting repeating it over and over again. He seems to be trying but she's just not getting it.]

Are worlds very far apart?

Perhaps you would find it easier to take my word for it. Strange magic is afoot here.

[Justice is clearly not getting through. It's probably his fault, but he'd rather not confuse and upset Riona any more than he has to.]

Very. But this ship moves quickly, and it often finds new places within weeks of travel.

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Fourteenth Blight - video and action

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