meadowlarklogs | EVENT #008 AFTERMATH LOG

Entry tags:

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

( It is French. )

He guesses.

( Klaus - does then. An arm snakes around Quentin's neck as he stumbles forward but regains his equilibrium and starts at a lazy pace. )

Vision-inspired. You could call it that, yes. I believe I discussed with you a difference between the me of yore and the me now. This me. The... lesser.

I pretty much am always up for an adventure, but when we get there, maybe we can get some food and water.

( To soak up the liquor. He can't help wanting to take care of people, and he feels like Klaus needs either a distraction, or someone to talk to, or both. He meant it when he said he thought they were friends, and Quentin will move heaven and earth for his friends. He puts an arm around Klaus' waist when he touches his neck, helping to stabilize him. The way he seems to know the best ways to help indicate this is something he's done often, but he's an academic. Years and years of college life! )

Yeah, this happened to you after the quest. Something changed you, took away the thing you said made people fear you before. Or lessened it. I kind of assumed you were a vampire like Godric. You said you'd been dead for a long time and lived a thousand years so. ( Kind of obvious vampire-implication.)

If so, I totally understand wanting to drown in liquor for awhile.

I do appreciate food. Water, I never came around to the taste after - everything. It's not something that sustained me. I'll have to get back in the habit. Perhaps, I'll be one of those fellows that carries a water bottle everywhere. Perhaps on a carribeaner hook. I could rock climb.

( It's the thoughts he voices that are coming faster than they're actually figured into, his tongue getting away from him. )

I am a vampire, Quentin. That is very astute of you. We are scholars of life, you and I. Dead scholars of life. A dead poets' society of sorts.

( He stops, scrolling along his neural interface. )

I'm calling a car. I'm not sure we'll make it to the caves on foot. Like this. Like I am.

Water is going to be a friend of yours now, so yeah, let's make sure to keep you hydrated until you adjust.

( Yes the let's includes Quentin because he cares and he's now going to be worried about his vampire friends who have to adjust back to mortality, apparently. After a thousand years that has to be near-impossible. He is very concerned about why this happened to Klaus and possibly the others. The vision didn't seem to change people, but maybe there's more changes they're not aware of. EIther way, it's another question, just not one he's going to pose to his suffering friend.)

Dear scholars of life, I kind of like that. O Captain my Captain. ( He chuckles. Hey, they're both dead and they know it, Klaus is the only one he's really openly talked to it about. Quentin's sometimes down about it, but most of the time he feels fairly numb on the subject. There's nothing he can do about it. He stops when Klaus does, keeping a stable arm on him. )

Can a car bring us to the caves? Maybe we shouldn't go cave exploring until you sober up a bit. It would be pretty bad if you got a second chance at life and broke your neck falling drunk in a cave.

Quentin, you needn't worry about me. While this is in character for me, now that drinking as much as I have will effect me quite this much, I will know better for next time. And the next. There is always a time and a place. For water, too.

( He may have stopped drinking a half hour before meeting Q, but the liquor has continued to pickle.

Adjusting is not something that will be "difficult" by Quentin's definition because vampires are resilient, and Klaus isn't worried about it. Sure, he should be more careful, not stumble into the street or get his stomach pumped as it seems his tolerance being lower may mean other things are true. )

A fan of Robin Williams? Sad, he passed away.

( Robin Williams was an artist in his own right. Klaus has all of these small thoughts he's always kept to himself. Small wonders he'd never spoke of, that humanity sitting under the surface of his ruthless agenda to break his mother's curse. )

The cavern we need is not all that far down. Has your dear Eliot told you that you worry a great deal? His name is ... Pennifer. What an unfortunate choice of name, even in this year. He'll be arriving in 5 minutes.

Sorry, I kind of go into automatic pilot. I'm used to being the designated driver for my liquored up friends.

( Quentin gets sloppy drunk himself all the time too, it's not as if he's a clean and innocent. He likes booze and mild drugs as much as the next Brakebills student. But if someone else is a little off, they are priority to him, and he sobers up. He did have one drink tonight, but he wanted his wits about him. Now he's very glad; both of them drunk would've been shenanigans ... and possibly dangerous ones!)

Ha, yeah. He does. I worry about everything and everyone, it's a real character flaw. Sorry to naysay, I really do want to go with you, promise.

( It's said with some self-deprecating humor, but he's being honest. Quentin's anxiety disorder hasn't gone away and now he only has more people to worry about and more reasons to worry. He's really trying to keep it from being intrusive on others though. That's why he tries to cover up as much skin as he can when being around others, so they don't accidentally absorb his disastrous inner workings.

He laughs though.) Okay Pennifer is pretty hilarious as a name.

Then come with me, then.

( He watches the line and the small vehicle at the end of the line heading toward their address. )

It's a dreadful name.

( Isn't it? Instinctively, Klaus leans against Quentin again, shoulder to shoulder as he waits, surprisingly patiently, for their ride share. )

Is there anything else you wish to know of me, Quentin? ( While they wait? )

( Quentin likes affection. He's a little touch starved, but it's difficult for him to ask for it. He likes people to lean on him, literally and figuratively. It feels good, to be helpful, to be needed. All of his friends are shielded and sharp, and he is mush. He knows Klaus is strong too, but frankly going off on some mad adventure feels like the best thing he could do. He's trying to be smart for Eliot's sake, but there's a part of him that wants to throw himself out there. So he takes the lean without question. )

Mm? ( He looks over to him and considers. ) You told me you made people afraid. I don't get the sense you want me to be afraid of you though, before your abilities were gone and now.

( He's a curious being. He often wonders how much people care about how they're presented. Margo's like that. She has to appear tough at all times. Quentin wonders if Klaus did the same. )

Why did you want people to be afraid before?

Why did I wish people to be afraid of me. The answer changed over the centuries.

( His trail of thought is halted as a vehicle pulls up on front of them, window electronically lowering.

"Klaus?" )

Did you always want people to, or was it something that happened later? Like a "people are going to fear me for being different anyway so I might as well be that person" sort of thing?

( Quentin isn't saying he knows that personally, but he's read enough books and watched enough tv to know some common 'misunderstood vampire' tropes. And that may be projecting onto Klaus, but it's still his instinct. The car is there though so he glances over and shrugs. They could continue the conversation later.

He opens the door for Klaus and gestures to get in. ) Pennifer, right? Thanks for picking us up. Klaus, tell him where we're going.

( Klaus half limbos into the car, now fixated on the bight lights above them. Perhaps something resembling... what is something he'd stumbled on in France. Cash Cab? It is mesmerizing in this state. As if on cue, he waves a hand, taking care of his seat belt. )

The coordinates are included Quentin. Let the driver use his eyes. ( And then his train of thought rejoins the track. ) In some ways, I was different and people did fear me because of it. Or, they loved me less. I was the bastard. The weak one. The artist. But I became more. Perhaps, I was always meant to be more.

( It went deeper. People feared him because they needed to fear him. Because his paranoia knew no bounds, and his punishments had to be harsh. He laid in wait for over a thousand years, just to break his curse. And he hunted, chased, and ran, himself., )

( Quentin nods at that piece of information and gives the driver a thumbs up, like the mega awkward dork that he is, returning his attention to Klaus. Hopefully the driver is like any Uber or taxi driver; trying to avoid people's conversations and just getting the work done. Pennifer doesn't seem interested in asking any questions, at least. )

People who call others weak tend to be the actual weak ones. In my experience. Not that it makes it feel any better when they say it.

( Quentin is a soft-hearted awkward nerd. Of course he's used to being called weak. He feels weak a lot too, so he doesn't really argue the point, but Klaus is clearly not weak. Although he could see how trying to prove otherwise might make someone cold. )

Did people being afraid of you make it better?

Mine is a long and complicated history, Quentin. And better happens to be a relative term. Though, I did see myself as better. Better off. Better. Than.

You're super old, I know. ( Quentin smiles over at him, teasing warmth in his dark gaze. ) And complicated kind of comes with the territory. ( Quentin's drawn to unique attractive people what can he say? )

It doesn't sound like ultimately it brought you the happiness you might've wanted though.

Lesser men have lost their tongues from that kind of talk.

( But he's not threatening. He's talking now. Just talking. )

I was never searching for happiness.

Good thing I'm not lesser men.

( He isn't afraid of Klaus, although perhaps he should be in the general sense, with the man being much older and probably dangerous with or without his powers. Quentin's only real defense was his magic, otherwise he's an ordinary person. But he instinctively trusts Klaus. The man's given him every reason to so far.)

Why not? Isn't happiness what it's about in the end?

( Maybe Quentin's constant search for happiness is what feeds into his constant discontent with a life not full of it. )

Is it? Is there something happiness buys? If my family are happy but unsafe... I suppose everyone searches for something around happiness but searching for happiness alone, is that not foolish? Happiness is fleeting.

I think it's about what makes you happy. ( He shrugs.) Keeping your family safe and happy might be what works for you. Being intellectually curious, finding a purpose, doing a job you like, being around people you care about, those are all things that could make you happy. It's not a one size fits all.

They make you happy. Your Eliot and your finding a purpose. You're describing yourself. And you're not wrong. It is a nuanced idea, happiness. Relative to what makes someone happy. But, it is impossible for somebody to be happy all day and every day.

( Quentin's smile is seeping in sadness in reply to that, wrapping himself in sorrow like a familiar blanket. Sometimes it's difficult to shrug it off. )

Yeah, it is. And seeking happiness hasn't really worked for me in the past. It's still something I hope for, though.

Maybe it is something you will achieve.

I don't know if permanent happiness would be happiness, you know? Maybe it would be boring. If I get some of it regularly, I could settle for that. ( It won't stop him for striving for all of is, sure, but Quentin is willing to compromise. )

I was going to ask if you are okay with ... what's happening. ( A gesture toward Klaus, basically in a general 'you're human now that sucks' way. ) But I'm not sure if you could be, nor should you feel like you have to.

If I'm okay with no longer having the strength and the immortality, the - invulnerability. ( he lists. ) Is there something I'm supposed to say. Some, truism. How should I be feeling, Quentin?

I have no idea, but if you ever want to talk about anything in particular, I'm here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT #008 AFTERMATH LOG

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

as discussed, wrap!