Day 158 : Return from the Observatory

[bastionpc]

Who: Everyone and anyone
Open: Day 158
Where: The Monument + some other locations
What: The group returns from the Observatory with one core, one rescued person, and a lot of salvage.
Format: whatever you like
Warnings: science

[On day 158, two days after they left, the salvage crew returns from the second trip to the Mancer Observatory. This time, instead of answers, they have loot. Lots and lots of loot. Also, they've brought a new person with them!

There is a lot of discussions to have, so have them in here.]

((Also, be sure to check out the post here!))

Comments

core talk

[bastionpc]

[This is for IC discussion about what to do with the Core. We'll put it to vote in another OOC day or two, after everyone's had a chance to discuss it both ICly and OOCly. The change will still happen on Day 158, though.]

Alright, We've got two options this time around. Before we left, I found a 'barrier' option deep within the Bastion's workings. I'm not entirely sure what it's for, but I'm guessing it's pretty straightforward: a barrier to protect the Bastion if it gets attacked.

Our other option is a radio tower of sorts. Toshiko found blueprints to a beacon in the Observatory, and with a little work I could get us some small devices that would function just like compasses, except they would always point at the tower built here in the Bastion. I could reasonably build this, but it would take at least a month of work, possibly longer. So we could use a Core to have it right away.

Now, after working with the Bastion for a bit, I think I've got it to where we can do big upgrades with a core, even if the Bastion wasn't pre-set to have it. So if you guys have any ideas for something else, we could try that too.

Talkin' 'bout cores? You damn right.

[freedom_engineer]

A "Barrier" function? Like an energy shield of some sort?

[Colin's intrigued, but curious.]

I don't suppose we've got a little more information on that thing?

but seriously nate, fucking locks on everything

[croceamors]

[Right as the group is coming into the Bastion, a certain unlikely pair are quickly making their way to them. Saix and Rin don't exactly hang out, but things happen when you're playing detective.]

[Immediately upon getting in arms reach, Saix shoves some pictures against Nate's chest.]

Someone broke into your apartment. If you weren't using locks, then I advise you do. If you were, get better ones.

[...Saix doesn't break things gently.]

kinda got a point. gotta go all skyrim storage up in this mess.

[hellpyre]

[Yeah pretty much that right there.

Of course Rin had hoped for a much less... rough way of breaking it to Nate, so the second Saix speaks she has to resist the urge to face palm physically.

Instead Saix will get a nice hard demonic-strength punch to the shoulder.

You're a big tough guy, deal with it.]

You coulda been a little nicer about that! Nate doesn't need to know his stuff was violated like that! God.

[And they call her the tactless one...

She sighs, looking to Nathaniel after that.]

Sorry... I'm guessin' it happened right after Ryuuji and I moved out the night you guys left. We don't think anythin' was actually taken but... it's pretty trashed in there.

just comin' home

[coolerthansora]

[Roxas offered to carry some of the loot, but not knowing what most of it is for, he's just going to drop it off with someone who might before heading towards the tower apartments. He waves off the Samurai Nobody that's been with him these past few days, telling it to go relax or whatever it wants to do. Of course it might just wind up standing guard somewhere; free time is a concept he's having a hard time passing on to it.

This would be a perfect time for ice cream, if he didn't suspect that Axel finished off the last of their festival stock while he was gone. At least he can still relax with his friends, right?]

[attheclocktower]

[Xion's still poking around the Bastion itself, learning her way around, when she sees the crowd arrive. She looks among them, searching for a familiar face she knew went on the expedition-

As soon as she sees him, heading towards the Tower apartments, she makes a beeline in his direction.]

Roxas!

[freedom_engineer]

[And there's Colin, wheeling in a small ship on a wagon of some sort. AZ's Golurk has been helping to steer, but it's heavy work. He's going to be taking this to his vehicle bay. Needless to say, he's rather pleased with how the expedition went. Someone fill him in on what he missed?]

[dontyoujustwish]

[That is an awful lot of loot you guys brought back.]

Did you find enough toys to play with?

[narrativestranger]

[ Well, ridin' a dragon with nothin' but a carbine, a harness, and a prayer to get a core back to the Bastion sure was... something.

With that finished, though, Rucks has taken to actually navigating the new Bastion - admiring the handiwork, so to speak. Feels like his Bastion, but different, somehow; he did kind of tweak the Bastion's design as he learned about the Calamity (and to make sure a certain Ura couldn't beat the hell out of it again), but he didn't think he'd managed this much.

So you can catch him right on arrival, or anytime thereafter; he's fine with saying hello to whomever approaches. Might as well meet the new townsfolk. ]

[fuckthemancers]

[shut up he's been here for days now and it is PERFECTLY FINE AS YOU CAN SEE RUCKS]

[I mean]

[As soon as the rest of the expedition party arrives, Zulf is already making a bolt to try and find a certain wretched old coot. Soon enough, Rucks will find a certain Ura's hand grabbing onto his arm. Zulf definitely doesn't look pleased, still remembering Rucks' words back at the Observatory.]

You and I are going to have a talk. [But- later. With his free hand, Zulf coughs into it, clears his throat, and-]

ZIA!

[Wow, Zulf, are you trying to make your voice heard all the way to the fucking Tazal Terminals]

[hellpyre]

[SO SOME TIME AFTER THAT WONDERFUL CLUSTERFUCK OF A REUNION and while Rin is pretending she didn't hear Zulf screaming from across the god dam Bastion christ Zulf why you do this...

There's a girl with, of all things, a tail hanging out underneath her rather... short skirt, helping to get some of the rest of the things that were grabbed from the Observatory pulled in to the Bastion proper. She's carrying things that should, rightfully, be far too heavy for her build like they're as light as feathers.

The arrival of a new person isn't really all that novel around there anymore, so she hasn't really noticed him, but chances are she's going to cross his path more than once.]

[attheclocktower]

[The whole being social thing is still a work in progress for Xion. Between the covert nature of the Organization and the secretive nature of being on the run, she wasn't used to people she didn't know walking up and talking to her. Or in this case, vice versa. It's something she's... trying to get better at, though.

Seeing the way the older gentleman is walking around reminds her a bit of how she herself has been doing so the past couple days during the expedition - looking around, without any real urgency, almost like exploring

She hesitates before speaking up]

You... just got back from the expedition, right?

[She's guessing, since she doesn't remember seeing him in the Bastion while she was poking around during it.]

[bastionpc]

[You'll have to forgive Nathaniel, he was a bit busy there for a moment, what with his apartment having been wrecked and all. He'll look noticeably high-strung when he finally does return to the group.

After he saw how Zulf and Raile reacted to Rucks, he figured they could use some time for a tearful reunion.]

Sorry, I didn't introduce myself before. I'm Nathaniel.

[He's got all the marks of a Mancer, but he's definitely a bit on the young side.]

[coolerthansora]

[The Samurai was told to "take it easy" on returning to the Bastion, whatever that means. Recon is always easy work.

Lacking the rich memories of their more human-looking masters, the lesser Nobodies have an even harder time actually feeling things. But it has picked up on "curiosity," and it might say it feels curious about the man it helped to rescue from inside the plant.

Rucks may have noticed the odd-looking creature earlier with a short blonde boy on the fringes of the Observatory group. It seems no more inclined to approach too closely now, but despite the lack of any apparent eyes, it is definitely looking at him.]

[fuckthemancers]

[Because of course Rucks just can't get enough of Zulf in one day, right?]

[The Bastion is just a bit- hectic right now. Their reunion was already one thing, but then Zulf can't stay behind to promptly interrogate the old Mancer as he would like. There's simply so much to do, and a lot to apparently hear about. Such a small place like the Bastion and of course you'll inevitably hear the latest gossip... including things about break ins, something which seems to have most people stumped.]

[Zulf has a bad feeling about that. If only he could get involved a little more...]

[But he doesn't want to let Rucks off the hook too soon, so of course he goes hunting down the man again.]

[Hope you weren't busy there, Rucks. Ura incoming.]

[amnesiadragon]

[Speaking of dragons, one is coming to check on Rucks. He knows not all old people are fragile but people pulled from the bellies of plants should probably be watched no matter how old they are. So have a slightly tired but still fairly energetic blue-haired dork approaching you, Rucks.]

Hey!

[astras]

[ During the trip back from the Observatory, she had been focused on helping where she could and hadn't had much of a chance to talk with the man they had found there. So, now that she has a chance, she's going to walk over toward him and give him a smile at the first opportunity she had.

Oh, look! There he is! Time to say hello! ]

Ah ... hello, sir?

[ That aforementioned smile is being given, though it's a big sheepish. She's hoping she isn't interrupting him from anything. ]

[superdrowningskills]

[He hadn't cared to say anything at the Observatory, nor had he particularly wished to attempt to interject in the little reunion. Still, the (apparently) young man is curious enough to observe Rucks from a slight distance. It's not that he's being stealthy about it or anything, it's just that... well, actually initiating a conversation is a bit of an uncommon thing for Alucard to do.

He wouldn't object if the old man he's staring at decides to talk to him though. Probably.]

Nathaniel, Rin, and Zia (and maybe the other three derps later)

[hellpyre]

[One of the nice things about everyone being out to greet the returning expedition team was that finding Zia wasn't terribly difficult. Neither was relocating Nathaniel after that.

So once both of them were grabbed, Rin made a B-line for the Distillery. It may not have seemed like the best place for a private conversation, but to Rin who knew the place like the back of her hand by now, being able to catch some one listening in was nothing short of simple for the half-demon.

Of course getting them in there was the easy part. Starting the conversation... not so much.]

[evacuate]

[Well, Zia just wants this over and done with—or at least the part of this conversation that doesn't involve her losers the boys. The whole situation is anxiety-inducing enough without them, so she sticks close to Rin's side.

And all right, if she's just going to stand there and look awkward, Zia will say something.]

Did you get a look at your bookshelf, Nathaniel?

badgering the local Ura NPCs again of course

[fuckthemancers]

[It doesn't take very long for Zulf to overhear just what had happened while the expedition group had been gone. That makes him immediately worry, but a quick check over the important things- which is to say, Zia and his own and Raile's things- assures him that none of them had anything stolen.]

[So just Nathaniel...? Well, only that anyone else could tell. Zulf decides to investigate a bit further. If anyone is going off to steal things, then they'd go for other easy targets. (Yes, Nate, he called you 'easy'.) So he goes off to one of the more secluded homes- a certain Ura abode.]

[Despite his weariness catching up to him- long journeys and lack of proper sleep as they are- he gives a brisk knock against the door and waits patiently.]

[bastionpc]

[Zahi had already gone out to welcome everyone back, and he had since returned home to his temporary shelter within the Bastion. When he hears a knock at the door, he sets down his book to go answer it, and he is all smiles when he sees who it is.]

Zulf! It's good to see you made it back. Come in, come in.

[He figures that whatever Zulf needs, he can hang out for a bit in the cool Ura house. Even Zanya is there, so there's plenty of people to talk to.]

[amphibian]

[Guess who's as full of unnecessary energy as usual? It's Aoi. Of course it's Aoi. Was being out and busy on the Skyway the past two days supposed to put a damper on her exuberance? Naaaahh.

She's flitting about the Bastion, checking up on everyone and everything, if anyone wants a word—but not before she's tracked down a certain Mancer.]

Hey Nathanieeeeeel! C'mere, c'mere, guess what I've got!

[bastionpc]

[After all of the craziness of break-ins and finding out stuff from Zulf, Nathaniel kind of just wants to hide from everything and stare at the ceiling for a while. But he'll try to be sociable, since Aoi is one of the friendliest people in the Bastion.]

Yeah? What do you have?

for the bastcast

[evacuate]

[Once she's finished taking with Rin and Nathaniel, Zia hunts down the boys and drags them off to the kitchen, figuring it ought to be private enough in one of the pantries. She keeps glancing behind her as she speaks, and her voice is too low to hear unless it's focused on. The words come out as quickly as she can make them without letting herself get too jittery to be understood.]

Whoever broke into Nathaniel's apartment was looking for the journal. [And with another look around, so softly she isn't much more than mouthing the words—] I have it. [She leans in and says it again, at a more reasonable volume.] I've got the journal. Rin, Nathaniel, Ryuuji, and Colin know. Plus all of you. It's hidden, don't worry, and I spent last night in Rin and Ryuuji's extra room while you guys were gone. Just in case. Nothing else happened but we don't have any idea who it could have been...

[fuckthemancers]

It couldn't have been myself this time.

[Just... putting it out there... Zulf knows none of them would suspect him (RIGHT, RUCKS) but still.]

[Despite that almost-joke, Zulf looks uneasy with his brow furrowed and hands clenched over one another. That journal...]

Anyone could have a vague idea of where it would be, couldn't they? It seems like most people knew that there was one, even if they didn't have any idea of what it contained before we arrived. Anyone capable of connecting the dots could have imagined it was in Nathaniel's possession.