meadowlarklogs | EVENT LOG 007

Entry tags:

EVENT LOG 007 | PART ONE

WHO: The Displaced
WHERE: Online, on a train to New Beijing, in and around New Amsterdam
WHEN: January 13-19
WHAT: Cassius offers a favor
NOTES OR WARNINGS: No warnings right now. Mod notes at the bottom. This log runs between the 13th and the 19th, with the next log taking place on the 20th.

> EVENT #007 | PART ONE

Slowly, New Amsterdam has begun to function like a city once more. Travel in and out of the city has resumed, making it easier for people to visit the city, as well as leave to other locales. There are a number of people who have chosen to relocate during this time. Who can blame them? After the monster attacks, the weird sickness without a cure, and eventually an attack by someone claiming to be an AI, going elsewhere only seems to make sense. For some reason, a great deal of chaos has been centered in New Amsterdam proper. No one knows why, and any conspiracy theories stray too far from the truth to really hold any weight.

One thing is certain: New Amsterdam is a lot greener than it was before all this chaos started. While civil engineers are working around the clock with various local corporations to stop the problems started by the greenery itself, the city itself looks like an entirely new place. Parks are beginning to overflow in greenery, making it so that lawn care specialists have to work around the clock to ensure that they don't envelop nearby businesses. The patch of flora alongside the man-made river running down the city has grown wild, drinking in the water, sprawling everywhere. Trees begin to grow alongside the riverbanks, springing up taller and taller without rhyme or reason.

After the environmental chaos with the EMP in early June, New Amsterdam seems to be course-correcting. It's changing direction, turning over a new leaf—or many leaves.

And for the AI Cassius who caused all of this, it's a problem. There was a reason for his actions, and he can only see this change as something brought on by the Displaced, undoing his meticulous work. He can't process how or why, but it means he needs to take a different approach.

> A MESSAGE FROM CASSIUS

The message from Cassius comes as his previous messages have: from the handle of @100432. Unlike El's messages that come in a staccato way, reaching out to the Displaced via the Morningstar network, plucking their attention away from whatever it is they're doing, this message comes in the form of a notification, hitting every single Displaced's private inbox. How did Cassius get this information? And how is it that he knows about even the newest of new arrivals? That may be a question worth asking.

The message is this:

@100432 Don't get too cozy, birdies, there's work to be done. I hope you didn't forget about me. At this point, poor memory would just be convenient. That doesn't mean that I'm not willing to compensate you for your time. No one expects anyone to do anything for nothing.

I've decided if you're willing to help me, I'm willing to help you. Don't think this means I trust you, just that I'm aware of my position.

A favor for a favor; an eye for an eye.

That said, go here to thread out any and all conversations with Cassius. There are a few helpful notes to remember:

◉ No one is too late! Since this conversation is at the very heart of our event, feel free to hit it when you have the chance.

◉ All conversations are one on one. However, characters can feel free to do "screensharing" via the implant, take screenshots, or otherwise save the conversation with Cassius. Cassius will not share what one conversation involves with someone else, even if that's the favor they ask for—that comes with too many risks!

◉ Cassius won't let people ask for the same favor twice. However, if two favors approach an outcome but via different methods—and thus require some trial and error—these will count as separate favors. He'll let someone know if their favor has already been requested.

◉ Cassius won't be alerting El to what he's doing with the Displaced. That will be up to the Displaced to share with El.

◉ Depending on the favors, characters may need to wait until after the attempted retrieval of Judas to collect their payment. Even if they fail, Cassius will set it as being one step closer to finding his friend. He will not go back on the offer just because characters failed in New Beijing.

◉ However, anyone who takes a favor from Cassius will be expected to at least attempt to follow through on their promise. Deliberately sabotaging the mission will be considered backing out on their agreement, and Cassius will make it clear that he won't take this type of betrayal lightly. We'll work with you to determine the consequences of this action, if it's something you're interested in.

◉ Cassius will leave a line of communication open for the Displaced throughout this process. While he's not human, he'll understand the need to discuss and make sure they approach this as a group, as he does see the Displaced as an entity. Characters can wait to respond or end a conversation with the promise of reaching out again later.

> DISCUSSION AND PREPARATIONS

For some characters, a private conversation with Cassius may seem like a natural conclusion. No one needs to know what they discussed together. For others, it's a matter of determining what to do next alongside their loved ones, all to ensure that nothing bad happens. Because one thing is clear: whatever Cassius' motivations may be, they're likely skewed by the time that's passed. Once upon a time, Cassius was an AI focused on space exploration. It's hard to see that in his motivations today, even if someone squints.

Still, Cassius may be offering the Displaced precisely what they want. At this point, they can discuss, fight, argue, or even keep to themselves. Of course, Cassius would prefer more Displaced involved in his efforts, but he'll take any help he can get to get some physical hands on the problem ahead.

◉ This log is set up as a prelude to New Beijing. During this time, characters can discuss, argue, or even be shady about what they intend to do to get a favor from Cassius. We wanted to leave some breathing room for the characters to discuss what to do next, rather than rush everyone forward onto the next stage.

◉ Characters who agree to take favors from Cassius will have an all expenses paid trip to New Beijing. They'll have tickets for the train, as well as a spot to sleep comfortably. When they get to New Beijing, they'll also have hotel accommodations waiting for them, as well as funds so that they don't go hungry. If they need anything else, the line will still be open, so they can reach out to him for anything else they may need. Their seat on the train well come with a spot in a luxurious sleeping car, giving them a chance to take a load off along the way.

◉ For anyone who doesn't take a favor from Cassius, they'll need to buy their own ticket and handle their own accommodations in New Beijing. They'll find that all of the nicer train cars have been bought up, so they'll have a less pleasant ride ahead of them. Cassius won't be stopping anyone from coming along independently of his own mission, but he won't be helping them. However, if they do get to New Beijing and decide to take him up on a favor, he'll be happy to help them then.

◉ Tickets prices won't be horrible. The Displaced should be able to cover it on their salary, but hotel accommodations may be harder. Maybe they can all room together like it's an anime convention.

◉ There aren't any limitations on who can come and go from New Amsterdam or New Beijing during this time. It isn't a time of high alert, so characters can just use their IDs to get through customs in each of the cities (they'll pass through customs when they leave New Amsterdam and when they arrive in New Beijing). The bigger understanding is that United Nations citizens can't change their travel plans once they've declared that they'll only be moving between these cities. They can return early or later, but they can't switch gears out of New Beijing to head into another city altogether.

◉ The trip to New Beijing will take eleven hours by train, moving above and below the surface the entire way. It's a very fast trip, and anyone hoping to jump off the train midway will find that to be a difficult ask.

◉ Whether someone's going on Cassius' dime or not, everyone can assume their characters are on the same train. Characters can move through the train freely, though the front of the train will have much nicer accommodations, as well as better food. Anyone seeking out this better food will find it atrociously expensive if they aren't getting a free ride from Cassius. Maybe the others there will be open to sharing? Otherwise, there will be several bars located throughout the train, as well as anything else that someone might need. People who paid less will only get a cramped, uncomfortable seat on their journey, with less tidy facilities.

◉ If characters go to sleep and partake in some dream action during this time, let us know below!

◉ Our next log will cover the arrival in New Beijing!

> OOC NOTES

Welcome to the first part of our event! Our next log is projected to go up on November 9th, and it's likely to double as an arrival log for any new applicants! This log will cover the arrival in New Beijing, and we'll definitely hit you all with some worldbuilding about what to expect when they get there.

Our vision for this current log is to allow some breathing room for players to have their characters dig into what it is that Cassius is offering, as well as come up with plans to thwart him and the other Displaced (if they so choose). Everyone can also see this as an opportunity to take a mass Displaced trip to New Beijing, and may be able to figure out how they're going to afford things when they get there! Teamwork makes the dream work, and there are a great deal of plot leads that eventually lead to New Beijing proper. In addition to teamwork, this is a plot that potentially pits the Displaced against one another. We're excited to see how that works out!

All that said: do not begin to thread out anything after the arrival in New Beijing. All of that will be in the next log!

We do have an El post ready and lined up, so please comment below under our QUESTIONS header if your character would reach out to El about what Cassius is doing. Note that none of the mods' characters will be doing this! And more than one character reaching out is fine. If timing is an issue, we can handwave the conversation informing El if needed!

As always, feel free to ask any questions specific to this log under the QUESTIONS header or hit us up on the Event Plotting Post for anything bigger. For more general plots, please feel free to still hit our Rapid Plot Engagement post.

As a reminder, AC for new characters accepted in October will be 10 comments across 2-4 threads, while current characters will need to provide the full AC of 20 comments across 2-4 threads. AC will be posted on November 1 at 12 AM UTC and close on November 8 at 12 AM UTC. If you do not reply to AC, you will be considered idled and dropped from the game. We will not post a warning list.

Applications will open on November 1 at 12 AM UTC.

> NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[peter is uneasy about the entire situation, about cassius, about secret deals, and favors. he's here to help tip the scales in favor of their survival and illya had promised he would have something available by the time he would need it.

of course, that was before he'd gotten busy preparing his checklist for the trip, narrowing down what he could conceivably bring without arousing suspicion at the inevitable checkpoints on their journey. so by the time he gets back around to letting illya know he's free to pick up the items, it's easier to just grab them en route to new beijing.

he finds illya siting on his own, seemingly watching other passengers come and go.

peter drops into the seat beside him.]

You're really not what I picture when I think 'fashion consultant'.

[so much for subtly letting illya know that he knows the truth about the man's actual job.]

Looks can be deceiving. [ illya doesn't glance over at peter as he sits but he does have to wonder if that statement was just idle observation or something else. ]

What is a fashion consultant supposed to look like?

Oh I don't know. A little more colorful, maybe? I guess it doesn't really matter how you dress.

[he's watched a bunch of fashion competitions on tv. not as good as nature documentaries, but the consistent thing seems to be wide-rimmed glasses and bold styles. experimentation with mixing varying prints and textures and so on. illya looks like he could murder a man with his bare hands. pensive. maybe that's just the russian thing though.

peter really wants to ask him if he owns a tracksuit.]

Anyway, thanks again for pulling together my outfit for me. Can I see it now or do you have it buried in your suitcase?

Edited 2019-11-06 00:04 (UTC)

[ you only get the tracksuit information when he knows you better, peter. ]

It is in my suitcase but it is not buried. [ please peter, he knows how to pack efficiently and precisely. he packs the exact amount of things he needs and makes sure they are easily accessible. ]

You are not trying to hide it at all? [ he knows how some people like to keep things quiet here. ] I can get it if you are all right with that.

I am.
[subtlety is an artform and hey while he's usually yeeting in the most obvious of ways, he's not incapable of hiding things from people.]

Are you saying you're not capable of hiding something while in plain sight? If you'd rather wait that's fine too, but I figured if one of us was going to get caught, better it be me since I don't have a reason to worry like you do.

[it's not quite true. he wants to think that if he was thrown in jail that gaby might be sad. or maybe she'd will those tears back into her eyes before they would have a chance to fall. but peter understands that illya has a lot that he's risking both by agreeing to put together the suit and in bringing it aboard where there might be undercover agents or well-meaning uninvolved parties]

I can hide something just fine. But, I packed this away to keep it neat. It is in my overhead pack. If you would just show a little patience, I will get it.

[ keep calm and relax there, peter. ]

Just wait here.

[ he moves to stand, disappearing down the aisle. yes, he'd packed the suit but he'd put it in a place that no one was guaranteed to look because he knew how to do this. ]

I can wait, I swear.

[he waves illya off with a roll of his eyes. he's perfectly calm. there's nothing to worry about. everything will be fine. he'll keep an eye on daisy. he'll double-cross cassius and things will be peachy keen.]

I'm only a little bit anxious.

Why?

[ illya is going to credit his russian upbringing for the fact that any anxiety he is feeling isn't easily seen. ]

Because of what we are heading towards?

Yeah, obviously.

[and also because of what illya's fiancee is like in terms of rash decision making. peter's always worn his heart on his sleeve and his emotions pretty close to the surface. he likes to think that he's a champ and good at hiding his concern but nope. pretty much like reading a book with large print formatting.]

Aren't you?

What we are heading towards does not bother me.

[ much. ]

It is more...what might happen when things commingle. I worry about that.

And by things you mean Daisy.

[because he's worried about her too, albeit not quite in the same way.]

Your fiancee's got a lot of people who're looking out for her.

[ and she was listening to almost none of them. ]

Let us hope that pays dividends here and that she and everyone else comes back intact.

[ because he would lose his mind and burn new amsterdam to the ground if the opposite happened. ]

[he knows a little something about stubborn ladies. he married one, after all. two if they're counting zerzura.]

Let's hope our friend that we're doing this favor for is able to come through for us, otherwise I can see us needing more than all the king's horses and men to put us together again.

[peter takes a deep breath and tries not to think about the worst possible outcomes. it won't help him stay focused and it won't help illya, who he's sure has already gone through them all himself. what he does choose to think about is that the person who he'd agreed to do this for isn't here where he figured she would be.]

Where is Daisy anyway? I'd have figured you two would be attached at the hip all things considered.

I don't know.

[ his lips twist and he sighs, shaking his head. ]

We are not seeing eye to eye on this whole situation. [ to say the least. ] So, she is keeping her distance.

[ and then some. ]

Lovers' spat?

[here's some unsolicited advice courtesy of mr parker.]

Just don't let it get so bad that you end up drafting those divorce papers before you even tie the knot. If I could go back in time, there's a lot of things I think I'd do differently. Maybe open up more. Yanno?

You're speaking from personal experience?

[ does it count as a divorce if she gave back the ring before a wedding could happen? ]

That sounds unfortunate, what happened to you.

I've been married. For a long time, actually. We broke up a lot before we ever got there, and we're not together anymore.

[it sucks just as much even if the wedding didn't happen. at least it wasn't a runaway bride situation. now that would suck.]

It's okay. I handled it like a champ.

You are not still sad about it?

[ because illya's pretty sure that should something permanent every happen between he and daisy, he wasn't going to be able to feel anything but sadness. ]

Or have you managed to move past that?

I am, but I can't let it dictate everything I do.

[even if it does, to an extent, dictate his priorities here. getting home is about keeping that promise to miles that he'd try and pick himself back up, be spider-man, be the best peter he could be, and fix what he'd broken.]

We don't seem to be leaving here any time soon, and I'm sort of seeing someone.

[sort of? he's not sure how to classify it. maybe it doesn't need a label of any kind. it just is. of course, how does he tell illya that the someone in question is his friend and former fake fiancee?] Like me, it's a work in progress.

Edited 2019-11-15 01:45 (UTC)

Oh, that's good.

[ that's...right, isn't it? seeing someone is good. he'd always been happier in daisy's company so hopefully peter is the same way. ]

Someone who is like us, I assume? [ since he guesses it would be hard to see someone who was native to new amsterdam and keep all those secrets. ]

Yes. Someone who has a lot in common with you, actually. [there's not a delicate way to say this, so he's just going to take a page from daisy's book. just up and out with it.

sorry illya.]

Your fake ex-fiancee.

Edited 2019-11-16 17:38 (UTC)

You're seeing Gaby?

[ he can't help it, his expression darkens a bit and he glares. ]

For how long has this been going on?

[seeing might be pushing it, because they haven't had a proper conversation about it. there's just been flowers and dinner that stupid fond feeling in his chest that blooms and blooms every time he thinks of her.

stupid sentimental man.

but illya is glaring and peter's taken aback because well gaby had said it wasn't real. just work. so why the interrogation tactics?]

Not long. We... were married in Zerzura. It's left a few lingering questions.

You were married?

[ had gaby told him that? he doesn't recall but he knows he's been a little out of sorts lately and she's not a very effusive and outgoing person as it is. she's like him in a lot of ways. ]

And you thought you would see if those feelings carry over?

No. [he answers with a conviction that he isn't one hundred percent certain on. for peter, he's sure that there is some carry over in regards to the feelings.]

I wanted to get to know her. The real her. It's been a pleasant surprise that even though she's very different, she's no less disarming. [and there goes that fond feeling that comes when he thinks of her, a smile crossing his face in spite of his desire to be serious.]

You don't need to give me the threatening talk, you know. I'm pretty sure if I hurt her she'll take care of me herself.

EVENT LOG 007 | PART ONE

01. up up and away

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