thebastion | Day 151

Entry tags:

Day 151

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.]

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[Zulf is inspecting the fence with a critical gaze, knowing it's... rather poor work but at least functional and that's all he really needs right now. AZ's heavy footsteps get his attention, however, and he turns.]

Ah, good day. [There's something slightly off about how he says it- probably because he's had an argument and also has a black eye, so it can't... really be a good day on his end. Still, he's polite.] I should warn you about the edges of the Bastion. It's not... fatal to fall off them, but it can be rather jarring.

[Especially if you land on your face]

I can help with those.

[He picks up some of the wood and wedges it into the ground. Being so tall means he has a lot of leverage.]

... Though... I wanted to ask what happened. If you don't mind telling me.

Well, if you insist. [Zulf doesn't really think he could stop him.]

[He starts to get back to work himself, only to pause at the question.]

...Something of a disagreement was had between Nathaniel and I. That's all.

[The bitterness right at the edge of his words hints otherwise.]

[He likes feeling useful, okay. Building is better than destroying. Take it from an old man.]

... It sounded like more than just a disagreement. I... don't mean to pry. But I've seen... tempers cause terrible things.

[To put it... lightly.]

...It would take some explaining. It's... something of a long story.

... We have nothing but time here.

[And he's got eternity, so. You know. Go for it.]

[Well.. He did say he was going to tell people. He won't tell everything, not yet, but... He will explain some of it.]

Has anyone told you about how Caelondia and the Tazal Terminals were before all of this?

[He shakes his head, but he has a feeling he knows where this is going.]

Then I suppose that is a place to start.

[He takes in a quiet deep breath before continuing.]

The Ura have been here for... centuries, no doubt. Caelondia is a relatively recent addition when you look at it. It used to be a much smaller city but it was full of ambition. It wanted to keep expanding until it was one of the greatest cities in the world. The Tazal Terminals were already rather expansive by that point, but... less noticeable. You see, the Ura live underground for the most part, with the main 'hub' of things being at Tazal.

Things were a bit tense between both groups for a while, but manageable. There was some trade, including that of land. However... Caelondia didn't always inquire into some areas of its expansion. I suppose they thought all of the Wilds was simply available.

So they established an outpost called Point Lemaign where they would set up the Grand Rail- a place that would help bring in things from the Wilds to the city. The problem with that was... they constructed it right over Ura tunnels. That started the Point Lemaign War.

I believe that was... 30 years ago or so. I had just been born a little before it.

[This sounds way too familiar. Even the tone and the posture Zulf has is reminiscent of vague memories.]

... I'm sorry.

[That's really all he can say to something like that.]

[A tired smile.]

You weren't here, or even remotely involved. There's nothing for you to apologize. I'm simply explaining to you why things may be tense. There's a bit of a mix of Cael and Ura here, after all.

Caelondia won the war, but it was a very close call. Both sides used a lot of resources and lost many people. Most Ura retreated back towards the Tazal Terminals. Caelondia fortified its defenses and... well, any Ura who lived there were basically cut off from the homeland. Their language was forbidden, they could never leave, and I'm not sure if any letters they sent to their home ever truly made it...

Things have always been tense between them. [A deep breath.] Although that's not why Nathaniel and I fought. I suspect that's some of his issue, but it's not of mine. I don't hate Caels- just Mancers. Which I suppose is why I... acted less than graceful.

I'm still sorry that happened.

[His eyes widen slightly. That's... a horrible way to treat the losing side in a war. But still, the question remains.]

Why do you hate the Mancers?

...They are responsible for a lot of horrible things.

I must admit they were responsible for many great things as well- I knew a Mancer named Rucks and it is thanks to him that we have this Bastion at all. But... They also did many terrible things.

[He has a feeling he's going to regret asking...]

... Such as?

...The Calamity.

I told Nathaniel this, but he didn't believe me. I don't think he wanted to.

[AZ winces, and takes a deep breath.]

It was a weapon, wasn't it? To end a war. Or prevent one.

Prevention, I believe. So that Caelondia would never have to suffer through another war with the Terminals again.

Obviously, it didn't work as they planned.

... I see.

I... can understand. I have seen war... and I have seen weapons made to end them in catastrophic ways.

... I have made one, myself.

But that... isn't the way to do things. They must have thought they were right. That kind of action is never the right answer.

Nathaniel... I don't know him. Not really. I doubt that a single person would be responsible for all of this, though it's possible. As you said, this didn't work as planned. I don't think he wanted this at all, either. But he must be defensive of his Mancers. After all, if he's the only one left, no one else would be left to defend their honor.

... Take it from a... very old man. Things like that take time to heal. I'll speak to him, but... once you both cool your anger a bit, I think you should talk again. The best way to break prejudices, I've found, is to actually get to know the other group.

[He picks up a piece of wood and holds it out to Zulf.]

We can't afford to fight here. The two of you need to fix what was broken between you. If you'd like, I can sit in on it... or someone else. Even if you aren't friends, we all need to be allies.

[There's a bit of hesitation after everything that's said, but then Zulf finally reaches over to take the wood piece.]

I don't think there's anything that could make me forgive the Mancers... but I won't be regularly starting fights like this, I can promise you that. I want everyone to work together as well.

I understand not being able to forgive. You may not be able to forgive the group... but maybe, in time, you can learn to live with this one Mancer.

[He lets go, before smiling a little. ~~It's a little awkward, sorry Zulf.~~]

... I just want peace. For all of us here.

We'll see, if someone can get him to apologize for punching me in the face.

[But you know who's not going to apologize for punching Nate in the ear? This guy.]

[Zulf gives a sigh.]

I do too... I came to Caelondia to try and bring peace between the Caels and the Ura. For the Bastion to be divided is the last thing I want.

Apologies from both sides.

[You're not getting out of this, kid.]

... But I think that this can be salvaged. I don't... know your full history. I can't, really. But I want to help, if I can.

Well... I suppose we could use all the help we can get. Thank you for the offer.

You're welcome.

[He picks up some more of the wood to drive it into the ground. No point in not helping with this, at least.]

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Day 151

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