thenearshore | 32 - Blow Your Top

Entry tags:

32 - Blow Your Top

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

Falling Rock

Swamp Gas

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

Mountain Climbing

OOC:

talk to the mysterious figure

battle the mysterious figure

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~

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[That silhouette he can recognize everywhere. The sudden dive makes the bulls very displeased. Happily they're able find a somewhat safe spot for an emergency pickup. Still the situation is extremely, how to say it, volatile. They cannot linger. Iskandar catches Ginia's hand as she tries to get on the chariot and basically lifts her up like she weighs nothing.]

Hurry up, girl! Those vents can open under your feet any minute! They'll cook you right through!

[As soon as she's onboard the chariot shoots up to the accompanying sound of hissing coming from the ground.]

Well, that was close.

[There's a second Ginia doesn't see Iskandar, but someone else, someone she can't remember but the mind can't forget, and she steps back instinctively as he lifts her onto the chariot. She backs against the edge of the chariot bed, hand resting on the wall for support. It's tangible and that much is enough to stabilize her racing mind.

Ginia signs a quick "thank you", taking out her phone and tugging off heavy leather work gloves.]

This is an impressive chariot.

[Not only Iskandar grins but Ginia gets a satisfied moo from the bulls. Both bulls are suckers for praise. And carrots. Don't forget about the carrots. You'd think that as divine creatures they would have some dignity. Nope. None. They're worse than dogs, really.]

Well, thank you! It certainly is! I can tell you a story how I got them when the conditions would be more convenient.

[The whole chariot is surrounded by a ball of protecting field. While, unfortunately, it doesn't deter the fumes from seeping in, it does shield it's interior from most of the ash and smaller debris flying around.]

Do you have any specific place where you want to get to?

[The rumbling moo cuts through Ginia's confused state enough she laughs from behind her gear, face scrunching together cutely. When all is said and done, she'll have to come by with a bag of carrots for each bull. Some apples too.]

Foolish as it sounds, I'm trying to get to the top, or close as I can. Amaterasu's shinki don't think this is natural so if this is tied up with everything else, I want answers.

[Iskandar thinks for a moment. She's skilled and prepared, she can fend for herself. Still the mountain is treacherous and going there without a plan of escape is clearly a bad idea.]

I can drop you as near the summit as the temperature and conditions allow. Still I believe it would be foolish. Investigating on foot while the mountain is active is extremely dangerous. No doubts about it. This is unstable ground. Another earthquake or, even worse, a second explosion could easily change the landscape in seconds and leave you with no means of escaping.

[The clouds of ash travel at enormous speeds. Faster than a horse, certainly faster than even the fastest of humans. Not faster than his chariot though... at least normal clouds don't. Depending where exactly around the mountain he would be he might even make it in time. Or he might not. This is hard to tell.]

Do you have something particular in mind that is worth such a risk?

[Ginia is skilled and prepared, but also maybe not as much as she should be. Surviving a forest in search of a missing god and friends is something she can handle. The harsh, rocky terrain of a mountain too.

Climbing a recently erupted volcano is the last thing she should do, especially when her escape plan is essentially run fast, jump far, and when it doubt, call Caster or the nearest god for a teleport out.

All of Iskandar's points are right. She looks at the hellish terrain below them, the harsh glow of lava carving across the landscape.]

I need to know if this is the doing of the cult or something else. If this was natural, don't you think we would have some warning long in advance?

Well, I'm no specialist when it comes to how volcanoes should or shouldn't behave.

[To his best knowledge they're Hephaestus smithy so... While Iskandar is aware that his understanding may be a bit dated still he's not the volcanologist you're looking for.]

Yet it is true what you are saying. If this eruption has been hastened by someone's ill intent, they must be stopped.

[He pauses, thinking for a moment.]

Say, I take you as close to the top as we can reach with my chariot and not get incinerated or suffocated in the process. You do your investigation on the descent. Shall anything happen, you'll need assistance or get stuck somewhere not safe, you call me and I'll come to your aid. Just try to give me a notice in some advance. I may be at the other side of the mountain. As fast as my bulls run they're still not teleporting.

[It's a fair offer and deeply appreciated.]

Thank you.

[The sign is simple, one she's taught among other common and useful phrases. His assistance is appreciated and if he's offering to help, then she can only off the same in return. She returns to her phone for the next message.]

I appreciate it. And if you find yourself in danger and in need of a weapon to fight with, you're free to name me. I can't promise what my vessel form will be, but I pray it'll help.

[Even with a slightly clearer and calmer mind, the offer comes too easily.]

[Iskandar remembers the sign so he just nods. He considers her a friend. Isn't it obvious he'll come to her aid whenever she'll need it? If only it would be in his power to help her. Yet still it's nice to feel appreciated.

That offer though ....]

I...wouldn't...couldn't...never...I...

[To be that totally at loss for words is a rare occurrence for usually eloquent King of Conquerors. He feels it's a generous offer and rejecting it off hand would just be ... it wouldn't sit right. Still he can't accept it either! Just can't.
First, she's already shinki of Caster. That's clear as daylight. Only this fact alone would make it at least breach of trust. Outright treason at worst. It would be as if he kidnapped a member of his family. Willingly or not, it would be Iskandar who would be in the wrong. Caster would have full right to enact his vengeance on him and Iskandar would never even think to blame him for it at all.
Second, shouldn't naming your shinki be less casual? It was for him. μὰ τὸν Δία! He has it depicted on the walls of his temple! It was a major event. This bond is not something you should ever treat this lightly! (Congratulations! You've unlocked embarassed Iskandar mode. He's cursing in Greek now.)

Then he realizes there could be one other explanation. Is she in trouble? They all seemed to get along well with Caster. Or do they? Did HE do something inappropriate?]

Are you having trouble with your god? Does he treat you well? Do you need me to go talk to him?

(...and full big brother Iskandar mode for a good measure...)

[What? What does Caster have to do with this? Ginia blinks at Iskandar and shakes her head, the logic behind the question slow to settle in.]

No, not at all. Caster is an incredible god. I love him. Why are you asking about him?

[Slow as her addled mind is up on the uptake, the logic sinks in. Of course. It was similar to the first time she asked Caster to name her, though the circumstances were different. If Iskandar also thinks the only reason a shinki would ask for a name is because they're unhappy with their god, then it isn't also hard to guess he's probably not for nora.]

I only asked because I wanted to protect you if the need arose. I suppose you're against nora.

Then I am honored. [He bows in her direction.] And relieved. Forgive me but I cannot accept your offer as generous as it is.

[Slightly mischievous smile appears on his lips.]

You know I can run like hell when the need arises, hm? And those boys [He pats one of the bulls on the neck and gets a satisfied moo in response.] are pretty fast themselves.
So don't you worry about me girl. I am not stupid, I know there are fights you cannot win and there's no shame in retreating. I've seen my share of battles.

[Ginia reaches over and gently scratches one of the bulls, reminding herself even if they are flying through the air on a chariot pulled by bulls, this is indeed real. Her question now feels embarrassing to ask, but she doesn't regret the sentiment. There's nothing wrong with wanting to protect someone else, even those capable of protecting themselves.

Someone who knows when to retreat without shame is admirable. Her smile is hidden behind her mask as she continues to pet the bulls.

She considers asking him not to repeat the conversation to Caster, but that's not fair to him or Caster. Hiding it only makes it worse. Nothing happened, there's no issue.

She didn't do anything wrong.]

First the forest, now the mountains. I wonder what's next? A tidal wave sweeping in? A dense fog suffocating everyone?

A hope not the landslide. It could be pretty difficult to dig out all those temples from the mud.

[Suddenly Ginia may find herself locked in an embrace. If she makes any move indicating she doesn't like it he will let her go, apologize and politely back off.
If she doesn't though he will hold her and she can find out it's not that bad to get a free hug from King of Conquerors.]

Don't be mad at me, girl. Were you free I would take you in in an instant. But not like this. Not like this.
I don't know much of this nora thing you speak of. I just feel the bond of shinki with her god is something special. Intimate even. What I have with Satya is sacred. It would feel inappropriate, nay, downright painful to share it with any other god.
Maybe I am an old fool but that is how I feel.
I admire your resolve and wish to protect everybody, I really do. Yet there are some sacrifices where the cost is just too high.
At least that's how I see it. I can understand that many may not share my beliefs. I am an old man from a bygone era. My world doesn't exist now. It ceased to exist many centuries ago. I am at peace with that.
This new modern one? Sometimes even I don't understand it at all.
So don't be mad at me, girl.

[The hug is unexpected and for a second she's a rabbit, frozen in place as her mind processes the surprise. But it's not a bad hug, weighty, warm sincere, and her shoulders relax.

An old man from a bygone era. Funny, it's similar to what Caster has said before. She doesn't grudge Caster for his stance on nora - though now she wishes they'd actually talked about it instead of finding out everything from Archer - and his role as her god is valued and cherished.

Yet her is also her lover, cherished and loved, shared with Archer and Zelda (and Emer forever always and ever). The long history of Cú Chulainn's lovers was known from the start and she doesn't mind. It means he's loved and cared for.

The irony of a god with multiple shinki and lovers and so stringent about nora is not lost on her. Or perhaps its not irony but different values of different times.

"I would never choose another god against your will." Her words echo again and again. She's never taken them back, never regretted them, because it's true. There are too many people she cares about and couldn't stand to see any of them come to harm. If she can help, if she can do something, then why not?

But also maybe there's a line of selfishess too. A shinki with multiple names requires every name for a spell to work. She's seen in in action. It's a line of pragmatism wrapped around her morals, the need and skills to survive crossed with her willingness to sacrifice everything for another.

Funny how once she said she couldn't imagine dying for another. Funny now she's put her life on the line so many times.

Ginia pulls away from Iskandar's hug. She's not mad. Not at him, not at Caster, not at anyone really. Not even herself.

But she's tired and that's no state of mind to be in when trekking up a volcano toward the unknown. Ginia pulls away from Iskandar's hug, leans on the edge of the chariot as she looks down at the surroundings below them, picking out her words.]

A nora is a shinki named by multiple gods. The old gods largely look down upon them. Opinions on them vary among the new.

I'm not mad. I'm not disappointed either. A shinki forcing a god to name them is as wrong as a god forcing a name on a shinki.

I'm not mad at Caster either. I love him, I think I always will. I respect his beliefs too. But maybe I'm not the right shinki for him anymore.

[Well that doesn't explain a lot. Not a thing he didn't know before. It feels so strange to be in league with the old gods of this place on any matter. Yet how can he not be. Whatever their reasons he has his own. The whole concept of sharing your shinki with some other feels utterly alien to him. He'd barely adjusted to the fact of having a shinki at all. He might have been a man ahead of his time in his life but here and now? He's seriously lagging.]

That is something you should discuss with him not me.

Let me just say this. It so happens that sometimes one can disagree on principle even with one's closest of friends. Disagree that much that it makes nigh impossible to work together. [That's speaking from personal experience. You try to hold so many, so different people as one army, your getting yourself into a world of pain as there bound to be disagreements.]
It does not mean you stop loving them dearly. Sometimes there would be ways to work around the disagreement, to get to terms, maybe reach a comprise. Sometimes all you need is to make the first move and talk. Sometimes all you need is time. Sometimes there won't be a way. All of those outcomes one has to accept. Accept that there may be things you won't be able to do together and hope for the best. A change maybe. Either in you or them or in circumstances that could make your disagreement irrelevant at all. All those things may happen. All those things I've seen happen. A strange thing life is, it can surprise you in most unexpected of ways. [And no, it does not matter if you have pulse or not. As long as your walking and talking with anywhere near to being self-conscious that's living in his book.]
It just would be wrong to let disagreements fester into resentment.

So go talk to him, clear the air, let both of you some time to decide how you would like to settle your matters.

[Iskandar would never suggest that they should part ways. It is not his call to make. Still she did get herself in a tight spot indeed. Maybe separating, even for a time, could relief some of that pressure. ]

[Iskandar's words are wise and fair. It's easy to see how he inspired so many to follow him, why he's so revered. He'd be a good god to serve, though that bridge is burned. Satya is lucky, as lucky as shinki can be anyway.

Nothing is permanent here. That much is true. They are all here in roles they didn't ask for and making the best of everything. Caster will always be the god she wants to serve, but it's too easy for a shinki to drag their god down and she won't be Caster's downfall, Archer's or Lancer's either.

They'll talk, maybe come to a compromise, but Ginia knows she's already asked too much of Caster. It's the second time for her, third total, she won't make him bend on his beliefs again.]

I appreciate your words, Iskandar. I'll give them some thought. But for now, I think you should put me down. I can walk the remainder.

[The request comes as a bit of a shock considering that they are still traversing over flaming rivers of lava. Iskandar will have none of it. He will deliver her to safety first and then she's free to do as she pleases. Because right now he doesn't believe she's in any state to go hiking an active volcano. Even if it's downwards.]

Nonsense! There is no way I'm leaving you here! Tell me where you want to go. I may prefer the chariot but that doesn't mean I can't teleport you anywhere you wish. At least choose somewhere safe!

It's not like I've got to hurry anywhere, eh?

[Even if she understands he's being reasonable and concerned for her safety, her temper flares at the denial of her request. Her left hand inches toward the halberd position, always ready with borderlines and knives.]

I will go to the top of this volcano and find an answer one way or another. If you will not put me down, should I take it as you're holding me against my will?

[She'd better hold on to something because the chariot drops to the ground almost instantly. There is loud thump as all wheels and hoofs connect with the soil at the same time, followed by crack of lightning and a rising of a cloud of ash disturbed by their sudden landing.]

Fine. Have it your way.

[Iskandar expression is difficult to read. If anything it's probably closest to hurt. She wants to scorn his help and his concern? Wants to act stupid? Very well. She's her own woman. He won't interfere.]

Let none say that King of Conquerors holds his friends hostage for any reason. Good hunting.

Edited (bit of rephrasing) 2018-09-11 21:03 (UTC)

[Perhaps it's fitting Ginia is unraveling her relationships in the middle of a volcano crisis. She nearly falls as the chariot plunges to the ground, an arm around the edge of the wall keeping her upright. An apology wells, but she swallows it down as she adjusts her mask and steps from the chariot to the ground.

She bounds off, jumps long and arching as shinki can do, effortlessly putting space between her and Iskandar. Run away, run away, it's what she's good at and today is no exception.]

[Iskandar stands in his chariot and watches as Ginia disappears in the distance his anger subsiding leaving only sadness.
The ash in the air makes visibility drastically worse yet for a moment he thinks he sees a shadow of her silhouette against the ash clouds growing smaller and smaller.
Then nothing.

Take care, girl, don't let the mountain eat you.

There's no use standing there. He takes to the air steering a bit too mindlessly but his bulls know him well enough to make the ride smooth.

Pride, the downfall of men. Too much pride on both ends. Yet what are warriors if not prideful. How can they not be.

He plans to make few more trips around the mountain. Maybe he'll spot something interesting. Maybe not but he's now much less enthusiastic about the whole endeavour.]

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32 - Blow Your Top

here's your cavalry... or the same but with bulls... a bullvalry?

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