meadowlarklogs | EVENT #008 AFTERMATH LOG

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EVENT #008 AFTERMATH LOG

WHO: The Displaced!
WHERE: Lots of places—potentially? Mostly New Amsterdam as the focus.
WHEN: March 4, 2512
WHAT: Unlocking of the gates and the game's fast travel network.
NOTES OR WARNINGS: Uninvited visions.

> EVENT #008 AFTERMATH LOG

The vision itself is almost instantaneous once the last of the four gates activates, hitting the Displaced no matter where they are. It doesn't matter where that individual Displaced is: if they're in New Amsterdam, at one of the gates, or sleeping, they'll see the same vision. A flash of seven colors (red, blue, black, gold, orange, red, and white) followed by an image of a nomadic people heading up a long, stone bridge that appears to be naturally occurring. At the end of the bridge is an open, lit-up triangle that acts as a gateway, inviting them inside. Then there is another flash, followed by the nomads walking through the gate and ending up in a different, new location. And then another.

Any understanding of this vision isn't immediate. The answers won't be apparent until later, when there is an innate understanding of what they've learned and what they've unlocked for themselves. The world has opened up to the Displaced, and in some ways, it's there for them to access and even take for themselves if they so choose.

After the vision ends, any of the Displaced located at the four ruins will immediately begin to glow in all blue before they fade out of view and find themselves crammed into a new location. The relocation is immediate, and if anyone checks a map via their neural implant to see where they are geolocation wise, they'll be able to tell that they're underneath New Amsterdam. For anyone who's been in the underground cave system of New Amsterdam, they may think their surroundings are familiar, if not the same. After all, this area has been locked away for a very long time.

One more thing is apparent: they've landed on another form of gate that needs to be unlocked. After the numerous trials and puzzles the Displaced have faced, what's one more?

◉ The puzzle to solve is right beneath the feet of the Displaced on a bronze-colored mechanism. At the center of the mechanism are multiple overlapping triangles, and on the outside, there are five separated triangles that sit individually.

◉ Solving the puzzle involves connecting a daisychain of Displaced and having five key focal points step on the triangles at once.

◉ Once the puzzle unlocks, there will be another understanding: that what they saw in the vision belongs to them. Any of the Displaced outside of the caves will know what it means.

◉ With that work done, it's time to explore. The underground cave system of New Amsterdam is half-inhabited by the sprawling megacity, and half-uninhabited and untouched. This part of the cave system was locked away for centuries, and just like the other ruins, there are some relics and lost items from the past. The eras vary: some are early medieval burial sites with items like brittle, forgotten swords and shields, while others are crosses and manuscripts that refer to this location as the center of the Holy Roman Empire.

◉ The manuscripts are a mix of imagery from Catholicism and the same, omnipresent geometric imagery.

◉ The way out of the cave system involves touching a hand to a handprint alongside what appears to be a door. This print will only appear to the Displaced, so they will be able to move in and away from this location largely unobserved.

> ON THE JOB FROM 9 TO 5

Now that the gates trip is done and the Displaced have new answers—if potentially unhelpful ones, depending on their perspective—it's time to return to their lives. Surprisingly, New Amsterdam has no festivals going on, as if it's time to now be hungover from a February that involved nonstop partying. The city has been cleaned up and everyone's returning to their jobs as if the city around them is not in a constant state of revelry.

◉ Ah, it's time to return to work! No one is required to lose their jobs, but it might take a bit of groveling for the Displaced to return to where they were working before. (With the exception of the Red Wings bar. Poor Mister Doctor Stephen Strange.) El will have sent along any excuses to any bosses who might need an explanation. Ze's used to this gig by now.

◉ What about those cities left behind? No one planned on abandoning those gates at that exact moment. They will remain open to the Displaced. Anyone who had a hotel room in New Oslo or even kept stuff stored at New Beijing will find that they can just teleport back via this new fast travel system.

◉ Though for anyone who's been dealing with tampered food, maybe it's time to go take a break. You know where's a good place to do it? The Displaced-run Red Wings bar. Ah, poor Mister Doctor Strange, at least the people coming in out of nowhere are all Displaced looking for proper food and a drink. It's time to mingle, share notes, and see what's what. Might as well get to seeing where there's overlap—and what to do next.

◉ Or it's time to explore! The world is finally open and available to one and all. Well, to one Displaced and all.

◉ The information on these gates and what they do won't immediately be available to El and Gaby. It's up to the Displaced if they decide to share with their NPC friends. (Of course, if it's mentioned via the Morningstar network, then they'll know!)

> FINAL OOC NOTES

This is meant primarily as a laid back, return to life log for the Displaced after their exciting trips around the world (and trips-to-be, most likely). Any questions about the aftermath should be directed to our aftermath questions thread!

Our CR meme will be posted on February 14th (Happy Valentine's Day!), and our arrival log for all newbies will be going up on February 15th.

Thanks again for making this a great event!

> NAVIGATION

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

▶ 01. AROUND

( illya had not been taken anywhere by this city's whims but he'd certainly noticed something was awry. there was little he could do about it while he'd been making sure daisy recovered but it was obvious when people returned.

the fighting rings were a little more crowded and illya finds himself having to wait to fight while other matches went on. he doesn't necessarily mind because it means he has time to sit back and watch what might be his competition.

later on that night, you might find him well dressed and walking away from one of the petrov gambling establishments. his knuckles are a bit bruised and his suit disheveled but it's been a good night. sometimes, when someone wanted to cause trouble, illya got to do more than just stand there and be intimidating. sometimes, he got to show off why he was hired.

overall, it had not been a bad night. )

▶ 02. WILDCARD

( feel free to throw anything else at me. i'm at

spoonisly for plotting. )

( Klaus needs blood to sustain himself. That hasn't changed. But, all of his perks, physical and sensory seem to be dulled completely. His ears and nose seem to still be heightened, but only annoyingly so, in ways that keep him up at night from the sounds of the city life outside, or hushed conversations a table away. But, nothing like he was. It's only natural that he decides to test the limits physically. Who is he now, if not an all powerful hybrid?

It's something he tries, stupidly after he reaches the bottom of a bottle. He needs to test his newfound limits. In a few days, his sense of self preservation and his intelligence will kick back in, but his hubris will always remain. That's why Ilya may recognize the fight taking place tonight. Unlike the last time, when Klaus let his match get the best of him only to turn the tables dramatically at the last moment, tonight Klaus seems to be evenly matched - if a little less so because he's not in his right mind. But, bourbon would do that to his new body.

At first, his reflexes keep up - albeit not how he remembered how they worked. He feeds into painful memories of sparring with his father and that rage comes out in full force. He all but keeps himself from screaming, Mikael!

Unfortunately, Klaus' training occurred over a thousand years before now (literally thanks to his being here in this time) and it's not long before his match-up telegraphs his every move.

His shit is kicked quite well and he ends the match with a hand to his throat up against chainlink. Dropping to the ground, he thwacks the floor with his palm. Once, twice, three times a loser.

It didn't help his frustration and it didn't give him any more knowledge about what he is now. He is happy to not have bet on himself winning. He'd never be so foolish. He accepts a rag and brings it to his split lip. He takes a moment, clinging to the chainlink from the other side, having to actually gather his strength before moving on and even then, he makes it to a chair adjacent to Ilya. He sighs, nursing his wound and giving an absent glance around before it becomes more calculated. He is suddenly hungry and perhaps that comes from his beating, or it's what's included in his power down. Either way, there are a few low-lifes that won't be missed.

He does accept the complimentary glass of something given to him. Maybe because he'd fought before. Definitely because his loss had been somebody's monetary gain. )

( illya's seen him before. he's never actually gone against him as an opponent but he's seen this man dispatch a fair number of people before. now though, he is the one getting thrown all over the ring until he cannot go on any longer and the fight ends.

illya frowns. perhaps he had been trying to throw the match but illya sincerely doubts it. he watches the man stumble out of the ring and drop into the seat nearby. he doesn't say anything at first, waiting for him to get his wits together before he looks over. )

You seem to have had an off night.

( illya hadn't placed a bet because he doesn't really need to but at least some people had won money off of his loss. )

( Klaus' first few days are a blur of hours in a rundown second rate hotel that in this lighting, under these circumstances he doesn't immediately place Ilya. Instead, this is a stranger's opinion, a stranger familiar with him.

Klaus had paid a few visits, working through frustration without drawing too much attention to himself.

He sets the rag down on the table and picks up his glass. )

You're familiar with my work, then?

I am here a lot.

( he's something of a regular. he doesn't speak to many people but he's here enough to be seen and to be known. )

I've seen you fight before. It has never really ended like that, though.

( Funny, he's seen him around - but he's never made any kind of impression. )

Not all fights end the same. If they did, why fight at all? I hope you didn't lose any credits on my account.

I don't tend to bet on fights.

( that was more daisy's thing than his. he earned his money by winning. )

And no, you are right. Not all fights end the same but you seemed especially off tonight. Just an observation from an outside source.

An observation I will take under advisement. Perhaps, I shall consult with my coach. Or, perhaps my agent. Change up my workout regimen as it were and come back stronger than ever to properly take the title, shall I?

( You do seem to be so very interested in how well he'd once done. Something clicks, however. )

You were in the hotel in New Beijing.

It might be beneficial.

( he knows you're being sarcastic, klaus, but he's going to answer literally anyway because that's what he does. )

I have been a lot of places including the hotel in New Beijing. You remember me?

I do. We came to an impasse in a hallway. It may be the most childish moment I have ever shared. With anyone. Possibly in my lifetime. But, I do admit I respect a man who doesn't back down. ( He is lucky Klaus didn't feel like biting or drawing real attention to himself. Ilya really pissed him the fuck off. )

What is there to be gained from backing down?

( if you back down, you do not find out if you could have beaten the other person or not. it shows cowardice and the inability to stand up to a challenge. )

I have found nothing good come from it.

Not learning what is to come if one doesn't. Which is not a retroactive threat.

( He'd like to change the subject. )

You fight here, as well.

All the time.

( well, not all the time. but, he's a regular at this point. he's been coming here since the beginning and he won't be stopping now. )

It's a bit of a hobby.

No wonder you critique me. Any tips, then? Pointers, even? Was I telegraphing?

You are a good fighter. I have seen you before. But this...

( it was not a good showing. )

Are you ill?

No, I am not. But, the power I was granted ( He starts, deciding if he does want to disclose this. With a sigh, he knows he's been more forthcoming about what he is-slash-can do with certain individuals. And it's clear he isn't the only one in this time with such power. ) has been diminished considerably. It is not that I've been struck with an illness, but that something we did as our fledgling group - it effected me. And what I can do.

Your power's been taken?

( he hasn't used his own power in a little while so he doesn't know if that's happened to him as well. he hasn't had the need to get so angry to call upon that power in some time. )

When did you realize that?

Upon appearing in those caves below this city. Which, stands to reason that whatever suppressed the power of the gates, now has the opposite effect on me. It's as if too much power can't sustain in the same world. Something had to give.

Well, that is something I haven't heard before.

( but it is curious and almost understandable. if this place had the ability to give people powers, it stood to reason that it could take them back as well. )

When did you realize this happened?

... The moment we all reappeared under the city, brought back from our respective missions. Some without our consent. I knew - everything felt different.

That's...troubling.

( he hadn't gone out of the city this time so he wonders if that was the trigger. )

Did something happen while you were out of the city?

Just our collective trip to Everest. And might I add, other I know in my position in other parts of the globe had the very same thing happen to them. So, it's not something that happened to the one. Only the many.

I did not go to these other places and I do not think I was stripped of anything.

( but he hasn't gotten angry lately to see if that ability was still there or not. )

So, perhaps New Amsterdam has some sort of...protection.

Was anything of yours worth stripping bestowed upon you here or before coming here? Here being of course, this reality we have all collectively found ourselves in.

You mean did I have some sort of ability before I came to this place?

( did being a super cool and really talented spy count? )

No.

illya kuryakin ( ota )

fighting rings

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