(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

[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]

[skaldish]

[ Han regards Song Lan solemnly before he snuffs once more and trots back to Tuuri. You smell odd but you're alright...for now. ]

Huh? What's that? [ Tuuri takes the paper and is silent as she reads it. ] ... What. Technicians... Elder gods? But the gods wouldn't do that. Well, the gods I've known wouldn't. This doesn't make any sense. [ She frowns quite a lot, something that anyone who knew her would find out of place on the Finn. She looks up at Song Lan. ] So..We're stuck here?

[ Welp. It looks like she's not going to see home and all her friends and family in Asgard anytime soon. ]

[snowflicks]

[For now. Song Lan hoped there would never be an instance where that would change.

As the young woman has a hard time taking in every thing she's reading, Song Lan has to agree with her. It doesn't make any sense. Regardless of where any of them had come from. Stick and dirt meet again as he writes:

so it seems
found barrier while walking woods
went on for awhile

The implication that where they are is surrounded so they can't escape. He can't confirm that, but it seems to be likely. Smoothing over what he'd written after he's sure she's read it:

can show you to cabins if you wish

He'd feel bad just leaving her here in the woods. Especially waking up to learn all of this.]

[skaldish]

[ Tuuri seems to be thinking for a bit as she reads what Song Lan has to say...Or write rather. She cants her head slightly. ]

Hmm.. I can't say I'm happy with this. But I mean, I don't think anyone would unless they came from a worse place? Or if they're dead for real [ "Or if they're going to die when they go home." her inner voice chimes in helpfully. ] maybe? Or I guess if you're that kind of person who likes things like that. Or... Something I can't think of right now!

[ She puffs up like a small bird almost, looking a bit determined. ] Either way, I'll just have to make the best of it. [ It takes a moment but she finally notices the man's additional writing after her ramble and declaration. ]

Oh! That would be appreciated! Thank you! [ A beat. ] I didn't even introduce myself! I'm Tuuri and my dog is Han! [ If a sentient mop head could look proud, then this is a proud mop head. ] It looks like he thinks you're okay, so I guess I should too!

[snowflicks]

[For someone who just found out they're in a place that's apparently going to make them suffer and or murder them, she's taking it pretty well. Good on her for keeping such a level head about her. While panicking and freaking out would be a normal reaction, it wouldn't help.

He'll not comment on any of that, but he does nod and the tiniest of what may pass as a smile tugs at his lips.

a pleasure to meet you both

Just gonna wipe his foot over that and then:

Song Lan

He'd offer a hand but that's not exactly their custom so, he instead motions to himself bowing his head slightly

cabins are not far from here
follow

And with that it's time to abandon the stick and he'll take point leading Tuuri and Han through the woods. He'll keep his strides smaller, as not to get too far ahead, looking back to make sure she's still there.

Tall and long legs make getting places quicker. As for him not being the best conversationalist, Tuuri is welcome to talk as they walk, Song Lan just won't respond with words of course.]

[skaldish]

[ Tuuri beams at the man. ] Very nice to meet you Song Lan! Thank you for helping us out. [ Having had to travel with taller people during the various forays away from the cat-tank back home, she manages to keep pace with him. Also this vacuum of silence? Tuuri's never been one to let it settle in and make itself comfortable. ]

You don't have to answer because the sooner we get to the cabins the better I guess, but you know the woods remind me of home a little.. Not where I was before! But home home, where I originally came from. It's a country called Finland and it's part of the known world where I'm from. [ It goes on like this until they reach close to the cabins, Tuuri chatting good-naturedly about Finland punctuated only by a few blessed silent moments. ]

[ For being a...Well...Close enough to a sentient mop-head, Han also keeps pace as well, though it's a small wonder that he doesn't trip on his own fur. ]

[snowflicks]

[He doesn't mind her talking really, it fills what would have been awkward silence. Between friends silence can be fine, it can be comfortable. Then again even before uh, his current situation, Song Lan had never been very talkative. Now he has the best excuse for not talking! No tongue does make it very difficult.

Eventually they do break through all the trees and the lake is in view, as well as the many cabins that sit around it. Some closer to the lake than others. As he's left his very good writing stick behind, Song Lan unsheathes his sword, with some space between him and Tuuri and her watchful mop Han. He still doesn't want to startle her after all. With some vague motions over the ground he channels his spirit energy, fancy Chinese Wizard stuff, to burn words into the dirt.

I hope you see your Finland one day again
until we can leave one of these will have to do

These being the cabins. Reaching into his robes he'll pull out his phone. A thing he still really doesn't understand that well, but he does know one thing.

you can talk to everyone from far away with this
with text or speech

He figured it was good information to pass along. It was the least he could do, help her understand things as much as he does.]

[skaldish]

[ Tuuri goes from cheery to absolutely excited at seeing fancy Chinese wizardry at work. ] Oh wow! You're a mage too! Well, not me, I'm not a mage, I don't think. Unless I kept my powers, but what if I didn't? What if I have new powers here - but nevermind that - my cousin and my brother definitely are but they've never burned words into the ground and - That's so cool. [ She does take a breath and takes a moment to read the writing. ]

Maybe I'll go back to Finland someday...[ There seems to be a sudden reticent tone in her voice, but that quickly dissipates as she reaches into her pocket, where she stored the phone earlier. ] Oh right, this! [ She starts immediately fiddling with it again as she continues to chatter. ] Back where I'm from - Not where I was before - but Finland, this is considered old world technology and I was always so interested in it and to be able to use it here is just really neat! And--Oh! I finally see how it works. [ She beams, pleased with herself for conquering the unknown of old world technology. ] Thank you for reminding me I had this!

apologies for the delay idk how so much time goes by so quick @_@

[snowflicks]

[Tuuri is very... excitable. Though Song Lan doesn't see this as a fault, but he's almost worried she'll pass out if she doesn't stop to breathe, which she does. Thankfully.

He's not entirely sure what she means, by mage, but if she knows other people who can do things like him then perhaps they're cultivators too? Or some form of it from this Finland of hers. Mage is no doubt their word for it. While she's taking a few seconds to breathe he'll write a bit more out.

What sort of powers may I ask?

And oh. It's good she seems to know what the phone is already. Or sort of. He's just glad to be of some help, since that is his whole schtick. Wandering the world to help people and all that. Song Lan gives a bow of his head at her thanks before writing more.

There is nothing like this where I am from.
Time seems to be nothing but a thought for those who brought us here.
Something we can be plucked from at any moment.

I live for all tags regardless of age

[skaldish]

[ Like Tuuri is going to pass an opportunity to dump share knowledge with someone. ] What sort of powers? Well, it's all very important - they can see spirits and work with them. And they can work with the elements as well- I think! I can't see spirits - well, not back home at least, so I wasn't a mage. Oh! They also help guide certain spirits to the afterlife - Where I'm from, there's...A lot of ermm.. Stuck spirits I guess? [ She shrugs a little. It really is hard describing what it's like as a mage back home when one only knows the theory as a skald and not the practical application. ]

[ She tilts her head, looking unsurprised at Song Lan's other message. ] That's interesting. [ She slips her phone back in her pocket, and crosses her arms, head still tilted in thought. ] There's nothing like this where I'm from either. Though...That's what happened to us - Well, people from my world - before. But it was a different place from this. It's kind of some sort of weird adventure, you know? I guess we're stuck making the best of it, right? [ She doesn't seem to be too distressed about things right now - After all this isn't the first time she's been plopped somewhere new and unfamiliar. ]