boardmaster: (Default)
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!
convictionary: (I can't hold back)

1-b

[personal profile] convictionary 2016-04-14 06:48 am (UTC)(link)
[Yeah, okay, there's worse things-]

Been worse.

[And that was when the Noir lackey attacked. Now, some other heroic types might intervene in different ways. Some might cockily ask if she needed help as they twirled their weapon with an expert twist of their hand, a devil may care grin on their face. Others might step between her and the enemies and darkly hiss out something like, "Stand back." Or perhaps, "Pick a god and pray."

Gaius? Sighed.]


Do we have to? [Nnnnngh he wanted to take a nap. But as the Noir lackey attached with a fire spell and a shout which was some usual nonsense about how Noir would triumph over them and blah blah blah he dodged, and if Taiwan wasn't showing signs of dodging he was going to basically drag her along on the entire dodging thing, pulling out his sword with a resigned fuck me expression.]
twosidedsword: (Dork Trio)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-04-14 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Pause. Pause.

He nods. Yep. It's the only name he could think of. He's not good at this, Yoon!

Anyway, he tilts his head to look at the head poking out, almost missing what Yoon says next before... Oh. Ao's lack of a...anything. But roundness and fur. Um...]


...She doesn't.

[What else should he say to that?????]
tsyoon: (u wanna say that to my face)

[personal profile] tsyoon 2016-04-14 06:57 am (UTC)(link)
[ Okay. So this Ao is a girl too. With no eyes or... or anything else, apparently. Okay.





...um. ]


But what is she?!

[ Yoon demands, still baffled. The rat hiding in his coat collar pulls itself up with little claws in the material, nose twitching as it sniffs. Yoon's being loud. ]
Edited 2016-04-14 06:57 (UTC)
twosidedsword: (Was Given Food)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-04-14 07:03 am (UTC)(link)
...

[Paaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaause.]

Bimpuff.
tsyoon: (and then I slapped that bitch)

[personal profile] tsyoon 2016-04-14 07:11 am (UTC)(link)
...right.

[ Okay, yes, that explains-- ]

That doesn't explain anything.

[ He sighs. Of all the things he's seen lately though, this barely qualifies as weird anymore. What an exhausting place.

In the meantime, Haneul has managed to extricate himself from inside Yoon's coat completely, and is now on his shoulder, gripping with his claws and considering climbing down Yoon's arm. Even though the rat has wings. Then again, Yoon's never seen it fly yet. Maybe Haneul is afraid of heights... ]


Whatever.
twosidedsword: (Sudden Realization)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-04-14 07:25 am (UTC)(link)
[Ao has decided this might be a friend and bounces over to Yoon's shoulder, purring and vibrating. It's...her way of showing joy? That's what Shin-Ah thinks that means anyway.]

Ah...um...

[Come back, Ao. Yoon didn't ask for this.]
tsyoon: (dorkwithamask40)

[personal profile] tsyoon 2016-04-14 07:56 am (UTC)(link)
[ Yoon definitely didn't ask for this.

He starts, turning to try and get a better look at the two small animals(?) but the angle is bad, and he's left awkwardly cocking his head, squinting at them. The way the furball is vibrating feels weird, and definitely like it's about to roll right off him. ]


Hey! Stop that, you're gonna fall!

[ With a little grunting noise, the frightened rat scurries back for Yoon's collar-- And apparently decides that's not safe enough because then it's scrambling up Yoon's neck and onto his head, and that tickles and kinda scratches. Yoon yelps, doing a little dance of discomfort and grabbing at the rat. ]
twosidedsword: (Wait...Ao...)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-04-14 08:01 am (UTC)(link)
[Shin-Ah rushes in quickly to gather the poor rat off Yoon. Putting it on his own head, he allows any scratches that happen then goes to gather Ao. By the time he's done he's there with a winged rat on his head and a purring ball of blue fur in his hands.

Yet despite this, he's looking over Yoon to make sure that he's okay.

Priority number one okay.]
tsyoon: (it's definitely not maybelline)

[personal profile] tsyoon 2016-04-14 08:21 am (UTC)(link)
[ He's startled and breathing a little hard, rubbing in annoyance at the scratches on his neck, but other than being flustered and embarrassed about it, Yoon is just fine. He huffs, straightening his jacket. ]

Bad Haneul! [ Pointing at the rat on Shin-Ah's head. ] Don't do that!

[ This is probably sending mixed signals, as the rat is still on someone's head... ]

I've been trying to train him. [ Yoon sighs, holding out a hand palm-up. ]

Haneul, come back.
avantguard: (derp » sold quest item)

even tho she got one

[personal profile] avantguard 2016-04-14 09:01 am (UTC)(link)
[ Meanwhile, Asuna sets down the plush and tries wringing out her hair a little after plucking at her shirt. It can't really be helped and Saber doesn't seem to be complaining.

In fact, she's more worried about her plush. Saber....]


Eh?

[ There's a pause, mid-wring. ]

No, no! It's okay. Actually, I haven't bought it yet. I'll just say it was an accident so it should be okay. [ Her eyes drop to Saber's chalice. ]

What about your drink? You spilled it because I wasn't paying attention, so I should get you... another... [ Another cup of water. How much is that? 1 colle? ]
gareki: tsunkuuyandere (076)

Gareki | Karneval

[personal profile] gareki 2016-04-14 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
1. A boy and his cow.

[ Having seen some of the more interesting carriers that are around, Gareki couldn't help but look at his own with disappointment. It's pink. It has a strawberry mark on its side. It's a cow. A cow that can't be made into meat. He knows because he asked the guards and they immediately denied him from doing so. Also, he may or may not have been added to the watchlist for PETMC, but that's a different story.

In any case, it seems like he's stuck with the cow. And as they're getting ready to board the Airy, the carrier suddenly stops in its tracks. Something about cattle going airbone didn't quite sit well with it. ]


Come on, get on already.

[ Gareki is well aware that they're holding up the line. There's a sigh, before he moves behind the cow and tries to nudge/push it onto the airship. Hey, it's surprisingly hard despite its smaller size. And if you desperately want to board in time, maybe you can help Gareki shove his carrier in. Or if you're nicer, maybe entice it with a treat. ]

2. A boy and his scared cow.

[ Despite being with the extermination crew, Gareki finds himself in a different part of the rat and angry-bird infested castle. Why? His carrier had ran away from him. Miraculously, it wasn't due to the boy's harsh treatment! But apparently the sight of giant rats has frightened the poor thing and caused it to flee.

Whether your on your way to collect supplies or heading for the exit, you'll be more or less (depending on how sturdy you are) bulldozed over by a mini cow. Depending on whether or not Steak toppled you over you'll get: ]


A. [ If you did not get run over by Steak, Gareki will run up to you and ask: ]

Did a cow run past here?

B. [ If Steak crashes into you and you end up falling flat on your face or back, well... it doesn't get any better. Rather than waste time and run around you, Gareki is actually going to step on you as he tries to chase after his cow.

Ouch. ]


Closed to Setsuna. Two boys, one cow, no milk.

[ At last, Gareki managed to arrive in Capablanca with Steak in tow. However, the carrier still doesn't seem very happy being in the air. Like a cowering dog, the moment it left the Airy, it ran until it could huddle and shake in the corner of an alleyway.

Gareki eyes it like it's some sort of weird alien. ]
Are you really a cow? [ Aside from the pink coloring and the deceiving strawberry patch, it does look like one... But apparently he's not suppose to eat it. A closer inspection wouldn't hurt right?

In a split second, Steak finds itself flipped right onto its back. Everything has been exposed. It's not a pure carrier anymore. It gets even worse when Gareki nonchalantly grabs one of the udders and squeezes it, expecting milk to come out.

Nothing did.

Just shame. ]


What the hell? You can't even be milked! What are you good for anyway!?
Edited 2016-04-14 11:00 (UTC)
memoryslain: (and whispered in the sound of silence)

[personal profile] memoryslain 2016-04-14 09:56 am (UTC)(link)
[ This is an exercise for both of them, it seems— he understands the words she uses standalone but not what they imply. Amberground only had schools in some areas, few and far between and only geared toward children to get them reading and writing and behaving themselves, then they're turned out on their own.

A small fraction had wealthy enough families or developed enough interest to pursue the sciences or medicine. Most apprenticed in trades or worked in family businesses. His is a small and rudimentary world. "High" school; she must be a noble after all. At least in how he understands it.

It's stranger for him to hear of a town he isn't familiar with. He was a mailman before, after all, and had since re-studied the maps of the entire country. Even the little villages didn't go without notice. He will tactfully not mention that she seems too old to be a student. Instead: ]


Canada? I've never heard of such a town. Is it in Yodaka? Or maybe if it's only a hamlet...

[ But then she wouldn't be a noble, if it's in Yodaka; that's basically the slums, so far away from the light and warmth of the sun. WHAT IS THIS CLASH OF THE AGES. ]

I'm being rude. My name is... [ Should he be Gauche? Or just Noir? He does have Roda by his side, after all... No. There's no use lying anymore. ] Noir. And this is Roda.

[ The tiny pup gives a yap of a bark in response to her name, far cheerier company than the owner she's registered to. It's a small blessing, really!! ]
facultative: (Default)

[personal profile] facultative 2016-04-14 10:39 am (UTC)(link)
[He's a moment too slow getting into position. Dust's reverse grip reminds him of his former apprentice and that loss is still fresh.]

I-- let's say being in shape was never a problem.
facultative: (Default)

[personal profile] facultative 2016-04-14 10:46 am (UTC)(link)
[Anakin's head tells him it's likely she's talking about how the War have them spread thin and the losses they've suffered, but his heart invokes Ahsoka and how he'd lost her. Anakin's never been good at rational and even that wouldn't have been taken very well.]

Lucky there only needs to be one right now.

[Phasma's reaction is missed because he's trying to hold himself back.]
Edited 2016-04-14 10:46 (UTC)
sediments: (bolin and wee excitement!)

it's ok lyn.....

[personal profile] sediments 2016-04-14 10:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ Bolin's a little surprised to hear that, if he's honest. Saber comes across as someone really proper, who would find mixed quarters scandalous. Besides, isn't it normal to think that way? He's been crammed into places with Korra and Asami before, but he's never actually lived with them in the same room. (He's also the only member of Team Avatar that hasn't slept with another member, so maybe the other three would be more casual about it.)

In any case, even if he finds it odd, it's not enough of a big deal that it would distract him from food. He wheedles closer to the table, marvelling over the spread anew even as he shakes his head at Adra. ]


I'm definitely going to eat. Adra, you should eat too! Or you'll stay that skinny forever.
twosidedsword: (You Want To Look?)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-04-14 11:02 am (UTC)(link)
[Haneul. So that's the rats name. Of course, Shin-Ah doesn't mind at all that the rat is on his head, he did sort of put him there after all.

So he just stands there, kind of marveling over someone training their carrier because the thought literally never occurred to him when it comes to Ao. Not that he'd know where to start or be very good at doing it but still.]
facultative: (Default)

[personal profile] facultative 2016-04-14 11:06 am (UTC)(link)
[He eyes her warily. It might feel like he met her in a dream, but it could have been a Force vision. However he fails to see its possible significance. Anakin's visions are never that benign.]

And you?
facultative: (pic#10007444)

[personal profile] facultative 2016-04-14 11:09 am (UTC)(link)
[Anakin pulls a face.]

Ugh, this piece of junk is useless. I'm going to have to redo the whole thing, then I'll show you impressive.
tsyoon: (meganbmoore5)

[personal profile] tsyoon 2016-04-14 11:16 am (UTC)(link)
[ The rat stays on Shin-Ah's head, nestling down into his hair. Little rat claws on his scalp are probably familiar enough when he lets Ao (Ao the Squirrel) scramble around on top of him all the time, though.

Yoon grumbles, tapping a foot impatiently. ]


Haneul. Come back.

[ Gesturing with his hand again, palm up, and the other one pointing at said palm. Haneul spreads his wings to stretch them, then settles back down to ignore Yoon. ]

...the training is still in progress.
quaria: (「the price for us to pay.」)

[personal profile] quaria 2016-04-14 11:18 am (UTC)(link)
[ That abused Carrier may or may not have started wailing loudly. Who wouldn't after being scandalized? Its crying noises cause several pedestrians to stop and stare at the scene, looking on with either a horrified or a disgusted expression (or both). Some people start whispering among each other, thinking that this Hero must be a nutjob.

This isn't good for their reputation. In order to attempt redeeming this, a veteran Hero steps out from the small crowd to grab the Carrier away from the perverted(?) Hero's grasp. He stares at the boy a little, although he mostly remains with a hard-to-read expression. Guess who is judging? ]


Please conduct yourself properly.

[ Nobody cares what you want to do behind curtains. But out in public like this, it's only common sense to carry dignity. ]
twosidedsword: (Dot Dot Dot)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-04-14 11:20 am (UTC)(link)
[Huh. Is this supposed to happen? He stands there a moment or so while he ponders what is happening here before he realizes something.

This isn't supposed to happen.

He blinks a couple of times then looks down at Ao. Even without a face he feels like the Bimpuff is somehow exchanging a look with him. Neither of them are sure what is going on here but they can be sure it's definitely not what Yoon wants to happen.

...So...he'll stand here. Yeah. When in doubt, stand there silently. Never fails.]
memoryslain: ("Fools" said I "you do not know")

noir ● letter bee

[personal profile] memoryslain 2016-04-14 11:21 am (UTC)(link)
ONE ✸ AIRY & BEYOND

[ Imagine this guy's surprise when he hears about the "battle against Noir" when your name is, in fact, Noir. What had he done to deserve a war waged on him? Weren't they beyond this phase? Reverse was on the side of the Letter Bees now, fighting to contain the imminent threat of Spiritus. Perhaps he shouldn't have told that pink-haired girl down the hall his real name after all. From here on out, at least for a few hours, he's Gauche Suede, tailed by a young fluffball of a carrier, attentive to his every movement with the perk of ears too big for her head.

And he's acting a bit suspicious with how earnestly he's blending in and keeping an eye on his surroundings as he leaves the housing hall, just like a trained military soldier in enemy territory.

It all comes to an end the second he steps out of the doors of the building and sees...

Blue skies. A far off and blinding sun he can't look at. Clouds. It's bright— he's quick to cover his eyes with an arm and wince, pupils shrinking to pinpricks completely unable to process so much light.

This isn't Amberground. This isn't home, what little he'd come to accept it as such. This is... This is somewhere else entirely. They had never known anything but night. There are no stars in the sky to guide him and it's disorienting, lonely, empty. He had already known so little of the world, but surely this wasn't possible.

His carrier barks as he stumbles down the steps and moves to crouch against the wall, marring that pretty white uniform as he covers his eyes and sits in shock, trying to process... everything. This is too much. ]


- - - - - - - - - -

[ The airship is another matter, once he's finally gotten his bearings (as much as possible, in any case) and they've taken off for Graupera. He's come to accept that no one is waging war on him and him alone— he's learned enough to realize it's the opposing country. That's good. What bad luck that would be! In flight entertainment is all well and good, but mostly Noir will be found in the library scouring as much information about his surroundings as possible, scanning maps and the occasional tome with a studious squint before eventually giving into wandering around everywhere he's allowed. His boots were made for walking! His body is used to a high amount of travel on a daily basis, so he'll do his best to keep up. ]



TWO ✸ B

[ It's a new gun; it would take some getting used to. In the meantime, Noir's borrowed what is basically just a rudimentary bat to smash rats with instead of wasting his bullets on the plethora of vermin scuttling around the place. He's better put to use fighting critters than rebuilding what was once great. He's a marauder; they plunder and fight and used to have nothing to do with the better side of society, but in recent weeks he's found himself siding with what were once his enemies. It's enough to deal with without trying to pick a side in this place. Gauche's friends were doggedly dedicated to being Noir's friends, taking this new person in stride and giving up on what is lost. Noir himself had a hard enough time coming to terms with that. The least he can do is appreciate the same sentiment in return.

If not for the pup at his heels, Noir is alone when he slips through the heavy doors and begins his trek through the infested halls to find the materials they're sent in after. At least he doesn't question marching orders. Anyone he may bumble into he'll attempt to help unless it's a larger group, in which case he'll just casually go another direction. Lone wolf comin' through!

...At least, until you hear a couple empty gunshot attempts and a tiny canine yelp before he goes bailing down a narrow hall with his carrier tucked under one arm, gun in hand, bat in the other, eyes wide as he's chased by a large group of rats. WHOOPS. LONE WOLF COMIN' THROUGH P.S. PLEASE HELP. ]


Please run! I disturbed a nest!

[ AT LEAST HE WON'T GET ANYONE ELSE CAUGHT UP IN HIS MESS??? ]
tsyoon: (and then I slapped that bitch)

[personal profile] tsyoon 2016-04-14 11:24 am (UTC)(link)
[ It seems counter productive at this point to snatch his carrier off Shin-Ah's head or something. He wants it to come back on its own and to listen to him, and if it's going to be stubborn...

Dropping his arms to his sides, Yoon seems to give up-- then seems to get annoyed at the necessity of giving up and crosses his arms instead. ]


Fine. Stay there if you want.

[ At least Shin-Ah won't mind. ]
tsyoon: (shy or sad we just don't know)

[personal profile] tsyoon 2016-04-14 11:30 am (UTC)(link)
[ He shakes his head, frustrated-- or maybe sad and trying to hide it beneath the annoyance. ]

Never mind. It's nothing.

[ He still can't believe he's in another world entirely, but it's an undeniable fact. Not wanting to believe isn't going to change things. Missing his friends isn't going to magically bring him home.

Meaning to change the subject, Yoon turns toward his uninvited companion, leaning back on one arm in the grass to peer up at her through his bangs. ]


You never introduced yourself.
twosidedsword: (Head Tilt)

[personal profile] twosidedsword 2016-04-14 11:32 am (UTC)(link)
...should I...?

[Get him down? He is pretty high up and Yoon is...short.

To say the least.]