(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

Tuuri Hotakainen || Non-event

[skaldish]

[ August 30th before noonish? ]

[ Pine needles. That's the first thing she smells when she wakes up. The first thing she feels however, is concerned dog licking her face. ]

Nggh....Han? [ The Puli dog snuffs in response. He's done his job and made sure Tuuri is alright. ] What... Happened?

[ She vaguely recalled recording a hologram and suddenly the next thing she knows she's here... Wherever it is. She sits up and brushes errant leaves and debris from herself before noticing she has something in her hand. ]

What's this? [ She shakes it experimentally, as the screen goes lights up from the movement. A moment of clarity strikes her. ] Oh! It's old world technology! I wonder why I have this... [ She pauses. ] ...Er...How do I use it...? [ She starts fiddling with it almost immediately only to have Han barking softly to get her back on track with the current situation. No idea where she is and in the woods. ]

Oh, right.. I should figure out where I am. If Lalli was here he'd be able to get us back home! [ She looks expectantly around as if her cousin is going to come bursting through the woods. When nothing happens, she sighs slightly and stands up. ] I guess it's just you and me, Han.

[ She cycles mentally through her knowledge of what she's learned about the woods as a skald. Ok, moss grows northward right? As long as she knows where north is, it should absolutely be easy to get her bearings.

If she knew what direction home was.]

At least you're here. [ She starts vaguely walking Eastward. She has to bump into someone, right? ]

[snowflicks]

[The barking had caught his attention from a bit away at first. Song Lan had only been here for just under a week and was mostly getting a good look around their surroundings. The woods had been next on his list and he'd made some progress. He'd found a few interesting things, like the barrier and now some one else in the woods it seemed like.

Heading in the direction of the barking, he tries to stay quiet, just in case it's something unsavory he'll have to deal with. As he draws closer there's talking... someone talking to themself? No, no to the dog he'd heard. No doubt the dog will hear him approaching or smell him since he's getting close enough, so Song Lan decides to make himself known. Not with words, but by pushing through the trees to show himself to the young woman and her dog.

No doubt he must look strange, a very tall stranger in dark black and gray robes with two swords sheathed across his back, but he won't draw either sword, not yet at least. Holding a hand up as if to try and signal to her that he means her no harm, Song Lan will offer a tight smile as well, bowing slightly with his arms out in front of him in a circle. After he ponders how to communicate with her best, as usually he'd use his sword for this, but... grabbing for his sword could scare her, so he picks up a stick nearby and writes in the dirt a few simple words.

just wake up?

Forgive his sad squiggly question mark. Writing neatly in dirt isn't that easy okay. Song Lan taps at the dirt near the words then looks up at her.]

[skaldish]

[ Tuuri is most definitely not paying attention and it's only by the grace of Han calling attention to a certain direction, dead still with a low warning growl, that she notices someone emerging from the woods. She takes in the sight because wow two swords seems a little excessive, but she's seen that type of clothing before on people back in Asgard (not that she knows she's not there anymore). ]

Um..Hello! [ She very very awkwardly returns the bow. When in Rome, right? ] Uh.. Thank you for not startling me and.. [ She trails off when she watches Song Lan write on the ground. Oh, maybe he can't speak. But what if that means he can't hear, oh no, she's making things awkward then! It takes her a few moments to grab a stick of her own and starts writing on the ground herself. ]

Yes! Do you know the way back to the city?

[ Meanwhile Han has taken the initiative and is boldly trotting up to the man, a mop on a mission. ]

[snowflicks]

[She is correct, two swords is excessive, but he's got his reasons. Pinky swear. Thankfully she seems to realize that he has no ill intentions towards her and replies in kind to him. Song Lan looks a little surprised that she copies him to communicate, but then again she must assume he can't hear either. It's kind of her to be so thoughtful. Tapping one of his ears he writes:

talk is okay

And then:

no city here
woods lake cabins and building with supplies

He stops to let her take in that information as her furry companion comes over to check him out. Song Lan is thankful the dog hasn't seen him as a threat, or big enough of a threat. Squatting he offers out a hand carefully to let the dog smell him, hopefully he'll pass the 'this person is okay I guess' test.]

[skaldish]

[ Tuuri reads Song Lan's latest message and nods to herself. ] Oh? Okay! I wasn't sure, I guess I'll just talk then! [ She watches as he writes more on the ground.]

Cabins? Lake?...[ She looks rather confused now. ] Are you sure you haven't seen a city? Big walls? Lots of people? [ She crosses her arms, frowning slightly and still looking confused. ] You can't miss it.

[ Meanwhile, Han has sidled up to the man and seems to give a sniff that comes out as... A little snooty actually. There's a pause and another sniff. He doesn't seem to be an immediate danger to his master but the smell... This time the dog makes a confused whine and looks at Song Lan. Well at least he seems to be looking at him through his mop of fur. ]

[snowflicks]

[The dog seems to be confused by him, but not alarmed. To be fair to the good pup Song Lan probably does smell odd to an animal with such a sensitive nose. Humans wouldn't be able to tell that he's... different.

All he can do is offer the dog a sad downturn of his lips, before he stands looking at the young woman and shaking his head. Alas there is nothing of the sort here.

Reaching into his robes he'll pull out a folded pamphlet he'd found at the gas station, he'd kept it since it seemed to give "answers". Easier to show some one this than try to explain it in person like this. Taking a few steps towards her he holds it out.

When and if she takes it, he'll then scribble in the dirt:

found this
many of them all over]

Tuuri Not Wandering the Woods || OTA || Non-event

[skaldish]

[ August 30th - Late afternoon to early evening ]

[ Well...This is interesting. Tuuri surveys what she can see of..Her new home for now she supposes. Han, ever present, just sort of snuffs in his usual manner. ]

I guess we'll have to make the best of it, right Han?

[kinkprofessor]

[ Knock, knock. ]

Hello, neighbor. [ He's a fast welcoming wagon, what can he say? ] Sorry to intrude, but I just saw your pet and couldn't help myself.

[skaldish]

Hello! I just wanted to see what I could around the area. It's a little bigger than I expected, but also kind of...A little more run-down than I expected.

[ She smiles cheerfully at the man. ] Han has that effect on peo-[ She corrects herself. ] most people. I'm Tuuri, nice to meet you!

[ Have a dog trotting up to you to sniff out your intentions. He may not be the biggest dog, but he is fierce. Maybe. ]

[kinkprofessor]

Yes, I agree, the accommodations are spacious but... not ideal. [ He really can't complain too much. They do have working water. ]

A pleasure, Tuuri. My name is Professor Aiuenobrist Quintalian but, please, just call me Quin. [ He knows his alphabet soup name is hard for non-natives.

As soon as the dog trots over, he crouches down and extends a hand in greeting. It seems friendly enough, but Han might sense something off. Animals do have such stronger self-preservation instincts than people; Quin doesn't actively want to hurt anyone. At least, not right now. There isn't anything to gain from it yet. ]

[skaldish]

That's a very long name-I'm glad you have a shorter one I can call you! How long have you been here, Quin? I've been here for a few hours and at least it looks pretty. It reminds me of home actually, but I know that's only on the surface, isn't it? [ She very much still remembers the pamphlet that Song Lan gave her earlier in the day. ]

[ While Tuuri is babbling on, Han meanwhile gives Quin a curt sniff before growling low in warning. While Tuuri doesn't notice, chatting as she is, it should be very clear to Quin seeing as he's in proximity of the dog. Back off. ]

RUNS TOWARD YOU IN SLOW-MO

[skittering]

( on this day, lalli is scouting. then again, on most days lalli is scouting - and yet each new day he's just as vigilant, just as keen-eyed for any sign of danger, despite the fact that this fence they're trapped in is smaller than even a novice scout's route back in keuruu.

what he isn't vigilant for is the sudden appearance of his long-lost cousin.

and so his eyes skim past her without recognition as he skitters silently through the trees, at very real risk of continuing on his way none the wiser... but then she speaks. lalli freezes in his tracks, narrowed eyes darting sharply in the direction of the voice, and even once he sees her he still peers at her a couple of moments longer as if waiting for her to be somehow fake. but no, there she is, there's her stupid new dog (which means she's not only here but she also remembers asgard), and he exhales a shaky sigh of relief.

it's with almost impassive steps (let alone expression) that he approaches her, hood up, eyes occasionally flickering down at the dog when it moves too suddenly in his direction in case it decides to try and lick. )

You found us. ( he sounds satisfied by that - as if she's confirmed his understanding of the world just by showing up here. )

[skaldish]

[ As usual, its Han who alerts Tuuri that someone's nearby, staring in the complete opposite direction she is, though this time his tail (or what constitutes as a tail) starts wagging. She turns slightly and actually has the audacity to look shocked. ]

Wait, what? I didn't find anyone, I just showed up here! [ She's at least relieved that she's actually not alone in this strange new world. The Finn does paff her cousin with her hand softly on the shoulder, somewhat in partial indignation that she doesn't even get a hello and partially to make sure he's actually here. ] Wait, that's all you have to say? I thought I was alone here! What do mean us? Can we get back to where we were?

[skittering]

No. ( the last answer comes first, though also possibly the answer to whether or not she's alone. ) Stuck here now. You, me, Emil, Reynir. Klaus. Rhys, with the arm. ( his brow knits for a second. ) Namine, but she doesn't remember.

( it doesn't seem like tuuri's really doing anything important here, so he turns now, setting off for their cabin with a definitive, ) C'mon.

[skaldish]

Everyone is here? That's... A lot of people. I'm sort of relieved, even though I don't know anything about this place--Wait, where are we going? [ She trots after Lalli, Han also at her heels. ]

Meetin' in the woods~

[singularwidower]

[Daemon has his shirt off and is working on his cabin with his collection of shoddy tools and a little bit of elbow grease. Today's task is re-roofing with proper shingles. It has been centuries since he's done anything of the sort, so when he senses someone out in the woods, he is more than happy to drop what he's doing, hop down and pull on a ridiculous tank-top from the gas station, and head out to investigate.

He crunches through the woods, not trying to hide his presense, and raises a hand in greeting when he spots the person. Rather than call out, however, he waits until he is within speaking distance to greet both them and the dog.]

I haven't seen you here before.

[And then he smiles without teeth, his lips only slightly quirking to the side.]

[skaldish]

[ Han alerts Tuuri to a presence moments before Daemon even comes within distance so she's not taken off guard or startled. Spotting the man, she instead waves. ]

Hello! You'd be right - I'm new. [ She pauses and squints, scrutinizing his tank-top before looking up at him (for she is very short) with all sincerity. ]

You shouldn't be too harsh on yourself! Everybody looks different.

[ Meanwhile, Daemon, have a mop of a dog trotting up to you. He's here to smell your secrets and bite you if you mean harm to his master. ]

[singularwidower]

[It takes Daemon a good second to connect her words with what's written on his shirt, and when he does he huffs out an amused breath. He stoops to set one knee on the ground and stretch out a hand for the dog to sniff.]

That's very kind of you to say. [He inclines his head.] It's a pleasure to meet someone with such an encouraging attitude. That'll probably serve you well here.

Daemon Sadi. [He presses the hand he isn't holding out for Han to his chest, indicating that this is his introduction.] You may call me Daemon, or Sadi.

[skaldish]

[ She beams as usual. ] Well, I figure that's the least I can do while we're stuck here...Wherever here is. And honestly, back home my brother is pessimistic enough for the both of us. [ There's small pause. ] I wonder what he's doing right now.. [ There's another moment of silence before Tuuri jumps back into the conversation. ] But anyway, it's nice to meet you! I'll call you Daemon if that's okay, it just sort of sounds cooler! How long have you been here now?

[ Meanwhile Han has since trotted up to Daemon and given him a sniff - There's so many strange people here. But he's so far passed the Puli's test so he gets another sniff before the dog trots back to Tuuri. ]

[singularwidower]

[Daemon inclines his head in agreement, tracking the dog's progress back to Tuuri. "Daemon" is fine, and he seems to have passed whatever canine sniff-test he'd just been subjected to. Though he is somewhat bemused by her verbal tangent regarding her sibling.] Brothers are like that, though my own is less pessimistic and more of a--[He cuts himself off, because that's...perhaps not a word that he should use around impressionable youths of indeterminate age.]--well, he's more willing to fight things he doesn't understand than anything else. I have a feeling he might have trouble. I personally prefer to talk.

And I've not been here overlong. Perhaps a month or two. The time rather blurs together without much to mark it, I'm afraid.

i'm taking some liberties here

[enflame]

❰ following directions has never been in emil's wheelhouse, spoken or navigational. he can use a map just fine, but without some guidance...well, he'll get to point b, but it'll be a long journey coming from point a. such is the case now, as he's trying to get to the gas station but...damn, why does this forest look so samey.

at least it's an uneventful trip. this suspicious world basically has him always on edge, what with untold horrors basically popping up at any possible moment.

that's what he thinks when he sees a black shape in the distance. maybe it's a stray raccoon -- no, it's bigger. getting slightly more so with every passing second as it comes towards him. after a few more moments of the suspicious black mass coming towards him, now having noticed emil and racing closer, he turns and tries to hurry as fast as he can back towards his cabin.

alas, he's never been one for speed. before long, a familiar dog has pounced on him. emil is no longer upright, but at least he's not being mauled. ❱

It's this thing! ❰ and he's too distracted to process that must also mean his master is with him. ❱

8) Let him love you, Emil.

[skaldish]

[ While Emil is not getting mauled, he is getting licked in the face by this truly evil and spiteful creature. This may be worse than death.

Meanwhile his master comes running in the distance looking very concerned. ]

Oh no! Sorry, he doesn't normally do th--Emil! Is that really you?!

[enflame]

❰ at least some gruesome, evil creature might kill him quick. and not cover his skin in a thin sheen of slobber. ❱

Yes, yes, eugh. ❰ the large dog is willing to let emil sit up before continuing its onslaught of excited nosing and licking, despite emil's hand trying to shove the snout away as much as he can. ❱ Where did you come from out of nowhere?

❰ in this case, he mostly means tuuri. ❱

[skaldish]

I just showed up here. [ A pause. Oh no, she should elaborate, she's sounding like Lalli and his limited usage of words. ]

Well, Han and I did! Last thing I remember was being in Asgard and then I woke up on the ground in the middle of the woods.

Someone helped me find this place though so I wasn't lost in the woods very long! It looks like Han missed you!

[enflame]

That's about how things work around here.

❰ i.e. being from asgard, waking up clueless, wandering around. at least emil can be grateful he didn't wake up on the forest floor. the leaves in his hair...dust is much more simple to wash out.

with great effort, no thanks to han, emil finally stands to examine tuuri up and down. oh. ❱

Does that mean you don't know...? The technicians? That whole spiel?

❰ he's going to be a little coy. talking about their existence being a toy for torture isn't high on his list of things he wants to talk about. ❱