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BOARDMASTER ([personal profile] boardmaster) wrote in [community profile] pawnstorm2016-04-09 04:30 am

intro ♚ april

WELCOME TO GRAUPERA



We’ve all had those dreams: you wake up on a table, to blurry, ominous images and the certainty that you are absolutely buck-naked in a room full of strangers. This is not quite it.

Instead, you come awake to the sun on your face. The soft burble of water nearby. The hustle and bustle of a busy street and the faint, fortifying smell of bread. You open your eyes and there’s no one there at your bedside, but there is what appears to be the end of the world happening just beyond your window.

There’s a crack in the world across the sky, the “sun” is the totally unnatural light spilling from that crack straight into your eyes, and someone’s left a neatly pressed and folded uniform at the foot of the bed that isn’t yours. Somewhere in the room, there’s a strange clatter like beads, the click of claws on the floor.

Something’s in here with you.

Also, you are naked.

ONE CAPABLANCA & AIRY
As much as Blanc’s capital welcomes its Heroes, new arrivals such as yourself won’t have much time to settle. Get dressed and pick up your weapon and Carrier, because sometime in the afternoon, all floor nannies and Carriers will broadcast an announcement by Commander Lisbrand. She delivers a brief greeting to their new members, but gets straight to the point: they will be headed for Capablanca and the open sea beyond, in order to restore the fortress of Graupera for battle with Noir looming on the horizon. All new Heroes are expected to report to the Airy at the Caissa aeroport on the 8th along with their seniors.

On the morning of the 11th, Airy alights on Graupera, an island about two hours away from Capablanca by ferry. From here, you can either help the navy with Graupera repairs or assist in Verdoni’s investigations and head for Capablanca proper. Heroes will be staying in the (in)famous Hotel Caruana: they say you can check in anytime you like, but you can never truly leave. Nobody will quite meet your eyes or tell you what it means.

Wherever you are, the Airy will remain parked at Graupera.

TWO GRAUPERA, CAPABLANCA SEA FORT
What was once a heavily fortified island rests a ways off the coast of Capablanca; it looks a little too much like one of the thunderclouds slowly swarming on the horizon. Graupera has seen many battles and withstood the ebb and flow of wars. Formerly the city’s first line of defense until it was abandoned after the Reclamation, its dilapidated condition is the current bane of the Blanc navy. Blanc needs to bring it back to its former glory before it can face a single warship, much less Noir’s fleet of magical cannons. Blanc’s government has no doubt Heroes will do a fine job at returning the fortress to its former glory!

A ♙ The great stone and iron wall facing the wide open ocean has seen better days and is full of holes overgrown with stubborn clinging vines; cannonballs used a lifetime ago litter the grounds. The vines are extremely thick and may tangle the careless beyond hope of escape, not to mention filled with a pungent sap that will seep into your clothes and hair for days. It makes a great adhesive, though? Conveniently, parts of the wall are strewn across the floor, so at least some of the cannon holes can be repaired with enough improvisation, desperation and a bit of spit. The rest need new material provided by our helpful Heroes in Option C. Furthermore, the lingering damage from a previous attack and old age have turned the floorboards weak and unstable. The wood creaks ominously beneath the mass of even a single average-sized person, so watch your step.

B ♟ You might want to get your weapon before you descend into the dank depths beneath the castle. Once you make it down the steep, slippery stairs, you’ll be meeting the gigantic, hostile rats that infest the castle cellar from top to bottom. It looks like magical residue from long-ago battles has seeped into both the foundation and its inhabitants. The cellars have become a huge warren filled with strange mana currents, and sometimes flooded with water. If you're going to start an extermination campaign, you may want to recall the magical residue: chopping off a rat’s head and limbs will barely slow it down. It will keep going for hours unless you either lop off all its limbs or pierce its heart.

If you manage to make it all the way up into the castle’s two intact towers (the other two are half-collapsed), the uppermost levels are utterly covered in bird crap. You’ll be encountering the kings of this castle: the unusually large, grey-feathered sea birds that have taken up residence here. Albatrosses, gulls, pelicans, even sand pipers: they all share nesting and pooping space here. The feathers of each bird seem to have taken on stone-like properties not unlike the castle’s walls. They’re extremely ferocious and protective of their nests, which are filled with all kinds of things: twigs, shiny things, coin money, Option C’s supplies, feathers of all kinds, and some completely ordinary tools that seem too small for human hands, and much older than anything else in the place save for the walls. If you look closely, you might be able to see a few baby rats scattered in amongst the eggs and the peeping chicks. They’re being fed, too.

You’re meant to be moving the birds out of the place, but you might have enough trouble just moving their offal.

C ♙ Don’t feel like dealing with pest control? No problem! Blanc will need materials for rebuilding and other supplies for the coming battle! Everyone knows how important it is for the fortress to remain standing, so Heroes will be provided with gadgets and weaponry that should make it difficult for enemies to penetrate the walls yet again. Word has spread that the Heroes are transporting valuable goods, though, so you might have to fend off the occasional hopeful man or annoying mouse (rat) who wishes to borrow much-needed material.

Of course, all this rebuilding will be for naught if you are not prepared to defend the stronghold! Ammunition such as cannonballs, bullets and arrows needs to be transported to Graupera en masse, pronto. Equally important essentials include first aid supplies and enough non-perishable food and water to last a small army (you) a month or two. You wouldn’t want to have to scavenge for rat meat.

No one knows just how long this battle is going to last.

THREE Training
It’s time for you landlubbers to learn how to swim! Commander Lisbrand won’t be tolerating any sinking stones on her task force. The upcoming battle will be fought on the sea so your instructor, one of Blanc’s many fine captains (when she isn’t intoxicated), will make every single individual who hesitates at the sight of the open ocean walk the plank. She’ll even give you a helpful kick if necessary! Once that’s over, she will show you how to steer a ship. However, wandering eyes that land anywhere on the inebriated captain’s assets will be swiftly and spectacularly dealt a large bottle of the harbor’s best swill right where it hurts.

Blanc has also provided training dummies dressed suspiciously like prominent figures of the Othellian underworld. Now might be a good time to branch out and learn about your affinities. Heroes who have recently been promoted in Rank might want to set some time aside for getting used to their new abilities, too. Power and responsibility come hand in hand, after all!

INFO Welcome!
Welcome to Crosscheck's April intro log! For any further questions, please see the FAQ or reach us at the Contact Us page. Have fun!
cutiepanther: (82)

[personal profile] cutiepanther 2016-04-13 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Maki wouldn't have forgiven herself if she had somehow caught Yukari in that fire. She could have probably helped to heal her but it wouldn't make her feel any better about hurting an ally!

At the moment she's already feeling pretty bad about having to hurt the birds.

But it's an us or them situation, she knows that, she's had to learn that lesson since coming to this world. And she wants to live.
]

N-Nice job, Takeba-san!

[ She's a bit quick to congratulate her, seeing how the birds are on the counterattack again, making her dive for safety behind an outcropping. ]

Can we gather them closer together at all?!

[personal profile] corpsedoctor 2016-04-13 06:41 pm (UTC)(link)
[ To his credit, he doesn't stop running. He just stares at her for a long time -- long enough to almost run into something before jerking his head back to focus on the WHERE they are going rather than the WHO he is carrying. ]

Ah... I know your sister. Vietnam. She mentioned you as her sister... but I thought that ... I thought something else entirely. [ Vietnam, he is proud of jer. ] But! That does not mean I am disappointed in this meeting, however, Taiwan!

You... I definitely would want to dissect uou, too. [ He starts to laugh in his manic way before halting. ] That was a joke... really.
catfishtail: (over there!)

[personal profile] catfishtail 2016-04-13 07:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hey, Namazuo may act dumb and say weird things, but he's not lazy.] We can get as drunk as we want after we get rid of these rats!

[Speaking of which, one rat has heard them and started lumbering towards them. Namazuo quickly rushes over to it and hits it repeatedly over the head, as hard as he can. He really misses having an actual sword, but he'll do the best with what he's got.]
plumblossom: (❀ laughing)

YEAHHHHH

[personal profile] plumblossom 2016-04-13 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Real smooth, Minato. She doesn't seem to have caught on, so he's safe. The sound of his stomach gets a chuckle out of her, too. Did he work too hard, or is he just really hungry? ]

I think it's pretty good myself! But I need a taste tester just to make sure.

[ After taking a spoonful of hot and sour soup and blowing it cool for Minato, she holds it out for him to eat. ]

Here!

[ waifu intensifies ]
quaria: (even if the yellow-turned leaves)

[personal profile] quaria 2016-04-13 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Sparkling milk bottles from the Airy! Setsuna would often carry a few to sate his thirst at any given time. He has a water canteen as well, but it's still filled... These would have to do.

When the girl thanks him, Setsuna acknowledges her with a small nod. He doesn't mind at all, so it's fine. They're comrades now, so they might as well try to get along. In the future, they'll likely end up working together again.

For the meantime, he'll get started with the "gardening" job. He starts skillfully cutting through the overgrown vines without making much of a mess. It helps that he is a Knight now; his enhanced strength has returned to him, allowing him to almost effortlessly take care of these tough vines. But once he reaches an area where he knows the essence would flow out of, he stops so he can look at her and give her a signal. ]
tsunetsugu: (pic#10136762)

1-B

[personal profile] tsunetsugu 2016-04-13 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Juzumaru is probably not the best person to fly into...for the men who did the act. He looks down at Taiwan with a nod, his face in a tight frown as he looks down the alleyway to see the perpetrators. ]

I am quite alright. I'm more worried about your state. We should get you medical assistance and try to stop those men, they cannot be allowed to remain on the streets with that sort of attitude.

[ Not while Juzumaru is around. All sinners must pay for their crimes at some point. ]
plumblossom: (❀ koreaaaaa)

[personal profile] plumblossom 2016-04-13 07:56 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ah, Vietnam. Surely a man who knows her sister isn't a bad perso— ]

...

[ She starts flailing her feet and shoving his face away. Did we mention screaming? That's definitely happening, too. ]

Help, help! This man is turning me into sushi—! [ She pulls on his eyepatch to stretch it just enough so that it smacks him in the eye. That'll show him! ]
armorial: (pic#10135380)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 07:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ SHE'S OFFENDED if only slightly, but she can see in his reaction that he's not trying to provoke her. She exhales quietly though a bit tired of the subject of her gender/sex. Either way, she mentally shrugs it off!! Some guys are just...

Weird with girls? Even though she doesn't necessarily find herself too feminine.
]

It shouldn't be any different from teaching a man. [ Yata, she is trying to help you. ] If it helps, you may think of me as male.

[ Even though this basically sounds like Yata has gynophobia. ]
plumblossom: (pink 1 ❀ angry)

[personal profile] plumblossom 2016-04-13 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ This man seems so pretty and delicate, it's almost as if she could break him with a single touch. Can he even hold his own? Ah, but his resolve is strong. Taiwan has no other choice but to rely on him! ]

I'm really alright! [ No. She hides behind Juzumaru. ] But those men have magic...

[ She does, too. But she's not too confident in her skills! Especially after getting these cuts. ]
armorial: (pic#10134247)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Since it can't blow up the pool, she turns to Kaito to give him a very similar look. While most leers would feel like maybe two daggers, her gaze is that of unlimited bladeworks piercing someone's body. The severity lesson over time.

Eventually.
]

That was not my intention. [ She looks at the ground now since she can't look at the pool without being made fun of. So rude?? ]
rollin: <user name=sharper> (neutral | when ur lookin for guys)

[personal profile] rollin 2016-04-13 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ They're both terrible afflictions, gynophobia and casual sexism. Someone please help this boy. Yata's mostly just awkward and inexperienced, though. He fidgets at Saber's suggestion. ]

Really? Is that cool?

[ Girls aren't as fun to hang around because he can't treat them the same way he would a guy, but if Saber says it's okay to treat her that way, then... It kind of helps. A little. The next time he looks at her is a shy glance. He's trying. ]

... I'll do my best.
armorial: (pic#10134259)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 08:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ A mage. She nods as if pleased with this dynamic so far and also to protect her new ally. She gestures for them to head down the steps. It is time to slay a bunch of rodents!! ]

Let us go, Dust. [ As they take their descent down the steps, Saber will throw water up into the air and it drops into a barrier around them. Unfortunately, it's small... So she sticks close. It's best to be prepared especially when she hears a large amount of heavy scurrying against the floor. It's coming their way. ]

Their numbers are great. Be prepared.
armorial: (pic#5238723)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't see how it would be "weird", Bolin. [ But she is a king--the king of knights. She has been raised to be KING rather than a girl, so she sees little to no issues about this at all. Good thing he doesn't say she looks fragile and shit or something because she would lose it.

While she isn't fond of this topic, she instantly pushes it aside when she sees delicacies being offered to her. It's almost like her little ahoge twitches (realistically hair doesn't move) as she examines the pieces of culinary art. She starts with the savory pie before touching any of the desserts.
]

Thank you, Adrasteius. I should be able to last till the next meal. [ She is willing to vacuum all leftovers, to be honest. She looks at Adra, then at Bolin, then back to Adra while chewing. ] Will you two be eating soon?
showsnopiety: (I think I'm falling)

3

[personal profile] showsnopiety 2016-04-13 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
I've time.

[Caren stops what she was doing, and her hands come to rest in front of her. Sure, the Halls of Glory has classes of some sort...maybe. She isn't sure. But she's been picking up bits and pieces, and she had help with one person in particular.

Her golden eyes sweep over him briefly, before she quietly adds:]


Ask away.
armorial: (pic#10134246)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
... Prawn? [ That's the first one that hits her hardest (also because she recognizes it faster). She looks... Concerned. It doesn't exactly sound appetizing to her. While seafood is delicious, she can't imagine drinking it. She looks up to him as if she notices the shift in attention. ]

I am guessing that it's not one of the better drinks. [ IT SOUNDS GHASTLY. ] Melon sounds nice.
armorial: (pic#10133748)

yo i didn't mean it

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There's a sigh of relief that they don't just fall over unconscious for hours. She is glad. ]

Yes... That seems to be the case. [ She looks at the plushie that Asuna is holding while stroking her chin. She doesn't mind being wet for now since she has a change of clothes in her lodgings. What's most important is this!! ]

Shall I get you another?
hymnals: and kick its little ass (i'd like to find your inner child)

o m g i missed your tag somehow spoon ?_? RUINS THIS THREAD EVEN FURTHER

[personal profile] hymnals 2016-04-13 08:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Adra rolls his eyes. ]

That we have to share such close quarters, regardless, is an insult and a disgrace. No respect for privacy, these people.

[ He makes a dismissive gesture with his hand at the notion of 'eating'. ]

No; I'm fine.

[ Did he eat breakfast? Hmm. No, probably not. Well, not a big deal. ]
armorial: (pic#10133793)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ mentally barfs... Extraneous titles and gloryhounding. Saber isn't comfortable with Gilgamesh talking about her, but there is a sense of pride. This is something she has to do!! She doesn't watch him, but instead focuses on the giant bird and keeping her barrier steady. It's chipping away, piece by piece, but they're still in its protection. It is only when Gilgamesh pulls his longsword against the bowstring where the foul starts trying to take flight, sensing danger.

She feels the distress--the anticipation. The barrier can only last a couple of seconds and it drops when the shot is fired. The bird, in its last possibly breath, tries to swoop in and kill them on the spot before the longsword lands. If anything, it fastens its death. She hears the sound of punctured flesh, looking up to see the bird flying with an unsteady pace. There's a large cry as blood basically falls onto their general area--and then it releases itself one last time... Specifically on our heroes. Saber quickly jumps back because she doesn't have enough mana left to cast another barrier. Also, she is not keen on walking back with slathers of that on her person.

EITHER WAY... it drops onto the floor bleeding out, squawking and violently writhing before it falls still.
]

It is done. [ She is pleased with results!! Without a doubt, she assumes Gilgamesh has also evaded the goop, so instead quickly makes way to the nest to fetch their supplies. She looks curiously at the money, unsure if they should leave it or take it. The little babies are crying at her and she feels bad about killing their mother(?) for second. However, there is no other way. ] Let us carry these supplies back.

[ She'll turn to finally check on bird slayer. Goldie. How is he holding? ]
showsnopiety: (it's like a little prayer)

[personal profile] showsnopiety 2016-04-13 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[It seems that he takes her words and things them compliments. Or, that he is denying her what she wants, like a child holding another child's sweet over their head. But then, what does she truly know about him? A dream is a dream, and this is reality.

And he keeps saying all sorts of things. Useless things. Even as graceful as he is, holding her life in her hands...there is a part of him that wants to strangle him.

In part.

What he does declare is alluring even in its insanity. However...]


That's because you're an idiot as well as a tease.

[An eye roll, before she glances down, wondering if he will let her touch the ground just yet.]

Whether I am by your side or not, I want to see it when the Gods fall.
armorial: (pic#10135383)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 09:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Saber... Doesn't know if that's a good idea: tomato drink. She, however, doesn't question Maki's tastes since it definitely isn't the weirdest flavor of dairy to enjoy. It is technically a fruit? I guess. She's caught off-guard by Maki's proposal. There's a look of surprise on her face as she turns back to the other girl. A nod to being new. Are Heroes that easily differentiated? ]

That's kind of you, but I can't take your offer. [ It's tempting, but she doesn't want anything at the expense of someone else. It's also the polite thing to do. ] You should buy yourself another bottle of tomato milk instead.

[ Another nod as reassurance. ]
showsnopiety: (I wanna take you there)

[personal profile] showsnopiety 2016-04-13 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[She considers this. She doesn't know if she will truly succeed, but then again...she also has the advantage of a teacher, or at least someone who can offer advice. Caren is thoughtful, her mind going inward as she considers this information.

Will and focus....and practice to see it along.]


Changing my mana to earth? How?

[She's curious and she's ready, if eager to learn.]
armorial: (pic#10133768)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's okay. She doesn't recognize him at all, but her attention turns to him when he speaks. This is probably the first person that doesn't mention how she's having a dominance battle with a pool in the mental arena. In a way, that puts her into a better mood as she forgets completely about her failures. Instead, she looks down to her clothes to see that, yes, they are still drenched. ]

That's noble of you, but I can retrieve my own clothes. [ She will wear this shame for a couple more minutes. Plus, she doesn't want to bother others. ] It will take more than water to make me fall ill.

[ and you know she will regret what she says because she'll be sick, but she isn't right now. That is the most important part. There's a small bow of her head ] But thank you for your concern.
armorial: (pic#10133791)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There's some silence as she considers the offer. She can tell that this one is also a fellow Hero and Heroes have other tasks waiting for them (like lounging), so it takes her a while to think about this. ]

I would like that, but I don't want to take up your time.
armorial: (pic#10134246)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Maybe one day, young pilot. The grail is a dark tale--also a lot cooler than the one she has in her hands. She tilts her head when the question is asked. There's some silence. She isn't obtuse, so she easily figures out what is happening, but she doesn't make any remarks yet. Instead, she looks up to the menu, then back at him. Her expression blank as ever, she speaks. ]

Shouldn't the question be "how sweet should I make my milk?" [ She can be clever when she chooses to be! Of course, it comes with some more straight-forward words. ]

Thank you, but you do not need to pay for me. The experience itself is enough. [ There's a nod of reassurance. ]
armorial: (pic#10133794)

[personal profile] armorial 2016-04-13 09:41 pm (UTC)(link)
... You are right. Since I am already drenched, there is no reason to not test it. [ The pool also doesn't look deep, so she can probably just walk her way out of it. First, she rolls up her pants and then her sleeves. Even though she's ready to get wet, she doesn't want to (obvious). Stroking her chin, she carefully takes the surfboard.

It's taller than her. With careful placement, she makes sure she's in the shallowest end so she can sit on the board. Once she does and several seconds of tranquility has past, there's even more silence. She is floating.
]

How much are these boards?