Day 151

[bastionmods]

Who: Zia, Zulf + the NPCs Nathaniel, Zanya, Zahi + YOU
Open: Open
When: Day 151
Where: Throughout the Bastion
What: Tension has fallen over the Bastion, and it's time to sort out truth and anger.
Format: Any
Warnings: Drama

A few days ago, some residents of the Bastion might have become aware of a confrontation happening at a certain Ura's humble abode. There was some yelling- although not clear- and the result was a very harried looking Rin Okumura forcibly dragging away resident Mancer Nathaniel. The next couple of days have been quiet, but today... Well, if anyone wants to ask about and see what the deal was, it seems like today is the day.

It seems like Nathaniel has finally quit his own self imposed isolation, if only so that he doesn't starve to death. Apparently anger can only sustain a man for so long. He can be seen storming through the Bastion, a thundercloud practically gathered about him, or at the eating area looking very much like he wants to be left alone.

Zulf has been less of a hermit. Anyone who has seen him since the argument has probably noticed his black eye and sore nose. He seems angry as well, although it's quieter and colder underneath all his civility. More noticeably, he's been hard at work building a few fences near the edges of the Bastion- mostly near his tent but also in other areas as well. They're not the best fences, but they're good enough, hopefully. You can approach him at the shrine, his tent, or anywhere, really... He's as available as he's always been. He might even approach you, just to warn about falling off the edge of the Bastion.

Seriously, this place has needed safety railings for ages now. Who's bright idea was it not to include safety railings? RUCKS...

Anyone wandering by the Kitchens today will notice... Damn, that's a lot of yelling. And slamming of things. Should knives be used to chop that hard...? That's right, Rin is in a bad mood and anyone who comes near will immediately know it. The excess swearing is probably a good clue. Unlike the other two, she's unleashing her temper with wild abandon in the sanctity of her kitchen where no one will bug her. Well. Unless YOU bug her...

Of course, these three aren't the only ones noticeable about the Bastion today! It looks like the Ura residents are just coming out of the woodwork.

Anyone who's talked to either of the latest Ura additions knows that Zulf came in with Zia. While not involved with the row from a few days ago, she seems just as worried as Zulf seems angry. It's possible to see her wandering about with her pet Pecker chick. Might see her coming away after a discussion with Zulf, too... Maybe she knows what's going on?

There's also Zanya and her father Zahi who have been apparently a bit more sociable these last few days. There's apparently a subject they're both interested in which they'll approach people about, although they'll do so differently. Zahi will strike up friendly conversation, but Zanya will simply get right to the point: do you have any idea what happened?

Feel free to strike up conversation with any of them, or even try and talk to everyone if you wish.

[ooc: This is your characters chance to investigate just what the drama is all about! In such a small place as the Bastion, it's a bit hard to miss... Feel free to have your characters speculate or gossip with the Ura NPCs about what may have happened or if they caught onto a sliver of what happened (like Zulf and Nathaniel falling off the edge of the Bastion), or for them to go the more direct route by talking to either Nathaniel, Zulf, Rin, or Zia.]

[Long story short is that Rin went to get Venn's journal from Nathaniel. Upon realizing who exactly wanted it, Nathaniel went to confront Zulf. There was an argument on just who and what caused the Calamity... and then Nat punched Zulf in the face, they rolled off the edge of the Bastion, and Rin separated them after they got blown back up.]

[As a reminder! Mod Mandy plays NPC!Nathaniel and NPC!Zahi. Mod Jeni plays NPC!Zanya and Rin. Birdmod James plays Zulf. Helpful player Courtney plays Zia. We'll all get to you on our own individual time, and as soon as possible! Just make sure it's clear in your post who your character is approaching.]

Comments

[fuckthemancers]

It was more... disorienting than anything, although the events that lead to it certainly didn't help in that regard.

[He reaches up to gingerly touch his nose and winces a bit.]

The landing was worse.

[blackblooded]

There was a lot of noise.

Are... um... are you all right?

[fuckthemancers]

...No. I suppose I'm not really. But it's less about the punch and more about the argument. [A sigh.] For the record, if Nathaniel talks to you about anything and tries to pin the blame on me, please disregard what he's saying.

[blackblooded]

[Crona crouches down, cautiously sorting through a pile of boards for something that looks good for a fence.]

... Nathaniel... he's been here a long time. Longer than you.

[The question of "why should I trust you more" goes unspoken.]

[fuckthemancers]

I know. I'm well aware that he has more trust here than I do.

[He holds out a spare hammer for Crona to take.]

I'm used to that, to be honest. I was a stranger in Caelondia, too.

[blackblooded]

I didn't say that. Trust... people don't just trust someone because they were here for a while.

[Crona has apparently never even seen a hammer before, and sort of fumbles around with it for a couple moments.]

[fuckthemancers]

Then how does a person earn your trust?

[He'll... just wait for you and that hammer, Crona. He's not really the best teacher for this sort of thing, but he'll reach over to help if it's proving a little much to handle.]

[blackblooded]

That's not something you should ask, not really. Asking something like that makes you sound untrustworthy.

[Hold it by the wood, maybe try a few cautious practice swings... A Mason, Crona is not.]

[fuckthemancers]

So actions, then.

[He scoots a little further away- it's not you, Crona, it's the hammer swinging.]

As the only Mancer here, Nathaniel's help has probably been vital in regards to the Bastion.

[blackblooded]

[The hammer is fiddled with some more, since Crona's not really sure what to do.]

Being useful doesn't make you trustworthy. Colin's useful too.

[And Crona doesn't trust him.]

[fuckthemancers]

[Whups, awkward snorting noise as he covers his mouth to hide his laughter.]

It sounds as though you don't like him. [...] Do you need help figuring out how to use that hammer?

[blackblooded]

[Crona flinches slightly at the sound, embaressed.]

He... um... I don't think he's very trustworthy. Do you?

[And the hammer gets fiddled with some more.]

I never used one before.

[fuckthemancers]

I can't really say just yet. He seems intelligent and willing to help... but that doesn't tell everything about him.

To be honest, I'm not sure who I can completely trust here beyond Zia and the Kid.

[He starts to fix up a part of the fence himself to show Crona... sort of maybe how it's done.]

It's more or less like this- you just have to be careful not to hit yourself.

[blackblooded]

[There's a little pang of homesickness that hits Crona's soul, because "Kid" means yellow eyes and white stripes and a friendly hand on Crona's shoulder.]

I think... maybe he doesn't know that sometimes people don't want him talking about things. And so he talks when maybe he shouldn't.

[Crona watches the fence take shape, considers how to help but doesn't make an attempt yet.]

[fuckthemancers]

Yes, that was apparent the moment I met him. I've heard that's sometimes common in people who have a knack for technology or art- they lose their social skills somewhat.

When I spoke to him, he said the truth should come out no matter what.

[blackblooded]

... The truth comes out when he thinks it would get the biggest reaction.

[fuckthemancers]

That's not wise, is it? Words can cause a lot of harm if you're not careful.

[Zulf isn't wise in a lot of things, he'll admit it. He's no warrior and he's no Mason. But words? He knows words. Knows how even the right thing can become the wrong thing when said at the wrong moment. Knows that some words will hurt no matter what.]

[blackblooded]

So... I think maybe he isn't someone you should trust.

[fuckthemancers]

Thank you very much for telling me. I'll be sure to keep it in mind.

So who do you think is the most trustworthy person here, then?

[blackblooded]

Maka. [There isn't any hesitation before Crona says the name. Of course Maka is the most trustworthy.]

And Paarthurnax.

[fuckthemancers]

Maka and Paarthurnax. I'll be sure to keep them in mind.

Anyway... We were talking about the argument Nathaniel and I had. He believes that I had some hand in making the Calamity happen. The Mancers told their members to keep an eye out for Venn's daughter- Zia, who came in with me- and an Ura man... which is obviously myself. I have a feeling they didn't tell them 'why', however, but it seems enough for Nathaniel.

[blackblooded]

Did you make it happen? That would be the first thing you might lie about.

If you made it happen someone will kill you. Maybe I will.

[fuckthemancers]

No.

[Bitterness fills that one word before Zulf reigns himself back.]

I've had to deal with another death in my life. I had no interest in such a disgusting weapon.

[blackblooded]

But you did something with it. Something that might have made it happen?

[fuckthemancers]

...I honestly can't say. [Zulf gives a slow shake of his head.] I did know the person who- made it, however. He hadn't wanted to, however. He was forced.