(event) WAY DOWN WE GO

[vestigemods]

EVENT LOG: WAY DOWN WE GO

AUGUST 14TH - 24TH

► THE BASICS

Not halfway into the month of August, the lake starts to recede - slowly at first, but then in great leaps and bounds until only a foot and a half of sun-warmed standing water remains. The lake going dry is concerning, for certain, but it's hardly the least of our problems... because on the lake bed is a hatch, askew and emblazoned with an unknown but eerie insignia, and beyond that hatch lies nothing but trouble.

Over the next few days, a brave and reckless team of explorers delve into the cave beyond - what is later revealed as a maintenance tunnel, just before the ceiling of that very tunnel caves in and traps them from both sides. Their supplies are limited, and phone signal is shaky at best. And what's worse, not more than a day or so later, the lake begins to fill back up, water pouring down into the open hatch. Can those who remain stage a rescue in time to save the explorers from drowning?

► MOD NOTES

• This log is a general dump for all log threads pertaining to August's Way Down We Go event - and in lieu of the lack of catch-all for August, you can feel free to do non-event log threads here as well! Go ahead and utilize vestigenet for any event-related network posts you'd like to make.
  
• The main chunk of the event takes place between the IC dates August 17th (reveal of the hatch) and August 22nd (the latest the spelunkers can be freed before they drown). No rush leaping on this event post, since I know most folks are honestly still plotting about it.
  
• All event information can be found on the July Event Infopost!
  
• Please take special care in this event to label your top-levels with identifying information such as the IC date, any prompts specifically pertaining to event roles (spelunker, rescue efforts, etc), and/or 'non-event' for any non-event prompts you may include. Just trying to keep things organized!
  
• I'm going to help solidify the plotting efforts over the next few days to help make sure everyone's on the same page, but none of it will be set in stone just in case latecomers want in too. If you want in, chime in on the spelunkers, rescue efforts, or support roles top-levels as applicable!
  
• Any questions can be directed to this top-level or, for a quicker response, to Trace on discord/plurk.

Comments

Spelunking

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ That sure is a bioluminescent tentacle slithering into view.

Of course, Geralt had heard Quintalian speak. It wasn't exactly difficult. The man sounded like a person, however, so the last thing he expects is to see something so obviously monster like. Is there something like a were-octopus or squid? Nothing he's ever heard of.

He frowns, equal parts confused and intrigued, and decides to follow the tentacle to its source. ]

[kinkprofessor]

[ It sure is! While he does have enhanced dark vision, his sight is actually better suited to the deep sea than cave lighting. Hence the tentacle probing along the way.

When he hears someone approaching, that tentacle crescent moon curves towards Geralt and sticks to his arm. It curls around his bicep - not quite a squeeze, but definitely a grab - before an approving hum sounds further down the tunnel. The tentacle retreats back to the wall before slithering towards its source. A bespectacled, unassuming man in a lab coat that's smiling in a way that's just a touch more than friendly. ]

Well, hello, [ he greets. ] Being trapped down here suddenly doesn't seem so bad with company like yours.

[ Winkwonk, etc. ]

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ As soon as the tentacle touches his arm, his guard his up, grip firm on his sword. If necessary, he won't hesitate to cut it off. In fact, the pleased hum makes him tempted to do it anyway, even if it doesn't appear to be hostile.

When the owner of the tentacle comes into view, he straightens slightly, narrowing his eyes.

Great. Is he being flirted with now?

Deadpan: ]

We're not trapped.

[kinkprofessor]

[ Oh. There's a shiver of excitement, honestly, at the hand on that sword. He wouldn't mind a tentacle - or two - being cut off but that's thankfully (unfortunately, for him) not the case.

Yet. ]

Oh, what a pity. I was already thinking of fun ways to occupy our time. [ That'd be a yes. It's flirt o'clock. ]

Though I wouldn't mind getting out of here if you'd be so kind as to show the way.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ What luck, so he doesn't have to deal with saying no to all of those 'fun things'.

He gestures back in the direction he came from. ]

Turn left. Follow the tunnel. Can't get lost.

[ So you can go by yourself. ]

[kinkprofessor]

[ Don't worry, Geralt, he'll find a way. He always does. ]

My left or your left? Will I see a light? Maybe I should stay with you, actually- I can help scout for others who might need guidance as well.

[ 8 ) ]

[coolmotivestillevil]

Left in the direction you'll be walking, idiot.

[ Do not stay with him. ]

[kinkprofessor]

[ Hm. That comment is a small pinprick, but he knows when to bite his tongue and let things slide. Most of the time. ]

Right, of course, silly me- But what if you run into trouble? I have so many extra limbs to assist.

[coolmotivestillevil]

I don't need your help.

[ And he'd already be gone if his curiosity wasn't killing him, so-- ]

What are you?

[kinkprofessor]

[ The tentacles are always a draw. ]

I'm a scientist. [ He knows that wasn't the answer Geralt wanted but the opportunity to be a smartass was too good to pass up. ]

And a doctor. [ Technically??? ] But I'm also from another planet than yours, so an alien.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ With each answer that isn't what he wanted, his brow furrows deeper into a scowl. The man definitely knows that isn't what he's asking, and it's a complete waste of time.

...then, even when the answer comes, it's ... annoying. ]

Another 'planet'.

[kinkprofessor]

[ Well, he figured as much, but elaborates regardless: ]

Zenith, to be exact. Considering your attire, I'm assuming that your people haven't quite gotten to space exploration yet- Which is perfectly fine, of course! Eventually.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Space exploration? It sounds completely absurd, but Geralt would be more skeptical if the tentacles weren't so strange. Not like the concept of other worlds is something new. It's just that no one knows how to travel between them, as far as he's aware.

To be fair, he doesn't know that much about magic, beyond what he needs to know to break curses and fight monsters. Might be he doesn't know about it.

Then, for the first time, it strikes him that this may be an entirely different world. If this man was brought from another planet, who's to say none of them are native to this land? ]

What kind of 'alien'?

[kinkprofessor]

[ Technically, he's the only one of his species to actually have these tentacles. But no one really needs to know that. ]

The best kind, if I do say so myself. [ And he does. ] My species are explorers though, generally. We seek out other worlds and learn about them to enhance our own. Cultural exchanges, trading of resources, all those sorts of things.

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Is it impossible for this man to just answer a question? ]

Does your species not have a name?

[kinkprofessor]

[ Yes, actually. He's mostly just being an obtuse jerk on purpose though. ]

Zenithians. Zenith natives? It varied, but basically we were named for our planet.

The most powerful and successful.

[coolmotivestillevil]

Hm.

[ He doesn't sound very impressed. He's also gotten answers to his questions, so he's just going to ... leave. ]

[kinkprofessor]

[ There's the temptation to snap a tentacle onto Geralt's person and keep him from leaving but he'll behave.

hahahaha who am I kidding no

It whips out suddenly, suctioning to his wrist. ]

You're just going to leave me here?

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ His shoulders tense instantly, and he has to take a very deep breath to stop himself from just cutting the damn thing off. Instead, he speaks through gritted teeth. ]

Let. Go.

[kinkprofessor]

[ His buttons are fun to push. You can't make it so easy, Geralt, it only encourages him. ]

And if I don't?

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ Maybe he'll figure that out eventually. ]

I'll cut it off.

[kinkprofessor]

[ Oh, how he'd like that. For as much as it tempts him to call the man's bluff, he refrains.

Making enemies immediately isn't a smart tactic. He's likely already on Geralt's bad side but that's recoverable. ]

Well, we wouldn't want that. [ He draws his tentacle back and it slips beneath his lab coat out of sight. ] I suppose I'll have to find my own way, which is a shame. Do stay safe.

[ He'll leave of his own volition now; he doesn't want Geralt to feel like he's "won" anything here. ]

[coolmotivestillevil]

[ That's too bad, because he totally won.

He grunts quietly, and waits for Quin to get a good distance away before he starts moving again. ]