(no subject)

[initiatesnpc]

Date & Time: Jan 12th to Jan 19th (real time), July 11th to July 18th (historical time), 1884
Location: Black Rock, New Mexico, USA
Characters: All transports
Summary: Fearing UE reprisal, the Initiative corrals all transports and shoos them onto a mission back to the Wild West, to vote Gerald "Moony" Jackson in as Mayor of Black Rock. Transports are encouraged to used all their wiles to encourage townsfolk to vote in favor of him, too. Other than that, they're free to roam as they will for 7 whole days! Good luck finding food and shelter, masses. (See the OOC post for more information.)

The Initiative had been terse and rushed as they gathered the transports into the Transporter room, and anyone unwilling to participate will have been forcibly hurried along. The Initiative employees had seemed distracted and worried, and unwilling to stand around and debate. It was time to move. The teleportation had gone off without a hitch, and a roomful of transports have been treated, quite suddenly, to a broad and sunny blue sky, and especially to the heat of mid July in the American West.

Enjoy your weeklong stay in Black Rock, New Mexico! The town is small and sleepy, with just 3 good saloons and one questionable (but considerably cheaper) one. There are a few inns, but these inns aren't quite prepared to room a sudden influx of over 300 travelers, and some people might have to bunk up or get creative with their sleeping arrangements. If you sleep in an inn at all, of course. There's plenty of unexplored wilderness out there to sleep in instead, isn't there? Just make sure to check your boots for scorpions in the morning.

The only instructions are "vote for Gerald "Moony" Jackson for Mayor, and try to convince others to do the same", and you've been given just enough money to cover a very sparse room and board for 7 days, if you don't spend it in anything else.

So, how do you spend your time?

Edit: Overflow log!

Comments

OTA | All Week

[healplz]

Ashraf has been looking strangely... happy, all week. The desert reminds him strongly of his hometown, which he hasn't seen since he was a boy, and the reminder is pleasant. And as well, there isn't a war going on, which means there's no need to frantically run around healing everyone. There isn't even any particular celebrations, which comes with drinking and accidental injuries. So, what's a relaxed holy guy to do? Well...

A: [ He's headed to a bar, indulged in a few drinks, and is now even more relaxed. He's been mostly ignoring the wary air that he's been treated with in this point in Earth history, but in this mood, it's impossible to care about it at all. You might even see the guy telling a few hesitant and unpracticed jokes, which get sympathy chuckles more than actual amusement. But, hey, he's trying. ]

B: [ Okay, so, rooming is an issue. The inn keep keeps insisting that they're full up, and so are all the other inns, and he doesn't care where "foreigners keep themselves", and Ashraf is beginning to suspect this is more an issue of the man's crankiness than his rooming situation. He's patient, as ever, but it's been a long day and he'd really been looking forward to getting a bed. His temper is beginning to flare here and there as the discussion with the inn keep gets more animated. Look, he's pretty sure he saw the inn keep hand off a key to someone while Ashraf was waiting, so is it really so much trouble to just dig up one more room?

He might need a referee, here. Or possibly outright interference, as his voice gets slowly louder to match the inn keep's, and his face gets darker. ]

C: [ Drinking and housing issues aside, Ashraf has decided it's well nigh time to just appreciate the scenery. He's found himself a wide-brimmed hat, clothing reminiscent of what he might have worn at home, had he not been taken into the Church, and gone for a walk outside the town. It's beautiful, and he's surprised by how much he'd missed the endless horizons and empty skies. It's really almost exactly like Morroc, if he ignores that the population is of Earth, and not Rune-Midgard. He's smiling as he walks, moving slowly, enjoying himself. He certainly wouldn't be adverse to company. ]

A

[vinovidivici]

[ Claire shoves a fistful of dollars into his pocket and bids the table of gamblers at the back of the saloon goodnight. Trick is to move on to the next game before the groups have time to talk, but not to make it obvious he's just going from one poker game to the next.

He takes a detour by the bar and stops by a guy he thinks he recognizes from the Transporter room. Since he's here with the Initiative he probably won't have enough money to be worth hustling, but he can kill some time talking to him. Claire slides up to the bar in time to catch the tail-end of Ashraf's jokes and finds himself chuckling at the guy. ] You come up with that one yourself?

[healplz]

[ He blinks, seeming to notice this guy for the first time — which means he now has his full attention. Is he a transport? He looks a bit like it, but Ashraf doesn't remember having seen him on the network...

He offers a smile, wide and welcoming, even if it comes with a shake of his head. ]

No, no, I... think I had heard it somewhere. [ He gestures to the seat next to him. ] Will you have a seat?

[vinovidivici]

[ He takes the stool next to Ashraf with a grin. In return for the seat you can have an introduction. ] I'm Felix Walken. What's your name?

[healplz]

Ashraf Salib. [ A respectful nod goes with that one, and, of course, since habits die hard: ] A priest. It is a pleasure to meet you, Felix.

[vinovidivici]

Likewise. [ He gives him a curious once-over after the "priest" bit. He figured Transports would have more... scrappy professions. ] I'm right in thinkin' you're not a local either, are you?

[healplz]

No, you would be correct.

[ And he looks a little pleased with himself here for having guessed this guy's status as a transport right. ]

Are you new? I recognize neither your face nor your voice.

[vinovidivici]

Uh-huh, it's my first day. Is it always like this? [ He doesn't sound like he'd mind at all if it is. ]

[healplz]

No, we generally do not have missions like these. They are more... [ Warlike? ] Well, you will see.

[ He leans forward, waving a hand over Claire's head to call down a blessing. The usual gentle blue glow encircles his hand briefly, and then Claire himself, before fading away. It's not strictly necessary, as they're not in combat and there are no reflexes to enhance or strength to increase, but it's still a soothing and pleasant sensation. ]

Welcome, my friend. I am sure you will be a valuable addition.

B!

[combats]

[ Considering how small this place seems to be and the number of people that have been brought here, Jacquese finds it really no surprise that there's trouble accommodating them all and that he's yet again turned away from another inn. It's fine though, after all the traveling and adventuring he's done, camping out is normal for him.

He's on his way out when a familiar voice reaches his ears, one that keeps rising in volume. A simple turn confirms his suspicions and well, some things never changed. Granted, he wasn't much better when he did lose his temper, but it took him a while to get there nowadays. He's familiar with Ashraf's temper though and that's why he decides to step in before things can get out of hand.

He walks up to Ashraf from behind, setting his hands down on his shoulders and giving a gentle but firm squeeze, both to announce his presence and to dissuade him, while he flashes the inn keep a bright smile to make him falter. ]

[healplz]

[ He jumps a little to feel hands on his shoulders, and they break the nice steady rise of anger he'd had going. A quick twist of his head confirms that it's Jacquese, and Ashraf takes a moment to appreciate the fact. Jacquese's presence comes with the automatic reminder of their younger days, and the continual loss of temper and fighting of that period, and that firm squeeze is a very pointed reminder, in his mind. No words necessary.

He takes a breath and lets it out, forcing himself to be calmer. There's nothing to be gained in this. If the man is unwilling to give him a room, he's unwilling. Nothing will change that, and least of all anger. ]

You are right. [ It's spoken to the innkeep, but meant more for the monk behind him. ] I apologize for taking your time, sir.

[ And he turns away, into Jacquese, head and voice lowered to keep his mutter between them: ] Get me out of here before I embarrass myself further.

[combats]

[ Jacquese lets go when he feels Ashraf taking a breath and relaxing slightly, he knows it's no longer necessary then. Just as he knows that those first words were meant for him rather than the inn keep. Which leaves just the said inn keep to potentially continue the argument so Jacquese keeps his gaze fixed on him with a too pleasant smile until Ashraf turns and he has to turn with him.

He can hear the inn keep angrily mumbling something under his breath behind their backs then, so before either of them can really catch what he's saying, Jacquese quickly complies with Ashraf's muttered request. He places one hand on Ashraf's back, right between the shoulder blades, so he can gently usher the priest outside (and prevent him from turning around again if needed.)

Once outside and well away from the doorway, he moves around Ashraf so he can face him, giving a wry, apologetic smile before he mouths: Are you alright? ]

[healplz]

[ Already well on the way to calming down again, a fresh breath of air still manages to do wonders. He even manages a small, sheepish smile at Jacquese. ]

Yes, I am fine. [ Is this irony, that the guy he used to most despise is the one to pull him out of a heated argument? ] That man was only — that is, he clearly still had...

[ ...that's not the way to forget about it. He sighs and shakes his head. ]

Nevermind.

[combats]

[ Jacquese's smile turns warm and gentle at that, reassured. The irony isn't lost on him, but it's not like he's going to comment on it any time soon. The past was the past and they were, for the most part, changed men now.

He's raising an eyebrow when Ashraf starts about the inn keep, but then Ashraf's already cutting himself off and Jacquese nods encouragingly. Best to let it go. Of course, it was troubling the man wouldn't give Ashraf a room, but then Jacquese had already suspected the inn keepers had started being selective with whom they gave a room. Still, it wasn't so bad outside. Colder now that it was evening, but ...

He points to the ground, then to the sky above them and finally to Ashraf himself and tilts his head inquiringly as a way to ask if the priest would camp outside or keep searching for a room. ]

[healplz]

[ It takes him a second (and a quick and probably unnecessary glance a the sky) to work out the question, but he has it eventually, and shakes his head. ]

It would not be the first time I've slept outside, if it comes to it. [ Any adventurer in Rune-Midgard has camped outside, if they're worth anything. ] But I would nonetheless prefer a bed, if they're anywhere to be found.

[ He'd begun to glance around for other inns, but aims a curious glance at Jacquese. ]

What of yourself?

[combats]

[ Jacquese nods his understanding. Of course, beds generally were preferable, but all the same. He motions to the ground to indicate he'll be staying outside. He'd leave the beds to the people who were less adapted to the elements.

He briefly pauses, considering, before finally getting out his blackboard and writing: ]

But if you like, I could help you find a room. [ He could be persuasive if he wanted to be! Although persuade usually just meant loom over, but eh details. ]

C

[deadelfwalking]

[Once Ashraf gets some distance from the town and finds himself out among those endless horizons and empty skies, he might come across Koltira, sitting among a cluster of rocks. He's got a flask of something in his hand, and he's staring out over the expanse, his expression neutral.]

[healplz]

[ He doesn't hesitate for long, after spying Koltira. This man is a friend of his, he reminds himself, he had asked permission to use that title and been granted it some time ago. And as this man is his friend, he's going to act appropriately.

So he alters his course just enough to head over, and can't avoid a small, calm smile. ]

May I join you?

[deadelfwalking]

[Koltira doesn't smile back, but he doesn't exactly glare, either. He nods slightly, remains perfectly neutral, and gestures to the flat rocks.]

As you like.

[healplz]

[ And so he does. He settles carefully down on a rock and tips his hat a little lower to keep the sun from his eyes, determined to feel as casual as the act warrants. ]

How have you been? [ since gettin dramatic with him and suchlike. ]

[deadelfwalking]

[He drinks from the flask, and seems to address it as he replies.]

I don't think I've been much of anything at all. You?

[healplz]

[ cont here! ]

B

[hornedomen]

[Ico came here hoping that this place would have a place for him to stay. However, it seemed he would have no such luck here. He carefully watched Ashraf and the inn keep. It looked as if there could be trouble, but Ico wondered if it was right to interfere with elders.

It was not until Ashraf's voice began to rise that Ico decided to step forward. He reached out and brushed his fingers across the end of Ashraf's sleeve. He hesitated for a second before he tried to hold onto his arm.]

Ashraf? Let's go somewhere else. I'll help you look.

[healplz]

[ Ashraf blinks, looking down at Ico to feel the touch at his sleeve. He looks confused for a moment, glances back at the innkeeper again, and recalls everything. Including his own behavior.

Looking thoroughly embarrassed, he shakes his head with a half a step back. ]

I-- ah, yes. Someplace other will do nicely. [ And with a hurried exiting bow to the proprieter, who just looks a little confused: ] Thank you for your time, sir.

[hornedomen]

[He hurried ahead of Ashraf so he could open the door for him. Ashraf looked rather angry back there and it made him worried. Once he was outside, Ico could breathe a sigh of relief.

He read the sign on the building.] Inn [He stressed the word longer than necessary.]

There's more than one here, right? Did you see the others?