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

A

[reloves]

[ Minako is not stupid enough to head up the vulcano by herself - she'll go back to Zelda and talk with her about that later. But she still can't help but feel like she at least has to go check up on the western district and the people in it. Sure, she doesn't have any noteworthy powers, not like some other people here have. She doubts Borderlines are going to do a whole lot when it comes to stopping a vulcano of all things. But maybe there's something she can do, even if it's small. Helping someone get out of there, helping carry someone's stuff.. Anything at all.

She seems very focused for a change (well, focused on something not ridiculous, that is) and so doesn't even notice Caster until it seems like he's just suddenly right there out of the blue. She blinks in surprise, and even more so when she catches the stone, glancing at it as it lies in her palms. ]

What's this...?

[futhark]

A runestone. It will keep you safe from the heat and fire.

[ And isn't it Zelda's favorite shinki, of course, she deserves an extra bonus. Instead of throwing he hands her another stone - like a civilized human, er ghost. The courtesy echoes his short-time waiter game. ]

This one will just amplify the other spell, make it last longer, no? We cannot allow those golden locks catching a stray spark.

[ If Minako is going somewhere there's a good chance her goddess might be there. Or that her goddess asked her to do something- either way, now that they met he does feel personally responsible to see her to safety. ]

Mind if I tag along with you?

[reloves]

[ For a moment she glances down to the runestones in her hands before looking back up to him. ]

Thanks. [ It's a little more muted than her usual over the top enthusiasm, but the genuineness in her tone makes up for it. Minako knows it's pretty stupid to run straight into all of this when she has no real way of protecting herself against the heat and fire and rocks (even though she was going to do it anyway), so she gladly accepts the help. ]

Shouldn't it be the other way around though? I think I should be asking you if you don't mind having me around! [ She presents it pretty playfully, a teasing smile appearing on her face, but there's a core of truth to her words that she keeps in her heart rather than speaking it out loud. He is definitely the more useful one in this situation, after all. ] I was just planning to see if there was anyone still over in the Western district who needed help.

[futhark]

[ Caster answers promptly in a similar fashion- smiles, jokes, even if perhaps a little forced given the situation. But those things keep morale up. ]

See, that's why I'm tagging with you. You're set on a noble goal, I'm just throwing rocks at cute girls.

[ It's not wrong, even if it's not fully true. He's been throwing them at most people he passes for once. Until he runs out of them of course. ]

[reloves]

[ Minako beams at the compliment - it's nice to hear that affirmation even in a situation like this, when being cute is (for once) not actually her main concern. ]

Well, I might need your help to accomplish that noble goal. [ And not just for the stones, which she's promptly stuffing into her pockets to be able to have her hands free to help people. She figures that won't lessen their effect.. Probably.. She's not exactly a magic specialist here. ]

As much of a cute girl as I am, I can't be perfect and competent in every way! So I'd appreciate some help if there's someone out there who can't walk by themselves and has to get out of there.

[ Aka show her some manpower here, Caster! Just maybe end up lifting a person like it's nothing, surely you can do that. ]

[futhark]

[ That's it. That's the lady and a trusty, helpful dog- or something. ]

Good idea, not to boast, but I can carry plenty. [ Two, maybe three at once ]

I also can try to look for signs of life too, but in Heavens that's tricky- [ sometimes he can recognize a shinki presence, but because they are dead, and gods are, well, being gods, they don't all register as just normal humans. He figured he gotta search more for a magic signature than a life-energy but that's not something everyone has here either.

And speaking about lifting- he lands near Minako and swoops her off her feet- ]

Shall I also offer transportation services?

[reloves]

[ Wow. Hold on a second here, because Minako sure didn't see that coming. She was trying really hard here to be focused and serious abotu what she should be doing here, but that's slightly more difficult when she's literally swept off her feet by a charming guy.

So just give her a moment to swoon here. Just a moment. What's a(n after)life worth if you can't enjoy the moments during which you're sure that you're truly living your best life? Her eyes sparkle with energy and life as she looks up at him. ]

Wow, is there anything you can't do..? [ Because it sure doesn't seem like there's anything.

Her expression turns just a tad more stern though after saying that - although it still looks kind of playful with her tone, keeping it light. ]

Only carry me if it won't get in the way though! Unless you're saying you can do your magic thing even without hands.

[futhark]

[ While he... did write a spell or three with just his toe, so he could argue the hands are not that needed- but he definitely prefers normal writing. There are many things he couldn't do, but it's not like he's going to admit to it readily. Better play cocky ]

Ha ha ha who knows-

[ This is an explosive combination, like way too much- because see, Minako, he lives on this praise, it's his life fuel. Okay, sadly it's not (would be good if compliments could translate into imminent mana boost), it's just his ego that thrives on it. So to live up to the hype he launches them forward, traversing the area in what is more akin to long jumps than just running-

Until he slows down- as they reach the area of temples near the fires. Several white-robed shinki run around, is there a temple on fire? ]

Hop-off, we found work to do. [ Go Minako, your turn to play the hero, he can be a side-kick ]

[reloves]

[ It's a good thing that Minako is pretty much used to these sort of running athletics from being late for school and taking every single parkour shortcut to get there just in time every single day. The way he runs - no, almost jumps - doesn't seem to bother her in the slightest, she just easily holds on all the way until he stops.

And even then she doesn't need a moment to recover from the trip. The moment she spots the shinki she's already hopping off, jogging up to them and quickly asking them what's going on. It doesn't take long before she seems to have a grasp on the situation, turning back to Caster. ]

There's a temple that's starting to catch fire, but they're not sure yet if there's anyone still inside who can't get out.

[ Her demeanour is easily a lot more serious than usually. ]

Will your runestones hold up? [ Is she implying that she, basically powerless, is planning on running into a burning building without a second thought? Yes. Yes, she is. ]

[futhark]

[ To some it might be stupidity. To him it's bravery, and it should be celebrated. ]

They will. [ Caster says with utmost confidence. Conviction in how well you wrote the story to tell the World is part of the spell too. ]

I'll be nearby- [ Because he's going to search that building as well. So if anything bad happens he can just teleport them at instant ] If you get near something that makes you feel the heat again that means it's close to the temperatures the runestone can't withhold. So don't get close to that.

[ So that makes two of them, running into the temple ]

Call my name if we get separated and you need me for something.

[ She's holding his spell, he'll be able to find her ]

[reloves]

Got it.

[ In the moment Minako is a little too focused on the task at hand to really reconsider the fact he doesn't push back on her wanting to do it at all. Later she'll probably realise it and appreciate it, considering she's mostly just running on borrowed magic through Caster's stones and sheer determination and not everyone might consider that to be enough.

She grabs a hairtie out of her pocket, tying her hair together so she won't accidentally let these Rapunzel levels of hair catch on fire like an idiot. ]

We should get in and out of there quickly. [ While ensuring there either isn't anyone inside or that everyone who's still there is taken out to safety. Which she's pretty confident they can do, since Caster does seem to be capable aside from just being charming. Not just anyone can make stones that render you heat resistant, anyway. ] The whole temple could get unstable real fast.

[futhark]

[ If there is a divine dominion he could call a claim on, then stupidly heroic decisions would be definitely one. Maybe if he was more of a responsible adult then he would be less considerate about her courage and more considering their safety. But while he's not a picture of "responsible adult" he's still protective in his own way. They got it under control, she's protected from fire, and should anything happen - he is certain he would be able to react. Likewise, she has good reflexes if it’s him who would be in need of assistance ]

Hey, how about: you cover ground level, I take the upper floor-- [ He says as they run into the inferno and he notices a scorched gallery leading upwards. The whole warping skill might come in handy there. But that wonderful idea has to get thrown into a trash bin, because a scream- more like a howl, reverberates across the first floor ] --or scratch that, there is someone trapped here.

[reloves]

[ While they were just talking outside and even as they walked into the building, Minako may have seemed like she was at least planning on being reasonable and careful about this whole deal, despite insisting on going into a burning building. But any sense of caution flies out of the window the moment she hears that sound, her head snapping in the direction it came from. Someone in need of being saved takes precendence over her own safety. ]

Let's hurry up and get to them..!

[ She starts heading in the direction from which she heard the noise, but her path is soon enough blocked by a big beam that seems to have fallen down from the ceiling, completely blocking a doorway with the way it landed. Minako frowns and looks back at Caster-- ]

.. I don't suppose you have supernatural muscle strength, or do you?

[futhark]

[ Servants are bullshit. Even if Caster's strength is embarrassingly low for a Servant, it's still a lot more than what a normal human could exhibit. Plus he got a means to share a bit of that, who would have guessed mages are useful as buffers. He just draws a rune on his own arm as he goes closer to the beam- just to not have an embarrassing moment with Strength rank E, and picks up said beam without making a comment. At least until he realizes there is not enough space to put it or throw it away without further damaging the structure. Shit- ]

Tch, no place to put it- I'll hold it, get them out! [ He urges Minako with a nod of his head. Not showing off for once. ]

[reloves]

[ Minako might not have any kind of super strength (or even real strength compared to some other people), but the upside of being a slim teenage girl is that it's very easy to get past him while he's holding the beam out of the way like that. She doesn't waste any time either - the moment he tells her to get them out, she's already on the move and getting into the room.

It doesn't take too long to notice the person - a shinki, seemingly passed out from the smoke after letting out that last howl - and Minako tries her best to scoop them up into her arms. Honestly, she's lucky it's someone relatively young and small, since carrying a grownass guy would just be impossible. Even just carrying this one takes her some effort and a lot of adrenaline fueling her, but she manages to make it out of the room and past Caster once more. ]

Quick-- [ She sounds a little out of breath from the rush already, the ceiling creaking above them. ] Let's get them outside!

[ She doesn't wait for him to answer, they simply don't have the time for that. Instead she moves out of the temple as fast as she can. ]

[futhark]

[ Caster lets the beam fall as Minako and the passed out shinki are past him, he reaches out to put his hand on Minako's shoulder and warp them outside. Suddenly air with a lot less of smoke fills their lungs. Just the change makes him cough a bit- ]

Good job, Minako. [ He says as he takes the cape off his shoulders and throws it on the ground, gesturing to put the passed out shinki on it and helping her with it. ]

Depends on her state- [ Or is it him? Hard to say ] -we might have to look for Li Tieguai.

[ But first that state has to be determined. He can do some simple healing but he'd rather not give too much hope and then face something he can't help with ]

[reloves]

[ It's almost a little dizzying. One moment she's barely thinking, wanting to rush, honestly even forgetting about his powers as a god, and the next moment they're outside. The change in their surroundings is so extreme that Minako's legs shake a bit, threatening to give out, but with his help she at least manages to put the shinki down before she crumbles to the ground with it in a pile. ]

I wonder if it's not too bad and they'll wake up soon..

[ She kneels down next to the unconscious shinki, if not just because Minako needs a moment to just sit there and regain her senses as well after that extreme venture back there. She pulls a hand through her bangs.

Just breathe. Slow down for a moment-- except Minako is exceptionally bad at that, and her thoughts are still racing. ]

Can you tell? Should we find someone right now who can tell?

[futhark]

[ Things he really should start doing more - learning medicine. Sure he started a bit, got some bit off knowledge from the field. You better know how to dress your wound or one of your friend if you want them to live to the next sunrise.

Which oddly enough, is useful now. First aid is something he can do. He gives the unconscious shinki a quick look around ]

Breathe is slow, but steady, but should be watched closely. Inhaling the smoke can kill you faster than the fire. [ He glances at Minako and argues with himself. In this state does she need to rest more, or does she need something to focus on? They just ran out of a building that is soon to crumble under its own weight and fire, panic is a completely valid reaction. ] Can you do that Minako, can you watch her breathe?

[ He takes the hand, and checks the bare feet. Quickly writing a rune of healing on one ] Just one minor burn, but nothing really serious- clothes are also damaged only where it's furthest to the body.

[ That would mean. ]

She probably had her own means to protect herself from the fire. [ A spell, a talisman, you name it. Shinki magic is mostly unknown to him. ]

[reloves]

[ Minako nods to his question, even though she still seems a little out of it. Not that she doesn't still follow up on what he asked her and does watch the shinki breathe, but part of her mind is sinking away in thoughts of how scary it must have been to have been trapped in a building that's burning and crumbling, seeing all that destruction around you.

His words dawn upon her a moment later than they usually would have. But once they do, she slowly reaches out to pat the unconscious shinki on the head. ]

You did well.. Your god will be proud of you.

[ It's not like the shinki can hear it in her current state, but Minako feels like she has to say it anyway. It's what she would have liked to hear in that situation, after all. ]

[futhark]

[ Caster confirms that the shinki condition is stable, but there is one more thing- They can't leave her here. But looks like they won't have to. A small group of shinki approaches them. "Hey, they found a survivor!" "How bad is her condition?" "Is she awake?"

A barrage of questions but one important thing is said. "Bring the wounded to Ebisu temple!" It's clear that they might be the ones to take transporting the injured but- ]

I'm a god, I can take her to Ebisu's temple instantly- [ He says his words quietly to Minako. Given that he can teleport in a blink of an eye, and return soon later. ] I can take both of you.

[ But he doesn't want to force his choice on her. There are more people to help still- On the other hand, injured at Ebisu's temple are definitely requiring help and attention too. ]

Or would you rather stay?