32 - Blow Your Top

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone!
What: A volcano eruption threatens the Western District
When: Jan 14 - 16
Where: The Western District of the Heavens
Summary: The Western District volcano is erupting again, endangering nearby temples and sending ash sprinkling down across the Heavens. Is it natural, or another attack? Those who dare climb the volcano can find out.






Earthquake Warning

On the morning of the 14th, an earthquake rattles windows throughout the Heavens. It's not strong enough to knock down buildings -- unless they're about to fall down anyway, like some of the older abandoned temples -- but it's strong enough to knock things off shelves and startle any late sleepers out of bed.

After the earthquake, strange sights abound around the Heavens. The poetic koi are swimming in organized schools in all of the canals, heading upstream towards the east. Springs of pure water burst out in some areas, and in others, normal springs or fountains have gone temporarily dry. Blue and green lights bob and weave across the landscape.

Falling Rock

The volcano begins erupting with a roar and a bright scarlet glow on the horizon. Ash and bits of rock fall across the Western district, and may even reach into the Southwest, Northwest and southern Central districts. Volcanic glass fibers that look like golden hair collect on trees, fences and buildings.

Trails and fountains of lava are also erupting from freshly opened fissures and wending down the sides of the volcano. Gods and shinki who live in the Western District are going to need some help clearing ash and glass from their roofs, trying to re-route lava flows (the good news is, if you cool one side down enough, you can turn them! the bad news is, that takes a lot of work) or just offering them a spare room to stay until things calm down.

Swamp Gas

It's not just lava and springwater erupting from mysterious new crevasses -- and it's not just mundane volcanic gases, either. Divine volcanic vents are blowing mind-altering fumes all over the Heavens. Anywhere across the Far Shore, but especially as characters get closer to the volcano, they may experience one or more of the following effects:

• Confusion
• Intense emotions
• Anger and irritability
• Impulsive behavior, loss of emotional control
• Hallucinations
• Unusually clear insight into other people and situations
• Coughing, eye and throat irritation, difficulty breathing
• Irresistible impulses to speak in poetry

Most symptoms will clear up after a few hours in fresh air, and all of them will be gone within 48 hours of the last volcano gas exposure.

Mountain Climbing

Natural disasters don't just happen like this in the Heavens... do they? Amaterasu's white-robed shinki are convinced that something is wrong, and they're organizing into search parties to go up the mountain and seek out the cause of this eruption. New and old gods and shinki are welcome to join them, or form their own groups. All of the hazards -- tremors, lava, ash, and volcanic gas -- will get worse as characters ascend the volcano. Strange little spirit flames, in shades of red and blue, dance on the rocks, dazzling, confusing and threatening to singe interlopers.

And there's someone up here, too. A mysterious figure with glowing red eyes is keeping watch on the intruders and vanishing behind boulders whenever someone turns his way. He won't let anyone traveling with one of the white-robed shinki get too close, but solitary gods or shinki might manage to lure him into conversation, if they try....

OOC: Please comment to the 'NPC REQUEST' thread below in order to talk to the mysterious figure on the volcano.

Those climbing the volcano will have a chance to battle the mysterious figure should their characters choose to do so. If you're interested in a fight, please comment to the 'NPC FIGHT' thread below before the top-level is posted. A top-level for the fight will go up on IC Jan 16/OOC Sept 4.

In Summary:

• Don't get rattled
• Help out the Western District with their volcano problem
• Watch out for volcanic gases
• Find out who's behind the eruption
• Have fun~

Comments

[sassywelshcatgirl]

"Right," Nia said, midway between frustrated and exasperated. "You're gonna get yourself killed again, you know. What's that gonna do for anyone?"

[priforprince]

Not to worry. [ Does this smile imply she means it? Well. That is part of the mysterious aura of a Prince.

Then, she settles her expression into a serious Mission Face. The pleasantries are over with. The scene is changing. ] Let's go.

[letteropener]

[Yes, that happened once. Celestia and her sister had to undergo a harrowing quest to turn the spirit of chaos responsible into stone. Not her happiest memory, to be truthful.]

I am not familiar with the term, I'm afraid.

[Yes, this is a good conversation. Distract them both from... everything, really.]

[priforprince]

Cutphones....

[ Next to Hibiki's cell phone are a pair of large black headphones. If Goku pulls them out, they'll seem too large to have fit in there in the first place. The mysteries of gag comedy Princes. ]

I'm...at my limit....

[ She's on the verge of passing out. ]

[letteropener]

[She pauses, careful not to pour too much water down her throat at once. The light around the bottle looks a little steadier as it hangs there in midair, while she takes a few measured breaths.]

Maybe smarter. But it's less the exhaustion that makes me feel foolish and more the injuries.

[shiitan]

I'm not hurt, so I don't see how.

[He had, of course, focused on the latter half of his statement instead of elaborating on anything else. On the plus side, his arm lowered all the way and his hand relaxed.]

[reformedsinner]

In that case, I suppose I should help you out, shouldn't I?

[He's not Goku, but he's much stronger than a human of his height and frame should strictly be. If the boulders are actually redirecting the flow down to somewhere harmless...

Hakkai turns, scanning for more free stones, and possibly for a lever to help move them.]

Where are you directing it?

[Where should he be building this wall?]

[letteropener]

[Celestia dances to the side to avoid the Borderline, though she might have been able to stand still and be safe. Reflex, don't you know.]

Wonderful! Now let's move!

[Hurry, hurry! Celestia beckons him away with a hoof, backing up herself as she keeps her magic trained on the lava. If they can get to high ground, she can let it go! And then probably collapse. That's almost certainly inevitable.]

[letteropener]

[Ah, she thought she had that one, but point to Hibiki.]

[In a flash and a slash, Celestia is a mare once more, nodding her agreement with all play put aside.] Onwards, then. Lead the way.

[Hibiki's movement is more constrained than her own, after all.]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

[She doesn't expect air conditioning, right? Because there's no air-conditioning.]

[The truck continues to crawl its way upwards, over some rough terrain that could be more pleasant, as Zetta glares over the dashboard as best he can.]

[This isn't awkward or anything.]

[Nope, not at all.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Oof! "Oh sure, complain about the compliment!" No, no, this was good. He'll take cranky sassy Wendy over weak and helpless Wendy any day.

At his pace, the northern river wasn't too far in terms of time; soon enough, the sight of it prompted him to hurry up. "Across the river it ought to be better, and you can even clear your throat a bit."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

It'll spill a bit, but for the most part you're right. And I can keep holding it. Come on, let's go!

[He offers her a hand. If they're going on together, that's how they're going on together!]

And, uh... When this is all over I've got to ask you something, so remind me!

[erogappa]

Do they not talk about the birds and the bees in Tiny Rude God School?

"So, she's a god. How can a human have a kid who's a god?"

[mithrarin]

First time here, and not with a nimbat. [As far as he knows, but that's what counts, isn't it?]

[onedrinkwithme]

[Hey, thirty three is not old!]

It is not the first where I had to do such a task. Mandragora makes it a habit to climb trees.

[And he starts to climb up (or pull since he is 6'5 at least), being careful to not put too much weight on the branches. Mandragora meanwhile spots him and scoots back.]

Get ready!

[That carrier should be open at least.]

[mithrarin]

Here I go!

[Dust kicks off the cliff as he hauls upward on the rope, giving himself the vertical and horizontal momentum to get out away from the rock face. He reverses course in midair with a grand flap of wings that seem to come out of his shoes, neatly landing on the edge.]

Thanks, Maria.

[onedrinkwithme]

[His words make him ponder but remain cautious; anyone can say the right words to let down a guard.]

Might this be your domain?

[Ok yeah, this kid has 'god' written all over him.]

[erogappa]

Joss takes off running -- and at a good clip, too, from what Gojyo can hear -- and Gojyo spins, blade cleaving through the first beast like it's not even there, and coming up to slice through what he hopes is the throat of the second beast.

But it doesn't feel like he's cutting anything. It feels like his blade is just whiffing through the air. He can still hear the creatures -- their growls sound almost like laughter, which sends a chill racing straight down his spine -- but he can't touch them?

Are they really there at all? "Joss," he calls, backing slowly towards the boy, weapon still held at the ready. "You're really here, right? I'm not imaginin' you too?"

[creepface]

Th-then what's wr-wrong...? A-are you seeing things t-too?

[ Luckily he knows about the hallucinations since... well, he's seen some stuff, and even if he hadn't he knows about mental illnesses and the like. Far from everything is physical. ]

[unlucky7]

[It's not a perfect match in mannerisms and words, but the familiarity brings everything into clarity. Ginia blinks and immediately types out the question that comes to mind.]

Sorry, but have you met a man here named Archer?

[They look nothing alike. Jae-ha's overall voice is higher than Archer's, but the tones are similar enough to be uncanny.]

BEST. LIFE.

[reloves]

No, no, I insist! I couldn't possibly have you take such good care of me without doing something in return for you!

[ And her intentions are partially selfless. Even though it turns into a win-win situation because it'd mean Minako also gets what she wants. ]

Just show me where the towels are!

[reformedsinner]

I don't know how to show it and still bear it.

[That admission sounds hollow, too. Gojyo's stronger than he is that way. Gojyo can pin his heart on his sleeve; Hakkai can hardly bear to let himself glimpse his own. And here they are, Hakkai feeling Gojyo's every pang of misery, Gojyo-- Gojyo not even sure how to see when he doesn't mean his smile.

He'd never learned how not to smile; Gojyo'd learned how to read them. It's his own turn to learn, or give up. The thought scrapes him rawer: he's afraid that it'll hurt them both if he opens up, because it has, every time, it has. And then there's the other fear, that if he relaxes his control, he won't be able to get it back before he's elbow-deep in blood.

Not Gojyo's, at least. Amaterasu's shinki's, probably: he's a little too furious, a little too desperate, to really let go. He knows himself that well.]

I just... [He sounds wrung-out, wounded; he hears it in his own voice, winces, and goes on anyway.]

I can't ask you to like me if you don't. I've never deserved it.

I just wish you'd stop assuming I must be the boss, that I'm arranging everything that happens, that I'm giving everyone but you orders -- stop interpreting everything I say in the most uncharitable possible way.

[He has to stop to catch his breath. He is mad, a little. Mostly he's frustrated, and hurt, and he sounds it.

It's been a long day and it's not even done.]

I wish you'd believe I care about you at least as much as Ayumu does.

[reformedsinner]

[A wildcat leaps forward, snarling, chi shield shimmering into place over it to deflect Hakkai's attack, and he stares, shocked. The youkai behind it skids to a stop, clawed hands flexing, face set in a vicious snarl that's somehow clear despite the fog. Hakkai keeps eye contact, putting his back to Jeep. It's just the two of them; his fingers flex around his second ball of chi, ready to release as soon as his opponent's guard falters.]

Now, now. I'm a little busy for this.

[erogappa]

[ Goku peers at him like he can't see, and Gojyo feels a wash of panic. Flowers don't sound too bad, but there's apparently enough flowers that Goku can't hardly see him... and there's nothing good that'll come from a ground muddy with blood. That just sounds like the beginning of a nightmare. ]

No, sorry. Looks like this show is for you an' you alone. [ He gives Goku's hand a squeeze. ] I'm not lettin' go, though, okay? You just hang on to me and I'll get you out of here.

[ Should he call somebody... and by 'somebody' he means Hakkai? Is there anything Hakkai could do here and Gojyo can't? It's the heavens fucking with them, so he doesn't know what help Hakkai could be... but that's not his choice to make, is it? ]

You want me to call Hakkai?

[reloves]

Hey, you can't just let something like this depend on luck!

[ Not that Minako is aware of just how.. special.. Komaeda's luck is. In her eyes no one should ever be taking risks like that unless it's worth it, and this situation definitely doesn't seem worth it to her. ]

You should complain to someone..! Maybe those old gods or whatever! Tell them you need and deserve a better temple that doesn't almost kill you daily!