driftfleet | THE PLANET MINGLE

[It calls to him.

He hears it in his dreams, whispering beneath the screams of his people dying. He hears it when he's awake and trying to read. He hears it, but he doesn't quite... understand it, not until they're finally within range and he can afford to take a shuttle down. He can pick out words of Thalassian, snatches of Darnassian, and some other words from the shared common language both are derived from. But it doesn't quite make sense. He's still guessing.

What he does know is that planet looks really, really green and he hasn't seen greenery in person in like a year. He gets down to the planet by way of a shuttle so he can look around.]

[A.]

[And this is when his alchemy nerd comes out. Belth picked up herbalism and potions because he couldn't heal himself, and this land is teeming with plants he's never seen before. He wants to experiment on them. Badly. He has a little straw basket on his arm as he goes around investigating plants and flowers... sometimes sniffing them, sometimes clipping samples with a sharp pair of scissors.

He's got a pretty good stack built up, though, and then... suddenly roots and vines sprout from the bush he'd been inspecting.]

Aaaaah!

[THEY'RE REACHING FOR HIM OH GOD WHY. Still cradling his basket under one arm, he reaches for the first spell that comes to mind-- fire. Yes, torching the angry forest will surely calm it down.]

[B.]

[Belth knows better than to sleep beneath the trees here, but he's still feeling a bit wild. This strange forest reminds him of home. Giant living plants? No problem. Mushrooms as tall as skyscrapers? That's called Zangarmarsh according to the books he's read. He's not even bothered. When he thinks he's alone, he takes off his boots and his outer robes, leaving just his black long-sleeved shirt and trousers on.

Then he scrabbles up a tree, fingers and toes digging into soft teal moss. It's exhilarating to be brimming with mana and surrounded by nature in a way he's forgotten, and he can't help laughing a bit as he hops from branch to branch.]

A. SHORELINE, DAY 1.

[It's a day or two before they make first contact with the planet that she drinks her last cup of coffee. Even as she puts the mug down, she wonders if this is the wisest choice - then puts her concerns away, packs them up in a box in her mind, not to be looked at again. It might not be the wisest choice, but it's the only choice.]

[So she's a little jittery when they touch down planetside. The grassy mesa stretches out before her, the length, perhaps, of a football field, if such a measurement were meaningful to her. The tops of trees that scratched the bottom of the shuttle on the way down wave in a slight breeze now, and Mal watches them, listening carefully for anything moving in the ocean-forest below. She thinks she hears something - but then, maybe it's all in her head.]

B. EXPLORING, DAYS 1 & 2.

[Halfway down the continental shelf, she begins to hear things in earnest. Riot sounds: a bottle thrown, shattering, the shouts of alarmed passersby, the crackle of fire. She knows those aren't real, for all that every few moments she pauses in her movements to listen.]

[What is very clearly real is the rustling coming from behind every increasingly-tall tree, more and more prominent as night begins to fall. Her pupils are fully dilated, her eyes red and bright in the dimming light of the sun. Something's out there, and she is going to find it.]

C. NIGHTTIME, DAY 2.

[The fear doesn't spare her. She can feel it creeping down her spine as she sneaks further into the forest, as the sun finally falls fully below the horizon. But she's too far gone to turn back now. Creeping through the forest, she ducks projectiles thrown that only she can see; anyone who's still in the forest and comes within close range will get sucked into her vision, lost in the midst of the riot in an indeterminate city, skyscraping buildings rising past the fog and mist of an early morning.]

[If she isn't brought back to the mesa before morning, she will get increasingly deep into the forest. The first real sign of danger is a flock of birds passing directly overhead, heavy wingbeats dodging between trees. She doesn't heed them, instead pressing in deeper, deeper, provoking the forest with every step and ignoring the danger as if she doesn't see it. And who knows? Maybe she doesn't.]

[ after having spent so much time at home on a ship, jade is keen to take a shuttle to ground whenever she can - and luckily enough, with her pilot augment, feels comfortable doing just that. if you know her, and the shuttle's big enough, she'd be happy to bring you along!

otherwise, she'll spend most of her time on her first visit messing with plant life, and fussing with the powers she brought with her from asgard. a lot of the time, jade can be found crouching near dirt, coaxing plants to grow easily from the ground. occasionally one might find her caught in the middle of what looks like an argument with the planet's vegetation itself, yelling at or just outright scolding it as a vine makes a physical effort to trip her up.

near nightfall, however, jade will simply be hovering a few inches from the ground near her shuttle, staring off at the woods with her ears perked, as if straining to hear. ]

[ Forests would be a wonderful change from lots of flashing lights and noise and metal (he hadn't been doing well with getting the Khroma look-alike anyway). ]

{A}

This.... [ Duke ... is distracted. It was like standing in a Krene, without the fatal effects. Looking about is dazzling - there's a lot of magic about, there's a lot of greenery. Keiv Moc, but it was the whole of the place.

If he has no need to worry about expending magic, then he had no reason to not try some things he was worried about taking a lot.

Which is why Duke is out flying. Flying is technically inaccurate - there's no wings, just an odd posture like he was held up by his shoulders. But he is up in the air, coat tails flicking about and his hair is probably going to end up horribly tangled, but... he can't find any reason to care. ]

{B}

[ He's by the shuttle in the evening.

He should go. He really should. He knows himself well enough to know that there's something off. It reminds him of something, but he's not entirely sure what. He's not entirely aware that his hair is catching the light a little more than usual (or is it giving light off?) because..

... he should stay. ]

{C}

[ Anything else? Find a distracted Duke somewhere. Staring into space while not standing on the ground? Peering at plants? 'Flying' upside down just to see how well it works? ]

[ He doesn't notice the call. He really just wants to be somewhere green again. He loves his little plants in the medical bay, he really does, but that's no substitute for dirt and trees high above him. Even if none of them would be the Pale Tree, he wants the comfort. That's all he really thinks of it. ]

{A - First Arrival}
A little space, a little space. Can I have this little space? I'll put you back when I'm done! [ Yep, Asteffiel is talking to a patch of grass near the forest, working his fingers slowly in a box through it. Why?

Asteffiel plunks himself down in the dirt after he's freed the grass (and put it carefully within reach, in the shade.) And starts to sort of bury himself in it.

No, this isn't normal Sylvari behavior, Asteffiel is just a little too happy to be around dirt again. Yes those are his normal pants-like leaves sitting off to the side as he puts the grass over his dirt-covered lap. ]

{B - basically any day}

[ He's still being very careful with his picking up of grass and stuff, but this time he's going after picking up dirt. He needs dirt for his plants, okay.

There is a yelp when the grass he's carefully uprooting starts getting annoyed at him. ]

You have plenty of dirt, you should share!

{C - crazy morning after(s)}

[ Sure is a faceplanted plantman sleeping somewhere, his glow slowly fading as daylight brightens.

Is this a hangover? He doesn't remember falling asleep... ]

{D}
[ Anything else someone wants to do with Asteffiel on the planet? Actually want to plot with running crazy at night? Try to get Asteffiel to convince plants not to eat you? options! ]

[A new interesting planet? Of course your crewmates want to check it out! Kaneis hasn't really spoken much to Jade since she transferred to the ship, but the sight of her arguing with a plant is enough to make him actually...approach her. Wow. So social.]

Everything alright...?

[Also there seems to be something gold and glowing against his back. I'm sure it's nothing though]

Yes! Just - ugh - [ and jade makes a sort of wrenching motion with her hand. a tree branch lifts, as if moving out of her way, before promptly it promptly jerks and smacks her full in the face. she stumbles back and frowns, gingerly touching her nose, before shooting kaneis a look that's embarrassed as much as anything else. ] Having an argument with the plants here.

[Oh great, another enchanted forest. This has to be the third enchanted forest he's dealt with. Why are there so many enchanted forests in his life? He's seriously starting to wonder about this]

[Either way, the Wonderduck decided to go check it out, and he was a bit curious too. Possibly more so than he usually is during one of these enchanted forest trips. So he can be found exploring the various parts of the woods while not straying too far from the ship and being a bit wary of the plants itself (because rule number 1 of enchanted forests is you leave the plants alone kids!). And oddly enough, it looks like he has a golden pair of glowing wings out- but they're folded against his back. As if you know, that'll make them less obvious or something.]

[As fun as all the casinos are, Allen was completely willing to go investigate this nearby planet. The more they learn about things, the better off they'll be right? So he was in complete agreement to head on over there.]

[It's not until the ship hits orbital range, while Allen is standing on the bridge watching the view (ugh, he still hates flying), does he feel something in him wake. Something that hasn't since he got on the fleet.]

What...?

[He winces some, and suddenly, there seems to be gray veins appearing on his skin as he starts to struggle with whatever it is that's trying to come out]

Nngh- Dammit!

[This...probably isn't good.]

Is that so...?

[He watches. Wow that tree branch is a serious asshole]

You alright? Did you piss them off or something?

Yes, and yes.

[ she leverages a threatening growl at the tree. the tree is unimpressed. ]

They don't really like being controlled, or - well, harvested, either, I guess. I was trying to grow an apple tree, because I had no problems with the vegetables and everything, but it seems like when a plant gets a certain size it's just like "screw you, buddy, I'm not listening to you anymore!"

[ jade pauses, deflating slightly as she takes a breath and casts him a sidelong glance. ]

Sorry if I sound like a crazy person. I was just really hoping to have a decent source of food for the ship. We're crewmates, right?

[Belth is milling about and taking a break after nearly being eaten alive by plants. He's not ready to leave yet though, so he's sitting on the edge of the clearing, scribbling down notes in a journal and stuffing his face with mana buns.

He looks up when he sees something bright red out the corner of his eye. His mouth is full so he can't say anything until he chews and swallows. At least he doesn't talk with his mouth full.]

Kaneis!

So...you mean it essentially becomes a teenager?

[He considers that. He doesn't know anything about plant magic, but if you're growing a life in a magic forest, maybe it has some effect on it]

Nah, I've heard crazier. [Sad part he really has. But he gives a slight nod at the crewmate question] Does this usually happen when you try to grow plants?

[Oh hey he knows that guy. He gives a little nod as he approaches. And yes, thank you very much for not talking with your mouth full even if seeing you stuff it was kinda gross.]

Hey.

[Axel doesn't feel a call to the planet the way others do, but there's definitely a pang of curiosity. The static on the radio has his interest piqued, and he's got a feeling the planet is the source of it. So here he stands at the edge of this massive forest, debating whether or not he dares venture in to see what lies beyond the shallows. We should probably use the buddy system, right? Wanna be his buddy?]

[Sokka hates magic. He really hates magic and spirits and all this oogie-boogie stuff his friends live with constantly. He's been trepidatious about going to this planet at all, and has been scowling at it from his captain's seat for a while.

Allen doing that is enough to make him divert his attention, getting up pretty damn quickly.]

Allen? What's happening?

I don't know!

[He speaks through gritted teeth, trying to hold whatever it is back. This doesn't make sense, normally he doesn't have to worry about unless he's hurt...!]

It's like something made it wake up! It doesn't make sense!

Edited 2015-05-17 23:04 (UTC)

[She came to the bridge to get a better look at the planet they were getting so close to, but didn't expect to see Allen in such a position.]

Allen! Are you okay?! [She hurries over, setting a hand lightly on his back in concern. Her eyes catch sight of the strange gray veins almost immediately and her concern intensifies, her teeth biting down on her lip.]

Wh..what is that? Are you sick? Can I help?

Usagi-

[CRAP HE KNEW HE FORGOT TO TELL ONE CREWMATE. He grits his teeth as he tries to keep in control, or at least keep human skin. It's kind of freaky to feel something inside of you. He's still trying to get a feel of what it's feeling at act out like this, other than it's awake and it's not him]

I don't know. I mean I know what it is, but it shouldn't be happening! It just started all the sudden.

[He holds out what is, in effect, a very delicious-smelling pastry.]

The plants are very... spunky. If you are thinking of picking flowers, I recommend passing on that.

[Oh hey free pastries, he can get on board with that. He takes it and gives a nod of thanks as he noms into it]

...Why would I pick the flowers?

[Ignorant as she may be, she's still quite concerned. Without much thought behind it she shifts to lift and loop one of Allen's arms around her shoulders while settling a determined frown on her features that's much different than the expressions she's usually wearing.]

At the very least, you should sit down! Come with me, okay? You can tell me about it and what to do once you're sitting down. It really looks like it hurts a lot!!

E-Eh?!

[Okay so, this is usually not the reaction he gets from people even if they are ignorant. In fact most people tend to try to get far away rather than grab him and ask him to come with them]

Usagi, I don't think-

[He's really not sure what a good idea this is. Then again going Noah in the middle of a bridge full of people might be bad too]

Ah- Actually, A-alright.

Don't worry! It's okay, I promise Allen! [She keeps her eyes focused on where both Allen's and her own feet are going, making sure to brace herself should Allen need to lean more of his weight on her than she's already letting him.]

You can trust me. [At the very least, she gets him out of the middle of the bridge, and once they're at the corridor she'll use the arm she doesn't have wrapped around Allen to brace herself on the wall.] Does Dr. Crusher know what this is? Can she help...? Is it magic?

[She might be panicking a little -- this is scary, what if it's something the doctor can't help with? At the very least, getting Allen somewhere where he can sit down is better than nothing, right?!]

[ Before heading to the planet, Ladon had tried to call Toby. She hasn't been answering his calls, though. He's not sure if she's busy or he did something to upset her. Or perhaps she just wants some distance from him. Regardless, he's in a foul mood when he's on his way to investigate the planet. He hopes that in some ways, a break from the cold, sterile atmosphere of ships and stations will bring his mood back up. The idea of strolling along the beach and smoking and watching the sunset is at least calming. It's reminiscent of the times he's spent on Nieve's boardwalk in the off season, enjoying the empty beach and its angry waters.

However, once he's on the planet, he feels an almost immediate sense not just of calm, but of elation. His stupor is so far gone he's not even sure what caused it. Within a half hour of soaking in the magically infused air of the planet, he's already thrown caution out the window, tucked his clothing away in a safe place, and changed back into his original form. It's not just the sunlight and salty air that has him in a trance, it's the way the planet's magic gets beneath his scales, rolls around in his fiery belly and leaves him feeling something he's pretty sure he's never felt before. Alcohol is too sedating for comparison. He can only think that this is what reefers feel when they are high on the best substances imaginable.

And so the dragon can be found rolling about in the sand, belly in the air, making pleased chuffing noises and generally acting like a horse-sized, scaly puppy. He's yet to investigate the forest, but no doubt that will happen soon enough, once he's gotten his fill of the warm sand and bounded a few times through the calm surf. ]

THE PLANET MINGLE

open!

open

so open to literally everyone

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OTA; planetside

Blue Fish Only; Orbit

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Dragon form // Open!