Day 156 and 157, maybe even day 158 | The Mancer Observatory Part Deux

[freedom_engineer]

Who: Colin Starfury, and everyone else who wants to come.
Open: Open to all, but be warned, it's at least two in-game days of event.
When: Starts on day 156
Where: The Mancer Observatory
What: Time for round two! The observatory needs to get plundered, and a giant plant needs to be dealt with.
Format: Action by default, but prose won't be turned down.
Warnings: Don't get sloppy, this is a dangerous expedition. The wrong move can result in injury, maimery, or even death.

[The last time they'd come out here, they'd had to turn back before they'd gotten everything they wanted. This time was going to be different. This time, they had experience with what they were looking at. This time, their objectives weren't uncertain, they were quite well-defined. And this time... they had less of an exploratory force, and more of a solid strike team.

This time, Colin wasn't going to settle for the group coming back with their tail between their legs.

They had muscle, they had brains, they had information, and they had the tools they would need. So of course, Colin was just waiting for Murphy to rear his ugly head and cause trouble. He hadn't smacked Murphy around recently, and it was high time that the universe be reminded what a Starfury with allies was made of.]


THREAD LINKS

Day 156 - Getting started.
Day 156 - Settling into the hangar.
Day 157 - Plant Hunters
Day 157 - Salvage hunters
Day 157 - After the plant fight.

Comments

[amnesiadragon]

[Ryu nods, hand on his sword. Ready as he'll ever be.]

[superdrowningskills]

[Earplugs and tracking device taken and stowed away, and one hand resting lightly on his sword, Alucard is ready.]

plant whispering time

[bastionpc]

[The journey down is much the same as before. Nothing seems to have changed in here. The only difference, for anyone who is keeping track, is that the long, thick vines are in different places than before.

As with last time, the plant won't lash out at anyone unless the vines are touched. Be careful not to trip!

In the same room as before, there is the huge, bulbous plant. It seems a bit bigger than before, and a little bulgy.]

[earthandpine]

[The plant is... quieter... than Rosethorn expected. Almost any plant leans toward her or reaches for her on her approach, and for one known to actively attack intruders, the lack of obvious movement seems a little strange.

She stretches out a small tendril of green magic, waiting for a sense of some sort of emotion from the plant. Most are happy to see her, but she doesn't know what this one will feel. She's braced for attack, ready to shout a warning or use her magic in her least favorite way. When she speaks, it isn't aloud, and only the plant can hear her.] Hello.

[Rosethorn waits for an idea of where the plant stands before saying anything of significance.]

[amnesiadragon]

[Ryu watches the vines carefully, standing close to Rosethorn in case something goes wrong. He doesn't really know what her magic is like, but he does know that the plant is tougher than it looks.]

[bastionpc]

[Hole Plant Jesus, this person can talk to it!

It is surprised more than anything, it honestly didn't expect any non-plant to be able to speak to it. The answer comes across in a kind of confused, though not unfriendly, way.]

Yes? Are you a foodthing that can speak?

[earthandpine]

[That greeting doesn't bode well. No one in this group is food. Rosethorn has heard of small carnivorous plants, but she's never met one before. Even if she had, she assumes they'd see her as half plant anyway, the sense of her power resembling a towering pine tree. Then there's the fact that they are all far too small to eat humans.

Her companions may notice a frown flicker across Rosethorn's face.]

Of course I can speak, but I am not a foodthing at all. Nor are those who accompany me. There are plenty of other options if you need something to eat. I could help you find some.

[A treaty with the plant might be possible if they bring it meat, but Rosethorn won't consider making one unless she's sure it won't kill the bearer of its meals.]

[bastionpc]

[Unless that person can speak to plants, that is not a safe bet. This plant isn't necessarily malicious, but it does get hungry. A lot. And it has poor control over its urges.]

That is a very kind offer. I am not hungry at the moment though, I have just eaten this morning. I will not eat you or those with you today.

Why are you here in my domain? foodthings come here often, but not in a group.

[earthandpine]

[Rosethorn looks at the plant again. It's oddly shaped, and while plants don't always grow straight and even, the fact that it's eaten today makes her eye the bulges suspiciously. Having been told that the plant doesn't understand human speech, Rosethorn addresses her companions aloud as it responds, keeping most of her attention on the plant rather than on her own words or those she's speaking to.]

Was it the same size and shape last time you were here? It's carnivorous, and it eats people. It doesn't want us today because it's not hungry.

[She lets the significance of that sink in for a minute as she turns back to the plant. The reason things aren't hungry is because they've already eaten.]

We are here to gather some items that we need, and to talk to you. We might have to return for more items later, but we do not want to be your food.

I understand you need to eat, but I would prefer you not eat my companions, today or in the future.

[bastionpc]

[The plant is a bit miffed that someone would come into its domain and say who it can and cannot eat, but Rosethorn is being nice enough about it, so it will let the transgression go.

This thing has quite an ego, by the way. If it wasn't noticeable already.]

There are many places near here that have things in them. you may go there and take whatever you need, so long as you do not chase away my food or take my shiny stone.

[earthandpine]

[Yes, she's getting an impression of that ego.

Rosethorn doesn't know what the shiny stone is, but she's betting it's one of the cores she's heard mentioned. In which case, she doesn't think negotiation is going to be possible. They need those.]

It says we can have anything we want as long as we don't chase away any of its food or take its shiny stone, which I would assume is a core it's guarding.

[Rosethorn looks at the plant. It's so odd, to see a plant caring about a stone and eating meat. She's dealt with parasitic plants before, ones that choke out other local vegetation, but this is something new. Its ego, its personality, are different. And it's possessive, materialistic, in a way that is equally unfamiliar.]

Thank you. [Rosethorn is stalling for time now as much as anything else.] Would you extend the same offer in the future, or would you consider my friends food when they return on another day?

[bastionpc]

If they do not come within range of my vines, they will not be food.

[The plant is not giving a concrete yes or no here, because food.

Also, there is a tiny bit of sparkling near the base of the plant. Said sparkling should look familiar, because it is definitely a core. And the plant will not be giving it up willingly, theft might be needed.]

[earthandpine]

[Rosethorn is not taking it as a yes, and the vines have a long range. They're all over the place here. At least the plant was not strange enough to have learned to lie. However unusual it might be, it's still honest. It's looking like a fight will be necessary. On that note, though...]

If the plant just ate this morning, do you think anyone could have survived in it this long? [Because that's going to make a very big difference in how they fight. Rosethorn won't stand for fire, not if it would prevent potentially saving someone. She wishes she knew more about carnivorous plants and the way they function and digest food.

Studying the plant, she can see where the core is, and she bets those with her can as well.]

[amnesiadragon]

They might. It depends what it digests with. If it's acid... maybe. If it rips them apart, probably not.

[He grips the hilt of his sword, ready to attack if Rosethorn says so.]

[coolerthansora]

[Roxas hasn't summoned his keyblade yet, but his hand does seem like it's ready to reach for something. He eyes those bulges.]

It doesn't- look like it's tearing anything apart. But if they are alive, I don't think they'll be in good shape.

[earthandpine]

[Rosethorn nods, in agreement with both points.] I have medicines with me. Does anyone have healing abilities? If there's a chance that person could be alive, they're my priority right now. I am very strongly against any means of fighting the plant that could destroy whatever hope its last victim has of surviving. [By which Rosethorn means you might have to fight her as well as the plant if you try it.]

It's unwilling to give me a promise that it won't eat any of you who return when it's not so well fed. I won't object to a fight if necessary. It probably will be, considering the conditions set. If we're going to kill it, as quickly as possible once we've rescued its victim is my preference. I don't want it suffering, and quicker is better for our own safety.

[She doesn't want the plant getting suspicious during her long silence as she continues to stand near it. Rosethorn turns back to the plant to continue their conversation, even though she doubts it will do any good.] Thank you for talking to me. Is there anything else we should know about being here in your domain?

[blackblooded]

I... um... I can heal, but I haven't tried it yet.

[And if need be, Crona is more than willing to rip this plant apart.]

[amnesiadragon]

Once I transform, I can heal. I can also set up a barrier so any magic it throws at us will be weaker, but it'll make healing tougher too.

... But once we get the person out, I can transform into my full Aura Dragon form and use Dragon Breath.

[He's also got some fire skills, but he has the feeling that pure physical attack will be the way to go on this.]

[windgod]

[Ippo had been searching around other places in the observatory; mainly salvaging a little for Colin and just generally searching around for anything that might be useful, but eventually he came on the room where everyone had gathered and...oh that certainly was a giant plant.

He...was just going to stand near Ryu as he sized the thing up.]

I...feel like I'm late to the party here. Any chance you can get me up to speed on the scary giant plant thing?

[bastionpc]

All of you foodthings are talking very much now. Are you planning something?

[The plant monster is beginning to grow suspicious. Already it's pulling the shard in, clutching it to its body, and the vines that go out into the building are shifting a bit. It's not going to attack, but it is wary now.]

[earthandpine]

The first thing it said to me was to call me, "a foodthing that can speak."

It's carnivorous and doesn't want to eat us only because it already ate someone this morning. There's a slim chance that person may still be alive. We need a way to free the person in it, so no attacks that would hurt them further. The plant is also guarding a core.

[Already brisk and businesslike, her voice sharpens into warning when the plant speaks again and begins to move.] It's also getting very suspicious, just in case that movement wasn't enough to tell you. We need to act now.

[coolerthansora]

[Roxas eyes those shifting vines and then looks back at the buldge where someone may or may not be being digested.]

Can you try to tell it we're just passing through? Maybe we can get close enough to cut them out before it realizes.

[earthandpine]

[Rosethorn can try talking to the plant, she's just not sure what good it will do at this point.]

We are unsure which of the buildings nearby is most likely to have what we need. We're trying to figure out our next step.

[Both individual statements are true, Rosethorn supposes, even if the combination is not. The buildings have nothing to do with their next step.]

[blackblooded]

[Crona is waiting, waiting to get closer. Stealth attacks aren't really the meister's style, and without blood spilled, Crona can't attack from multiple directions at once.]

[windgod]

[Well...Ippo had seen enough of the gods work to be sufficiently convinced of their existence, so he figured he might send out a prayer. He sent out a quick and quiet prayer to Yudrig that his feet be swift and his fists would strike true. He made no suspicious movements, but he tensed his body to move at a moments notice; he was Japan's foremost in-fighting boxer after all...if there was one thing he was good at, it was getting in and out of someone's personal space quick...he'd just never tried it with a giant plant before. Whelp...there was a first time for everything he supposed.]