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]

Falling Rock Zone

[A river of lava wends its way down the mountain, crawling towards the Western district in an indifferent promise of finality. Staring it down is one catgirl Driver, twin rings glowing blue in her hands, and the animal-form Blade by her side. Crouched in a combat-ready stance, Nia swings her rings slowly back and forth in front of her like she's about to charge in and slash the lava into complacence.]

Here it comes. [She glances sidelong and back at her Blade, who glares at the lava in turn, head low and back arched like a predatory beast.] You ready?

[The creature nods, and a conduit of power leaps from it to Nia. A glow shimmers around her form as the lava crashes down the hill. With a yell that's all vowels and determination, Nia swings her twin weapons in an arc, sending a torrent of water smashing out into the lava's leftmost side. It does little, but she slashes again and again in measured paces, careful not to exceed her Blade's ability to channel aether to her.]

[The side of the lava slowly loses its incadescent glow as it comes forward -- but she could doubtless do with some help.]

Broken Backbone

[How long has she been dueling this lava?]

[Though the path of the flow in front of her curves away, the awesome heat radiated from the molten rock has seared the vegetation to nothing but black ash and char. The air is baking-hot, and only her Blade's power keeps convection from grinding Nia into the ground. Still, she stands in stubborn defiance, sending out another bolt of water into the channel walls to keep it cooled and strong.]

[Without warning, the flow down the mountain increases. Upstream, a large chunk of rock broke free from the channel wall -- and now it slams into the side just ahead of Nia, cracking it enough that the weight of the lava pushes a hole into the channel. Swearing, Nia brings her ringblades forward...]

[And the glow around gutters out.]

Damn it! [Nia jerks her head up, looking around with the dawning realization of just how the aether has shifted around here. The environment's gotten so hot and dry she can't channel aether into water any more!]

[The heat hammers down on Nia like a fist from the gods, and she drops to her knees, one hand on her chest as she struggles to breath the superheated air. Does she even need to bring it? Doesn't matter, it's inside her, burning hot. And in front of her the lava spills out of its channel, flowing towards her.]

Oh, shite...

I Wanna Scream Into Your Cell Phone

[Up the slopes of the volcano tromps Nia, her Blade close behind. A fire burns in her eyes, her form nearly shivering with the ferocity of the emotions roiling through her body, white-hot and intense.]

[This is Nia, so the topmost one is anger. No sooner does she spot someone else surmounting the slope than she points at them.]

Oi! The hell are you doing here?!

[Nia, they're doing exactly what you are. But she isn't thinking rationally right now.]

Just A Traitor, Eleventh-Grader

[And there she is, at the top. Maybe, at last... she'll have a chance to find someone and get some answers...]

Broken Backbone

[rockthemonkey]

[There's lava all around, the air burns from the heat of it. It curves around Nia, diverted by her water, but it still continues down the mountain.]

Nia!

[Goku drops down from the air, landing in front of Nia with Nyoi-bo at the ready. Another chunk of rock goes flying towards them and Goku knocks it out of the sky with his staff before looking over his shoulder at Nia.]

Nia, we gotta move!

[sassywelshcatgirl]

...Where the bloody hell did you come from?

[Yes, this is Nia's main concern at the moment. Not escape or safety, but how Goku just plopped down out of nowhere.]

[Maybe she just doesn't want to admit she's nothing more than a damsel in distress right now, even though the oppressive heat means even breathing hurts.]

[rockthemonkey]

Jumped.

[Across lava. It's fine, he's fine. Goku holds his arm out for Nia, ready to grab her and get out of this mess the same way he got in.]

Do I gotta grab ya? [Because he will, if she just stands there for much longer.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

The ether in the air... it's all fire right now. Can't make water any more... [So yeah, that's a yes. Nia lifts one hand off the ground, reaching it up to grab Goku's and pull herself fully upright. Nngh, it hurts, damn it!]

[rockthemonkey]

[Luckily, Goku saw some of Nia's fancy magic (he doesn't care what it's actually called) from a distance before deciding to jump to her rescue. No need to stop and ask questions about that!]

Y'can't, right? Alright.

[Nia may have her pride stopping her from asking for help, she may be worried about her rep, but Goku's used to that sort of thing. Some people just hate looking weak in front of people and think letting someone help them is a bad thing. Goku just tugs Nia close and wraps his arm around her waist. Then he suddenly ducks down and hoists her over his shoulder.]

Hold on tight, okay? [Not waiting for the inevitable welsh complaints, Goku puts one end of his staff on the ground, holds on tight and jumps at the same time as the staff rapidly extends, sending them both flying into the air.

It's fine, everything is under control.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

GOKU!

[Her fists pummel his backside ineffectively as they take off into the air, but this isn't frustration or diminished pride. This is anger and fear, mixed together in proportions sufficient to bring life back to her cooking body.]

My BLADE!

[veiledflame]

[A young boy in a oversized gray hoodie steps out from behind one of the outcroppings of rock at the top of the volcano. He's surprisingly surefooted, despite the heat radiating from the crater behind him, and he gives Nia a long, judgmental look.]

So what're you doing up here?

[He's clearly trying to sound cool, but there's real curiosity in his voice, too.]

You don't look like those guys in white.

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Please. [Nia almost snarls this word, the effects of the poison gas still lingering in her system.] That's a bloody compliment. No, I'm my own person, not some good little shinki to some ancient taskmaster of a god. I came up here to see what was happening. If someone was doing this on purpose.

[veiledflame]

Volcanos do whatever they want, right? [That's an elaborate show of carelessness he's putting on, clasping his hands behind his head while he continues to stare at her.]

So does that mean you're a god, or are you a bad shinki?

[Since she's not a good little shinki.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Oh, definitely the latter. [Despite the situation, she can't help but crack a little smile.] I've been complaining about the place since I got here, after all.

[veiledflame]

[His grin widens.]

Wow, okay. You know, you don't have to play along with their rules if you don't want to.

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Yeah, that's where she'd hoped this conversation would go...]

Been working on the answer to that for a while now. It's have a name written on me or get eaten by ayakashi. Which sounds like the better answer to you?

Backbone

[hellskitchen]

[ The air is dry, and it's definitely hot. He can feel it. However, it doesn't bother Rin too badly. He's in his demon form, and his blue flames are surrounding his body as well as the blade of his sword. He's in the middle of cutting apart and disintegrating a few boulders that fall from the volcano.

However, he hears Nia's exclamation and sees that she's in trouble. The flow of the lava on it's way to washing over her, and it would be bad if it makes contact. Thinking quickly, he grabs one of the boulders and throws it down to temporarily interrupting the path of the magma. He then jumps down from the air, and offers his hand to her.]

C'mon! This way!

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Oh hell. Is this what she's come to? Needing a rescue, being some damsel in distress?]

[With a snarl on her face, Nia forces one arm up to grab his hand, using it to pull herself to her feet. Her Blade practically dances behind her, emphasizing that they need to go go go!]

[hellskitchen]

[ Rin wouldn't go so far to say she's a damsel in distress. She seems to have held up on her own just fine, except for the moment where the environment becomes too overwhelming, affecting her magic. Though, he can understand why she might feel a bit irritated by having to be rescued. Everyone wants to be strong on their own, even Rin.

He takes her hand and allows Nia to pull herself up. He doesn't get the dancing sword, but he knows the situation isn't good! The lava is coming and Rin's first instinct is to run, but they won't make it. Instead, he grabs the biggest rock nearby tosses towards the stream of lava. It slows the lava down a little, but it won't hinder it for long. He then grabs Nia's sword and pulls her along to run in the opposite direction. They need to get out of the path of the magma, or higher ground.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Nia flicks out one hand in a familiar gesture.]

Line!

[The Borderline springs up in an instant, and she stumbles hard when the lava hits it, bumping heavily into Rin -- or as heavily as a girl her size really can. Her Blade lets out a growl of frustration, but she recovers with her arms flailing, getting to her feet again.]

[hellskitchen]

[ Well the borderline is a good idea. However, when Nia stumbles into him, it only makes him fumble with her unusual weapon for a moment, before he can regain his grip on it. He hears the distinct growl, and even apologizes.]

My bad!

[He turns towards Nia as she gets to her feet, making sure she's okay.]

Let's get to higher ground!

[He sees a temple roof close by, they should easily be able to leap onto it.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Super, what did you have in mind?!

[The temple roof hasn't occurred to her as an option. She can do more impressive things than your average human, as a Driver, but super leaps aren't one of them. She might be able to grab the edge and climb though!]

cell phone

[incinerators]

[ pyrrha's also walking up the volcano, but like nia, the swamp gas is causing some unusual effects. in pyrrha's case, she's experiencing altruism, and feels an intense desire to take care of the people around her. needless to say, when she sees nia, she's worried when nia shouts at her. pyrrha's startled, but she simply stops in place and frowns at the other girl. ]

I'm here to investigate. [ her frown deepens. ] Are you feeling alright, Nia?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Oh sure, I'm bloody terrific! Dodging rocks, roasted by lava, noxious gasses! It's a day in the park!

[Nia isn't even sure why she's so angry, but here she is with it pouring out of her in a flood. Pyrrha doesn't deserve this, but she can't seem to stop.]

At least I have a Blade to help me out, though! How are you not just burning to death?

[incinerators]

[ well that's not concerning at all. pyrrha's brow knits as nia shouts at her. she's got a few burns herself, but she's putting herself on the back burner (haha). ]

Well, I wouldn't say that... [ it's hot as hell up here, but y'know. ] ...Would you like to take a short break? I think that might help?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

It's not going to make the problem go away. [She just sounds sullen now, all frustrated and irritated and overall unhappy. It isn't Pyrrha's fault, but... Rrrrgh!] There's nowhere up here cool or comfortable.

[incinerators]

Well... I was thinking...

[ pyrrha walks closer to nia. she's all sweaty from the volcano and the smoke, but she's at least got enough strength involved to do what she's about to propose: ]

I could carry you a bit of the way up. Perhaps that might solve your comfort problem?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[...]

[Even with divine fumes pushing her down the path of anger, this suggestion is so out-of-the-blue and so ridiculous that Nia chokes slightly, then bursts into laughter. Hard laughter, arms wrapped around her stomach as she bends over with the force of it.]

[That helps, more than anything else could. When Nia finally manages to straighten, she's wiping at an eye with a hand, all smiles now.]

Pyrrha -- [She's pronouncing it 'Pyra' again, just barely, not consciously] -- I'm a Driver. I could carry you! Thanks for the offer, but I'd never live it down even in my own mind.