Yaugur System Mingle

[padadin]

Who: EVERYONE
Broadcast: If you want!
Action: Of course
When: 6/23 to 8/5.

[Welcome to the Yaugur System, where everyone will want to join the most important activity here:



KITE FLYING!

...what do you mean, there's something more important to do? Oh yeah, the mist. Sure, have fun with your despair hallucinations, I guess.]

Comments

[vartex]

( a. security; it's a living... )

[Someone of Messer's build (and overall intimidating presence) is well-suited for bodyguard work, and he doesn't make much money from his "show performance" at this point, so to keep a stock of funds in case something comes up, he's taken a few jobs working security for the transports between the islands. Maybe you're assigned to the same cargo, maybe you're just passing by. Either way, let's keep it professional, shall we?

It's fine if you want to say hi, though. It's pretty dull work in between flights.]


( b. air fishing; okay this is actually pretty zen. )

[During his downtime, Messer's found a quiet, safe fishing spot to try out the local sport of flinging a line out into the air and seeing if anything bites. It's weird to imagine catching fish in the air, but this place has flying livestock, apparently, so who even knows.

Regardless of his catch, it's really relaxing, so he's in a surprisingly good mood and would welcome some company!]


( c. var in the mist, AROUND THE 20TH; cw for blood/potential violence/mindfuckery )

[Things have been going smoothly, for the most part- too smoothly, in truth, and something was bound to come along and shake things up, ruin his day. Maybe he got complacent. Maybe it's just poor luck. Regardless, one day while daring to venture out into the mist, something goes terribly wrong.

If you should happen to wander through the mist at the wrong time, on the wrong day, you might notice the sound of wretched, animalistic and angry howling in the air. The closer you get to the sound, the scenery around you begins to change: the mist parts, revealing shattered wreckage, flickering fires, and blood. There are bodies strewn about, covered in blood and motionless, skin mutated with pronounced veins. Some have been shot, some simply torn apart. Any attempt to check on the bodies or the wreckage will reveal them to simply be a hallucination, hands passing right through them.

In the center of it all is Messer, staggering aimlessly, his eyes wild and violent, the same pulsing veins across his bare skin, his gas mask shattered and hanging from his neck. Better hope you notice him before he notices you, because friend or foe no longer matters to him- he will attack.]

((ooc: PLEASE before tagging c- this is part of a plot, for which the ending is predetermined. so basically you can tussle with Messer, but he WILL try to kill anyone he comes across, so be careful and kindly leave him alive when it's over! cheers <3))

b

[sandywolf]

[Even though the ship is close quarters, some crew members are more elusive than others. But Lyall's sharp nose has allowed him to at least identify everyone's scent, even if he's only seen their face briefly in passing.

Messer being maintenance, he's probably been more than busy with the asteroid belt they just went through. Lyall himself was starting to feel restless with being cooped up, so unless he has business with particular people or wants to go shopping or exploring the mist, he spends most of his time outside as a wolf.

And this is how he approaches Messer after he sniffs out his scent. The smallish, sandy-colored wolf pads closer and sits about two meters away. He's still a bit wary about people's reaction to their wolf form, since so many people seem to think that they are savage beasts for some reason.]

[vartex]

[Messer is especially elusive, between his locked quarters and the fact that he spends more time on the Bloodsport than his own ship; the downside of this is that he's not entirely familiar with recent additions of the crew- and particularly the wolf versions of either were. As such, his reaction to a wolf suddenly wandering over to where he's fishing is a very healthy caution, glancing sidelong at the animal, making no sudden moves or signs of aggression. Not yet, anyway- but he keeps one hand close to his holstered pistol, just in case.

Maybe it's hungry? He's caught a couple of smallish flying fish in the time since he arrived here. If he was here for much-needed food he'd be protective of his catches, but he's mostly just trying to pass the time, so it's less of a concern if he loses one or two.

Very carefully he lifts a fish out of the box and tosses it into the space between he and the wolf. A peace offering, of sorts. Wolves have a worse reputation than their behaviour actually supports.]

[sandywolf]

[Messer might notice an almost human look on the wolf face as his hands gets closer to his pistol. If it were a human face, he would be raising an eyebrow at you, Messer.

But the fish... Messer, you just gave a fish to the one werewolf who prefers fish to meat, so he is ready to forgive a bit of caution, especially since you haven't actually started freaking out at him. He scoots closer slowly and catches the fish in his mouth... and nods his hands in thanks, before backing off again a little and lying down to start eating it extremely delicately.]

[vartex]

[...Huh. Well, he'll call that a successful exchange. Messer relaxes his posture somewhat and goes back to fishing, reeling in his lure and casting it over the edge of the island once more. He keeps the wolf in his peripheral, of course, but the unusually intelligent gleam in the animal's eyes is hint enough that he's not especially concerned with getting pounced.]

[sandywolf]

[Lyall takes his time eating the fish, making sure not to get any bones stuck in his airways. It's not the best fish he's ever had, but it's adequate and certainly better than what they have up on the Blameless. Maybe they should stock up while they can.

Once he's done, he licks himself clean, then sniffs towards the box where more fish are. maybe another one? That one was small.]

[vartex]

[Oi, greedy. Actually, Messer isn't surprised, reaching in and tossing the second fish without hesitation- this one's more of a mouthful, hopefully more satisfying. He needs to get on with his fishing if he's going to be able to take any back to the ship, if this goes on too long.

Speaking of which, he feels a tug, so he refocuses on that. The weight on the line is heavy, bigger than the other two combined. Maybe enough for a proper fish dinner?]

[sandywolf]

[Lyall quickly devours the second fish, and once he is done he pads closer to the edge, curious, to watch the line and how these things are actually happening.

The animals of these lands are quite extraordinary and to a biologist like himself, rather fascinating. Fish should not have the capacity to breathe air, but there you go, there are some that do, and are even delicious to eat.]

[vartex]

[Messer continues reeling, lifting the fish up, up-- and suddenly it's level with the island, flapping its gravity-defying fins as it struggles against the line. It's actually pretty huge, like an oversized pike, and with a swift twist of the rod Messer yanks it over to the ground, catching it under his foot before it can struggle back into the air. He holds it in place while it flails, fetching a knife from his belt to end the battle.]

This one's not for you.

[Definitely big enough for a fish dinner. This one'll go right to the Blameless.]

C:

[mikangirl]

[Only reason she's out here at all is because in the wake of Sam's leaving, she both wants alone time and wants to test how much of this mist she can clear from an area before it all rushes in again. It's all in the name of keeping busy. She's taken precautions, mask and additional scarf and all.

...the howl that cuts right across this area nearly makes her turn and leave immediately. Except she wonders if it's some poor idiot caught out here with a defective mask (or no mask). She's already armed. If she can help, she probably should, though she's coward enough she deliberates on that for a good half a minute before finally deciding to approach with caution, staff clutched in both hands.

The bodies are horrifying, but they're not real. She's mostly convinced, then, someone's having a breakdown out here, and she approaches the stumbling figure in the mist soon after. From behind, he just looks kind of drunk--

oh, she knows this guy.]

Messer...?

[vartex]

[oh no, Nami. You called attention to yourself.

The man who turns around to face her is very... un-Messer-like. The once-composed and quiet military man is now wild-eyed and snarling, muscles taut, veins protruding over his bare skin. He takes a staggering step towards her, maskless, breathing heavily in the mist. There's not an ounce of recognition in his expression- only confusion and blind rage.

She has only a handful of seconds to take all of that in before he lunges abruptly at her, fingers curved and outstretched towards her face.]

1/2

[mikangirl]

[Oh, hell. She takes a step back when she takes in the veins across his face. She's put in mind of the stupid waystation, and if this is a sickness or something (or maybe it's just mist-related like the bodies...? hell if she knows), and she lowers the staff. Ah. Definitely he needs help.]

Mess--

[mikangirl]

[Shit she was not expecting an actual attack which, good job Nami, she probably should have. But she'd met him enough to make impressions, and this sure as hell wasn't one of them.

So it takes her by surprise. But not enough to make much difference, other than draw a short scream from her as she snaps the staff straight back up again and hits him with a gust of wind powerful enough to knock him flying.]

What's wrong with you!?

[You're totally gonna answer that, right.]

[vartex]

[Yeah, not so much. The gust puts some distance between them, but despite landing hard on his back Messer shows no sign of pain or hesitation. Within moments he's staggering back to his feet, breath hissing between angrily-gritted teeth, and he starts moving towards her once more. There's no elegance or skill in his movement, nothing but adrenaline and pure instinct. Whatever's going on, it's made violence the only thought in his head.]

[mikangirl]

[If she didn't know him, she'd just fry the fuck out of him and let god sort it out. But Nami both has no desire to engage and no desire to hurt a friend of Kaname's, not until she works out what the heck is going on. And let's be real, no desire to get hurt herself, either. It's been a long enough month as it is.

So discretion, better part of valour, all that-- she doesn't bother with any flare of the dramatic. Between one moment and the next, Nami simply fades completely from view.

(Though she does stay on her guard in case that doesn't work. Please just stumble on past or something, okay?)]

[vartex]

[If he were in his right mind, he'd first think of searching for her in the same spot she'd vanished, but with the state he's in, no such logic factors in. He staggers mid-step and lurches around, twisting first one way and then another, searching blindly for her and finding nothing. He keeps this up for several long moments before returning to his slow stumble through the mist, searching for the next target that crosses his path, mumbling a frustrated snarl under his breath.

Silently, as he walks, the hallucinations gradually fade to follow him.]

[mikangirl]

[She moves anyway, of course, because she's a paranoid sort and for all she knows he doesn't need sight that much. But Nami breathes a quiet sigh as he moves away.

It's really tempting to do the equivalent of sticking her hands over her ears and going I saw nothing, la la la. It's what she would have done not that long ago.

Instead, she flips the comm out of her pocket while hidden, opening a channel to Kaname one-handed while she moves after him.

...at a distance.

You know. A long one.]

A

[ikenai]

[She'd know that build anywhere. Between the broad shoulders and the fauxhawk, Messer stood out among the pilots in any squadron. And the fact that he's dealing with security work makes her laugh on the inside because he's proof that not even death can change a person.

Since she knows he's alive and Kaname probably told him she's here too, she's okay with bothering him. He needs to stay on his toes because their mutual friend is far too kind to him and they both know it.]

Well, color me surprised, First Lieutenant. Although, you look lonely without the other members of Delta Squad making that one eye twitch.

[vartex]

[Messer glances over as she approaches, looking almost guilty for a second- he'd seen her arrival, of course, but hadn't wanted to make things awkward or frightening the way it had been for Kaname and Freyja - so he'd waited. Clearly he'd taken too long.

Her lack of surprise means Kaname has explained things, at least, which is what he'd waited for, so he lifts his shoulders in a slight shrug.]

I have no issues with working alone.

[ikenai]

[Messer, did you really think that Kaname wouldn't tell her what is what? Of course you didn't.

Besides any surprise she would have felt would've been small at best.]

I know you don't. So long as you're working, right?

[It's something she understands. The fact that there's little to no need for singing here doesn't sit well with her either.]

Is there room for another?

[vartex]

You'll have to check with the supervising officer-

[He gestures at the stern, impatient woman with the clipboard and a hefty gun clip near the loading shuttle behind him.]

It's likely they're still hiring. They had a number of available positions.

[ikenai]

[All business is the name of this game, she can tell. Fine, she can be serious too. That's what she has to do. Besides, she wants to be useful with other things besides singing.

Especially if Messer's the only one affected by the Var. She can't let anything happen to either him or the people of this planet. Two jellyfish, one net.

With a sharp nod, she walks over to the other woman and is quickly hired. It's not that hard when she can be charming when she wants to be. Then, it's back to where Messer is standing.]

It looks like I'll be your backup. Convenient.

[vartex]

[Colour him surprised- he hadn't expected her waif-like appearance to make an impression as a bodyguard, but it's true that looks can be deceiving and Mikumo is more than capable enough for this. He nods; guess this is his fate, now.]

Many of the foes we're likely to face here will attack from a distance. Are you armed?

[ikenai]

[Mikumo might be willowy and pretty like any idol, but she's able to handle herself when given a chance.

It's part of why she was always so ready to ditch Mirage. She doesn't need a babysitter and she can do better sneaking around without the pilot with her.]

I didn't really think I would be doing anything like this when I left my ship, but I did grab one of the guns from the security locker. I suppose it will have to do.

[vartex]

It's all most people have upon arriving here. It should suffice.

[His gun is different - better, more like what he's used to back in Xaos - but only because he'd bought it at one of the planets.

Also he should probably, like. Say something.]

...My apologies for not greeting you properly when you first arrived. I didn't want to cause you any discomfort, at least not until Kaname spoke with you.